Ch. 6: Awaken

Elliot POV

I adjust my bed again trying to get comfortable. There is a stabbing pain in my ribs no matter how the bed sits. The nurse tells me I was kicked several times while I was unconscious and had severe bruising, but nothing was broken. Counting my blessing I suppose.

I finally relent to sitting half way up and resting my head against the hard hospital mattress. My family sits with me for a moment expressing their condolences for what's happened. I am completely lost in my thoughts, barely replying with more than one worded responses. Who would do this? Why me? Where is Scarlet? Who was that in my dream? The last thought catches me off guard, so I quickly push it to the back of my mind. Another time.

We all sit for a moment in silence before I realize I need to speak with Kate and her partner. The nurses provide assistance and begin directing people to go. My mother is the last to leave; tears stream down her face. I try to give her a reassuring smile, but even I'm not convinced. Once the door closes, Kate moves closer to the bed.

"Nice to see you again," I sigh, wincing slightly as a sharp pain rattles my side.

"Likewise, though I wish the circumstances were different," Kate seems solemn, "Mr. Grey, this is my partner, Detective Hakes. We're with the Seattle Adult Missing Persons Division," I feel numb like I'm not fully grasping how important this matter is yet, "We'll ask for an official written statement later, but for now is there anything you can tell us about your attackers?"

I roll my head back into the pillow and stare at the ceiling remembering everything that happened, "Not much to be honest. They were very proficient. They used code names, all wore masks; everything seemed very tactical, and they were heavily armed."

"Any small detail will help us Elliot," Kate says moving next to my bed, her partner in tow. Memories start to flash back in waves.
Two men shove their way into the entrance hall almost knocking me off my feet. I stumble and brace myself on the wall just barely able to remain standing. Before I realize what's happening, there is a pistol my face. I see two more men move past with one of the first.

"It wasn't planned, and I think they had my phones tapped," I say keeping my eyes closed as I focus on that moment they came into the house.

"What makes you think that?" Kate doesn't look at me. She is writing on her notepad.

"They knew I would answer the door without checking who was there. We were expecting pizza." I answer, trying to remember all even the smallest details. I open my eyes and look over at Kate. She is still scribbling in her notes before looking up at me.

"Was there more?" her brow furrows slightly.

I close my eyes and ponder, trying to remember more details.

"SHUT UP!" the man who punched me yells, "Bravo, watch them while we search for valuables. Anything you want to disclose Mr. Grey, or do I need to ask her?" he gestures towards Scarlet, his tone is menacing.

"NO! There is a safe in the office. The code is 35, 24, 02. Help yourselves," I pull Scarlet closer.

"Good. Carlie, with me. Delta, you start upstairs. Ready? Move." They break up into the designated groups running efficiently.

"They used code names," I answer.

"Code names?"

"Yes, military phonics; Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta. They were very tactical and heavily armed," I close my eyes again trying to remember more.

"Switch to plan B. Sorry Mr. Grey, but this has to be lucrative for us, you see?" Delta and Charlie move swiftly to pull Scarlet from my arms. I stand in protest, but I'm quickly pushed back onto the couch by Bravo; his rifle shoved in my face.

"Ah-ah Mr. Grey. This has to be worth it. We'll be in touch," Alpha says as they drag Scarlet towards the door screaming.

His voice was cold and profound. I shiver slightly shaking my head.

I stand abruptly catching him off guard and shove him to the floor breaking into a sprint towards the front door. I will not let them just take her! I dash down the entrance and reach the door just in time to watch as they load Scarlet into a white van.

"STOP! NO!" I shout opening my eyes, Kate stands abruptly placing her hand on my arm.

"Elliot!"

I snap my head and look at her. Kate is staring at me worriedly, "It's fine," she says, "It's all over now. I'm sorry to put you through this, but was there anything else?"

I nod, "He said he would be in touch."

Kate nods adding one last note to her small notebook and nodding over to her partner signaling its time for them to leave, "Thank you for your time Elliot. Call us when you're discharged. If they do intend to call you we want to be on the line," she hands me a card nodding before turning and walking out the door.

I lay my head back onto my pillow thinking further about what happened and my dream. What's going to happen now? Who was that woman in my dream? That woman that smelled of lavender.


Two days later

I step out of the car and walk towards the house as Johnathan closes the car door and follows. Kate and her partner meet us at the door. Kate rips down the yellow caution tape that is guarding the entrance allowing all of us to step through into the entry way. Everything had been left untouched.

There is a small dark pool stain on the hardwood. I stare at it puzzled.

"It's from you getting bashed over the head," Kate says having read my thoughts, "I would consider yourself lucky. You could have been put in a coma."

I touch the bandages on my head before continuing into the rest of the house. The kitchen is still ransacked. Smashed dishes riddle the floor. Several of the drawers are laying skewed in their rails while others are thrown about laying in a pile with various cookware. I shake my head and move to check the office.

The office is in shambles. My computer sits broken on the desk, while the lamp lays smashed on the floor. My safe sits open behind the desk. All the money has been cleaned out, but the pistol my grandfather gave me is still sitting inside. I walk over and take the gun in my hands. It feels like a foreign object to me. Something completely unfamiliar. Kate steps into the room behind me.

"Wow," she says staring at the pistol, "Is that an M15? Who gave you that?"

"My grandfather and yes, it's an M15." I push the small button to release the magazine. It still has all seven bullets.

"Amazing, special issue 1911 from the Vietnam War. Truly amazing that you have that. Have you ever fired it?" Kate looks up at me with a small smile.

I stare at the weapon for a moment before shaking my head, "I did competition shooting in college. I have experience with pistols, but that seems like ages ago now," I turn the pistol over in my hand General Officer Model RIA is engraved along the slide. I run my fingers over the engraving before pulling the holster out of the cracked safe and shutting it.

I make my way back into the living room with Kate where Hakes is setting up pieces of equipment. I look to Kate puzzled.

"We're setting up some surveillance for your phone lines. We're expecting the kidnappers to call you and demand ransom. We want to have the opportunity to track them. If they're stupid, enough we may get a location and have a chance to get your fiancée back."

Kate moves passed me to assist Hakes. I find a seat on the sofa next to the phone setting the pistol on the end table.

I stare blankly out the sliding glass door while Kate and her partner set up their equipment to monitor my phone line. My thoughts keep reliving the night Scarlet was taken as well and that dream. I see the beautiful women bathed in light. Why do I keep thinking about her? The smell of lavender fills my nostrils. I blink, bringing myself back to sitting on the sofa. I look around curiously. The smell is gone.

"Are you alright Elliot?" Kate asks from across the coffee table, furrowing her brow concernedly.

I nod, "Yeah, just thinking about something. Got lost in thought for a moment. I'm all right."

Kate nods, but doesn't seem convinced, "Elliot, we'll catch these guys. They won't hurt Scarlet if they plan on using her to bargain with you. I've been doing this for a while, and I'm really good at my job."

I smile warily at her looking over at the pistol. I hope I never have to use it, but will do anything to protect those I love.

Kate stands, "Alright, we're all set up here. Elliot, I am going to leave now. Hakes will be here in case you receive a call. We will switch in a few hours. Do yourself a favor in the meantime and try to rest."

I rub my hands on my jeans before standing with her, "I'll do that. Let me walk you through the door."

We make our way back to the house without speaking. I hold open the door as she steps out, "Kate?"

"Yes, Elliot?"

"Thank you."

She nods, "I don't know if you remember, but I told you I was here if you ever needed anything."

"I remember," I look down at my feet.

"Good, try to have a good night Elliot."

"You too," I close the door turning back into the entry way. Hakes is standing there staring at me awkwardly, "Everything alright?"

"Yes," his answer is short and rough, "You have a phone upstairs that connects to this line?"

I nod look up the stairs. I'm not ready to see the damage, "I will lay down on the couch."

He shrugs and makes his way back into the living room. I follow and find a spot on the sofa and rest back on one of the end pillows. I close my eyes, but I'm hardly feeling tired.

"How do you and Kavanagh know each other?" Hakes asks.

I sigh. Not in annoyance, but rather exhaustion, "She is my brother's wife's best friend. There is a lot of bitter history there."

I hear something like a snicker, "Makes sense why she specifically asked for the case then."

I open my mouth to ask what he means, but the phone begins to ring. I open my eyes and snap to attention on the sofa looking at Hakes. His face is as of stone while he stares at me.

"Answer it, Elliot," he says moving across the room to a chair placed near the coffee table and donning a headset.

I stare at the phone as it continues to ring, my heart pounding in my chest. With a trembling hand, I answer, "Hello?" I croak into the receiver.

"Hello again, Mr. Grey," the cold voice answers from the other end. I freeze and look at Hakes. He gestures for me to keep talking, "Where is Scarlet?"

"She's here Mr. Grey, and I'll let you speak with her shortly, but not before we come to an agreement," his voice is snake like, menacing with intent.

I feel the fear subside as anger moves in to replace it, "What do you want?" I barely recognize the sound of my own voice.

"Remain calm Mr. Grey, or you may not see your beloved again. Here's how this will work: You are to deliver a sum of cash to an agreed location by the end of the week, or I start sending you pieces of her until I get my money." He sounds so confident. He knows I'll comply.

I shake my head, "How much money?"

"250 Million dollars, Mr. Grey" he answers smugly.

I choke into the phone, "I don't have that kind of money. Please, you're insane if you think I could get that in a week."

"Please Mr. Grey, don't insult my intelligence. I'm well aware of how wealthy your family is. The amount is 250 million and not a penny less. If there is any suspicion you are involve with the police she dies. Would you like to speak with her now?"

"Yes, let me speak to her," I stand, running my fingers through my hair as I hear Scarlet come on.

"Elliot?" she says fearfully.

"Yes, Scarlet!"

"Elliot, I'm so scared. They've taken me t-" she cuts short.

"Remember Mr. Grey, 250 million. No Police. We'll be in touch," the call ends.

I look towards Hakes. He looks up at me shaking his head, "I don't have the exact location, but I isolated the call to a warehouse district in downtown. I need to call Kavanagh," he removes the headset and steps on the porch. I see him light a cigarette as he pulls a cell phone to his ear.

I sit back down on the sofa and place my head into my hands. A lump forms in my throat.

How am I going to get the money? You need to call Christian. He can help.

I hear the sliding glass door open as Hakes re-enters, "Kavanagh is on her way."

Kate will know what to do.


AN: Why hello everyone! I know I have been away for over a month and I want to apologize. If you have kept up with my wife's story, you are already aware, but for everyone else let me fill you in.

I'm in the military, and during the holidays I tend to work really insane hours. 12-hour shifts, sometimes without weekends. Between work, family, gym time, school, etc. it makes it very difficult to keep up with writing. Thankfully, we're back to regular working shifts, and so I will be back to more frequent updates.

Thank you all for your support, favorites, and followers. Till laters ;)