Chapter 9
Ed’s phone rings, he's woken and answers quickly.
'Edward, are you ready? Or do I need to send you another finger?'
'I’m ready!'
'Who's helping you?'
'I’d rather keep that to myself.'
'Fine, there will be a car outside your house at precisely 08.00 hours, the keys will be posted through your letter box.'
'I can't drive!'
'Time to learn, you won't have much time.'
'What car will it be?'
'You’ll work it out!' The caller hangs up the phone; Ed sets his alarm for 07.00 hours.
Sleeping on the couch isn't ideal, but being the gentleman he is, he can't leave Jagen on the couch. She did say she didn't mind sharing but Ed declined, as he didn't want anything to take the focus on what they will be up against, plus he's a gentleman.
Ed finally manages to get back to sleep but as soon as he does his alarm goes off. He feels agitated from a shit night’s sleep but needs to get moving and get Jagen up. He flicks on the kettle then walks upstairs. Jagen is snuggled up in bed looking cute and completely at peace; Ed just hopes today is the finale of all this shit.
Just as he's about to whisper and wake her there's a loud bang on the front door, so loud Jagen jumps, stirs and wakes up. She sees him in the doorway.
'Hey freaky, what you doing?'
'I was just about to wake you.'
'What was that noise?'
'I think the keys for the car are here.' Jagen’s face changes from the peaceful sleeping beauty to the worried girl who turned up on his doorstep a few days ago.
'Jagen, if this is too much I'll go alone.'
'I'm scared but whatever it is we're being forced to do, we do it together, ok?'
'I won't let anything happen to you.'
'I know Ed.' She pulls herself out of bed and puts her arms around him, then kisses his cheek. 'You’re a lovely guy.' She gently pulls away and walks into the bathroom.
For a moment Ed had butterflies in his stomach, he shakes his head and says to himself, 'block it out mate, block it out.' and then walks downstairs to find the envelope on the floor. He picks it up, pulls out the keys and places them in his pocket.
After a light breakfast Jagen walks into the kitchen, dressed in what she could find of Toni's clothes. A tight pair of jeans and a pink hoodie; Ed can't help but find her attractive but blots out the thought, not wanting to develop feelings for her. She has a worried look on her face, obviously dreading today and wondering what's going to happen.
They both walk out of the house together; Ed looks round and instantly spots an old 3 Series BMW. He knows that this is their car due to the fact he’s never seen it on the street before and the key has a BMW badge on it. He unlocks it; they both jump in and stare forward, not saying a word. The reality hits them; someone is setting all this up, the car stinks of cigarettes, along with smelling like an old tent.
'What now?' asks Jagen.
'I’m not sure, wait I guess.' He awkwardly smiles at her trying to show some sort of comfort but would take more than that to cut the atmosphere. Ed doesn't have a licence but knows how to manoeuvre a car; fortunately this one is automatic, making things a little easier.
After half an hour of sitting in silence, waiting, a brand new Range Rover Sports pulls up aside their car. The windows are blacked out; the car sits there purring and Ed’s mobile rings. He twists his hand into his pocket, pulls it out and answers.
'Hello.' He says sheepish.
'Follow the car!' says a deep, unrecognised voice. Ed passes the phone to Jagen and waits for the Range Rover to pull off.
They follow it for a while, during the journey up the A470 Jagen grabs Ed’s hand a few times, again looking for comfort. Ed focuses on the road, trying to keep them both safe from his inexperienced driving. He glances over to Jagen and gives her an attempted smile but inside his guts are screaming for him to turn the car around and disappear.
An hour later, after many twists and turns, the Range Rover pulls into a layby and Ed follows suit. As soon as he stops once again his mobile phone rings; this time Jagen answers.
'Hi this is Jagen.'
'Edward please?' says the deep voice.
'No you can speak to me instead!' her tone was aggressive.
'Listen your dirty little bitch, put Edward on the phone now or I'll come over to your car and gut you!' She squeals in fear and throws the phone over to Ed like it had scalded her.
Ed then takes the call cautiously not knowing what to expect.
'Both of you step out of the car!'
'Why?' asks Ed.
'Two choices my friend, step out of the car or decorate the interior with brain matter. You choose?'
Ed hangs up, anticipating that they're bluffing.
Moments later two men step out of the car in front, each with a shotgun in hand.
'What are they doing?' screams Jagen, 'Do something Ed, they're going to kill us!' her face is bright red, fear powers her body and all Ed can do is sit and watch.
The two men are standing in front of the car each with his shotgun pointing at Ed or Jagen. Ed braces himself, his toes curl, and he then looks over to the girl. Her eyes and face are screwed up tightly whilst awaiting her fate. Ed then whispers to her,
'Put your hands in the air and slowly get out, we have no choice.'
Eyes still closed she nods and moves the moment Ed does.
As they each get out the gunmen follow them with their guns still aimed. Another man comes out of the car, short and fat with an element of power surrounding him. As he walks towards them he pulls a syringe from his pocket and removes the needle cap. He then speaks with an eastern European accent.
'Some people are put on this earth to survive and some people aren't. Edward you’re a survivor, let’s see how you do now.' He inserts the needle deep into Ed’s neck, injecting the liquid quickly into him. Ed winces in pain then falls to his knees,
'Stop!' shouts Jagen, 'Leave him alone.' tears fill her eyes then quickly roll down her cheeks.
'You’re next pretty face, let's see if you’re a survivor, or will Ed protect you?' He pulls out another syringe, similar to the one he used on Ed, pulls her hair to the side and darts the needle into her neck.
***