The Following:
Peace, Love and Happiness
Episode 14
Yellow Brick Road
Ryan eagerly drove away as fast as he could from the prison. The quicker he got away from it, the better he'd feel and that he was beginning to do so. Visiting Joe the first time was bad enough, but having to visit him twice, it was like reliving a nightmare. Although, if everything worked out, then he would definitely never see him again.
He thought back to the last thing he told Joe, right before he was taken to the prison truck for the last time. At that moment, he thought that he would never have to see him again. He was certain of it. But obviously things changed.
Ryan approached Joe with amusement as he was being taken toward the prison truck. Jeffrey was on his left side grasping his arm tightly and there were SWATT following him closely behind. Joe saw him coming and knew exactly what was going to happen. He knew exactly what Ryan was going to say to him.
"You should've killed me Ryan," Joe said eyeing him.
"No," Ryan shook his head, "I'm good.
Joe chuckled. "Choosing to save your own soul instead, huh?" He was somewhat surprised that he wasn't killed. "Well I hope it goes well."
"I'll let you know," Ryan answered knowing that he actually would not.
Joe knew Ryan wouldn't. "Will you?" He asked anyways mainly just to see what he would tell him. "Please visit me." He doubted that he would, yet there was a part of him that knew he would be seeing him again and very soon.
"No. You won't be seeing me anymore, Joe," Ryan looked him dead in the eyes and shook his head. "I would never give you that." He saw the small amount of hurt in his eyes when he said that. "You are going to die in prison and as you wither away in there, you are gonna be fading from my memory every day. A little bit more, because I will be making new memories. From a new life that doesn't include you."
Joe felt hurt. He wasn't surprised though. He gave him a big smile and then said, "Well good luck with that."
Just the single thought of Joe made his skin crawl. Three times he was the one to bring him down. Twice he had him arrested and one he thought he had died. But Joe outsmarted him and the world that day. Now he was in prison and was going to be there for the rest of his life. There was absolutely no way he could break out of the cell he was currently in.
For the brief moment from the time Joe was arrested and to the first attack in the basement, he felt somewhat at peace. Claire was out of his life and he was devastated by that, but since Joe and Lily were out of the picture he felt better. He was alone, but felt content about it. He needed some peace and quiet. He needed to clear his mind.
Soon though, Carrie told him how she felt and that she wanted to start seeing him on a regular basis. Since he did like her already, he said yes. For some time though, he wished he was with Claire instead of her, but soon that changed. Now he'd say no to her if she came running back to him.
He wondered what Amable was doing to her now. Was she okay? In the hands of a sick and demented animal like him, anything could happen. He could be treating her like Annie Wilkes did to Paul Sheldon in Misery. He could have her locked up in chains like an animal. Either way, she had to be saved.
When Joe described Amable both times in prison, he could see a glimmer of fear in his eyes. That was something he hardly saw with Joe. The only time he saw Joe scared was with Claire. Whenever she was near harm's way, it clouded his judgment. His love for her was his Achilles heel and he would do anything for her.
It took him a little over an hour to get back to his home. He took a quickly shower and grabbed a small bite to eat, while he waited for Mike and Max to come. On the way home, he texted them, but didn't tell them why he wanted to meet them. The moment he finished eating, they were at the door.
"So what is this about?" Max asked as Ryan closed the door behind them.
Ryan eyed the both of them for a few moments before beginning. "I just came from talking to Joe," He simply said.
"You spoke to him again?" Max asked surprised. She knew how he felt about him all too well.
"Yeah I did," Ryan scratched the back of his neck. "I needed information about Amable."
"Did you get anything?" Mike asked doubtful that he got something worthwhile.
Ryan saw his doubt. "He gave me the address to a safe house where he should be staying at." He said with a hint of eagerness in his voice.
Mike took a few steps toward him. "He just told you that?" He asked with uncertainty. "Just like that." He snapped his fingers loudly. "How could you trust him? It is Joe we are talking about."
"That is true it is Joe," Ryan looked at him. "But when it deals with Claire, he tends to be a lot easier to deal with." He looked at Max. "Plus he feels like he has nothing else to loose, so that is also why he told me."
Mike sighed and looked at Max who was watching her Uncle intently. "So what next?" He asked, "We go knocking on the door like Rambo? Because I assume that is why you called us here."
"Yes and no," Ryan said with a sigh. He began to pace around his living room for a few moments in silence without saying anything. Finally he looked at them and sighed again. "When were you guys going to tell me?" He took a few steps toward them. He tried to be as gentle as possible, but it came out sounding somewhat harsh.
Mike and Max looked at each other briefly in horror and surprise. They didn't know where this was coming from, but unfortunately were expecting it. Not now, but soon. They just didn't know how to tell him without him getting upset.
"Tell you what?" Mike asked before max could say anything.
"Don't give me that," Ryan looked at Max somewhat harshly. "When were you guys going to tell me about the both of you?"
Mike sighed, but didn't say anything. He looked at Max wondering what she'd say.
Max knew Mike was looking at her. She ignored him and took a step toward Ryan. "I'm sorry," She said knowing how horrible it sounded. "We were going to tell you."
"When?" He asked quickly. He glanced at Mike who was looking as if he wanted to turn around and leave the apartment.
"I don't know," Max said emotionally. "We were waiting for the right time, which I guess is now." She stopped and shrugged her shoulders.
Ryan glanced at Mike wanting nothing more than to punch him in the nose. He knew that would do nothing but cause more problems, even if it made him feel a little better. Instead he would save it for Amable and Molly.
He knew that both Max and Mike were adults. They were more than old enough to make their own decisions. Plus he wouldn't have the heart to get in between them. He wanted Max to be happy as well as Mike. He could tell that they loved each other and he didn't want to get in the middle of that. Not now or ever.
He took a step toward his niece and reached out grasping her shoulder affectionately. He smiled reassuringly at her and then at Mike. "It's okay," He said as nicely as he could. "I am happy for the both of you guys."
"Really?" Max asked confused. She was expecting him to get really upset.
"Yeah," Ryan said continuing to smile at her. "But come on, we don't have time right now." He glanced at Mike. "We need to save Claire and end this charade."
"You're right," Max said stepping away from him. She glanced at Mike and then turned to leave his apartment.
Mike followed her, but Ryan grabbed him by the arm in a gentle, yet commanding grasp. He gave him a harsh look that stated. If you hurt her in any way. I will hurt you. They stared at each other for a few moments, before Ryan stepped ahead of him and followed her out of his apartment.
It took half the day for them to strip down the carpet, sand the floor, and then polish it to look like there had never been a carpet there in the first place. They tossed the bloodied carpets in the garbage bags and threw them out. Next they buried Frank deep in the woods hoping that no one would find them.
Throughout the entire time they spoke very little. Amable had a faraway and deep in thought most of the day. She asked him what was wrong, but he said very little. Despite that, she knew why he was so silent. She was feeling the same way he was feeling.
Not too long ago, they were a whole family, happy and content. Amable was doing his thing, which was never really clear to her. She had just enrolled in a private college and Michael was showing interest in her. Tim was in his second year of college and addicted to his PS4. Cruz had just became an undercover officer, ready to deliver information when available. Charlene was tutoring Jacob and Ashley privately and doing an amazing job at that. They were way ahead in their education, then most of the kids their age.
Now though all that had changed. Most of their family was dead. Brutally murdered. Cruz killed by cops. Tim killed by cops. Michael killed by Mark. Charlene killed by Molly. There were only two survivors. Amable and Annabelle. All they had was each other.
Annabelle watched as her dad opened a bottle of water and took a long drink. He was staring at the recently cleaned den with an emotionless look on his face. She approached him and asked with a small smile, "Out of scotch?"
Amable took another drink of water and looked at her. "I was in the mood for this," He said giving her a small smile as well.
"I see," Annabelle asked watching him look back at the floor. "Anyways, I was wondering what the next step would be."
Amable turned back to her. "Isn't it obvious?" He asked seriously. "We have a broken family that needs fixing." He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.
"I was waiting for you to say that," She responded with a smile. "So what is the plan?" She stepped in front of him. "Are we going to go in guns blazing?"
His smile grew. "Yes we are." He said determined. "We are going to destroy the place, but not before I make that bitch regret she ever attacked my family."
"Do you believe he gave you the right address?" She asked hoping that he would say yes.
Amable reached out and touched her shoulder affectionately. "As I mentioned to you earlier," He said gently, "Frank doesn't work for just one team. Whoever has more money, tends to get the information. I don't see why he would lie to us."
"Well you did shoot him," She said with a sly smile.
"That is true," He said with a bit of amusement. "As much of a pain as an ass as he was, he was true to his word."
"Unless there was someone out there that was paying him more money than you did just to lie about her address," Annabelle suggested.
Amable sighed and stepped away from her. He ran a hand through his hair. "There is always that," He said with a small shrug, "But it doesn't hurt if we go there just to check out." He paused and then gave her a dangerous smile. "Armed of course."
Annabelle smiled as well. "Good," She said happy. "But what are we going to do with Claire?"
"Right. Claire," He said making a face. "The worm in the apple." He took a step toward her. "I have an idea. I will take care of her." He took another step toward her. "I want you to get all the weapons we have stored here and pack them in the car."
With that Amable turned away and made his way to the room Claire was staying in. She was sitting on the bed, but jumped to her feet just as entered. She gave him a terrified and furious look, but didn't say anything else.
"I bet you have tons of questions Claire," He said with an amused look. He closed the door behind him. "Now is the time for you to ask them."
Claire gave him an odd look. "What do you want with me?" She asked crossing her arms over her chest.
Amable chuckled. "Going for gold I see," He nodded amusingly. "Fine. How well did you know Dr. Straus?"
"Not too well," Claire continued to look at him strangely. "Why do you ask?"
"Dr. Straus had Joe and I write books in code that dealt with all the murders," He said with a thin smile. "The difference between the two books. Joe's was a seller and mine was a basement dweller." He shook his head. "Even though my book had so much more to it. It was so much better." He took a step toward her. "Yet for some reason I was okay with that."
"It doesn't sound like that to me," Claire interrupted him. "You sound like a jealous school boy."
Amable forced a laugh. "The weird thing about it," He said with a shrug, "You might be right. The real reason is that, I am after Ryan. Not you." He took a step toward her and grew serious. "My book had a similar ending with Joe's. Both were supposed to have Ryan's death." He took another step toward her. "Unlike Joe's though, mine will end as planned." He reached in his pocket and pulled out a knife. He flicked it open just as there was a knock on the door.
"One moment," Amable said with a raised finger. He chuckled and then turned to the door. "Annabelle are you read?" He asked as he opened the door.
"Yeah," She said glancing at Claire who was watching her with distrust. "We are loaded up and ready to go."
"Good. I'll meet you in the car," He said with a nod. "I have one more thing to do before we go."
Amable turned to face Claire as he shut the door behind him. He glanced at the knife in his hand and then at Claire. "Do you want to know how my story ends?" He asked giving her a perilous and twisted look.
Jacob glanced at his sister who was fast asleep next to him. Despite there being two beds, one for him and the other for her, she didn't want to be left alone and neither did he. They were alone in here and it felt good to be with each other.
He promised that he would look out for her and he would. From the moment she was born, he promised he would watch over her, because they cared more about drugs than they did about their own children. Over time, child protective services took them away and they were brought to a foster home. But this foster family was no better.
They were living in West Virginia, in a moderate sized home. On the outside, it looked like a small family of five or six could live in it, but that was not the case. There was an illegal basement built which had extra rooms. For a house that was supposed to have less than a dozen living in there, there were almost thirty.
There was constant stealing and bullying going on. All day and night. You couldn't even go to sleep feeling safe. It was supposed to be called a home, but it was far from that. It was more like a prison and they were living a life sentence here.
He thought that he would have to live in this hell for the rest of his life, but that changed when Amable came along. He met with the two of them and immediately fell in love with them. He adopted them into his own family and from that moment on, it was like being in a real loving family.
Jacob heard footsteps outside that brought him back to his senses. The door opened and in walked Molly looking at him concerned. He glared at her as she shut the door behind her. For a few moments, they just stared at each other.
"Small nap I see," She simply said. She clamped her hands together and slowly paced in front of them. "Oh how I miss those." She gave him a fake smile. "I sometimes nap from time to time,but they aren't the same." She shrugged her shoulders. "Sucks being an adult I guess."
Molly laughed at him. "I see a lot of your dad in you," She said pointing a finger at him. "Anyways, I came to see if you guys were hungry." She looked at Ashley. "But I'd hate to wake her up."
Ashley looked peaceful and angelic like. Her pale skin seemed to have a radiant glow to go along with her freckles. Her red hair healthy and full, even as messy and oily as it was. Her eyes were puffy and swollen from crying.
"She looks so pretty doesn't she," Molly said glancing at Jacob. "I don't think she will mind if the two of us went on a small walk."
Jacob sighed and looked at his sister. "Do I have to?" He asked knowing he did.
"Of course you do," She said with a small smile. She motioned for him to follow her.
With a sigh, he stood up know that he didn't have much of a choice. He eyed her with distrust as he exited the room. He glanced at his sister who was sleeping, right before the door was closed and locked.
"Don't worry," Molly said seriously. "I said that we won't be long and I mean it. She touched his shoulder and gently pushed him toward the staircase.
"Why are we here?" Jacob asked fearfully.
"The million dollar question," She said with a chuckle. "You must think that I am a horrible person."
"Million dollar question," He said mocking her.
Molly had to laugh again. "You are pretty smart for a thirteen your old," She said as they slowly made their way downstairs.
"Well I have an awesome father," He said thinking of him.
He hoped that he was still alive. During the attack, all he could think was that everyone he cared for would be dead. He was beyond scared, despite Charlene telling him that everything would be okay. He almost believed her, until the doors opened and in came Molly. She shot Charlene as Tyler grabbed him and his sister.
"That you do," She said ruffling his hair. "But as awesome as he is, your dad is not who you think he is." She gave him a harsh look. "He is a killer. A psychopath."
"No he isn't," Jacob proudly said. "He took me and my sister into his home. In my eyes he is my hero."
"You know what's funny about the word hero?" She asked rhetorically. She gave him a dangerous look. "It is overused." She pointed her way to the dining room. "I want you to see something."
Jacob saw Tyler standing beside a table filled with photos. He approached them and saw that most of them belonged to women.
"What is this?" He asked confused.
Molly approached the table and pointed to the picture closest to her. "You think your dad is all saint-like figure," She said shaking her head disapprovingly. "But he is not. He is a murderer." She pointed toward the rest of the pictures. "All of these are the people he killed."
"No," Jacob shook his head. "My dad is not a murderer."
Molly looked at him and shook her head. "It is no surprise that you believe that," She gently said, "You are young and I highly doubt he would bring you into the fire and flames so ripe, but he is a nutcase so at the same time it would make sense."
Jacob stepped away from the table, but he couldn't tear himself his eyes from the photos. There were over thirty displayed. About twenty of them were women. There was no way his dad could do all these. He wasn't a murderer.
"I don't believe you," He said swallowing nervously. "My dad didn't do this."
Molly crossed her arms over her chest. "It is so sad how delusional you are," She said taking a few steps toward him. "Tyler," She ordered in a mean tone. "This walk is over. Bring him back to his sister." Her eyes suddenly twinkled perilously. "I know he has a lot to think about."
Tyler had a cruel look in his eyes as he stepped up to Jacob. Jacob looked up at him fearfully and as he was grabbed roughly by the arm. "Time to go," He said nearly tearing his arm out of its socket as he pulled him back to the room.
Gina knocked on the door of Jeffrey's temporary office. She peered through the small door window, seeing him sitting behind his desk filing through papers. There was a cup of coffee in front of him that he was drinking from. He looked up and silently motioned for her to enter.
"I hope I'm not intruding," She said she approached his desk. She scanned the office that had a desk, small fridge, bookshelf with overflowing miscellaneous items and poster board filled with pictures of the FBI most wanted.
"Not at all," He said with a small smile. "So what can I do for you?"
Gina took a seat in front of his desk. "I wanted to ask you if I could return to work."
Jeffrey closed the file he was looking at and pushed it aside. He cleared his throat and gave her a serious look.
"How are you feeling?" He asked.
"I'm much better," She said confidently.
"Are you really?" He asked. "Physically? Mentally?"
Gina gave him a reassuring smile. "I feel great and ready to get back to work."
Jeffrey reached into his drawer and took out a folder. He opened and looked it over briefly before handing it to Gina. She began to look over it curiously.
"This is the results from your last medical exam which you took two weeks ago," He said watching her looking over it. "Physically. You are healthier and in better shape than you were before your incident." He paused and clasped his hands together on the desk. "Mentally. I am still waiting for the results."
Gina handed the file back to him. She sighed and gave him a small smile to hide her true feelings. She knew according to law, that he couldn't let her return to work until she passed both the physical and mental exams.
"I see," She simply said feeling bummed.
"I know that you feel like you are okay," He said closing the file and putting it away. "But I don't have the authority here to let you back in the field." He stood up and began to walk toward the office door. "I'm sorry, but it's the law."
Gina stood up and followed him to the door. "I understand." She said. "I know the rules only too well."
Jeffrey opened his door just as his phone rang. "I'm glad you understand," He reached for his phone. "We'll keep in touch." He smiled at her. "Anyways I got to take this."
Jeffrey closed the door and took the phone call. "Hey Ryan. What's up?" He asked.
"I have Amable's address," Ryan said.
"You do? How?" He asked confused.
"I got it from Joe," He simply said. "I'm texting it to you now."
With that he hung up. Seconds later, he got the text from Ryan. Just as he got it, he phoned in for the SWATT and told them to meet him up front as soon as possible. If what Ryan told him was true, which he didn't doubt, then they'd need all the help as possible.
Tyler sat in the living room with a pencil in his hand and a sketchpad on his lap. He was listening to Redlight King on her phone, which was on the couch cushion next to him. On the sketchpad was a half-finished drawing of Manhattan viewed from the Brooklyn Bridge. He was in the middle of the needle on the Empire State Building.
He was concentrating on his artwork, that he didn't notice Tanya approach. She sat next to him on the couch and glanced at the drawing curiously. Art always fascinated her. It bothered her that she couldn't draw at all.
"That's amazing," She said glancing at him and then the drawing.
"Thanks," He said not looking up from his drawing.
"I didn't know you drew," She said with amazement.
To her, Tyler reminded her of a robot. He hardly showed any emotion. It was as if he was still in the army. He woke up at dawn and would go in a five mile jog. Then he'd work out in the basement until everyone else woke up. It was a strict schedule that he was extremely serious about.
"Yeah, I have always enjoyed it," He said continuing to draw. He finished the needle and began to fill in the windows on the Empire State Building. "As a kid it was a hobby that I did once in a while, but during my time in the service, I drew to release stress. It was my way to forget about the craziness in Afghanistan."
"You don't really talk about your time in the army," She said seriously. "What was it like?"
Tyler sighed and stopped drawing. He looked at Tanya. "Well I went through training in the early 2000. I had a recruit who was 41 years old. He left behind six kids and his wife, a very nice home, and a lucrative job. He got huge amounts of respect from everyone, DS's. He was a good soldier. Training was tough at times." He shrugged his shoulders and looked away from her. "But over time I grew used to it and actually looked forward to it every day."
"Yeah I bet," She responded, "I see how active you are now."
"The hard part was when I served in Afghanistan," He said with a faraway look. "I sometimes felt as if it destroyed myself. To live on the edge of peril day in and day out. Not knowing if you'd survive another day." He shook his head and sighed. "Being on call at all hours and ready to jump into action regardless of how I felt. I had to protect everyone else, but me. My life was constantly in danger." He set his sketchpad and pencil on the table in front of him.
Tanya watched him nearly teary eyed. She knew how the army was, mainly from the movies. But she didn't think it was as bad as they made it seem. Hollywood did tend to exaggerate or water down things for the viewer.
She listened to him talk about how he awoke one day to find out that someone had placed a bomb in a building near a school. So they sent out soldiers to evacuate the school and once it was clear, they found there to be no bomb. Instead it was an ambush. Three soldiers died and six were injured in the attack. Including a good friend of his. He told her that he felt as if he changed after that.
Tyler's thoughts were so far away that he didn't notice that Tanya leaned forward and kissed him. At first he was surprised, but soon pressed his lips against hers kissing her back. When they broke apart, she gave him an embarrassed look.
"I'm sorry," She said beginning to blush. "I shouldn't have done that."
Tyler leaned close and kissed her again. She gasped and reached out touching the back of his head. A gunshot was suddenly her from the distance as the window in the living room shattered. Tyler felt Tanya grow limp in his arms as the bullet struck her in the head. Blood and brain matter splattered all over the wall, couch, and himself.
He looked at her shocked for a few seconds, before realization kicked in. He dove away from her just as another bullet pierced her head, inches from where he just was sitting. He reached for his gun as he crawled toward wall that created a barrier between him and the shooter.
"Amable," He muttered to himself angrily.
Ryan pulled up close to the address that Joe gave him and then glanced at Max who was sitting in the passenger seat. Mike was in the back seat, looking at the house that loomed before them. He stepped out of the can and then glanced at Ryan who was already making his way cautiously toward the front door.
"Don't you think it'd be wiser to wait for SWATT?" Max asked as she joined her uncle.
"It probably would be," Ryan said glancing at her briefly. "But you know me, I tend to make bad decisions."
Mike looked at Max, giving her a look stating that Ryan would be going in regardless who was with him, whether alone or and army. Claire was in there and he knew how desperate Ryan was in getting her back alive.
"Fine then," Max said with a small shrug. She had her gun ready. "But Ryan, promise me nothing heroic. Please."
Ryan gave her a reassuring look. "Don't worry," He said with a small smile. "Nothing heroic. I promise."
Ryan turned away from them and slowly made his way to the front door. He glanced at Mike and Mac and then counted to three before he tried the door. To his surprise it was unlocked. It made him feel uneasy. This was too easy so far.
He took a deep breath and then opened the door slowly and as quietly as he could. If there was someone in there, he didn't want to let them know that he was here. He entered the living room and quickly scanned it, seeing no one was there. The den was empty as well and upon search, someone had just drank from the bar. There were two shot glasses with finger print smudges on them.
"I'm going to search the basement," Ryan said to Mike and Max, "Why don't you guys check the rest of the house."
"Okay," Max said glancing at Mike with a shrug.
Ryan turned away from them and made his way through the kitchen. He looked through the backyard window, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. All he saw was empty looking woods. He turned away from the window and made his way to the basement door.
He slowly walked down the stairs with his gun ready for anything. The basement lights were on, which made the uneasy feeling he already had grow worse by the second. The room on his left was empty as well as the other. There was one door left in the basement that he hadn't checked yet. He opened it and gasped in horror at what he saw.
Claire was laying on the bed, with multiple stabs in her chest. Blood had oozed out of them wounds on to the bed and floor. Her eyes were wide open in horror and tears dripping down her face. She was breathing heavily. Her arms resting on her stomach and in her grasp was a hardcopy of Amable's book.
"No," Ryan stammered as he approached her.
"Ryan," She hoarsely said. She looked at him painfully.
"I'm calling an ambulance," He said reaching for his phone in his pocket.
"No," She said crying. "Watch over Joey please."
Ryan reached out and grabbed her hand. He was crying as well. "No," He shook his head as a tear trailed down his cheek.
"Don't cry for me," She said painfully.
Ryan couldn't help it. "No," He shook his head no wanting to believe what he was seeing.
"I love you," Claire said in a soft voice as blood.
With that, she shuddered and then closed her eyes. Her head went limp and to the side. Ryan made a fist and grew angry. He leaned close and kissed her on the forehead. "I love you to Claire," He softly said. "I promise you I will keep Joey safe and will get the man that did this to you." He kissed her again. "I promise."
Hope you enjoyed the chapter! Next one coming soon! :)
Shaw18