“You're staying here, you need to finish this,” I instruct him as he sits back down, understanding what needs to be done.
“So who are you going to get to take my place then?” he questions.
“D.R and Jackson, and a few prospects are coming and the rest are going to stay here.”
Charlotte's eyes plead for more explanation, I can’t deny her and have her anxious thoughts ruin her. “Joaquin’s program may have picked up Cedric but it's in an unknown area to us and we have to be careful.”
“Why wouldn't it be him?” she asks.
“That's what I'm going to find out, angel. I need you and Finn to stay here and we’ll bring him back.”
I bend down to place a kiss on her forehead wanting to steal away any of the sadness and worry from her. I look over to Finn, “Look over your aunt for me.”
He doesn't answer but I know that he will. I stormed out of the barn to the main drag where all the bikes were. The message got around quickly. The bikes started rev in a thunderous storm. We trusted Joaquin enough to know that he wouldn't send us on a wild goose chase. The sooner that we get on the road to find him the sooner we could bring him back and get more answers and bring a stop to this.
Chapter 36
Keola
Afloodofthoughtsgot through my head. Why now are we finding him? We’ve been looking for him for weeks. Therefore, either this may be a trap or he's running out of options.
I said I would bring him home but he would have to answer for a lot of his actions. Hopefully it doesn’t come down to breaking Charlotte’s heart with the cold truth.
D.R rides closer leading us down the winding roads and turns. Cedric's location pointed us to a run down neighborhood filled with abandoned buildings that were once construction businesses or loading businesses. The rumble of the bikes echoed through the ruins of stone. The train whistles down the way, masking the sound of our bikes which gives us the upper hand. As the train passed we stopped the bikes quickly getting off.
D.R and I assigned everyone to cover each side of the building. We didn't see any other bikes or patches around the area. Joaquin texted us beforehand telling us that he couldn't pick up anything on any radars or cameras.
I would be lying if I said I'm not a pile of nerves thinking this is like finding a needle in a haystack.
We inch closer trying to see if any daylight was shining into the building casting any shadows or images. A couple of the prospects roam the side of the building and Jackson is on the other side of the building. Gunfire echoes in the area. Our bodies cling to the stone building.
Either this kid is shooting at us or we have unwelcome guests.
A door is a few feet from me and I turn to the side signaling D.R to follow suit. With guns held high we creep forward entering the building. The building appears in shambles just like an abandoned construction site, an unsound structure. With ladders and paint buckets everywhere no one has been here. No formal walls or rooms.
Everything is quiet until then comes someone’s staggered breathing coming from the second floor. The breathing of someone either scared or crazy enough to start a turf war.
We start towards the opening of the staircase, as D.R’s eyes search for any movement. I see a flash of denim and a sweatshirt. I don't recall what Cedric was wearing before he disappeared.
I make the executive decision to try something.
“Cedric,” I say as the words echo through the halls.
No sound, not a peep. My gun’s still raised, ready to go.
I take one step at a time with Darius behind me. There hasn't been any other gunfire so far which leaves me to believe the man is scared. He doesn't know the difference between allies.
“Cedric,” I called again but still no answer, hoping for some kind of response.
D.R shakes his head, signaling there’s no movement. We take another step almost to the second level. There’s not enough hiding spots as the rooms are solid concrete, nothing completed. We listen for sudden noises, unexplained echoes, something to show signs of life.
Darius gently shakes his head, I have one last ditch effort.
“Cedric? Teach sent me. You missed out on Christmas. Missed one hell of a show with her dad.” Sometimes you have to get personal, offer a level of trust, something only he and I would only know.
Come on, man. Say something, open the line of communication.I see Jackson at the bottom of the stairs, waiting for movement.
I hear shuffling feet coming from behind me, the natural reaction is protection.
