COOKIE : CHAPTERS 31 – 40

COOKIE : CHAPTERS 31 – 40

BY ROSY JOHNSON

CHAPTER 37

Collins could hear the distant shouts of the guards, but his focus was locked on Richard’s instructions.

“Got it. Fourth Street. I’m on my way,” he said, his voice terse.

Hanging up, Collins shot a glance around the corner. The guards were closing in, flashlights cutting through the darkness.

Heart racing, Collins darted away from the car and into the maze of back alleys, the stench of garbage and decay assaulting his senses.

Every shadow seemed to hide a threat, every sound a potential trap.

Collins’s footfalls echoed off the grimy walls, his clothes snagging on discarded debris. His breath came in sharp gasps, fear and adrenaline pumping through his veins.

Rounding a corner, he nearly collided with a vagrant huddled in a doorway, his face lined with grime and misery.

Collins nearly screamed, but he caught himself, pressing a finger to his lips in a silent plea for silence.

The vagrant’s eyes widened, then he gestured with his finger, pointing down a dark, narrow passageway.

Collins nodded, his mouth a thin, grateful line. Collins slipped into the passageway, the darkness enveloping him like a shroud.

He strained to hear the guards, their footfalls growing fainter, echoing through the labyrinth of alleyways.

At last, Collins emerged onto a main street, the harsh neon signs casting a garish glow on the damp pavement.

A sleek black car pulled up to the curb, the window sliding down with a smooth hiss. Richard’s face was pale, his eyes wide.

“Get in,” Richard said, urgency in his voice.

Collins tumbled into the passenger seat, slamming the door shut behind him. The car peeled away from the curb, tires squealing on the wet pavement.

“We’re headed for the private house,” Richard said, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.

“It’s the only place they won’t think to look.”

Collins nodded, his body tensed, his mind racing.

“What the hell do we do now?” he asked, his voice ragged.

Richard’s jaw clenched, his knuckles white on the steering wheel.

“First thing, we need to call Lucius,” Richard said, his voice tight with stress.

“If he knows what’s going on, he can figure out what to do next.” He added.

Collins’s thoughts were a swirling vortex of fear and anger.

“What if he’s in on it?” he asked, the words tasting like ash in his mouth.

Richard glanced at him, his expression grim.

“I don’t think so. But we won’t know until we talk to him.” He replied, facing the road again.

Collins sank back against the leather seat, the reality of his situation crashing down on him.

COOKIE : CHAPTERS 31 – 40

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