BOUND BY HATRED | TOM KAULITZ

CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT | TOM KAULITZ |

•TOM KAULITZ•

I don't have the exact address for the Castles' cabin, but I know it's just outside of Tokyo, and I know it's rough position to the lake. So, I'm thinking I'll be able to spot it, based off the color and general location.

Unfortunately, there are a fuck ton of little blue beach houses along this stretch of the lake.

Plus, it's getting dark and there aren't that many streetlights along this route. I can barely tell which houses are blue, and which are gray or green.

I'm looking for Oliver's Maserati, but I can't count on that since he might have been driving something else.

I can at least bypass the places that are lit up with noise and laughter and partygoers - wherever Tyra is, the house will quiet and relatively secluded, I'm sure of it.

I roll down the window to try to get a better look at some of the cabins that are set back from the road, half - hidden in trees.

Some of the driveways are so faint I can barely see them. In fact, I almost pass one by, failing to see the faint tracks through the grass. Until I smell a hint of smoke.

It's so mild that I hardly know what scent I caught. Then I feel the automatic reaction-the hair on the back of my neck standing up and my heart starting to race.

It's a primal...

Yet, terrifying smell.

A warning of danger.

I slam on the brakes, whipping the wheel to the left. I follow the long, winding path toward a double stand of trees. Between those trees sits a small blue beach house that I've seen once before in a battered photograph.

Sure enough, Oliver's silver Maserati is parked alongside the house.

The trunk stands open.

I fucking knew it.

I stop my car, hoping Oliver hasn't already heard the engine or seen me driving up the road. I slip out of the driver's side and crouch down behind the car, trying to peer around at the house.

I send a quick text to Tyra's brothers. I'm an hour outside Tokyo.

They won't be getting here anytime soon.

I can smell smoke for certain now. In fact, over the sound of the wind in the trees, I think I hear the crackling wood burning. All the lights are off, but an alarming orange glow emanates from the back of the house.

Fuck it, I can't wait. If Tyra's in there, I have to get her out now.

I run toward the house, trying to stay low. I've got my Beretta with me and I draw it. I'm leery of actually using it in the dark, without knowing where Tyra is. Even a stray bullet through a wall could accidentally hit her.

I go around the back of the house, trying to peer in the windows. I can't see shit. So, I try the back door, finding it unlocked. The moment I open it, a cloud of thick, black smoke comes rolling out, and I have to drop even lower, stifling my cough in the crook of my arm.