29

I got discharged early as my injuries were minor. The others were unconscious at the moment and under watch. Because of this, the city was under surveillance, and a curfew was in effect. Nobody was allowed outside after 8 pm. If so, they will be taken in for questioning. When I got home, I felt empty inside. Nothing felt real anymore. I slumped in the chair as I turned my phone back on. I re-watched the video that was sent to me. I was shaking as I stared at Aria, but I noticed this strange noise in the background. A clunking sound like metal. I pulled the phone closer to my ear.

CLANK. CLANK. CLANK.

For some odd reason, I recognize the sound from somewhere— but where? Disheartened, I plugged my phone into my laptop and played with the audio enhancer. I took out the voices or any extra noise that was irrelevant. It took a while, but I know what it is.

Pipes. I remember Aria saying the person smelled like rust and oil. A junkyard in the city only collects cars over on 35th Street. I snatched my things and slipped out the bedroom window.

When I got to the place, I took a deep breath. The overwhelming smell hit my nose, which made me cough up a lung. I need to do this; I need to know. I tip-toe across the field and hide behind a car. A sound of clicking entered my ears; I peeked over to see it was a flamethrower.

“If he told me sooner, then this would have been done.”

“Complaining again, Minho; once you finish, we can go,” Brad said.

“What about her, B?”

My body slid back down. I knew it! I fucking knew it!! But nobody wanted to believe me. I did something that the police failed to do– find him. I overheard them saying it was useless to get her due to the slip-ups. Was he talking about me?? When I peeked again, Brad disappeared. I never saw someone move so fast. Where the hell did he go? Another sound came from my right; when I glanced, it was a metal door opening. A huge container sat in the back of the yard. You could barely notice it as cars block its view.

I made sure I was clear to examine it. Before I could even squeeze through, I heard a voice. “Did you lose something, Miss?” a voice said behind me.

“Umm, I was looking for a piece for my car. Like a battery.” I said as I got up and brushed myself off. The guy stared strangely at me. Then he pointed to a lit area away from the container.

“We usually don’t have working battery packs here. If we are lucky enough, then we will store them here. Come.”

I followed the guy going along with my lie. My eyes shifted to the left to spot a familiar car. Isn’t it the same car that took Aria?? I didn’t realize I was in my thoughts until he snapped me out of it. He showed me the batteries, and I pretended to pick one out. But another person appeared out of nowhere.

It was Kevin’s partner; he looked more pissed than ever. “Sorry to bother you, Minho. She can be slippery sometimes.” He said with a smile. Minho nods at him and then walks away. The detective begins to drag me out. He tosses me out like trash. His eyes were locked on me. “What the hell do you think you are doing?”

“What do you mean?? I just found the fucking suspects.” I stated.

“I doubt that Minho is a part of this. He and this place have been here for four years. Plus, I get check-ups here.”

What a bunch of bullcrap. These police officers are blind as a bat—no wonder they can’t find anything. I pulled out my phone and showed him the video. “If you listen to the background, it sounds like pipes. Aria, the witness, claims the suspect smelled like rust. This is the only place to fit the description, she said.” I said.

He pointed out the mill had pipes running throughout the place. But it doesn’t have the same type of smell. The mill smells more of a grain-like smell. This is a complete rust smell. I added more to what I told him, the car they used to escape the hospital was here. His partner stood there frozen as something hit him. He told me to wait here for a second.

Check-ups?? Who gets their car checked here?? Curious, I went to his car to examine it and felt something was off. I rummaged through the glove department and checked between the seats, behind the seats, and the trunk— nothing. If anything, this would have been the perfect place to hide.

CLICK.

Without warning, the door locked. Freaking out, I pressed the button to unlock it, but it didn’t budge. What the hell is going on now? What a stupid car. Sitting back, I pouted, trying to figure out something. I looked around to find no other way out. This fucker activated the child lock. Things became fuzzy, and all the items in the car became two. Did something leak?? Glancing around, I spotted Brad behind the vehicle. He was putting some gas inside the car’s trunk—knockout gas or anesthetic.

Anesthetic is a gas that makes you fall asleep for a couple of hours. It depends on how long you inhale. Quickly, I covered my mouth more than my nose. But it was too late as I drifted off to sleep. Was this planned, or did he know I was here all along? I thought I was a step ahead. But I’m always three steps behind.