41 — Noah Foster
“I lose my way
And it doesn't take long until you mention it
I can not cry
Because I know this is weakness in your eyes.”
Because of you — Kelly Clarkson
While Tyler ate his meal, we talked for a long time. I was able to discover that he is a boy passionate about architectural constructions, I dare say that he could easily venture into this area, if one day he wanted to. I saw myself being part of his future life, as if I was planning a child's dreams. In a way, this was comforting, at the same time as it tore at my chest, knowing that my baby is in danger, along with the woman in my life.
An hour later, I managed to get him to rest a little, making him comfortable in my old teenage room which, thanks to my father, was in the same shape, including several games that we still use during father—son moments.
Now I'm ready to meet the rest of the team and go look for my girl, however, I stop by to take one last look at Ty. I open the door after knocking twice.
— Hi. — I see him standing in front of the window. — Everything okay, buddy?
— Can't I go with you? They're dangerous, I'm afraid they'll hurt them — his voice comes out weak.
— Come here — I call him, sitting on the old sofa. — Remember that I explained to you that we have training, in addition to our security team being made up practically of ex—military personnel? — he nods his head. — So, don't worry, we're like a Marvel and DC team, we always beat the bad guys, okay? — I hug him. — I'm going to ask Norah to stay here with you, okay?
— Yes. Just, take care of yourselves yes good? — he whispers into my arms.
I know exactly what's going on in his head at this moment, fear of losing someone who, in a few minutes, has already done more than he received in a few years of his life. I felt that way the first few days with old Jack.
— Noah, come on, the only thing missing is you! — I see Gael standing in the doorway. — I think history is about to repeat itself — he says, with a smile on the corner of his lips.
— Come on, Gael! — I decided to ignore your last sentence.
— See you later, friend. Here you are at home, you can ask Norah or Iaiá for anything. — I say goodbye to him, get up and head to the door.
— Enjoy and have fun, and please don't leave here, Tyler. I asked a friend of ours to come and keep you company and bring some goodies. You can trust him, okay?
— Who will come? — he asks, curious.
— I called Erik, he wanted to go with us, but I insisted that he stay here, in case the women freak out, more than they already are. He knows how to relax the atmosphere too. — Give a wink. — See you later, big boy. Now we're going to rescue the maiden — look at me —, it's a shame the prince doesn't have the white horse, isn't it?
For the first time I hear the boy laugh, in a way that makes my heart explode with joy and my eyes fill with pent—up tears.
Damn, that kid is me as a child!
— Right. — I clear my throat — Ty, as I said before, enjoy and have fun! We'll be back soon and, tomorrow, calmly, we'll talk and decide how to help you, ok?
— All good.
We then arrived at the office and I noticed everyone already prepared, with tactical clothes and ballistic vests, in addition to being equipped. I go to the safe to get my 9mm Glock, I put it in my holster, attached to my leg, since I'll be carrying them in my BMW RR [10] . When I say that I got training from a young age, it really wasn't child's play, my father prepared me for different situations and I realized that the combination of two wheels together with my aim are the lethal combination for any enemy. However, I didn't imagine using this passion to rescue the woman I love, I just hope that the years at the base — Jack and Thomaz have an exclusive training center for us and the security chiefs, so that we have advanced tactics — were worth the effort. It's a shame, because today is the trial by fire.
— Well, I believe everyone is here, I'll give you the coordinates and the exit order. The rest of our team is already in place, waiting for the signal — Kenny informs us.
Aideen and he will remain here, giving us information on the highway, in real time, to stay off the police radar. For now, it was the decision made by my father and Thomaz. The intention is for my father to notify a police officer friend of his, only when we have the place surrounded, as he is suspicious that someone inside may have pulled strings and delayed the investigation. The only one on the team who will not accompany us is Logan, apparently he got the trail of the Canadian negotiator and went to personally find him and get more information.
Yes, Otávio, the siege is closing and I will make sure to crush your dirty ass!
— Okay, boys, it's time for us to go. Gael, you will go scouting with Noah — my father informs, turning to me —, and you, son, remember to maintain control and follow my command — he points in my direction. — If, even for a moment, you dare to disobey me, I swear I'll kick your ass, kid! — that's it, I felt like a child now.
— Okay, dad! Don't worry, I will follow you. Now come on, we're less than an hour from Brownsville [11] Hopefully, we shorten this time.
— Pay attention to your partner, you will be in pairs. Remembering that the rest will be in Q.T.A [12] ., a few meters away, waiting for instructions, ok? — we nodded. — I will go over the training. Jack and Thomaz, Alfa team; Noah and Gael, Bravo Team; Adam and Travis, Team Charlie; James and Ethan team Tango.
After that, Kenny releases us to continue to our destination.
Estamos on I—495 W [13] , arriving at the neighborhood that, one day, was part of my childhood. For the second time, someone I hold dear is in danger in this same area. Without meaning to, I think of Tyler, determined to change his future.
— Teams, Q.S.O. [14] — Kenny calls us, through the radio communicators. — Five minutes to arrive, perimeter here, ok. Mr. Jack, I'll let you know in ten minutes. The camera system will be restored in a maximum of fifteen minutes, we cannot hold it longer than that.
— Also pay attention to the emergency buttons that are with you. Activate the Q.R.R code. [15] , immediately. Remembering that support will be on hand — Aideen informs us. — Ready to start operation.
Adrenaline consumes me along with worry.
Focus, you need to have control, Noah!
We divided ourselves as follows: Alfa, north side, Charlie, to the west, Tango to the east and Bravo to the south, surrounding the entire perimeter of the warehouse.
There are three cars near the access door, I believe that Thomaz and my father used the same tactic as when they rescued Victória from here. I remove my helmet, leaving it next to the bike, Gael does the same. In all the training sessions we practiced together — since my father insisted that he also knew the minimum of our safety — we got along well as a pair, we always covered each other's backs.
I see that on the south side, where we are, there is a forest. I search the area with my eyes looking for a trap or a sniper, since we don't know exactly what hornet's nest we are messing with, we position ourselves in a frank position, connecting the silencer to the rifles. Gael, next to me, signals by putting his fingers to his eyes, then points to the abandoned place. In a position to pay attention to the target, I respond by running my finger across the throat, indicating my thirst for the death of that worm.
— Base em Q.A.P. [16] ? Bravo team in position, southern perimeter covered — warning via communicator.
The others report positive for their positions, waiting for the signal to proceed.
— Q.S.O [17] ., Alpha team invading the location, wait in your positions. Remember, shoot to contain and not kill, we need them alive. Understood, Noah? — my father warns.
I understand your concern, however, I cannot promise something that I will probably not be able to fulfill.
— Q.S.L. [18] — answer
Everything remains in absolute silence, which lasts for seconds, but feels like endless hours. My patience is at its limit, a bomb ready to explode.
Shit! I should have gone in there to save my princess. Yes, totally corny, however, the reality that my love deserves.
Gael signals, indicating my left side, where a car approaches and, as it parks, we see four armed men getting out of it.
Drugs!
I know we need to wait for them to give the command, but something shit must have happened, thankfully my partner understands my reasoning without me even commenting on anything, just a few gestures.
We removed our communicators, leaving the position of being frank, we know the risk we are running, but we trust the support team. We go around until we reach the north side, with caution. Certainly someone on the team must have noticed, however, we didn't stop.
— Possible Q.R.R. [19] , Noah — Gael informs, observing through a crack. — And I didn't visualize Nina.
I'm about to respond when J. appears next to me.
— She's not here, I immobilized one of them, the same one who fought hand to hand with her. Search the nearby areas, she shouldn't be far away. We'll take care of it here, Adam and Ethan will cover. — Give us the communicators we had left behind. — Don't remove it again, there are probably a few more scattered around, behind it.
Fuck! Fuck! Fucking hell!
— Let's head towards that forest, close to where we were — I inform Gael.
— Are you sure? — he asks. — Although, if it were me in her place, I would head there, it's a great place to hide.
— Yes. Let's go.
Without wasting time, we ran towards the trees, praying in my heart that we would find her as soon as possible, and well. Visibility is not at all favorable in this pitch black and a flashlight is out of the question, we cannot draw unnecessary attention. We stop next to some bushes, where it is possible to see in the distance that, if we cut through them, we will emerge onto a highway. I signal for us to head in that direction.
All my senses are heightened, any noise makes me alert, imagining her in danger.
A few meters ahead, I see a car stopping, keeping its headlights low. Suspect.
— Base, Q.A.P.? — I call Aideen and Kenny.
— Positive.
— Update, Bravo team and Charlie on new route, southern perimeter, near a highway. Suspicious vehicle.
— Q.S.L., monitoring location in real time, approximately 5 meters to the highway. No cameras around.
— Stay alert, Catarina must be here.
— Ok.
Gael and I continued forward, using only the rifles' laser as a signal, with the silencer activated. My heart accelerates, as if my instinct is leading me to her.
— Q.R.M. [20] left, Bravo team.
I turn next to Gael, ready for combat, when I feel a hot liquid run down my arm and the skin burns. Hell! Before he can aim at the bastard, Gael hits him with a single shot.
— Apparently, my aim is still the best. Gael, the wonderful, 1; Noah, the maiden, 0. — The creature makes fun even when danger dominates.
For God! One day I will study his mentality.
— Is this serious?
— Relax, relax, my friend! Follow the flow and now I'm excited!
I watch in disbelief as the human being does the victory dance.
I can hear, through the radio, Adam and Travis letting out grunts of disguised laughter.
— Is the celebration over? Can we follow? — I ask, indignant.
— He left to rescue the maiden, without a white horse! — I haven't punched him in the face for some unknown reason yet.
We continue, approaching the location. With eyes like a lynx, Adam signals that he will head straight to the shoulder on the right side and Travis, on the left, giving us cover and catching whoever it is.
I hear some altered voices, close to us, we take a few steps back, camouflaging ourselves next to some trees. I position the rifle for better visibility and immediately recognize the man who awakened my thirst for revenge.
I use the control I don't have and, before the guy next to him sees the laser, I shoot him in the knee, making him fall, while Gael does the same to the other.
When we are almost reaching them, the scene I see in front of me makes my body shudder abruptly.
— No, no, no! — I kneel beside him. — Baby, I arrived, I'm here. — I hold my wife's face in my hands.
— Base, Q.S.M. [21] ? — I hear Gael on the radio.
— Positive, Q.S.T. [22] ? — Kenny responds.
— We need an ambulance, in the location we are in. Nina is unconscious and injured and needs quick care.
— Ok, I'll call the contacts, we'll take her to the base for first assistance, information about the kidnapping has leaked and journalists are already surrounding the property. We are containing the situation.
— Right. Signal the support team, we have the damn thing here too.
— Q.S.L. [23]
I listened to the entire interaction without babbling anything, not even with the woman in my life. She's freezing, I can't tell if there are any serious injuries, but I won't move her until help arrives. I kiss your temple, inhale your unique scent, which is engraved in my mind, I get up and go towards the person who caused my hell in the last few days.
— You son of a bitch! — I punch him in the face. — You're not man enough to face another, you damned worm! — I continue throwing punches, taking out my anger, frustration and hatred.
— Enough, Noah! — I am restrained by Gael. — Nina is a priority, he will get what he deserves, brother.
Minutes later, we are surrounded by some of our own, and also Thomaz and my father. I have no idea what they found there in the warehouse, but from the looks of it, it wasn't something good.
— Son, it’s not worth it. I will contact my contact at Federal.
— No. I want to take care of him.
At this moment, the ambulance approaches, and I head to where my wife is. They bring a stretcher and perform the immobilization procedure. I will follow along, however, before leaving, I look at my father who indirectly already knows my request.
— Okay, at the base. We met there, and looked at this wound — he pointed to my arm, which was bleeding, the adrenaline must have numbed the pain.
The journey to our training center — or base, as we call it — was agonizing and terrifying. The blood I saw on her suffocated my chest, however, nothing prepared me for the information I received from the doctor who provided the first care in the ambulance. He believes that, due to the heavy emotional stress and physical exertion of her, our baby probably did not survive. However, he asked me to remain calm and that he would carry out the necessary tests here.
When my father set up this place, he thought of a complex that was self—sufficient. In addition to having our training area, there is also a cafeteria, bedrooms and a large infirmary, something necessary to avoid the spotlight of the press, in case something happened to us, or even for minor injuries that we could suffer here at the base.
After much insistence from old Jack, they checked my wound, luckily, a grazing shot, which only gave me two superficial stitches. After that, I took a shower and now I'm here, watching the woman in my life, lying on a stretcher, with a pale face and unable to admire the beautiful color of her eyes.
According to Dr. Harper, exhaustion hit her body, something common in these situations, however, he administered a dose of tranquilizer along with the serum she is receiving, the more she rests, the better it will be for her recovery.
— Good, Noah. I ask you to remain calm, the news is not the best, but Catarina suffered a miscarriage. I am really sorry. We just performed the curettage [4] , to avoid possible infections or heavy bleeding. Even so, I have already arranged for her to be transferred to the hospital, we need to monitor her condition.
— Okay. — There's nothing more I can say at this point.
A lump forms in my throat, the cold runs down my spine, my legs remain static, frozen, while tears bathe my face.
A dream interrupted by greed, by an unscrupulous mind, a despicable being, who awakens my worst side in me, still unknown. In addition to the feeling of failure that plagues me for not being able to save my son, as I swore to myself so many times while we were looking for them.
I feel a hand on my shoulder, with a small caress, I turn my face, damp with silent tears that I allowed myself to shed, to see my father and his tender gaze, like the day we met.
— Son, — hug me — everything happens when it should happen, I know the pain you feel, because like your father I have it in me. Cry and release your pain, for you must be its pillar.
This hurts me in an immeasurable way, how can I be her pillar, if I myself have my heart broken, I never imagined feeling such pain. I know and I will give Nina everything she needs, I will be her fortress, her protector, filling her with all the love and affection that is in me.
I wipe my face, take a deep breath of air, and turn to see my love. For her sake, I will end this martyrdom, that bastard has already caused enough damage. I touch our lips affectionately, I stroke her hair and whisper I love you in her ear.
— Father... — I call him.
— I know, come, he's underground with Gael. Just remember that you are not a killer, so restrain yourself.
My mind is clouded with anger, hate and pain. I definitely won't hold back.
— In thirty minutes, we will transfer her to the hospital, the floor is already closed to her and the security scheme is being set up — Harper warns. — I spoke to J. to put the whole scheme together, Jack. Now go and sort out this mess. She'll be fine, Noah, and so will you. — Pat me on the back and mentally thank you.
Dr. Harper and my father have known each other since childhood, so I trust him both with the confidentiality of what you can see or hear here, and with regard to my girl's well—being.
I take one last look at her and head to the basement, a room created for interrogation, which until today had not been used by us, as we always managed to stay one step ahead. However, this time, I will have the immense pleasure of hearing that shit's screams of pain.
— Jack, Noah — Agent Brown greets us. — I came as you asked me, my friend, the others have already been sent to the district. Now, as for him, we can pretend we didn't find him, I guarantee he wouldn't last long there. — He shrugs. — Who we were really interested in, Logan is bringing.
— Ok, if you'll excuse me, I have some scores to settle — I say, walking past them.
— Control yourself, Noah.
— Jack, leave him, he needs this, just as we've been through something similar, and you know very well what I'm talking about — Agent Smith informs.
I enter the room and visualize Gael leaning against the wall, watching the asshole Otávio, who is sitting in the middle of the room, with some bruises on his face, which I know were the consequences of my punches.
— The asshole yes there, pissing your pants and it's all yours. I won't deny it, I beat him up a few times — Gael warns with unrecognizable coldness. — I separated some toys for us to have fun. A quick death will be no fun.
I have never been a fan of torture — another item added to Mr. Jack Foster's list in our training —, however, with this one I will have pleasure in seeing until the last drop of blood falls and I no longer breathe. I will return to him all the pain he caused us and, I don't even worry about carrying someone else's blood on my hands, a being like him shouldn't even be on Earth, but burning in hell.
— Ready to visit Lucifer, you piece of shit? — I growl in front of him, seeing him completely cornered. — Where's the courage now? — I speak in a lethal voice.
— You can't keep me here! — he shouts, sweating with fear. — I'm going to finish you off.
— No, Otávio. The one who will end you, once and for all, is me. You no longer have a way out. — I walk around him, until I reach the table with several utensils that Gael left ready. — You made a big mistake by crossing my path, in addition to killing my son. — I choose a dagger, the steel shines.
— I pay! It's money you want, I'll pay! — Gael lets out a laugh.
— Money that you expected to earn from ourselves, or from selling Catarina to drug dealers in the United Arab Emirates? — the worm's eyes widen at my friend's response.
— Co... How? — he stutters.
— End of the line, coward! — Notice. — Let's see how much you can take.
—Twenty minutes, Noah, after that, I'll send it to myself pro captain!
At this moment, I only see red. I make a cut on his back, so that his blood slowly drains, his cry of despair is a symphony to my ears. I move to his abdomen, the terror in his eyes amuses me even more, I want him to suffer all the pain that my girl is going through and that she has yet to feel. I continue, torturing him, wanting to rip his skin off.
— Cry, cry, you miserable son of a bitch! I'm going to drive you to exhaustion and then throw you in a trash can, to be eaten by animals, if they want to contaminate themselves with this rubbish that is you!
— Stop Please! — he begs, almost voicelessly.
— Son, come on! Gael takes care of breaking up with him, Nina needs you now — my father interrupts the game.
— Don't forget that part and, if it's not too much to ask, film it, I'd love to see his terrified face — I ask Gael. — Welcome to hell, idiot!
I follow my father to the suite, where my clothes are, I need to clean up before accompanying my girl to the hospital.
Finally, I feel vindicated, for her and for our son.