𝗣 𝗬 𝗥 𝗢 𝗠 𝗔 𝗡 𝗜 𝗔 | BOOK THREE

E I G H T

[graham eaton]

I climb out of the truck, staring at the burning building on the corner of Third Street and Pine Avenue. A large warehouse is surrounded with flames, burning from the inside out. It's obvious the windows blew out a long time ago by the flames pouring out of them. It's beautiful yet awful all at the same time. I look at Atticus, an eyebrow raised.

"I don't get it. What's so important about this building?" Chief Williams asks.

I shake my head and look away from him. I spot my Father and Zeke standing in disbelief, watching the building burn.

"Then it isn't meant for you," I state. "I know this place."

Atticus raises an eyebrow and looks at me with question. Chief Williams turns his head and looks at his Senior Officers.

"What is this place, Graham?" He asks.

I look up at the flames as they devour the building.

"It's an abandoned-warehouse-turned-prison." I say.

He raises an eyebrow and watches me, then turns and watches the flames.

"Prison? What do you mean?" He asks.

I exhale and look back at him.

"Not a real prison. A metaphorical one. My Father told me about it. When I was just a baby, two former police officers abducted Ezekiel Pedrad and my Father and held them prisoner here. This is where they almost died." I say. "My Dad brought me here when I was just a kid and told me the story."

They stare at me, watching me carefully. I watch my Dad carefully as he watches the place of his torture burn to the ground. He turns his head and spots me.

"I'm going in." Chief Williams says. "Stay put here until I return."

I grab his arm and stop him. The scent of smoke and dust fills my head.

"Wait. This was a deliberately planned place of attack. There might be something in there that will lead me to the letter. Let me go." I say. "I'm the only one of us here who recognizes this place."

He exhales and looks at the burning building.

"I give that building ten minutes max until it falls to the ground. You've got five to get in there, find the letter, and get out." He says.

I nod. Atticus grabs my arm, stopping me in my tracks. I turn around and stare at my younger brother, eyes wide, eyebrows raised.

"What the Hell are you doing?" I ask, pulling my arm to make him let me go.

He stares with furrowed brows and a firm frown as he looks at me.

"This isn't the time for Hero Missions, Graham. That building is standing on twigs. You shouldn't go in. Someone else, anyone else, can go in for you. Let someone more experienced go in instead." He says.