"Well It's also a great way to get busted." Now talking in a whispery voice, she leaned down closer so that their words were only heard by them. "You do realize they have surveillance in here."
"Yeah..." Even from the corner of his eyes, Lucas could see the domed cameras in the ceiling.
"Then go out back, where everyone else does." Her voice was still a whisper, just barely loud enough for even Lucas to make out.
"Out back?"
Rolling her eyes, she leaned over so that her lips were right next to his ear, palm resting on his shoulder as she did it.
"The employee parking lot," she firmly said into his ear. "It's where all the deals go down, so meet him back there when he gets off in fifteen minutes."
With a nod of his head Lucas watched as she pulled away, straightening to her full height before fakely scribbling some words across her pad.
"So I'll get that drink for you, then. Anything else you'll be needing tonight, or is that it?"
"That's it," Lucas replied. "Thanks a lot for the drink though, I appreciate it."
"Uh-huh." She gave him a smile but instead of heading off she stayed put, eyeing him with a very intent expression. "That drink's gonna cost you, hon. You do understand that, right?"
"Oh, right..." Retrieving his wallet, he pulled out a ten dollar bill, but on handing it over to the waitress she lifted her brows and kept her hand extended.
"Seriously?" Lucas asked while placing an additional ten into her hand, and as she folded the currency and tucked it into her cleavage, she offered him a crooked smile.
"Info doesn't come free around here. Neither do closed lips so as far as I'm concerned, you're getting off cheap."
"Fair enough," Lucas replied. "I really do thank you for the info."
"Not a problem." She tucked her pen behind her ear before saying, "You have a good night, cutie."
As soon as she was gone Lucas was on his feet, heading for the casino entrance where he'd come in. Soon he was back out in the December cold, walking briskly to his car in the parking lot. Remembering that the waitress had told him to meet Jesse in the back, Lucas drove around to the employee area, where he immediately scoped the cars out.
It didn't take long before he spotted a shiny black SUV, definitely a Lincoln Navigator, and brand new from the looks of it.
Wanting to remain as hidden as he possibly could, Lucas slipped his pickup into a space just a row behind, then cut off his lights and killed the engine. With impatience he waited for Jesse to appear, indulging in violent fantasies to help pass the minutes that crawled by.
It took some time before anyone came into view, but as the outline of a figure came into Lucas's focus, he straightened in his seat. Definitely that of a man, the figure strolled at a casual pace, heading straight for the black SUV that Lucas knew belonged to Jesse.
The car unlocked with a beeping noise as the figure approached it, followed by the jingling of keys as he reached the driver's side door. With gaze intently focused, Lucas watched as the tall individual got into the vehicle. The engine started up, headlights flicking on before he took off, driving out of the parking space and towards the exit which led onto the street.
Not wanting to lose sight of the SUV, Lucas started his car up too. He didn't drive too fast, however, because distance needed to be kept. So covertly, and with the discreteness necessary to tail a car unobserved, Lucas followed the Lincoln Navigator.
Since the casino was in close proximity to the highway, it didn't take long before the road merged onto it, taking both the SUV and Lucas's car onto the interstate.
Without a clue as to where Jesse was heading, Lucas could only hope that it wasn't too far away, as he had far less than half a tank of gas. While following the Lincoln Navigator had been simple on the street, it was much more challenging to effectively do it on the highway. Lucas's old Chevy, which was 70's era and faded from age, struggled to keep up with the new SUV.
It certainly didn't help that Jesse drove erratically either, changing lanes at a whim and speeding up when the mood struck him.
He hadn't ever followed anyone before, so Lucas found it a chore to maintain a discreet distance, yet at the very same time keep moving at such a fast pace. As fifteen minutes turned into half an hour, Lucas realized it was after two a.m., and wondering where the rapist could be headed at such an hour, eyed the green highways signs.
Rather than traveling towards the rez, they were heading directly away from it, and in the direction which would land them in Canada.
Blowing out a hot, frustrated breath, Lucas glanced at the fuel gauge. Not only did he not have enough gas to reach Canada, but it was entirely questionable whether he would even get halfway. It wasn't until they were an hour into the drive that the Lincoln Navigator slowed down, heading for the off ramp and onto a street that was eerily desolate.
Noting how still everything felt, Lucas couldn't help wondering what town it was. Then he saw the sign, faded and retro looking, as if it'd been erected in the 1950's:
WELCOME TO HOBSON. THE BIGGEST LITTLE CITY ON EARTH. POP 150
Eerily quiet and old-fashioned in feeling, Lucas noticed that it had a strange vibe. Clearly stuck in time, the street he was traveling along had an old time movie theatre, complete with a marquee, which had tiny light bulbs that flickered in and out. Further down there was a post office, so small it resembled hardly more than a shack.
Feeling as if he'd stepped into another timeline, Lucas began to wonder what the hell Jesse was even doing here. There weren't any bars around, no convenience stores or anything else that even hinted at entertainment, so what was a twenty-one year old doing in such a nowhere place?
With the road so rural and entirely void of traffic, Lucas allowed his Chevy to crawl, going along at such a slow pace that he was barely hitting fifteen miles an hour.
It was a tricky thing, remaining invisible, while following a car down a desolate street. That was why he'd turned his headlights off after exiting the highway, and with only the moonlight and occasional streetlight to illuminate his path, Lucas creeped along in the inky darkness.
A few brick buildings were scattered here and there, of which their purpose was entirely unknown to Lucas, but as the road curved and turned into an even more desolate area, Lucas's gaze went sharp, intently focusing on the SUV. Now traveling along a set of railroad tracks, he allowed the rapist to continue leading him.
Then finally, an old abandoned building came into view, looming nightmarishly out of the darkness that surrounded. Even from the car, Lucas could tell it had a menacing sort of vibe, the kind that made him wonder if it carried some kind of residual energy.
It seemed like a factory of some kind, some decrepit piece of property that was crumbling its way into the earth. He didn't have to guess if this was the rapist's destination, because the SUV finally came to a stop, parking right in front of the building that was rotting away.
Bringing his truck to a halt, Lucas waited for Jesse to exit his vehicle, watching as his tall, masculine figure disappeared into the forgotten property. After quickly driving forward and parking next to Jesse's car, Lucas cut the engine and got out. But as he stood there in the cold wind studying the huge building, it suddenly occurred to him that he didn't have a weapon.
Fists alone won't work with a wimp like Jesse, Lucas told himself. Anyone who would rape a woman is weak, and most likely carrying something for their own protection.
With swiftness, Lucas moved to the back of his truck, rooting through the cargo area until his palm met with steel. Cold, hard, and possessing considerable weight, the crowbar felt good and solid. He tightened his grip around it before starting towards the building, pace careful and steady, yet swift enough to convey earnestness.
Lucas entered the dilapidated factory, its empty walls bouncing back the echo of his footfalls. He listened intently and scanned the interior, a solid block of open space topped with a caved in ceiling. A few slivers of moonlight fell through the high barred windows, illuminating the multitude of objects that littered the ground.
Planks of wood lay atop smelly piles of trash, abandoned shopping carts left to rust amid the filth. Noticing a burned coyote skeleton, Lucas stepped around it, maneuvering his feet in such a way to circumvent a lead pipe. Then suddenly he came to a full stop, ears perking at the sound of something or someone shifting in the darkness.
"Come on out, shithead," Lucas demanded in a deep, firm voice. "Show yourself now, or I will come after you."
Alert and ready, his eyes darted around the abandoned factory. All he saw, however, was an unsettling darkness and graffiti covered walls. Then suddenly there was movement, inspiring Lucas to shift his stance.
Grasping the crowbar in his fist, he watched as a figure headed towards him, moving at a slow yet steady pace that made Lucas root firmer to the spot.
"You'll come after me, huh?" Stepping out of the shadows, Jesse's face was revealed, eyes menacing and dark, completely soulless and without compassion. "Well you followed me all the way from the casino, so I guess you've got me caught."
"So you admit it, then." Lucas's jaw pulled tight. "You know exactly why I'm here."
"To die..." His tone was murderous, fists clenching as he stopped right in front of Lucas. "You wouldn't be the first person I killed, but you would definitely be the dumbest."
"If anyone dies, It'll be you," Lucas said. "I came because of Claudia. You remember her, right?"
"Doesn't ring a bell," he replied. "But then again I fuck a lot of girls, so why I would I remember some random ho?"
"You raped her. On Halloween night. Left her bleeding on my own fucking bed."
"Oh, the black bitch." He said it nonchalantly, then lightly smirked. "Yeah, I went balls deep inside her and she fuckin' loved it."
Boiling with anger, Lucas advanced on Jesse's form, arm rearing back to swing the crowbar. It sliced through the air with a whoosh, just narrowly missing Jesse's head as he ducked.
"Rapist." Lucas's teeth were bared now, veins popping out along his temple as he continued forward.
"Yeah I raped her, so what?" Now holding a knife in his hands, Jesse bared his teeth at Lucas. "She was just a hole for me. Another worthless cunt who took a load of my cum."
Growling, Lucas swung the crowbar again, aiming quick and with acceleration for Jesse's kneecaps. But Jesse sidestepped, evading the attack with cat-like speed.
"I deep-dicked her real good," Jesse said with a smirk. "She cried while I did it. But I liked that. A lot."
Like liquid heat through Lucas's blood, his adrenaline peaked. Wildly swinging the crowbar, he slammed it into Jesse's left shoulder. A second swing followed, this time connecting with Jesse's jaw, and at the sickening crack of something being dislodged, Lucas's heart thumped joyously.
Momentarily dazed, Jesse spit out a mouthful of blood, then ran his tongue along the inside of one cheek.
Tooth knocked loose, Lucas thought. No doubt about it.
Glaring murderously at Lucas, Jesse charged right for him, blade poised and ready in his palm. This wasn't some simple little switchblade, however, but a wicked looking Bowie knife.
Just narrowly Lucas dodged it, but the next attack was just as fast as the previous. Viciously sharp the blade sliced through Lucas's jacket, exposing the fleece that served as insulation.
Lucas swung his crowbar wildly, connecting savagely with Jesse's chest. The force of it caused Jesse to stumble, back hitting a wall that was made of brick. Lucas was on him in an instant, pressing the crowbar against his neck.
Now pinned to the wall Jesse struggled against Lucas, doing his best to escape. But Lucas's grip was firm, unrelenting as the pressure steadily increased.
Struggling for breath, Jesse gave a strangled cough, gasping and groaning as he was choked. Gratified by the way his eyes were beginning to bug out, Lucas only furthered the pressure.
Sneering in protest, Jesse shot him a death glare, so fiery hot it could be felt. Then suddenly Lucas yelped, and the crowbar fell from his hands.
He barely had time to look down before he saw the knife, buried in his left thigh at a crooked angle. Searing pain was all he could focus on now, so white hot that he gritted his teeth. With Lucas injured, Jesse now had the upper hand, grabbing the crowbar that Lucas had dropped.
Slamming it hard into Lucas's side, Jesse rammed the curved end into his ribs. The pain was explosive, causing Lucas's knees to nearly buckle, but he didn't have time to fully process what was happening before the crowbar smashed hard into his back.
The sound of agony that followed echoed off the brick walls, pain shooting sharp up Lucas's spine. He hit the ground hard, teeth gritting in pain as he struggled to recover. But suddenly a boot was against his throat, pressing wickedly to keep him down. All he knew now was incredible pain, stunningly keen and unrelenting.
The knife in his thigh was suddenly insignificant, only a mere and slight discomfort. Snarling, Jesse crushed his boot onto Lucas's throat, steadily constricting his Adam's Apple for ten torturous seconds. Even at the sound of Lucas's pain-filled gasp, Jesse's boot pressed harder, lips curling at the way his adversary suffered.
Lucas couldn't see much of anything now - just blackness with a burst of bright lights. Then suddenly the pressure on his throat was finally lessened, boot sliding off so he could once again breathe.
The gulp of air Lucas took was huge and heaving, chest rising and falling with every breath. He wheezed, then harshly coughed before attempting to rise, but Jesse kicked him hard in the side.
"Had enough yet?" Jesse asked as he gazed down at Lucas, eyes dark and glaring with a visible cruelness.
Unable to speak due to his injured throat, Lucas could only glare, nails digging into the filthy ground below.
"Cat got your tongue, I guess..." Still holding the crowbar he threw it aside, then knelt down before Lucas with a little smirk.
Still impaled with the Bowie knife, Lucas's thigh caught the attention of Jesse, who ruthlessly pulled it out before lifting it to Lucas's face.
"Maybe that's a good idea, huh?" The tip of the knife was now pointing towards Lucas's lips. "I could cut off your tongue, make you a mute just like the deaf boy."
Lucas's eyes went round and wide.
"Yeah, the dumb, deaf kid," Jesse coldly reiterated. "The one you hang out with on the rez."
Nostrils flaring, Lucas suddenly found his voice. "Touch him and you're fucking dead."
"Well supposedly you came here to kill me because of Claudia...but that hasn't gone very well, right? So I'd say chances are pretty lousy getting revenge for deafie."
"I didn't come to kill, I came to capture your sorry ass...take you back to the rez so they can put you in prison."
"My uncle works for tribal police," Jesse stated. "No way are they gonna arrest me with him on the force."
"Oh they'll nail you," Lucas assured him. "Claudia had a rape kit done so you'll be definitely be charged."
"Naw." He shook his head. "Evidence will go missing, and without any proof they can't possibly charge me."
Narrowing his eyes, Lucas glared up at Jesse. "You really are a piece of shit."
A dark chuckle fled Jesse's lips, fist holding the knife tighter as he stared down at Lucas's face. Six inches in length, the blade glinted proudly in the darkness, reflecting the moonlight that fell across them.
Rain trickled through the gaping holes in the roof, wetting their hair and soaking through their clothes. But Lucas was only focused on Jesse's horrible, sneering face, eyes cold and disturbingly flat. There wasn't a hint of softness there, only complete deadness that brought Lucas a chill. And that was when he knew he had to act in a very fast way.
His hands were clawing at the ground now, searching for a weapon of any kind. His hand found a brick and suddenly his arm was moving upward, brick smashing into the side of Jesse's head. It crumbled upon impact, casing Jesse to be momentarily stunned.
Not wasting a moment Lucas punched Jesse in the face, then scrambled to his feet with lightning quickness. Before Jesse could recover Lucas kicked him in the stomach, nailing him right in the gut with the steel toe of his boot. A stunning kick beneath the chin was next, knocking Jesse backwards from the force of it.
Rejoicing internally, Lucas kicked him again, foot repeatedly connecting with Jesse's ribs. A horrible cracking sound could be heard as a bone broke, which in turn caused Lucas to feel satisfaction. Groaning in pain, Jesse rolled away from the attack, but Lucas was determined to do more damage.
The next attack came to Jesse's head, two forceful blows that made him cry out. First in the skull, then in the face, turning Jesse's nose into a bloodied mess. A kick to the back came next, followed by a hard stomp to the gut. But Lucas wasn't done yet, and his boot bore down on Jesse's mouth.
Snowplowing right through two of Jesse's front teeth, it shattered them effortlessly. Now wheezing from the forceful blows Lucas had given him, Jesse struggled to edge away. But Lucas was now charged up, wanting more blood and suffering, and to hear Jesse beg for his life.
*Pathetic piece of shit*, Lucas heatedly thought. *He'd raped Claudia and now he was going to pay.*
His blood boiled as he glared at Jesse, and for a moment he seriously considered doing vicious, something that would quickly and mercilessly bring Jesse's life to an end. He could go for the head and split it open, let the asshole's brains and blood spray all over the place. Or he could break both the fucker's kneecaps, then leave him to die in the freezing cold of the abandoned factory.
Either option was a good one, but in his heart Lucas knew that he could never go through with it. He just simply wasn't a murderer, so taking a life wasn't going to happen.
Retrieving a zip tie from his pocket, Lucas lowered himself beside Jesse's form. He quickly bound Jesse's ankles together, then pulled at the bind to make sure it was secure. With one zip tie left he began to bind Jesse's wrists, but then suddenly a loud, raspy noise could be heard from Jessie's chest.
Both disturbed and curious, Lucas noticed it sounded like a sort of a wheeze, as if Jesse were struggling to bring up mucus.
But on maneuvering his head so that his face was fully visible, Jesse displayed a wide and macabre grin. Bloodied and missing his two front teeth, his mouth was a horrifying, gushing mess. But it wasn't the blood that sent a chill up Lucas's spine, yet rather the way that Jesse was smiling.
*What the hell is he smiling about?* Lucas angrily wondered. *I literally kicked the shit out his punk ass, and he still has the gall to smile in my face?*
Then suddenly it occurred to Lucas that Jesse wasn't looking at him, but rather behind, as if someone else was in their presence.
Eeerily silent in the decaying factory, Lucas couldn't hear a thing. But he certainly felt something now, stalking and hiding in the surrounding darkness. Pivoting his head, Lucas looked behind him.
At first it was just a dark outline, carrying energy that was menacing and just as evil as Jesse's. But as the outline stepped into a beam of moonlight filtering through the roof, Lucas finally saw who was standing before him.
Stunned, he blinked once and then twice, before checking to make sure that Jesse was still zip-tied and on the ground.
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