The Hunter (SEQUEL TO Hunted)

Chapter 14

Chapter 14
We make our way down the steep stairwell the best we can considering the lack of light flowing in. I turn and press a finger to the middle of my mouth as I look around the corner.
There's multiple guards stationed in the lower levels. Suspicious. I press up against the wall and stick my arm out, signalling the others to follow.
"Where's boss, I thought he said he'd be here at 3 o'clock sharp." One guard says to another.
"Sorry, Al. I haven't heard from him either." The other replies. Al, I'm assuming, sighs at the answer. I peek around the corner.
"Ric?" Ric turns to Al. "Do you think that we're just some pons in the boss' plans? That we're getting used?" Al asks. Ric sighs.
"Look kid. You're the youngest on the force here, so I'll ignore that." Ric replies. Al shakes his head and goes back to his original stance as guard.
"That wasn't an answer." He points. Ric glances at him out the corner of his eye.
"Some days. Others, you feel like he's treating you like he would a child." Ric replies. All of a sudden, a second door down the hall bursts and the guards stand as straight as humanly possible.
"Officers!" Greg yells, coming in front of the two men.
"Sir!" The two gentlemen reply with a salute. You'd think this was the military.
"Shall we start?" Greg gestures toward one of the dark rooms. The men nod and walk ahead of Greg into the pitch black surrounding, closing the creaky door behind them. I wave the gang forward and we make our way silently towards the long, empty hallway.
As we near the end of the long hallway, the screaming stops.
"What do you think's happening in there?" Ryder whispers. I shrug.
"Their probably interviewing or torturing someone." Ryder misses a step, not expecting that answer. We move in stealth mode, looking like we just came out one of the 'Mission Impossible' movies.
At the end of the hall, there's a door that's been broken in half sitting beside a now open room. I don't know why but I just feel drawn towards this room in particular.
I walk away from the group, wandering deeper and deeper into the now surrounding darkness. I put a hand on the wall and drag it along as I walk around the room. I feel the light switch and flick it upwards. At first the light flickers, but it comes back with a bright vengeance. I shield my eyes at first, allowing them to adjust to the harsh bulb.
The room looks worn and dusty. Littering the ground are dust bunnies and broken pieces of glass. I walk towards the ripped sheets of the familiar bed.
As a place my palm against the small wooden frame, I get the sense of deja vu. I hear footfalls coming up behind me. Without warning, I pull out a knife and swing around with the knife still in my hand. I stop turning and hear a person gulping. I come into focus, physically, to see my knife against Ryder's neck. My eyes widen and I drop my hand.
"Sorry." I say urgently. He smiles.
"My fault for sneaking up on you." I chuckle. His smile fades.
"Hero, we have to go." He says, tone soft. I nod, going out the door.
***
"That room was familiar, I'm telling you." I state as we enter headquarters. Ryder shakes his head.
"You looked like you were in some sort of trance." He states. Josh looks between us. After a minute, he shook his head.
"What are you guys talking about? There was no room where you're saying."
"Josh, ho could you not see it?"
"Hero, listen to me." Josh puts out his hands. "There was no room." I turn to see Ryder stroking the back of his neck.
"Hero, that room only appeared after you went in. Even then, I as the only one that saw you." His eyes never left the ground. My fists tightened at his statement.
"How could you be the only one to see me?!" I exclaim, my voice raising with every word.
"I don't know!" Ryder yells out of frustration. I sigh. I turn and head in the direction of my office.
"Everyone can take the rest of the day off. Josh, come with me." I hear responses, but only pay attention to the urgent footsteps hurrying to catch up with me.