I sat on a crate that was far from the disgusting stall. Joe's jacket and lighter were on the ground beside the crate. The phone was hidden in the band of my jeans. Frankie said he would be here immediately and he would beep the phone for me to make my way outside.

   "Joe I can't believe you left a hostage outside just because of a spider."

   "Jeremy, it was a freaking spider!" Joe said and I saw both of them step out of the warehouse. I was leaning right beside the entrance. I thought of jumping over but I had no idea where I was and how many guards that were outside.

   "There she is." My main abductor, Jeremy, said. Joe took his jacket and lighter and he tapped his pockets for his phone but he couldn't find it. He eyed me suspiciously and I tried my best to keep a poker face.

    "Did you see my phone?" He asked looking at Jeremy.

   "You probably dropped it when you were running from the dragon." Jeremy mocked and Joe scoffed.

***
   I sat in my spot for what felt like an hour. Even Mr Lyon was already preparing to leave. My butt was starting to hurt and I prayed over and over again for the phone in my pants to vibrate. The two men that were to guard me were paying attention to anything but me. They even forgot to tie me back up which was good. They probably knew I won't be able to go anywhere on my own.

   "Mr Lyon! Frank's men are driving towards this direction."  One of the men said.

   "I promised him that the next time he'd see me, he won't be alive." Mr Lyon said and I widened my eyes in shock. Did they already have a personal argument going on? "Open the gates and listen up boys, none of them are leaving this building alive!" Everyone took out their guns and headed towards the entrance of the warehouse. I took the phone in my pants and considered calling Frankie.

    The warehouses was now empty and I slowly tip-toed to the entrance, hoping that Frankie would call me soon and I'll be out of here. What I didn't expect was to hear a loud gunshot. I fell on the floor in shock and crawled behind a stack of crate for shelter.

  There was an eerie silence that followed the gunshot. So quiet that i began to wonder what was going on.  I stood back up to check and that was when all hell was let loose.

   Gunshots were everywhere. Screams, cries and whatnot.  Is this what sir Antonio meant? More people will be affected by Jace's existence. More people will die if I don't complete the mission..

   "Elena!!"

I have to end it once and for all. Follow the orders and go back to my life. Even if it means..

   "Elena, let's go!" Someone yelled and grabbed my hand. My feet move in their own accord and I just stared at the boy running with me. His dirty blonde hair were a little over grown so they were touching his eye lids. Balls of sweat ran down his face. I looked down at our hands. Mine tightly tucked in his. I felt safe.. even if we were running for our lives. He made me feel safe.

   "Elena, Cole is waiting on the other side. So just climb over." Jace said, bringing me back to reality. We were at the back of the warehouse, thankfully far from the disgusting stall. Three crates we're stacked by the fence and I heard voices coming closer in the warehouse. "Hurry up El." Jace urged and I regained my senses and climbed over only to see Cole's stretched hands.

   I took his hands and jumped down, followed by Jace and we all bundled inside the car that was driven by Luke. For a second nobody said a thing. The only sound that was heard was that of the tyres on the rocky road.

   "Can someone say something?" Luke finally asked, looking at Jace and I through the rearview mirror.

   "Are you okay?" Jace asked, holding my face up with his palms. His worried eyes searched my face for any sign of injury. When he didn't see any, he drew me in for a hug and I sighed into his shoulders. My hands wrapped around his body tightly as his did mine.

    "I'm fine." I mumbled and he nodded. We pulled away and I quickly looked out the window. Cole started making weird sounds and Luke chuckled.

   Jace's phone rang and he cleared his throat.

   "Frank." He said and my face snapped to his direction. "She's here. Yes.. thanks." He said before turning to look at me. "Here, Frank wants to speak with you."

   "Frankie?" I slowly said and I heard him chuckle.

   "Thank goodness I was able to track your location although I didn't get to see you doll." He said jokingly.

   "Thank you so much, Frankie." I sniffled and he chuckled.

   "No, thank you doll. Thanks to you, Lyon is finally out of my hair." He said, "Well the cops will soon be here so I gotta zoom."

   "Bye." I said and he hung up.

    "How did you find me? Are you friends with Frankie?" I asked and Cole sighed.

   "Finally, Jace start explaining what's going on?" Luke said.

  "First of all, I'm not friends  with Frank, we just happen to have each other's contacts." He  clarified, "Celine and I talked yesterday. She's not what we thought actually and she helped get files that shows Lyon's illegal business and dirty work. We anonymously gave it to the cops. Frank contacted me and told me to come and get you. I contacted the guys and here we are." Jace explained and we nodded.

    "So Celine is a good witch?" Cole asked and we laughed. The atmosphere already lightened.
*****
   I opened my underwear drawer that night and the rectangular box inside stared back at me. I made up my mind to follow the orders I was given. The tattoo on my neck had changed to the number 14. I didn't want to know what would happen if I failed the mission.

  I took out the dagger. Someone knocked and I heard Jace's voice on the other side of the door.

  "El, are you awake?" He asked. I didn't take my eyes off the dagger in my hands. I'm going to do this once and for all.

   "Yeah, come in." I said. I sat down on my bed and slid the dagger under the below behind me.

   Jace nervously came in and gave me a small wave. He took a seat opposite me. The dull night-light in the ceiling illuminated the room making it brighter because the curtain were closed. His damp hair clung to his face making him look younger than his age.

    "Are you sure you are fine? No injury or anything?" He asked again worriedly and I nodded.

   "I'm fine." I replied with a small  smile. I slowly wrapped my fingers around the dagger. Just do it Elena, do it.

  "I want to tell you something El." He started and I took a deep breath. I needed to do it quickly without any sentiments. I looked him in the eyes and his baby blue eyes stared back into mine. Slowly, I got lost in his blue orbs. His eyes glanced at my lips for a brief second and mine did the same.

   "I really, really like you Elena" he said and I widened my eyes in surprise. "You don't have to feel pressured into liking me back or something. I-i just wanted to tell you and if you'll give me a chance, let me take you on a date." He rambled. But the moment the words left his mouth, I don't know what came over me. Maybe it's the weight on my shoulders or the way he looked at me.. or the way his face leaned slowly towards me. I let go of the dagger behind me completely and leaned towards him.

    The space between us covered slowly and when our lips touched, I had a feeling I was in heaven. For a second, none of us moved. Jace's hands slowly grasped each side of my face and we parted but the space between was so tiny that a sheet of paper couldn't pass through.

    "I'll take that as a yes." He breathed and I nodded slowly. My brain was probably frozen in shock because I barely thought of what I did. He grinned and pressed his lips against mine. 14 days is still a long time, right?

******
*Cough cough* can somebody please say finally?!! 😩 Jace and Elena, #jelena #jana #jalena 🤧

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~Korisa💙