F E A R

chapter five, nigel

GRAYSON'S POV

The TV in my office seemed to be my only source of entertainment tonight. No calls came in for me at all, which was odd. Especially after what's happened over the last day and a half.

My favorite TV show, Friends, was interrupted as my annoying ringtone finally went off for the first time today. A text message. From.. an unknown number?

"We're running out of patience. If we don't get what we want from you soon, you'll regret it. You have 24 hours to hand it over to us, or anything and everything you love or care for in life will be personally taken away from you. One by one. Perhaps starting with a fragile, green eyed, small town girl? The clock is ticking, Brooks. You're almost out of time." I mumble the text aloud, rolling my eyes as I read the last word.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me." Growling to myself, I stand up, grab my keys off my desk and head downstairs to the equipment room. I change from my work suit to a casual day time outfit. Just some jeans and a T-Shirt. Still fuming, I throw everything else that could possibly be needed into a bag, slinging it over my shoulder before slamming the door to the building and walking out. I see Lawrence on the way to my car, so I tell him to aware my boss of my where-abouts. I shove my keys into the ignition and shift to drive, making no hesitation before setting off to my destination. If I drive fast enough, I could make it there in about 20 minutes and assure that no one gets hurt. I don't really even know this girl, why would they possibly think I'd care if they killed her anyway? They may be unintelligent, but anyone knows I would never let an innocent person die on my account. What kind of person would? As soon as I enter the small town of Grenola, nothing is ever going to be the same. For me, or for this girl.

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ALAYZIAH POV:

A loud, repetitive pounding on my front door awakens me. I peek out from under my blanket at the door, hoping the person will just go away. There's absolutely no way I'm taking any chances on opening it and possibly finding the man who attempted to kidnap me. To my misfortune, the person only grows more frustrated and knocks louder.

"Alayziah, are you in there? It's me, Gray! Open the door, please." His voice is strained yet bold, so I groggily get up to let him in. When I do, he gives me a weird look as he takes in my appearance. I look down at myself. That's when I realize I'm standing in only panties, with no bra on. Luckily I have on a long T-shirt so it really only looks like I have no pants on. Not that that helps any.

"Uh, sorry I- uh, one sec." Running to the bathroom, I grab my robe and throw it on over my shirt to completely cover myself and run back to the front door where Grayson has now entered through.

"Look Alayziah, this may sound weird and we really don't have a lot of time to discuss this, but you need to come with me. Now." The expression on his face holds utter seriousness and his eyes are practically shooting bullets into mine. Grayson looks frazzled and distraught, making me a little frightened. What could he possibly need me for at around 3 in the morning?

"Uh, um. Okay?"

He let out a long, strained sigh of relief when I responded in agreement.

"Can you at least tell me where you're taking me? It's kind of weird having the random guy that possibly saved my life show up at my house around 3 in the morning, especially when I never thought I'd even see you again." A light chuckle escaped my lips and Gray smiled down at me instantly, his dark green eyes glistening in the moonlight.

"You don't happen to know any vacant or abandoned buildings around this area, do you?"

His question only confused me further, but I slowly nodded my head. Is he planning on killing me or something? Oh my gosh. Maybe he only saved my life because he wanted to kill me himself. I stopped in my tracks and Grayson continued walking a bit further. I heard him mumble something, and when I didn't respond he twisted his body to the left where he thought I was standing, then completely turned around, spotting my frozen body. His brows furrowed as he unsurely walked up to me.