Two days. It had been two days since Tyson slipped through Michelle and Lincoln's desperate clutches, but luckily, during those two days, the couple had time to think. Time to lay low and see what Tyson's next move was, what Versa Vice Sensus' next move was. However, in the forty-eight hours they had heard nothing. Despite what Tyson knew, nothing seemed to change, everything was quiet and still. But, Michelle wasn't stupid, she knew that taking the silence as a signal that they were in the clear was imbecilic and if the events that occurred the other night taught her one thing, it was that being stupid had the power to destroy everything in its wake.

Michelle drew mindless circles on her husband's bare chest as she struggled to keep up with her racing thoughts. She smiled at the rhythmic heartbeat the hummed gingerly beneath her ear, it was always the thing that made what her job bearable. The sweet vibrations emitted from Lincoln's heart and the soft breath that escaped through his nose, it served as a friendly reminder to never lose sight of why she was fighting or who she was fighting for.

Although the two days of silence were quite torturous and not to mention completely nerve-wracking, she had to admit, not having much to do in the small, confiding motel room definitely had its advantages. More than anything she missed having sex with her husband and the intimacy that came along with it. It was their first time being sexual in a what felt like forever, it was also their first time since they had lost the baby, but in spite of it all, everything about it felt right.

The brunette was taken from her absentminded thoughts once her husband gently pulled himself from beneath her and reached for the television remote.

"Let's see what's on t.v.," he remarked soundly.

The second the television clicked on, the couple's ears perked up while their mouths became agape at the sight of a bright fire that inflamed a house that the couple found to be all too familiar.

"Breaking News: Local arsonist inflames yet another home before, get this, turning himself in. And that's not all, although no lives were lost as a result of this fire, the arsonist, Clinton Jones, is also linked to a heinous assault that occurred just a few weeks ago. Jones says that he, quote: "Wanted to send a message." However, officials are unsure as to what that message is. Jones simply refuses to reveal his motives. The name of the assault victim, whom also lost their home following this crime, will remain confidential due to the victim not yet being notified. Please stay tuned for more updates."

"Holy shit," Michelle whispered with the shake of her head.

Lincoln released a breath that he didn't realize he was holding and reached for his phone that lied on the bedside table. He powered the device on and quickly went to his voicemail.

"Woah, what are you doing?" the brunette pleaded. "You can't turn your phone on, someone can track us."

"I have to," Lincoln retorted as he pressed his phone to his ear. "I have to see if this is about us."

"Of course this about us," Michelle ran her hands down her worried face. "That was our house on the screen, our house that was on fire! You saw it. And the arsonist, him sending a message...that wasn't him. That was Versa Vice Sensus. Tyson said that they had plans for that guy, he said they were gonna use him for something. Well, here it is, they used him as the fall guy, as if Tyson didn't do this to me as if he didn't burn those kids alive. This was personal, they're letting us know that they know what I'm doing, what we're doing. And they're not playing games, but...neither am I."

Michelle snatched the covers from her bare legs and quickly slipped on a pair of black jeans.

"Yeah," Lincoln agreed. "These voicemails, they're all from the police department. They said that they have the guy that assaulted you," he scoffed. "If only they knew." He turned his phone off before looking at his wife inquisitively. "What...where are you going?"

Michelle finished tying the laces to her black combat boots and pulled her lengthy, matching shawl into her. "To kill Tyson." She reached for her car keys before meeting Lincoln's gaze once she felt his hand on hers.

"Wait, just give me a minute to get some clothes on. I'm coming with you."

"Lincoln," Michelle sighed heavily, "no. Not this time. I have to do this. Me...alone."

"No, Michelle," he argued. "Stop saying that, that's not gonna happen. You promised me, it's the two of us like it's always been. That's the only way this will work."

"That was before these circumstances arose, Lincoln. Before Tyson found out what we're doing, before Versa Vice Sensus publically threatened us," she chuckled sarcastically. "It's always been us in this marriage, but not with this...not with killing. You can't do it."

"I can't do it? I'm the one that killed that doctor guy the other night, I can do it. I did do it, it's done."

"It's not you," Michelle blurted. "It's just not who you are. You're pure, you're good and I never should've put you in this situation, I never should've tainted you. This isn't what you're supposed to do. It's just not in you. You give life...I take it away. That's how it is. I have to do this alone. I have to do this for us, this is the only way this will work. I'm gonna go in alone and end him. I'll finish this myself."

Lincoln simply shook his head, "No."

"I'm not asking you," Michelle reiterated with the clench of her teeth. "I'm doing this, I am. I've been doing this for ten years and I've always made it back. Usually in time to get dinner on the table before you even got home," she laughed.

Lincoln's eyes softened at his wife's lighthearted demeanor.

"I'll make it back, I always have and I always will. I promise." She gave her husband a genuine smile before gently pulling him into her and pressing her lips to his. She had to do it one last time because as much as she wanted to believe her own words, she knew that she couldn't make any guarantees. And if she wasn't gonna make it back, she had to at the very least steal one last kiss.

Michelle scooped her car keys off of the table and went to the door. She smiled warmly at the evening breeze that greeted her as she did so before allowing her determined eyes to return to her husband's concerned ones. "I'll see you later."

Michelle let her gaze settle on the quaint house that sat just outside of town. The sun had just settled below the horizon which meant that the crickets were out and singing their natural tunes, but it also meant that it was time for her former colleague to die.

She took in a shaky breath as she thought of the pain that he caused, the unthinkable things that he did. She yanked the hood of her shawl over her head and tightly gripped the steering wheel once doubt clouded her thoughts. She didn't know if taking Tyson's life would bury her pain, but ever since he did what he did, she couldn't think about doing anything else. She could only hope that she'd gain the sweet relief that she longed for after it was all said and done.

The woman dispursed her doubtful thoughts and instead immersed herself in the task at hand. She slithered out of the car and ran towards Tyson's backyard. She was grateful that the man lived outside of town in a slightly more remote location, far from the big city and possible witnesses. Where no one could hear his relentless screams and constant pleads for mercy.

Michelle eased the back window open and slipped inside of the home. She kneeled behind the dining room table and listened to the stillness produced by the night as her eyes struggled against the darkness that surrounded her. The only sound that could be heard was quiet audio of the radio that sat in the back room.

Her eyes gravitated towards the small light that illuminated the kitchen and she could only assume that Tyson occupied it. She blinked rapidly in thought while trying to summon the best plan of action, she had to do this right. She was too fearful to entertain the idea of her screwing up yet again.

She kept her gaze fixed on the lit room as she crept closer to it, her fingers curled around the edge of the table while she did so. Michelle ceased her breathing once light footsteps became prevalent. They traveled softly throughout the kitchen, she bit her lip in worry before finally exhaling a small breath of relief when they became more distant. The brunette knew that she had to get moving, she couldn't wait in the dining room forever, she had to get to him before he got to her.

Michelle eased towards the room's exit, her fingers dragging along the top of the table. Her digits grazed across a clear glass that rested on the surface and her eyes widened in fear once the cup crashed to the floor, instantaneously shattering into pieces and cutting through the stillness of the home. As much as she wanted to dart out of the room, she didn't. Instead, she slammed her eyes shut and awaited Tyson's next move.

Her head cocked to the side in confusion at the silence that followed. But, shortly after, her heart rapidly picked up its pace at the stomping that sounded throughout the home, the stomping that was swiftly approaching her.

Tyson entered the dining room with caution and gritted his teeth, his squinted eyes surveying the area. He knew that someone was there but only one specific person came to mind.

"Michelle," he said in a sing-song voice. "I know it's you." He crept deeper inside of the room with a small smile plastered on his face. "You're here now like you were at the doctor's place the other night. We know what you're up to, you better stop. You better stop if you wanna live. No one good has died yet, no one that's supposed to be alive."

He twirled a rusty ice pick between his fingers while he spoke, "We can keep it that way and we can figure out what it is that we're gonna do with you. Hell, if you're lucky, we might even let you live. The point is, you can't go back but you can think about the choices you're making, the things you're doing. We can figure it out. We can."

Michelle rose soundlessly behind him and lifted her black pistol into the air before slamming it down into his skull. She smirked as Tyson fell unconscious and lied at her feet.

"No," she croaked, "we can't."

Author's note:

I hoped you enjoyed the slightly early chapter. I will still be posting another update tomorrow as well and we'll get to see what Michelle's plans are for Tyson. So, be sure to check that out tomorrow. Please drop a few comments and a vote if you liked the chapter. Thanks for reading!