Page 41 of Factory Thief

So, I’m going to the Xtera tech campus. I’m going to Xtera, and I’m going to find you, Jack. Their security means nothing to me. Why? Three words.

I’m a professional.

I’ll be able to find you, just wait.

My first problem is clothing.

I don’t really have a choice, I’ll need to put on what I had yesterday.

Thankfully everything is dry.

My second is a lack of transportation.

I really don’t want to steal a car. I don’t need the heat. Not that anyone in this neighborhood can afford a car.

Thankfully, a solution presents itself. A real miracle! I spy a small delivery truck with the name Xtera emblazoned on its side. It came in from the south, and their headquarters is to the north of here.

I pick the lock on the back and clamber inside. From there, I enjoy an easy, climate-controlled ride while listening to the driver singLosing my Religion.Badly.

I wait until we make it past the security checkpoints before exiting the truck. I tuck and roll when I hit the pavement, coming up to my feet and running to the nearby tree line.

This is easy.

Even if I consider myself lucky, I have to admit, it’s way too easy.

Where are all the guards? Didn’t Jack say there would be security everywhere? Tighter than Fort Knox, he said.

This makes me suspicious. Real uncomfortable. My belly twists in knots as I consider my options. Nothing to do but keep going forward.

I head toward the building Jack described, gaining entry through a broken window in the basement. Jack. It has to be him. No professional such as I would ever be this unsubtle.

I duck into an office when I hear approaching footsteps. Thankfully, it’s empty. Nothing’s worse than ducking into an office, especially dressed like I am, and finding someone’s sitting there looking at you in shock.

I wait for the man to pass down the hallway before continuing on. Which one is Jack’s office? I have no way of knowing. A sharp cry from down the hall causes me to take refuge in another office. I peer through the thin crack in the door as a man creeps forward, a naked gun in his hand. I duck back against the side, too afraid to even breathe for fear he will hear me.

A moment later, several more men with guns herd Jack along with them. He seems a bit dazed, his eyes glassy. Blood oozes from a welt on his temple. I feel a stab of misery at the sight of him suffering.

They carry him out of my sight. I run to the window and peer out. They push him out into the parking lot where a nondescript white van awaits.

They push Jack into the van and climb in after him. I sway on my feet, wanting nothing more than to jump down there and save him.

I can’t do it, though. I can’t risk trying to save the stupid man. If I’m caught, then Jack’s as good as dead. I’ve never felt so helpless in my entire life, not even in juvie hall.

What can I do? I’m outnumbered, sorely outgunned, and I have no back up.

Hell, I am the back up and I’m terrified to make a move.

How can I possibly help Jack if I’m paralyzed with fear?

I’m alone in the room, desperately trying to figure out what I’m going to do, when inspiration strikes. It’s not a good plan, mind you. In fact, I’d never consider it under normal circumstances.

The thing is, though, it might be Jack’s only hope. I have no choice but to risk it. I take a deep breath, and spring into action.

JACK

The zip ties holding my hands together in front of me seem redundant, given the gun pressed up to my temple. Two men sit on either side of me, both with guns drawn. Only one of them is sticking the cold metal into my skull, though. I’ll call him Mr. X.

Mr. Y sits on my other side and doesn’t talk much. His knee bounces like a rabbit. I think he’s nervous. Come to think of it, Mr. X is probably nervous, too. That’s why he’s got the gun in my temple.

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