Forever

Chapter 18

*HI :D I hope everyone is doing good!*

The voices were approaching quickly, and with his phone in hand, George gave Wilbur one last look before he was moving.

There were only two doors into the room, and the panicked feeling in George's chest was quickly growing worse. He didn't know the layout of the building at all, and he had stupidly chosen a desolate location some distance away from London. Initially, he had simply wanted to put some distance between himself and the rest of the team. But now, it was just another thing to add onto the growing list of mistakes he had made.

Even if he could call Dream, it would take forever for him to get here, and he had a sickening feeling that he was quickly running out of time.

With his heart pounding in his chest, George neared the door on the opposite side of the room. He was still a few feet away, and a quick glance over his shoulder told him that there was no way he would make it in time. He veered off to the side where a pile of old crates and discarded furniture sat, ducking behind it for cover just as a few men emerged into the room.

Holding his breath, all George could do was listen as a man with an unrecognizably deep voice spoke, "Wilbur, what a surprise to see you here."

"Eret," Wilbur answered simply, and there was an agonizing beat of silence before Eret was asking, "where's George?"

"He's not here," Wilbur responded, and Eret tsked in response.

George peeked out from behind the stack of crates to see Eret leaning against the table near Wilbur, arms crossed casually over his chest as he spoke, "he's a difficult man to track down, isn't he?"

Wilbur didn't answer, and Eret studied him closely as he asked, "you wouldn't lie to me, would you, Wilbur?"

Again, Wilbur didn't respond, and Eret's arms unfolded as he spoke again, "you really wouldn't benefit from it."

Wilbur scoffed, and his eyes narrowed as he muttered, "I'm not lying to you. Why would I? I'm sitting tied to a chair in an abandoned building in the middle of nowhere, Eret. George was here, and now he's not."

"No?" Eret asked with a slight tilt of his head.

Wilbur held his gaze as he answered, "like I already said, no. He brought me here to kill me, but we talked and he had a change of heart. He may not want me dead, but he was still angry enough to leave me here."

Eret didn't answer, and his eyes roamed slowly around the room. George ducked out of view, holding his breath again as he heard Wilbur add on, "he left not that long ago, I'm surprised you didn't cross paths with him. Or maybe you just weren't paying attention."

George's pulse quickened at Wilbur's words and tone of voice, low and laced with cruel intent. He knew nothing good would come from it, and Eret's cold laugh in response only confirmed that idea. The next thing George heard was Eret's hand connecting hard enough with Wilbur's face to send the noise echoing through the large, nearly empty room.

George knew he needed to act soon if he wanted to get them both out of there, and he glanced down as he powered up the phone he was still clutching. With dark eyes darting back up, George moved slowly and quietly towards the nearby door. He managed to slip through unseen, but his heart beat hard when he heard Eret's voice echo through the room.

"Search the place. I know he's still here."

Cursing quietly under his breath, George began to move a bit faster down dark, unfamiliar hallways. He moved with the intent to draw as many of Eret's men away from the room where Wilbur still sat. With any luck, he might be able to circle back, deal with Eret, and get Wilbur and himself out mostly unharmed.