Chapter 8

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mister, but the only one I’m planning on killing is Chad,” Charlie said, anger tingeing every word.

“Well, at least you aren’t afraid of the concept. Come on, I need to verify your DNA before they finish the JUMP,” the mystery man said, looking around nervously.

“There’s a psych ward not too far from here. Unless that’s where you came from and this is some sort of game. If it is, I can promise you I’m not you’re girl, and I’m not going anywhere with you.”

Charlie turned around sharply, praying he would leave her alone, somehow knowing he wouldn’t.

She was right.

He didn’t. His large hand grabbed her on the upper arm. Charlie stopped, letting her entire body go still. Turning her head sideways, she spoke over her shoulder.

“Look, Mister, I don’t know what has you hooked on me, but I suggest you...let...it...go.”

Immediately, he released her arm, but he didn’t make any moves to leave. He just stood there.

“Let me guess, everything was normal one minute, then the next you walked into or out of a door, and time went nuts on you,” the man said to her back.

Fear, stopped Charlie immediately, keeping her still in its icy grasp.

“Yea, I thought so. I know this is all a little––okay, a lot––strange, but things could go bad really fast, and I’ve seen a variety of ways it can happen. The only thing I know for certain, is verifying you and getting out of here has to be top priority. If not, we’re both screwed.”

“And you’re going to be the one to save me from the insanity, right?” Charlie turned around and took the two steps which led her back to him.

“Nope, you’re going to save my sanity, and my brother. You see, these guys aren’t after me, they pulled me out of my life to find you. Now that you’re found, maybe––just maybe––they’ll let my brother go, and things can be normal again.”

“Look, I’ve been kidnapped before, and I’m not looking forward to a re-run. Sorry,” Charlie turned to walk away, anticipating the hand on her again. Her steps were stilted, her whole conscious was. His brother; whatever this guy was doing, it was because he was trying to save his brother. She would do whatever it took to save...well, she couldn’t let her mind go back there. Besides, what if it was all bull shit?

But, he didn’t. The heavy foot falls sounding behind her, told her he had decided to follow her instead.

Spinning on her left foot, a round-house kick made her point quite clearly as the heel of her boot sliced a four inch path on his right cheek.

The man never moved or reacted to her kick. His head must have been jarred a little, but she didn’t see it. She watched in fascinated awe when a slow, purposeful hand reaching to tentatively touch his new wound. If there was ever a moment where Charlie would have been terrified of this man, this was it. No one Charlie knew, took an attack like that without reaction. No one. He was either really crazy or the best, most frightening operative she’d ever come into contact with.

“Well, you have spunk alright. That should up the ante considerably,” and his dark eyes flashed just seconds before everything went black.