Chapter Sixteen
Upon entering Erin's apartment, both Erin and Soifon, exhausted from a tedious day at work, followed suit with their outerwear and belongings. Since there were no further tasks to complete, they were granted permission by Voight, their supervisor, to depart at seven pm. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, it was already eight pm.
Expressing her fatigue, Erin muttered, 'Man, I'm beat,' as she casually discarded her coat, bag, and shoes near the couch. Agreeing with Erin's sentiment, Soifon placed her own coat, bag, and shoes neatly next to Erin's by the entrance.
Erin suggested that they sit down and unwind. She proceeded to settle herself on the couch, with Soifon sitting next to her. As she grabbed the remote, she browse through the channels to see what programs were available.
Observing from beside Erin, Soifon witnessed as she scrolled through the channels. Feeling fatigued, Soifon laid her head on Erin's shoulder, involuntarily releasing a yawn.
Once Erin selected a movie for them to watch and suggested "Hairspray," Soifon expressed her approval with a smile, fixing her gaze on the television screen. Erin sought confirmation, asking if the choice was acceptable, to which Soifon replied affectionately, "Certainly, it happens to be one of my favorite films." With a smile, Soifon left a gentle kiss on the side of Erin's mouth.
Soifon and Erin watched the movie, finding pleasure in each other's presence. Both were partially drowsy, and Soifon nestled into her partner's chest. They had transitioned from a seated position to reclining, as the last time they had fallen asleep while sitting, Erin had developed a stiff neck.
Jack and Thomas's P.O.V
Jack was seated in the truck alongside Thomas, who was situated across the street from Erin's apartment. They observed the two women enter the building with smiles on their faces. Jack noticed Thomas shifting in his seat, prompting him to inquire, "So, when do we plan on initiating this operation?" Jack contemplated this while idly manipulating the knife in his possession and responded, "We should wait until midnight. This will afford them an opportunity to relax and become less vigilant." The blond individual replied, his gaze fixated on the apartment, his blue eyes narrowing in focus.
Passing hours led to the approaching midnight, causing both individuals to gradually grow weary of their anticipation. Jack, seeking to ascertain the hour, glanced at his phone, remarking, 'It is nearly time, and it is expected that they would be asleep by now, enabling us to proceed. Surely Ace too would be becoming impatient.' The blond man quipped and proceeded to open the door. 'Indeed,' Thomas concurred, alighting from the vehicle and trailing Jack as they traversed the street.
" Soifon's P.O.V*
Soifon gradually roused herself from slumber, assuming a seated position on the couch with great care so as not to disturb Erin, still in repose. Sensing a growing thirst and experiencing a vague sense of unease, as if an impending event was imminent, she dismissed such thoughts and promptly rose to her feet, making her way towards the kitchen to quench her parched throat.
Soifon procured a glass from the cupboard and proceeded towards the sink in order to procure a glass of water for herself.
Leaning against the counter after pouring herself a glass of water, Soifon gazed intently at the distant expanse of the wall while drinking. She quietly wondered why she harbored a sense of unease. Should she awaken Erin, suspecting that something untoward might befall them? Contemplating this, she frowned and pondered whether her apprehensions were merely a manifestation of undue paranoia.
Placing the glass in the sink, she proceeded back to the couch to find Erin's absence. The dark-haired woman approached the couch in order to ascertain the whereabouts of her partner. She inquired in a hushed tone, 'Erin, have you recently gone to the bathroom?' Swiftly changing direction, she made her way to the bathroom, only to experience a shiver of apprehension. However, upon reaching the bathroom, there was no indication of her beloved's presence.
Soifon frowned when she did not locate her partner in the bathroom. She quietly speculated, 'Perhaps she has retired to the bedroom to rest.' Stepping back from the bathroom, she illuminated the hallway with the light switch to improve her visibility. As she was about to proceed, she unintentionally collided with an individual or entity from behind. Immediately sensing the presence of someone behind her, she pivoted around to discover a masked figure positioned in the hallway.
Soifon retreated from the mysterious figure positioned in the middle of the highway, now comprehending the reason behind Erin's lack of response. It became apparent that an unfortunate incident must have occurred while the brunette was asleep, prompting the raven-haired woman to withdraw towards the bathroom.
With a tone of urgency, Soifon demanded to know the whereabouts of Erin, as well as the actions taken against her. Recognizing her personal responsibility in not awakening Erin earlier when sensing something amiss, Soifon was now faced with the distressing reality of her lover's disappearance.
Having a strong understanding of Erin's resilience if conscious, Soifon deduced that the individual responsible for her disappearance would not encounter an easy pursuit, signifying the need for immediate action to safeguard Erin's well-being.
"You will soon discover. Now, may I request that you comply and accompany me, as a well-behaved young lady?," the figure stated in a deep voice that seemed vaguely recognizable, although Soifon refrained from dwelling on it as she instinctively retreated. "I hope you haven't caused any harm to Erin," she declared with a fierce gaze, her eyes fixed on the figure as he advanced towards her. "Miss. Lindsay has not been injured, at least not for the time being."
Soifon swiftly pivoted on her heel, fleeing from the approaching figure. Upon reaching the living area, she promptly seized a lamp from the end table to serve as an improvised weapon due to her inability to retrieve her firearm in a time-pressed manner. Assertively, she demanded, 'You shall leave me alone and release Erin forthwith. Pray, disclose the identity of your sender.' Snarling, Soifon elevated the lamp menacingly upon the figure's approach, striking his arm forcefully when he attempted to grasp her.
Uttering a growl, the figure shifted his arm away from the lamp. 'I do not wish to cause harm, but I will if necessary,' he snarled. As he reached out for her again, he was met with a leg above his head delivering a roundhouse kick. 'Depart from me,' Soifon growled fiercely, slamming her leg into his shoulder since he had moved his head.
The figure emitted a growl. 'I do not have the time nor inclination to engage in frivolous activities with you, bitch,' he spat, attempting to tackle Soifon. However, she deftly evaded him by moving to the left. 'Your lack of coordination is apparent,' she remarked, her intense blue eyes glaring at the figure who nearly collided with the couch but instead knocked down the end table.
Soifon observed his next move intently, refraining from blinking. She was determined to escape this perilous situation and locate Erin, ensuring their safety by finding a secure haven. She had a strong suspicion regarding the identity of the person who had sent this individual. Her hand involuntarily tightened as the figure drew nearer.
In a resolute manner, he delved into his pocket and produced a needle, declaring, "If you desire that your beloved remains unharmed, you shall refrain from engaging in any further combat and accompany me. Rest assured, I will not hesitate to harm her." His threatening words caused Soifon to tense, torn between her ability to fight and protect her lover, and the knowledge that Erin would implore her to continue fighting without concern for her own safety. Soifon comprehended the necessity of placing Erin's well-being above all else.
Soifon pressed her lip between her teeth, examining the figure before her. With a confirming nod, she indicated that she had concluded her battle, hoping that he could discern her determination to protect Erin from harm at all costs. In response, the figure remarked, 'Well done,' and approached her while clutching a needle.
Soifon tensed as the figure firmly grasped her arm and forcefully pulled it behind her. With a cold demeanor, he stated, 'This may cause some discomfort,' as he prepared to inject the needle into her neck. Urgently, he cautioned, 'Do not entertain any thoughts of resisting.'
"Soifon was about to reposition her neck when she sensed the needle gradually penetrating her neck," the figure sternly reminded her. "Remember what I just mentioned? Bear in mind that I can still cause harm to your beloved if you persist in opposing me." The figure's voice conveyed a cold, snarling tone. In response, Soifon halted her movements, taking a deep breath and suppressing the pain by biting her lip, as the needle was inserted in her neck. "We are nearly finished," the figure whispered and exerted pressure to release the substance contained within the needle. Soifon could feel something entering her system, and although she made an effort to resist it, after a few minutes of struggling, the drug gradually gained control over her. Once she became unconscious, the figure carried her over their shoulder and departed from the apartment.