desertion

156

LYDIA

The night air was crisp as Mason, Darden, and I drove toward the outskirts of town. The old storage facility sat on a corner, its rusted gates barely holding onto their hinges. It looked like the kind of place people forgot about, the kind of place no one would ever think to search. But we had a map, and the map had led us here.

"Are you sure this is the right place?" Darden asked, his voice tight as he peered through the windshield.

"According to the map," Mason replied, glancing over at me. I nodded in agreement, trying to quell the unease that had settled in my chest. There was something about this place that didn't sit right with me. It felt too quiet, too empty. The further we got into this case, the more my instincts told me we were walking straight into something dangerous.

Darden parked the car by the entrance, and we all got out, the gravel crunching beneath our boots. The place looked deserted. A few storage units were scattered in the shadows, but most of them were dark, the lights above them flickering weakly.

"Stay alert," Darden ordered, his tone serious. His hand hovered near his weapon, a habit he'd developed since the investigation started. Mason's eyes scanned the surroundings, his body tense as he fell in step beside me.

"We'll check the first few units," I said, my voice low but steady. "Mason, stay close."

"Always," he muttered, his gaze lingering on me for a second longer than usual.

The three of us walked through the aisles of the storage facility, our flashlights cutting through the darkness. Each step felt like it brought us closer to something we weren't prepared for. The closer we got to the back, the more the hairs on the back of my neck stood up.

"I don't like this," I whispered, more to myself than anyone else. The place felt off. Like we weren't supposed to be here.

"You think someone's waiting for us?" Mason asked, his voice quiet but laced with concern.

"I don't know. But we need to be ready for anything."

We reached the back of the facility, where the map indicated the storage unit should be. There it was, sitting innocuously at the very end of the row. The door was slightly ajar, just enough for someone to slip in or out unnoticed.

"That's it," Darden said, motioning toward the unit. "Stay behind me."

But before we could take another step, a sharp noise echoed from behind the door. A thud. Then a soft scraping sound.

"Someone's inside," I said, adrenaline coursing through me. My heart hammered in my chest.

Darden's hand was on his gun now, and he motioned for Mason and me to stay back. "Lydia, Mason, stay here. I'm going in."

But Mason wasn't having it. "No way. I'm going with you."

Darden hesitated, then nodded. "Fine, but stay close."

They both moved toward the door, pushing it open with careful precision. I stayed back, keeping watch. The suspense was unbearable. I couldn't shake the feeling that we were walking into a trap.

As soon as the door creaked open fully, I heard it-a low, guttural growl, followed by a shout from Darden. I didn't hesitate. I rushed forward, the impulse to help him pushing me into motion. But as soon as I was within view, I saw the figure. A man, tall and broad-shouldered, his face hidden beneath the shadow of a cap.

Without thinking, I lunged forward, my hand reaching out for the nearest object to defend myself. But before I could react, the man spun around, his fist connecting with my stomach. I gasped, stumbling backward. The force of the punch knocked the air out of my lungs, but I managed to stay on my feet, clutching my side as pain shot through me.

"Lydia!" Mason shouted, rushing forward, but the man was already moving, stepping around Darden and shoving him into a nearby storage container. The man turned to face me, his eyes cold and filled with malice.

I took a step back, raising my hands instinctively, but my heart was pounding. The man advanced, his fists clenched, his body tense.

"You shouldn't have come here," he spat, his voice low and menacing. "This is where your investigation ends."

His words sent a shiver down my spine. My mind raced-this was the man who had killed Daniel Carter. I had to think fast. Darden and Mason were still recovering from the surprise of the attack, but I couldn't afford to wait.

I darted to the side, grabbing a metal pipe that had been discarded near the edge of the unit. With a cry, I swung it at the man, hitting him square in the side. The impact sent him stumbling back, but he recovered quickly, a sick smile spreading across his face.

"You think a little pipe will stop me?" he sneered. "I've done worse."

Before I could react, he lunged at me again, his hand grabbing my wrist. The force of his grip was like iron, and I winced in pain as he twisted my arm.

"Let her go!" Mason shouted, his voice desperate.

But the man wasn't letting go. He shoved me hard against the wall, and I crashed into the metal, the air being knocked out of me once again.

I groaned, trying to push myself back up, but my vision blurred for a second, and my head spun.

"Mason, get him off her!" Darden yelled, pulling himself to his feet.

The man's attention shifted for just a second, and that was all Mason needed. He grabbed the man from behind, tackling him to the ground.

I pushed myself up, struggling to catch my breath as I watched them fight. Darden moved in, pulling out his weapon and aiming it at the man's chest.

"Freeze!" Darden commanded.

The man hesitated for a moment, then with a growl, he let Mason go, throwing his hands up in surrender.

The situation was chaotic, but within seconds, the man was cuffed, dragged to the ground. I was still trying to steady myself, my hand pressed to my side as the pain throbbed through me.

Mason was by my side in an instant, his hand gently resting on my arm as his eyes scanned me for injuries. His breath was heavy, his face pale.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice soft but urgent.

I nodded, though my stomach still hurt from the blow. "Yeah. Just... just winded."

Darden stood over the man, glaring down at him. "You're under arrest for the murder of Daniel Carter and multiple other charges."

The man sneered, but there was no fight left in him. He'd been caught.

I leaned against the wall for support, my heart still racing from the close call. Mason stayed close, his hand on my shoulder as he watched me carefully, his worry clear.

"You're lucky," he said quietly, his voice shaky.

"I know," I whispered back, my eyes meeting his. "But I couldn't have done it without you."

Mason didn't say anything at first. He just nodded, his grip tightening on my shoulder.

I couldn't shake the feeling that everything was finally starting to fall into place. We'd solved the case. But something in the air told me this wasn't the last danger we'd face. Not by a long shot.

But for now, I was safe. And Mason... Mason was there.