Chapter 197
- Evan -
(After Kaysi was kidnapped.)
It looked like a mirror image of the governor's face, and yet this man was not exactly him.
But enough to make my skin crawl.
Same eyes but with a different emotion.
Same jawline, yet his expression showed different intentions.
He even sported the same grey line that crept through his hair.
This man looked human. He looked worn, like he had spent most of his years carrying something heavy.
The distant sounds of shouting still echoed through City 5 just outside the alley.
"I have a few people around town watching over various areas around the city." He spoke deliberately. "I heard that you, the waymakers, are missing some people in your party."
"What do you know? Where are they?"
Josh almost jumped him.
But before he could, Duke put his hand on his shoulder, catching him in place, so hard that the dirt under his feet was kicked up.
Baby stepped closer from behind us.
"Let's hear him out."
"I have been watching over the city with my group for quite some time. It started with my grandfather, who built this city." He said, pulling blueprints from his tube and rolling them out on a set of wooden crates outside a restaurant in the alley.
"We are here," he said, pointing. Two of the girls who were taken were moved here to a holding center. The other girl was given a golden band and then taken elsewhere in a van."
"We are still monitoring, but we have an idea where she may be going." He circled three places. "One of the three estates of the city's benefactors."
"Then let's go to all three and kick the door in."
He shook his head. "That would cause unnecessary casualties and exhaust our manpower. We should get the precise location and attack."
I accidentally let out a sigh of frustration.
Josh turned to him. "Who are you?" He spoke slowly.
"Some people call me Authur."
Just then, static crackled across the radio.
A voice came through.
The author grabbed the walkie from his hip and clicked the talk button.
"Report?"
"We have identified the alternative transport route. It required careful monitoring to follow them unnoticed, as they remained vigilant. Their cautiousness confirms my suspicion: they do not have honorable intentions."
"What do you mean? Can you explain more?"
"Well, sir, originally, I got word the girl received a gold band. Which, as you know, normally means she will serve one of the 3 wealthy families in the household, whether by adoption or in other roles as a worker. But this time..."
"Spit it out, Marshall?" The man looked at the radio more intensely.
"Sir, a pastor was escorted there in an abrupt manner to the Hudson's mansion. He seemed out of sorts, as though he had no prior knowledge of the situation. And at such a late hour, it is odd—"
My heart skipped a beat, and I nearly choked.
I grabbed the man's hand with the radio and spoke into it. "Does this girl have Auburn red hair and soul-piercing blue eyes?"
"That was oddly specific," Josh teased.
"I?" The man sputtered on the radio. "Yes, I can confirm."
"Say no more." Arthur cut the man off. "Prep set up for a raid and extraction. I may have a few extras at my party?"
He turned as if asking us a question.
"You're damn right you will," I replied.
"Count me in." Josh stepped forward.
"Keep us up to date on the progress. We are on the way." He clicked off the radio's talk button.
"I can only hold maybe 2 or 3 of you in my small transport car."
Frank stepped into the light of the alleyway.
"Look who I found!"
Becky, Micah, and Mary, with the kids, came from behind him.
Relief washed over Jakeh's face; he ran over and grabbed Mary before she could take another step.
Becky almost collapsed in Josh's arms when he wrapped them around her. She looked exhausted.
"God, that place was terrible."
"Are you hurt?" I looked down at her, still holding her tightly in an embrace.
"No, but they took Kaysi somewhere else. We tried to fight for her, but there were too many of them. They shoved her into a van and took off."
"I know," I said coldly, colder than what I meant.
"Evan, how do you know?" Becky turned to look my way.
Arthur stepped between us. "Glad you've reunited some of your party, but we don't have time for formalities if we want to save her in time before the wedding."
"WHAT!?" Becky yelled loudly as her hand shot up to her mouth.
Rather by the comment or the look of the man. Micah looked horrified.
Josh kissed her on the forehead.
"I'll explain more when we return, and you can tell me how you got out."
"Duke, Baby, keep them safe."
Frank hugged Elisa. "I am going to give them more muscle power."
We all hopped into the small transport car and drove off so fast our tires spun out once on the wet pavement.
Once we arrived, Arthur parked behind a row of trees overlooking the estate.
Arthur clicks the radio once more.
"Visual Report?"
"Sir, they are heavy with security inside, but we don't see any outside. Also, the pastor just walked in a few moments ago. It looks as though they have started the ceremony."
Arthur looked at Josh and me. He grabbed masks out of the glove compartment.
Just put on his mask.
Arthur already had his mask on and his hand raised as rain poured down on us. And with the other hand on the radio.
"Storm the estate on my count."
Three.
My heart raced.
Two.
I couldn't hold back any longer. I'll be the first through those doors. The mask didn't matter to me, as I could outrun, I am guessing, the smoke bombs.
Three.
BOOM!
I was already through the doors the moment the raiders busted them open.