The Wish You Left Behind

Chapter 24: Dying To See You

FAYE

As soon as she called Marissa from a borrowed phone, the two of them headed to the abandoned building, ditching the car for now.

"The police should be on their way," she said to her only company, who looks stiffer by the minute.

The man followed her closely behind.

"Alright. That's good. In fact, they should hurry."

Faye looks at her questioningly.

"What?" he asks before adding, "I'm not planning to be an escaped outlaw for long, you know."

With a shake of her head, Faye hastens her pace and crosses the nearly empty street.

This must be it.

She fumbles at her waist, making sure that her gun is still there. She inhaled, filling her lungs with the chilly breeze.

Sakda, on the other hand, is hiding behind her broad shoulder.

When he takes a peek at where they are heading, Faye looks down at the man.

"Can I entrust you with something?"

"Anything."

The man's dead-serious face makes her sigh in relief.

"If - something bad happens to me, can you make sure to bring Yoko back to safety?"

"But I've heard you're the best Muay Thai fighter there is. How can you --"

"Just promise me."

The way Sakda blows air with his mouth reminds her of Ryn. "Before I give up myself to the police, I'll make sure Ms. Yoko is safe. You have my word, Faye."

"Thank you," she muttered, patting the man's arm.

She gives him back the keys. "Do you remember where we park?"

Sakda takes it and wipes the bead of sweat on his forehead. "I did."

"When we find Yoko, take her with you."

"Er - how about you?"

If she doesn't face Third right here right now, she knew he wouldn't stop.

"I have a family matter to settle with."

Their trembling footsteps seem insignificant, thanks to the occasional sound of cars outside. But as comforting as it sound, it's almost nighttime.

Once they lost the natural light, she will be opt to use a flashlight; she might as well call the kidnapers' attention with that.

Kidnappers.

She must assume there are many, but how she hopes they aren't plenty.

Faye widens her strides while Sakda struggles to follow behind.

When the man drags out a sigh, she looks back.

Sakda is patting his own cheeks. "You got this. You got this," he chants.

When he saw her watching, he said, "I just need a few chants is all. Let's go."

The first struggle they encounter is the sound of voices from the nearby room.

Faye pauses, looks behind and puts a finger against her lips, but Sakda is already holding his breath.

"The bastard said we'll get a cut tomorrow morning."

"But did he call her family yet?"

Faye peeks at the open doorway and saw four men; two bulky ones and another two as similar built with Sakda. They wear civilian clothes, not pristine or uniformed.