svuaddict was the closest, but still incorrect. Reminding me: thank you for those who reviewed, even if you didn't take a guess. They're really uplifting when I've had a long and exhausting day, and I smile.
A/N: HOLY Cabooses! I am so sorry I forgot to upload earlier! Like a week earlier... :( Last week was crazy, and I'm afraid it's only going to slow my writing. I'm not abandoning this story, and in the next chapter, things will probably begin to get really tense. So again, a thousand apologies for my tardiness.
Thank you for reading, those that still do. Oh yeah, almost forgot. Although this chapter isn't rated: M, there is violence (not like grueling) and possibly language too. *scrolling through chapter quickly*...wait, oh there it is! Yes, there is some cussing, again, sorry. Please enjoy.
December 20, 2014: 1,558 words, longest chapter yet! :D
Chapter 5
He's been out for awhile now. Still is. I monitor the steady flow of his chest as it rises and falls periodically, peacefully. I wish I could sleep as soundly he does, but I am a watchdog on duty.
My mind drifts off into the quietude while my eyes shift lazily to my bare feet. Thoughts drift in and out of my mind. I continue scheming a way to escape, but logic squashes my parade of plans.
"Olivia." I jump and swing my head around to face the voice's owner. "Liv. Liv," he mumbles repeatedly. I look at him askance, he must be dreaming. He begins to speak aloud, but I can't understand his garbled language. My heart settles to a normal pace once I deem the atmosphere unthreatening.
I turn my attention by to Noah's passed out form. I watch over him as he lays silently on the floor in a tight ball. His arms are huddled inside is shirt to contain the heat in his frail body. I wish I could hug him make him feel warmer and safer.
"Ungh," The navy blue clump groans loudly, startling me. His breathing suddenly deepens, the type I reckon as the "I'm ready to face daylight." Lackadaisically, his eyes peel open. I understand the feeling of confusion his brain describes when his head lolls side to side. He yawns and sniffs the stale air. His nose wrinkles in disgust, and his eyes part fully.
I scoot my chair, trying to face him so my neck won't cramp from peering over my shoulder too long. "El?" I whisper calmly, my voice scratchy. I'm slightly relieved that I won't be alone in the silence any longer. "Elliot, wake up."
"Mmm," he searches for my voice in the near dark. Finally his eyes lock onto mine. Shock flashes across his face then his face returns to his normal. "Olivia?" His voice croaks.
During the time I had alone I imagined how I would feel and what I would do when I encountered my ex-partner since the shooting. Rage certainly was a main illusion, but my voice betrays my anger and replaces it with a pained, "Yeah, it's me Elliot."
"Oh my God…" He sits up, and his shackles scrape against the floor. "What the hell is happening?" He growls at me, his face twisted. I don't answer.
"Why the hell are you mad at me?" I want to retort. Yet, he has all the right to be upset. I'm the reason he's here, not at home with his children and Kathy, enjoying his well-deserved retirement. But reasoning does nothing to mend my crushed heart.
"Hey, Liv?" His voice softens. "Who's that?" He nods to the other male on the floor.
"My son, Noah."
"What? When? Why didn't you tell me?"
"I called you, over and over after you left. You never answered, so I eventually I gave up and let you be. I figured you would call when you were ready."
Elliot's quiet. "I'm sorry Liv," I hear something I haven't heard from him since his final shoot out. A broken voice. His blue orbs pierce my core, and somehow it patches the wound he left years ago. I shake off his deep-hearted apology willingly to deter a "we all lived happily ever after" illusion in exchange for information.
"How did you get here?"
His body language changes. He thinks soundly. "Uh, I was window shopping with Kathy and the kids when I spotted a man fleeing from two officers on foot. I joined the chase, and we lost the cops after entering an alley." I nod, urging him to continue. "Um, things are a bit blurry after that, it happened so fast," he sighs. "Do you know this son of a bitch?"
"He's the father of a perp who killed himself during a case I was working on."
"Now it makes sense."
"What "makes sense?"
"After he hit me over the head, he said he had business to sort out, and that he needed me. What's happening Liv? Why is this guy after you? What does he want?"
"Nothing."
"Olivia, please don't shut me out."
"Like you did to me?"
"I know I don't deserve anything from you after all I put you through. I'm sorry, really I am. What can I do to make this right?"
"Elliot, it's fine. Is there a way you can get out of those cuffs?"
"I'll try." His muscles bulge as he strives to wretch the cuffs from the d ring. He grunts as he strains to yank out the cuffs.
"Elliot, it's okay. Stop and save your energy."
After a final tug his wrists drop. "Liv, please tell me why this guy is after you."
"Elliot, drop it."
"No, Liv, you did this after Sealview. I watched as you struggled alone for months, and it broke me that I couldn't even do anything to help. Please Olivia, you don't have to go through this alone."
"El! Stop, please. It was years ago, and I put it all behind me. Leave me be!" I shout in a hushed tone mindful of Noah.
"Fine. But I'm here if you want to talk."
An awkward silence hangs in the air as we both sink into the peace. I'm vaguely aware that Elliot's reattempting to break free of his restraints.
"Liv?" He breathes.
"Mmhm?"
I hear floorboards creaking from the other room.
He stares at the steel door, and then at me. His eyes focus on mine. "Whatever happens, don't stop surviving, no matter how awful it gets. It'll be okay, I promise you. But he needs you, Noah's counting on you. Both of you get out of here safe and sound, okay. I'll hold him off as long as possible." He shows me his bloody wrists, and more importantly a small blade in his fist. Swiftly, Elliot slides over to Noah. He saws the rope around his ankle until his foot is untied. He stands from his kneeling and tiptoes behind my chair. I feel the cold metal on my skin as it's pressed on my wrists. With a quick jerk the tape breaks in two. With no celebration, Elliot quickly undos the tape on my pant legs. The floor squeaks again, this time the noise is closer. Elliot flinches and freezes, then undeterred his knife tears the last of my binds. As fast as he can, he returns to his position looking as innocent as ever.
"Wham!" The door slams on the wall as Lewis and light enters. I turn my head away from the blinding brightness.
"Morning Sunshine," Lewis grins a big ol' crocodile smile. "How'd you sleep?" His eagle eyes lock onto my chair. My heart pulsates so fast that it feels as if it will explode. I force myself to stay still when his hand reaches out to caress my face. His calloused fingers brush on my cheekbone. I shiver in revulsion, but surrender to the unspoken plan between Elliot and I.
Elliot cautiously rises to his feet with the knife handle flush in this palm.
"Ahhhh!" Lewis' blood curdling howl erupts effectively alarming Noah into reality.
"Now, Liv! Run!" Elliot flings Lewis' body to the floor as the two fight.
My legs are stiff, but I don't allow the setback to prevent Noah and me from fleeing. I scramble to my feet and scoop up Noah. With him securely in my arms I dash to the exit. I look back and my eyes meet Elliot's. "Elliot."
"Go Liv, get out of here, now! Go please!" I nod once and sprint outside. I twirl frantically searching for an exit.
"Clash" A ruckus ensues in the room as the men vigorously fight for me.
"Mommy!" Noah shrieks as he squirms in my death grip. He jabs his finger in the direction to a door on the adjacent wall. I silently thank him as I bust down the only thing obstructing our route.
"Ugnh!" Someone roars deathly. We tear out of the one story house, my bare feet scrape against the asphalt instantly scratching and snapping my heels.
"Fuck my feet hurt" I slow my pace and slink behind a tree placing Noah on the ground.
"Momma, what's gonna happen?" Noah squeaks in terror.
"It's okay, Noah. Don't worry Darling. Everything will be okay." I smooth Noah's silky brown hair as he sobs on my chest.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!" The familiar ring resounds in my ears. Noah recoils burying himself deeper into my embrace. "Elliot," the words tumble out of my mouth. I locate a large branch that's fallen from the tree and fist it. Out of the corner of my eye, I see smoke emission in the sky a few blocks away. But the path from Lewis' house to that one is out in the open with no protection. No doubt, a gun could piece us in the back while we run.
When all is calm, I swing Noah on my hip again. One look, one chance, no time to spare, no hesitation, no contemplation. Run!
End of Chapter
A/N: The next chapter may be rated: M for violence and language. I'm not totally sure because I have not yet written the chapter. If you want to see something play out in that chapter review or PM me please. (PM works better because I'll see it quicker. Either way, I'll get the message. ;) If not, that's okay too. I'm perfectly fine writing out the scene my way.