The Death of a King

Chapter 16

Afternoon - 5:47 - Luke King
"That's a stupid plan." She immediately says after I'm finished. Which I knew she would say because I know it was a horrible plan. Not many options for us. It's not like I can run out to the store and get supplies. We have a gun and one full clip. That's about it, unless you count the heating pad and pain pills we have along with it in the bag.
"Do you have a better idea then?"
"Maybe, it depends on how well you can distract." She eyes the SUV's outside of the warehouse.
"What...are you thinking."
"They might think you're alone, so you go in there. I stay behind and create a distraction and you get John out of there. If all goes well, we'll be home and this will be over."
"Just don't get hurt Jax, do what you have to do and then get the hell out of there."
"Don't worry about me, worry about facing your brother again. Ready?"
"Yeah. Let's go."
So we open the doors and face the storm one last time. We hope. The snow covers us once again, not giving us any mercy. She heads towards the cars and I head to the front door of the warehouse. Before I can knock, the door opens. The man Jax described is at the door, Logan. He gestures for me to come in with his gun. I walk into the place and it's lit up. I can hear the generators running. I count everyone that's in here, eight. I make nine, but no sign of my brother.
"You actually made it, I figured the storm would have ate you up. I've got to stop underestimating you." I hear the voice, but I don't see him. My brother continues, "You keep fighting. It's starting to piss me off, how you can just walk around and not show any emotions. You sicken me."
"Well I live to please, maybe you should put your comments in my complaint box. I promise I'll read them, can't exactly say I won't ignore them either."
"You must think you have some sort of choice in this matter, that you'll get out of here scratch free. Maybe this will knock some sense into you. BRING HIM OUT!"
Two men drag a chair through the back door and place him in the middle. John groans and they raise his head up. He sees me.
"No...I...was hoping...you would...why?"
"John! Don't worry I'll save you-"
"Tsk tsk no no...don't make promises you can't keep little brother. You'll turn out like dad and we can't have that." He walks out of the shadows, and that's when I can see he's in better condition than I thought. He doesn't even appear to just have been shot twice last night. He looks almost too healthy minus the fact he still looks different from years ago.
"You...I don't get it. John shot you..twice!"
"Do you even understand what money can get you in life? You sit in a mansion sulking, I spent money on travelling and finding the secrets our father had. The software he had. You wouldn't believe what it could do. It's not miracle making stuff but it can change life as we know it. Which is why I have to take it, but the rest of the Intel is somewhere hidden in the company. I only had what little my father remembered. The men I paid to get him to talk was very disappointing but then he said the rest was with you and the company. So I began to plan. Here we are Luke. This you will give me, or I'll kill everyone you love."
"I don't have...whatever this intel is, I never knew about it."
"DON'T LIE TO ME LUKE! You were his favorite. He gave you the company, he trusted you with it. He must have gave you the rest of the intel. Give it to me. NOW!"
"Mark..I..don't have it. Just listen. You knew dad, he always lied to save his own skin. He probably lied to you so he could live."
"Okay Luke since you think this is some joke, I'm going to have to give you some incentive on how serious I am about this. Bring her in."
"She?"
My fears becomes a reality. Logan drags Jax into the warehouse by her arm and shoves her next to John. Her eyebrow and lips are bleeding. Where ever she was, they caught her and she paid the price for it. Now I'm paying the price for trying to save John and so is she. My mind races to think how this could end.
"Jax no..."
"Do I have your attention now? Do you see that you have no choice now but to do what I say?" He grins, as if he just trapped that pesky raccoon that's been giving him so much trouble, "This can get very easy or very bloody. You choose."
"I told you Mark, if I had the intel I would give it to you. This is the first time I've heard of it. You have to believe me, I didn't know." He slams his foot.
"STOP LYING!" He pulls his gun out and points it at John's head, "I don't think he cared about you John, cause you're about to DIE! ONE MORE CHANCE LUKE! Tell me now."
I have nothing, it's impossible for me to tell him. I didn't know anything about this. I knew my dad kept the records about his money a secret. That was just for profit and to keep him in power. This whole new secret of some intel that can lead to a man to be shot and the next day look good as new? It's something out of a comic book. If I want to save them I have to lie or something. But how?
"TICK TOCK LUKE! You have five seconds."
What.
"Four."
Can.
"Three."
I.
"Two."
Do?
"One."
Nothing.
He pulls the trigger. The gun fires and John's gone. The blood splatters and Jax screams. Her face painted with the blood of my best friend. My knees hit the floor as the echoing of the gun shot dies down. I can't think. I can't look up. I failed him and it's my fault. I feel the void in me begin to grow.
"Stay with me little brother. We still have round two to play. It's your turn Jax!" He points the gun at her. My energy is gone. I can do nothing but look up and lock eyes with her. She mouths the word "Run" but I can't, I have to save her.
"Okay Mark...you win. There's a book...inside my office. Before our father went to prison...he handed me a flash drive...I never opened it. It's on my shelf behind my desk. Take it. It's yours." I don't lie, because that memory finally hits me. I never had the nerve to open whatever is inside of it. I didn't think much of it either. So years ago I put it on my shelf and never gave it another thought.
"I knew you would see reason. I'll leave you two alone to clean up the mess." He raises his hand and whistles, "Let's go boys. We're close to the finish line."
I stay there on the floor, drained. Doing nothing but watching as they all leave the warehouse. It's just me and Jax now, along with John's body. We don't say anything, we just stare blankly. A tear falling onto the floor between my legs. I spiral into my thoughts. I can only look at her, and see that she is alive at the cost of John. In that moment, I swear to myself to protect her at all costs.