Alone in the Dark - A Dark Ghost Sequel

NINE

"Reds? How is that even possible? Project Jamboree was dissolved, and Aria blew up Sawtooth so that can't be right." Chubs tried to think the situation over with no luck, leaving him just as bewildered as everyone else.

"Shit," Vida whistled. "That's a curveball. What now?"

Cate sighed, "Those kids have clearly been through the same treatment used in Jamboree, which means that they need help. These idiots are going to go in all guns blazing as soon as they find them, which means we have to act fast."

"What do you need us to do?" Liam's shoulders were tensed, his arms crossed, and his mouth set in a thin line. He was thinking about his brother.

"Find them first, figure out who has reconstructed the charred remains of Project Jamboree, save the hostages and the kids. I'll do damage control." At that moment, her phone rang and Cate pulled it out of her pocket with a sigh. "Speaking of which... Look, if anyone can do this it's you guys."

Chubs groaned, "We're going to need backup, and we're going to need to split into groups."

Nico locked his tablet and shifted nervously from foot to foot. "You know where we have to go first."

Clancy Gray.

~

"We've got to play this safe, okay? None of that 'I'm gonna die anyway so screw it' shit you pulled at Sawtooth alright?" Chubs nudged me as we walked towards Cate's car. "You are not invincible."

"Honestly surprising, as all evidence points otherwise." I shrugged back.

Chubs rolled his eyes, folding his arms as he spoke. "What evidence would that be?"

"I'm not dead yet, am I? And I'd say that's pretty impressive... all things considered."

He sighed and shook his head at me. "We need to sort out why there are still things you can't remember. There could be something in there that could help us. Something about Sawtooth."

"Maybe we just need to go back there? Jog my memory? Although, there is something about that I've been meaning to talk to you about... in private..." I cast a sideways look at Liam, who was walking just ahead with Ruby. Chubs caught on and nodded, mouthing the word 'later' as he gave my arm an encouraging squeeze.

Chubs shifted on his feet before raising his voice to talk to the rest of the group, "As much as I hate to bring her into this... we're going to need Ruby if this involves Jamboree reds. That's a fact."

Nico looked around hesitantly, lowering his voice as they got in the car. "Yes, the representatives were important but I think the real target was Cruz. If we can find her, then we can find the reds and who ordered the kidnapping."

I bit my lip, deep in thought. "What about the helicopter? Finding the owner of the helicopter might be a good starting point, then we can look at the information while on the way to Clancy's before we split up and get reinforcements?"

"I'll try and track it, but we don't have much to go on."

Chubs stared out the window, deep in thought as Liam started the engine. "Everytime we think we're in the clear, something else happens."

"Fucking sucks," Vida muttered under her breath.

I silently agreed.

The journey was quiet. Apparently the first stop was Clancy's house where he was supposed to be living with his mother, even though according to the others he hadn't set foot in there for years. Even if Dr Gray did have information, I doubted it would be worth anything. I slipped my hand into my pocket and my fingers curled around something thin that wasn't in there last time I checked. I wasn't sure how it got there, but I pulled out the small, slightly charred, playing card and turned it over in my hands. When I glanced at Chubs he shifted in his seat and refused to meet my eyes, but he did at least place a hand over mine in what I assumed was reassurance, which was enough.

Jack of hearts.

It reminded me of something, but yet again I couldn't quite put my finger on it. It felt bittersweet, like it was supposed to be a happy memory but somehow wasn't. I guess I'd know why if I could actually remember it, but that was another problem entirely.

For now, I had bigger things to focus on.

For now, I had to find Clancy Gray, find the Reds, and rescue Cruz. Then I could figure out what the hell I was still missing.

I shrank back into my jacket and closed my eyes. Sure, I'd had seven years worth of sleep, but a nap or two wouldn't hurt. Besides, an annoying voice in the back of my head told me sleep is a good thing to have. The voice sounded slightly like Liam, but not quite. It was the same voice I kept hearing in my memories back at the Ranch— his brother. Why the hell would Liam's brother be nagging me about my sleeping habits?

Ignoring the irritating feeling at the back of my mind, I drifted off into sleep.

The playing card made a subtle appearance in my dreams.