Page 10 of Until Death Parts Us (Dysfunctional)
CHAPTER TEN
QUIN
It was faint, but I heard a screech. Could’ve been an animal, but something tells me I need to hurry. If it was Kaspian, at least he’s still alive.
I pick up my pace, sticking to the compacted snow where the vehicle traveled, so it’s easier to traverse. My lungs burn from the cold air, and my face stings every time the wind blows.
It takes at least twenty minutes before I once again smell something burning. My eyes scan the trees and the spaces in between, but I don’t see anything.
The tire tracks continue for another few minutes, and then I find it. A truck is parked in front of an orange and tan tent. The fire must be on the other side.
The dead man’s phone buzzes in my pocket. When I read the messages, I realize I must’ve lost service for a while and these are being delivered late, because the time stamp reads eighteen minutes ago. Then thirteen minutes ago.
I’m on my way.
Daniel, what happened?
If he was on his way eighteen minutes ago, then why is the truck still here? I guess it doesn’t matter. I’m storming that tent and killing whoever is inside. If he’s not there, I’ll find him somewhere else. I’ll burn each and every cabin to the ground, innocent bystanders be damned.
I charge forward, my knife clutched in my fist as vapor pours from my nose with each exhale. I barely register the noise inside the tent before I rip open the storm flap and duck inside.
A man is on his knees, punching something in front of him. I don’t think. I rush in and pull his head back by his hair, my knife at his throat as I peer down at the lump in front of him.
It’s a pillow and a sleeping bag.
“What—” he starts.
“Shut the fuck up. Are you with Tim?”
“Who?”
I slide the blade across his throat and leave, my anger and frustration rising with each second that goes by that I don’t have Kaspian.
After a quick glance in his truck, I find the keys in the center console, so I climb in and start it up, heading back to the cabin.
I park in the back, emerging from the vehicle with my axe in one hand and my knife in the other. I barge into the house and immediately notice something looks different. Items in the room have shifted slightly.
I no longer care to be quiet and careful. I stomp through the cabin, hoping someone comes out to confront me. I check on the man I left earlier and find that he’s been covered up. Someone was definitely here.
Marching through the rest of the house, I kick in every closed door and search every nook and cranny, but nobody is here.
“FUCK!” I shout, rushing back outside.
I don’t have time to sit here and wait for them to come back. I don’t know what’s happening to Kaspian at this exact moment, but the thought of someone else cutting him, hurting him, and making him bleed makes fury boil in my veins.
Pulling the phone out, I bring up the text thread with Tim.
I know you have him. You know what I did to your friend. Tell me where you are and let’s settle this or I will go through every item you’ve left in this cabin until I find out where you live. I’ll find your parents, siblings, best friends, and even your fucking dog. Where the fuck is he?
Three dots appear then go away for a while before they return. While I wait, I start looking around. It’s a couple minutes before the phone goes off.
You’ve gotten yourself into a mess you’re not ready for.
When I reply back, it’s only to send a photo of his fishing license, which has his full name, driver’s license number, and address on it.
His response comes quicker.
You’ll get him back…piece by piece.
Before I smash the phone out of frustration, I click on info to see if Daniel saved any information on Tim in his phone. However, when I do that, it brings up a little map with a dot for Tim’s location.
I’m rushing toward him in an instant.