So just pull the trigger.

40. Two-hundred-fifty thousand

Misha held the phone in his trembling hand and looked helplessly at Joni's belongings that were spread across the room. Chris had called from an unknown number, Joni was alive. Now Joni's terrified voice repeated in his mind over and over again. I come home. I love you. Not goodbye. His whole being felt heavy, a weight on his chest that tightened. Chris's words... It had happened, it had been done. Chris had raped Joni and until they would find them...

Misha dropped the phone. "Ya... nazad domoy,"  - Back home. Joni hadn't given up and he had to focus on that. At the same time, Chris's words echoed in his consciousness. "I fucked him, properly and hard."

Misha got up and shouted, he kicked a chair beside him and pushed it aside. A rage that was hard to control rushed inside him. That helplessness, he couldn't stand it. Chris was able to do whatever he wanted to Joni, two men with guns... And the authorities still hadn't been able to track them down, it was too slow.

"Misha, are you okay?" Ivo's voice asked from the doorway. Misha turned to look at his brother and only then did he wake up from the fog of his rage. And he felt breathless, helpless, weak! – He wasn't used to those feelings. He was not used to crying in front of others and even now he tried his best to avoid it. However, tears burned in his eyes, it was hard... It was so damn... painful.

"Misha?" Ivo asked again and Misha simply shook his head.

"Hell, I'm not okay! That asshole called, " Misha started and drew a deep breath trying in vain to control his painful emotions. "I cannot help! Joni is out there, and I can't help him! That asshole is raping him and I can't help it! " Misha repeated. "The cops are useless! Hell! Fucking hell!"

Ivo felt almost as helpless, he wanted to comfort Misha but didn't know how. What could be said in this situation? He came closer, touching his brother's shoulder. "Hey, we'll get through this." He spoke. "Joni will survive, he will," he wanted desperately to believe it. Misha gritted his teeth and moved further away, swallowing tears that threatened to emerge. He wanted to focus on the anger and had to act.

"I'll call the cops, maybe they'll find out the call details," he decided and took his phone. He didn't want to think about what Chris had said he had done, yet it haunted his thoughts, trying to push him somewhere deep, to a place he didn't want to go. The number was probably prepaid, still, Misha hoped. Maybe somehow, they could figure out where the call had come from?

*

Ivo sighed; Jami had wondered if he should tell Misha that he knew Aki. However, Ivo didn't see that it would help. Misha was in a state of mind that looked for culprits and causes for this insanity and might easily find it from Jami when the real culprits weren't around. Ivo had advised his partner to speak only to the authorities. Misha did not benefit from the information.

**^^**^^**

Joni wasn't sure how much time had passed when the steps moved closer, and the door opened. Even though he had been prepared for who might step in, he still felt the pressure of horror as the newcomer was confirmed. Aki.

The man smiled, held the gun in his hand, and stepped in, closing the door behind him. "Chris decided to give us a moment alone. Maybe then you will learn?"

Joni stood up shakily, he felt anger looming in his gut intertwined with fear. 

Aki saw it, saw the rage behind Joni's eyes, and found the spectrum of emotions intriguing. He stopped, leaving a small distance between them, and tilted his head. " I've been waiting for this," He spoke. "I think you're the ten I've been looking for, but I haven't quite gotten into yet. And believe me, I've had plenty of tries."