Chapter 27

I awoke lying on one of Edwards's cushioned beds. The leather radiated a faint warmth against my bare back. I must have been lying there a while. I blinked several times as my eyes adjusted to the buzzing overhead lights. My surroundings suggested I was back in the base behind the hot dog store.

Nothing weird about that last sentence at all.

"Morning sleepy head."

I turned my head and saw Jessica leaning against a counter and gripping its edges with her hands. She changed out of her uniform into a tan light jacket over a lime green blouse and dark blue jeans. I sensed the worry in her mind replaced mostly with relief.

"Morning," I responded. I sat up and swung my legs over. Fortunately Edwards left my shorts on, otherwise this would've turned into an incredibly awkward conversation. My movements caused a slight twinge in my side. I looked down to see a scar the shape of a narrow triangle where I'd been hit by the drone. "A scar?" I asked incredulously. "I was promised pristine skin treatment. I want my money back!"

Jessica let out a small laugh, "You dumb fool. Edwards just sped up the healing process. Ergo, you get a scar whenever you're stupid enough to jump in front of a plane."

"Drone, and are you still going on about that?"

"It wasn't even three hours ago Caleb."

I waved a hand, "Semantics." I then paused before asking, "Seriously though, what time is it?"

"A little after three AM," Jessica informed me. "As I said before, good morning." She walked over to me and lightly placed the back of her hand against the side of my face, turning my head gently as she spoke, "So are you alright?"

"Yeah, yeah," I said tiredly, enjoying the touch of smooth skin.

"Good," Jessica replied with satisfaction. She then flicked me hard on the nose.

I recoiled in surprise, "Hey-"

"Just checking," Jessica said innocently. Before I could fire a retort, she straightened up and announced, "Since you're awake, I guess I'll be going home." She walked out of the room but stopped with her hand on the door frame, "We did it," she told me smiling.

"I absent mindedly rubbed the back of my head, "Yeah, I guess we did."

With that she left. I sat there trying to process everything I'd been through. Then I decided that could wait until after I went to bed and got some shut eye. Having made this resolution, I stood up and walked barefoot to the locker room. After getting dressed, I passed David leaning against the wall near the staircase out. He sported khakis and a black t-shirt, his arms crossed against his broad chest.

"I didn't think you should have joined," he called after me.

I stopped, "That's nice," I commented before taking another step.

"I was wrong," he called louder.

I stopped again, still facing away from him.

"I was wrong," he repeated, more softly this time. "I did not think you would be able to handle yourself in a combat situation. When that piece of rubble fell on me," he hesitated, "I wasn't sure you would come back for me."

I turned my head towards him, "Of course I did," I scoffed, "you did the same for me. Besides I doubt I would've been able to make it out on my own."

Out of my periphery I saw him nod, "That's the sort of support and trust I wasn't sure I'd find anywhere else again."

I didn't think trust had much to do with it, but I didn't mention it aloud.

"What I'm trying to say is," David seemed to struggle to find the right words, "I'm sorry for misjudging you, and I'm thankful Garrison chose you to be a part of this team."

"Right back atcha big guy," I said lightly. I started climbing the stairs and stopped once more and sighed. I turned around to look at him. His dark eyes stared back at me. "Look," I began, "I'm still not sure about this whole 'team' thing, but we did stop a major terrorist attack within just a few days of meeting, so we've got that going for us." It was my turn to struggle to find words. "Just…" I didn't know where I was going with it, "just…take care, ok?"

"Of course, and you as well," David answered.

I nodded and climbed the steps, placing a hand on the door before a realization hit me.

"Hey David?"

"Yes?"

"Can I get a ride?"

The wheels of David's jeep pulled up to the diner, "You're meeting someone here?" he asked.

I checked the messages on my phone, "That's the plan," I opened the door and hopped out of the vehicle, "Thanks again for the ride."

"It was no trouble," David replied, "Should I wait outside until you are finished?"

"Nah, don't worry about it. I can find another ride," I reassured him.

"Very well. Stay safe, and good morning."

I closed the door and made my way through the front doors of the Dennys. I walked past a claw machine game and through a second set of double doors. I scanned my surroundings, not many customers at this time of night. One patron hunched over a meal at the bar while another sat at a small table drinking coffee. A tired waitress greeted me from behind the counter, "Hi there hun, can I get you a table?"

"No, I've got one thanks," I mumbled to her, anxious for my meeting. Lights above wavered in intensity as I passed. I took deep breaths to calm myself as I approached the table.

Meyers looked up at me with worn eyes from behind her cup of coffee. Several strands of brown hair stuck out from her ponytail. A slight slouch in her posture accentuated the wrinkles in her jacket, probably weighed down from the trails of the day. The exhaustion I sensed from her did not help combat my own. She straightened however when I pulled out a chair. "Thanks for meeting me," I told her.

"Of course, although to be honest when you said you had something going late," she began through a yawn, "I didn't quite expect this."

"Sorry," I apologized guiltily.

Meyers waved a hand dismissively, "I was already up, and I have a cup of coffee, so I'm more than fine."

"Busy day huh?" I asked.

Meyers nodded as she took a sip from her coffee. Her mind drifted to thoughts of frustration. Finally she set down her cup, "Yeah, some guys from the Bureau showed at a major crime scene. Took it over before we could even examine what had happened." She shook her head, "But you didn't come to hear about my problems."

I didn't say anything. I had an inkling that the scene she referred to was the building of none other than Ms. Parker, but there was nothing I could do, so I kept my mouth shut. Plus, Meyers was right. I didn't come to hear about her work problems.

I came to hear what she knew of my sister.

Meyers took a deep breath, "I spoke directly with the private investigator tasked with finding information regarding your missing sister."

Hearing those words made my exhaustion momentarily evaporate. I leaned in earnestly.

Meyers paused, and I sensed pity begin to emanate from her mind.

No.

The lights above our table flicked.

"The trail led him to the wreckage of a mansion formerly owned by the late Miss Bianca. The mansion caught fire a few years back on the night of a rather lavish party. No one was certain how it started."

My heartbeat quickened and my palms grew sweaty as the overhead flickering became more sporadic and other lights followed suit.

Please god no.

Meyers continued, "Many people burned to death that night."

Her words seemed to come out distorted, as if coming over a far distance, "He found evidence that led him to believe your sister was one of the people caught in the fire."

The light above and those next to it winked out.

The world started to spin as I processed the information. The last few years I lived knowing she was probably dead. I told myself constantly, but there was something about hearing someone else say it. Someone who I knew did everything in her power to find the truth.

Meyers's eyes darted up then back to me, and her frown deepened, "Caleb?" she asked gently.

I snapped back to reality and saw Meyers pass something over the table. I looked at her brown eyes before looking at her hand.

She opened her palm to reveal a simple silver charm necklace in the shape of a heart. Dark smudges coated the first two letters engraved in gold: ED.

"Caleb, it this your sister's? she repeated.

My shanking hand picked up the necklace, "Y-yeah," I managed to choke out, looking at the last gift my mother gave my sister, Evelyn Decter. "It is."

Meyers nodded quietly, "I'm so sorry for your loss Caleb."

I gripped my sister's necklace in my still shaking fist, my knuckles turning white. It put it to my lips, memories flashing through my mind. I forced myself to stay in the present, "Thank you," I told Meyers quietly, fighting back tears. I made eye contact. "Thank you," I repeated, "for giving me closure."

"Of course." The tired waitress came to fill up her coffee, but Meyers shook her head, instead asking for a check.

"Do you know why she was there?" I asked, "Do you know why she was at that party?"

Meyers hesitated, thinking carefully about her answer. I knew I shouldn't press, but dammit I wanted to know what happened to my sister. I reached out my mind and sensed the information flashing through her. I learned Bianca had been known to have high profile clientele in whatever business she conducted, not incredibly relevant, but Meyers also knew something even fewer people know about Bianca.

She had been one of the royals of the Red Court.

Time slowed as the realization sunk in. The monsters I fought just a short while ago, the ones who threatened to plunge the globe into a third world war, the ones who put Nikolai in the hospital during a pursuit after some damn wizard…

…they were also responsible for my sister's death.

"Unfortunately, there wasn't much information as to why your sister was there," Meyers responded.

I twitched in surprise at the sound of her voice. I noticed her eyes narrow just slightly as she tried to read my reaction. In an effort to allay any suspicion, I nodded my head. "Alright. Thank you, inspector."

I stood up quickly to go, "Caleb," Meyers called after me.

As I turned, I put my clenched hands into my pockets to hide my still shaking fists. "Yeah?" I managed shakily.

"Do you need a ride?"

I shook my head, "Uh, n-no, no thank you." My words seemed to just tumble out, "I think…uh, I'm just going to go for a walk."

Meyers let out a breath, "Ok," she nodded, "Remember you can talk to me," she said sincerely.

I gave her a short nod and headed out the doors into the brisk open air.

Even at this hour, the city kept alive and well, albeit not as active during the wee hours of the morning. A couple cars drove by on roads lighted by streetlamps. Numerous stores with dark windows indicated their closed status, but other establishments such as bars and clubs still held their doors open. People stood outside laughing, smoking, and drinking.

Despite the smell of secondhand smoke in a few select areas, I typically enjoyed my night walks around the city. It helped me think when I needed to or give me something to do when I didn't want to think at all. Now was one of those select cases where I couldn't decide which of the two reasons it was.

My head spun with a flurry of emotions, shock, sadness, anger, pain. A part of me wanted to scream until my throat became raw, another wanted to fall down in despair and cry my heart out, and another just wanted a hug from a friend.

None of those things happened however. I kept to the brightly lit areas and let my eyes take in the different colors and sights of the city between the patches of trees. My phone buzzed, and I looked to see a dropped call from Jessica. I started to text her when I received two messages reading the same thing, "Meet at Rabbit Hole now! Stupid phone won't let me make calls".

I finished my message asking her if something was wrong. Fortunately, the Rabbit Hole was only a few blocks away. After a few minutes of walking, I checked my phone again. No response. I tried calling her, but it went straight to voicemail. That meant one of two things. Either she turned off her phone immediately after texting me, or, more likely, she accidentally blew up her phone because she was incredibly upset.

That worried me. Jessica had only done that on a few occasions, the last time being when we watched a scary movie together. She had sworn to never again watch another horror movie after that.

My phone buzzed again, the caller ID identifying it as Jessica's sister Izzi. I answered, "Hey Izzi, have you seen your sister? I think she's worried about something."

A different voice than Izzi's answered. It sounded smooth and almost gleeful over the phone. "I'm sorry, but little Izzi isn't able to come to the phone right now," Samantha Stone's voice cooed over the phone.

I froze. Samantha's next words were barely intelligible through a burst of static, "But don't worry, Izzi is alive and breathing," she then added offhand, "for now anyways."

"If you hurt her-" I threatened through gritted teeth.

Samantha laughed, "You'll do what?" Her voice turned to ice, "No. I don't want to deal with the angsty teenager right now."

I opened my mouth to respond, but she cut me off once again, "And I suggest you control your little ol' feelings right now Caleb. We wouldn't want for this phone call to accidentally drop, now would we?"

I set my jaw and ground my teeth, but I then took deep breaths to control myself.

"Much better," Samantha's voice came in more clearly, and more condescending. Only occasional bursts of static interrupted her as she continued, "Now listen closely, because I'd be extremely disappointed if I had to repeat myself, and as for the children…"

Children? Plural?

"Oh, Didn't I mention?" Samantha asked with feign surprise, "I wasn't sure which of the little brats was your girlfriend's, so I plucked a few of them. Better safe than sorry, right?" She broke out into a fit of giggles as my blood ran cold.

I started walking as quickly as possible towards the Rabbit Hole, my phone pressed hard against my ear.

"Anyways," Samantha continued, "I suppose since you'll want the girl back, I can be persuaded to let her go. If you do something for me that is."

"What do you want?" I asked.

"An exchange," the vampire answered. "I want that Warden. Bring me the wizard in exchange for the girl."

I scoffed, "Seriously? You think I can-"

"Up bup up," Samantha interrupted as if admonishing a child. Her voice regained its deadly edge, "Let me speak."

I shut up, crossing streets as Samantha spoke, "I don't care how you do it. Just know that you must, or the blood of these little children will be on your hands."

In the background I heard the whimpers of children.

I had to think of something, but I needed time, "How do I know Izzi is still alive?"

There was a pause and some rustling on the phone, "H-hello?" Izzi's voice came through the phone.

I stopped where I was, "Izzi? Oh god. Listen to me we will get you out," I spoke hurriedly.

Izzi let out a scream that faded away.

"We will get you out!" I yelled into the phone.

"Sure you will," Samantha's chipper voice answered. "Now, you have thirty minutes to contact the wizard and meet at the location I will give you."

"Thirty minutes?" I protested, "I need more time than thirty min-"

"Now it's twenty-five," Samantha insisted.

I shut my mouth. "Where am I meeting you?"

She gave me the location. "Be there. Twenty-five minutes. Time starts now," and she hung up the phone.

I immediately began sprinting down the street trying to dial a number. It took longer than I wanted, but eventually my cellphone began ringing.

Finally he picked up, "Uh-huh," Tony answered sleepily.

It pained me to slow my pace to speak clearly, "Tony," I said firmly as I ran, "I need to talk to Buddy. Now."

"What's all this about?" he asked, slurring his words.

"Lives are in danger," I almost screamed in frustration, "Now give Buddy the damn phone!"

Tony appeared to sober immediately, "Oh, yeah, sure thing." His words came through a burst of static, and I did everything in my power to control my emotions.

I continued to hold the phone awkwardly against my ear and listened to rustling.

"Hi Caleb," came Buddy's chipper voice.

"Hi Buddy, look I need you to-"

"How are you?" He interrupted in a friendly voice.

I bit back a snarky remark and said as evenly as possible, "Just fine Buddy, but one of my friends-"

"Oh, that's good," Buddy answered happily, "It's good to know my friend is ok. I'm doing great as well. Tony let me sleep with him on his bed and-"

"Buddy," I managed through gritted teeth, my voice strained, "I'm glad you're having fun, but one of my friends is in trouble, and I need your help."

"Oh no!" Buddy's voice became worried. That worry changed to curiosity as he asked, "Are you running? You sound out of breath."

I took the phone away from my face for a moment, "Cocksucking monkey fucker!" I swore angrily before putting the phone back to my ear and saying much more calmly, "Yes Buddy. Indeed I am."

"Ok. It makes it harder to hear you."

"Buddy focus!" I told him, bumping into a woman as I ran, causing her to stumble. I kept running and threw an apology over my shoulder before speaking, "Buddy, remember Paulina? The girl that was with me when I found you?"

"You were alone when I met you," Buddy said confused. "Except for those cats," his little voice grew fearful, "I don't like cats." He then spoke as if a large realization dawned on him, "Oh! Do you mean that lady you met up with outside? The one in that robe that helped you carry that unconscious man?"

I sprinted ahead, nearly getting clipped by a car as the driver honked their horn.

"Yeah," I puffed, "That girl. Tell her that I need her help and that a friend of mine is in trouble." I ran past a club blaring music with a prominent base. I dodged through a small group loitering outside, "You got that Buddy?"

"Yes," The brownie answered.

"Good. Then tell her to meet me at this location," I gave him the address Samantha mentioned. Tell her to meet me there, ok Buddy? Then I want you to come find me, got it?"

Silence on the other end.

"Buddy?" I asked, turning a street corner.

"Oh, yeah sure. Sorry I was nodding."

Doubt in my decisions began to grow, "Fantastic," I said blandly. "Look just please deliver the message and meet me, ok?"

"Of course," Buddy answered. "I will deliver your message like you say and then find you."

"And please be quick with it," I added.

"Oh yes, of course! I will go as fast as I can! Don't worry Caleb!"

"Thanks Buddy."

I was about to hang up when his voice came through, "Is that all?"

I sighed, having to speak between breaths now, "Yes Buddy…that's all."

"Ok. Bye Caleb, and don't worry! We'll help your friend!"

I tried to sound confident, "Yep. Thanks Buddy."

I hung up and pushed my legs harder. Soon I saw the Rabbit Hole. As I expected, the closed door and darkened windows indicated its closed status, but Jessica stood outside the small establishment pacing back and forth. She saw me running and ran to meet me. I saw tears in her eyes and heard her babbling hysterically as we threw our arms around one another, "She's gone!" she sobbed, "Someone took her! She's gone!"

"Jessica-"

Her whole body trembled against me. I sensed her mind enveloped in sheer terror and confusion as she struggled to think, "Someone took her," she repeated. "Caleb, someone took Izzi!"

"I know Jessica," I told her trying to calm her down. I pulled away but kept my hands on her shoulders, "Jessica I need you to concentrate."

"Why?" she continued as if not registering what I said. "Why would someone take her?"

My frustration spiked, "To get to me!" I yelled, shaking her as I did. In retrospect, maybe I wasn't the best person to try and calm her down right now. She finally met my eyes as I repeated, "They're trying to get to me."

Jessica sniffed, her puffy eyes still clouded with tears, "Wait what? Why?"

I closed my eyes and sighed, "Before I tell you, I need you to take a breath-"

"Caleb Decter!" Jessica shouted, "Tell me what you know of my sister this instant!"

"Only after you take a moment to calm down," I said slowly, trying to take my own advice. An angry confrontation was not what Izzi needed right now. Jessica started to protest but I interrupted saying, "We don't have much time."

She pushed herself away from me and sniffled again. She rubbed her nose with one hand before setting both on her hips. "Alright," Jessica said in a relatively even tone. The emotions raging became less erratic and more controlled.

"Alright." I then began summarizing, "Samantha Stone has her." I gave a brief recap of my recent phone call.

Jessica choked and ran her hands through her hair. Her voice shook when she asked, "Do you think the Warden will show?"

"I don't know," I said honestly, "I think if Buddy can get a message to her, there's a good chance she'll come." I shook my head, "but that doesn't matter. What matters is what I need you to do."

"And what's that?"

"I need you to contact Garrison and the team," I told her. "Have them arrive near where Samantha wanted to meet. It wouldn't make sense for them to make the exchange out in the open, so I need you and the team to follow me and see where they take me if that's the case. I'll stall as long as I can to give you guys enough time to find the kids and get them out of there."

"And what about you?"

I shrugged, "I'll figure something out."

"Caleb," Jessica scowled, emotions welling up inside her as sorrow took hold once more, "I can't lose you." Her voice threatened to crack. "I can't lose you both."

"Then don't," I said simply, wrapping my arms around her again and pulling her close.

I took a moment to enjoy the embrace. Smelling her hair still sweaty from before. I felt her tears soak into my jacket. Her warm body shaking while it pressed against mine.

Funny how my own fear made me appreciate just how beautiful she was in that moment.

I finally broke away. "Alright I got," I checked the time, "Crap, twelve minutes until I need to meet Samantha. I need you to get the others and follow me. Can you do that?"

She nodded, sniffing once, "Yeah, I can do that, but it won't matter, right? Because the Warden is going to show up?"

I hesitated before nodding, "Just make sure it gets done."

"Of course."

Then I ran. I ran long and hard, knowing that even if Paulina showed up and was willing to make the trade, Samantha never guaranteed anyone's safety once the exchange was made.

If no one showed up. Those kids and I were as good as dead.

Heck. Even with help, we were probably good as dead anyways.