“Shit, come on, guys.That had to be the quickest feed redirect I’ve ever done,” Blade huffed in frustration.
“Show-off,” Griffin grumbled.
With the video feed redirected to a previously recorded video of the location gathered by Ace and Jagger through the old feed, the team could go in and have a look around without being seen or recorded.
“Blade, Hendrix, and Griffin, take the offices, while Rocko and I are searching for that truck.Stay alert, and don’t take any chances.First sign of trouble, we bail.”
“Roger,” Griffin confirmed while the others nodded.
The two teams separated after exiting Griffin’s truck.Apollo led Rocko through the wooded area surrounding the fenced yard behind the warehouse.They moved swiftly and in silence, and for some reason, it felt as if they’d been doing so for years, to the point of anticipating each other’s moves.They slowed as they neared the chain-linked fence.Apollo placed his hand on the metal and concentrated on its base elements, the steel and zinc coating.Seconds later, the fence began melting away in an outward motion, and Apollo was quick to remove his hand once the hole was big enough for them to fit through.
He motioned for Rocko to go through as he scanned the area.It seemed quiet, but he never trusted appearances, and he placed his palm on the ground, checking for any odd vibrations that might indicate someone else was near.However, aside from the occasional fox and barn owl, the area was indeed quiet.Apollo followed Rocko through the hole before taking cover behind a cube van.
“We need the truck marked with the seventy-nine,” Rocko said.
Apollo nodded before scanning the area.There were roughly a dozen work trucks, three cube vans, a couple of flatbed trailers, and a woodchipper.Nothing appeared to have been moved in a while, as evidenced by the dirt built up on their windshields, spider webs lacing around the side mirrors, and a few flat tires.
“I don’t think this place is still in business,” Rocko said.
“Agreed, but would the owner simply abandon everything instead of selling off the assets or declaring bankruptcy?”
“Good question.After we’re done here, perhaps we should have a look around Gerald Levy’s residence.”
“Yes, I agree that should be next on the list.Let’s find that truck and get the hell out of here.”
“I hope it’s still here.”
“Me too.”
Apollo went right, and Rocko left.They’d be able to cover more ground that way and get back before anyone discovered them.The minimal lighting was working in their favor as Apollo kept to the shadows.One by one, he checked each truck, looking for the right one.He was halfway through the yard when his bone mic came to life.
“Found it,” Rocko said.“I’m over by the woodchipper.”
“On my way.”
Apollo headed straight for the woodchipper and found Rocko standing beside a truck, directly to its left.Sure enough, it had seventy-nine painted on the side of the truck bed.
“Have you touched it yet?”Apollo asked.
“No.I thought it might be best to wait for you in case I have some sort of reaction like last time,” Rocko said, unconsciously touching the back of his head where he’d felt the pain when touching the photos.
“Good idea.Let me know when you’re ready,” Apollo said as he came to stand even closer in case he needed to step in.
“Let’s get this over with,” Rocko said, raising his hand and touching the door near the bottom to leave no visible prints.
Apollo watched him carefully as his eyes closed and his body tensed.He could sense Rocko’s heart rate increasing and went on alert.It was grueling not being able to do anything to help; whatever Rocko was experiencing, he was on his own, helpless to stop whatever visions were attacking him.
Seconds later, Rocko’s body went rigid; his eyes flew open, but his expression was blank.
“Rocko?”
Nothing.His eyes stared straight forward, but Apollo doubted Rocko was seeing the yard or trucks in front of him.Apollo thought about pulling his lover’s hand away from the truck, but then he felt Rocko’s heart rate returning to normal.Apollo had to admit, he’d never stopped to consider what Rocko went through when using his ability.Watching history repeat itself, good, bad, and undoubtedly gruesome, and feeling the pain of those events as if they were happening to him.That fucking sucked.
Griffin’s voice came across the comms.“The offices look deserted.There’s not a piece of paperwork left behind; it’s been cleaned out.”
“Okay.Rocko’s reading the vehicle.As soon as he’s done, we leave.”
“Got it.Meet you back at the truck.”
