I think this story is really, really short. But continue reading, nonetheless…
Chapter 5 – On the Way Down
Danny felt his cell phone vibrate against his leg in his pocket followed by an SMS tone in his car on the way home from work. He dragged it out wearily, his tired eyes stinging in the strong wind.
Danny: Actually, it can't be Justine. Knowing my luck, it wouldn't be her.
He flipped his phone open.
One new message, it read. He opened the message and saw two words:
Black Joker
That was all it said.
Danny: Who the heck is this?
Puzzled, Danny scrolled down.
Sender: Justine
.:Danny's House:.
Danny: What could've meant? Black Joker? What on earth is that?
The name sounded distinctly familiar, confirming Danny's suspicions about Justine's assailant being an old enemy. He sat down on the cushioned armchair in front of the TV, thinking hard. The FBI agents had packed up for the night, leaving him alone to figure things out.
Danny: Why would they want Justine? If they wanted to sort things out, they could do something to ME instead.
He buried his head in his hands, tousling up his hair.
Danny: Black Joker, Black Joker…… What IS it? Why can't I remember?
He was very certain it had something to do casinos, but what?
Danny: I need help with this.
He thought.
Danny: Mary.
.:Mary's Doorstep:.
The polished wooden door swung open and Mary's face peered out. When she saw Danny, her face fell. "Oh, it's you." She went back in, leaving the door open. Danny followed her, closing the door behind him.
"Hey hey hey," Danny said, "Why the cold shoulder?"
"Don't know," Mary said. She set herself down on the chair, grabbed a packet of chips, popped one of them into her mouth and started munching away on them. "I thought you need 'a little time' to cool down and figure your life out."
Danny: Okay, this is WAY weird. Mary was never this petty.
"Well, I've got over it, and I need your help." Danny said, wondering exactly how to approach her. "I think Justine's got her cell phone with her. She sent me this SMS." He held out his own cell.
Reluctantly, Mary leaned over to read the message on the screen. Her eyes scrutinized it, then she frowned. "Black Joker?" Then she stopped frowning. "Isn't that our rival casino? The one that Christopher-John owns?"
It clicked. Danny realised that Mary was right. No wonder it had sounded familiar.
Danny turned on his heel and headed for the door.
"Hey! Where're you going?" Mary called.
Danny turned round. "Black Joker. I thought you're still mad at me for yelling at you the other day."
Mary broke into a cheesy grin. "I was," she said, walking over and hugging his arm. "Well, I got over it. And besides, you may need some back-up."
Danny grinned cheesily and led Mary out into his car.
.:The Dungeon:.
"You are one smart girl, are you?" Justine's assailant said, throwing and catching her Samsung playfully. He walked over to her and placed a knife to her cheek. "Unfortunately for you, lady, tomorrow is the third day. I guess McCoy wouldn't be here in time to save his girl."
Justine was weaker than ever. She couldn't even open her eyes or groan. All she could do was breathe. She couldn't feel her fingers or her legs. The sensation of the ropes cutting into her skin was so unbearable that she couldn't feel anything anymore. Her head was spinning so bad, she kept throwing up.
"Tomorrow will be the last day of your life." Her assailant said, letting out an evil laugh that echoed throughout the dungeons.
Well, Danny's on his way to save her! Will he save her on time? Or will her life be lost just because Danny was a hint too late? Read about it in the next chapter! RR please!
