Dark roots

Chapter 36

JHONNY POV:

It is a little after midnight and I'm really worried right now. Ashley had been gone for a few hours for a short trip to the store. I had expected her back 3 hours ago.

I felt stupid for letting her go on here own, I should've listened to Price but the look in her eyes showed me how important it was for her. I didn't want to disappoint her.

One of marines walks up to me with an envelope in his hand and a worried look on his face. He was walking straight towards me and I felt something heavy inside of me.

"Sargeant, someone left this for you." He said before handing me the envelope, he went back to his post afterwards.

I ripped open the envelope, reaching for the stack of paper inside of it. There was a letter inside alongst with some pictures.

After taking a better look at it, it was filled with pictures of Ashley in the store and in the parking lot. There were at least ten pictures, telling me that whoever took them had been watching her for a while.

My heart was racing inside of my chest, I placed the pictures back inside before I took out the letter and started reading it.

------------------

'Hello MacTavish,

From what I've seen you are pretty close to my daughter, Ashley.

I had the pleasant opportunity to finally see her again in the store today after having to wait for so long.

If you want to see her again, I suggest you come to the church first thing in the morning at 6 am sharp. Alone.

Your old friend Makarov wants to catch up. He has her and you might remember how impatience he gets when people don't listen to him.

Greetings.'

------------------

A lump got caught in my throat, Makarov has Ashley?! Guilt washed over me like a hurricane. I know that even if I went with her, I might not have been able to prevent her from getting taken, yet I didn't want to listen to the rational side of me.

The letter said to go alone, even though I know the chances of it being a set-up is big, I felt like I had to do what the letter said. Makarov is a manic and I couldn't risk her life by telling the others about it. Right?

I had less then 6 hours to make a decision, one that could both her and my life in danger. The nerves were eating me up from the inside and I was pacing through my room.

A loud knock on the door snapped me out of my thoughts. I immediately covered the envelope that were holding the photos, the letter was resting on top of it. I tried to hide it just in time for the door to open.

Simon walked into the room, giving the room a quick scan before his eyes landed on me. I know it's impossible for him to know, yet he seemed to be on to something and that alone made me even more nervous.

"Do you know where Ashley is? I've searched the entire base for her. I need to talk to her." He finally said.

"mm." I murmured while shaking my head at the same time. I was a terrible liar and I know it, that is why I tried evading the question.

Right before he could say anything else, Price walked past the room. He stopped when he noticed the two of us inside and let himself in, closing the door right behind him.

"Price what are you doing here?" Simon asked him.

"Oh great you guys are back from the store. Where is Ashley now?" Price said, ignoring Simon his question.