by Kuhn, N
“We got a location on them. Buzz, you and Jessica are the two people they are familiar with the most. You will go in, secure the child, and if Christian doesn’t want to come, he doesn’t have to. Our main concern is getting Sebastian and getting out of here before any of your people show up,” he stares right at me when he says that.
“They aren’t my people. They came for me, they wanted me, Tuck. Against my will. I can’t believe you’re being such an ass to me. I’ve told you everything, came to you, to help, and you’re acting like I’m the enemy. Those men wanted me. I’m scared, I’m pissed, and I’m sure as hell tired of The Master stealing my life from me.” Throwing myself back against the seat, I glare out the window, my arms crossed over my chest. I can’t stand looking at him right now.
“Jess, I just had to make sure, that’s all.” The truck falls silent.
Tuck pulls up to a crap hole hotel off the I5. It’s a small pay by the hour place, and I wonder why someone with the money Christian has would come here. But, then again, someone with a name as big as Christian Thompson, you have to stay hidden I guess. As we pull in to park, a bulletin comes over the radio. Tuck turns the volume up.
“Christian Thompson has been reporting missing along with his young son. Sources close to the couple of Christian and his wife Holly Katherine have been reported as on the verge of divorce. LA’s Golden Couple has had a rocky few months of marriage. It was reported this morning that Sebastian and Christian haven’t been seen or heard from in two days. Sources also tell us Christian has connections to The Coven. One of LA’s fastest growing new religions is known to have criminal connections. The Federal Bureau has been investigating them for the last two years. We will keep you posted as new updates come in. There’s a phone number on our site that you can call if you have spotted them.”
“Shit,” Tuck yells, slamming his fist into the steering wheel. “This means every nut job, paparazzi and idiot is going to be out searching for them. I thought you said Holly was keeping quiet.” Tuck looks to Buzz. The man just shrugs his shoulders.
“Maybe she got impatient,” he says.
“Seriously, guys, I think The Master may have leaked this. It’s something he would do. I mean, it wasn’t common knowledge that the government was looking into The Coven, and if the news reporter knows about it, that means it came from inside. Think about it. The Master knows that we are going to try and get to them first. If Christian hasn’t told them where he is, then they will attempt anything to keep them from getting out of his grip.”
All three men look to me. I wonder if I said something wrong.
“You’re right, damn. Thank you,” Tuck says, and he sounds sincere while saying it. I feel a smile spreading across my face, but it quickly fades.
“Still doesn’t change the fact that things just got a whole lot harder huh?” I say to them. They all shake their heads.
“Chris told me they are in room sixteen. Jess, Buzz, get in there, get the kid and get back here fast. Buzz, anything happens to her, I’ll kill you myself.” Buzz nods, gets out of the Hummer with me still staring at Tuck. It’s nice to hear that he still cares. My door opens, Buzz is waiting there for me. I get out, and he hands me a gun. I slip it into the waist of my leather pants I had put back on, pulling my shirt to hide it. Pushing my sunglasses to my face, I take the lead.
At Christian’s door, I knock, waiting for him to ignore me. Buzz is pressed against the wall, next to the door, to force it open if he tries to slam it in our face.
“Mistress,” Christian says, opening the door so I can enter the room. “Please, what is go-” His words are cut off when Buzz enters behind me.
“Buzz Lightyear!” Sebastian exclaims, throwing himself at the burly man. He wraps the small child in his arms, and I can see he really cares for him. It just makes me feel worse for having tried to talk Christian into all of this. I’m such a horrible person.
“Christian, we’re here to save you and Sebastian. You can’t go through with this. It’s all a sham. It’s not a religion, it’s not real. None of it. He’s going to murder your son, steal your money and for nothing. Please, let’s just go, let’s get you guys somewhere safe.” He stares at me, his eyes wide.
“No, you’re lying. Sebastian is a catalyst he said. A golden child who will be honored.”
“That means he’s going to sacrifice him, kill him.”
“No, no,” he shakes his head, grabbing his cell phone. I look to Buzz who is already trying to back out of the room with Sebastian.
Christian isn’t paying attention, so we rush out of the room. I’m sure he’s calling The Master or Brother Elijah and we need to get out of here fast. As we almost reach the Hummer, I see three vans fly into the parking lot, and men with cameras rush towards the building. Paparazzi. That was fast. The Master must be trying to use this to build his name. His end game involves him being famous, and it’s a screwed up way he’s going about it.
As we climb into the truck, Christian must have finally noticed we weren’t there anymore. Running from the room, screaming Sebastian’s name, he stops dead in his tracks when he sees the paparazzi. As they begin to snap pictures, he heads back to his room, slamming the door in their faces. A few of the smart ones realized what was going on and head our way. Tuck throws the Hummer in reverse and floors it out of there.
Chapter 16
Pulling up behind Sara’s store, she’s standing in the doorway, as if she knew we were coming. Reaching her arms out, she takes Sebastian. As she turns to go inside, she stops, reaching her hand out. I take the package from her, not knowing what’s inside, and look at her questioningly. She just smiles at me and looks to Tuck.
“He’s a good man, Jessica. A safe man. He will save you when you need it. Don’t lose hope.” Saying nothing more than that, she turns and goes into the apartment. Shutting the door behind her. Looking to the package in my hands, it’s a .22 with a pearl handle, and a note.
Jessica,
You never belonged there. He has no real powers. Magic will not work to stop him. You will need this for that. When he is gone, your nightmare will end and you can heal. When you’re down and losing hope, thinking you will never be saved, your man will find you and save you. Trust in that. I can’t make you believe how I know, but just remember my words. The time will come and you will know what I mean. He will find you.
Sara
Is she telling me to kill him? Or does she just know I’ll need protection. This sounds like a riddle, and I hate those. She doesn’t make sense. He will find me? Slipping it into my pants, I remove the .45 that Buzz had given me earlier. Walking back to the Hummer, I hand it to Tuck. He takes the gun, staring at me.
“We’ll be back for you and the boy later tonight.”
“I’m going with you. You can’t stop me. I can go with you, or follow. But, you’re not doing this alone. I need to face him, end my nightmare.” Hearing Sara’s words come out of my mouth, I stop and stare at Tuck. As if understanding I need to do this, he holds the rear door open so I can climb back in.
The drive to the compound is silent. The air is heavy with tension. The men, all dressed in black cargo pants, black tees, and gun holsters, look like they are ready for war. I have on the same leather pants and tight black shirt I wore yesterday when I left. Though my heels are not proper for heading into a fight, they will have to do. I know my way around enough that they won’t matter. Pulling onto a dirt road that I know leads behind the compound, I wonder how Tuck knew it was here. He is a prepared man. Always making sure he knows everything.
There are dozens of SUV’s parked along the road as the sun sets, and the sky darkens. Choosing the cover of night, they felt it would be easier to sneak up on The Master. My knowledge of the compound helped them formulate a plan. As we all pile out of the Hummer, Tuck and Buzz head over to the man who looks like he’s in charge. Unable to hear their conversation, Razor stands in front of me, staring. This adorable little guy, with his big mohawk looks so out of place in
cargos, carrying a gun. He should be out skateboarding somewhere, not endangering his life over this.
“Razor, you and Jessica stay in the Hummer,” Tuck tries to command as he heads back to us. I just shake my head. That’s not happening. He isn’t leaving me behind. Walking over and grabbing my arm, he twists it, pulling me away from the guys.
“Jessica, we aren’t going through this again. You’re not going in there with us. You can’t. I’m not going to be able to do my job if I’m worrying about your safety. I love you too much to risk your life. You will stay here God damn it. Don’t argue.” Not giving me a chance to respond, he walks away. As he speaks to Razor and Buzz, I’m sure he’s probably telling him to babysit me. That’s not happening. Jumping in the driver’s seat of the Hummer, I smile at Tuck and shut the door behind me. He’s probably thinking what a good girl I am for listening. But that’s not happening.
Turning the engine over, I gun it in reverse, spinning the wheel to turn the truck around. I watch in the rearview as the three men and a few of the feds come running after me, but they have no hopes of catching up. Does Tuck really think I would sit in the car like a good little girl? After everything I’ve been through? This man forced me into staying with him for years. Beaten, raped and brainwashed, I’m just going to sit here like a scared little woman, while the man I love traipses off to be killed? I think not. Running down the roads, I find myself at the main access drive into the compound. Driving the Hummer through the gate, the drive is surrounded by Paparazzi, probably all waiting to catch a glimpse of Christian. This is what The Master wanted. As the camera men and reporters jump out of my way, I speed up, slamming it into park by the Headquarters door. I know that from their advantage point, Tuck and everyone else can see me.
Pulling a hoodie from the back seat that I had noticed earlier, I think its Razors. I slip it on, and jump down from the vehicle. Members mill around, staring at me, as if unsure of how to react. I storm into the compound, once again, the click of my heels echoing off of the walls. The hoodie will hide the gun in my waist. But the anger on my face, there’s no disguising that. At the end of the hallway, I see Brother Elijah emerge from The Masters room. He stands there waiting for me, his arms crossed over his chest. The man no longer intimidates me. He’s nothing. Once fearing his wrath, today, I hope he starts something, so I can shoot his ass.
Stopping short of him, I stand there, as we stare each other down.
“Mistress, enter, please,” I hear The Master say from his room. Not wanting to deal with Elijah later, I whip out the gun Sara gave me, and shoot him in the head. As his body crumples to the ground, I walk calmly into the Devil’s Lair. The Master sits behind his desk. His long blonde hair flowing over his shoulders. Had I not already known the evil ways he carries, I would think him to look angelic almost. My gun pointing at him, a smile spreads across his face.
“What is the meaning of this Mistress? You run away, from your family, your Coven. You murder Brother Elijah, and point a gun at me? Has everything we done for you not been enough?”
As he leans back in his chair, arrogantly placing his templed fingers under his chin, a new fear washes over me.
“Help? You think you helped me? You beat me, you raped me, and you cut my fucking finger off. Help? You steal these innocent people’s money and promise them safety, and religion. You give them nothing but chores and poor abodes, while you get fat off of them. A child, you want to murder an innocent little boy. That’s going too far. I’ve stood by, for fear of my life, for fear of the man I love being killed by you. No longer. No more will I be your puppet. You’ve crossed a line and it’s time the world see you for what you really are. The Devil.” A loud, boisterous laugh echoes off the walls from behind me. Before I can turn, pain erupts through my head. As I feel myself falling, I can hear someone speaking over me.
“You’re right, she has a lot of spunk. I can see why Sergeant Tucker likes her. She will come in very useful.” Without seeing who the voice belonged to, my world goes black.
Chapter 17
“I can’t believe she fucking did that.” I’ve been pacing back and forth along the access road, trying to calm down, fuming. I should have known better. I’ve seen that look in Jessica’s eyes before. When her mind is set to something, she does it and there’s no changing it. I can’t believe I fell for her little act. Either she’s going to get herself killed, or she’s turning on us. Only time will tell. Agent Cortez with the FBI walks up behind me, shaking his head.
“It’s stupid, I know, but Tuck, she may just be the diversion we needed. This leak to the press has their entrance blocked. I also need you to know that the Los Angeles Mayor called and tried to get us to not go in there. We have information that this Master has been paying off people, and blackmailing others. The Mayor is on our short list of suspects for that. If we go in there and it goes south, we’re on our own. Their main focus was there. Now, some idiots have went in through the gate she took out, which means we have to be extra careful when combing through the terrain, but I think we’re still ok. Our agent is in the basement you said?”
“Yes. And I’m still going in, with or without you guys,” I respond. My fists clench at my sides. Trying to control my temper, I spin, and come face to face with the Latino agent. His fatherly features are most likely what makes him successful as an agent. He has a way of calming you, just by looking at you.
“Yes, she gave us the exact location. Get your men in and out. Don’t stop for anything. Buzz and I are going for The Master, you said you have a few men you can send with me, and so they can arrest him?” He nods his head. “Ok, well then let’s rock and roll. I need to get in there, quick.”
Heading back, I remember all my guns and ammo were in the Hummer. Opening my mouth to tell him, Cortez cuts me off.
“Here, we have some extra guns you guys can use, besides the one you’re carrying. Buzz said your supplies were in the Hummer. Want a vest?” Shaking my head no, I take the Ruger he has extended towards me from his hand.
“Thank you,” I say. Loading up, I grab Razor.
“You stay here, got it? I can’t get her, worry about you and get out alive. Ok? Please, just listen to me?”
“Yea dude, no problem. This comms chick is hot, she said I can sit in the mobile unit with her, so I’ll be in your ear man. How cool is that?” I can see the excitement flowing off of him. It’s great that he’s excited. I love see him come back to life, growing up, moving on from the drug game which was all he knew before.
Patting his shoulder, I turn to Buzz.
“You ready man?” He just nods his head to me. He chose to put the vest on, and it makes him look burly, not that he was scrawny to begin with. We both turn, to face the compound in front of us. There’s a mile trek to hit the compound, and from there, we have to get through the gate. Jessica had told us where it was weak, and where we can get through undetected. But, is there really any way that fifty federal agents and civilians can go and not be seen? With me, Buzz and Cortez in the lead, we head out. Marching our way down the hill, through the sandy ground between us and there, it’s quiet. Unnaturally quiet for this many people. Most of the men with us are in full on riot gear. Helmets, vests, the whole deal. They are the ones that will be corralling the members. A few of the Feds head towards the camera posts, taking turns snipping wires on each post. We’re given the all clear.
Finally reaching the fence, one of the agents bends down and begins snipping at the wire. Making a hole big enough for us to fit through, we one by one begin to climb through. Not wanting to wait, Buzz, the agent assigned to us, and I head towards the building. No one is outside. The paparazzi seem to have scared them all inside. Reaching the metal door, that just two days ago, I had watched Jessica exit, I pause. Taking a deep breath, looking over at my Hummer, sitting there, driver’s door ajar. I can only hope I’m not too late, again.
Pulling the door open, Buzz rushes in low, the agent high, both with drawn weapons. Ready to encounter anyone w
ho gets in our way. A few curious members peek their heads out of doors, looking to see what the stomping feet in the hallway are from. As the duck back in their rooms, the agents begin to filter in, clearing each room, one by one. Following the map Jessica had given us, we take the main hallway to the end. The closer we get, I notice something laying on the floor. Reaching the last door, it’s a body. My heart stops beating for a moment. Looking down, I can see it’s a man, wearing their uniform of gray, I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding. It’s not Jessica.
I don’t bother knocking. Bringing my leg up, I kick the door, as hard as I can, right by the handle. As it blasts inward, splintering where it was attached to the jamb, Chazz sits behind a large desk, but no Jessica. There’s a few camera men, paparazzi, I presume, and Christian Thompson. I can see blood on the floor, in front of the desk. It’s not much, but enough to know someone was hurt. The blonde haired man stands, opening his arms, as if he expected us.
“Welcome,” he says, cheerfully. “I am The Master, how can I help you, officer? Tuck?” A nasty smile emerges from his lips, curling at both ends.
“Where is she?” I ask.
“Where’s my son, asshole,” Christian pipes in. Swinging my gun, to point at him, he cowers, returning to his seat. This man plays action heroes? But shrinks at the sight of a real gun? Really? This man is an idol to so many guys, this is just too much. Fucking movie stars, whiny worthless fake ass nothings. Without a script, they can’t maneuver through life. Returning my attention back to Chazz, he stares directly at me, no one else.