The rainforest's treasure

Meanwhile, the Dark Hand headed by Shendu in Valmont's body found out the location of Jackie's and Pemuya's house. Shendu ordered to Finn, Ratso and Chow to invade the house and kidnap Jackie's wife and son. The evil dragon wanted to force Jackie to serve him, blackmailing him with his family's lives in his merciless claws. The trio approached the house stealthily, avoiding the neighbors' eyes. Finn, Ratso and Chow were no match for Jackie, but against Pemuya and the defenseless Tohru, they felt unstoppable. They broke in, the sound of their boots echoing through the quiet house. Fortunately, little Tohru was in Uncle's antique shop with Jade and big Tohru looking after him. But Pemuya was at home, naked as usual when no one could see her. She didn't suspect nothing. Pemuya was in the kitchen, a pot of herbal tea steaming on the stove, when she heard the shatter of glass from the living room. Her heart skipped a beat as she recognized the sound of forced entry. She had faced danger before in the jungle, but this was different. This was her home, her sanctuary, and her fear grew with each second. "Look what we have here," Finn leered at the sight of her naked body. "Isn't she pretty, fellows?" Pemuya stepped back, horrified of what these men could do to her. "Don't touch me," she said, her voice steady despite the tremble in her body. "We have to," Chow shrugged. "We've got an order to get you and your baby to our master. You better tell us where the baby is." "He isn't here," she told the truth. "I won't tell you where he is. You can do wherever you want to me, but leave him alone." Finn chuckled darkly. "Is that so?" He took a step closer. "I think we'll take our time finding out. Chow, search the house. Ratso, stay with me so she won't escape." The two men approached her cautiously and caught her by both her arms. "You don't rebel - you don't get hurt," Finn warned. Her whole body was shaking with horror. She had no strength even to say a single word. "The baby isn't here," Chow said, approaching. "She told the truth." "Let's hope Shendu will be satisfied with what we've got," Finn nodded. "Let's take her to him." With Ratso and Chow's grip on her arms, Pemuya had no choice but to comply. They marched her out of the house and into the alley. She searched for an escape, but she knew she was no match for these men in their concrete jungle. As they shoved her into a van, Ratso climbed onto the driver's seat, and the other two men sat to both her sides at the back seat. "Where are you taking me?" Pemuya asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "You'll see when we arrive," Finn replied. "It wasn't our wish to kidnap you, it's Shendu's." He stroked her bare shoulder, as if trying to comfort her. Chow squeezed her hand carefully. "We won't do harm to you," he said. "Though we aren't sure about Shendu. You better obey to his every order, if you want to survive." The van jolted forward, and she felt a surge of fear. But she knew she couldn't let it consume her. Her love for Jackie and Tohru was too strong. The van rumbled through the streets, and Pemuya felt the miles stretching out between her and her son, her heart aching with each bump in the road. The gentle stroking of Finn's hand on her skin was almost comforting, a strange juxtaposition to the horror of her situation. "Jackie will come for me," she whispered to herself, drawing on the strength of their bond. "He won't let us be apart for long." "Shendu's counting on it," Finn said grimly. The van came to a halt, and the doors slammed open. They led Pemuya out into the shadowy warehouse, the stench of oil and metal heavy in the air. "Remember," Chow said seriously. "When Valmont's eyes are red, it's Shendu who's speaking and acting through him. If you don't want Shendu to burn you alive, you submit." The men led her into a dimly lit room where Valmont sat, his eyes a fiery red. She knew it was Shendu in his body, the dragon demon. Pemuya felt a cold shiver run down her spine as she realized the gravity of her situation. "Kneel before him and bend low," Finn whispered to her, pressing with his hand on her bare back softly. With trembling legs, Pemuya did as she was told, the cold cement floor of the warehouse sending a shock through her. Valmont's red eyes bore into hers, the power of Shendu pulsing behind them like an angry heart. "Where's the baby, you three idiots?" Shendu's voice hissed from Valmont's lips. "He wasn't with her, Master," Chow reported. "He's somewhere safe." Shendu's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Very well," he said finally. "We have enough to make Chan come here and do all I want him to do. Lock her up. And do your best to keep her alive till Chan will arrive." The men led Pemuya away, her eyes never leaving the terrifying figure of Valmont. In the cold, metal cell, she curled up on a thin mattress, her thoughts racing. How would Jackie find her? What would he do when he knew she was taken? She had to be strong, for Tohru, for their love, and for the future they had dreamed of together.

* * *

In a few hours she heard a sound of the door unlocking. "Dinner time," said Finn, entering the room with Chow and Ratso. They brought a tray with food and drinks, all smell and look good. "You should eat," Ratso said. "Master wants you in good shape. Besides, he'll fry us if we won't make you eat." Pemuya looked at the food, her stomach growling despite her fear. She knew she needed her strength for what was to come. "Thank you," she whispered, her eyes never leaving the men's faces. They stepped aside, giving her space as she approached the tray. Her stomach protested at the thought of eating, but she knew she had to keep her strength up for Jackie and Tohru. As she took a tentative bite, Ratso leaned against the wall, his eyes never leaving her. "Why do you do this?" she asked, her voice steady despite her trembling hands. "Orders," Ratso shrugged, his gaze flickering with something akin to pity. "But we're not like Shendu. We won't hurt you unnecessarily." Pemuya nodded, her eyes flicking to the food again. She took a deep breath and forced herself to eat, her every move calculated to keep the men at bay. The food was surprisingly good, and she found herself feeling a semblance of comfort in the familiarity of the taste. It was a strange sensation, finding solace in a prison cell, but she had to hold onto anything she could.