Page 53 of No Mercy
Summoning every ounce of courage, I knock and quickly step back, arms stiff at my sides. The door swings open immediately, and there she is—a wide, beaming smile lighting up her face.
Relief floods me as recognition sinks in. It’s her. The same face I’ve seen so many times on my screen.
Before I can speak, she rushes forward, throwing her arms around my neck and bouncing on her toes. “You’re here! Oh my God, you’re really here!”
Her energy is infectious, but I remain frozen, overwhelmed by the surreal moment. Mandy steps back, her hands on my shoulders as if to anchor me in place. “You’re real,” she says, her eyes searching mine.
I try to respond, but my voice is stuck in my throat, emotion choking the words.
She frowns slightly, her gaze softening as she studies me. “Hey… are you okay?”
I blink back tears, forcing a smile. “Yeah, I’m fine,” I manage, though my voice betrays me.
She doesn’t press, instead looping her arm through mine and pulling me inside. The warmth of her apartment wraps around me, a sharp contrast to the cold outside. It smells like lavender and freshly brewed coffee—a cosy, lived-in space.
“Sit down,” she insists, plopping onto the couch and patting the seat beside her. “This is your home now too, you know.”
I perch on the edge of the cushion, trying to absorb her ease and cheer. She tilts her head, studying me with an expression that makes my chest ache. “Eva,” she says softly, “you don’t have to pretend with me.”
Her words pierce my defences, and I sink into the couch. “I’m sorry,” I whisper, my voice fragile. “I thought I was ready for this.”
She takes my hand, squeezing it gently. “You don’t have to be ready. You just have to be here. I’ve got you.”
For the first time in months, I smile—a real, unguarded smile. And in that moment, I feel like I’ve finally found a place to land. **
I shake the memory away, forcing myself back to the present. “Let’s do this,” I mutter, focusing on the screen in front of me.
The software boots up, and I grab my phone, inputting the number Mandy called from earlier. My heart sinks when it pingsLocation Unknown.Of course, it wasn’t going to be that easy.
Moving to Plan B, I start tracking recent pings from cell towers around the city, hoping for any lead to follow. The screen loads slowly, the spinning circle mocking my impatience.
When dots finally light up the map, I let out an audible gasp. A grin breaks across my face as I jot down the locations. Relief and determination flood me.
I stand, stuffing the notes into my pocket. This is the last time I’ll leave this house alone, because this time… I’m bringing her back.
CHAPTER 26
AXEL
Thirty minuteslater after Eva walked away, I finally make my way to my bike. It sits parked in the middle of a dirt road, casting shadows across the ground as the sun sets behind it. Eva’s face plays over and over again as I remember the look she gave me from our conversations.
The disappointment, the hurt and a little bit of shame.
It’s my fault it ended how it did. How can I tell her that she doesn’t have to do it alone but here I am, giving her half truths about everything. I wish I could just come right out and say ‘Hey Eva, just to let you know. Me and my brother kidnapped Mandy but it’s okay’
But I know if I was to do that, I would lose her forever.
When I reach my bike, I glance around for my backpack, only to find it missing. “What the…” I mutter, staring at the empty spot I left it.
This track is private land. Our family’s property. No one else should be here, but there’s only one person bold enough to pull something like this, and despite wanting to be annoyed, I can’t help but smile.Eva.of course she’d take it for revenge.
Reaching into my pocket, I search for my phone, only to come up empty handed. Instead of a cool glass screen, I’m met with a handful of dead leaves.
“It’s in the fucking bag.” I groan.
Frustration builds in my chest mixed with a sense of panic. I can’t even check to make sure she got home okay. I should have followed her, should have made sure she was safe. But I know she needs space right now, and I’ll give her that.
From a distance, of course.
