Author's Note: Whoa, Ok, I can take a hint. Judging by the nature of all your reviews, I figured I had better get the next chapter up before you guys all lost your minds. I was going to go back to Grissom and Cat in this chapter, but I shifted my story around just for all of you. So without further adieu…oh wait, just a little more adieu – no money is being made off this. The only thing I get from it is some cheap thrills when I think of the guys in trouble.
* * *
Nick stumbled down the hallway, going in the complete opposite direction from Greg. He realized that he had lost him during the fracas in the room. Nick glanced down at the blood on his left arm. Thank God it was only a flesh wound. It hurt to move, but otherwise he was alright. The last thing he had heard was the leader cursing at his men as he tried to rally his proverbial troops.
* * *
"Get up goddamn you!" Isaac King was irate. His brilliant plan was falling to pieces in front of his eyes. Nick and Greg had escaped. His men were wounded. He thought that he had managed to take out Stokes, but he now realized that he had merely wounded him. He hadn't even inflicted enough damage to slow the older man down. He watched in growing frustration as his men staggered to their feet.
"I think he broke my nose!" Randy was gasping in agony as he tried to stem the flow of blood from his nose.
"If you don't get up and help me find them, I will break the rest of the bones in your body!" King's eyes were flashing with rage. Randy's protest died on his lips. He knew better than to say anything when Isaac was so upset. He wiped more blood from his upper lip and pulled his gun from the waistband of his jeans. Across from him, Brian was also pulling himself up, trying to shake off the effects of Greg's kick to his knee. King glared at them.
"They don't leave here alive! Do you hear me? You see either one of them, you bring them to me. This is personal now. I want the satisfaction of watching the life rushing out of their body when I put a bullet in their heart".
Brian smiled calmly. "They'll never even find the way out. This place is huge, and we know every square inch of it. We'll get them no problem.
King leaned close to Brian. "Make sure that you do. Because if they escape, I will hold the two of you personally responsible".
The smile vanished from Brian's face.
* * *
Greg was hopelessly lost. He had no idea where he was, but he knew where he wasn't. He wasn't outside this stupid warehouse, factory, whatever it was. He couldn't leave without Nick. He prayed that Nick had gotten away safely. His inner voice was berating him, asking him why he hadn't stayed to make sure Nick was safe. Geez, Nick had gotten taken hostage because of him, and Greg was furious at himself for not staying behind to help his friend. The first thing he would do when he found Nick was apologize. Apologize for getting him into this mess, apologize for blowing their cover, apologize for leaving him behind.
But he had to find Nick first. The thought of reuniting with his friend seemed to strengthen his resolve. With a newfound sense of determination Greg continued down the hallway.
What he didn't know is that he was taking himself deeper and deeper into the warehouse.
* * *
One the other side of the building, Nick was in the same predicament as Greg. He realized almost immediately that he had no clue how to get out of the warehouse. He was also mentally raging at himself for not keeping a better eye on Greg. Nick was angry that he had allowed the men to take Greg in the first place. He made up his mind that the minute they found one another he would apologize. Apologize for allowing Greg to become a hostage, apologize for making up such a stupid story and apologize for not making sure that his friend escaped safely.
His arm was throbbing. He marvelled inwardly at the fact that a little bitty wound like this could produce so much pain. He forced himself to ignore and to continue further down the hallway. All he could now was keep quiet and hope that he would find the exit sooner or later.
* * *
King and his men had split up. Brian was right; they did know the building like the back of their hands. They had separated and agreed that if they found one of the hostages they would page Isaac to come and finish the job.
Brian had taken the sub-basement of the warehouse. There was nothing down there.
Randy had taken the north-east corridor. He was getting closer to the exits, but farther away from where Nick was roaming around trying to find his way out.
Isaac had taken the southern part of the building. It was darkest down here, but he knew it so well that he didn't even need his flashlight to see. And what he saw now made him very pleased indeed.
Less than twenty feet away, Greg Sanders had no idea he was being watched.