The sound of metal ricocheting through the coming dusk air echoed into the alley as Jesse jumped from the ladder, landing on the pavement below. The rhythm of his own breathing was the only thing audible between the narrow street. It was quiet. Maybe a little too quiet.
He turned his hand down the alley to confirm his loneliness between the buildings. His neck quickly jerked to the other side to make sure it too was clear before he began to proceed down the small abandoned street. The small clicking of his faded sneakers mixed with his deep breathing as he walked with a steady pace keeping himself on guard as he didn't quite trust his eyes that the area was completely empty. Though his head hardly moved as he walked his eyes kept scanning the area before him as his body was already prepared for an attack at any given moment.
As he was nearly at the end of the alley he stopped suddenly at the abrupt sound of something in the near distance. He turned to the left squinting his eyes as if looking through the large trash bin where the sound had come from. Deciding to investigate he stepped forward, slowly, keeping his eyes fixated on the back of the trashcan. He approached the side of the green can, leaning his head farther over the edge as if to get a view before he approached. Reaching his hand out he placed it on the edge of the receptacle, his reflexes quickly springing into action as the sound was made again and a slight nudge on his foot could be felt. He glanced down as the large rat ran from his sight and under the boxes to the other side of the alley.
Raising his eyes to himself he chucked at his own jumpiness and shook his head, turning back into the alley. Instead of being greeted by a rat he found three strange men closing in on him from each side and sighed to himself at never being able to catch a break.
"This just keeps getting' better," he groaned, massing as bullets from at least three guns impacted themselves on his impenetrable body.
Taking a breath he ducked and rolled himself along the ground standing as he reached the wall to the next building and phased himself through leaving his unknown enemies in the dust.
The door to the rooftop flung open as an eager and angry feral peered inside hoping to find something to unleash her pent up frustrations on. The metal staircase before her smelled familiar and she tried to place the scent knowing she'd come across it before. She headed for the descending stairs and swiftly began to walk down them, looking over the rail every now and them as her feral senses told her she was being watched and most likely wasn't alone.
As she reached the bottom of the stairs her yellow eyes scanned the room. It looked to be like some old office building, a few desks still in place, papers on the tables, a trash can lying on the floor, an old filing cabinet in the corner, and a few shelves on the wall that were mostly cleared out. Despite the dusk that covered most of the room like a blanket and the appearance of abandonment Shalimar wasn't to be fooled that easy as she could tell someone had been in the building recently.
She followed the familiar scent over to the metal door in the corner and pulled the emergency handle slightly but to no success as it didn't budge. Never being one to give up so easily, she lunged her foot forward slamming it into the forsaken door and knocked it open to reveal an alleyway.
It suddenly occurred to her Jesse was nearby but before she could call him the loud ring of gunshots cut through her head causing her to instantly duck behind the door. Reaching over to close the ajar passageway she found two men attempting to push their way inside and was almost happy to deliver the rage inside her upon them, reaching for their collars and throwing them both head first into the filing cabinet behind her and knocking them out. She stuck her head out the door to find more men quickly retreating around the side of the alley and out of sight.
She turned back to the men behind her to confirm they unconsciousness before calmly sighing and walking through the door. She looked down the alley and realized the church was just a few buildings down and across the street and she began to run hoping to reach her friend and hopefully fiancé as quickly as possible.
Slowly regaining consciousness Emma began to wish she hadn't as the pain in her stomach was far too intense for her to bare. Her eyes remained closed and her head and body motionless but somehow the woman knew she was awake as her voice instantly acknowledged the psionic.
"I know you must be worried, Emma," the woman's unsympathetic voice stated. "But relax. They'll be here. I didn't set out dinner to disappoint my guests."
The sound of the woman's voice let Emma know she was circling her now as if keeping a close eye on her. She wanted to scream at her, to question her, to ask her even to let her go but she was far too weak and hurt to do any of those things and the strong tape over her mouth wouldn't let the words escape even if she could try to speak them.
"I'm sure she'll track you down," the voice reassured. "She always does."
Emma knew Shalimar wouldn't give up until she found her and that thought eased a small amount of the worry gnawing at her stomach. She wasn't sure actually as she couldn't differentiate the pain of her worry and the new knife wound as both hurt too much to tell apart.
Emma's eyes opened and her fear was more than evident as the red headed woman stood before her grinning in her display of discomfort. Although only half open she could see the woman wrapping some kind of collar around her neck as she was powerless to stop her. She frowned surprised she even had the strength left in her face for the task. After the device was secured to the psionic's neck the red head backed up, still wearing her unfading, evil grin. She reached out and grabbed Emma's chin holding it tightly between her thumb and forefinger and squeezing it as she shook the fearful woman's face.
"I know you're scared, Emma," the red head assured with lack of care for the fact. "But don't worry. I'm not going to kill you. Shalimar is."
The secure grin on the woman's face only added to Emma's fear and suspicion as the red head lifted another collar and stepped beside her to apply it to the unknown subject next to her. Emma tried to shift herself so she might get a better view but the pain in her stomach hindered her movement greatly along with the powerful restraints keeping her in place.
Emma sighed knowing she wasn't going anywhere not even moving an inch to view her fellow captive. The pain in her heart, mind, and body sunk in greater and not knowing what else to do she closed her eyes trying and failing to hold back the flood of tears that burned their way down her cheek as she cried hoping for relief.