Chapter 3

"I can't figure out the case. There's no evidence, no clues, and nothing in their profiles," I said to my boss the next day.

"Kevin, you can do it. You've never given up a case before. You always notice what nobody else does. There must be something."

"Well, it does sound like he was on the run, and whoever he was running from had him murdered. Other than that, there's nothing. So, I give up."

"Kevin..."

"Please, sir. I've spent too much time on it already. I haven't found anything pointing to the killer, and I'm probably not going to," I said.

"Take the day off. Think about it. If you still want to give up, go ahead," the boss-man said.

"Yes. Thank you sir." I turned and left the office, already knowing where I was going to go.

After I signed out, I went to McDonalds for food, seeing as it was almost lunch. It was unusually empty for a McDonalds around lunchtime. The only other people there were the people who worked there. I walked to the register, with a smile on my face, and ordered a Quarter Pounder with cheese and a soda.

I was about halfway done with my meal when the two men who had come in a few minutes after me got up from their table and approached mine. The men stopped at the side of my table, and I paused to look up at them.

"Did you want something?" I asked them.

I looked them over. The one closest to me had short blond hair and light blue eyes. His very tall muscular friend had short brown hair and green eyes. There wasn't anything suspicious about them at all, but something told me not to trust those two.

"Sorry, but I have to go, " I said as I stood from my seat.

"Oh, you're not going anywhere. You're finding out too much, see. Our boss wants you out of the picture," the blond said, getting in my way.

"Finding out too much about what?"

"Besides, King let you live. He never screws up a mission." Apparently, he needed his ears checked.

"Finding out too much about what? And I barely even know David King."

"That might be true, but orders are orders." He smiled at me then. "Besides, you knew who I was talking about." I moved back as he took a step toward me, unsure of what was going to happen. I kicked him, knocking him over, and ran past him. "Don't let him escape, idiot!"

I looked behind me and saw that the dark haired one was coming after me. I turned back just as I ran into one of the other tables, and fell over. I felt powerful arms wrap around my torso as I started getting up, pulling me to my feet. He moved to hold my wrists instead, and I could hear the other approaching.

"Now, now. That wasn't very nice, love. Kicking me and running away like that," Blondie said.

As he approached, I could see him pulling out a knife and increased my struggles to get out of Muscleman's grasp. Blondie stopped in front of me and smiled. He sliced my shirt open, exposing my torso. I flinched away when the cold steel of the knife touched my hip. Panic was welling up inside me as I looked around, and found that rather than calling 911, the employees had apparently left the building. Thank you McDonalds.

"Look at me, love. I enjoy it so much more when I can see all that panic in their eyes," Blondie said as he turned my face toward him.

I tried to keep the panic inside me from showing, but I've never been good at that. I couldn't even force a faint smile on my face. I winced when he pushed the tip of the knife into my hip, drawing blood. He dragged it down, following my pelvis and cutting my clothes as well. The knife followed an invisible pattern down my inner thigh, stopping just above my knee. My heart was racing and my breathing was heavy as he began pushing the knife into my leg. I knew I had to do something, but couldn't think of anything. So, I hoped for a miracle.

"You know, maybe I'll have some fun with you."

Blondie yanked the knife out of my leg. I could feel my own blood flowing down the inside of my leg as well as an intense pain. I looked down and nearly fainted at the sight. I winced in pain when Blondie grabbed my hair and yanked my head back.

"Don't look away from me. I want to enjoy this." Blondie looked past me to his friend. "Let him go. Report back. This shouldn't take too long."

Muscleman let go of my arms, and I found that my leg refused to support me. Blondie grabbed my hip, pressing his hand hard against the cut. He started pulling me forward, and I resisted as best I could.

"N-no..." I pathetically tried to push him, but my attempts were useless.

"Now, now, love. That's o way to act toward the person you're about to join together with. "

"I don't want you," I snarled at him. He laughed in my face.

"Then who do you want? King? You might as well just-"

That was all I needed to hear. I brought my right knee up hard between his legs then shoved him away. I fell on my ass and pushed myself back away from him.

"You should spend less time talking, Blondie."

There was a loud crash as the front window shattered and I heard a motorcycle. I couldn't help but smile at the timing. David jumped off my bike, kicking Blondie hard in the stomach. He turned toward me then, and I could only stare at the angel that had come to save me. He looked me over, and seemed to get angry when he saw my leg.

"How dare you hurt him," David growled as he turned toward Blondie, who looked terrified.

"K-King! Wh-what a pleasant surprise!" Blondie said, backing away from David.

My vision blurred and I suddenly felt dizzy as David walked toward Blondie. I passed out as a scream filled the room.

I woke to find myself in a hospital room, where David was arguing with a nurse.

"David?" I asked. David came over, and I could've sworn I saw relief in his expression.

"He's awake," he told the nurse. She ran out of the room, probably to get the doctor.

"What happened?" I asked.

"He won't hurt you again, Kevin. And the others wouldn't dare."

"Others? What do you mean?"

"Don't worry about it. You're safe. That should be enough."

"Well, it isn't. You owe me an explanation. Those men knew you and-"

Just move on. Don't get any more involved."

The doctor came in then, so we had to stop our conversation.

"How are you feeling, Kevin?" the doctor asked me.

"Fine. Can I leave?"

"That stab was pretty deep. You should stay here and-"

"Please, doctor. You know I don't like hospitals."

"Fine. But take it easy. If anything happens, don't hesitate to call. I mean it." He left with the nurse, and David turned toward me.

"You should stay," he said.

"No, I'm stronger than that. I don't need to sit in here until I'm healed. Help me up." David sighed, but helped me up anyway. I held onto his arm, not quite trusting my own leg. "Thanks for saving me. But, you still owe me an explanation," I said.

"I don't owe you anything."

"I almost got raped, and those men were going to kill me. They mentioned you. And I doubt it's pure coincidence that it happened the day after you tried to kill. So, I think you do owe me."

David was silent for a few minutes as we walked.

"Fine. Once you get home."