Page 53 of The Hunted

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Knox

Imake my way down the stairs to meet my father. I have no idea what awaits me, but I have no doubt he will make it memorable. If he’s harmed her in any way, I will shred his fucked-up ass to pieces.

The eerie quiet allows my footsteps to echo off the walls. The damp cold of the dirt floors seep into my bones along with a sense of dread. I know how fucked up this man is. I should have worked harder to bring him down. I should have sent my Little Bird away. I knew my world was too dangerous to keep her. I should have never touched her, or at the very least, put an end to things after that first night. The selfish bastard in me couldn’t do it though. I need her like fucking air or blood now. She was finally mine and I couldn’t release her. It had been so long since I’ve felt anything besides loneliness and dread, but I couldn’t let her go even if it was for her own good. My selfish desires are what have landed her where she is now.

A door that’s slightly ajar draws my attention. I peer inside through the crack, and I see dirty, matted red hair. She appears to be unconscious as her head is slumped forward, and she’s bound to a chair, naked. I push, and the rusted hinges on the old door creak, protesting the movement. I make my way to her and search her neck for a pulse. It is there but faint. I lift her head. Her face is black and blue. The bruises and cuts all over her body appear to be older and healing but this girl has been put through hell, that much is certain. Under those cuts though, I can clearly see this is Scarlett, Raven’s sister. I recognize her from the photos in the police file.

Son a bitch. What’s she doing here?

My father is somehow involved. But how?

I move behind her and begin to cut through the ropes as gently as I can. Once her arms have been freed, I move to the front to work on her legs.

I need help.

After a quick text to Ace asking him to meet me, I take off my jacket and slip Scarlett’s arms into it. The movement begins to wake her. She opens her eyes, and when they land on me, she screams. I hate to do it, but I grab her and place my hand over her mouth as she thrashes and fights trying to break free from my grip. We don’t need to draw any attention to us.

“Shhh. It’s okay, Scarlett. I’m here to help you. You have to be quiet. Can you? Can you trust me?”

She looks at me a moment, and her tears run onto my hand over her mouth. Her eyes are unfocused, wild, and full of terror. Her body quakes underneath my grip.

“I know your sister. I won’t hurt you. I’m Knox.”

Her body continues to shake as she nods hesitantly, and I slowly remove my hand. Scarlett drags in a long, shaky breath, tears streaming down her face.

“Are you injured anywhere that I can’t see?”

I have no idea what this woman has endured the past few months, but just looking at her, I know she was put through hell.

I’ll find out and every last mother fucker will pay in blood.

“No, it doesn’t matter. Where’s my sister? I heard her. She was here.”

Scarlett draws my jacket closed around her, covering her slight form as she takes in the room.

“She was here? You’re sure?”

“Yes, she was.” A sob breaks free from her lips.

I look more closely at the room and find a pile of shredded fabric. I walk to it, bend down, and lift up what was once a shirt. Raven’s shirt. It’s been sliced to shreds. I can smell her on it. She was here. Where the hell is she now? Where did he take her? I sift through the pile of ruined fabric and try not to focus on what my father has done to her.

I’ll find her.

Underneath the clothes is an envelope addressed to me. I lift it up and recognize my father’s handwriting. I tear it open, and the hinges of the door creak. I spin around drawing my gun as Scarlett inhales on a loud gasp.

“It’s me!”

Ace stands at the door, hands raised in the air.

“Ace, fuck. Stand watch a minute. It’s okay, Scarlett. He’s with me. He won’t hurt you.”

“We have to make this quick, Knox. I just took down two Albatross soldiers on my way in.”

Shit, they were likely sent back to take Scarlett. We won’t have long before others come looking. I holster my gun and watch as Scarlett stares at Ace with huge, scared eyes. I doubt this woman will trust anyone ever again. Ace slowly kneels in front of her. I watch for a moment, I can hear Ace murmuring to her, making sure she’s okay, then she begins to respond to whatever he’s saying to her. I can see a bit of the fear leave her features.

Picking the envelope back up, I see a polaroid sticking out of the corner. I pull out the picture along with a note, and cold sweat breaks out over my body. It’s a polaroid of Raven, chained naked to a wall. I stare at her, noting every inch, looking for any noticeable signs of injury, but it’s the lifelessness of her body that sends terror through my system. She looks unconscious. Her hands and head hang limply. Rage consumes me. I look up to see the chains bolted to the wall in front of me. She was here. My worst fears are realized. My father has her. I tuck the polaroid back into the envelope and unfold the note.

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