Staying Human

Chapter 17: Not Exactly As Planned

Chapter 17: Not Exactly As Planned 

 Scott made it to the front of the building and glanced around before trying the door. As anticipated, the door was locked and Scott pulled out his lock picks and worked away at the lock. It was a stubborn one but he was finally able to get it open and he quietly slipped through shutting it back up behind him. Everything seemed quiet inside but he was still cautious not knowing where everyone was. He took gun and popped out the clip, then popped it back in and put it back in his jacket. He was going to try to take them all out quietly so Brett would ever see him coming but in the event that things got crazy, he'd have it to fall back on. He looked around and tried to decide which way to go. Finally he decided just to keep going forward and as soon as he did, he heard footsteps coming towards him. He jumped around a corner and waited until the man was close enough, then he jumped out and grabbed him pushing him against the wall. "Was wondering when you would show up." The man snickered and Scott shook his head at who it was. His name was Luthor, yet another man Scott had pissed off in his line of work.

 "I guess I shouldn't be surprised to see you Luthor." He growled grabbing the man's gun out of his belt. 

"Now, where is Brett and where is he keeping the boys?" Scott asked sternly but was met by a smile.

 "You don't scare me Slade...." The man started but stopped when Scott shoved his gun under his chin.

 "I'm not fucking messing around! Tell me where they are!" He hissed and cocked the gun. 

"Go ahead, shoot me and then Brett will know you're here." He sneered and Scott narrowed his eyebrows. 

"You know me Luthor, did I ever let my target knowing I was here stop me from getting the job done? I don't give a shit if he knows. Last chance." Scott answered pushing the gun closer to his chin and staring him down. He knew Luthor was afraid because he could see the guy sweating. He was going to give in...just a matter of time. Luthor eyed Scott closely not breaking. "Wish I could say it was nice to see you again, save me a seat in hell." Scott growled and put his finger on the trigger. Three...two....one....Scott thought and just like clockwork Luthor broke. 

"Wait! Wait...just hold on a second." He replied nervously and Scott lowered the gun slightly; his expression never changing. 

"Where are they?" He asked again and Luthor sighed. 

"South side of the building, all the way at the end of the hall there's a room. He's keepin em' in there ok? Look I was only in it for the money alright I swear!" He replied frantically throwing up his hands. Scott pushed the gun back under his chin angrily. 

"I should KILL you!" He yelled and Luthor looked very scared. Scott really wanted to pull the trigger and watch the blood drip from the wound...but then he pictured Mitch and he knew Mitch wouldn't want him to lose his humanity. 

"Come on man...don't kill me...." Luthor pleaded. Scott raised the gun and smacked it across Luthor's jaw as hard as he could, watching Luthor slide down against the wall unconscious as the blood dripped from his mouth. He ran in the opposite direction he was going before towards the south side of the building not caring how much noise he was making. He reached a hallway and saw another man who also saw him and immediately pulled out a radio. 

"He's here!!" The man yelled into the radio. Scott heard Brett ask who and the man lifted the radio again. 

"Shit..." Scott mumbled as now he knew Brett knew he was there. He ran full speed towards the man.

 "It's Slade he's....." The man couldn't get another word out as Scott crashed into him and the radio went flying in the air and eventually, crashing to the ground. Scott also knew this man, he actually shot him once so it was no wonder he was there. He had gotten quite a bit stronger than Scott remembered and he found himself pinned to the floor wth the man hovering above him; a knife to his throat. "I owe you a bullet in the shoulder.." The man hissed in Scott's face and Scott scoffed. 

"If I hadn't shot you someone else would have. You really sucked at the job Roy." He laughed. Roy glared at him and sliced into his neck a little making Scott grunt from the sting of the blade. 

"I suppose slicing your neck is the next best thing right?" He laughed. "Just like old times right? I took you down then and I'm still taking you down now." He said proudly. Scott was trying to think of a way out when all of a sudden he heard screaming. 

"SLADE!!! SLADE WE'RE HERE!!!" Both he and Roy looked around trying to see where it came from, Scott knew it was Mitch's voice. He was close. He looked back at the distracted man and saw his chance. He grabbed the hand that held the knife and pushed it up, then easily switched their positions; both men now struggling for control over the knife. Unfortunately, Roy got the upper hand and was able to get to his feet. Scott jumped up just as Roy was coming at him and again grabbed the hand that held the knife. he didn't anticipate Roy's strength and again Scott found himself pinned against the wall struggling for control. What was wrong with him He was a better fighter than this, at least he used to be. But he's been out of practice. "NO!!! JOEY!!!!!! SLADE!!! SCOTT HELP!!!!!!!!!!!" Mitch's voice was muffled and sounding more and more distant. 

"MITCH! I'M HERE MITCH!!!!" Scott yelled and continued to struggle. He looked into Roy's eyes and saw how much he was enjoying this. He was laughing, mocking Scott and all Scott could think about was the itch..the nagging in the back of his skull. "Now you've done it, now you'll never see your bitch aga...." He couldn't finish as Scott threw his forehead into Roy's and then...the next thing he knew he was standing over Roy's body with the knife in his hand. He looked down to the blood that was pooling around Roy's head and saw he had slit his throat. It was like he was back to that night when he plunged the knife into his father. He wasn't proud of himself, no he felt sick to his stomach. Mitch entered his mind and he snapped out of it, jumping up and rushing through the hallway. He was almost there, he could see the end and then the door. Once he got there he stopped dead in his tracks. There was no Brett, no Mitch, only Joey who lay motionless on the ground covered in blood. 

"NO!" He yelled and rushed forward to the boy scooping him up in his arms. He had been stabbed and he was so pale, so still....Scott couldn't handle this. He failed. Just like with Kirstie. He'd gotten her killed and now he got Joey killed. Mitch would probably be dead after this....Scott didn't know what to do. For the first time in his life, he didn't have a plan.