"I have my freedom but I don't have much time. Faith has been broken tears must be cried, Let's do some living after we die. Wild horses, couldn't drag me away"

Chapter 1, Wild Horses

"You see her?" "No not yet. Just wait a few more minutes." "We've been waiting almost 4 hours for this chick. What if she's not even there?" "She's there, just relax and wait a while longer will you?" Black Star frowns in surrender and leans back against his seat, his impatience growing into annoyance at their target's delaying. Soul sighs and runs a calloused hand over his tired and equally irritated face. Though his own annoyance aimed at his partner beside him.

Soul rest his elbow on the seat's arm rest and supports his head. He yawns and contemplates L.D's decision to have Black Star on this job with him. Even though the two are practically brothers, everyone back at the syndicate knows Black Star's tendency to be impatient and impulsive, two traits that could no doubt be disastrous in this specific assignment.

"Hey, hey! She's right there, Blondie 12 o'clock." Soul turns to where Black Star's attention is. His own eyes land on a petite blond haired woman walking out a book store with a pink haired person beside her. They talk for a few seconds and then part ways. She walks towards the parking lot where they've been stationed all late afternoon. The wind picks up causing her hair to rush all over her face.

She crosses her arms tightly against her chest to preserve warmth. "You sure?" "Yeah, blonde hair, black hoodie. That's our girl." Soul turns his attention back to her and she finally reached the lot. She stands next to her car and digs for her keys inside her canvas messenger bag, distracted. Jackpot. Soul and Black Star climb out of the sleek black polarized Mercedes and make their way towards the unsuspecting girl.

They stand a few feet from her. Black Star looks at Soul for the cue. Soul nods and in a quick instant Black Star grasps the girl from behind, his right arm around her waist his left hand firmly on her mouth. Her shrieks are muffled and she begins pulling at her arms desperately with no success. Soul pulls out his .45 and cocks it against her temple. "I'd stop if I were you." Her eyes widen as panic courses through her body.

Immediately she quits struggling. Soul then pulls a pair of handcuffs and rags from the back pocket of his slacks. Blacks Star cautiously releases his grip on her hands, giving Soul access to her wrists which he handcuffs. He ties an old bandana around her mouth hastily and roughly and does the same around her face to cover her eyes. Black Star picks her up and throws her over his shoulder.

She tries kicking but Black Stars's arms clamp her legs securely. Soul uncocks his pistol and places it back inside his shoulder holster underneath his jacket. He scans the lot to make sure no one witnessed the ordeal and walks around Black Star to pop the trunk of the car. Black Star shoves the girl inside the compressed space. Soul shuts the trunk and the men walk to the front of the car and then drive off in silence.

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"I forgot to ask Maka if she could open up early tomorrow. Could you wait a little while?" Marie smiles "Sure sweetie." Crona sighs and climbs out of Marie's car and jogs towards the parking lot. She's probably gone already he frowns at his own forgetfulness and pulls out his cell phone and dials her number while he runs. He gets to the lot and spots her car, relief washes over him. As he runs towards it, he hears a phone ring.

He furrows his eyebrows, his expression perplexed when he notices no one in the car and Maka's bag on the floor beneath her car door, her phone still ringing. Crona gulps as his eyes widen in realization. Oh no. A cold sweat runs through him as he picks up her bag and runs back to Marie.

Marie looks up from her book and smiles as she sees Crona approaching. Her smile quickly fades when she observes the expression on his face. He opens the door and climbs back in, his shoulders shaking lightly. "What's wr-" "It's Maka, something's not right. We have to get to her father's house." Marie notices the bag on Crona's lap and her own expression becomes grave. It's them. They got her. She starts the engine hastily and drives off to Spirit's home.

She pulls into the small apartment complex and parks her car in the garage type lot. She cuts the engine and grabs her keys and purse. "Let's go." Crona stumbles out of the car, his legs numb, but he races towards the complex stairs, Marie sprinting behind him. He gets to the door and knocks nervously. Soon after, the door opens and Spirit appears. "Hey Crona, Marie, what-" "We need to talk Spirit. It's Maka" Marie states. Spirit frowns and moves away from the doorway to let them by. "Come inside." They walk into the dining room. "What about Maka? What happened?" Spirit's tone is anxious and confused.

"M-Mr. Albarn I-" "Spirit" Sprit interjects. "Spirit, I found Maka's bag on the ground of the parking lot by our work. Her car was still parked. I think sh-she's missing." Crona's voice cracks. Spirit's voice hitches in his throat and he feels his chest tighten. "Oh god no…no…no…no this-this is all my fault." He runs a shaky hand over his face. Marie furrows her eyebrows, puzzled "What do you mean Sprit?"