Chapter 18 Badger
EIGHTEEN
BADGER
I walked home as fast as I could, trying to get the memory of Machine’s lips on mine out of my head. How did I let this happen? Why did I let this happen? Why did I let my guard down? Questions overwhelmed my brain, and for a second I missed the letter taped to my door.
As soon as I saw it, the white envelope with my name scrawled across it cleared the thoughts of Machine from my mind. My heart began to pound. I ripped the envelope off the door and opened it.
I TOLD YOU TO STOP LOOKING. HOW MANY OF YOUR FRIENDS HAVE TO DIE TO MAKE YOU REALIZE SHE IS MINE? WATCH YOUR BACK, YOU ARE NEXT!
The envelope contained two pictures this time.
One was of Lily, this time bound to a chair and with a black eye.
The other picture made me gasp. It was Arrow’s bloodied and battered body in what looked to be a warehouse.
His normally lively skin had gone grey. I knew it had been taken when Ricci killed him.
The letter and the pictures slipped through my fingers as white noise clouded my senses.
After a few moments, I realized I needed to call Zombie to see if he could get anything off the envelope. I prayed I hadn’t just ruined the only evidence we had.
Zombie and his assistant showed up quickly. I sat on the stoop of the door with my head in my hands. Lily was alive, of that I was certain, but for how long? Who knew what was happening to her if she had a black eye. I felt overwhelmed by helplessness.
We had to take down Anthony Ricci. It was clear he was behind this. We needed to come up with a second plan. A plan to save my sister and make sure she didn’t get hurt in the crossfire.
Lily wasn’t his to have.