Cold Hard Courage

[11] - Safe

[Tobias Eaton]

I need to get out of this tub. Please. Please. Please. I wiggle my foot again, hitting the drain lid. It opens momentarily before slamming shut again. If I can keep it open long enough to lower the water below my nose, I will make it out alive. I hit it again, securing it with my other foot. It drains my energy to fight the chain pulling the drain block back. The water drains slowly, but surely. The water tickles as it waves up and down on the bridge of my nose. I can hear Peter returning. This time, he holds a red bucket. I move my foot to let the block go back to its position in the drain. He doesn't notice the water flow is slower. But he pours whatever in the bucket into the tub with me. It is red and thick. It's blood. The water turns dark red and I panic.

Suddenly, every stiff muscle in my body relaxes and I can move again. I hold still to keep up the charade. Peter reaches into the tub, going to grab something. I swing by fist, hitting Peter in the face. He falls into his back, hitting his head on the tile. I climb out, running out of the bathroom. I run to Zeke. He lay on the ground, holding his stomach in pain. I bend over, grabbing his arm.

" Come on, Zeke. Let's get out of here. " I say.

He groans as I try to lift him.

" Go on without me. I'm only gonna weigh you down. " He says.

I shake my head.

" No. I made a promise that we would get out of here together. I'm keeping that promise. Zeke, please come on. We've gotta go. " I say.

He groans again.

" I--I don't think I can. " He replies.

He tries to shove me away.

" Oh no, you don't. " I say.

He tries again.

" Tell Shauna I love her. " He says.

I shake my head.

" No way, man. You're coming with me and you can tell her that yourself. Come on. " I say.

I stand to pull him up and a bang echoed through the warehouse. Suddenly, my chest and abdomen throb with pain. Warmth starts to drip down my chest. I look down at my chest and spot blood. I look up and see Michael holding a shotgun at close range. I fall to the ground, gasping for air. He walks over, shaking his head.

" God, you were so close too. " He says.

Tears drip down my cheeks as I realize that I'm going to die here. I realize that I was minutes from freedom too. I'm going to die here to the thought of seeing Tris and Graham. I'm dying.

" I'm so sorry. " I cry out, sobbing on the ground. " I'm sorry, Zeke. I'm sorry I couldn't get us out of here. "

He shakes his head.

" It's okay, Four. Don't blame yourself. " He says.

[Max Walker]

I look at Shauna.

" Go get Will, Marlene, Uriah, and anyone else available to help and get out to that warehouse immediately. I'll call in for two ambulances. " I say.

She nods. She runs out of my office and I grab the phone.

" This is Chief of Police, Max Walker. I need two balances out to the old scrap warehouse immediately. We have suspicions of a case that may need immediate medical attention. " I say.

Two ambulances are sent and I stand in my office, sighing. It took every ounce of strength I had to prepare that funeral service for Zeke and Four. But now they're really out there. I run to my car, driving as fast as I can to the warehouse. I spot Shauna pounding on the door.

" Open up! Chicago PD, I said open up! " She shouts.

I grab my gun, shooting the lock off of the door, kicking the door open.

" Go, go, go! " I shout.

They run inside and I follow. I stop dead in my tracks when I see two bodies on the ground.

" No, " I say weakly. " Please, no. "

I run over to Four.

" Four! " I exclaim.

His eyes open slightly and he takes in a strangled gasp. His shirt has dozens of holes in it and there's blood all over his chest. A shotgun wound.

" Oh my God. " I say. " Just hold on, Four. Everything going to be okay. I promise. "

Shauna runs to Zeke. She takes his face in her hands, kissing him.

" Stay with me, please. " She begs. " Don't go just yet. "

Uriah runs to Zeke as well, squeezing his hand.

" Stay with me, Pansycake. You don't get to ditch my just yet. " He says.

Zeke chuckles weakly. I can hear the balances approaching.

" Will, go flag down those ambulances. We need them in here ASAP. " I say. " Uriah, follow me. We're gonna make a full sweep of this place. "

I walk down the hall, spotting a bathroom. There's a bathtub filled with a mixture of blood and water. Peter lay next to it, semi-unconscious. I crouch down, smacking him awake. I cuff his wrists together.

" Wake up, Asshole. " I say. " Peter Hayes, you're being arrested for the attempted murder of Detective Tobias Eaton and Detective Ezekiel Pedrad. You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to an attorney, if you cannot afford one, one will be provided for you. "

I look to Uriah.

" Take him out to my car and keep him there. " I say.

He nods. I continue the sweep of the area, spotting Michael sitting in the dark.

" I never would've guessed that you'd be in on this too. You're a damn good faker. " I say.

He stands and I cuff his wrists together as well. I drag him to my squad car. I lock them in, watching as Zeke and Four are dragged into Ambulances.

I'm glad they're alive.
And you didn't believe me.
I'm sorry. It was just so hard to believe especially with everything that has happened.
I understand.

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FOURTRIS REUNION NEXT CHAPTER???