Page 60 of Layne Closure Ahead

CHAPTER THIRTY

The fluorescent sign above the building was no longer lit up, but you could still make out the bubbly outline of a bodybuilder next to the dark blue words “Smitty Fitness Center.” Layne stared up at the sign with her bag of fun slung across her body.

She had done a quick change of clothes in her car in the designated flat lot across the street into an all-black ensemble. If Eric wanted to play his games, she was going to play hers.

Her hand reached into her pocket and pulled out a small piece of black cloth. She slid it over her face, covering the lower half. A familiar emblem was stamped across the front of the fabric, one mimicking Joey’s skull-faced mask. The only difference was that this one had orange and green ribbon criss-crossed across the teeth imitating stitches keeping the mouth shut.

Layne walked around to the side of the building finding the side entrance already propped open with a dumbbell for her. Undoubtedly, it was Eric’s invitation. Well, here went nothing.

She pulled out her favorite baby Glock and stepped foot in the darkness of the abandoned building. The only thing lighting her way was the dim red glow of the EXIT signs.

Quietly, she stepped one foot in front of the other as she kept her hands on her gun in a two-handed grip. Her green orbs darted to the right, then to the left as she looked for anything or anyone that might jump out at her.

As she walked further into the establishment, she felt something underneath her boot. It didn’t crunch. No, it was something much softer that gave away under her weight. If she hadn’t been on high alert, she wasn’t sure she would have noticed it otherwise.

Layne knelt and placed her fingers on the floor where she had just stepped. Locating the object, she picked up the bulb and realized it was the head of a now partially squished rose. The silky texture of the petals between her fingers gave it away as she examined the shape of it.

Eric was being a fuckin’ dramatic bastard.

Dropping the floral prop back down to the floor, she stood back up and returned her hand to her weapon as she continued to advance through what appeared to be the cardio section with all of its machines lined up in neat rows.

Her ears perked up as she heard the sound of classical music playing lightly over the gym’s speakers. He was definitely being a fuckin’ dramatic bastard.

Layne wasn’t sure what she should be prepared to see or hear, but she did know that she was mentally prepared to do what needed to be done if she was going to get Rebecca out of there alive. Whatever the cost was going to be, she was prepared to pay it in full with interest.

She had only been inside of Smitty’s a few times before, and it was a couple of years ago. Her recollection wasn’t particularly spectacular with remembering how this joint was laid out. However, she did remember that it housed many of the standard amenities. It had an indoor pool, an extensive weight room, group fitness studios, and a spin room in addition to all the typical features of locker rooms, saunas, and tanning beds.

Bang!

A gunshot rang out and shattered the illusion that danger wasn’t immediately present. Layne immediately dropped to the floor. The sound of the impact was on the other side of the room, indicating that she hadn’t been close to being on the receiving end of it this time around. Deciding not to be a sitting duck she pushed herself back up onto her feet and burst into a full run.

Bang! Bang!

She flinched, her arms automatically raised and shielded her head as her legs propelled her forth as fast as they could. Layne ran into the first room that she came across. Dashing inside, she immediately crouched behind a corner trying to silently catch her breath. Tightly, she pressed herself up against the wall, her hands readjusting her grip on the pistol.

Eric’s voice came over the speaker from the ceiling, interrupting the background music. “What a good little harpy, you did so well at following directions by coming by yourself. Let’s play a little game. If one of my men finds you first, you come along quietly. If you find me first, then you and your friend will be allowed to go on your way.”

Layne hated games. She hated them even more when it was clear the odds weren’t in her favor.

He spoke up one final time. “Welcome to my playtime.” The loudspeaker cut off.

She leaned her head back against the wall and steadied her breath. Quickly, she had to strategize on the fly. The darkness was both an asset and a hindrance, and she needed to take the path he didn’t anticipate her to take.

In a barely there whisper, she cursed under her breath. “Fuck me.” She needed to commit to a decision and do it quickly.

Finally, she made a move and got back up and moved away from the wall waiting for a bogeyman to lurch out of the shadows at her. The second she stood up though, the game’s rules suddenly changed. Light after light began flickering on throughout the center. The weight room she was in was no exception.

Eric’s voice rang throughout the place once more. “Oh, I did forget to mention that I don’t like losing.” Of course, he didn’t. Lunatics rarely did.

Layne needed to move quickly now that it was likely eyes would quickly be on her. As quietly as she was able to manage, she scurried through the weight room to the door on the far side. With its blocky, rectangular symbol adhered to the front, she knew it had to be the men’s locker room.

She pushed the door open silently, to be greeted with yet another seemingly empty area. Making each turn carefully, she kept her eyes focused to avoid any surprises. When she made it to the back past the showers, there was a second doorway with the strong scent of chlorine and other pool chemicals floating in the air surrounding it.

Using her body, she pushed open the door slowly to take a peek into the pool area. The coast was clear from the limited angle she had. Continuing to emerge from the locker room, she nudged the door open a little wider with her shoulder.

The pool itself had taken on a swamp-like green color, presumably from the lack of chemicals being used to maintain it after the center shut down. The surface of the water was eerily still and glasslike.

Suddenly, the door was pulled open on her by an unknown man. Instinctually, she straightened up and rammed the rest of herself into the door to give it enough momentum to smash into his face. He shouted out as he released the door and put both hands over where it connected with his face.

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