Kayla clutched the phone, her voice trembling as she whispered into it.“Please, can you come and pick me up?” Her words were choked, the desperation palpable. “Reed, I need you.”Reed’s voice crackled through the line, suspicion in his tone. “Why? What happened, Kayla?”“It’s Mike,” she replied, her voice breaking. “He attacked me. I managed to call the police, but he ran off, and I don’t know where he is. Reed, I’m scared.”Margie, stood nearby, her disapproval evident. “What does she want?” she snapped, her patience worn thin.“Mom, hold on,” Reed said, his eyes never leaving Kayla’s trembling form. “Kayla, what are the police saying?”“Honestly, they ain’t much help,” Kayla confessed. “They’re treating it very lightly. Reed, please, I won’t cause any problems. And I know Mandy is there with you. Mike told me before it all went down. She needs her mother, Reed.”Reed’s jaw tightened. “So this is what it’s all about, huh? You want to take Mandy away from me?”“No, Reed,” Kayla plead
Reed's car rolled to a stop in front of Kayla's apartment building. It wasn't a grand building, just a cozy apartment nestled in a quiet corner of the cityReed reached inside, Reed’s approaching the stairs, his eyes caught sight of pieces of shattered glass scattered strewn across the floor.The window by the stairs had been smashed, shards glinting like malevolent stars. He rapped his knuckles against the door, the sound echoing in the silence. “Reed?” Kayla’s voice came from the other side, a mixture of relief and fear. “Yes, it’s me,” he replied, his voice hoarse. The door swung open, revealing Kayla’s tear-streaked face. His eyes widened as he took in her disheveled appearance—the bruise on her cheek, the blanket she covered herself with.Before he could react, she lunged forward, arms outstretched. Reed stepped back, avoiding her embrace. “Sorry,” Kayla whispered, her voice fragile. “Are you alone?” Reed asked, scanning the apartment behind her. The living room was a war zone:
Walker paced around his living room, His men stood in a semi-circle, their eyes downcast, shoulder’s tense.They were seasoned and loyal, but today, they felt the weight of their leader’s wrath.His men stood stiffly before him, their faces etched with a mixture of fear and nervousness.They knew better than to incur Walker's wrath, especially when he was in such a volatile state.“Reed and his mum,” Walker spat out the words like venom. “How can two people vanish into thin air? You said you searched every corner of this city, turned over every stone, and still, nothing!” His voice echoed off the living room, the room absorbing his frustration.The men exchanged glances, their silence a testament to their shared unease.Walker had always been a hard taskmaster, but today was different.Today, fear radiated from him like heat from a furnace. They’d seen him angry, but never like this.“Compelling evidence,” Walker continued, his pacing quickening. “They’ve got something on me, I know i
The morning light filtered through the cabin’s curtains, casting a soft glow on the worn-out couch where Reed had spent a restless night, consciousness slowly returned to him, he blinked groggily, the conversations of the previous night flooding back into his mind The chirping of birds outside filled the woods, their melodic symphony a stark contrast to the turmoil that had plagued his dreams.With a weary sigh, Reed pushed himself up from the couch, his muscles protesting the sudden movement after a restless night and staggered to his feet, his head heavy with fatigue.The others were still asleep—their breathing steady, their faces peaceful. He tiptoed across the creaky wooden floor, careful not to wake anyone. He reached the window, its glass slightly fogged from the chill of the night. Pulling the curtain aside, Reed scanned the surroundings.The forest stretched out before him, a tapestry of greens and browns. Squirrels darted along the branches, their bushy tails twitching. A d
The steam-filled bathroom enveloped Reed as he stepped into the shower, the sound of rushing water drowning out the world outside.With practiced ease, he shed his clothes, the weight of his responsibilities falling away with each garment that hit the floor.Reaching out, he turned the tap, the cold water ran over him in a refreshing torrent.The shock of the chill sent shivers down his spine, but Reed welcomed the sensation, relishing in the wakefulness it brought.Closing his eyes, Reed let the water wash over him, the rhythmic pulse of the shower easing the tension that stung within him.He reached for the bar of soap, its familiar scent grounding him in the present as he began to lather his body.But even as he scrubbed away the grime of the previous day's trials, flickers of memories came rushing in on of his mind.Memories of hardship and struggle, of the darkness that had threatened to consume him during his time in prison.Reed pushed the memories aside, forcing himself to foc
Walker sat in his study, the soft glow of his computer screen casting eerie shadows across the room.He was engrossed in the thoughts of his handling Reed blackwater, his mind buzzing with thoughts of power and control, when the shrill ring of his phone shattered the silence.With a sigh, Walker reached for the device, his brow furrowing in annoyance as he answered the call. "Yes?" he snapped, his voice dripping with impatience."Mr. Walker, it's Detective Jones," came the voice on the other end of the line, crisp and authoritative.Walker's interest piqued at the mention of the detective's name.Jones was a useful asset, one of the few individuals in the city with enough influence to keep Walker's darker dealings under wraps."What do you want, Jones?" Walker asked, his tone wary."I've heard that you're looking for Reed Blackwater," Detective Jones replied, his voice tinged with a hint of urgency.Walker's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Reed's name. "Yes, I am," Walker conf
Reed gets back into the road to the small town tori in the middle of nowhere, the air smelled of dust and forgotten dreams, and the horizon stretched out endlessly, as if mocking his struggle. Two hours into the drive, Reed's eyes stung from squinting against the relentless sun. And then, like a mirage, it appeared: a battered signboard, its once-bold letters now faded to a weary gray. "Welcome to Tori," it read, as if daring him to believe in second chances. Reed's foot eased off the gas pedal, and he let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. The road narrowed, flanked by gnarled trees that seemed to lean in. The town materialized on the horizon—a cluster of weathered buildings, their paint peeling, windows boarded up, as dusk settled, Reed ventured into the streets. The town square was deserted, the fountain cracked and dry. A stray cat darted across his path, disappearing into an alley. The town appeared deserted, its streets devoid of life and its buildings sta
Reed's car rattled along the uneven, rusted road, its tires kicking up dust as he followed the woman's cryptic directions.The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the desolate landscape, rusty road, the tires of his car kicking up dust as he drove.The landscape around him was barren and desolate, the only sign of life the occasional scraggly tree or tumbleweed rolling lazily across the road.Finally, the barn came into view—a weathered structure with peeling paint and a sagging roof.Reed parked the car near the entrance, the tires crunching on gravel.The air smelled of hay and damp earth. He stepped out, his boots sinking slightly into the soft ground.The farm was surrounded by an iron-netted fence, its mesh twisted and rusted.As if guarding the secrets within, the fence seemed to whisper warnings to anyone who dared approach.Reed's heart raced; he wasn't sure what he was getting himself into.Two figures emerged from the barn, their presence as unwelcoming as t