AN: Sorry this chapter is so short, and I apologize that it's taking me forever to update. The net chapter is going to be a while to write too, so Happy reading! :)
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"Sit," I commanded to Barney, pointing to the small shelter that I had erected.
He complied, his tired gaze reflecting my own.
Night was beginning to fall, and I had found a place to rest for the night. I had set up a shelter, complete with a fire and two "beds" made of pine boughs. As we were underneath a rock formation, any chance of rain wouldn't affect us.
"Why did they send you out here?" I asked in a none too friendly tone, pulling out a knife and starting to skin a rabbit that I had caught.
Barney watched as I butchered the animal, then fearlessly looked up at me. "Why should I tell you this?"
"Because this rabbit isn't going to be the only one who's bleeding if you don't."
"You can't do anything to me that I haven't gone through already," Barney said.
"Wanna bet on that?" I asked, many unpleasant methods of interrogation running through my head. As much as I didn't want to hurt Barney (I might as well been torturing myself) I needed to know what was going on, so that I could clear my name.
Barney paused, as if thinking. "They sent me because they knew that I was the only one who could track you."
"Why'd you accept? You know I wouldn't commit any crime."
"I had no choice," Barney growled. "If I didn't, they would've killed Lacy."
My blood began to boil. "You mean they have her? And this is the Law Enforcement agency?"
Barney shook his head. "No. Another group of mercenaries hired by somebody else. They want you framed for the murder, Lee, and they're desperate."
I nodded, knowing that Barney wouldn't tell me a lie. I tossed him the key to the handcuffs.
"Tomorrow morning," I said, I want you to arrest me and take me to the prison. Go back and get Lacy, I'll escape and be with you in a couple minutes after that, just in case they try anything. Then we figure out what happened and how we undo it."
Barney nodded as he uncuffed himself. "Alright. It's a plan."