FIND HER: THE HUNT FOR ROLLINS
Disclaimer: I do not own Law & Order: SVU or its characters. The following work is strictly fan fiction.
Story takes place several months after the Season 22 finale.
Note: There will be trigger warnings including kidnapping, rape, assault, etc. Please read to your own discretion.
Chapter 5: Waiting Ducks
Amanda groaned as she slowly opened her eyes. She let out a heavy sigh, feeling weak and sore. She fluttered her eyes a few times, trying to get her blurred vision to focus. As she went to move her arms closer to her side to push herself into a seat position and rub her eyes, she jumped feeling a tug on her wrist. Oh god. For a brief moment she had forgotten where she was, what she'd gone through. It was as though her mind didn't want her to see or accept what had happened, blocking it out entirely. But now feeling the pull on her wrists, and the pain in her chest, the truth was all too real.
"Finally awake are we?" Amanda's head snapped to the right, as Carl stood at the doorway, closing it behind him. She watched as he walked towards her with a smile. "You've been out a while, but I wanted you to get some rest. It was a long day. Did you enjoy yourself last night?"
Amanda just stared at him without a word. He gave her a half smile as he took a few more steps into the room. He rubbed his chin and sighed. "Come on, don't be like that," he responded. "I watched you. I felt you. I know you enjoyed yourself."
Amanda stayed silent, turning away from him. Her head was not turned more than a moment before he rushed towards her and grabbed her face firmly, forcing her head back to him. "Answer me!"
She struggled to let the words escape her lips, but her pause was too long. She let out a cry as he slapped her across the face. "Say you enjoyed it."
Slowly she nodded as she turned her head back towards him, trying not to let the tears fall from her eyes. She wasn't sure if the tears were from her fear or the pain that radiated through her cheek. She had to force the words from her lips, not wanting to get hit again, "yes."
"Yes, what?"
"I enjoyed it," Amanda said monotone. Her glared at her, calling her a liar. She said what he wanted her to, but it clearly wasn't enough. He wanted her to sound convincing, to mean it. "I'm not… I'm sorry, I'm just hungry. I haven't eaten since lunch yesterday and-"
"Oh, it's okay. I hadn't realized. Ill prepare you something," he said gently, almost in a comforting manner. He seemed almost happy with her response. It wasn't as though she was completely lying, she was starving. She watched as he left her side and headed back towards the door. Stopping before he left, "there's something about you that intrigues me. I'm glad we're getting off to a good start. How about you?"
Amanda forced a smile and nodded, watching him - analyzing him. He truly believed what he did to her was wanted, that she should be thankful. He believed they had a connection. Was this what he thought with the other women he had taken against their wills? It was almost as though he was looking for a forced companion. He had said something to Olivia that rang in her ears, he wanted to make them feel what he felt. How was he supposed to be with someone like that? Lifeless. Amanda shook her head as she stared at the ceiling. He abused them, he abused them so long that they didn't think anyone was coming for them. They gave up and he saw that. That's why he killed them. If she could will herself to play along with his games, tolerate anything he plans to do she would have a chance of surviving. He only killed them when he lost them. She had to be conscious, make him feel like he was getting what he wanted. She didn't know where she would find her strength, but she had to. If she ever wanted to see her girls again or get out of there alive she had to play his game. She had to focus, be committed. That was the key to making it out. She had faith in her team. Olivia, Finn, Kat… Carisi. Oh god, Sonny. How was she supposed to face him after this was over?
She shook off the thought. She couldn't think of him. It was hard enough holding herself together with her own emotions, she couldn't think of anything or anyone else. She needed to be who Carl wanted her to. It was her only choice.
"Well Cars 4 Rent was a bust," Fin said, frustrated as he entered the squad room. He shook his head. Once they had finally managed to get of the license Carl had given them, they discovered he had used a stolen one. "How'd it go with the Chief?"
"He's going to see what he can do but releasing a serial onto the streets is even above his head. He said he'd be in touch when he hears anything but is here if we need him. Elliot is reaching out to his contacts to see if anyone can trace the link we had," Olivia responded. "But unless it's on and connected it's near impossible. Unfortunately, the encryption is very sophisticated."
"What about the number he messaged on?" Kat asked.
"It's from a burner that's been disconnected. I tried texting it back or calling it but nothing. We're waiting on him to reach out at this point," Olivia said.
"So, we're at a dead end," Kat responded point blank. She put her hands up as she saw Fin and her Captain shoot her harsh looks. She apologized before she took a seat. She could tell they were upset because she spoke the truth. The only lead they had was from the rental company and that barely got them anywhere. The cell he called from was disconnected and the video call near impossible to trace. She had already tried to find records of possible properties he owned in his or his father's names and nothing came up.
Olivia shook her head. They were waiting ducks. All they could do is wait for Carl to make the next move. Wait while Amanda suffered at his hand. Pray that she was okay. She tried to think of how they could get a message out to him. She had already tried responding to the email but simply got a bounce back. She bit her lip; no they weren't waiting ducks. She would talk to Earl Clinton. If she couldn't get his release, perhaps there was something else they could arrange with him in the meantime. She had to do something, anything. The least she could do was try.