Page 60 of Love Fire

BRENT

Our every move is calculated. We don’t take a step unless we both confirm it with just a single nod. Every five seconds, we look over our shoulders. Even our breathing’s slow.

Nate and I hide behind a large stack of wooden boxes, analyzing the warehouse’s movements. We’re protected by the shadows, and that brings difficulty in seeing everything clearly. Even though I can’t see where Erin is, I know she’s in here, and close. I can smell her.

“See anything yet?” Nate whispers.

“No. Those dudes are blocking the other side. Can’t say if that’s another entrance,” I say.

A few guards pass by us. I push down his head to duck. We’re almost spotted.

When we go back up, the goons that blocked the spot dispersed. It’s not another entrance, but I know it opens up to the main floor. We’re just stuck in between the merchandise. If we get to that little opening, we’d get a better view.

I point to the direction of the opening. “There. We need to get there so we can find Erin.”

“We’ll get caught if we do that.”

“Do you have a better idea?”

He clicks his tongue. “Fine. I’ll follow behind you.”

I wait for the perfect time to walk to the other stack. Once the guards walk to the opposite side, Nate and I sprint. We cover our mouths to control our breathing. We just have to do this one last sprint to get to the opening.

We’ll be much more exposed then. I’m thinking this through as I go. This stack of boxes blocks my view from seeing past the opening. I’m unable to analyze what our actions should be.

Nate shakes my shoulder. “Brent, the guy’s not there. Go!”

I check to make sure. No sign of the guard. I grab Nate by the shirt and pull him towards me. We get to the opening, successfully.

However, we come face to face with said guard. A hefty looking man that can be one of Hank’s cousins. I back away, remaining calm.

“Who’re you?” he asks with a frown.

Without thinking, I answer. “We work here. Got here late.”

The guard looks over at Nate. I’m keeping faith that he’ll play along. Then, the guard looks at me again.

“What are your names? Haven’t seen you ‘round here.”

“I’m Daniel and this is Jeffrey.”

I smack Nate on the chest.

“Y- Yes. I’m Jeffery. We just got transferred here. Boss said he needed more guys here. Know anything about it?”

The guard looks at us with squinty eyes. A bead of sweat trails down my temple. Please, be stupid enough to believe us.

He walks past us, shoving me with his shoulder.

“If you don’t know, it’s none of your business. Get to work.”

We both breathe in relief. We walk through the opening I talked about. The floor’s wide open with movements at every corner.

As we search for Erin, we hear unintelligent screaming coming from above. We look up; there’s a room on the second level with a window. We both clearly see Hank losing his mind over something.

I look for certain features to find out why he’s acting crazy. Soon, I can make out that it’s Erin on a chair. Strapped in. Passed out.

“Erin!” I yell.

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