Page 59 of Layne Closure Ahead

“My, my. There’s no need for violence, little harpy. I just wanted to get to know your friend a little better. She means so much to you, it only seemed right that I make an effort to see how strong of a friendship you truly have.” Eric’s tone taunted Layne, and it was working.

Pinning the phone between her shoulder and her ear, Layne went to the coat closet and began digging through the various clips and rounds available in their stock. “Put her on the phone.” Layne gritted her teeth picturing all the ways that she was going to make Eric suffer the second she laid eyes on him.

Overhearing enough of the conversation, Joey gathered a bag and began filling it with his own selection of supplies. He grabbed his mask, shoving it into his pocket for now.

Eric chuckled darkly. “Only if you ask politely.”

She took the phone back into her hand, squeezing it until her knuckles were white with tension. The temptation to just toss it down on the ground out of frustration was overwhelming. Yet, that wouldn’t get her very far. Layne put the phone back up to her ear and fought through every insult she wanted to unleash on him.

Not hearing anything, Eric prompted her again. “I’m waiting.”

“Please, put Rebecca on the phone.” Her words weren’t pleasant, indicating she was struggling with his request.

A dark chuckle could be heard in response to her ask, “I’m not sure that was nice enough. I know you can do better than that.”

She shut her eyes to find a part of her deep down inside that she could summon enough of what he wanted to hear. “Eric, I would really appreciate it if you could be so kind as to let me speak with Rebecca. Please.”

There was a pause on the other end before Rebecca’s voice, riddled with fear and panic, spoke up. “Layne! Layne, please help!”

Simultaneously, there was relief her bestie was alive and heartbreak that this nightmare was actually transpiring. Layne took the small window of opportunity to speak quickly. “Listen to me, Rebecca. I am not going to let anything happen to you, I promise. Just hang in there, please. I will get you out of there as soon as I can. He’s not going to?—”

It was unclear how much Rebecca heard as Eric responded with a cruel and mocking tone. “You have such a habit of making promises. Are you sure you can keep that one?”

Impatiently she snapped at him. “Just tell me what you’re looking for.”

“I thought you knew by now. I want you, my little harpy. All to myself.” Eric made it sound damn obvious and simple.

“You let her go unharmed and you’ll have me.” As Layne spoke those words, Joey’s attention was caught as he looked over at her and shook his head. He had a warning in his eyes.

Eric made a half-assed attempt to sound apologetic. “It’s not going to be that easy, I’m afraid.”

“Then, make it that easy. I’m not going to play games with you.” So many thoughts ran through Layne’s mind. Mostly they involved torture and death if Rebecca shed even a single tear because of this psycho.

“But you are if you would like your friend to remain unscathed. Meet me at Smitty Fitness Center in an hour. Leave your side piece at home. I know he’s already standing there ready to fight your battle for you, but that is not the game we are going to play.” The health club formerly known as Smitty’s was shut down earlier this week thanks to some repeated health code violations. That meant it was left to be a dark and deserted playground.

Without hesitation, she responded. “It’s a deal.”

The phone beeped as the call ended. Layne pocketed the phone and gathered the remainder of the arsenal she intended to bring.

“What did he say?” Joey finished stocking up the bag full of bloodthirsty goodies.

“Does it matter? He has Rebecca. He has the one person in my life who hasn’t signed up for any of this.” She walked up to Joey and looked up at him, her hand reached up and lightly rubbed the side of his face over the stubble on his cheek with an apology in her eyes.

“Layne.” A subtle warning hung on the way he said her name, not even trying to sugarcoat it.

She pulled his face down to hers as her lips captured his. Her tongue soaked up the taste of his mouth. Layne wanted to be able to remember this moment with him in case she never got the chance to experience it again.

Joey grabbed her shoulders and pulled her back. “Whatever you’re thinking, you’re not. You know as well as I do, that he’s going to be playing by his own set of fucked up rules. He’s just trying to lure you into a trap.”

“I know.” She gave a sad smile as her emerald pools memorized every feature of his face. A quiver tugged at her chin and tears were pricking at her eyes. “I love you.” Her voice cracked as her heart got caught in her throat. “So much. More than I thought I could ever love anybody. You have always had my heart and there isn’t anything in this world that can change that.”

Hearing her say those three powerful words for the first time provided just enough of a split moment where he was caught off guard that Layne could make her move. The electric crackle was the only thing that gave it away when she pressed the taser into his ribs.

Immediately, he flinched before his body seized up as it soaked the electrical shock and dropped to the ground harder than a bag of bricks. He yelled out cursing as his muscles locked up during the time the metal probes were in contact with his body.

“I’m so sorry, Joey.” Genuine remorse hung on her words, but she knew that this was the only way that she could buy herself enough time to go take care of business without him compromising her ability to focus on what needed to be done.

Layne dropped the taser into the bag of goodies Joey had assembled and stepped around him before he was able to recover. She left him lying there on the floor as she left to save the person who had always been there to support her in her life.

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