Ava's pov
"Thanks," I said as he handed me the coffee. I was at his home which was a cabin since I couldn't go back home, or the agency. Cole told me everything. He said he saw the news and wanted to warn us, that was why he tracked us down to the warehouse. He still won't tell me how he did it though. And now, his cabin is the only safe place for now, till we find Kayla.
"Make yourself at home," he said and sat down on the adjacent chair. He brought out a laptop from the backpack beside the bed. I sipped my coffee and inspected the place. He is surprisingly neat for a soldier.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
"Finding Kayla,"
"You can track her down?" I dropped the coffee and looked over to the laptop.
"If she still has her phone then I can trace her whereabouts by intercepting the satellite of a radio station," he said. I raised an eyebrow and looked at him.
"They taught you this in the army?"
"No, I took a computer class during high school," I nodded and looked at the screen.
"Impressive," I said.
"Yeah but the question is, what do we do when we find her? We can't possibly storm in there without any help,"
I looked at the wall and thought about it. I can't call the agency without risk getting arrested, and everyone I know is back in California. I paced around. Who can I call for help?
"Hey don't you have any military friends that could help us?" I asked. He shook his head.
"I'm practically a ghost. Had to stage my own death so they won't find me. Let's just say things were uh...pretty rough back then, so I can't reach out,"
"What about non military friends, huh? Anyone in the force?"
"I suppose I could reach out to a few friends, but no promises though. They don't know I'm alive, yet," he said.
"Okayy, and while you do that I'll see if I can talk to someone in the agency," I said and brought out my phone.
"Who exactly?"
"Her best friend," I said.
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Unknown pov
"I did what you asked," I heard her say over the phone, "I have Makayla Reyes, so it's time for you to fulfill your end of the bargain,"
"Relax there hon, your work is not yet complete," I said, twirling my pen.
"What are talking about? I did what you asked,"
"Yeah but she still has something I need and I'm kinda busy here, keeping a low profile and all you know,"
"Look, whatever all this is, I'm out. I-I can't do this anymore,". I stopped, gripping the pen.
"Don't tell me you've grown a heart, seductress?" My lips twitched in amusement, "perhaps spending time with that agent has made you gone a little soft,"
"No, you know it's not that," she said in a low tone, but I wasn't fully convinced.
"I hope so, because Makayla can be very...," I looked at my pen, "...persuasive," I said. "I trust I won't have to remind you of what happens should you try something stupid,"
"Just keep your end of the deal and I'll do mine," she said.
"I just need you to interrogate her," I said.
She chuckled, "You mean torture right? No, I can't do that,". I sighed.
"Fine, I'll send someone else, just keep your eyes on her till they come. And do not underestimate her," I said, "she's smarter than she lets on,"
"Yeah whatever, just hurry up. I gotta go," she hung up. She better not fuck this up. I walked out of the storage room.
"Hey, there you are, I've been looking all over for you,"
I turned to see Mark. "Why? Any news on them?"
"I wish. They're clearing out Kayla's desk and calling all agents involved for interrogation,"
"They're not gonna arrest her right?"
He sighed, "Her gun was found on the crime scene making her a prime suspect. There's nothing we can do. The Feds have already taken over the case,"
"Wait, what about James?" I asked, pretending to care.
"He's suspended for the meantime...I hope," he ran his fingers through his hair. I can see how much all of this is weighing down on him. Poor guy, he'll do anything to save Makayla. I mentally smirked.
His phone rang. He looked at it, furrowing his brows, "Sorry I have to take this, the number won't stop calling me. I need you to contact the deceased family, tell them we're doing everything we can to find the killer," then he picked up and left. I frowned.
Kayla's partner. Last I heard they told me she escaped alongside someone else. I just hope she hasn't reached out yet. I have to find her before she ruins everything. I walked to the bullpen.
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Kayla's pov
Ariel or whatever her name is, wasn't joking when she said my situation regarding the food would be rearranged. Here I sat, still tied to a chair while a boy who doesn't look a day over sixteen, fed me. It was pathetic, really.
"What's your name?" I asked. He kept on turning the porridge, ignoring me.
"What are you doing here?" I tried again.
"Trying to feed you which has proved extremely difficult for the past twenty minutes," he said, raising the spoon to my lips with focus. I scoffed and sighed, turning my head away and closing my eyes for a few seconds.
"What I meant was, what are you doing here, in this place? With her?"
"They're the only family I know," he said sadly, but then smiled to himself, "but miss Ruby isn't always who she seems to be. There's more to her...,"
"Wait, miss Ruby? As in Ariel?"
He looked at me confusedly. "The woman who brought me here," I clarified. He nodded. "So that's her name," I muttered. He froze, looking very terrified.
"Y-you didn't know th-that?"
"Well...,"
"No, I-I shouldn't have said it. Wh-what am I gonna do now?" He panicked.
"Hey hey! Nothing's gonna happen okay? Calm down," I said but didn't think he heard me considering he's in panic mode. I wonder what Ruby does that makes him so terrified because he told me her name. But two minutes ago it seems as if he was fond of her.
"Okay I won't tell anyone," I said, which gained his attention, "I'll just pretend I didn't know her real name okay?"
"How should I trust you?" He asked.
"Look, I promise okay? Now tell me something," I said, leaning towards him.
"What?"
"Does that camera include audio?" I asked.
"No," he said, still confused.
"Is anyone watching this?"
"I don't think so, they all went for a break 30 minutes ago. They should be back in the next 30 minutes," he said, eyeing me suspiciously, "why?"
"Do you have an ice pack?"
"I suppose there should be some–," I knocked him out with a punch.
"Great! Cause you'll be needing it," I untied my legs, took the keys and walked to the door. They should've come up with a better way to restrain me, cause the ropes won't do.
I slowly opened the door. There was no one outside, probably on their breaks. I was at the basement. I climbed the stairs, snapped a guard's neck and walked down the hallway when the coast was clear. I needed to know where they kept my weapons. I peeped at the broken windows of the rooms I came across. I seem to be in some kind of old, abandoned building. I turned to the next hallway but hid as I saw three men talking. Fuck this.
I walked towards them and whistled. They all turned and rushed to bring out their weapons. I bashed one's head on the wall, taking his blade and stabbed another in the neck, kicking the third one in the groin and taking his gun. I knocked him out with it. They all fell down. I took their weapons, tucking them in. Then I heard a flush and one of gang members came out of one the rooms, humming. We both paused for a few seconds, looking at each other. He rushed to take his gun while I grabbed the knife on the dead mans neck and threw it at him, hitting him straight in the chest. He collapsed and fell down. I stood up, walked towards him and pulled the knife out. Then I ran quietly down the hallway, where there was a living room inside. All the gang members where there, chatting, drinking, smoking and whatnot. But there was no sign of Ariel–I mean Ruby. I scanned the place, looking for my dagger. Then I heard an alarm ring.
Shit.
I ran through the corridor just as they scattered, looking for me. I'll just have to come back for my dagger later. I tried opening one of the windows but it was sealed shut. I turned to see five men at my right, I backed away and turn to run but stopped as I saw three more men. I stood as they came closer.
"Come on gentlemen, I'm sure we can work this out. There's no need for the violence," I said and they grinned, coming closer.
"Fine, have it your way then," I said and they all came after me. After a few punches and kicks, they were all on the ground, either dead, knocked out or groaning. I scoffed, stepping over them.
"Y'all fight like teenagers," I said then ran down the hallway, where I saw another door at the far end.
Bingo.
I made for it, running as fast as I could. Seven more men emerged from the left side at the end of the hallway. "Aw come on," I breathed. I looked around seeing if there were any other ones. There were none.
"Alright let's get this over with," I said and they charged towards me. I kicked one on the face, knocking him out instantly and held a punch from hitting my face. I straightened my palm and hit another's neck with the side of it, making him temporarily paralysed. I kicked the guy I held his fist on the shoulder, who now has a knife on the other hand. I dislocated his arm. Then slid down dodging a blow and kicked another on the leg, sending him down as I punched a guy while standing up, making him drop his switchable blade. He moved back with the rest while I kicked the face of the one on the ground, putting him to sleep. They were three remaining, plus the guy with the dislocated arm.
They all looked at the men on the ground, then looked at me. I shrugged. One thing I don't understand is why they weren't using any guns. I mean they clearly had it on them. They all brought out blades of different kinds. I smirked, "Come on boys, we don't have all day,"
I scrunched down and picked up a blade as the owner groaned. I stood up and looked at the seven men on the floor. I chuckled and ran towards the door, and turned the knob, it was unlocked. I sighed in relief, opening the door. I exhaled as the fresh air hit my face. Freedom.
Finally.
I felt something hit my back, electrifying my whole body as I took the first step. I collapsed on the wall and turned to look at who shot me. Ruby stood beside a guy who had a gun pointed at me. She tsks and walked towards me as I slid to the ground.
"Gone for a couple of hours and this happens?" She scrunched down and held my face gently, "I can't just let you out of my sight even for a bit now, can I?"
"Why...why are you doing this?" I breathed out. For a moment, I thought I saw guilt flash through her eyes, but she smirked.
"You'll know soon enough," she said. I glanced at the man behind her. They have a fucking taser?
Was the last thought I had before going limb.