Hey guys-Ask and you shall receive! So after posting a comment in the last chapter, I got some help with editing (Fist pump Yeah!). Lol I want to thank TJ for all the help in editing this chapter. The next chapter is shaping up nicely and I hope to finish and post within the next 2 weeks (hopefully sooner). Don't forget to comment! Thanks for your continued support. --p2p-
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His mind was blank.
He was on autopilot. The subconscious part of his brain told his body what to do. Willed his body to go through the motions and... Drive.
There were no thoughts running wild through his head. No words screaming inside of him.
Nothing.
He just drove.
According to his phone he was less than a mile away. The tracking device he planted on her when they were on the beach that day was still active. It was proof she was still there. There was still hope.
The red blinking light on the screen was like a beacon for his salvation. It was the only thing keeping him together. The tender fabric of his reality was stretched too thin. He'd been through too much. If he lost her, he... he... he didn't want to think about that.
Being around Rollins tempted the darkness he kept deeply tucked away to its limit. It begged to come out and now, with his mind blank, he had no control over it.
He prayed he got to her in time. Before it was too late for her. Before it was too late for him.
When he approached the designated area, it was quiet and desolate. There were no cars or trucks, nothing indicating there was life for miles. It was an abandoned construction site. There were blocks of cement scattered everywhere. It looked like it was originally intended to be a large bank. However the overgrown weeds grew over the concrete, as if stretching their limbs tightly over the manmade material.
The bright sun peeked through the trees branches. It was hot, almost uncomfortably so. What started out as the most memorable day was now one full of anxiety.
Sean got out of the car and started walking towards the ruins. He assessed the area as he walked. His gait was heavy, full of apprehension. His feet felt as if they were made of concrete.
He willed himself to keep a steady head, but his chest rose erratically. He knew what Rollins was capable of. Those horrible memories from so long ago haunted him. The ones he tried so hard to forget were suddenly coming back to him.
He knew this was a trap, but he didn't care. Layla was the only thing that mattered. There was no other option.
As Sean approached the open area his stomach clenched. He was quiet as he tried to listen for any signs of distress, but heard nothing. And yet the red light on his screen still blinked. He followed it throughout the fallen building.
He found himself at the center of what looked to be the bank's original lobby. The construction was in a semicircle. There was no roof. Roots of large trees had already started to force their way down the crumbly walls like an octopus stretching its tentacles for anything in its reach.
Sean did a sweep of the perimeter, but found nothing. He glanced at his phone again. Suddenly the red blinking light that had been his lifeline vanished.
Panic rose from within him. He shook his phone as if it would somehow bring the blinking light back. Bring her back.
Rushed sounds of agitated flying birds flooded the area. In the opening up above the squawking birds huddled together as if spectators to see the upcoming battle.
"Looking for this?" A deep voice asked.
Sean quickly turned towards it and found a stocky man holding the adhesive tracking device Sean planted on Layla. He roughly squeezed it between his fingers and flicked it away.
The man's blue eyes gleamed as he spoke. It was as if he enjoyed the predicament they were in. He was a beast of a man like a rugby player. He was fair skinned with a light blond buzz cut. His nose was severely twisted as if it had been broken one too many times. He wore cargo pants and a white shirt. His body rippled with muscles and yet his stance screamed stealth. He could move very quickly if need be. There was something familiar about him.
"Where is she?"
"Don't you wanna know who I am first?"
"My guess is you're the guy walking around disguised as Layla's friend Henry. The one who befriended her in the airport. I wasn't sure until now but you're also Rollins' go-to man to clean up loose ends."
The man chuckled. "That's right mate, Henry Forrester at your service. I was hired as the backup plan. An insurance policy if you will. If you didn't give Rollins the device, I'd get rid of her. If you gave him the device, Rollins would still get rid of you and her. Very limited options, really."
Sean looked at him impassively. "Where is she?"
"She's safe for now... I'll tell you what, I'll make a deal with you. You take me down and I'll instruct my men to let her go. I'll take you instead."
Sean was already removing his black tux jacket and threw it to the side. His once crisp white shirt was now wrinkled and had specks of Rollin's blood and dirt on it. He might as well get this over with.
"And I'm supposed to just trust that you'll let her go?"
Henry smiled displaying a full row of somewhat crooked teeth. "Of course."
"You're full of shit."
Henry let out a chuckle. "No weapons, just your fists. I'll let her go in your place."
"No weapons? And you'll let her go unharmed."
"That's right. See?" Henry withdrew the semi-automatic pistol from his jacket, raised it up and slowly lowered it to the ground. He kicked it to the side, far away from both of them.
Sean withdrew his gun, lowered it and kicked to the side as well.
They squared off, fists in position. Impulsively Sean threw the first two punches, one right after the other. Henry's head involuntarily snapped to the side. He let out smile. "Not bad."
