CHAPTER 53: A NEW WEAPON

It was a Friday evening. The office had closed early, and cars were already rushing home. But Alex wasn’t in the mood for rest. He made his way to the Gatehouse, where Elliot was staying.

Alex had formed the habit of visiting him every Friday evening and sometimes stayed for the weekend. Not just to keep an eye on him, but to make sure he didn’t feel alone. Elliot had been through a lot. And in moments like this, when the world slowed down, loneliness could bite the hardest.

But when Alex walked in, the place was empty. "Elliot?" he called... No answer.

He checked the small kitchen, the narrow bedroom, and even looked behind the Gatehouse. Nothing. The place was silent.

Alex’s heart beat a little faster. He stepped outside and scanned the quiet surroundings. Just then, the gate creaked. Elliot walked in slowly with a faint smile on his lips.

Alex’s chest tightened. He walked toward him. "Where have you been?" he demanded. "Where did you go? Did you go out alone?"

Elliot, slightly caught off guard, gave a small shrug. "I wasn’t far," he said casually. "Just nearby."

"What? What do you mean by nearby?" His voice began to rise. "Do you not understand what kind of danger you’re in? Do you not know they could be anywhere, watching?" His anger was heating up fast. "Are you so eager to put your life at risk?"

Elliot raised his hands slightly. "Hey, calm down, dawg," he said with a tired chuckle. "I was just strolling."

"Strolling?" Alex repeated, his tone full of disbelief. "That’s one thing with you, Elliot. You never take anything seriously. Not even your own life!"

Elliot’s smile faded.

Alex kept going, now walking back and forth, unable to stay still. "I mean, how could you just go out like that? No one watching your back. No idea who’s out there. You think this is a joke? They’re looking for you! These men don’t rest, Elliot."

Elliot lowered his eyes. His fingers twitched. Something inside him was bubbling, something he had tried to suppress all week.

Alex was still ranting when Elliot cut in. "I went to see her."

"What?" Alex asked, blinking.

"I went to see her," Elliot said again, softer this time, with his voice trembling. "I had to, Alex. I just... I had to."

Alex stared at him, his anger draining slowly, replaced with confusion... and a strange worry. "Who?" he asked. "See who?"

Elliot kept quiet and looked down at the floor like he was trying to stop the tears that were threatening to rise.

Then, almost in a whisper, he said, "Sarah."

Alex shook his head slowly, still trying to gather his thoughts.

Then he said in a firm, quiet tone, "Elliot, listen... I know you miss her. I know it hurts. But you’ve got to understand something. You didn’t just miss her and feel sad, you risked your life, man. You went all the way to her school... to see her. What if someone followed you? What if one of George’s men saw you?"

Elliot sighed. "I made sure I was well covered," he muttered. "I stayed in the shadows. No one noticed me. Not even Sarah. I was at a far distance."

"That doesn’t change the fact that you still went!" Alex snapped. "You’re taking too much of a risk, Elliot. Too much. Every single time you act on emotions, you’re putting yourself in danger."

"You don’t understand, Alex!" Elliot said as his voice was rising. "There’s nothing you, me, or anyone can do to stop these people. You think you can outsmart them? You think you can hide? These people... they always find you. No matter where I go, no matter how deep I bury myself, they will still come. They always come!"

Elliot paused, his eyes became glassy. "You know what’s funny? Every time I close my eyes, I see her. Laughing and running and smiling at me like none of this ever happened. And then I wake up... and I’m still here. Hunted and hiding."

Alex didn’t speak. He saw something in Elliot he hadn’t seen in a while, pain. Raw and unfiltered.

Elliot looked up again. "You think I don’t know it’s risky? You think I’m not scared? I am. Every damn day. But I knew what I was getting into before I joined them. I knew there was no way out. So if I get a chance to feel something, I’ll take it."

Alex stood too, pointing at him. "Don’t talk like that! Don’t talk like someone who’s given up hope. You’re alive, aren’t you? You’re breathing. You’re not lying in a pool of blood somewhere. That means there’s still a chance. We’re not done fighting, Elliot."

"Enough of it you two." They both turned sharply.

Standing in the doorway was Raymond Carter, calm as always, but with a sternness in his tone that made both of them go silent immediately.

Raymond walked into "You know what’s funny?" Raymond said with a cool voice. "The moment I leave you two alone, everything starts collapsing. One minute you’re making plans, the next you’re throwing emotions at each other like kids in a playground.."

And then they saw her.

Right behind Raymond stood a young woman, slender build, maybe in her early twenties. Her black leather jacket hugged her shoulders. Her jeans were dusty at the bottom, like she’d been walking through some rough terrain. She had a calm, focused look on her face, eyes that scanned the room but didn’t stay long on anything.

She had the look of someone who didn’t smile often.

Raymond stepped aside and gestured to her. "Alex. Elliot. I want you to meet Selina."

Elliot looked at Alex, then back at the girl. "Selina?" he asked, his voice still hoarse from emotion.

Raymond nodded. "Yes. Selina. She’s an excellent digital tracker. You want someone found, no matter how deep they’re hiding, she’ll find them."

Selina remained quiet, her hands folded in front of her.

Raymond continued, his voice sharp now. "And this... this is our game-changer. This young lady right here will be my weapon against George Agnew.