Luke seemed dazed as the urgency left him. When he regained control, he narrowed his eyes. “What kind of crap was that? Learn a new trick from your boyfriend?” Luke said, pulling her to her feet. “Know this… when I want you, I will take you,” he growled, his face inches from hers.
Chase reappeared at the door. “Nobody home,” he said.
Luke dragged Julie by the arm back to her apartment, with Chase following close behind.
Austin immediately noticed that Julie’s clothes looked more disheveled than before. He held in a gasp as he saw the blood stains on her pants. He tried to catch her eyes, but she avoided looking at him.
Luke threw her onto the sofa. “You stay put,” he scolded as he ran his hand through his hair. Julie curled up as small as possible.
Luke paced for a few moments before he finally spoke. “Where’s your car?” he asked Fred.
“It’s behind the building. I came in through the back,” Fred answered.
“Okay, good. Chase, you and Fred are going to wait for that doctor what’s-his-name in his apartment. Find out if he is like these two. If he is, bring him,” Luke instructed.
“If he isn’t?” Chase asked.
“Kill him,” Luke ordered.
Julie raised her head but Luke’s glare made her keep her mouth shut.
“Joey and Vinnie will come with me and these two. Chase, take care of business here and then follow, got it?” he asked.
“Got it,” Chase answered, giving Fred a glance. Fred knew from that brief look that Chase was just given orders to kill him. Good thing I’m not as stupid as you, Fred thought.
“Go,” Luke ordered. Chase and Fred stood up and went into Eli’s apartment, closing the door behind them.
Luke towered over Julie. “Where’s my money?” he asked her. “In the bedroom,” she answered meekly.
“Get it,” he ordered.
Julie stood and walked toward the bedroom. Luke was right behind her.
In the bedroom, she opened up the bottom drawer of the dresser and pulled out the bag containing the money. Luke grabbed it from her and opened it. “You’re gonna have to work off what you spent,” he told her. Julie kept her head down; no words could make a difference now. Luke grabbed her chin and pulled her face back up. “New rules. When I talk to you, you look at me. You answer me when I ask you a question. You try any of your mind game crap again and I swear, I will come back here and murder everyone you ever said hello to. Do I make myself clear?” he ranted.
“Yes,” Julie whispered as the tears ran down her face.
Her tears brought an even bigger smile to his face. It meant she was broken. She’d be putty in his hands. In the past, the times that he had brought her to tears were his favorite memories. “That’s the Laney I’ve been looking for,” he said and put his arm around her waist. Grabbing the bag, they walked back out into the living room.
“Let’s go, boys,” Luke said, walking straight for the door with Julie. Vinnie and Joey followed behind them, each one flanking Austin.
Austin wished he could talk to Julie. She had such a vacant look on her face when Luke and she had come out of the bedroom.
They arrived at the car. Austin’s hopes were dashed as Luke got in the front seat, with Julie in the middle. Vinnie got in the back with Austin, and Joey was behind the wheel.
“Home, Joey,” Luke ordered.
“Where’s home?” Austin asked. Luke laughed and put his arm around Julie. His reply to Austin was a smirk as Julie’s head rested against his shoulder.
Julie closed her eyes. She needed to shut down and not think about anything. Maybe when I wake up, it will have all been a dream… a really bad dream, she thought and drifted off to sleep.
Fred and Chase were waiting in Eli’s apartment. “You know, sometimes these doctors work late hours,” Fred commented.
“Yeah, so?” Chase responded.
“I’m just saying, could be a long wait,” Fred mentioned.
“What’s your point?” Chase asked, already bored with the conversation.
“My point is…” Fred said, taking out his gun and pointing it at Chase. “Why put off the inevitable?” Fred replied, firing the gun. Chase dropped to the ground, clutching his stomach.
“You… son of a…” Chase stuttered before dizziness and nausea lead the way into unconsciousness.
“Idiot,” Fred said. It was at this point that he heard a shout.
“Julie!” the voice yelled. Fred moved closer to the door and listened.
Chapter Eleven— Outside Help
Earlier
At the hospital, Eli tried to keep himself distracted with little success. Visions of Julie’s face and the look she wore kept filtering into his thoughts. He was trying very hard to respect her wishes to be alone. “Ah, I can’t do it,” he said, finally putting away the papers he had been working on. He hung up his lab coat and headed for the door. Upon opening his office door, he was surprised to see Marcus standing there. His fist had been raised as if ready to knock.
“Hey, Doc, got a sec?” Marcus asked, strolling in uninvited.
“Actually, Marcus, I don’t,” Eli replied.
“It’s about Julie, so make time,” Doctor Samson said. Eli turned to face Marcus who had taken a seat on top of his desk.
“Mind removing your ass from my desk?” Eli asked.
“Touchy, touchy,” Marcus chimed, but did as requested.
“What is it you wanted to say?” Eli asked, his impatience growing.
“I had something to eat and got to thinking. Julie wasn’t in the right frame of mind to really comprehend everything I told her,” he explained.
“Really? What gave you that impression?” Eli asked sarcastically.
Marcus rolled his eyes. “Give me some credit here, Doc, I’m trying to do the right thing,” he said.
“And, what would that be?” Eli questioned.
“You know where she lives, right? Take me to her. Let me talk to her again,” Marcus suggested.
“That is probably the last thing she needs right now,” Eli said. Marcus tried to argue but Eli wasn’t finished. “You have done nothing but play games with her, practically teasing her because she didn’t know any better. Instead of taking her under your wing, all you did was make her even more confused. I could tell by the look on her face, she didn’t know what to do with whatever information you gave her,” Eli ranted.
“Then let me make it right,” Marcus suggested.
Eli thought for a moment. “I want to be there. I will not let you make her even more confused,” Eli said.
Marcus contemplated Eli’s request. “Fine,” he agreed. “You might come in handy with that calming thing you do, “ Marcus added.
“Let’s go,” Eli said and headed for the parking garage where his car was.
Along the way, several nurses tried to get Marcus’ attention. “Doctor Samson? Are we still on for later tonight?” a pretty, blonde nurse asked.
“You know what, um…” Marcus paused, forgetting her name.
“Lenna,” the young girl filled in her name.
“Right, Lenna. There is something I gotta take care of, if I get done soon enough, I’ll swing back and get you,” Marcus told her. “If not, definitely another time,” Marcus added. This seemed to appease the young nurse who scurried on her way.
Eli shook his head and kept walking. “What? C’mon, she was cute. I’m human, for the most part. I got needs, too,” Marcus explained.
“You know what, Doctor Samson? Don’t talk. Don’t say another word until we get to Julie’s,” Eli instructed.
“Are all elves this miserable?” Marcus asked. Eli glowered at the doctor who then ran a finger across his lips, indicating he would be quiet.
The two men drove in silence to the apartment complex. Entering the building, Marcus stopped. He noticed some unusual stains on the hallway carpet. “Hey, Doc, you better complain to the landlord about these stains,” Marcus noted. Eli stopped and looked annoyi
ngly at him.
“What are you talking about?” he asked.
Marcus looked at the apartment door from which the stains seemed to originate. The door was slightly ajar so he pushed it open further. “Marcus!” Eli scolded for the intrusion.
Marcus didn’t answer. Seeing the bodies inside, he ran in. Eli ran to the door and gasped at the massive amount of blood he saw. “They’re both dead,” Marcus said, still kneeling by the woman on the floor.
Eli knelt down by Mrs. Gosley and lifted her head gently. Seeing the bullet hole, he closed his eyes. “Edna,” he whispered.
“Does Julie live in a bad neighborhood or something?” Marcus asked.
Eli’s eyes widened. He ran out of the room calling, “Julie!”
Eli knew something was wrong when he was able to open her door. Julie always locked her door. His panic grew when he saw the spilled groceries and shattered television. “Julie!” he yelled again, searching the apartment.
“Eli, what the hell is going on?” Marcus called out as he entered.
“They found her,” Eli said. He realized that was the only possibility.
“Who’s ‘they’?” Marcus asked.
“The guys she was hiding from,” Eli said distractedly. He was trying to figure out what to do next.
“Well, it looks like they got Austin too,” Marcus said, holding the wallet he found on the sofa. “Should we call the police?” Marcus asked.
Eli shook his head. “They would take too long and ask too many questions,” Eli stated. “We have to find them,” Eli added.
“How?” Marcus asked. “You got tracking abilities?” he joked.
“No, but I know someone who does,” Eli said.
“I’d better call Uncle Gregg, too,” Marcus said. “He would want to know,” he added. The two men went next door to Eli’s apartment.
Eli put his key in the door and was about to open it when Marcus covered his hand. “You have someone living with you?” he asked him. Eli paused and shook his head. Marcus nodded toward the door. Eli released the doorknob. Marcus tapped his chest, indicating he would go in first.
Stepping back and waiting against the wall, Eli watched Marcus enter his apartment.
“Hold it right there,” Fred said, holding a gun to Marcus’ head. “Who the hell are you?” Fred asked when he realized it wasn’t Doctor Elsworth who had entered.
Eli entered so quickly, Marcus saw only a blur. Fred was being suspended by Eli’s left hand, while Eli’s right had taken the gun and dumped out its bullets.
“Where’s Julie?” he growled in Fred’s face.
“Are you like them, too?” Fred asked, unsure of how he ended up suspended in midair.
“Where’s Julie?” Eli seethed, slamming Fred against the wall.
“I’d answer him if I were you,” Marcus suggested.
“Luke… Luke’s got her… and the other one,” Fred said between groans.
“Where are they going?” Eli asked, still pinning Fred to the wall.
“I don’t know…” Fred said, prompting another slam from Eli. “I swear, I don’t know… probably… back home.” Fred stuttered. Eli released Fred, letting him crumple in a heap at his feet.
“Where’s home?” Marcus asked.
“Las Vegas,” Eli answered. He remembered that Julie admitted to him that Las Vegas is where she escaped from. “Watch him,” Eli said to Marcus, gesturing towards Fred.
Eli walked to his bedroom door and paused. He looked at the body curled up in a pool of blood. “Oh yeah,” Marcus said. “He’s dead. Got quite a body count going here,” Marcus said.
“Wait here,” Eli told him before entering his bedroom.
“Sure thing, doc,” Marcus replied.
Fred began to crawl on the ground towards his gun. Marcus kicked it out of the way. “Don’t even think about it or I’ll sic ‘Kong Doc’ on you again,” Marcus said to him.
Marcus kept an eye on Fred while dialing Uncle Gregg’s number on his cell phone.
“Marcus, my boy. Haven’t heard from you in a while. How are you?” Uncle Gregg’s voice greeted.
“Hey, Uncle Gregg. I’m good. I have some interesting news for you,” Marcus replied. “Remember the story you always told us about the lost one? Well, I found her, or at least I had,” Marcus started to explain.
There was silence for a moment. “Laney? You found Laney?” Uncle Gregg asked in a hushed tone.
“Um, yeah, but someone took her again,” Marcus told.
“Marcus. You must tell me everything you know,” Uncle Gregg pleaded.
Marcus proceeded to tell everything, which didn’t amount to much. “You haven’t given me much to go on,” Uncle Gregg said.
“Austin got mixed up as well,” Marcus added.
“Austin? What does he have to do with Laney?” Uncle Gregg asked.
Eli returned to the living room. Marcus stopped speaking when he noticed Eli’s less than spotlessly clean appearance. He was curious as to why the doctor looked as though he had just got done plowing fields. “Did you just dig a hole or something?” Marcus asked. Eli ignored the question.
“We have to go,” Eli spoke.
“Um, yeah. Could you… here,” Marcus said shoving his cell phone to him. “My Uncle… Julie’s Uncle, could you talk to him?” Marcus asked.
Eli took the phone from Marcus. “Get him ready,” he said gesturing towards Fred. “He’s coming with us,” Eli instructed.
Marcus knelt down by Fred, who shrank away from him. “Easy,” Marcus assured, placing a hand on Fred’s stomach. He took inventory of Fred’s injuries: a broken right ankle and two fractured toes on his left foot. He decided to heal the toes but leave the ankle in its present state. He had no desire to chase after this guy if he tried to make a run for it.
Fred felt a tingling in his left foot. “How many of you people are there?” he exclaimed. Marcus just smiled in response
“Who am I speaking to?” Uncle Gregg asked.
“My name is Eli Elsworth. I’m a friend of Julie’s,” Eli said.
“What else can you tell me about these people that have taken her and Austin?” Uncle Gregg asked.
“I am pretty sure they are heading to Las Vegas,” Eli said. “What car are they in?” Eli asked Fred.
“How the hell should I know?” Fred answered.
“Our information is somewhat limited, but I have some friends that can help,” Eli continued.
“I’m assembling people on my end as well. Please keep me informed,” Uncle Gregg said.
“I will,” Eli replied and hung up.
Marcus had helped Fred into a standing position. Eli walked over to him. “Why is there a dead man in my apartment?” he asked Fred.
“Better to be the killer than the killed,” Fred quipped.
“I can change that status, if you like,” Eli replied. His voice carried an ominous tone.
“Um, look, what do you guys need me for? Why not let me go?” Fred tried to talk his way out of the situation.
Eli was having none of it. “Why were you in my apartment? Who killed the people in Apartment 101?” Eli asked. Fred chewed on his lip. He was trying to decide just how much information he should divulge. Eli placed his hand on the side of Fred’s head and moved his face close to his. “Who killed them?” Eli whispered.
Fred felt like he was floating on a cloud. “Luke and his buddies,” Fred answered in a quiet, hushed tone.
“Why were you in my apartment?” Eli asked.
“Waiting for you… suppose to bring you or kill you,” Fred whispered, his eyes fluttered closed.
“Bring me where?” Eli asked firmly. Fred’s eyes snapped back open.
“Luke… he wants you if you are like Laney and Austin,” Fred answered. Eli dropped his hand and looked at Marcus.
“Austin’s not like us,” Marcus said. Fred tried to shake off the fog.
“He is… I saw the bullet pop right out of him after Luke shot him.” Marcus frowned; this was not
something he had been aware of. “What the hell are you guys?” Fred asked, regaining his awareness.
“How were you going to meet up with them?” Eli questioned.
“I wasn’t planning on it,” Fred confessed.
“Time to go,” Eli said. He was not going to waste any more time on Fred. He secured the three apartments; he would deal with them later. The only thing on his mind was finding Julie.
Marcus put Fred in the back seat of Eli’s car and refrained from making conversation. Something in Eli’s demeanor told him to keep quiet.
Eli drove for almost thirty minutes before pulling over to the side of the road in a densely wooded area. “Nature call?” Marcus asked.
“Something like that. Wait here,” he instructed.
Eli nodded a greeting to the carefully hidden figure in the trees. The figure dropped down and approached him. No verbal words were spoken, yet communication commenced.
Eli: How are you, Orel?
Orel: I am well, Eli. How can I help you?
Eli: Someone I am close to needs help.
Eli extended his and hands and Orel placed his own on top of them. Orel saw the images that Eli showed him.
Orel: She is special.
Eli: Her origins are unknown.
Orel: Special to you, my friend.
They released hands.
Orel: We’ll find her.
Eli: Thank you, Orel.
Orel disappeared back into the trees, but communication remained.
Orel: Others are assembling as well.
Eli: I assumed as much. Their goal is the same.
Orel: Noted.
Eli walked back to the car.
“Guess there is no point in me asking what that was about,” Marcus commented.
“None whatsoever,” Eli replied.
“You know, you guys are wasting your time,” Fred grumbled.
“Okay, I’ll bite. How so?” Marcus asked.
“He’s never gonna let her go. She belongs to him,” Fred said.
“You can’t own people,” Marcus replied.
“You don’t know him, man. He knows how to get her to do exactly what he wants,” Fred stated, then laughed. “I actually thought I was gonna be able to get to her before he did. I was an idiot,” he added.
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