Page 57 of You are the Reason

“It’s always been you for me Kinsley, and it’s one of my biggest regrets not telling you sooner. But I made a promise to look after you, to be there for you and I would like to believe every decision I have made has had your best interests in mind.”

Maybe it’s the nerves, but I can’t control it, unexpected laughter fills the car.

“When I get back, because I am coming back, please just don’t let Tanner hit me. This isn’t some declaration of love where I come and try to sweep you off your feet. I don’t want anything to change between us. I just — I just couldn’t walk into the unknown without telling you how I feel. Please don’t ever forget. It’s always been you.”

I take a shaky breath as realisation hits me, the words tumbling out before I can think them through.

“— the only reason you’ll be seeing this is if something does happen and in that case, please just breathe for me. Right now, Meadow, look at me — breathe. I don’t know what waits on the other side but whatever it is and wherever I end up, I will spend my entire existence searching for you. I will find you again.”

I stop the recording, rubbing the sweat from my palms onto my jeans. Woah. That was a lot.Head back in the game, Jesse.

I insert the discreet earpiece and send off my final text message to Tanner before powering off my phone.

Seconds later Tanner is in my ear. “Jesse?”

“Let the fun begin,” I say lightheartedly, I can feel Tanner scowling me from here. “Lighten up, T.”

“Remember,” he says. “If I haven’t heard from you by 6am, I’m coming in.”

“6am, got it.” I pause. “Hey Tanner — Look after her.”

“6am, Jesse.”

There is a dirt road with scattered treelines six hundred metres from the abandoned warehouse; ditching the car in the place where Tanner has the location pinned, I set off on foot. Leaves and twigs crunch, as I walk out of sight and hidden in the shadows.

I’ve watched these guys every night for two weeks, both Tuesday’s at around 3am, a van arrives with what I can only assume is drugs. This is going to be my way in, I’ll intercept the van and tie old mate up, hopefully without too much struggle and then continue on. Stanley was able to hack into their surveillance system which is surprisingly pretty basic, which allowed me to know which areas to stick to, to be able to keep out of sight.

Leaning against a tree a few metres back from the road, I take what I need from my backpack; rope, duct tape, a pocket knife and a handgun. I don’t know how Tanner got access to a handgun, and I don’t plan on using it, but he wouldn’t let me go through with this without it. I tuck it into the back of my jeans, place the pocket knife in my back pocket, and shove the rope and duct tape into the front of my hoodie.

Now, we just wait.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Jesse

I’ve never been the violent type, but I’ve always been willing to do what it takes to protect those I love. My brain snaps into singing‘I’d rather be a lover than a fighter’and I smirk.Now is not the time to joke around, Jesse.Surprisingly, it wasn’t all that hard to tie up the driver, tape his mouth shut with duct tape, and throw him in the back of the van.

The van which was empty — not something I was expecting, maybe they are taking drugs from here instead of unloading them? I guess I’ll find out soon. Deep down, I know Tanner is right; I know there is more evil here than Stanley has told us, but I am holding onto hope Tanner is wrong.It’s only drugs …

The long dirt driveway to the warehouse is lined with trees and scrub. I follow it around to the rear, where only one of the two roller doors are open. The driveway curves into a circle to mimic a roundabout, and a large flood light illuminates the abandoned space. I park the van strategically to the side, partly hidden in the shadows and kill the engine.It’s go time.

“Driver’s here, get the girls.” I hear a deep voice call out into the building.

My stomach drops. Fuck, it can’t be. I shake the thought out of my head and focus on the job at hand; finding Warren. Before going in, I move the driver into the passenger seat, leaving the back of the van open. As long as whoever, or whatever, goes into this van is in my care, I’ll find a way to take care of it.

Pulling my hood higher over my head, I slip around the side, towards the front of the building where I think I saw a door. Turning the knob, I sigh a breath of relief when I find the door unlocks. Quietly, I enter.

Inside, I’m reminded of an old reception area, the carpet is stained and the furniture in the room smells damp and mouldy. This left side of the warehouse must be split up into rooms — maybe old offices, whereas the right hand side where the roller door was lifted up was clearly used for loading and unloading goods, looking more like a workshop space.

Taking the hallway to my left, I walk further into darkness. Voices come from behind a door to my right and I sink back into the shadows of the hallway. The door opens and a man exists, thankfully walking in the opposite direction to where I’m standing. When he is out of sight, I slink through the shadows towards the open door.

In the centre of the room sits an old dining table, this must be used as a tea room or kitchen. With the coast clear I enter, closing the door behind myself. For a moment I take in my surroundings and gather my thoughts, there is a whiteboard on the far wall with dates and times written all over it.

Before I can get close enough to read any of the details I hear a creak behind me. Spinning around and placing my hand on the gun tucked into the back of my jeans, I face a man who looks to be in his fifties with rough facial hair, torn jeans and a flannelette shirt. His eyes meet mine and go wide with shock. Pushing my hood off of my head, I drop my hand from the gun.

“W-Warren?”

“Jesse,” he stammers. “What — you can’t be here.” Checking over his shoulder, he closes the door we both came through.

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