Page 68 of Locked Souls
Entering the bar that hides the darkness beneath it, I walk through the bodies and gore, right to a hidden door that's open and waiting for us.
Bastian groans, covering his nose.
“This is worse than we imagined,” Jonas mutters, and I have to nod in agreement. The stench alone is enough to stop anyone from walking further down these steps into the dark unknown.
Team One radioed that it was clear for us to enter, but I sense something isn’t right.
I know that the other guys agree with me. It was almost too easy to get in here.
Team One took out all of the grunts, and we have a few high-profile government officials in custody, but I know we are missing something.
Nixon and Isabella haven’t been spotted yet, but that’s okay. We will find them. We aren't leaving until we do.
As we reach the bottom step, we immediately see cells. So many women and children who have pushed themselves into the back corner, scared.
“Jonas, Levi, Team One, if you are done, start moving these people up to the ground floor,” I bark into the radio, then move toward one of the cells.
“Hey, I know this is scary right now, and it doesn't help that we are all dressed in tactical gear, but I promise, we are here to help you,” I coo to some of the children. A woman in the back faints and I sigh.
This may be harder than I thought. They are all covered in filth, and my heart breaks. I can't imagine people being so heartless and cruel that they are willing to profit off innocents like this.
My eyes water and I curse my emotions. A little boy waddles over, dragging a dirty, ratty bear behind him.
He reminds me so much of Romeo, I have to take a step back and blink a few times. My son's face disappears as Bastian pushes me to the side to scoop him up.
The little boy clutches Bast with his tiny fists, but doesn't make a sound.
None of these children are crying or even making a sound.
A loud bang from down the hall alerts us that there are more of Isabella's lackeys coming our way.
“Team Two, you're with me. Team One, get these people out of here,” I roar, then I rush down the hall, hoping to cut them off so that Team One has enough time to empty those cells.
Patience, Rooke, Kian, and Levi follow me.
“Lord, keep us safe, and let's finally end this,” I pray, as the others say, “Amen”.
My phone rings, but I’m kinda busy at the moment. Bast goes down after being slammed in the temple by the butt of a scumbag’s gun. He has tattoos covering his whole face.“Malachai, get him to the van,” I shout out to one of the new Initiates.
He did well during the trials, so he and his group are here helping us today, but I know they are getting overwhelmed.
“On it, Dragon,” he replies, before scooping up an unconscious Bastian and taking him back to the upper level.
“Stay alert,” Levi roars as my phone starts to ring again. Jonas takes down the man who hurt Bast, and I let him take his anger out on his tattooed face for the moment. We are down to just a few lackeys, and Rooke is getting impatient.
He’s pissed about how Bast talked to his woman, and I don’t blame him. It was uncalled for. It’s not her fault that Jonas was almost shot. Jonas has always been a protector, just like Ash.
He will always risk his life to save someone else.
“We’re all clear and ready to begin tracking down Nixen Reynolds and Isabella Andrews,” someone radios and I nod.
“Fuck, my phone is going crazy. Watch my six while I answer,” I shout to Levi and he nods. I check my phone then swear.
I’ve missed another call from Otto, so I quickly dial him back.
“Baby, what’s wrong?”
“Chastity is gone. I was helping David get the students on the buses, and when I went down to the chamber, Grandma Cross was freaking out.”