Chapter 51

-James-

I went into town, and it was lovely and quaint, but it was one of those towns that you can tell used to be booming, but now it's a shadow of its former self. I walked down the main street, admiring the charming architecture and the old-fashioned storefronts. The buildings were visibly fading, and the people walking around had a certain air of defeat. I felt out of place like I was intruding on their sadness. I walked further and found what looked like a general store. I hope to find everything I need there. There were a few options around anyway.

I turned a corner and noticed a man that has been following me. I've actually seen him a couple of streets back. I let him follow me in the store and on the walk back. I knew I had to get Jianna and get out of there.

I went into the motel and made a beeline to our room. But when I got there, the door was already open.

"FUCK!"

I entered the room and saw that the room had been trashed. "FUCK!"

"Jianna? Jianna? Are you here?" I called out.

No answer. My heart started pounding against my chest. I knew something was wrong. I frantically searched the room, but there was no sign of Jianna. My mind raced with all the horrible things that could have happened.

Then, the rage started to rise up my chest. I dropped the things I got from the store and went back outside to look for the man following me. Now I know why he never engaged. He was making sure I would not come back until they got what they came here for.

I stormed down the street, my eyes scanning the area for any sign of the man who had been following me. My mind was a blur of anger and fear, and I could feel my heart beating heavily in my chest. I passed by a few locals, but they avoided making eye contact with me as if they knew better than to get involved in my business.

I couldn't think of anything else but Jianna. I touched the gun on my waist as I walked through alleyways. I needed to ensure I could grab it at a moment's notice.

"He couldn't have gone far." I thought. Scanning streets at a mile a minute. Then I saw him. Going to a coffee shop with another man in a black suit. I tried to check if Jianna was with them, but I didn't see her, or at least I couldn't.

I made my way towards the coffee shop, the adrenaline pumping through my veins. As I entered the café, fresh coffee filled my nostrils, and people huddled around tables, talking and laughing. But my focus was solely on the two men sitting at a table in the shop's back corner.

I took a deep breath and slowly approached their table, trying to look as casual as possible. As I got closer, I could hear bits and pieces of their conversation.

"...got what we came for." the man in the black suit said.

"And the guy?" the man following me asked.

"He's not our problem anymore; they already know where he is. It's just a matter of time before his side takes care of him." the man in the black suit replied, and I felt a surge of anger pulse through my veins.

I tried to keep my cool, but it's proving hard. I raised the hood of my jacket and went past them to see what kind of artillery they were working with. At first glance, it looked like they were just packing a couple of handguns. I headed to the bathroom to see how much ammo I had. As I entered the bathroom, I locked the door behind me and took a deep breath. I need a clear head to get through this.

I checked my clip; a dozen left and one at the chamber. I was in way over my head. But I couldn't give up now; Jianna was out somewhere, and I had to find her.

I stepped out of the bathroom and headed towards their table. I planned to see if I could hear more information to narrow my search.

The two men were engrossed in their conversation and didn't notice me standing there. I pretended to be looking for a table and walked around them, trying to listen to their conversation.

"...make sure the girl is secured. We can't afford any loose ends." said the man in the black suit.

I looked around the cafe, and many people would be collateral damage. If I open fire and engage, that's a lot of innocent lives in the crossfire. I needed a plan.

Suddenly, my eyes landed on a sugar jar on a nearby table. Inspiration struck. I grabbed the jar and walked over to the two men.

"Excuse me," I said, holding up the jar. "Do either of you know where I can find some cream?"

The men looked up at me in annoyance, clearly irritated at the interruption.

"Get lost, kid," the man following me said, dismissively waving a hand.

But I didn't budge. Instead, I tightened my grip on the sugar jar and deeply breathed.

Without warning, I swung the jar at the man's head with all my might. It connected with a satisfying thud, and the man slumped over, knocked out.

The man in the black suit reached for his gun, but I already had my gun on his head.

"Don't even fucking try," I growled, shoving the barrel of my gun on his head.

I looked at the people in the cafe that have yet to run out. I saw them hiding under the tables.

"GET OUT OF HERE!" I yelled.

I waited until they all cleared out, and I knew I had about 10 minutes tops to get information out of this asshole. I grabbed the collar of his suit and forced him up.

"Walk," I said.

He got up and tried a maneuver to disarm me, but I countered and gave him a broken nose.

"Wanna try that again?" I said between gritted teeth.

He held his nose and started walking.

"You're never going to find her," he said. "She's as good as dead if you try anything."

I shoved the gun to his head and pushed him forward.

Now what?