Page 42 of Saving Scarlett
Once entering the building, I navigated through the dark, narrow corridors, my footsteps muffled by layers of dust and grime, and the storm increasing in intensity outside. I didn’t see the kid in front of me, but the footprints on the ground told me which direction to go.
Cobwebs stretched across the rooms like sinister veils, their occupants long gone, leaving behind only the ghosts. The air felt heavy, as if it carried the weight of countless secrets and crimes that had taken place within the crumbling walls. There would be another one to add to the roster on this night, but not until I got a little information out of Vinnie first.
As I crept through the long-abandoned building, I couldn’t help but think of Scarlett—how she had touched something inside me and made me feel alive again. No matter what I had to do, no matter who I had to kill, I would save my Little Red. There was no question.
Seeing the beam of a flashlight in the open room ahead, I crouched in the shadows, watching Vinnie from a distance. The muscles in my legs tensed, ready to spring into action when the opportunity presented itself. I knew I had to be patient, biding my time until the moment was right.
“Hey, Vinnie!” a voice called out from within the darkness, causing me to tense, but as I peered forward, I could see the shadow of the other man who was already in the room with him. “You got the goods?”
“As ordered,” Vinnie responded, his voice echoing off the crumbling walls. “Let’s get on with it. This place is creepy. I heard it’s haunted.
The other guy chuckled, his steps moving farther away from me. “You know I’ll have to count it first.
“Alright, alright.” Vinnie sighed, the sound heavy with annoyance. While he was worried about ghosts, he was completely oblivious to the fact that he was being hunted by someone who was very much alive.
For several minutes, they didn’t speak as the other man counted whatever was in the package. I waited in the dark room off the corridor, hoping to get Vinnie alone once they were finished conducting their business.
“Alright,” the other man finally said, his feet shuffling on the concrete. “You’re good to go, Vinnie. Until next time.”
On silent feet, I moved back down the corridor, hiding in the darkness behind Vinnie’s vehicle. The moonlit night seemed to be holding its breath as I navigated through the shadows, careful not to make any sound.
When my target stepped out of the derelict building, I saw my chance. A single beam of light illuminated his figure, giving me just enough cover as I silently advanced on him. My breathing slowed, mind sharpening as every detail became crucial.
As soon as he was within reach, I lunged at him with the full force of my body. Before he could react, my arm snaked around his neck, cutting off his air supply. His hands clawed futilely at my arm, but I held on tight, my grip unyielding.
“Sorry, buddy,” I muttered into his ear, my voice cold and detached. “But I need information, and you’re going to give it to me.”
His struggles grew weaker, his strength waning as the lack of oxygen took its toll. As he lost consciousness, I hoisted his limp body over my shoulder and carried him back to the abandoned building, waiting until the other man walked away before I entered through a different door.
“Time to face your demons,” I told Vinnie’s unconscious form as I dropped him into a chair, gagged him, and then bound him securely with zip ties. I placed my flashlight on the ground pointing at the exposed rafters above, creating ominous shadows on the graffiti-strewn walls.
Vinnie’s eyes flickered open as I cracked open smelling salts beneath his nostrils, confusion and fear evident in his gaze when he caught sight of me standing in front of him with my arms crossed and an icy expression on my face.
“Good evening, Vinnie,” I said, flipping another chair around so I could straddle it. “Welcome to your own personal hell.”
Eyes widening into disks, he struggled against his restraints, but his efforts were futile. Panic set in as he tried to scream through the gag and realized I was the only person who could hear him.
“Let’s get straight to the point, shall we?” I continued, my voice devoid of emotion. “You’re going to tell me everything you know about Victor Delacroix’s gang and where they’re holding my girl. And if you don’t … Well, let’s just say things will get very unpleasant for you. And don’t bother screaming, Vinnie. Your friend is already miles away by now.”
He mumbled something through the gag, his body squirming until he nearly flipped the entire chair over. Kicking the chair back into place, I removed the gag, allowing him to speak. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, man! I swear!”
“Wrong answer.” I slid brass knuckles onto my hand. Without another word, I struck, the brass knuckles splitting his face open.
He cried out, thrashing on the chair and nearly flipping it over again. “I don’t know anything, man!”
With a shake of my head, I hit him again, the bones in his nose giving way with a sickening crunch. “Wrong answer again, Vinnie.”
For a moment, I thought he would speak, but all he did was cry like a little punk. Giving him one more bored look, I walked over to a rickety table and retrieved a pair of pliers. Seeing the instrument of his potential torment in my hands, Vinnie’s eyes blew wider.
“Wait! Please, man! Oh, god, wait! I’ll talk! I’ll talk!”
“Start talking,” I barked, my gaze never leaving his as I twirled the tool in my fingers. “I’m losing my patience, Vinnie. I have places to be.”
“Alright! Alright! Victor’s got some big plan in the works.” Words tumbled out of his mouth like vomit, sweat beading on his forehead. “Something about a shipment coming in. I don’t know all the details, but Ivy Etienne’s gang broke off an agreement with Victor when Ivy stepped down and Victor’s pissed about it. Ivy’s daughter is being held at an old distillery near the river to force her father’s hand.”
“Go on,” I pressed, stepping closer to him with the pliers still in my hand. “Who’s guarding her? How many men?”
“Uh... I think there’s like five, maybe six guys.” His voice stammered, his eyes following my every move. “I swear, that’s all I know!”