In Pursuit of Light

by Sarah B Meadows

  But as I study his eyes and take in his pale skin, the dark bags, and the sheen of sweat across his face, I begin to worry how much this is affecting him.

  “You look worse than Gerry,” I tell him with a suspicious frown.

  His smile broadens. “Now that’s just mean,” he retorts, some life appearing to flow back into his features. He re-positions himself so he’s sitting forward, and Kia moves back to give him room, being sure to keep a hand on his legs.

  “Pass me some water please, Seb. It feels like I haven’t drunk any in days.” His words come out raspy and with a slight croak. Doing as he requests, I pass the full glass over to him. He quickly downs the whole lot, so I refill it and pass it back, but rather than drink it himself, he pushes it into Kia’s hand. “Drink up, little minx,” he encourages with a wink. She reluctantly takes it as Rolland relaxes back against the headboard, sitting much straighter than he was before.

  “Well?” I hint, raising my eyebrows at him. He turns and looks at me, then lets out a puff of air.

  “I think it started after I helped Jack pull her from her mind in the pool. I began to feel her emotions a lot stronger. Then when the Gjinn appeared, I could feel every emotion she was feeling. I know it’s what I do, but it was so much more than it usually is. It was as though the emotions were coming from inside me. Then she tried shutting me out, keeping the pain to herself.” He turns to Kia, raising his curved eyebrows at her. Kia sticks her tongue out and we both laugh. A small smile pulls at her mouth, but the line across her forehead shows she’s still concerned.

  “It became like a battle of wills over control. Then when I took her shirt off in the shower-” he pauses, still looking at Kia. As I watch them, I get the feeling that they’re silently communicating. “I saw some of the things that happened to her and it began to feel as though I was the one getting whipped.” I frown feeling like I haven’t heard the worst part. “My body couldn’t take any more and it gave out. Then I heard Kia speak in my mind, although it was very faint,” he explains looking back over at me. He keeps his gaze steady as he continues.

  “When you fixed up her back, I got pulled into her mind, and it was like I was there with her, watching everything, but I couldn’t stop it,” he laments, blinking hard as he tries to compose his emotions. “Just now it happened again, but I managed to intercept, pulling her out of it. The vision changed, and it all started happening to me. I was being whipped, beaten, whilst Kia had to watch me go through it. Then she disappeared and I thought she had died.” His voice is full of the emotions that I know he’s trying to keep a tight reign on, but it’s obvious it’s not working. He looks back to Kia who has her chin tilted low down toward her chest.

  Rolland sits forward, pulling her into his arm. “You can use the bathroom now, Kia, without me,” he mumbles with amusement into her hair. Kia looks over at the door. “But I’ll walk you to the door and wait, just in case,” Rolland says as he goes to stand, only to find his legs don’t want to hold him up.

  I move quickly off the bed and push him back down before he falls. “You sit your big arse down and I’ll wait by the door,” I order. He doesn’t even fight me, which is so unlike him. “Rolland, you’re really beginning to worry me.”

  Kia rises to her feet and she’s a little unsteady at first, so I place a hand on her elbow for support as I continue studying Rolland.

  “I’m fine, stop faffing about me,” he chides, waving me off as he leans back against the bed once more. He keeps his eyes open though, thankfully, quelling a little of my apprehension.

  I step in front of Kia to help steady her as she begins rolling her weight about on her toes, testing her body. Kia looks up at me and gives me the biggest smile I’ve seen yet and it’s like the sun has risen in the sky. She pulls me down, kissing my lips hard, running her tongue along my lips. I move my hands around her waist, chasing her tongue with my own.

  Feeling myself grow hard, I start to seek more of her, but she leans back, winks, then stalks off to the bathroom. I’m left stunned, as I stand there for a few seconds.

  “You’re each as bad as the other, that’s all I have to say,” Rolland mutters as he tries to hold down a laugh. I give him the finger and head to the bathroom to wait for Kia. What the hell does he know, anyway?

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Matt

  After dropping the sample off to Gregg to get analysed, I head over to the other side of town to meet up with Aaron. I’ve known the guy for about ten years, so I trust him well enough, but it’s always a risk meeting people to exchange information.

  Pulling up to our usual pub, I sit and wait for a bit, looking out for any cars that seem off or unusual. It’s a bright day out, so the only shadows that might conceal people are in the alleyways between the shops and on the right side of the pub. I spot Aaron stalking up the path on the other side of the road, but he keeps looking back over his shoulder. My gut tells me something is off, but I need this info, and he won’t pass this kind of stuff on over the phone, email, or any other way that it can get traced back to him. Unease crawls through my stomach, so I wait a couple of minutes longer to see if anyone follows behind him.

  No one does, so I lock up my car and head over to the pub. It’s a newly refurbished building with light greys contrasting with deep red fixtures, and it doesn’t have that sticky feel to the floors that creeps me out. Solid wooden tables are dotted around the space as you walk in, looking clean and almost welcoming. I spot Aaron at one of the deep red booths at the far back, tending a pint of beer in a firm fist.

  Heading over to the bar, I order iced water, which earns me a look of contempt from the short blonde bar lady. I don’t intend to stay long and I hate waste. She sets it down hard, giving me another sour look as she does so. I hand her some money before meandering over to where Aaron sits.

  I do a quick sweep of the place, noting that there are only two other tables with people at them. It would be a different story if we had chosen to meet here a few hours ago. But with the lunch rush over, and most people back at their offices or away shopping, it leaves a quiet atmosphere with just the low music playing in the background. I take a seat and notice Aaron looking at the door with hard amber eyes.

  Aaron’s about the size of Rolland, pushing seven feet and just as broad in the shoulders, but that’s where the similarities end. His clean, dark hair is pulled back into a loose ponytail, showcasing his deep-set eyes which, at the moment, look very troubled. His strong jaw clenches hard as he scans the pub intensely. He’s ex-military, like Gerry’s boys, but has no interest in being on board, preferring his own company. He flicks his eyes over me, pulling them in as though noticing something.

  “Everything okay, you seem more on edge than normal?” I ask, running my gaze over him, taking in the tattoos down his neck and the rings on his fingers.

  “I’m not sure. On my way here, I swear I had someone following me, but it was more a feeling than anything,” he summarises with doubt, causing his deep bass tone to rumble even lower through my ears. A pensive frown mars his forehead as he sips his beer. My stomach knots and the need to take off causes my legs to start bouncing.

  Aaron scowls harder at me. “What’s up with you?” he questions, jutting his square chin at me. “Even for you, this is more nervous than usual,” he says blandly, prying my gaze away from its perusal of the bar.

  Taking a calming breath, I try easing my twisting stomach before turning back to him. “Nothing, just a long night,” I reply, trying to appease him with an even tone, but clearly, he's not buying it. He raises his bushy eyebrows at me, easily picking up on my lie. “It was a long night and I haven’t slept yet. I found out some heavy stuff a few hours ago and it’s taking its toll mentally.” It’s as close to the truth as he’s going to get from me. Thankfully he nods in acceptance and takes another sip of his beer.

  “I didn’t want to give you and your boys half information, it’s not my way. But I’ve checked this building over multiple times and the
n rechecked all the dates. I’ve kept my eyes on it for the past three months, and like clockwork, there’s a delivery of a shit load of drugs that even my top analyst can’t get a fix on. A week later, at least three lorries export people from the building,” he says informatively, letting out a heavy breath as he rubs a rough hand over his face. “I know three months is a long time to watch a building and not share this with you, but every time I got close, I always came away feeling like someone was following me.” He cruises his eyes over to the door again before taking another long drink.

  Thinking back to why I didn’t talk to the guys about my nightmares, I look down at my glass wondering what would have happened if I had.

  “I don’t want shit following you, Matt. You’re a good kid,” Aaron affirms earnestly.

  I laugh quietly at his comment. I have to admit my face has a youthfulness to it, unlike the rest of the guys, and I can effortlessly pass for being in my late twenties or early thirties. With Aaron being in his forties, I know his remark isn’t meant to be derogatory.

  I look up at him, offering him a smile. “I know what you mean. Passing on information based on half-truths and uncertainty isn’t my style either. Though after last night’s revelations, I would rather take a chance and run with it rather than ignore something that could end up saving someone's life.” I drop my gaze to the glass of water cupped in my hand, as my mind drifts back to Kia and the Gjinn this morning. Rolland splayed across the floor, Seb still on the bed, both rendered paralysed by the Gjinn. How she had the strength to fight it off for so long and remain sane, is mind-boggling.

  “You sure you’re okay, you look half out of it.” Aaron’s baritone voice drills me out of my thoughts.

  I peer up from my glass of water. “Yeah, sorry,” I mutter, shaking my head as I lean forward trying to shake myself out of the thoughts.

  Aaron takes another long drink, then pulls a piece of paper from his pocket, sliding it over to me. “I’ll keep an eye on things for a few more weeks and contact you if I see anything else, but the last movement was just a week ago, so I don’t think there’ll be any more activity for a couple of weeks yet.”

  I open the slip of paper and see that it’s a central London address. Not somewhere I would ever choose to stay long, and the address doesn’t jog any memories. I pocket the paper and take the envelope of cash from my back pocket, pushing it over to him. When he doesn’t reach to pick it up, I look up at him in questioningly.

  “Let’s wait to see if this comes to anything first. So many things about this feel off. Once you get those people out and take the building down, I’ll take the cash.” I raise my brows at him. This is a first. “Yeah, now you see why I didn’t want to share the info with you so soon,” he says in reply to my lack of response.

  Re-pocketing the cash, I check my phone to find a message from Seb with a list of stuff he wants. I also notice that it’s close to four o’clock and admit to myself that I want to get back to Kia to see how she's doing, so I decide it’s time to wrap stuff up with Aaron. “You know how to reach me if you hear anything more,” I say to him, searching his face and seeing my own troubled thoughts reflected back at me.

  Aaron nods then finishes off the last of his beer. We both stand and head over to the doors, instinctively scouring the pub as we move through it. Aaron heads out first, holding the door open for me, then checks over both shoulders. As I do the same, I feel something yank hard at my gut again. I stop and scan the area, but I can’t see anything.

  I walk over to my car, saying goodbye to Aaron over my shoulder while keeping my eyes alert to my surroundings. I notice a few people crossing the street while talking on their phones but see no one looking my way.

  My eyes catch on a black Hilux pick-up truck parked on the other side of the road that wasn’t there before. I spot someone sitting in the driver’s seat, their head faced down as though they are texting. I narrow my eyes as I unlock the car to get in.

  Plucking my phone from my pocket, I connect it to the hands-free system as I start the car. I take one last hard look around just to be sure, but still see nothing out of the ordinary. As I pull away, I keep my eyes on the Hilux, but thankfully it stays where it is. Letting out a breath I didn’t realise I was holding, I start for the supermarket.

  I’m just pulling into a parking spot at the market when I spot the Hilux from the pub pull in on the other side of the lot. My stomach begins to roll, and I feel sweat beginning to bead on my forehead. Staying where I am, I contemplate calling Brad. If someone is really following me, it would be better to leave my car here. This same situation has happened before, and we managed to lose them, though Gerry still lost it for a few days.

  No one gets out of the truck and I decide to call Brad while shopping. Grabbing my phone and the essentials I need, I make my way over to the doors of the shop while dialing Brad.

  It rings a handful of times before he picks up. “Hey, I’m just heading out of the gym and getting in my truck,” he explains, his deep tone flowing through my ear as I head through the doors.

  “I’m just picking up a few bits for Seb. Do you need anything?” I ask as casually as possible.

  Silence meets my question and I’m thankful for Brad’s quick thinking. I don’t usually call for this kind of thing, so he knows something’s up. “No, I’m good. How’s Kia?” He’s making conversation, confirming to me he’s twigged.

  I start grabbing the stuff that Seb asked for, keeping my eyes peeled to see if anyone’s watching. I don’t see anyone, but that feeling in my gut is being pulled tight like a tightrope.

  “She’d just woken from a nap when I left and was listening to some tunes on my iPod.”

  I can tell from the noise coming through the phone that Brad is driving, as I keep grabbing stuff from the shelves. Just as I’m reaching for an item, something catches my eye, but when try to get a closer look, there’s nothing there. The feeling of being watched crawls down my back like a melting ice cube on a summer’s day, leaving trickling droplets in its path. I whip myself around but only see two women reading the packaging on their items.

  “How’s Rolland holding up?” Glad to have Brad on the phone, I walk round to the wine section, picking up two of Seb’s favourites.

  “He’s seen better days, but I think he’ll be okay.”

  The feeling in my stomach eases, and I breathe a sigh of relief. Carrying all of my items to the checkout stand, I’m just turning the corner when the unease slams back into me like a thunderbolt.

  “You on your way here, Brad?” My voice wavers slightly.

  “Just pulled up,” he confirms. Thank freaking god. I look around and see someone sitting on the benches on the other side of the tills, head bent down looking at the phone in his hand. Making my way quickly over to the checkout, I do my best to keep one eye on the suspicious looking guy while placing everything on the conveyer belt. I can see that he’s wearing a dark blue cap with sunglasses, so I can’t make out his face and I can just barely make out a tattoo on his neck.

  The cashier starts scanning my stuff, asking idle questions as she passes my order through. I try to be as polite as possible answering her questions, while at the same time packing the groceries, being careful not to squash the bread and eggs against the wine. Between the chitchat with the cashier and the need to keep the food safe, I can feel my focus on the guy on the bench begin to wane. When I get the chance to look back up, he’s gone. Bugger. My hands are sweaty, and I can feel my heart pumping in the back of my throat.

  I finish paying and grab the shopping before ambling toward the doors. If I head over to Brad now, then whoever it is, will just follow Brad’s truck. I spot Brad’s green Range Rover in my peripheral vision, but don’t look straight at it. Deciding to divert the follower, I head back to my car. I dump all of the bags in the boot then climb into the driver’s seat.

  Sticking the hands-free on, I immediately call Brad. He picks up on the first ring, and before he can say anything I blurt out, “me
et me on Sanders Street. I’ll park on the next street up and take the alleyway.” I can feel my mouth becoming dry, so I lick my lips and try to force some moisture back into my mouth. Man, I hate being followed. I don’t expect a reply from Brad, so I end the call.

  Putting some speed on, I check my mirror and see Brad behind me, although he’s keeping a safe distance between us and as I watch, I see the Hilux pull out behind him, though it keeps a reasonable distance between them. Knowing someone is following me is more straightforward than not knowing.

  Soon, I turn onto the road opposite Sanders street, and watch as Brad continues on, the Hilux still a decent distance behind. Good, that will give me the few seconds head start I need.

  Grabbing my stuff, I turn the car off and quickly get out, briefly lamenting that I have to leave the carefully packed groceries behind. Without looking back, I duck behind the next car next to mine. I can see the alleyway straight ahead, so I wait for the truck to drive by. It will either cross paths with my car and move past, or it will stop along-side mine, in which case, I’m totally snookered.

  The truck comes to a stop next to my car, and my heart plummets. Darn it.

  I hear a door open, and realise my time is up so I make a break for it, flinging a shield up behind me as I go. The sound of gunfire vibrate through my ears, though the sound is greatly diminished, leaving me to deduce that the gun has a silencer on it.

  I push my legs harder and as I round the corner of the alleyway I spot Brad’s truck, the passenger side door flung wide open. Moving as fast as I can, I head toward him and throw myself into the open door.

  “Go!” I shout, slamming the door shut behind me, hearing at the same time something hit the truck. My gut twists unhappily in response. Crud, let's hope that’s not a tracker.