Chapter 22: Eleventh hour
Louis slowed down the car as soon as he turned left on Hudson Avenue.
He cursed under his breath. "Damn!" In his hurry, he forgot to ask Twitty for the exact location of the café. If only he had stopped and actually thought for a second, he wouldn't be here wasting his time trying to find the freakin' place.
With the exception of a couple of cars he just passed by, the entire street looked almost deserted. Nondescript structures lined both side of the street. Louis turned his head left and right, looking for any signs of life.
The place gave him the creeps. He'd been driving halfway down the road and he has yet to see a living soul. Whether it was due to the scorching heat of the sun, or the laziness of the afternoon, he just wasn't sure.
If I was a criminal and wanted to commit a crime or murder or something, this would be the perfect place to do it.
Louis shuddered at the thought. No doubt, Will brought his sister here for the same reason, one way or another.
He was still cruising at twenty miles per hour when something suddenly caught his eye. Up ahead, about a hundred meters away, was a small building different from the others. Louis slightly increased speed his speed. As he got closer, he noticed a small sign up front.
"Beach Side Café…" he read, squinting. His heartbeat skipped a beat. That was it! That must be the place!
Louis pulled over a few meters away and surveyed the place. From the looks of it, the place indeed belonged to the Coulsons'. It was different from the others. There was something about the place that screamed for his attention.
He sat there for a second, contemplating on his next moves. Situated at the front entrance was a huge sign that said Under Renovation.
Okay, what was the initial plan again? "Right, I just have to barge right in and get Ren out."
"Wait, I can't just do that," Louis said out loud. Going in there without some a more concrete plan, he might end up putting Ren in more danger. Not to mention himself, as well. "But if I don't get in there right now, that bastard might be…" He trailed off. Instead, he gripped the wheel so hard, his knuckles turned white.
Taking a deep breath, Louis motioned for the door and alighted from the car. As quietly as he could, he approached the building. Louis stopped short in front of the entrance. There was no way for him to enter through that door, seeing that it was all boarded up.
There has got to be another way – another entrance, or something. He rubbed his chin in frustration. Louis retraced his steps. This time he went straight down the small alley, beside the building. It led to an ever smaller alley behind the café. His heart quickly jammed into his throat as he caught sight of a black sports car. It was inconspicuously parked behind a tall stack of wooden crates and boxes.
True enough, he found a service door. Louis could feel his heartbeat quicken. Blow this one, and it will be game over. He knew the element of surprise was his best and only advantage towards the guy. "One wrong move, Louis," he whispered to himself, "and that advantage is gone."
**************************
"Ren, Ren, Ren," Will sneered as he kept her pressed against a wall. "You're making this rather hard for the both of us. Why is that, huh?" He snuggled closer to her neck. "I thought this was what you wanted in the first place. You know, last night on the couch, remember?"
"Get off me!" Ren desperately struggled to get free as Will started kissing her on the neck.
Will slightly pulled away and roared with laughter. "I always find a feisty woman an absolute turn on," he said with a wink. Keeping his firm grasp on her, he resumed his kisses.
She shivered as Will pinned his body against hers. He wasn't joking when he said he was getting turned on – Ren felt it, literally.
He must have sensed her fear. "Don't worry, I always come prepared," Will whispered in her ears. A small smile crept on his face. He leaned in, this time pressing his lips against hers.
Blood drained from every inch of her face as Ren froze in absolute panic. She continued to struggle, more vigorous this time. All her hope started run out when she suddenly paused, momentarily distracted. Yes, there is a god! Her heart jumped in glee. In her struggle, the rope that bound her arms behind her back was starting to get loose. If I could just get this thing out, it would be easier for me to escape with both my hands… Ren finally ignored Will – who was still kissing her – and instead focused all her attention to the rope. Her wrists started to feel raw, but she didn't care. The sooner she got it off, the sooner she could make a break for it.
Will paid no attention to her, keeping his vise-like grip on both her arms. He pulled away slightly, out of breath. "I knew you were going to come around," he said with a lascivious smile. Will was obviously referring to the fact that Ren wasn't fending off his kisses anymore. He reached for his pants and unbuckled his belt.
Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god! Ren tugged on the rope frantically. Come on, a little more!
Will slipped one of his hands inside Ren's shirt and caressed her bare back for a minute. Finally, it stopped and reached for the buttons of her shirt. One, two, three, Will unbuttoned it until he had exposed her entire midsection. For a moment, Will marveled at the sight.
Ren blinked back the tears that were now starting to spill from her eyes.
As if in mockery, Will slowly unzipped his pants. Next, he reached for Ren's jeans, and unzipped it as well, more slowly this time. Will then stopped, and reached for something inside his back pocket. When his hand emerged, Ren saw that he was holding a small packet. It turned out to be a packet of condom. He tore it open with his teeth.
The agonizing sound tortured Ren to no end. No, no, this can't be! Ren couldn't believe what was happening. She was so close, how could she lose now? She sobbed silently, still tugging at the rope. Not once in her life did Ren want this to happen. How can this happen, anyway? All she ever wanted was to have some fun. But this, this was definitely NOT fun. This was downright torture.
In a final attempt to get free, she gave a one last yank at the rope. She then heard a slight pop, followed by an immense pain on her left hand, causing her to bite her lip. The bitter taste of blood of her stung her. It was then that she felt something thick and warm oozing from her hands. Ren had actually pulled on the rope so hard that it dug through her skin, causing it to bleed. Not to mention dislocate her left hand either, as she suspected.
Ren slightly moved her right hand, trying to feel the damage she has done to her self. Surprisingly, she found out that she can move it for a considerably large amount of space. In fact, she found out that she can move it freely! Quickly, Ren removed the rope from her other hand.
Just as Will was about to reach into his boxers, the door opened wide with a loud bang.
The sudden light created by the opened door illuminated the whole scene before Louis' eyes. What he saw was enough to make his stomach turn.
"Ren!" he cried out.
****************************