Shadow: Fuck.
Yeah, fuck is right. Where could Boone have gone? Then I remember how he slipped away from us at the motel, how he eluded me at the game, how he’s always one step ahead.
Me: Okay, I thought about it. Boone probably knows or suspects something. He took off to help. Keep your eyes open. Something will happen.
And then it does. The van in front of us opens and Boone is pushed out onto his knees. One of the men who had gotten out of the car steps forward, kneeling down and saying something to Boone that we’re too far away from to hear.
Stealth is back in a flash. “We gotta move now.” On his phone, he messages the chat.
Stealth: Kids are in the warehouse located at the south end of the property. You’ll know it because there are guards in front of the door and dim lights inside. Boone is here with the boss. We’re moving now.
Shadow: Thanks
All hell breaks loose as Carnage, Stealth, and I burst from the shadows, shooting anyone in our path. I keep an eye on Boone, who wisely crawls out of the line of fire, and I make my way over to him.
“What the fuck are you doing here?”
“They were tipped off or something,” Boone says. “This isn’t how they work. We should’ve been there in time to get the kids off those boats, but we weren’t. I knew if I wanted to find out where Phil and Mike were, I had to jump in.”
“You could’ve been killed.”
He shrugs. “I know, but I figured you guys would save me, and if you couldn’t at least you’d find the kids.”
“Stay put. Please, Boone, do not get yourself killed.”
“I’ll do my best.” He grins. “Phil ran behind those shipping containers. I haven’t seen Mike yet.”
“Thanks.”
With my gun raised and cocked, I dart through the darkness looking for anyone who isn’t one of mine. It’s dark as fuck out here, without a single light to guide the way, which just means we have to be more careful.
Suddenly, there’s a hand on my shoulder, but I already recognize it. I turn to see Specter.
“We’re here too. No activity down at the dock.”
“Everyone is here, according to Boone.”
He nods and we move as one, stumbling upon a man cowering behind a stack of pallets. Specter doesn’t hesitate to put a bullet in his head, and we continue on. We creep up behind three men hiding behind a building just as Ghost and Phantom catch up with us. The men start to run, but Ghost and Phantom are on them so fast they barely make it ten feet before they crumple to the ground, hit by our bullets.
“How many of them are there?” Specter mutters as we continue.
My phone lights up in my hand again and I look at the screen.
Shadow: Got Boone. Whisper too. Heading to the warehouse. There are at least ten more guys out here. Watch your backs.
We make our way to where the vans are parked and find Carnage already beating the fuck out of two guys at once. Ghost and Phantom jump into the mix while Specter and I continue forward.
“I’m going this way.” Specter nods to the left.
“Cool.”
I take a few steps forward, pausing when I hear the scattering of pebbles, but as I peer into the darkness, I see nothing. Just gotta get to the warehouse.
But I don’t make it another step before a gun clicks against the back of my head. I turn slowly.
“Drop the gun,” the man growls.
As my eyes adjust, I realize who it is. Phil Connelly. I recognize him from the picture Whisper sent to the group chat.
