Chapter Eighty-two
Looking into the neatly organized refrigerator Jake pawed through the various vegetables and green colored juices before finding a glass container with cut up cooked chicken breast mixed with rice and a few scattered vegetables. Further inspection of the fridge yielded a single sparkling wine cooler. Glad to find something with at least a small amount of alcohol Jake pull that out too before closing the large stainless steel door. Leaning against the marble kitchen counter he used the grimy edge of his black shirt to open the drink. Taking a pull at the sweet bubbly drink he curled his lip in disgust.
"Gross."
Putting the bottle down Jake took the lid off the chicken dish and ate a piece with little enthusiasm. The dry unseasoned chicken wasn't any more exciting than the poor excuse for an alcoholic beverage. Hearing the click of nails against the smooth tile floor Jake looked down at the small pug dog that had joined him in the opulent kitchen. Sitting at Jake's feet the dog looked up at him expectantly with his large eyes that didn't really fit well in his flattened face.
"I'm sorry, am I eating your dinner?" Jake asked the dog.
The dog responded by wagging his entire back end as his tightly curled tail didn't really have enough freedom of movement to properly express his emotions. With the rest of the refrigerator completely devoid of meat it made sense that the only chicken dish was actually meant for the dog of the house. Sighing heavily Jake put the glass dish down in front of the dog. Dancing happily the dog shoved his snub nose into the meal with gusto.
Looking around the large empty kitchen Jake wasn't sure what to do next. With the infected brand in his chest pounding in pain he decided to head upstairs to tend to it. Stepping into the modern designed black granite bathroom Jake tried to pull his shirt off only to find it stuck to his skin. Jake's stomach twisted in anxiety at having to reopen the already angry wound. Last time he'd had Neal and Peter's support when they had helped him through the first painful treatment of the devastating wound. Despite everything he had put the pair through they had been there for him when he needed the help most. If they hadn't talked him into letting them treat his burn it would have killed him before they'd even gotten a chance to get out. On his own once again Jake had been struggling to keep the wound clean and his health was failing fast.
After releasing Ethan Jake had laid on the filthy floor of his subterranean hide away and had spent hours just staring up at the cement ceiling. He had been waiting for either Federal Agents or Death to find him. However neither one of them showed up to claim him. Rallying slightly Jake had decided he wasn't going to die under ground and he had come up with a poorly constructed plan that had quickly fallen apart. Feeling more lonely than ever Jake stared at his blood and grime smeared face in the large bathroom mirror and second guessed his decision to continue to evade the FBI.
"Peter would still help you." Jake told his refection. "Assuming he survived."
Shrugging off that option since he knew it would only end in prison Jake turned on the waterfall shower and stepped under the heavy flow fully dressed. The water helped soften the infection that had bonded his shirt to his skin but he still had to tear open the shirt to get it off. Crying out in pain Jake dropped to the marble floor of the shower as he doubled over with a was of nausea. With the warm water cascading down on him Jake still couldn't keep from shivering. With the brand reopened Jake just let the blood run down his chest and down the drain. Leaning against the cold shower wall Jake took a few deep breaths as he fought breaking down in to tears.
It took a while but eventually the soothing water calmed both Jake's body and mind. Using the same will that had kept him alive this long Jake got back to his feet and removed the rest of his clothes before using one of the multiple soaps available to clean himself up. Even before the Labyrinth Jake's life had always been focused on just surviving to the next day so it had just become natural to just fight to keep on his feet no matter what obstetrical was placed in his path. Once out of the shower and dry Jake headed into the near by walk in closet and picked out a new pair of jeans a dark shirt. The clothing was a little tight but it would do.
When Jake stepped back out of the closet the pug was waiting for him. Stooping down Jake rubbed between his soft ears. The pug leaned happily into the affection, panting heavily as he struggled to breathe through his pushed up nose. Smiling Jake picked up the compact dog and carried him into the bed room. Sitting on the edge of the bed Jake held the dog in his lap and stroked at his fur.
"I like your dog."
Jake turned and looked at the man bound and gagged on the bed. The thin framed man in his upper forties stared up at Jake with pale green eyes that were wide with terror. He was so paralyzed with fear that he didn't even try to pull at the torn sheets that Jake had used to restrain him. Jake put the dog down on the bed and the pug went right over to his master and licked his face before curling up next to him.
"He's worthless for home defense though." Jake noted.
The man managed a muffled pleading whimper.
"I'm not going to hurt you." Jake assured. "Not if I don't have to. However I do want to talk. You're not going to scream, right?"
The man shook his head.
"Good. I'd hate to have to kill you in front of your dog."
Jake had just been trying to emphasize his point to make sure the man didn't scream but he regretted it when the man's eyes suddenly rolled back to white as he passed out at the mere threat of violence. Jake shook his head with a noise of frustration. Jake hadn't been sure exactly what was going to happen when he'd come to this particular house, but none of this had been part of his poorly conceived plan. It only took the man a minute to regain consciousness and once Jake was sure he wasn't going to pass out he carefully removed the gag.
"What's your name?" Jake asked.
"Den….Dennis."
"How long have you lived here, Dennis?"
"I…uh…" Dennis struggled to answer in his panic "ten years maybe?"
"Damn it." Jake sighed. "Did you buy it from York?"
"No…I…What?" Dennis asked confused.
"Do you know York? Does he live around here?" Jake pressed. "It was so long ago but I could have sworn this was the house."
"I don't know anyone named York, I swear. Walker, I bought the house from Charles Walker." Dennis replied in a desperate attempt to appease his captor. "He's a big shot philanthropist…if it's money you want I have…"
"Shut up." Jake snapped before he paused in thought "...'I have so much money I give it away'."
Jake recalled the bragging line that York often used on branded men who tried to bribe their way out of the Labyrinth. It would make sense that York wouldn't use his real name in the Labyrinth and that he might have just snatched his pseudonym from the very city that he felt he owned. Jake leaned over and picked up the cell phone that he had taken away from Dennis when he'd first broken into the house.
"Can I see a picture of Walker using this?" Jake asked hold up the phone.
Dennis nodded.
"How?"
Dennis furrowed his brow but quickly decided against asking Jake why he didn't know how to use the phone and just walked him through it. Bringing up the website for Light for the Lost Jake stared at the smiling picture of York. While playing the face of the non profit organization he had a warm smile but his eyes were still held the glint of the cold merciless tormentor that he truly was. Failing on his own outside the safety of the Labyrinth Jake had come back to the house where all his troubles had started without knowing if he was going to try and murder York or if he was going to beg him for help. Seeing his imaged plastered across the site proclaiming to help the lost Jake made his decision as he recalled another phrase the York loved to use.
"No mercy, no forgiveness."
