Thanks for the reviews. It's good to see you guys enjoy this story. Sorry about the irregular updates tho.
He should have been dead by now.
Yet, somehow, Steve was still breathing. As the long, torturous hours in the heated-up metal box passed, it got harder. He was aware of how shallow and rapid his breaths had become. He'd stopped sweating some time ago and his skin, baked by the brutal heat, radiated an unnatural warmth. The sensation of nausea hovered at the edge of his consciousness and his muscles cramped and twitched involuntarily. His senses oscillated between moments of sharp awareness and blurry delirium. The relentless thirst gnawed at him, a desperate plea that remained unanswered. Each breath felt like dragging air through hot, syrupy resistance.
He hadn't moved since Makoni and his men left him there after the beating that had taken a toll beyond the visible bruises. It crushed his hopes for the escape and left him not only physically battered, but emotionally drained.
When the lock clicked and the door flew open, he remained still. It was still dark outside, except for the bright light of a torch that assaulted his eyes.
"Get him up," Makoni's command came from behind the light.
Two men rushed in. The same men as last time. One of them had a tape over the broken bridge of his nose. They yanked him up by the arms and marched him outside without saying a single word. Steve didn't resist. In fact, he was pretty sure he'd crumple back to the ground if they didn't hold him up.
He glanced at the reflections of Honolulu dancing on the waves in the distance. Home. So close, but so far at the same time.
"Tomorrow morning it'll be a ghost town," Makoni said.
Steve turned his gaze to him, trying his best to hide the fear that rippled through him with that statement.
"I wanted you to be there for the grand finale," Makoni said. "But unfortunately, there's been a slight change of plan."
The dim lights on the ship reflected on Makoni's face, turning his hostile glare into a more sinister look. He seemed tense. Angry.
Something happened.
Whatever it was, it seemed it would speed up Steve's execution.
It was four in the morning, and Danny stared blankly at his laptop screen. He sifted through every piece of information they had gathered so far, hoping to spot something he had missed. Anything that might bring him closer to finding his best friend.
He knew Steve could be dead by now, especially after thwarting Makoni's plans by giving Agent Brooks the fake barrels while keeping the real threat safe. But Danny refused to lose hope. He couldn't.
The past few hours had been grueling for the team. Makoni had slipped through their fingers, taking their best shot at finding their team leader with him. None of them had even considered taking a break. They all dove back into work, each tackling a different task—monitoring traffic cameras, cross-checking information with HPD, and scouring Makoni's file for any leads.
They knew Makoni had abandoned the pickup on the outskirts of Honolulu, and HPD officers found it empty. Someone had been waiting for him, that much was certain. It had been five hours since then, and they had nothing to show for it.
A knock on his office door interrupted his thoughts. Chin entered, his expression filled with concern.
"How are you holding up?" Chin asked.
Danny rubbed his tired face, thinking about his reply. "It's been nearly eighty hours," he said.
Chin nodded, understanding the weight of the situation without needing further explanation. Everyone in the HQ knew the bond between Steve and Danny—losing one meant losing them both.
"Steve can take care of himself," Chin reassured him.
"Right," Danny said, though doubt lingered in his mind.
"You're worried about what Makoni will do when he finds out the barrels are empty," Chin stated, more a statement than a question.
Danny nodded. "You've seen his file," he said. "The things he's done to people. He's a sick bastard, a real-world monster. And he'll be pissed. If I had known Brooks worked for him—"
"You'd have done it anyway," Chin said. "Hiding the real stuff was the right decision."
"He'll want it back," Danny said, his voice tense.
"I'm sure he will," Chin agreed.
Danny wasn't sure when or how Makoni would strike back, but he knew it would happen soon. He could only hope it wasn't too late for Steve.
"I'm going to get coffee for everyone," Chin said. "Do you want some?"
Danny shook his head. Another cup on his empty stomach would only make him sick.
"Okay," Chin said before leaving the office.
Alone again, Danny returned to his work. Hours passed without much progress, and he found himself drifting off despite his efforts to stay awake. It was a little after nine in the morning when his phone rang, jolting him back to reality. It was Mrs. Anderson, Charlie's teacher.
"Williams," he answered. "Is everything alright with Charlie?"
"Detective Williams, I just wanted to make sure you were alright," she said, her voice tense. "Charlie's fine. I sent him home with Officer Makoni from HPD."
Danny froze. "You did what?" he snapped.
"I heard you and Mrs. Edwards were in an accident, and he came to pick Charlie up," Anderson explained. "I thought I should call and keep you informed."
Danny was already on his way out, storming through the main area where Tani and Kono looked at him with concern.
His mind flashed back to when Grace had been taken by his ex-partner, using a similar method of abduction. Could Makoni know? Was he mocking him? Or was it just a coincidence? It didn't matter.
"I specifically told you never to let my son go home with anyone without consulting me or his mother first!" Danny's anger seethed as he raced for the exit.
"I... It must've slipped my mind, I'm sorry," Anderson stammered.
"When was this?" Danny demanded.
"About three minutes ago," she replied. "I called you right away."
Danny bit back a comment about her negligence. There would be time for that later.
"I'm on my way. You better pray I find my son," he said before ending the call and rushing down the stairs.
"Danny!" Kono called after him.
He turned. "Makoni has Charlie," he said, his words rushed.
She didn't hesitate. "I'm going with you."
"No," Danny said. "Stay here. Tell others and put an alert out. I want every available cop on this island to search the area. Block the roads. Whatever you have to do. He can't be far from Wai'alae school. I'll be in touch."
"Danny, it could be a trap," Kono warned.
He met her gaze with determination. "Then you know what to do."
He didn't wait for a reply. He sprinted out to the street, turned left to the car park, and rushed into his Camaro.
His mind raced with panic. He hadn't expected Makoni to go after his son, but then again, he was the man who didn't shy away from kidnapping children. One little boy meant nothing to him, but everything to Danny.
As he climbed into the driver's seat and started the engine, he sensed movement behind him. Before he could react, sharp pain exploded in his neck as a needle pierced his skin. The cold liquid spread through his veins.
He turned to fight off his assailant, aware of his strength fading away incredibly fast. His attacker dodged a punch and landed one on his own. It landed on Danny's side, and his hurt ribs exploded in pain. He groaned, reaching for the handle to take the fight outside, desperately trying to stay awake. But the man didn't let him. He pulled Danny back, sneaked an arm around his neck, and squeezed.
Danny spluttered, his limbs all over the place in an attempt to free himself. With his windpipe crushed, and the drugs working fast in his system, he didn't stand a chance. It only took seconds before his vision blurred and the sounds from the busy street faded in the distance. He was briefly aware of the man's arm disappearing from his neck before his world went completely dark.
*to be continued*
Sorry *not sorry* about this little cliffie.
Now what...?