Chapter 38 #3
I tried to be prepared for them since they’ve been through a lot.
When I come back with two duffle bags covered in dirt, I drop them at Pyro’s feet and say, “Something in there should fit you all,” to the older prisoners.
They descend on the bags, the older men and women quickly dressing the kids before putting on their own clothes. My fucking heart breaks for them. I’m glad my brothers and I could help, even if we couldn’t save them.
“Can you find the van keys?” Pyro asks as he helps a woman that appears to have injured her shoulder put on a shirt. “We need to get them out of here.”
I hurry back into the other room and find the keys in the pocket of the guard I just shot in the head.
Going back over to Pyro, I drop them in his hands and step back, not wanting to crowd the hostages.
They all look so fragile, so beaten down. I hate the haunted look in their eyes. I hope when they leave here, they’re able to get their lives back. Then again, can anyone after what they’ve been through?
In a soft voice, Pyro says, “Take these and go. Drive as far away as you can get.” He places the keys into the hands of two women and a man that look like they’re old enough to have a license.
“Wait,” I say before they hurry out. Quickly and methodically, I go through the pockets and briefcases of all the men there, gathering all the cash they have on them. If I had to guess, it’s close to two hundred grand. More than enough to get them somewhere safe.
I split it up as best I can and give it to the three drivers. “Be safe.”
The drivers look at us skeptically but take the money and hustle everyone out.
“Now,” Pyro says in a chipper voice. “Let’s get some answers.
” This crazy fucker skips back to the other room, his Desert Eagles at his side.
“Tell us who you work for and we’ll kill you quickly,” he says to Dennis on his knees.
“If not, I’ll only incapacitate you and you’ll burn alive. Pick your poison.”
Knox gives him a dry look but doesn’t try to correct him.
“Fuck you all. You’ll never catch him. He’s invincible,” Peter says and spits at our feet.
“Protecting a man that probably wouldn’t piss on you if you were on fire is crazy,” Pyro says, staring at his nails. “Burned alive it is. I don’t care either way.”
We wait a few beats for Peter to speak. When he doesn’t, Pyro says, “Stand up.”
Peter doesn’t, so Knox drags him to his feet. He tries to beg, but he doesn’t give us a name, so Pyro shoots him in his left knee. He falls backward, crying and screaming while he holds his injured leg.
Knox raises his gun and shoots him in the other knee, ensuring he can’t run or escape the burning building.
Stepping forward, I pump a bullet into each hand and his elbows so he can’t drag himself away.
“Please,” he begs, his body trembling from pain.
“Name?” Pyro asks, aiming at his forehead. “I can end it all quick.”
The man folds his lips in, giving us nothing.
Pyro shrugs. “Let’s get the gas. Oh! We can start the fire in here!”
“Good idea, little brother,” I say, mussing his hair through his mask.
“I’m going to fucking kill you,” he pouts, storming off.
We leave the room, going outside where we stashed the cans of gas.
As I dump the liquid around the house, my mind is stuck on why neither man wanted to tell us who they worked for. There had to be a reason, but if you’re going to die, why keep the secret?
Or maybe they just think they’re being extra loyal, keeping their business going even if they’re dead.
If I had it my way, the person in charge would be burning right along with his partners.
With the entire house covered in gas and fumes almost blinding me, we step back into the room. Pyro dumps gasoline onto Peter, cackling when Peter coughs and sputters, but can’t lift his hands to block the toxic liquid.
“My favorite part,” Pyro says as he pours a trail toward the door. Peter begs and pleads, apologizing and asking for forgiveness. We ignore him.
Once we’re clear of the threshold, Pyro pulls out his forever match, strikes it, and touches it to the gasoline.
A violent whoosh sounds and the room is engulfed in seconds.
We make our way outside in a hurry, shutting the door behind us to contain the flames.
For the next ten minutes, we stand outside, watching the fire and waiting to see if anyone emerges.
Pyro takes his mask off, a wide smile on his face. “So beautiful.”
I’m glad we have this part of the mission done, but who the fuck is running the show? I’d hoped that when we had Dennis and Peter together and while they were staring death in the face, they’d tell us who is in charge. It was too much to hope that it would be that easy.
Since Orion cracked those emails, maybe he can dig a little deeper and get us some answers. After seeing the men, women and children set to be sold, I want this shit to end. This ring is fucking evil and we need to shut it down.
Resting a gentle hand on my wrist without turning away from the fire, Knox says, “We’ll get him. And when we do, we’ll make him pay.”
Fucking right we will.