Crimson Ties

"Hannah," he said again, his voice steady as he carefully adjusted his grip on her. "I'm Vince. Detective Vince Kane. I'm here to find you."

His words didn't immediately register, but the way he said it—like he knew exactly what to do—gave her a strange sense of comfort. Her head swam, and she tried to focus on his words, trying to piece together what had happened, but it was hard to think straight.

As she glanced around, her mind slowly started to catch up. The room she had been held in was a mess—everything in disarray, like a whirlwind had swept through it. Old, cracked wooden beams supported the ceiling, now warped and splintered, the paint peeling in places. The walls, once some shade of beige, were now grimy and smudged, the paper wallpaper torn in jagged strips. Dust hung thick in the air, swirling around the dim room in the flickering light. Broken furniture was scattered everywhere—overturned chairs, shattered glass, and crushed objects she couldn't even identify.

Weapons lay scattered across the room, like discarded remnants of a violent struggle—an abandoned gun tucked near the far corner, its cold metal gleaming faintly in the dim light; a large, bloodstained knife discarded carelessly on the floor beside an overturned chair; and a crowbar abandoned near the window, its heavy iron glinting ominously. The weapons added a chilling touch to the chaos, as if they had once been instruments of control but were now irrelevant in the aftermath.

The flickering light from the single bulb overhead only made the scene feel more surreal, casting long, distorted shadows that seemed to twist and writhe across the walls, making everything feel like a nightmarish blur.

Her eyes finally settled on the largest detail—there, near the bed, a large, overweight man lay sprawled in an awkward heap. His face was swollen and bruised, blood staining his clothes and pooling beneath him. A thick, rough rope was tied tightly around his neck, the ends coiled like a snake. It was pulled so tightly it had left deep indentations into his skin. He had been strangled while he slept—his lifeless body fell near the bed in an unnatural slump, a stark contrast to the wild mess surrounding him.

Hannah's stomach churned at the sight, and she instinctively pressed her face into Vince's chest, trying to block out the gruesome image. She felt his breath, steady and calm, as he held her, his body a silent promise of protection.

"Don't look," Vince said softly, his voice cutting through the haze of her shock. His hand gently stroked her back, reassuring her as she clung to him a little tighter.

Her voice trembled as she whispered, "What happened here?"

Vince's eyes flickered down to the lifeless man on the floor, and for a moment, a cold, distant look passed through his gaze, but it was gone as quickly as it came. "He won't be a problem anymore," he said, his tone flat and matter-of-fact.

Hannah swallowed hard, still reeling from the chaotic scene around her. The wreckage, the weapons, and the lifeless body were overwhelming, but Vince's presence kept her grounded, offering some semblance of safety amidst the destruction.

Suddenly, footsteps echoed in the hallway, growing louder, and the door creaked open. A woman—no, a girl—rushed into the room, her expression a mix of urgency and concern. It was Chloe, her eyes wide as she took in the chaotic scene. Her gaze quickly shifted to Hannah, and without hesitation, she approached them, her voice soft but full of worry.

"Hannah? Oh my god, are you okay?" Chloe asked, her eyes scanning the girl in his arms, her tone filled with genuine care.

Hannah blinked in surprise, still reeling from the shock of everything that had just unfolded. She looked at Chloe for a moment, confused. "Who… who are you?" she asked, her voice faint and shaky, still struggling to make sense of the situation.

Chloe smiled softly, her expression warm. "We're in the same class," she said. "I'm Chloe. I didn't expect to find you here, but I'm glad you're okay."

Hannah felt a flush of embarrassment creep up her neck. "Sorry... I didn't even notice you before," she muttered, her voice full of apologetic disbelief.

Chloe shook her head, her expression reassuring. "It's okay," she said with a soft chuckle. "Don't worry about it."

For a brief moment, there was silence, the weight of everything pressing in on them. The wreckage of the room, the tension hanging in the air. But then Chloe's gaze shifted back to Vince, her expression more serious. "We should go," she said, as if aware of the danger still lurking.

Vince gave a single nod, his expression unreadable but resolute. Without a word, he shifted Hannah in his arms, steadying her as he guided her toward the door. But before they left, he carefully set Hannah down, her body slumping slightly against the wall as he moved toward the two kidnappers. He dragged them one by one from where they'd fallen, their limp forms heavy and unresisting. With swift, practiced motions, he tied each of them up, ensuring they wouldn't be going anywhere.

Once satisfied with his work, he returned to Hannah, gently lifting her again and giving Chloe a silent nod to lead the way. Together, they left the mess of the room behind them.

The walk back to Vince's car was quiet but steady. They exited the crumbling warehouse, stepping into the cool night air. The streets were deserted, bathed in the pale glow of streetlamps, and the occasional rustling of leaves filled the silence. They passed through Maple Leaf Park, the trees swaying gently in the breeze, their branches casting long shadows on the ground. As they walked, they exchanged a few soft words—small talk to fill the gaps in the quiet. Chloe occasionally glanced at Vince, who seemed distant, his focus always just ahead, while Hannah, exhausted and overwhelmed, let her thoughts drift. Before long, the steady rhythm of their footsteps lulled her, and she found herself drifting into sleep. By the time they reached the car, Vince gently lifted her and placed her in the back seat, careful not to disturb her rest.

As Vince drove through the empty streets, Chloe's gaze drifted out the window, her fingers nervously tapping on the seat. After a few moments of silence, she turned to him.

"Are you sure she's okay?" Chloe asked, her voice quiet but filled with concern. "Hannah, I mean. I've never seen her like that before. She looked... shaken."

Vince's eyes flickered to the rearview mirror, his expression unreadable, but his voice was calm. "She'll be alright. It's a lot for anyone to take in, but she's tougher than she looks."

Chloe bit her lip, her thoughts clearly racing. "What about you? You're okay, right? I know you're... used to stuff like this, but still. It's a lot."

He gave her a quick glance, trying to gauge her worry. "I'm fine, Chloe. You don't need to worry about me."

But Chloe wasn't convinced. "I know you don't show it, but I can tell you care. About her, I mean. And I can't help but worry, too. It's just... everything happened so fast."

Vince let out a quiet sigh, keeping his focus on the road ahead. "It did. But right now, I just need to get you back safe, and then I'll figure out the rest. Don't think too much about it."

Chloe nodded slowly, but her brow furrowed. "I know. I just... I don't want anything to happen to either of you."

They drove in silence for a few moments, the weight of the night's events still hanging in the air. As they neared the academy, Chloe turned to him again, her voice soft but earnest.

"Thanks for everything, Vince. For saving her... and for saving me."

Vince didn't say anything at first, his jaw tightening just slightly, but then he nodded. "You don't have to thank me. I'm just doing my job."

Chloe smiled weakly, glancing out the window again as the academy came into view. "Still... it's good to have someone like you around."

"Yeah, same to you" Vince replied, his voice steady.

Back to the academy, the car's headlights cutting through the darkness as they crossed the quiet streets. Chloe sat silently beside him, glancing at him every now and then, her mind still processing everything that had happened. When they reached the academy gates, Vince slowed the car, careful not to attract attention. He helped Chloe slip out quietly, guiding her through the shadows and toward the dorms, ensuring she was safely back inside without anyone noticing.

Once she was settled in, Vince drove off, making his way back to his apartment. The city's skyline loomed in the distance, his thoughts still on the night's events, but the silence in the car allowed him a brief moment of calm before the next steps.