Without a Trace

Chapter Ten

A couple of hours later, I walk out of the research lab with a file in my hand, trying not to think about the fact that the last time I walked out of here, I got kidnapped.  Haden is waiting for me outside.  

"So, what did he tell you?"  

"Here's a file on what they were researching at the time." I answer, handing it to him.  "He said that he couldn't give me many details on what they found because of security stuff, but he could tell me what they were researching."  Haden takes the file and looks inside.

"Influenza A virus." He reads out loud.  "They were researching the flu? Seriously?"

"I know, I'm disappointed too."  I say, frustrated.  "I'm kind of happy though.  If it was something bad, it would've meant my dad was involved in it."

"But if they were researching something bad, why would he tell you about it?" Haden suggests.  "I actually don't know why we did this in the first place.  I think that going here is a dead end, especially since when I searched his office, I didn't find anything."  I sigh.

"Let's just go back to the motel."  

I lay on my bed, not knowing what else to do.  How am I supposed to find my missing sister, when the police were never able to find her?

"Haden?" 

"Hmmm?" He says from where he lays on his bed, on his laptop.

"Why do we think we're gonna be able to find her?" He looks at me, confused.  "If the police weren't able to find her, why would we be able to?"

"Stop that." He says.  "That isn't gonna help us find her."  

"But I'm right though.  All that's happened so far is me getting kidnapped and nearly murdered."

"But we've also found out why she went missing.  We'll find something, just be patient."

"I know." I answer, realizing that he's right.  "I'm just frustrated."

"Well, I'm hungry." He says.  I laugh.

"Of course you are."  I say.  "What do you want?"

"I'm in the mood for Chinese. You?"

"That sounds good. Look up Chinese places near here."  He types something on his laptop.  Five minutes later, we've already decided what we're getting and have already ordered the food.  "It's not that far away.  I'm just gonna walk there instead of paying for delivery."  

"Okay I'll come." I start to get up from my bed, but Haden shakes his head.  

"I can go by myself.  Besides, we're trying to make Zane and that other guy think you're dead."  I roll my eyes, and sigh.

"Fine, whatever."  I lay back down on the bed.  "At least let me use your laptop to keep myself busy."  He hands me his laptop, and then leaves.  I type in 'Netflix' in the search bar, and decide to watch Grey's Anatomy while he's gone.  After watching an entire emotional episode, I realize that he's taking a lot longer than he should.  I look up the address for the Chinese place and realize that it's only a ten minute walk away from here.  Don't panic I tell myself The food probably just took a while to cook.  I decide to call him to make sure that he's alive, just in case.  He doesn't answer, making me worry more.  I decide to walk to the restaurant to see if I can find him.  I'm about to go out the door when my phone rings.  The caller ID says that it's Haden.  

"Hey, are you okay?" I answer the phone.  "Where are you?"

"Your resilience is really impressive Willow."  I stop breathing for a second when I hear the voice of the man who has tried to kill me twice now.  "But it's really getting old."

"Where's Haden?" I'm proud of the fact that I keep my voice from shaking.

"He's alive." Zane says. 

"Don't you dare hurt him." 

 "I think I'm gonna keep him around.  It's actually really entertaining hearing him threaten me.  He seems very upset with me for some reason, I don't understand why.  I haven't tried to kill him yet."  I hear shouting in the background, and realize that it's Haden.  

"He might be upset over not getting to eat his Chinese food."  I say sarcastically.  "Or it might have something to do with the fact that you've tried to kill me a couple of times now."

"Yeah well, third time's the charm."  I'm not afraid now, I'm angry.  Zane is going to regret trying to hurt the people I care about.

"Good luck with that."  is all I say, ending the call.