Page 68 of The Black Lotus
I lay down and point my legs towards the window attempting to kick it, but before I can even try he pulls his gun out and points it at me, his finger resting on the trigger. “I wouldn’t try that if I were you. I was ordered to bring you in; I wasn’t told you needed to be unharmed.” I glare at him and sit back, scared for my life for the first time. “That’s better. Now sit there and be quiet, we will be there soon.”
Not wanting to risk getting shot, I stay silent thinking of all the training Aster has given me as I desperately plan my escape.
THIRTY-EIGHT
ASTER
Something is wrong. My bones ache, and there’s a nagging in the back of my head, a voice screaming that I need to act before it’s too late.I should trust in my instincts. Especially since every unanswered text is just another distraction as my anxiety rises. The stupid emotion won’t seem to leave me alone, like a gnat you just want to swat away and kill, but can’t seem to.I hope, after all of this is over, I can go back to the psychopath empathy-free killer I am.
I check my texts,again, my phone trembling as I send another one, hoping this is the one she will answer.
Aster
Hey, how is it going?
Serena? Is everything okay?
Answer me. Your silence is driving me crazy.
Okay. I’m worried now. Answer me. Please
It’s been over an hour since you left; are you still at the police station? What’s taking so long?
Call me when you see these messages or so help me vixen, I will come down there and drag you out myself.
“Fuck!” I yell, throwing my phone and dragging my hands through my hair. I watch numbly as the useless piece of plastic bounces off of the couch and clatters onto the floor.
She’s safe.I keep trying to convince myself as I pace the living room, glancing at the clock and watching the dial tick slowly by.Has the clock always moved so slow?
Jason Wiley, my fingers curl into fists so tight my knuckles go white, he always made snide comments about me looking familiar and was a part of every investigation that pointed in my direction. He is a cop. He is thegoodguy. Serena is safe at the police station, and if they arrest her for anything, I will just bail her out and find a way to clear her of all charges.If I can’t do that we’ll just flee the country.
Sitting around and doing nothing isn’t doing me any favors. Sighing heavily to breath out some of the tension does nothing, so I grab my phone and walk up to our room. “Fuck,” I mutter as I walk in and see Serena’s phone sitting on the bed.No wonder she hasn’t answered me.
I search for the station number to see how much longer it will be. If her questioning takes any longer, I’m going to drive down there, give her phone to her, explain they can continue tomorrow, and take her home.
The line rings a couple times as I pace the room before an automatic woman on the other end talks. “Salem Police Station, if this is an emergency, hang up and dial 911; if not, please press one to be connected to a member of our staff.”
I press one, my fingers tightening around my phone as I wait. “Hello, this is Claire. How may I help you today?”
“My girlfriend Serena Raven, was taken in for questioning by Deputy Wiley a little over an hour ago and she forgot her phone here. I was wondering how much longer she will be there and if I should bring her her phone.”
“Hold please.” I hear her nails click against the keyboard as her mouth smacks what I can only assume is gum. She said hold, but hearing her and muffled voices on the other end isn’t really putting me on hold;where is the music or the silence?My jaw clenches as I wait listening to the annoying sounds.
“Shit.” I hear her whisper before the line switches to the annoying music I was waiting for.I guess she finally realized that she never actually put me on hold.I collapse on the bed, the spring squeaking as I lay there, staring at the ceiling and wait for her annoying voice to come back on the line.
“Hello, sir?” her voice interrupts the shitty music.
“Yes, I’m here,” I say, sitting up.
“I’m sorry, but Deputy Wiley wasn’t scheduled to work today. I checked with the other officers, and he never brought anyone in. Are you sure you were told the correct information? Maybe someone else brought your girlfriend to a different police station?”
The pit in my stomach grows and drops all at once, my voice sounding like a robot as to not give anything away. “Thank you. I was probably given the wrong information.”
Hanging up, a deep guttural roar rips from my throat as I throw the phone, watching it smash into pieces on the floor.She was taken.She was taken because we were both foolish and thought a cop could never hurt her. Of course, Cynthia has a cop on that damn list of hers.
Any cop could go dirty if offered enough money, and with everyone else dead, he will get the most money if he succeeds.
I don’t think, I just act, ripping the bedding off of the bed, and smashing the side tables to pieces, tossing the dresser, and breaking everything in my line of sight.
