by Dora Blume
“Did you just giggle?” Jess said as she approached the couple who hadn’t even noticed her entrance.
“What, no, what are you doing here?” Sloane stammered and moved away from Mike.
Mike frowned at Jess and sighed. He wasn’t sure why Sloane felt the need to hide their relationship sometimes. He was proud to be with her and was concerned that she didn’t feel the same. He kept his brows furrowed as Jess shrugged her shoulders and continued on.
“So, are you two ready to go? I think we need to be headed to the bar in a few minutes.”
“Yeah, we’re ready.” Sloane announced as she went to grab her duffle from the floor by the door.
Mike glared at Sloane. He felt a slight pain in his chest but ignored it. “I’ll go find Erik,” he said as he walked out of the room. He found Erik in the study. He was standing in front of the desk. “What are you doing?” he asked.
“I sent the sketches and information I got from the leader over to the order. I figured they should know what’s going on in other parts of the United States.” He moved away from the desk and pulled a book from the shelf, the bookshelves split to reveal a gun cache. He walked in and grabbed a duffle. He began filling it with a few items off the wall.
Erik looked to Mike, “Do you need anything before we go?”
Mike grabbed a duffle off the wall where Erik had gotten his. He picked a few 9mm’s with silencers attached. He set the bag on the counter and walked around, eyeing all the options. He picked up a thick hunting knife and set it on the top of his bag.
After Erik had filled his duffle with a few guns, he thought he might need, he reached up to grab a thick black rope.
Mike laughed at him. “What the hell you need a rope for?” Mike asked, smirking.
“You never know what you may need a rope for, but people in the movies always need one.” He tucked the rope in his bag.
Mike shook his head and laughed. “This isn’t the movies.”
Erik walked over and caught a glimpse of the knife on top of Mike’s bag. He held it up by the tip, “Okay, Rambo.”
Mike looked aghast, then suavely picked up the knife and tucked it back in the duffle. “What? You’re bringing that stupid rope.”
“Damn straight, I’m bringing my stupid rope.” They both laughed.
“So, you ready to go then?” Mike asked.
“Yeah, me and my stupid rope are ready to kick some demon ass.” He squared his shoulders proudly.
Mike chuckled, “Alright, Connor, let’s get to the ass whoopin’ then. The girls are awaitin’ on us. I’m hopin’ we don’t have any use for these ‘er weapons. I’d be preferin’ saving these young lads.” Mike couldn’t help it he started all out laughing at the end.
“Are you mocking me right now?” Erik asked over his shoulder as he walked out of the room.
“Definitely mocking you and your love of Boondock Saints.”
“You can be such an asshole sometimes.” He moved out of the room and placed the book back so the doors slid shut returning it to a room full of bookshelves.
“Only to my favorite people,” he winked. “Jess and Sloane are in the kitchen.” Mike walked to meet them so they could get to it.
Jess and Sloane were leaning against the counter with duffels at their feet. “Bout time.” Sloane said as the two entered the room.
“Yeah, yeah, let’s go.” Erik strode out the door and threw his bag in the backseat. “Sloane, hop in.”
“Wait, what? I was going to ride with Mike.” She looked from Erik to Mike. Mike shrugged and walked to his car. Sloane wanted alone time with Mike before they went into battle.
“I need to talk about what we’re doing before we get there. I figured we could talk on the way.” He walked over to his car and stared back at Sloane. “Come on.”
“Fine,” she glanced over to Mike who had already gotten in his car without a second thought.
Jess looked to Sloane, shrugged, and headed toward Mike’s car.
Sloane got in the car and let out a frustrated breath. “You know we could have talked at the bar, right?”
“No, I want to talk with you alone.” His mouth was pressed into a hard line, and his muscles were taut. He was obviously serious about something.
“What’s up? Are you not ready to deal with Bryant because you better get ready real quick?” She put her foot up on the dash.
“No, I’m ready for that. I’ve been thinking about it, and I think that he’s going to try to use anything he has on us, which he has a lot more on me than you. I think you should lead.” He spared a quick glance at Sloane before he looked away.
“Wow, you’re letting me take point on this? Are you okay? I mean our father did betray us and everything we believe in but are you sure about this?” Sloane watched his face for any subtle changes. He was a skilled liar and something felt off.
“That’s not it, I was thinking that he knows that I wouldn’t let you run the show, ever. So, I think it would be unexpected if I let you. Trust me, it’s hard to back down, but I think it’s necessary. He won’t be expecting it.”
“Well, yeah. He knows I’m headstrong, so I would have fought you to lead. Are you sure this is what he wouldn’t be expecting?”
He blew out a heavy sigh. “I’m sure. You’re still running through the same door as Jess, you chase him to the exit. I’ll be waiting on the other side of the door for him. I’ll make him think that I’ve turned sides and am there to help him. He’ll believe me because I’m his son and we’re so close.” His plan was foolproof as long as his perceptive sister didn’t sense the lie he was spewing.
“Really, you think you can make him believe that you’re there to help him?” Sloane wasn’t sure she believed him.
“I know I can. We’ve been doing this together for a long time. He’ll believe that I’m there for him. We’ve been through this before, well not exactly, but he’ll believe me.” His voice was clear and firm.
“Okay, is there something else I should know?” Sloane was suspicious.
“No, you need to trust me okay. Just lead him out the back door. I’ll be there and he’ll go with me.”
“Okay, I’ll go as planned with Mike and Jess and run him out the door as expected. I’m sure he’ll try to leave unnoticed by just slipping out. You swear you’ll be there. What happens when he doesn’t believe you? Sorry Erik, but you haven’t always been the best liar. If he doesn’t believe you, then what?”
Erik smiled inwardly, he was doing a fine job right now. “You’ll be there if he doesn’t believe me, so we can take him as planned either way. I just want to try without having to force him.”
“Okay, but my bet is we’ll be grabbing him and throwing him into a trunk before you ever convince him you’re there to help him.” She looked out the window, watching the city pass.
He scoffed. “Thanks sis, glad you have such confidence in me.”
“I’m just saying, he’s smarter than that. He raised you; he’s going to know when you’re lying to him. I haven’t even been around, and I think he would still know when I was lying to him.”
“Well then, we’ll still be throwing him in the trunk. I’m going to try to get him to go with me voluntarily. If it does, work you need to follow us in another car, just in case.”
She dropped her leg and sat upright, mouth agape. “What the hell! Where am I going to just get an extra car right now?”
Erik shrugged. “Ask someone at the bar. We’ll drive separate and keep two cars parked by the back door so I can at least try my plan.”
Sloane sat back, relaxed again. “So, this is what it’s like when you don’t take the lead, huh?”
“Well, no, I just want it to look like you’re taking the lead and going after him first. I don’t want him to see me before he runs out that back door.”
“Fine, I’ll get another car, I think Mike’s got one I can use but I don’t think this is going to work, but whatever we’ll try it your way.” She rested her foot back on
the dash and placed her elbow on her knee. She stared out the window thinking about what Erik suggested. Something was off, but she wasn’t sure what. He was too confident, like he knew getting Bryant wouldn’t be a problem which made her wonder what he was hiding.
“Thanks.” Erik pulled into the lot behind the bar. He took a deep breath before he moved to open the door.
Sloane got out and walked up to Mike’s car. “Sloane,” Erik called before Mike had gotten out of the car.
“Oh jeez, now what?” she turned and walked back toward Erik.
“You’re not going to tell him about my plan, are you?” Erik was hunched forward as he spoke.
“No, why? What’s the big deal if I tell him? Either way, we end up with Bryant in a torture room. That’s the goal.” She stared him in the eye. “Right?”
“Of course, that’s the goal,” he said.
“Alright, then don’t worry about it.” Sloane walked back over to join Mike, but he had already gone in the bar. She thought that was strange, but she shrugged and went into the bar. Maybe he was just giving them time alone to talk, she thought.
They entered the bar, and the place was full of people, all standing in groups conversing. They all looked ready for battle. Many had weapons strapped to various parts of their bodies with duffels in booths or at their feet. Sloane was surprised at how many people came to join them. She didn’t realize there were so many of the Shikari in the area.
Shaundra was talking to Mike at the bar. Sloane started to walk over but Jess stepped in front of her before she could move.
“You don’t want to do that right now,” Jess said placing her hand on her shoulder.
“What? Why not?” Sloane asked, confused.
“Because, I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want to talk to you right now,” she said softly but sternly.
“Why wouldn’t he want to talk to me?” she asked. She looked longingly toward where Mike was standing. She replayed the last few hours in her head to see what could’ve changed. They had an amazing afternoon together, what was different now?
“Well, why did you move away from him when I came in the kitchen?” she asked.
“What? What the hell are you talking about?” She scrunched her nose thinking back to the kitchen. She’d moved away when Jess accused her of giggling, she didn’t giggle.
“Stop thinking about only yourself for a second, okay. What did you do when I walked into the kitchen earlier?” She waited, tapping her foot, and crossing her arms over her chest.
“Um, I don’t know. What’s the big deal?” She knew he acted weird after she stepped away, but she didn’t think it was that big of a deal.
“Think about it, what did you do, Sloane?” Jess said accusingly. Sloane didn’t always think about what she was doing, and how it affected others.
Sloane rolled her eyes. “Okay fine, I moved away from him. So, what?”
“You rejected him, he thinks you’re ashamed of being with him because you acted like you didn’t want me to know. You don’t think that might bother him.” Jess stared Sloane in the eyes waiting for the realization to hit.
“Actually, I hadn’t thought about it at all.”
Jess threw up her hands. “I know, you rarely do.”
“What does that mean?” Sloane accused.
“Come on Sloane, you know what you do.”
“Oh whatever, this is ridiculous. I can go talk to Mike if I want to.” She started to head toward Mike but paused when Jessie spoke.
“Oh yeah, that’s very mature.” Jess threw up her hands and walked away “Do whatever you want to Sloane, you always do.” She walked toward Erik.
Sloane shook her head, she didn’t see what the big deal was, she hadn’t even thought about it at the time. It was just a gut reaction to move away. They were sharing a private moment and Jess didn’t need to be a part of it, so she moved. At least, that’s what she was telling herself. Well if Mike didn’t want to talk to her so be it, she would leave him alone. She had other things to worry about now, anyway. She went to find Erik, he was at the other end of the bar.
“So, got any idea where I can get a second car, since I’m not telling anyone what your plans are?”
“Ah, yeah I think I can get another car.” He walked over to a muscular, blonde guy sitting in a corner booth. He leaned in and the guy nodded and pulled a set of keys out of his pocket.
“Seriously, that guy just handed you his car keys, so you could use his car.”
“Yep, he’s a friend, and he’ll be riding with his girl, anyway.” He threw the keys toward her, and she caught them.
“Huh? So, does everyone here just trust you?” she asked, surprised. The only person in her life who would hand over her keys was Amy.
“Yeah, I guess. Probably not everyone but I’ve hunted with most everyone here at one time or another.” He glanced around the room. He realized that if anything went wrong tonight, this could be the last time he saw some of them. He didn’t want to think about that, but he swept through the crowd resting his eyes on particular faces, so he could remember them in this moment.
“I’m gonna grab a beer.” He moved toward Mike at the other end of the bar
“Now?” Sloane asked, but Erik had already walked away. She huffed and rolled her eyes.
Erik got a beer from Mike and took a hard pull as he looked around the room again.
“Something wrong Erik?” Mike asked as he watched him.
“Nah man, I could just use a drink.” He took another long pull from the bottle.
“Alright, but you don’t usually drink before a battle and this one is the biggest we’ve dealt with in a while.” He watched him carefully assessing his mental state.
“Yeah, I know, that’s why I need a drink.” Erik tipped the bottle back again, enjoying the cool beer as it slid down his throat. He needed to keep up appearances. He was about to kidnap his own father and torture him according to those privy to that information. He needed to seem stressed by the coming battle, which wasn’t difficult considering he really was stressed. He looked over to Jessie, studying her. She wanted more from him, but he wasn’t sure he could be everything she wanted. He couldn’t promise to put her first, above all else. She deserves someone better than him and he should let her go so she can find someone else. He was too selfish for that though, and he knew it. He wanted her, no one else could have her.
Mike pulled him out of his reverie. “Fine, but you’re only getting one; get your head in the game.”
“Yeah sure, you got it.” Erik finished the beer and set the bottle on the bar walking away. He didn’t like being told what to do. He knew his friend was just looking out for him, but that didn’t mean he had to like it.
Mike shook his head and went to grab what he needed in back. He didn’t want to be around all these people right now. When he came back to the bar, Shaundra and Jess were waiting.
“Ah, my loves, is everyone ready to go?” He set his bag down and smiled at the two women.
“Yes, we’ve taught everyone what they need, and they all know what doors they are to go through. Everything is all set, we just need to go.”
“Great, let’s be on our way then.” Everything he needed was already in his car.
Jess smiled at him, “One sec.” She headed toward Sloane.
“Should we be leaving? You’ve got the magic head and all.” She waited for Sloane to give the go ahead.
Sloane tipped her head to the side looking confused. “Magic head? Ah… yeah, we should be going. Is everyone ready?” Sloane looked around the room, her eyes stopping and focusing on Mike.
“Yep, I just wanted to check with you.” Jess headed toward Mike again.
Jess hoisted herself on the bar and whistled. “Hey, everyone time to go, y'all know what to do. I’ll be seeing y'all here after for some celebratory drinks.” Jess hopped down and headed for the door.
Everyone filed out and headed to their cars. They all planned to park in the ramps around campus, and
walk to the building, they wanted to be spread out if things went south. Sloane and Erik parked on the street by the exit. Mike had blocked it off with Cones, so they would have no problem parking where they needed to. Sloane got out of the car and waited for Erik to get out. He sat there looking at Sloane with his hands gripped around the wheel so tight his knuckles were turning white. He took a long deep breath and slowly loosened his hands. It took a minute before he moved his hand to the door handle. Sloane watched him, crossing her arms over her chest. She walked over to the car and opened the door.
“What the hell are you doing Erik?” She waited for him to move, but he didn’t. “You need to get it together right now. It’s game time, and you had me convinced you could convince Bryant you’re here to help him. Now get your shit together, right now before I slap you.”
Erik took a deep breath and turned to get out of the car, “You don’t understand.”
“No, I don’t. He betrayed us, and everyone we know. You need to see that. I thought you were ready.” She glared at him. “Do I need to slap you? Because I will if that will help knock some sense into that head of yours.”
“No, I know, I was so angry earlier.”
Sloane knelt down next to the car and put her hand on his which rested in his lap. “I know this is hard, but you need to do this. We just have to get him into the car. We will figure the rest out later, but right now we have to get him in the car.”
“Yeah, maybe he’ll have a good explanation.”
“Okay, let’s go with that.” Sloane said sarcastically. “Whatever you need to believe right now, so you’ll help me get him into the car is just fine with me.”
He looked up into Sloane’s eyes. “Thank you,” he said as he got up out of the car.
“Yeah whatever, you ready to go now cause we kinda got some shit happening here?”
“Yeah let’s do this,” he smiled. He was always ready to fight demons. He had to remind himself of that. This is what he was trained to do, what he’d spent his entire life preparing for.
“I’m going to meet up with Jess and Mike. You’ll be at the back door, right?” she asked. She looked him in the eye. “I need you to be there.”
