Chapter 35
"Waking the lion"
Try as I might, I could not get a hold of Niko. Roman tried half a dozen times. Ethan tried a few times and left long voice mails on how he needs to come back. I was about to lose him permanently if he was out doing his revenge mission. I was hoping he'd get back to us soon. Before it was too late.
"Mallorie wants me back home to help with Mila. You two going to be alright if I go?"
"Can't really stop you from leaving, Roman."
"What if you guys come live with us. We do have a spare bedroom for you. I think it'll be better if you leave this apartment anyway. We can help you both."
"That's nice of you, Roman. You sure we won't be a burden?"
"No. I'm sure it's what Niko wants anyway. And besides, I think this place has too much attention on it at the moment."
With that open invitation, we gathered everything we had in the apartment. Right down to toothpaste and brushes. I never seen Roman's place. Hopefully it is as big as he says it is. I was tired of being confined in small places with too many bodies in the area.
The Huntley cruised its long way back home. Roman was a lot less reckless of a driver. He did have a lead foot before he met Mallorie and had Mila. He's done a lot of maturing since he's become a father. The freeway was way overpopulated with people coming home from work. The 5 o'clock hour was so stressful anymore with constant construction on both sides of the freeway. We came to a dead stop in the middle of the freeway. Roman was shouting at traffic to get moving. Two construction workers approached the Huntley and Roman rolled his window down.
"Any idea when this traffic is going to clear out?"
The men just stood there with no expression. I got a chill up my spine that this was not going to be good.
A helicopter was approaching from the south and flew down almost to traffic level. It caused people to back up into others and some ran for their lives.
The construction workers opened the doors and demanded us to get onto the helicopter. When we didn't comply, they forced us into it. Ethan put up the most struggle and that earned him a baseball bat to his stomach. Doubling over in pain, he was easily subdued and thrown into the helicopter. Whatever these two wanted, they got. We flew up high above the low hanging clouds. Our destination was unknown.
Hours later, we were herded into a brick house. There, we were eye to eye with the mob boss Niko was hunting. She introduced herself to us, assuring us that nothing would happen to us if Niko complied. She'd kill us one by one if he didn't show up as they request. This was going to be difficult with his phone turned off. Neither of us was able to get a hold of him and we were not sure when he'd turn it back on. Or if he would ever. It was a stalemate so far.
"His phone is off, you say?"
"We've been trying to get a hold of him for hours. He has it turned off until he finds you."
"This is interesting. He's slipped into hiding. We lost him along the way. But that's okay. We only need you for a little while."
"But this could last days! At least let Roman go home. He has a daughter he needs to take care of!"
"We will not let him go. He will give us away by bringing along the police. But we will make sure his wife knows he isn't coming home."
I know that isn't going to sit right with Mallorie. She'll be the one who either calls Niko to tell him to get Roman home or calls the police anyway. Not being able to reach his cell phone may panic her and involve the police. I kept my mouth shut at their possible set up.
And as if by the divines, Niko called me back and my ringtone alerted those who held us captive. Anna of course answered and demanded him to come to rescue us from uncertainty and threatened to kill one of us for every hour he is late. I knew this wasn't fair at all. I had no idea where he was and I knew that just three hours wasn't enough time for him to get here. He had no time to get to us. I heard him using such awful language as he threatened to kill every single one of those involved in our kidnapping.
"Tick tock, tick tock, tick tock. Keep talking, Bellic. You're wasting time."
She hung up on him and we all sat there basically realizing we were all doomed. We had three hours left and we were powerless against five other Russian men and one woman with rifles. We just sat there waiting for something good to happen.
Anna approached us some time later asking if we knew by chance where Niko's last location was. They were desperate and the three hours had already passed and we were all still here. We did nothing to antagonize them. One slip of sarcasm could mean is getting hurt. They must not mean to kill us. It was most likely a threat to get Niko to hurry. They must also know by now that he is not in Cleveland either. I knew after about an hour and a half. He was somewhere. And I had no clue.
"I don't know where he is. His last location was actually with us just a day ago. He left to find you guys."
"And he gave no ideas as to where he has gone?" Anna tapped the pistol in her hand.
"No, ma'am."
"I want you to call him and ask him where he's at." She tossed my phone at me nearly shattering it if I didn't catch it.
She aimed the pistol at my head to make sure I didn't try anything that would oppose her demand.
The phone rang for a few seconds. No answer. I tried again, hoping he'd pick up. Nothing.
I shrugged at her not knowing what else to do. She yanked the phone from my hands and dialed his number. I guess she thought I was dialing the wrong number. She got the same results but she left a threatening voice mail. She gave him two more hours and she was going to kill one of us. This of course scared Roman. He was begging for his life to be spared because of his daughter and Mallorie. Anna said it would be better if she threatened the most scared. It would make Niko get here faster. She waved the pistol in Roman's face and he was sobbing now. He was terrified. Ethan showed no emotions because he still had nothing going for his future presently. And I remained cool on the outside. But I was definitely scared on the inside.
Niko would for sure be totally uncontrollable if he saw the ones he loved being threatened. I wondered where he was and what the hell he was doing. I know he's listened to the voice mails with his phone back on.
The two hours were up and they pushed Roman into another room. He fought with all the strength he had, but he was beaten along with every resist he gave.
"Don't kill Roman!" Ethan shouted. "If you need to kill someone, kill me!"
My attention was directed to Ethan, who finally stood up and scowled at our captures.
"It will buy Niko more time if you take me."
"Ethan! You don't need to die!" I shouted.
"Shut it. Roman is first. His cousin's life being threatened will flush him out of hiding."
"You don't need to kill anyone! Let me try again calling Niko!" I pleaded. I hoped this time we are buying Niko will pay off. Even if it's a few more seconds.
"If you think you can get a hold of him this time, go for it." She nodded one of the body guards to give me my phone. I briefly thought about calling the police and telling them where we are being held captive, but all hell will break loose. And we want them to play on our time. But since it seemed to me that time wasn't on our side, I decided to take a chance.
"Hello? Niko? It's Sharon...Yeah...we've been captured...We need you..." I pulled the phone away for a moment. "What is this address?" I asked Anna.
She was skeptical if Niko was on the phone at all. But fortunately she disclosed the information I needed.
I repeated the address to Niko and I hung up the phone.
"He said he'll be here in about five minutes."
She nodded the guards to their stations and left her alone with the three of us. She approached me and looked at me that would terrify the devil. I swallowed hard and my heart was jumping in my chest.
"If he doesn't show up in five minutes, you're dead." Her cold threat made my eyes tear up and I lost it. Roman was by my side and Ethan protected me from her by standing in-between us. She scoffed at the three of us and took her position along side her guards.
"That wasn't Niko on the phone, was it?" Roman whispered.
I shook my head 'no' not trusting my voice. I kept my hands over my face to hide my tears. I tried to keep my tough girl exterior up for too long.
I heard the sirens approaching and we all heard shouting from the other room. That was a signal for us to make a run for it. We had no plan. There was no time to formulate one. The three of us ran out of the house through the back door and we scattered like mice running from the cat. We weren't sure if they followed. The police must have kept them occupied.
Then the gunfire and people screaming from every direction. It added to the chaos. Nothing stopped us from running though. Running through alleyways and taking cover where we thought it would be safe.
(Niko's POV)
I flew the helicopter as fast as I could, having called up Brucie again. He took his good old time getting it to me but it was still faster than driving all the way back to Cleveland. With my arsenal of weapons and car bombs from Packie, I flew in with relentless regard for my safety. I was cautious though around civilians as I flew it low to the ground. I leaped out as soon as it touched the pavement. Not even bothering powering it off. Sharon's GPS signal on her phone dialed me into her exact last location and I arrived just in time for the gunshots. The police were few in numbers as the bullets struck true. Many officers cried out in pain as their life faded. Others were a pool of bloody mess. I don't know how many they killed but I knew I needed to be careful. Even if there was one left. I snuck around the side while the CPD distracted the gunmen. I smashed open a window and found my way inside. The rifle lead my way in as I searched all the rooms. I dared not call out any names in case there was a gunman left to keep the hostages quiet. One last room and I burst the door open.
"Kto-to vnutri!" ("Someone's inside!") I heard a feminine voice call out.
"Fuck." I curse to myself.
I hurried my search in the last room and there was signs of someone being held captive in here. A random kitchen chair was in the middle of the room. Some half smoked cigarettes were on the floor as well. I know that my loved ones didn't smoke so there was an obvious interrogation going on in here. My blood boiled with a rage I have not felt in years. The thought of someone harming my love was too much for me to handle.
A sudden breeze waved the curtains around and I saw the back door had been flung open. I raced out to see if they were nearby. I ran in an untrackable direction as bullets flew behind me.
"Eto Niko! Ubey yego!" ("It is Niko! Kill him!")
I found cover beside a wall. It would have to do for now as I tried to count how many I was up against. My eye sight must be going. Either that, or I was really tired and having just flew in via helicopter made my vision blurry. And all the fast paced adrenaline action made it harder for me to focus.
"My znayem, chto ty gde-to ryadom, Bellik! U nas yest' tvoya devushka! Sdavaysya, i ona ne postradayet!" ("We know you are out there, Bellic! We have your girl! Surrender yourself and she will not get hurt!")
The threat made me almost lose my last bit of sane mind I had left. I felt myself slipping into a blind rage and I did not care what happened to me
"Sdavaysya, ili my yeye ub'yem!" ("Surrender now or we will kill her!")
That was the last slip of sanity. The thought of those men harming moj andjeo.
With my blind rage taken over, I reloaded my rifle and charged directly back into the house. The bullets sent dirt and debris dancing at my feet as I burst I back into the house. The gunman at the doorway was the first to feel my wrath. I unloaded the rifle clip into his chest and blood painted the walls. Having fired in close proximity, it sprayed onto my clothes.
"Neću dozvoliti da naudiš mom anđelu!" ("I will not let you harm my angel!") I screamed.
"We have been waiting for you, Bellic!"
Her voice brought some thought back into my animalistic mind. None other than Anna Faustin. I thought she was killed when I drove into the river. She's got good survival skills. Something I'll need to keep tabs on and make sure her last breath is gone.
"I am here for you, Faustin!"
I listened to any other retaliation gunfire. It was silent for a long time. I crept back to the front of the house. There were at least twenty slain police officers. Their sirens silent and the engines smoking from heavy damage from the rifles.
The only staircase lead up and I figured she'd be hiding up there. It gave her a better chance to have the higher ground. I still tiptoed up the staircase. Each stair creaking as it gave away my advances. I still kept on, fueled by a still blinding rage of Faustin standing over her captives as a dominant oppressor. I had no weapon that can gain the upper hand on her if we were to engage in close combat. A shot gun would be extremely useful if she got the idea to surprise me.
I thought back to my days in the Army. Slowing my breathing down and heightening my hearing. Any breath she took would be her last as I drew in closer. I was unsure what she was waiting on. I was a sitting duck approaching my trap.
My attacker came at me from behind a door and knifed me in my chest. I screamed out in pain and growled at her. She just sealed her fate. I aimed my rifle at her seconds after she stabbed me and shot her dead. But her damage done to me was lasting. The vest did nothing to protect a point blank stabbing. Her death came too swift. Mine was making its route to me and I fell to the floor. My own blood mixing in with the other's blood. My breath was labored and I tried to yell for help. I could only moan out. My time was approaching. And I had one tear form from my eye. I did nothing to wipe it away. The pain of the serrated knife plunged deep in my chest came only second to the pain of not seeing Sharon again.
My phone rang and I could not reach it. Any move I made to do anything caused great agony. It rang once more and I had no choice but to bear the pain. My blood covered hands grasped the phone as I recognized the voice. It was frantic and I tried my hardest to focus. Words came next, gurgled by the blood that now seeped out of my mouth.
"I'll find you, Niko. I'll find you!" She promised. "Stay with me!"
She kept me talking to somehow zero in on my voice. "Niko!" She screamed from within the house.
"Sharon." I coughed. "Help me." I raised my hand in hopes she'd see me on the top of the stairs.
"I don't see you! Where are you?!"
"Up." Was all I managed to say. Unconsciousness was claiming me and I felt myself getting cold. The dark was creeping in my eyesight. This is what death feels like.
I heard her take the staircase double step and she shrieked at the sight of my form in a mixture of blood and tears.
"Oh God, Niko!" She cried.
She dialed emergency services as she cradled my head in her lap. She stuck with them as she gave them the information they needed and myself, unable to stay awake, slipped into unconsciousness.