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Chapter XXXVI

Chapter 36

D e r e k

I can't remember what happened next. All I know is that I was out there in the streets looking for her. For any sign of where she could be , and as each minute went by so did my sanity. Something I can't risk losing in times like these.

A bell echos in the now quiet room, indicating my arrival, followed with many eyes which are watching me. Most likely noticing the storm raging in my own.

Brenda steps away from the officer who's trying to calm her parents and rushes towards me, wrapping her arms around my tense body "Well find her," She whispers in my ear, but even her voice sounds too shaky for me to believe.

 I glance back to her parents who look like they're about to pass out any second, most specifically Mrs. White who hasn't stopped crying since I arrived. Luke is also here, but instead of pacing the room like I thought he would, he's on a chair in the far corner of the room, hands covering his face while the rest try to confront him and themselves.

The back doors open and instantly my eyes narrow at who walks out first.  

For the first time in years, Mr. Parker stands in front of me flesh and bones, but instead of wearing his normal attire which consists of suits and briefcases, he wears jeans. Along with a black shirt yet still having his hair gelled back.

Good thing the shirt is black.

"Derek!"

My fist makes contact with his chin before I'm being grabbed by the officers who stood by him- handcuffs already in hand.

"Don't... let him go, I'm all right," he says, rubbing his chin, not one ounce of shock or confusion in his features.

A hand lands on my shoulder, which seems to be holding me back as Alexander fills my side vision. "Calm down Derek, right now is not the time to lose control. Remember Linda. She needs us- she needs you, and preferably not inside a jail cell."

"Is there any news of Linda?" Sarah speaks, looking at Mr. Parker who shakes his head. 

"We sent a crew to check the other girl's house- Zoe- we haven't heard anything yet." 

My mind is running wild, images of Linda in potential danger along with a heavy weight of guilt building inside me. Damn it. I should have listened to her, I should've known she would pull something like this. We're both so similar after all, both acting out of impulse to protect and help others.

"......Sir..." 

We watch as the one of the officers, a sergeant, pull out his radio from his belt, turning up the volume for us to listen. 

"Go ahead."

"Sir, there is no sign of the girl. We contacted her parents to try to get in contact, but they haven't heard anything from her- she won't answer."

He lets out a sigh and runs his hand through his hair "10-4."

I shake my head, just as I'm about to speak the back doors slam open as an officer runs out, a note in hand.

"Sir! we revived an anonymous call. They claim to know where the girls are."

****** 

The sirens fill the air, blue and red lights flashing, displaying on the building and cars we pass by, which are slowly starting to disappear. Good thing the cops are with us. Otherwise many tickets would be filling up my glove compartment.

Luke, on the other hand, looks more on edge then ever before. His eyes taking in the new surroundings from the passenger seat, his hand clenching and unclenching on his lap. 

"She's going to be all right," He keeps repeating. "She has to be."

I glance to the back where the rest would've been if it wasn't for Brenda's parents and Mr. Parker, along with the chief officer. Only Luke and I were able to, but simply because we hopped into my car as the officers were pulling out- none having time to demand us to go back. It's not like there were going to stop us, it would take a lot more than cuffs and bars to keep me from going for her. 

The cars in front begin to slow and a building, a warehouse it seems, appears before us- the lights coating the outside, all sirens turned off minutes ago. The only sound seems to be coming from my racing heart as I watch the officers rush out of there vehicles. The sergeant, along with other head chiefs giving out orders. We step out as well just as an ambulance pulls up, something I hope we don't use tonight.

We run to the closet group, yet I'm immediately stopped by a hand grabbing my arm. "You can't go in there. We have this under control." I glare at the officer, wrenching my arm from his grip. "I'm going, the person I love is in there." 

"I understand, but you also have to understand. It's our job to keep you safe along with your friend." I glance over his shoulder as I watch them knock down the door, barging in with guns raised high and lights filling into the dark interior. I slowly back away, nodding at the cop in front of me, only to sidestep him and race over to the entrance. 

They fill the bottom floor scanning every room but my feet guide me to the top floor, where others are checking, and suddenly, my heart seems to drop as I watch them single to each other to be quiet, and I hear it- voices, Linda's. They race to the last door, me following closely behind. 

Please be okay. I pray in my head hoping that whoever is out there is listening to me, but all hope gets lose as I hear a gunshot fired, followed by the door being thrown open.

"Linda! " I push through the officer's, heart now in my throat. Nothing could prepare me what I never hoped to witness; Linda, bloody and bruised on the ground- not moving.

"We need paramedics in here now."

I turn to face Zoe, but even that is not what my eyes tell, no, they tell me that Eva was the one that pulled the trigger. "You."

She doesn't meet my eyes as they drag her away, she simply stares at Linda then to the gun on the floor.

I drop to the ground close to Linda and take her out of one of the officers' arms- holding her to my chest. I can feel her blood soak into my shirt, but my focus is on her breathing- on her pulse, which doesn't seem to be present. "Linda, wake up," I beg, tears now flowing, she doesn't move. "Someone help!" I shout, desperation, anger, and sadness all mixed together. I hear more footsteps and a gasp from behind.

"No no no no !"Luke cries out.

"Get the paramedics in here!"

They rush inside, immediately taking her from my arms, not knowing that I'm also broken and slowly dying.

****