Beneath the Ashes, He Rose

Chapter 9: Nanny’s Lie

Headlights carved golden tunnels through dripping darkness as the Suburban was completely engulfed by the subway tube. Overhead, corroded pipes plinked with water. Alexander killed the engine next to a platform covered with graffiti. The air tasted of old pennies and mold.

The girl's head lolled on Tatiana's shoulder as she carried her down the stairs. Cole soaked the former Ranger's side with blood as he supported Grayson. The woman staggered, her face swelling, as Victoria pulled her by the zip-ties.

A maintenance door was kicked open by Alexander. Inside are monitors flickering with city feeds, folding tables, and buzzing generators. He strapped Lucy's ankles and threw her onto a metal chair.

"Speak," he said in a flat voice.

Lucy's lip broke, gushing blood. Benjamin first appeared at the shelter three years ago. claimed that if I monitored Tatiana, he would locate Jacob. fed him every bedtime tale and every word from his "daddy."

Mira's blanket caused Tatiana's knuckles to turn white. "You put my daughter to sleep at night?"

"Had to." Lucy's chuckle broke. Diapers were paid for by him. said that it was only transitory.

Alexander cut her left tie with a knife. Jacob's place. Right now.

“Glen Burnie, foster home. Oak Lane, 1427. Carla Ruiz is a social worker. Lucy begged with her eyes. "All I wanted was my boy."

The shirt was ripped back, and Grayson slumped against a table. Raw meat gleamed from the gaping slash. "Needle. thread. Whisky.

Cole tossed a flask and dug through a medical kit. With one hand, Grayson grabbed it, took a sip, and then poured the remainder over the wound. He threaded a crooked needle while hissing.

Victoria's shoulder wound crusted as she leaned against the wall. "Benjamin's bastard is ahead of schedule. We receive Mira's antidote regimen in exchange for Jacob.

After brushing the girl's curls off her forehead, Tatiana placed Mira on a cot. She is clammy. The fever is rising.

Alexander knelt down and touched Mira's neck with two fingers. The pulse was too quick. Regarding the dosage, Harrison is lying. He desires that we pursue ghosts.

Lucy's voice cracked. "If I don't check in by dawn, he'll kill Jacob."

Cole looked at his timepiece. "Four hours."

With his knife still in his hand, Alexander stood. "After that, we proceed."

Tatiana was in his way. "You're bleeding." Warm and moist, his shirt adhered to his ribs when she caressed them. "When?"

"Water tower." I was grazed by the sniper. He gave a shrug. "Adrenaline."

She tore open his shirt. There was an oozing furrow along his ribcage. "Take a seat."

He complied. She used vodka to disinfect the wound and used steady hands to suture it. There was a groan with every draw of thread.

With a needle piercing his own flesh, Grayson observed. "Are you two finished acting like doctors?"

Tatiana bit the thread and tied off the suture. "You live, he lives."

Victoria moved away from the wall. Lucy will go with me. If we push it, Glen Burnie takes an hour.

Alexander gave a headshake. "Everyone leaves. Harrison anticipates a lone wolf.

Cole put new magazines in. Van is gassed. The drone is charged. We roll at five o'clock.

Mira, blanket and everything, was hoisted by Tatiana. "Ghost Daddy," the girl muttered as she stirred.

Alexander bowed his chest. He gave her a temple kiss. "Baby, I'm here."

In Cole's pocket, Lucy's burner buzzed. He threw it over. Unknown figure. Alexander replied.

Harrison's arrogant voice. "Tick-tock. She's getting pale.

The plastic in Alexander's grip broke. "Oak Lane." Dawn. Bring Jacob.

Bring the patents with you. transferred to Benjamin. Or the child receives a gunshot along with her breakfast.

The call went dead.

Tatiana had fire in her eyes. "He's playing a bluff."

"No," Lucy said in a whisper. "He isn't."

After tying his stitches, Grayson got up. "We confront him with the fight."

Victoria looked at her handgun. "I am aware of a shortcut. old freight line. saves twenty minutes.

Cole put the medical gear on. "Let's go."

With boots resounding, they filed out. Tatiana and Mira were carried by Alexander. With zip-ties slicing red lines onto her wrists, Lucy moved between Victoria and Cole.

The Suburban sprang to life with a roar. The tunnel was pierced by headlights. Tires wailing on damp concrete, Cole floored it.

On the gearshift, Tatiana's hand touched Alexander's. Sweat and blood slickened their intertwined fingers.

"After this, we vanish," she stated. island. No masks.

He gave a squeeze. "Make a commitment."

They were spewed onto the parkway from the tunnel. The lights of D.C. flickered by. The screen of the drone controller glowed as Grayson keyed it. "Harrison's van recently went beyond the county boundary. He's going north.

Tires screeching, Cole made a sharp right turn. "We will stop him at the overpass."

Victoria bent over. Carla Ruiz. social worker. She works for Benjamin, right?

Lucy gave a nod. "Half the foster system belongs to him."

Tatiana spoke in an icy tone. "So tonight, we own her."

Mira's eyelids fluttered wide as she stirred. "Mom?"

Tatiana gave her face a little pat. "Shhh. Rest, sweetheart.

As Alexander changed gears, his shirt rode up. Radiation scars glowed beneath him like molten rivers, and fresh ink poured across his chest, writing MIRA in bold script.

Tatiana gasped for air. "When?"

"Blackridge. each anniversary. His voice broke. "Maintained my sanity."

Her fingers were shaking as she traced the letters. She braced herself on his shoulder when the car struck a pothole.

The drone feed for Grayson pings. Harrison has halted. Route 50: abandoned warehouse. One adult and one child's heat signatures are displayed by the thermal.

Cole smiled. "Ambush."

Victoria courted by cocking her pistol. "My favorite."

With its headlights off and it getting dark, the Suburban roared into the night.

Moments later, Tatiana raced through the warehouse doors, her gaze fixed on the ink.