Well, took me awhile to decide how to continue, but I think I've got it figured out. For at least a couple chapters after this. YAY! Please let me know what you think. And thanks for all the reviews on the last chapter. They were much appreciated!!!
* * * * *
Chapter 16
I was frozen for a moment, unable to think, unable to act.
Vaughn was gone.
Gone.
Gone.
The word kept repeating in my mind, panic constricting my chest, and making me feel sick.
I breathed deeply, trying to get a hold of my runaway emotions.
I had to. For Vaughn's sake.
Without another thought, I grabbed my cell phone, dialing my father's number. The phone rang four times before he picked up, and I remembered that it was about two in the morning in Los Angeles.
I didn't care.
Vaughn was gone.
"Dad?" I asked when he picked up on the other line. My voice was sharp, my panic evident.
"Sydney?" His voice was gravelly, slow with sleep. "What's wrong?"
"Vaughn is gone," I said, trying in vain to hold back the tears that began to roll down my cheeks.
"Gone?" He asked, confused.
"I got out of the shower this morning, and he was gone. And there was blood—" my words were coming fast now, and my voice cracked.
My dad paused on the other end of the line. "Any idea where he could have gone?"
I shook my head desperately. "No." I knew it had to be Sloane's men. Somehow they had found the safehouse. But they could be on the other side of Istanbul by now.
Another pause from my father. "And you're sure that he was abducted. That he didn't… leave voluntarily?"
I hesitated, before my father's meaning registered in my mind.
"No!" I practically shouted. "I know where Vaughn's loyalties are—with me!" I cut myself off. "With the CIA," I corrected lamely.
"Sydney," my dad said, ignoring my outburst. "I don't know what your… personal relationship with Agent Vaughn is." He hesitated. "But we must consider all possibilities."
I sat in stony silence.
"Sydney…" he said, his voice emotionless. "It's the logical thing—"
I silently switched my cell phone off, refusing to consider the possibility that Vaughn was a traitor, and unwilling to accept the help of someone who would even think to suggest it.
I know it was stupid.
And stubborn.
But I also knew Vaughn. He wasn't a traitor.
And I knew that I could find him alone.
* * * * *
I left the third floor apartment about fifteen minutes later, outfitted in a loose, flowing dress, a straight, black wig hitting just below my shoulders. My eyes were blue.
After all, no matter how desperate I was to find Vaughn, I still had to be cautious. I wouldn't be any help to him if Sloane's men caught me, as well.
With a last glance at my reflection in the mirror, I headed out the door to begin my search.
* * * * *
When I returned, it was past dark, and I hadn't found a thing. I had scoured the city, asking everyone in the surrounding area if they had seen anything suspicious.
I had checked out seedy clubs, abandoned warehouses, anywhere I could think of.
Nothing.
I collapsed on the couch, realizing in the back of my mind that I wasn't safe here. Someone had found Vaughn here, and they could just as easily find me.
But I couldn't bring myself to leave.
And where would I go? Not back to LA. I couldn't leave without Vaughn.
I felt helpless.
I needed Vaughn. More than I had ever realized before. I needed him with me. He was my strength.
He was all that I had.
I lowered my head into my hands, finally giving in to desperate tears.
I don't know how long I cried, but eventually, sobs turned to sniffles. I remained motionless, frozen in the same position on the couch.
And then I heard it. A rustling from the other side of the door. I tensed, the hairs prickling on the back of my neck. They had come back. They had taken Vaughn, and they had come back for me.
I couldn't help an irrational wave of anger. If they were going to take both of us, why not at the same time? Why take it upon themselves to make two trips?
I pushed the irrelevant thought away, silently drawing my gun and approaching the door.
I heard the firing mechanism of a gun cock on the other side of the door. I tensed, ready for attack, my last thought that even if they did catch me, they would at least bring me to Vaughn.
Without another thought, I flung the door open.
* * * * *
Yes. I know. Another cliffhanger. But you have to admit, it makes it more fun! At least it does for me. Builds anticipation of the next chapter and all that. Anyways, hope you liked this chapter… more a transitional chapter than anything else, so sorry if it was kind of boring. Should pick up in the next few chapters. Read and review, please and thanks!
* * * * *
Chapter 16
I was frozen for a moment, unable to think, unable to act.
Vaughn was gone.
Gone.
Gone.
The word kept repeating in my mind, panic constricting my chest, and making me feel sick.
I breathed deeply, trying to get a hold of my runaway emotions.
I had to. For Vaughn's sake.
Without another thought, I grabbed my cell phone, dialing my father's number. The phone rang four times before he picked up, and I remembered that it was about two in the morning in Los Angeles.
I didn't care.
Vaughn was gone.
"Dad?" I asked when he picked up on the other line. My voice was sharp, my panic evident.
"Sydney?" His voice was gravelly, slow with sleep. "What's wrong?"
"Vaughn is gone," I said, trying in vain to hold back the tears that began to roll down my cheeks.
"Gone?" He asked, confused.
"I got out of the shower this morning, and he was gone. And there was blood—" my words were coming fast now, and my voice cracked.
My dad paused on the other end of the line. "Any idea where he could have gone?"
I shook my head desperately. "No." I knew it had to be Sloane's men. Somehow they had found the safehouse. But they could be on the other side of Istanbul by now.
Another pause from my father. "And you're sure that he was abducted. That he didn't… leave voluntarily?"
I hesitated, before my father's meaning registered in my mind.
"No!" I practically shouted. "I know where Vaughn's loyalties are—with me!" I cut myself off. "With the CIA," I corrected lamely.
"Sydney," my dad said, ignoring my outburst. "I don't know what your… personal relationship with Agent Vaughn is." He hesitated. "But we must consider all possibilities."
I sat in stony silence.
"Sydney…" he said, his voice emotionless. "It's the logical thing—"
I silently switched my cell phone off, refusing to consider the possibility that Vaughn was a traitor, and unwilling to accept the help of someone who would even think to suggest it.
I know it was stupid.
And stubborn.
But I also knew Vaughn. He wasn't a traitor.
And I knew that I could find him alone.
* * * * *
I left the third floor apartment about fifteen minutes later, outfitted in a loose, flowing dress, a straight, black wig hitting just below my shoulders. My eyes were blue.
After all, no matter how desperate I was to find Vaughn, I still had to be cautious. I wouldn't be any help to him if Sloane's men caught me, as well.
With a last glance at my reflection in the mirror, I headed out the door to begin my search.
* * * * *
When I returned, it was past dark, and I hadn't found a thing. I had scoured the city, asking everyone in the surrounding area if they had seen anything suspicious.
I had checked out seedy clubs, abandoned warehouses, anywhere I could think of.
Nothing.
I collapsed on the couch, realizing in the back of my mind that I wasn't safe here. Someone had found Vaughn here, and they could just as easily find me.
But I couldn't bring myself to leave.
And where would I go? Not back to LA. I couldn't leave without Vaughn.
I felt helpless.
I needed Vaughn. More than I had ever realized before. I needed him with me. He was my strength.
He was all that I had.
I lowered my head into my hands, finally giving in to desperate tears.
I don't know how long I cried, but eventually, sobs turned to sniffles. I remained motionless, frozen in the same position on the couch.
And then I heard it. A rustling from the other side of the door. I tensed, the hairs prickling on the back of my neck. They had come back. They had taken Vaughn, and they had come back for me.
I couldn't help an irrational wave of anger. If they were going to take both of us, why not at the same time? Why take it upon themselves to make two trips?
I pushed the irrelevant thought away, silently drawing my gun and approaching the door.
I heard the firing mechanism of a gun cock on the other side of the door. I tensed, ready for attack, my last thought that even if they did catch me, they would at least bring me to Vaughn.
Without another thought, I flung the door open.
* * * * *
Yes. I know. Another cliffhanger. But you have to admit, it makes it more fun! At least it does for me. Builds anticipation of the next chapter and all that. Anyways, hope you liked this chapter… more a transitional chapter than anything else, so sorry if it was kind of boring. Should pick up in the next few chapters. Read and review, please and thanks!