Collateral Blood

8

Sloan woke to the muted light filtering through the small, barred window. The room was as cold and sterile as she remembered, but the silence was different now—heavier, filled with the weight of uncertainty. She sat up slowly, stretching her arms and trying to shake off the disorientation of her first night in the safehouse.

Determined to find some answers, Sloan stood up and took a deep breath. Her mind was a whirlwind of confusion and fear. Harry's cryptic words about her father from the previous night had left her restless and plagued by nightmares. She couldn't shake the image of her father as a figure entrenched in a dangerous world she had never imagined. She needed to understand what was happening, and she needed to find a way out.

The door to her room was slightly ajar, and Sloan pushed it open cautiously. The hallway outside was dimly lit, with only a few bare bulbs casting long shadows on the walls. She glanced around, noting the sparse, utilitarian décor and the oppressive atmosphere that seemed to press down on her.

As she made her way downstairs, her footsteps echoed softly in the empty house. Her heart raced with a mix of apprehension and resolve. She needed to speak to Harry and Tom, to try and reach some form of compromise. She wasn't sure what leverage she could offer, but she was willing to do anything if it meant returning to her normal life.

In the main room of the safehouse, Harry and Tom were engaged in a conversation, their voices low and urgent. They didn't notice Sloan approach until she was nearly at the door. Harry looked up, his expression guarded but curious.

"Good morning," Sloan said, forcing a note of calm into her voice. "Can I talk to you both for a moment?"

Tom exchanged a glance with Harry before nodding. "Sure, Sloan. What's on your mind?"

Sloan took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "I want to make a deal. I'll do whatever you need me to do, within reason, but I need a guarantee that you'll release me back home safely. My family—they don't know what's happening. I can't just stay here like this."

Harry studied her with a skeptical look. "You're offering a deal? You're in no position to negotiate."

Sloan's eyes flashed with determination. "I know, but I'm asking for your consideration. You mentioned my father last night. I need to understand what you meant. What kind of man is he really? What's his involvement in all of this?"

Harry's expression remained impassive. "Your father is a complex man. His world is dangerous and filled with deceit. You're here because of choices he's made. The details are complicated and not something I can easily explain."

Sloan's frustration grew. "I can't be left in the dark like this. I need to know more. The nightmares I had—about him and everything happening—I can't handle this uncertainty. If you want me to cooperate, you need to give me something."

Tom glanced at Harry, then stepped forward. "Look, Sloan, we understand you're scared and confused. But we're in a precarious situation here. Your father's actions have put us all at risk. We need to make sure we're secure before we can discuss any deals."

Sloan's gaze was unwavering. "I get that. But it's not just about me. It's about understanding what's really happening. If you want me to help or cooperate, you have to be honest with me. I need to know what kind of danger I'm in and why."

Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Your father is involved in activities far beyond what you've ever known. He's made enemies and alliances that are dangerous. You're caught in the crossfire of a power struggle that you don't fully understand."

Sloan's eyes widened. "So he's not just some businessman? He's mixed up in something much darker?"

Harry nodded slowly. "Yes, and it's not something I can lay out in simple terms. His choices have consequences, and you're experiencing those consequences firsthand."

Sloan took a step back, her mind racing. "Okay. I understand that I'm a pawn in this game. But I need a clearer picture. If you can give me more details, I might be able to offer something in return. Maybe I can help in ways you don't expect."

Tom exchanged another glance with Harry. "We'll consider what you've said. But for now, our priority is to keep this situation contained and to protect ourselves from further retaliation."

Sloan nodded, feeling a mix of relief and frustration. "Fine. But please, just remember that I'm more than a bargaining chip. I'm someone's daughter, and I'm scared."

Harry's gaze softened slightly, though his demeanor remained guarded. "We'll keep that in mind. Just remember that your cooperation is key to your release."

With that, Sloan turned and walked back to her room, her thoughts a tangled mess of fear, determination, and the desperate hope that she could somehow navigate this perilous situation. She knew she had to stay strong, to keep searching for any way to turn the tide in her favor.

As the door to her room closed behind her, Sloan sat on the edge of her bed, her mind reeling with the new information. The stakes had been raised, and the path ahead was fraught with uncertainty. But for now, she had to play her part and hope that her efforts to understand and negotiate would lead to a resolution. The tension in the safehouse was far from over, and the next moves by both sides would determine the future of everyone involved.