Collateral Blood

4

The night had settled into a tense stillness as Harry and his team moved out of the warehouse. The plan was straightforward but fraught with peril: tonight, they would kidnap Sloan Montgomery. As Harry drove the sleek, black SUV through the quiet streets, his focus was razor-sharp. The weight of the mission pressed heavily on him, the outcome dependent on precision and timing.

Harry's thoughts raced as the SUV approached Sloan's neighborhood. He glanced at Tom, his trusted lieutenant, who was reviewing the final details on his phone. They were moments away from executing their meticulously crafted plan.

The vehicle slowed as it reached the quiet residential street. The house they were targeting was a large, elegant structure, illuminated by the soft glow of street lamps. It was a picture of suburban tranquility, but tonight, it would become the center of a high-stakes operation.

Harry and Tom exited the SUV, their movements deliberate and purposeful. Harry donned a dark mask and gloves, his face obscured to avoid recognition. Tom did the same, and the two men moved silently toward the side entrance of Sloan's house.

Outside, the distraction was already in motion. Harry pulled the pin on the timed smoke grenade, tossing it into a bush strategically positioned near the street. The grenade hissed as it ignited, releasing a dense cloud of smoke that quickly billowed into the air. The smoke created a thick, opaque veil, simulating a minor fire or disturbance.

Inside the house, Lucas Montgomery and his wife, Maria, were in the midst of a quiet evening. They were watching TV in the living room when the sudden, acrid smell of smoke began to seep through the house. The gentle hum of their conversation was interrupted by the alarming scent.

Maria turned to Lucas, her face etched with concern. "Do you smell that? It's smoke."

Lucas's expression turned serious as he stood up, his instincts kicking in. "Let's check it out. It might be a fire."

The couple moved toward the front door, which was still ajar from when they had briefly stepped outside earlier. As they opened it wider, the smoke from the grenade outside was clearly visible, drifting into their path.

"Stay close," Lucas instructed, guiding Maria out into the front yard. The smoke was dense, making it difficult to see clearly. They followed the trail of smoke to its source, trying to ascertain what was causing the disturbance.

Meanwhile, Harry and Tom seized the opportunity. As Lucas and Maria stepped outside, the two men swiftly approached the side entrance of the house. Harry, with his heart pounding, pulled out his lock-picking tools. His hands worked with practiced efficiency, and within moments, the lock clicked open.

Tom, moving with stealth, followed Harry inside. The house was quiet except for the distant sound of the TV and the muffled voices of Lucas and Maria outside. They had mere minutes to act before the distraction lost its effect.

Harry signaled to Tom, who moved silently toward the staircase. They had identified Sloan's bedroom on the second floor, and they needed to get there quickly. The smoke outside would keep Lucas and Maria occupied for a few crucial minutes.

Upstairs, the dim lighting and the thickening smoke from the grenade began to penetrate the interior. Sloan, having noticed the smoke and the commotion, had already begun to feel the rising tide of panic. She was moving cautiously toward the stairs when she heard the unfamiliar sounds of footsteps approaching.

Her heart raced as she descended the stairs, hoping to find her parents. The smoke was thickening, making it difficult to breathe and see clearly. The noise of the TV and the sounds from outside were now a chaotic mix that left her disoriented.

Just then, Harry and Tom reached the top of the stairs. They moved with precision, each step calculated to avoid detection. Harry gestured for Tom to check the rooms while he himself approached Sloan's bedroom.

Harry and Tom reached Sloan's bedroom door. Harry opened it slowly, his eyes scanning the room. Sloan was visible through the haze, her figure trembling as she tried to make sense of the chaos. Harry's heart raced as he saw her, and he knew they had to act quickly.

Sloan's eyes widened as she saw Harry and Tom enter her room. The figures were masked, their intentions clear. Her breath came in short gasps as she stumbled backward, her fear turning into sheer terror. She tried to back away, but the smoke and the confusion left her feeling trapped and helpless.

Harry moved swiftly, his actions practiced. He approached Sloan, speaking in a low, calm voice despite the tension. "Sloan, we're here to take you. Stay calm, and this will go smoothly."

Sloan's eyes darted around the room, desperately searching for an escape. Her mind was racing, but the presence of the intruders and the thick smoke made it impossible to think clearly. The sight of the masked men and the realization of what was happening left her paralyzed with fear.

Tom moved quickly to secure the area, making sure no one was coming back inside. He kept an ear out for any sign of Lucas or Maria returning from their investigation.

Harry reached out to grab Sloan gently but firmly, trying to minimize her distress. "We need to go now," he said, guiding her toward the door. "It's going to be alright."

Sloan's struggle was half-hearted, her shock and fear making her movements sluggish. She was led out of her room and down the stairs, the smoke continuing to swirl around them. The situation was tense, every second filled with the possibility of discovery or complication.

As they made their way to the front door, the smoke continued to drift through the house, adding to the confusion. Lucas and Maria were still outside, their attention focused on the smoke and the source of the disturbance.

With Sloan in tow, Harry and Tom moved swiftly, their exit strategy already in motion. They guided Sloan out of the house and toward the waiting SUV. The night air was cool and clear compared to the dense smoke inside.

The operation was moving forward, but the tension remained high. Harry knew that they had to get Sloan to the safehouse and secure their position before Lucas and Maria returned to discover what had happened. The risk of being followed or discovered was ever-present, and every decision had to be executed flawlessly.

As they drove away from the house, Harry glanced in the rearview mirror, his eyes scanning for any sign of pursuit. The smoke from the grenade continued to dissipate, leaving the scene of the abduction behind them. The night was far from over, and the uncertainty of what would come next loomed large.

For Sloan, the night had turned into a nightmare of fear and confusion. The once-familiar world of her home had been torn apart, and her future now hung in the balance. As the SUV sped through the night, she was left to grapple with the reality of her situation, unsure of what awaited her and consumed by the fear of the unknown.