NOTES: First off, I apologize for how long it took to update. With election stuff and classes, I didn't have the time nor energy to write. But I'm back now! Thank you again to everyone who reviewed that last chapter, I know that cliffhanger was cruel. I hope y'all enjoy this next chapter. More to come soon! :) TW: Violence
The moon hung over the line of trees, bathing the forest in a silver light that bleached all it touched. To an outsider, the shadowy scene could've been serene but to Amaro, it only intensified the growing fear gnawing at his insides. A shiver that had nothing to do with the chill night air ran down his spine. He didn't know much about the woods but these trees seemed… unnaturally still.
The sound of the driver's side door closing was a welcome distraction. He cleared his throat before turning to Fin. "News?"
The man nodded, his eyes scanning the trees with narrowed eyes, "That was the captain. He's just behind us with state police. He wants us to wait for backup before we move."
Amaro frowned, "How long should that take?"
"Not sure but it shouldn't be long now." Fin sounded about as happy as Nick felt.
"I don't like this, Fin. Olivia could be out here right now."
Fin shot him a look. "You don't think I know that? I hate this as much as you do Amaro but Liv can't afford for us to fuck this up."
"I'm not saying—Look, I just don't want to—" Amaro's eyes widened as his voice cut off, staring over Fin's shoulder.
"What is it?!" Fin's heart was in his throat as he whipped his head around only to see a blinding light through the trees that cast huge shadows on the ground. As it grew brighter, the men heard the crunch of wheels on rocky dirt. Not Olivia then. The surge of adrenaline faded leaving behind a confusing mix of crushing disappointment and relief. It must be their backup.
As the car drew closer, Fin's anxiety flared. What the hell were they thinking? If Jones was out here and saw the lights… "Are you kidding me?!" he seethed to Amaro, "Turn off the damn lights!"
Their panicked annoyance only grew as a second pair of lights joined the first but by the third, Nick was grabbing for his radio. "Lights off as you approach, lights off!"
Relief flooded through them as the forest was plunged once again into darkness and the lights shut off one by one.
"Idiots."
Amaro tactfully chose to ignore the comment despite silently agreeing as the squad cars parked, all state police by the looks of them. He checked his watch, still blinking the light spots from his vision. "Where's Rollins?"
"You've seen her drive, she'll be here soon."
As the state troopers started towards them, the two men gave stiff nods of greeting, waiting for their captain. They didn't have to wait long. The familiar voice of their captain broke over the sound of boots on gravel.
"Fin, Amaro," Cragen called out as he jogged toward them, "So I take it Rollins isn't here yet?" He didn't wait for an answer before he pressed on, "We've got some more coming, any sign of Olivia?"
They shook their heads. "We just got here, cap, there's been nothing so far. We need to be cautious though," Fin said somberly, "I read some of his... recounts on the way up," his face twisted with disgust, "He lets his vics escape so he can track them down, hunt them. They could be out here right now."
Cragen's eyebrows furrowed. "Damn. We need to go now then." He turned to the other officers who were at the ready, their faces serious and attentive.
"Okay listen up folks. We've got a lot of ground to cover here and not much time to do it so everyone needs to be on their game. Our target, Albert Jones, knows the area; you don't. I don't have to tell you to watch your six. Amaro, what do we know?"
He was quick to answer. "We'll be primarily looking for a shack but Jones thrives off the chase; they could be anywhere in these woods. Jones is known to be armed with at least Detective Benson's service weapon but likely has more on him."
"Needless to say then, everyone will be wearing their vest. If you find the shack, call it in immediately," the captain added. "We'll need to set up a perimeter—"
Crunching gravel cut him off. Every head turned towards the far off sound, several people reaching for their weapons before the sound became obvious. Another car. Based on its rapid approach, the detectives were quick to guess at who was driving.
"That'll be Rollins," Fin said to Amaro under his breath who nodded before turning his attention back to his captain who'd continued speaking.
"We'll be sticking in groups of two for now. Stay on channel one, but," he emphasized, "Keep your radios quiet! Stealth is imperative here. We can't afford for him to panic and do anything rash. If you find Albert Jones, do not engage," the captain stressed, "Play it safe and call for back up. This man is volatile and will not hesitate to kill Detective Benson if he knows he's cornered."
The reminder squeezed the breath from Amaro's lungs before the sound of a car door slamming drew his attention. To Nick's equal relief and surprise, not only was Amanda there but Barba was as well. Who'd cleared that?
"We will bring Detective Benson back safely." The captain paused, turning as they were joined by Rollins who'd jogged over leaving Barba still standing by the car, his worried expression hidden in the shadows.
The captain nodded his greeting before pointing at his detectives. "Fin, Amaro, Rollins, I want the three of you to follow this path see where it leads. With luck, it'll head straight to the shack. The rest of you I want to fan out, check the woods. Remember, stick together, and use your GPS if you get lost. I'll be here for now directing people as they come and generally running things from here. Sound good?" Everyone nodded their agreement. "Okay then. Vests on and head out."
As policemen scattered, the captain turned to Amanda, "Rollins, a word?"
"Yes, cap?"
"Barba's here?"
"He insisted and Munch okayed it."
The captain's forehead crinkled with confusion before he shook it off. "Okay then. Go. Bring her home."
"We will. We will."
Their eyes had adjusted to the night now as they worked together seamlessly, quietly making their way down the lane. Amaro watched from his position as Rollins crept along, her gun cocked and at the ready before slipping behind a tree. After a second, she was waving them along.
All he could hear was the sound of boots on rock, occasionally the crunch of a leaf underfoot, and his breathing, sharp and stilted. The moon was still as bright as ever, illuminating the small path before them as he and Fin snuck along the parallel tree lines, passing Rollins. As they made their way along the bend, Amaro froze and stuck his hand out to the others, halting their motion.
There it was.
Besides the light that poured from a small window of the dilapidated shack, the building stood quiet and dark. The small crackle of his radio as Fin called it in told him the others had seen it too as they made their way to each other. One look between them said it all. They couldn't wait for backup.
"Circle around?" Fin asked. Amaro nodded.
"I'll cover the window," Rollins said, "Try and get a vantage point. If they're there—"
"I'll get the door," Amaro said.
"And I'll cover you," Fin added.
The three exchanged significant looks before Fin spoke. "Okay then. Let's go."
Olivia was having trouble opening her eyes. Her eyelids felt fused together and heavy and it didn't help that any attempt to pry them open caused her head to throb for some reason. God, her head hurt. What… happened? And—Oh god. Her stomach rolled. She couldn't think past the sour taste in her mouth and the sweat on her back but somehow she knew… She knew she couldn't make a sound. It was instinctual; she didn't need a clear head to know something was wrong. It had to be. She didn't dare move.
Speaking of… Someone was moving around her. Was that…? Yes. Footsteps back and forth. Pacing. Someone was pacing.
"Shit! Shit, shit, shit!"
Oh fuck. She recognized that panicked voice. Al something.
"Olivia…"
It all came flooding back. The feeling of his hands in her hair, the rag on her face. Albert Jones.
"Wake up…"
Oh god, the chair, running through the trees, tripping and scrambling to get back up and away from that shack. The shack with the mattress she was currently laying on.
"Olivia." His voice was closer now.
She didn't move.
A hand roughly shoved her shoulder aside. She swallowed her groan as pain split her head and a wave of nausea twisted her stomach.
"Wake up goddamnit!"
Her breath caught in her throat as she sensed him leaning over her.
"Oh, you little bitch," he breathed as she swallowed the lump in her throat. She couldn't help but recoil. "Have long have you been awake?"
Eyes. Open them.
"Answer me!"
"Agh!" Her eyes shot open in pain and surprise as his fingers dug into the back of her skull. The pain radiated out from the spot like a tidal wave and overcame her.
"There we are…" His face slowly came into focus as she blinked back tears. "Hi. Thought I lost you for a sec there."
"No…" Her voice came out in a small whimper as she squeezed her eyes shut, curling into herself.
A small chuckle escaped his throat as he climbed onto the bed, straddling her waist. A panicked whine escaped her throat. She couldn't move. Why couldn't she move?!
His voice was sickeningly smug as he ran his hands along her sides, "I knew we'd get here eventually. Let's get started, shall—What was that?"
She recognized the change in tone before the words registered. Her thoughts were too slow for this. Was he playing a trick on her? "Wha—?"
"Shut up!"
She pried her eyes open as she felt rather than saw him climb off her, heading towards the small window across the room. As she attempted to watch him, it hit her how badly the fog in her mind was clouding her vision too. Everything was blurry and a gray haze stole her peripheral. She blinked slowly. All she could see was the concrete littered with junk and a table on its side. Her eyes lazily scanned the floor, searching for… for what? She didn't know. Nothing was focusing. As Jones shifted at his spot near the window, a flash of metal caught her attention. The knife. Her eyes widened and her vision tunneled in on the small weapon. It was right there. On the floor. Her eyes flicked over toward Jones. He wasn't looking. If she could just grab it… Tears streamed down her face as she stretched her arm out towards the blade, straining, slipping. The tips of her fingers brushed against the handle. Hurry, oh god, hurry up!
"What are you—? Hey, stop that!"
Her body hung over the side of the bed; she could feel blood dripping into her hair from her wound. But she got it. Did he see her? Oh god, please say he didn't.
"Where are you going detective?" he asked, his voice dripping with barely concealed rage as he stalked towards her. "You don't get to move—" He was bending towards her now. Oh god, he didn't know, "—unless I tell you to—" His hands wrapped around her waist. Now Olivia. Before he sees, "You just had to—!"
Everything went white as adrenaline coursed through her blood, giving her the strength she needed to swing her arm wildly. She only vaguely registered the sickening schunk! of the knife penetrating skin before an agonized scream tore from his throat. She scrambled away on all fours like a crab only to watch incomprehensively as blood poured from his neck. Jones's eyes were wide with shock as he sunk to his knees beside the mattress, his hands clawing at his throat before he yanked the blade out. The knife fell to the floor with a clatter. His speech was garbled as he stared at her, eyes wide, "W-What did you—?"
The door slammed open and Olivia screamed.
Amanda's heart had never beaten this fast. She could hear the bastard pacing and swearing from her position beside the open window.
Jones's voice rang out, soft and mocking, "Olivia… Wake up."
Wake up? Oh god, what had he done to her? She needed to see.
"Olivia."
Amanda locked eyes with Fin who nodded slowly. She didn't dare to breathe as she moved her head slowly to stare into the room. The shack was a mess. A table overturned, various items strewn across the floor, a chair with duct tape. Olivia lying on a mattress with Jones looming over her…
"Answer me!"
Albert moved suddenly before Olivia's scream tore through the detectives like a knife, Amanda's face contorting with grief while rage twisted Fin's. Before she could stop to think, Amanda's shaky hand was raising her gun as she thought of nothing but shooting the bastard in the back before he could make Olivia scream again. She would make him pay.
"Don't!" Fin hissed as his hand clamped down on her wrist causing her to jump and lose her footing. She caught herself just in time but not before accidentally bumping into the wall.
"What was that?"
Amanda's stomach dropped. No. No, no, no, no! What had she done?! Amanda immediately flattened herself against the wall as she heard his footsteps drawing closer, terror for Olivia coursing through her veins. If she fucking blew this…
"Wha—?"
"Shut up!"
His voice was so close, too close. She held her breath, listening to the man mumbling to himself until—
"What are you—? Hey, stop that!"
The barely concealed fury in the man's voice had Amanda's eyes widening. Her gaze met Fin's who stared back with equal urgency. Now. They had to go NOW. They moved as quickly as they dared to where Amaro was waiting by the door, his gun drawn. Fin spoke in a harsh whisper, "We need to—"
A muffled, guttural scream cut him off. Amanda was the first to react, pulling her radio out while she screamed at the two men before her, "Go, go, go!"
Amaro burst through the door, Fin on his heels with his gun drawn. The bright lights after the black of night had Nick blinking rapidly as Olivia shrieked before he heard the rasping, wet wheeze of Albert Jones who slumped over onto the floor, choking, drowning in his own blood as it poured from his throat.
"I've got him!" Fin shouted at Amaro as he stood above Jones his gun trained on his head, "Go, check on Liv!"
Despite the adrenaline coursing through him and the obvious fact that he had no idea what Olivia had gone through, Nick felt incredible, overwhelming relief as he turned to his partner. Olivia was alive. She was ALIVE.
The closer he got to her, however, the more his relief faded to worry. The sight of his partner wincing and gasping for breath as she cringed away from him was terrifying but it was the way her eyes couldn't seem to focus that scared him most.
"Liv? It's me, it's Nick."
She didn't react. Shit.
"Amanda, call a bus!" he tossed over his shoulder causing Olivia to wince heavily. "Olivia?"
She blinked slowly as recognition flicked across her face. "N-Nick? Is that—whada hell happened?"
Amaro's stomach dropped at her slurred speech. That wasn't good. He swallowed his fear as he looked at her reassuringly. Her eyes were still unfocused. "You're safe now Liv, I promise."
The fight was starting to drain from her body; Olivia began to slump forward. "Where's Rafa? Rafa..."
"Rafa? Oh. Barba. He's here—Hey, no!" Amaro immediately lunged forwards as she collapsed, catching her under the arms. As her head flopped onto his shoulder, his eyes widened at the blood coating the back of her skull, matting her hair, and painting the back of her neck crimson. "Liv! Stay with me!"
She mumbled something against the strap of his vest before her body went limp.
Amaro's panic peaked as he slowly leaned forward, setting her gently on the mattress, careful to support her neck. "God Fin, where's that bus? Where's the damn bus?!"
"It's on the way now, Nick. It's on the way."
Amaro nodded frantically as he placed fingers against Olivia's neck. Thank god. Her pulse was still strong. "Please tell me he's dead."
"He's dead," Fin said, sounding grimly satisfied. "Olivia got him in the throat."
"Good. Where's Amanda?"
"She's—"
"MOVE ROLLINS!" Amaro's eyebrows shot up at the sudden outburst from outside.
Amanda's voice was shrill but firm, "Barba, I can't let you—"
"NO! MOVE!"
"Barba, listen to me—Hey!"
Rafael burst into the shack, Rollins hot on his heels. His cheeks were bright red and he was breathing hard. His eyes flicked around the room, briefly taking in the sight of Jones's dead body before he spotted her. His face crumpled and tears spilled down his cheeks, "Oh, god, Liv!"
Before he could move, Fin stepped in his way, his hands up. "Barba, stop. She got a nasty blow to the head."
"She's—She's not…?"
"No. No, she's alive."
Rafael's hands were shaking as he brought them to cover his mouth. He seemed to have been robbed of the ability to speak as he blinked rapidly.
"Where's that bus, Rollins?" Amaro repeated as he watched Olivia's eyelids flutter.
"It'll be here any minute now. Any minute."
All eyes were on Olivia as they waited in silence, their only comfort being the steady rise and fall of her chest. As they stood there mutely, Rafael began to do something he hadn't done in years: pray. If she didn't make it... No. She had to.
She just had to.