Cayden
I was able to track Hailey, and now I had to make a plan. Noah was my first call; I hoped he'd be on board. He had always been my anchor. Caleb, James, and Logan also offered to help, and I knew I needed all the support I could get to catch Trevor and rescue Hailey and her mom.
Amelia was alone in the hospital with her parents, who were staying the night with her. I wished I could be there to support them, but I had to focus on Hailey. Time was slipping away, and every second felt like an eternity as I drove, following the GPS that guided me to Hailey's last known location. But as I continued down the road, her phone's signal moved farther and farther away. I pressed the gas, desperate to close the distance.
My phone rang, vibrating against the seat. I stole a quick glance at the caller ID. It was Noah. I needed to take the call but couldn't risk looking away from the road. I grabbed the phone, putting it on speaker.
"Hello?" I said, trying to keep my tone steady. "Noah? What's up?"
"It's the gang," he said, his voice tense.
"What gang?" I frowned, confusion clouding my mind.
"Our old gangâthe one Nolan's a part of," Noah replied.
"What's going on with them?" I asked, heart racing.
"They're helping Trevor to kill Hailey and her mom," Noah said, his words hanging heavy in the air. "And James isn't coming with us. We haven't seen him since yesterday, and no one has heard from him."
"Forget about him," I snapped, increasing my speed. I didn't care if the speed cameras were flashingâI needed to save Hailey and her mom. I couldn't let Trevor, Nolan, or the old gang lay a hand on them.
"Cayden?" Noah's voice cut through my thoughts.
I quickly grabbed my phone again and turned on my location for Noah to track. "I turned on my location. Grab the guys and start driving. When you arrive at the location, find a spot to hide until I give the signal."
"Alright. Got you, bro. Drive safe!" Noah said before hanging up.
***
I arrived at the location, and a wave of recognition hit me. This was the same abandoned place where my old gang used to meetâa ghost of my past. We'd plotted there before carrying out Nolan's orders.
I parked the car, pulling out my phone and silencing it. The building loomed in front of me, a haunting reminder of what I used to be. I scanned the area, looking for any signs of life. Once I confirmed it was clear, I approached the entrance, keeping my senses sharp.
As I neared the doorway, I spotted a huge, bald guy walking toward me. I quickly looked around, searching for something to distract him. I picked up a loose rock and hurled it toward the opposite side of the building. He took the bait, running off to investigate the sound. I seized the moment and slipped into the building.
Once inside, I moved cautiously, listening intently. The atmosphere felt heavy, thick with dust and the scent of decay. I heard distant voices and followed them, heart pounding in my chest.
"Let's play a little game of death," a voice said, and my blood ran cold. I pressed my back against the wall and peered around the corner. There they were: Hailey, bound to a chair, her mom tied up across from her, with Trevor standing over them, gun in hand.
"Whoever doesn't answer truthfully, the higher chances of you getting killed," Trevor taunted, a sadistic grin plastered on his face. My stomach churned at the sight of Hailey in that position. I couldn't let this continue; I had to act.
I unlocked my phone and quickly texted Noah, letting him know I was at the building. He replied almost instantly, saying they had just arrived and were parked a distance away. I called Noah's phone briefly, a silent signal for him to enter the building quietly.
Before I could gather my thoughts, Trevor erupted, shouting at Hailey. "Answer!" he screamed, rage seeping through his voice.
"I don't know what the hell you're talking about!" she shot back, defiance flickering in her eyes.
"Wrong answer," Trevor said, his voice dripping with malice. I felt a surge of anger as Hailey closed her eyes. No, she couldn't give up.
"Bye-bye," he sang, raising the gun.
"Stop!" I shouted, adrenaline propelling me forward.
Before Trevor could pull the trigger, Nolan appeared, striding toward Hailey. I could no longer stay hidden; I had to move before he could lay a finger on her.
"You're going to kill her already? That's really a shame," Nolan taunted, brushing his fingers across Hailey's chin. She flinched, and I felt my blood boil.
"Sir!" another guy shouted, his massive frame filling the doorway. "We have been attacked; a gang has entered the building!" My heart dropped. I had told them to be quiet.
"Then what are you doing standing there? Go!" Trevor bellowed, frustration spilling from him. "Kill them!"
The bald guy charged out, and I ducked back into the shadows.
"You stay here while I go kill your boyfriend and his friends," Trevor ordered, his gaze cold. "Son!" I blinked, taken aback by his words. Trevor had a son?
"You and Nolan, come with me. We're going to surprise your old traitor friends." They started down the stairs, and I watched in disbelief as James trailed behind them.
"James?" Hailey's voice trembled, confusion and betrayal etched on her face. He paused, looking back at her.
"You're Cayden's friend! Why are you doing this?" she implored, her eyes wide with hurt.
"Because you're the reason my mom died!" James shouted, venom dripping from his words. "Cayden was the only guy strong enough to be there for me, but then he left! I lost two people in my life because of you!"
"Now, now, James," Trevor said, his voice attempting to soothe. "What did we talk about? Don't mind that bitch. Let's go." They disappeared down the stairs, leaving me in a fury.
I bolted toward Hailey and her mom, quickly moving to untie them. "Cayden?" Hailey whispered, fear evident in her voice.
"Hush, we need to be quiet," I replied, fingers deftly working on the knots binding her hands.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, disbelief coloring her words.
"Isn't it obvious? I'm saving you," I shot back, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. I quickly freed her hands and moved to her mom, undoing the ropes binding her as well.
"It's not safe for you to be here. How did you even find us?" Hailey asked, anxiety threading through her voice.
"Your phone's location was on," I replied, glancing at her as she nodded. I helped her stand, noting the bruises marring her skin. "You've been beaten up. We need to get you to safety."
"I'm fine," she insisted, trying to brush me off.
"You don't look fine," I countered, assessing the marks on her arms and face.
"I am fine," she insisted, annoyance coloring her tone.
"Alright," I relented, but the moment I let go of her, she stumbled and collapsed to the floor. I couldn't help but chuckle darkly. "Look at thatâyou're just fine."
She shot me an irritated glare, and I helped her back to her feet. Her mom, now free, glanced around, concern etched on her features. "Where's your dad? Does he know what happened?"
"Not yet," I admitted, shaking my head. She nodded silently, anxiety palpable in her eyes.
"Let's get out of here before Trevor finds us," I urged, but my words were cut short.
"And kills you too," a voice chimed in. I spun around, heart racing, to see Trevor pointing a gun in my direction, James standing ominously beside him.
"I can't believe you're doing this behind my back. I thought you were my friend!" I yelled at James, betrayal tightening my throat.
"Friend? That's what you thought," he scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping his lips. "When you left the gang, I followed you. I started a new group because you wanted to forget everything that happened with Jason and Maya's family. You're the reason they died, Cayden! You're the reason my life fell apart!"
I was stunned, the weight of his words crashing over me like a tidal wave. I had no idea that James' mother was Trevor's wife.
"Now she's the reason why you don't want to come back! You love her!" James yelled, pointing a finger at Hailey, venom dripping from his voice.
I turned to Hailey, whose eyes shimmered with tears, and then to her mom, shame clawing at my insides. "I'm sorry," I whispered, pain lacing my voice.
"Now, all of you!" James shouted, grabbing the gun from Trevor's hands. "Will rot in hell together!"
A deafening gunshot rang out, and everything slowed.
"Cayden!" I heard Hailey scream, panic lacing her voice. As the world spun, my vision blurred, and I struggled to stay conscious. "Stay awake, please!" she cried, the desperation in her voice cutting through the chaos.
"I love you."