Nowhere to Run - Chapter 11

Something skittered across her foot and Evie jumped backward, pushing off the mattress onto the cold, hard floor.

Mouse?

Rat?

She scrambled to her feet.

“Scat!” She yelled, trying to remind herself that she was much bigger then either rodent. “Shoo!”

“Okay, I can do this.” She whispered to the dark.

Reaching out one shaky hand to find a wall, Evie touched cold cement. She ran her fingers over it; cinderblock. Gathering up her courage, she slowly inched her way around the room.  Searching with her hands for a way out

“Why did I run? I should have listened to Michael.”

He had warned her over and over and still she ignored him. Placed her right in front of these monsters.  And Michael could have been killed. He told her over and over again that they were dangerous, but she didn’t believe him. Why did she go off by herself?  And more importantly, where was Michael?  Would he come for her? Did he even see them grab her or did he think she just found someplace to go? Maybe he thought she was hiding from him. What if he was still out there on the street looking for her? He would never find her here and she had no idea what she would do if Michael didn't come.

“They didn’t kill me, yet, so that must mean Michael is still out there. Safe.”

But she knew they were just waiting for Michael to come so they could kill them both. That man upstairs had called her “bait”.  He was going to use her to draw Michael out into the open. She shuddered at the thought. If they got him, it would be all her fault.

Evie finished circling the small damp room. All she had felt was the molding around the door.  There was no doorknob or hinges on this side. No windows and as far as she could tell there was no other furniture sans the mattress on the floor. She sank down on the mattress, her head drop into her hands and let the tears fall. Silently, they dropped from her eyes like rain falling from her soul.

“Oh, Michael. I’m so sorry.”

     She hadn’t been to church since her mother died.  Scott didn’t want to get up early on Sundays and he never let her go anywhere without him.  She hoped God remembered her. Cause she really needed him now. Evie prayed for Michael. And hoped he would come for her. She hadn't been very nice to him this morning and then she had run from the car like a spoiled child. Yet, something in her heart trusted Michael. He could have lost her in a lot of places in the past few days but he didn't. In fact, he went out of his way to take care of her. Yes, she had to believe he would come and rescue her.  It was all she had to hold on to.

****

     Bart and Janerone were in the small kitchen sipping coffee. Bart was relating to him how easy Evie had been to apprehend. How she had just walked into his hands. 

     “Dimitri was no where to be seen. She was just running down the street alone.”

     “He must have been there.” Janerone insisted. “You should have combed the area.”

     “What for? Dimitri will come. We have his lady.”

     “He better, for your sake.”

     “Remember, you promised her to me when this was over.” Bart rubbed his hands together and licked his lips. “I have plans for her.”

     “You’re one twisted son of a bitch, you know that?”

     Taking that for a yes, Bart smiled as he went out the door. Alone, Janerone lit a cigarette and then poured himself another cup of coffee before settling down at the card table.  He pulled the cell phone out of his jacket and punched in a number.

     “We got her. Yes, sir.”  He paused and listened for a moment then, “You're sure he’ll come?”

     On the other end of the line, the Director smiled. “Oh yes, loyalty and honor were his major flaws when he was with the Team.