Tick Tock Part Three - Dock

A Matter of Choice

"I'll send you the address. Come alone; and ditch the phone. I'll know if you break the rules...and so will she." Moments later, there was another shriek of agony. He had no idea what that sick fuck was doing to her, but whatever it was, it needed to stop. Gavin raised his voice, unsure how the Hickory Killer could hear him if this was Chloe's private line. Did he hack Chloe? It was the only thing he could think of. Chloe was one of the most advanced androids in existence! Elijah had safeguarded her software with the latest defences! Who the fuck was this guy if he could get around that?

"Alright-alright! Just phcking stop! I'll come, so stop! Stop hurting her!" Gavin yelled as he stepped into the parking garage. It was probably a good thing he wasn't wearing his watch right now. Nines would go crazy if he could feel the way his heart was pounding. If he was watching the house when I left, he's probably going crazy anyway...He felt guilty, but there wasn't much he could do with Chloe's life on the line. I should have phcking called her! I should have called as soon as I felt that...phck! The garage was empty. Of course it was. Nines had taken the car that morning.

"Remember, Gavin. Come alone, and none of your little tricks." The line went dead. He didn't even think as he raised the garage door enough to slip out. It may have been quicker to go back up to the lobby, but this way was more private. The last thing he needed was for his face to give something away to Roland or Joanna. He headed up the cement stairwell and out into the street through a small side entrance and looked down at the address, glancing at the small icon for the android app as he closed the message. It would be so easy to message Nines and let him know. Nines would be able to come up with a plan. Nines would know what to do. He sighed as he let the screen black out. He couldn't afford to break the rules. Not with Chloe's life on the line. Phck! I'm really sorry about this, Nines...

He held an arm out, and a taxi rolled its way over. As the taxi zoomed down the street, he rolled down the window and took one last lingering look at his phone before he tossed it. Technically, he'd done as instructed. He'd tossed the phone, and he wasn't wearing his tracker. The Hickory Killer hadn't told him to delete the address from his recent messages. He also hadn't told him to turn off the GPS tracker on his phone. His mouth felt dry as he swallowed and fidgeted in his seat. He just hoped Nines noticed his change in location and got back in time. This was the second time he'd done this. He was directly disobeying Nines. Going into danger by himself. Without backup. But phck, it's for Chloe!

His leg was bouncing the whole way, hands rubbing the denim of his jeans in steady back-and-forth motions. He'd locked his jaw to stop himself from grinding his teeth and chewing his cheek. When the taxi stopped, he climbed out and looked around with a frown. It was an old, disused parking lot. A multistorey with five levels above ground. The taxi rolled away without even asking for payment. It was only then that he realised how unprepared he really was. He was off duty. His sidearm was at home, locked in the safe. He didn't call me here to fight though...He said it was another game...He'd been dropped off on the ground level of the empty lot. It was empty for good reason. The whole thing had been condemned years ago. A section of the third floor had already caved in, leaving the top two levels slanted and crumbling on one side.

Looking around, he saw nothing to tell him where he should go. He was pretty sure the Hickory Killer wouldn't be keeping Chloe out in the open, so going up was a waste of time. If they're really here, then they'll be inside...which means...He headed towards the stairwell. There was a basement level below the first floor. He took a breath before slowly heading down the dark staircase, flinching as some of the old lights flickered and buzzed to life above his head. Motion sensors...Phck, I can't believe this place is still powered...It had been abandoned for years. You'd think someone would have received the memo. Unless the Hickory Killer turned the power on...