I heard the click of Arthur's gun as he loaded in a new magazine. Gwen was staying at my flat to wait to call some of Arthur's associates if need arose. She and her husband each had a device that would alert the other if danger occurred when they were separated. I am not sure on all the technicalities of it. I am good with mobiles and computers, and that is mainly my own.
During my mentorship with Lionel, he taught me self defense, close combat techniques, and even how to use a quaterstaff. I kept that quarterstaff, even though I really never had a use for it...til now.
I tucked my sidekick into my jacket, and mentally prepared myself for what was ahead. I knew I was going to have to get in a vehicle. I haven't been in one since my mom died. After the accident, she was the only person that I would get in a car with aside from Lionel. I could feel the anxiety and fear start to take over again. But, I was determined to overcome. Just because the thoughts happen and the feelings come doesn't mean I have to give into them. Mum used to say, "Garrett, if you would open up to others, you'll find that you will be able to heal and move on. God has bigger plans for you than you have for yourself. They surely don't consist of you staying tucked away in your flat your whole life. Give God and people a chance. You might be surpised."
Looking back over the past months of knowing Kayley, I could finally see what she was talking about. So, instead of surrendering to the familiar feelings of fear and despair, I surrendered to hope. The hope that we'll get Kayley back safely. The hope that Fitzgerald's schemes and crimes against Lionel's family would be ended. The hope that I'll be able to give Kayley a hug for the first time. The hope that I'll get to tell her everything.
A hand touched my shoulder. It felt similar to Kayley's. It must he ber mum.
"Garrett, I can't thank you enough for being quick and efficient to get in touch with me. I worry about Kayley all the time. Since she turned twenty, she has worked tirelessly on finding Ruber. All she wanted to do was locate him and give his whereabouts to Arthur. Apparently, she was overly successful. She is so much like her father. However, I hope that she doesn't follow in his footsteps too deeply. I couldn't bear to lose her too. She is all I have left. You know, she told me that she'd met someone. She said he was really sweet and had helped her out a few times. That the guy had helped ward off a rude slob and later showed her a good place to get music from. I think she has a bit of a crush on you." Julianna whispered the last part.
"Well, to be honest, Mrs. Reeves, I think I have a bit of a crush on her too." I sheepishly replied.
"Soon enough, I pray you'll be able to tell her yourself. I am doing all I can to hold it together right now. My nerves are so shot I feel my hair standing on ends." she sighed.
If I am going to befriend these three, especially Kayley's mum, I suppose now is as good a time as any.
"Don't worry, if she was able to track Ruber down this far, she has to have a good head on her shoulders. I'm sure she'll be fine. And, we have to remember. She is in the Lord's hands." I said that last part to encourage myself as much as her.
"Yes, in that, you are very right. I didn't know you were a Believer." she said.
"I was as a boy. Then a lot of really bad things happened. So much, that it made me think God wasn't real. Or if He was, then He didn't really care about me. That I was too much of a burden on Him as I was to any other person. Everyone I knew walked out on me and my mum after my dad died and I lost my sight. They were so awkward. We made them feel uncomfortable. Sorry to have made them feel awkward, but circumstances and people change. They cared more about being comfortable around people who hadn't been through trauma than learning how to adapt alongside us. Then I met Lionel, and through knowing him I met Ruber and Arthur too. Lionel became a much needed father figure. Even he was taken. And, four years ago, my mum died of breast cancer. Since then, I hadn't wanted to be around or with anyone. After I met Kayley though, she somehow began to wedge a crack in my heart. That was when I remembered something my mum told me after Lionel died. She told me if I opened myself up to others and God again, I would heal in time." I shared with her.
"I am glad you did, Garrett. I am sure she'd be proud of you." Julianna said with a hand on my arm.
"Agent Pen, are you ready to go?" I asked.
"Yes. Let us be off. Gwen, be safe. Inform the others back at headquarters if your device alerts you. I love you, Darling. I will use those knee pads next time I work on the roof." Arthur said as he kissed Gwen.
"I love you too. Be safe! Wait...next time on the roof?! I thought it was completed!" Gwen harrumphed.
"I thought I was too. But, I found another leak this morning." He said slyly as his footsteps grew louder as he dashed out the door.
"Have they always been this way?" I asked Julianna.
"Although Arthur is my cousin, he is more like my brother. We're all the same age. He and Gwen have been together since we were thirteen. So, yes, I 'm afraid so." she answered with a laugh.
"Which would you prefer: arm, elbow, or shoulder? " she proceeded to ask.
I had not been planning to ask for assistance, but I wanted to develop friendships...so why not? I will just have to be okay with contact. That seems to be a part of knowing others.
"I'd appreciate that, thank you." I forced out with a grin.
Curiosity did overtake me, though. Most sighted people have no idea on the proper ways to offer guidance to a blind individual. Typically, they just grab a hand and drag you to where they think you should be. I'll have to ask her about how she knew to ask.
"So, not to be pushy, but which would you rather take. We need to get going." Julianna said.
"Right. Sorry. It is hard for me to accept help, Mrs. Reeves... especially when it comes to physical contact. I'd prefer to take your shoulder, if that is alright with you." I stated.
"I think you're off to a good start, Garrett. I am at your two o'clock." She responded.
I placed my hand on her shoulder and we were off. A little while later, Julianna guided me to Arthur's car. She must've noticed that I was going into overload.
"Garrett, I am going to open the door to the back of the cab and sit beside you, alright?" she whispered.
"It-it's starting again. The flashbacks from the wreck with my dad." the words shook as they came out of my mouth.
"Come on. I'll be right next to you the whole time. You have to face your fear head on. Otherwise, it will control you instead of the other way around. Focus on saving Kayley. I am scared too, Garrett. You're not alone. Here hand me your quarterstaff so you can get in. My hand js right in front of you." She instructed.
With a deep breath, I did as she said. Once inside the vehicle, I pulled the door closed. Julianna handed the quarterstaff back to me. I set it on the flooboard of rhe car a top my feet. Gooseflesh crawled up and down my spine at the sound of the wheels as Arthur backed the car out. I leaned my head against the seat's head rest and focused on just breathing and eventually holding Kayley in my arms.
Julianna grabbed my right hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. This lady had to have been strong to go through what she had. For many years, she sent her husband out to work without the certainty of him coming home. And one day, he didn't, throwing her into the world of being a widow and having to support her daughter alone. Now, despite her own struggles and fears, was trying to share some of that strength she'd gained with me. I welcomed it.
~15 Minutes Later~
"Garrett, we are almost there. I can see the park's sign in the distance." informed Arthur.
"Can you see where Walton's Wardrobe is?" I asked.
"Well, we can see one of the abandoned buildings further ahead. However, it is so run down you can't make anything out. We'll have to get closer." Julianna answered.
I waited precisely five more minutes. I'd checked my watch off and on through the remainder of the ride.
"How about now?" I questioned.
"We just passed the first old building we saw earlier. The sign that was there had the last bit of the word 'furniture' on it. So, that definitely wasn't the right one. We are taking a right at the moment. There's an old building not too far away. I can see the top of it from here. It looks like an old church tower. Strange building to have renovated into a clothing store when it was running." Julianna mused.
A shirt while later, Arthur drove the car around to the back of the old lot and parked. He said there appeared to be signs of forced entry.
I had a feeling deep in my gut this was the right location. Now it was time for our mission of ambush and rescue to go into full commission.