Page 21 of Scarred Redemption

We entered an entirely different portion of the building. There were windows, although they were frosted and only allowed in light from the outside. Apparently, it was morning.

As we walked by an open door, I caught sight of a person dressed in something other than basic fatigues. Whoever it was appeared to be wearing something as if a laboratory technician. I craned my neck long enough to catch sight of an actual laboratory before being roughly pushed ahead.

If I had to guess, I’d say whatever the warehouse held was a front for activities such as the sale of illegal drugs.

I passed a small kitchen like an employees’ lounge and even noticed a sign for a bathroom including a shower.

The area was large and housed machinery with pallets on the wall. From what I could tell, this was a distribution center of some kind. And it was still active, although only a part of the building. Now I was able to hear a distinct hum coming from somewhere else and indicating active machinery.

Which meant people.

Which meant there could be a way out.

When we were brought to an open door, we were stopped while one of the men walked in. I could hear a conversation being held although it was so muted I couldn’t understand a single word.

I glanced to my right, noticing several boxes as well as at least one box cutter. For the first time, I had hope.

“Inside. Now,” the soldier said after returning.

We were led inside to find a more traditionally set up office including a desk and chairs, credenzas and a couple of file cabinets.

And a man sitting behind the desk.

I didn’t recognize him and he wasn’t wearing a mask. He was older, in his late fifties, and he looked at me as if he knew me.

“Take the girl with you and close the door behind you,” he instructed his men. He wore a shoulder holster and was dressed in a shirt and tie. Just a regular guy at the office for a day of work.

Mina was trembling, her ragged breathing indicating she was falling into her state resembling catatonia.

“I guess both you and your brutal thugs are hard of hearing. The girl stays with me.”

He rose from his chair, slowly moving around to the other side. “You don’t seem to understand. You have no say in the matter. Now, I fulfilled your request in you bringing her with you, so you know at this point I have no intention of harming either one of you, but you have no say now. In order for us to continue getting along, you will do as I say.”

“Izzy. I don’t want to go.” Mina’s terrified voice broke my heart.

I shook my head. “How dare you. She’s a little girl. Send her home.”

“I wish I could do that. But I can’t. Now, I will tell you that my men will give her something decent to eat and even some ice cream. If you cooperate.”

My fucking God. I knew I had no choice. He knew I was pissed, but I dropped to her level once again. “Honey, go with the men. I promise you I’ll just be a couple minutes. I heard you’re going to get ice cream. Okay? Will you do this for me?”

To place a child in harm’s way was the most disgusting thing anyone could do.

She finally nodded and I had a feeling her mind was taking her to a safe place. But she dutifully followed the soldier, never taking her eyes off me until the door was closed.

“You fucking monster.”

“Come now, Ms. Dayne. Would you like to compare aspects of monsters? You are aware of the atrocities performed by the man you were sleeping with. Aren’t you? You are fully aware of the number of women and children he’s killed.”

I moved to within a few inches of him, my heart racing. “That’s bullshit and you know it. Nice try, but I’m not buying what you’re selling.” I could tell he was perturbed by my attitude, but perhaps impressed. Fuck him. I couldn’t care less.

“Alright. Have it your way. I’m glad we have a chance to talk. Why don’t you sit?” His voice was gruff and I detected an accent, but from where?

“I’m fine standing. Why did you kidnap us? And how the hell do you know my name?”

“You do like getting to the point. I appreciate that.” He sat on the corner of his desk, studying me in a way I didn’t like. His eyes were pitch black, which matched my mood. “Let’s just say I make a point of learning everything I can about those I consider valuable to me.”

What the hell was he getting at? I studied both him and his office as he was doing with me. There were no plaques or diplomas to help provide names.