It Started With Hello

Chap. 130

"I told you to stop squirming around!" Thomas growled, shaking Emma's shoulder harshly. ​Emma's body swayed from side to side, weak from blood loss. Her breath came out in short, muffled puffs around the gag shoved into her mouth. She pulled frantically at the zip ties around her wrists, groaning in frustration.

They were so tight she was sure her wrists were bleeding. But she continued to try to break free no matter how weak her body was. For all she knew, no one even knew she was gone. She had to save herself.

​"Can you blame her? She's got a bloody hole in her chest thanks to Heather," the man driving the car said, his voice tense. "He told us not to hurt her. He's gonna kill Heather for this. She was stupid to think he would let this go. I don't understand why she did it. He told her after he had his fun, he would let her kill Emma. When she shows up later, I bet he'll put a bullet right between her eyes for this."

​This was the first time Emma had heard the driver talk. Thomas let out a short, hollow laugh, pushing an old bloody towel harder against Emma's wound. "You sound nervous. There's no going back now."

​The driver grumbled under his breath. Thomas rolled his eyes. "I don't know why you're even complaining. You'll have to cover it up, sure, but you'll get another million for it, so just shut the hell up."

​Emma's eyes widened. She knew that voice. No way... she knew Mr. Gates was corrupt, but she never thought he would stoop so low as to kidnap her himself.
​"Or I could flip this whole thing, put the fall on you and Jacob, and get away free," Mr. Gates said, glancing back at them in the rearview mirror, a dangerous glint in his eye. "I suggest you don't push your luck, kid. You have no power against me."

​The car fell silent as he faced back forward, Thomas glaring at the back of his head. The car suddenly jolted forward ​"What the hell was that?" Mr. Gates snapped.

​The car was hit hard again from behind. Thomas turned, looking out the back glass. He saw Blake's face through the shattered back window, looking furious. "Put your foot to the gas! We got company... Damn, Blake doesn't know when to quit." ​Emma turned slightly, trying to catch a glance at Blake. Thomas pulled her back down before she could even get a look. "Stay the fuck down!"

​The car sped up, whipping around a corner. Her shoulder slammed against the car door. Thomas pulled a gun out of his pocket, making her eyes widen.
​"I knew I should have just drove the damn car," he whispered, rolling down the window. He leaned out ​"Try to not kill him... just get him off our ass," Mr. Gates said, glancing back for a moment.

​Thomas looked at Emma's scared face. "No promises," he smiled, winking before looking back out the window.
​The pops of the gun rang loudly in her ears. She closed her eyes tightly together, fearing the worst for Blake.
​Blake's eyes widened as he saw Thomas began to shoot at him. "Shit!" he whispered as a bullet landed against his windshield, spiderwebbing the glass. He swerved to the side to avoid getting hit more.

Other cars on the road honked loudly at them. Thomas shot a few more times until he hit the car's front wheel, sending it screaming against the road, leaving behind black marks on the cement. Blake still continued to follow them despite the busted tire ​"Fucking persistent, isn't he?" Thomas whispered beside her, making her open her wet eyes.

​He shot at the other front tire, forcing the car to a screeching halt in the middle of the road. Thomas smiled, rolling back up the window and sitting smoothly back in his seat ​"Is he gone?" Mr. Gates asked, looking back in the rearview mirror.​Thomas slid his gun back into his pocket, looking into Emma's tear-filled eyes. "Yeah... he's gone."

​A strangled cry broke through the gag in Emma's mouth. She didn't trust Thomas to leave Blake alive, knowing their history. What if he left Blake to die in the middle of the road? Her mind raced with the worst possible situations, only making her curl into a ball on the seat, crying harder.

​Blake slammed his hands against the steering wheel, his eyes starting to water as the car ahead of him continued to race down the road. "No, no, no!" he yelled, throwing open the door and chasing after the car on foot until it disappeared from his sight. He fell to his knees on the asphalt, cars moving around him without a care for his broken heart.

What was he going to do now that he couldn't follow them? ​He didn't know how long he sat in the middle of the road with his head hung in defeat until three police cars pulled up behind him. Harry opened his door, running over. He placed a hand on Blake's shoulder, making him look up.
​"Mr. Carter?" Harry asked. He nodded, looking around, seeing no sign of the culprits' car.

Two other police officers climbed out of their cars, scanning the area. "Ms. O'Connor called me, saying there was a kidnapping and that you were following the car. Which direction did they go? We'll start from there." ​He helped Blake to his feet. Blake gave him the direction the car was heading. Harry nodded, signaling for the other officers to get back in their cars.

The other cops started heading in the direction, their sirens blaring. Blake followed closely behind Harry, who turned and stopped him with a hand.
​"I can't let you come with us, Blake. It's dangerous. The best you can do is go home and wait."

​Blake shook his head, running a hand through his hair. Harry turned back around, running to his car. Blake followed closely behind. Harry got into the car, turning on the sirens. Just as he was about to leave, Blake opened the passenger door, climbed in, and buckled himself in.

​"Please, Mr. Carter. This is all my fault. If I wouldn't have yelled at her and acted like a dick..." He let out a heavy breath. Harry watched him closely. "I can't just sit by and let this happen. I can't let it end this way... please let me come."

​The car fell silent as Harry fought an internal battle over what the right decision was. He nodded and faced forward, pulling out his phone to text Mona. "Fine. But stick close to me and the other officers. By the way, you didn't get a look at the plates on the car, did you?"

​Blake shook his head. He hadn't even thought to look at them. "No... I'm sorry."
​Harry nodded, patting his shoulder slightly to reassure him. Harry sent the text quickly before heading in the direction of the other police officers.

​Harry: Ms. O'Connor Blake lost the car he didn't get a look at the plates whats our next move?

​He hoped Mona would be able to get the message as quickly as possible and tell him what they would do now that they couldn't track the car.