A Ruin Of Roses (Used to be: My Mysterious Husband)

TWENTY-NINE

𝙽𝚎𝚠 𝚈𝚘𝚛𝚔 𝙲𝚒𝚝𝚢, 𝙽𝚎𝚠 𝚈𝚘𝚛𝚔, 𝟺:𝟸𝟾 𝙿.𝙼 𝙹𝚄𝙻𝚈 𝟷𝚜𝚝 𝟸𝟶𝟷𝟾
[𝙿.𝙾.𝚅 𝙹𝙰𝚇𝙾𝙽]

As the vast expanse of empty land stretches out before us, it's a stark reminder of the treacherous mission we've embarked upon. My team has scoured the area in search of the elusive flash drive, but so far, our efforts have yielded nothing. Colby's voice crackles through my earpiece, giving me an update on their progress.

"Still no sign of this drive. I'm not sure it's here," Colby reports, his tone laced with frustration.

"Give it one more sweep through. If you don't find anything, fall back," I instruct, a tinge of disappointment in my voice.

"Yes, sir," Colby acknowledges before resuming his search.

Jayce, who's been with me every step of the way, doesn't hide his growing frustration. "They lied," he mutters, his anger palpable.

"We don't know that yet," Meghan interjects, attempting to quell the rising tension.

"She's right. We'll let Colby's group look one more time," I decide, trying to maintain my composure. However, deep down, the nagging feeling that we might have been deceived gnaws at me.

We wait in suspense for Colby's status report, the minutes ticking by like hours. Finally, his voice crackles through the earpiece again.

"We found something. I think it's the drive, but it's wrapped in something weird," Colby explains. "I think it's wax," he adds after a moment.

My heart quickens at the news. With cautious anticipation, the group retrieves the mysterious package. Colby hands me the flash drive, which is carefully enveloped in an odd, waxy substance.

"That's resin," Hank observes quietly. "I can remove it for you before you log into the drive," he offers.

I hand the drive to Hank, placing my trust in his expertise. "Please, take your time. We can't afford any mistakes," I urge, my anxiety mounting as we approach a potential breakthrough in our mission.

With a flashlight in hand, Hank sets to work, his nimble fingers carefully removing the resin. As the minutes pass, I can't help but feel a sense of anticipation and unease. We've come this far, and the contents of that drive might hold the key to unraveling the mysteries that have plagued us for so long. With the resin gradually being removed, we inch closer to uncovering the secrets that lie within, while a daunting sense of danger looms in the background.

𝙽𝚎𝚠 𝚈𝚘𝚛𝚔 𝙲𝚒𝚝𝚢, 𝙽𝚎𝚠 𝚈𝚘𝚛𝚔, 𝟻:𝟻𝟽 𝙿.𝙼 𝙹𝚄𝙻𝚈 𝟷𝚜𝚝 𝟸𝟶𝟷𝟾
[𝙿.𝙾.𝚅 𝙹𝙰𝚇𝙾𝙽]

The atmosphere in the room suddenly turns tense as Jayce's words hang heavily in the air. He gestures urgently to the screen in the room across the hall. My heart begins to race as I follow him into the adjacent room. On the large display, we see a live feed from a hidden camera in Rose's apartment. She's pacing back and forth in the living room, her expression uneasy and tense. It's clear that something is amiss, and my mind races with concern for her.

Before we can fully grasp the situation, the video abruptly switches to another distressing scene. Rose is now bound, her eyes blindfolded, and a gag in her mouth. The room she's in is unfamiliar, a chilling contrast to the familiar comfort of her apartment.

"You gave me just enough time to take what makes you the happiest," a sinister voice on the video taunts. It's a voice that drips with malice and threat. The words echo in my mind, and dread settles in my chest.

The voice continues, "I highly suggest you get home fast because she's fighting a lot, and that pisses the boss man off. He may have me just kill them."