Winter wanted to think the same way her cousin does. But she can't. Whenever she heard the news about what happened, she couldn't just get it out of her mind.

After staying with Jillyanna for few days in States, Winter left ahead of time so that she can go back to the military camp.

She immediately asked Major General Calhoun about Gabriel but he only gave her a sad sigh. A week after Gabriel went to Pantar, they lost connection to the troops. They couldn't get in touch with them and couldn't track their traces.

They knew that this could happen. They knew it would be impossible to make peace with the anti-government but, they still risk their lives if there's even one percent chance.

"You must be kidding me...impossible.." Winter was shocked with the news. She immediately ran to the control to see for herself what really happened. "What exactly happened?"

"Lieutenant Colonel, the troop that was sent to Pantar was ambushed. We still heard several gunshots from our men and one by one after that, we lost signal of them. Their...Their trackers..are attached to their heartbeat." the commanding specialist answered her with a sad smile.

"Do something! Don't just give up! They might still be alive!" Winter shouted in hysteria with the thought of Gabriel's death. Everyone was stunned with her loud shout because it was the first time they saw her lost her composure.

Even when she was betrayed by her fiancee and best friend before, she never showed her weak countenance to anyone. She remained valiant in their minds. This time, however, she looked like a child who lost her precious belonging.

Their IT specialist, no matter how hard they try, they couldn't get a signal from the team. Her tears fell and she was having a hard time to breath. Her throat constricted and her thoughts were messy. She couldn't think straight.

"What happened to Lieutenant Colonel Avery? Why is she crying? Did something happen?" one of the military officers asked Major General Calhoun.

Maj.Gen. Calhoun shook his head slowly. He didn't know what happened either. He looked at Winter for a long time before realization hits him.

"Jesus! Winter, did you remember him?" Maj.Gen. Calhoun asked in utter surprise. He knew the relationship of Gabriel to the Madrigal and to the Avery families. He just didn't know that she remembered him. "When? How? Oh god! This is tragic!"

Winter couldn't hear anyone anymore. She blocked off her mind and all her senses from her surroundings.

After few days, there wasn't anything new. Days became weeks and Winter was becoming colder each day. She went back to train the new listed armies just to keep her mind occupied. At night, she'd cry from sorrow and pain. She'd pray that a good news would come and greet her in the morning but there was nothing.

Winter decided to give a call to Jillyanna because she's the only person who can understand her. She didn't expect to hear Travis on the line.

"Lord, I know I've done so many stupid things and I am very sorry for that. I'm willing to pay anything, even my life, just as long as you bring him back to me." Winter whispered her prayer with her eyes closed. "I'm willing to wait."

It was at this moment that she understood how Jillyanna felt when Travis was under comatose.

Two weeks, she waited for him for two weeks.

One month, he was tied on the wooden plank, both hands and feet were tied and his body was full of wounds. The wooden plank which was brown in color was now tainted with dried dark- red blood

'It's better to die in here.' Gabriel thought with dull eyes. He had been praying that they would just kill him but he was disappointed every day.

The would inflict pain on him but they didn't hit his vital organs. It was more like they were toying him to enjoy themselves.

Gabriel heard the sound of the door being opened. Evil laughters echoed in the room, numbing his heart and mind.

"You're awake? Good! Let's have fun again." the leader of the group was a man with a tiger tattoo. He never showed his face when he came to visit him but Gabriel could hear the happiness in his voice.

Gabriel didn't speak. He just waited for the man to make a move. There wasn't anything to fight for after all. He lost her a long time ago to a man who didn't deserve her. He, on the other hand, was living in an illusion that she'd remember him but he knew all along that it won't happen.

"Let's play a riddle game, yes?"

Gabriel didn't speak.

"Why are you not answering me?!" the man stabbed Gabriel on his foot with a fork. Blood seeped out and dirtied the wooden table. "Answer me!" Another stab was given to Gabriel on his other foot.

Gabriel groaned in pain but he remained silent. His forehead was covered in cold sweat and his tied hands were trembling.

"You're no fun to play with." the man stated with a mocking voice. "Oh! I have a good idea." He went to the door and called someone to come over. "Bring me the young girl of Obeso."

Gabriel's eyes widened. He clearly knew what he was trying to do. He tried his best to free himself but it was futile.

Just as he struggled, a young girl, about fifteen or sixteen years old came inside. She was dressed in thin white dress, making her shiver from cold. She looked at Gabriel with pleading eyes, clearly asking for help.

"Let's have fun." The man spoke with clear malicious intent. He grabbed on to the girls hand and kissed her neck. "I'd enjoy myself in front of you." He mocked Gabriel while kissing the crying little girl.

"H-help me.." the girl whimpered while looking at Gabriel. Her knees and hands were trembling as she plead for help. "I don't want to die."

"Shut up!" the man slapped the young girl from anger. Even when she's already down on the floor, he didn't stopped. He kicked her stomach, slapped her face and punched her on the gut.

He touched the wounded lips of the girl, tainting his fingers with her blood before he licked it. "This is better. Want to have a try?" he kicked the young girl once again while he watched Gabriel.

"I'd rather die."