Cold Hard Courage

[9] - Game

FYI: THERE ARE GOING TO BE A LOT OF POV JUMPS IN THIS.

[Beatrice Eaton]

I smile internally as the thought of Tobias still out there drifts into my mind. I can hear Graham crying from my room. I stand, walking down the hall. I stop in my tracks in the hall when a dark figure stands in the bedroom, holding Graham. I inch away from the door and approach my bedroom. I grab Tobias' gun, pulling the hammer back. Who the Hell is in my house?

[Tobias Eaton]

"Do you recognize that sound, Four?" Peter asks over the crackling static of the walkie talkies.

I can hear a baby crying. Wailing. This baby is upset.

"Torturing babies? This is our little 'game'?" I ask.

I listen closer. What is he doing to this poor baby?

"It's not just any baby, Four. This baby is significant to you." He says.

Air becomes hitched in my throat and I don't know what to say.

"Graham," I reply. "Killing an infant is low--even for you, Peter."

He chuckles, shaking his head.

"I don't plan on killing him, Four. Rest assured that he will die but I won't be the thing that kills him." He says back.

I groan out as my chest becomes hollow from agony.

"How did you find him? Where are you?" I ask.

He laughs again but I can hear him cup a hand over his mouth.

"I'm in your house. The door was unlocked and it was the perfect opportunity." He admits.

Tris is in danger. And I'm not there to help her.

[Beatrice Eaton]

I walk towards the Nursery, shaking as I do so. While Graham was in the NICU, either I spent all of my time with him or learning how to defend myself. Now that Tobias isn't here, I have to protect myself and my son. I approach the nursery with shaky legs. I lean against the wall, holding the gun close. I listen closely.

"I'm at your house. The door was unlocked and it was the perfect opportunity." They say.

I don't remember the door being unlocked. After my first break-in story where I nearly died in a coma and then the second where Tobias first went missing, I learned how to lock doors. Technically, the door was locked when I was attacked. I don't know how Richard got in, but after both of those events, I lock my door.

"You wouldn't dare hurt him. You wouldn't dare hurt either of them." A familiar voice states over static crackling.

I cock an eyebrow.

" Zeke? " I whisper.

That was Zeke. I know it.

"Well, we'll just see what happens. Where's mama, Graham? Huh? Where's mama?" The voice asks.

They're looking for me. Graham starts to cry louder. My heart aches in my chest.

[Tobias Eaton]

I shake my head as I hear Peter sneak through my house.

"Oh, who was that Graham? Huh? Was that Mommy?" He asks. "I'm gonna go find her and we'll be right back."

I writhe in my seat.

"Please, Peter. Please don't hurt them. I--I'll do anything. Please just don't hurt them." I state.

I am begging. I am pathetic. Tears make my face hot. Graham and Tris have to be okay. They have to be. And because Tris moved back home, her parents won't be there to take care of Graham. Not until it's too late.

[Beatrice Eaton]

I walk to my bedroom, closing the door quietly. I angle myself towards the door, hiding my important organs behind the bed. I aim the gun at the door. The door slowly swings open and there he stands.

"Well, that's a shiny gun. Where'd you get it?" He asks.

It sounds like Peter. It is Peter.

" Where is he, Peter? " I ask.

He shakes his head, stepping closer.

" Where is who? Graham? I left him back in the Nursery. Don't worry, you'll see him soon. " He says.

I shake my head.

" No, not Graham. Where is Tobias? " I ask.

He scoffs.

" I have no clue what you're talking about. " He says.

I cock an eyebrow, standing.

" Why else would you be here? You have my Husband trapped in some awful, god-forsaken place and now you plan on torturing him with the screaming of those he loves. " I say. " It's obvious. You're too predictable. "

"Please, Peter. I'll give you anything you want. Just please don't hurt them." A voice says through static.

Peter chuckles, holding the walkie talkie up to his mouth.

" No, Four. You have nothing I want nor need. This is what I want. " He says.

[Tobias Eaton]

Hearing that Tris has my gun with her gives me some small bit of confidence. I don't doubt that she can take care of herself. I'm just afraid that Peter may have an even bigger gun. And if he does, she doesn't stand a chance. I can hear a struggle over the radio, followed by a loud scream. I struggle in my chair.

" No! " I scream. " Stop! "

I hear a loud bang over the radio and tears trail down my cheeks.

" Tris, " I whimper out. " Graham... No! "

"Tobias! Tobias, can you hear me?" Tris asks. "If you can, know this. I am going to find you. I promise. I'm going to bring you both home."

Michael runs forward, turning off the radio. In the process, a small pocket knife falls to the ground. I use my heels and slide it under my foot. He doesn't notice.

" I'd say that's enough for tonight, wouldn't you? " He asks.

He walks away and I reach under my chair to grab it.

Is that a knife?
Yeah, it is.
We can cut you loose and you can go get help.
No. We stay put together.
Wait, I have a plan.