Bloody Riddle

XIX : Say Hello and Goodbye

Karin strolled as she approached the cabin. A stair led her to a door. Karin holds her gun firmly.

Nothing suspicious, Karin entered the cabin. She paused. This cabin looks normal, but she shouldn't loosen her vigilance. David Eiden could have planned something. Whether a surprise attack. That's might be possible.

Karin looked in every direction. The cabin is quite spacious. Karin lowered his weapon and approached a chair in the living room. Blood was everywhere, just as he had last seen at David's house. Karin sighed.

A sudden moan sounded. Karin raises the weapon back. Pointing forward. when her legs led her into the kitchen, Karin could see something moving at the corner room.

No, this isn't possible.

James was curled up at the end of the room with hands tied to a pipe. Karin ran and went to the figure. Karin stunned by the state of James.

Body is full of wound. And there are some wounds still fresh. Karin confused, she wants to touch him but afraid because he looks very weak. No more options. She grabs James' face, slapped him. "James, wake up."

James' eyes fluttered open. He saw a figure, but it confused him as to see something else.

"Is this a hallucination?" he said incoherently. Karin pinched his cheek and James moaned. "James, focus." said Karin. James winked again, and he focused. James's body tightened.

"Karin, what are you doing here?"

"I'm trying to save you. You've been missing for couple days." Karin's hands opened James's ties slowly, afraid to touch the injured part of the body. James fell silent.

James stroked his wrists softly after the ties open. Wrist swollen and there is a visible mark of blood. "Can you stand?"

He tried to stand up, but his body immediately swayed. Karin catches his body. "I don't think so." James replied, grimacing. His body had screamed in pain because of the injuries he experienced.

"Looks like we have to use the old style, give me your hands." James followed her instructions. Right hand James she put onto her shoulder. James body slumped and Karin tried to justify his position.

Karin looked to the right. She found something that catching her eyes. There is a chess-shaped tattoo on James's right hand. Karin paused.

"Nice tat." She said. James complained irritably. "This is not the time to admire it. We have to get out of here, before he comes back."

"Sorry."

Karin tries to bring James body, who weighs twice her weight, to the exit. Though difficult, but Karin should try.

When they passed through the hall, David was standing there with a furious face. They fell silent as David was holding up his weapon, pointing at them. "You can't take away my property, Detective Williams."

Karin met his eyes. She knew this man was dangerous. "He is not a good, and neither is yours, David Eiden."

"Oh really, put him down." Karin tightened her grip. whether Karin should follow his orders. James looked at her.

"Karin, do it." Said James. Karin took James's hand off her shoulder. She lowered his body slowly. David smiled. He walked closer, still pointing his gun.

James grabbed David's hand and twisted it. See the sign, Karin poked David's face with his right hand, mercilessly. David fell to the floor. He was still shocked and clutching his face.

Karin and James ran back to the kitchen. They hide under the counter. "We just got him pissed." James whispered. Karin glared at him. "Then why you do that?"

"Give you a chance to run. Karin you have to get out of here. His target is me, not you." James looks very caring. Even his voice was very soft. Karin bit her lower lip. She's not here to leave James with this creepy man.

"Not without you."

The sound of boots closer. David walked into the kitchen. "Detective, I'm sure you're still there, why don't we finish this with negotiation, I take James back, you can go safely unharmed."

Karin paused while holding her weapon. She heard the shoe getting slower. When David stopped, Karin emerged from behind the counter and fired.

David dodges and hides him behind the couch. "I am not interested!" Karin shouted. He saw James told him to leave, while Karin distracts him.

Karin fired again. "Go!"

James immediately ran, though his body still swayed. David peered through the couch. Then shoots at James.

Karin came out of hiding. Keep firing. David is good at firing. And he dodges every bullet. Karin cursed herself.

Karin ran and landing herself by dragging her body sliding on the floor while firing. She meets with James, who is hiding behind the couch. "You're trained very well. Remind me you like Neo from the Matrix." he smirked. "Don't remind me. Come on, I think he's out of bullet."

Karin holding James wrist and drags him to the door. A bullet almost hit Karin's face, if James not forced her to get down. Karin shoot again and James opens the door. They finally ran out from the cabin.

Karin ran a step ahead, guiding herself and James back into the forest. Fortunately, James didn't get hurt in the legs. At least that can be grateful. Halfway through the forest, Karin stops. She looked around.

"I think we're safe for now." Karin take off her jacket and handed it to James. "Wear this." his gaze toward James's body. James picked up the jacket and put it on.

"One question." Karin looked at him. "How do you know where I am?"

"You're not the only people who smart here. I even ask for your partner in crime to track you down."

"Nest?"

"Yep. He is easy to work with."

"He's a good guy." James justified. When their eyes meet, Karin can feel the tension between them slightly increased. His eyes softened and gave Karin a genuine smile.

"Actually, I'm glad you came here. Thank you." The heat spread to the Karin cheeks. She turned to avoid James's gaze.

They fell silent.

A bullet suddenly sped into a tree near James. They print directly to the direction the shot came from. From behind the darkness, gun sound echoed.

"We're not finished, detective!" David shouted, his voice echoing reflected off the surface of the tree. James approached Karin, pulled her arm and ran.

"He's stubborn." Karin said as she ran beside James. they continue through the dark night with minimal light. Karin didn't turn on her flashlight, she didn't want to risk them being caught.

They saw a bright light at the edge of the forest. Karin and James speed up the run. The sound of gunfire heard again, and they had time to look back. David pointing his gun to shoot again. "Shit." James grumbled.

Karin stopped and held up his gun. James stops and holds Karin's weapon.

"What are you doing?"

"I'm trying to buy time." James forced a Karin sleeve and made her face him. "We're not discussing this." James ran while dragging Karin, even though she didn't want to.

Karin sudden fell and holding her feet. James stops. He squat and sees Karin legs. Blood start perk to her jeans provide dark color. James pressing the wound to stop the bleeding. Karin ripping her sleeves and gave it on James.

"Come on. Hop to my back."

"What? No! You're injured. I will not risk it."

"We don't have time for this, Karin. Just do it!"

Karin grabbed James's neck, hugged him tightly. "Hold firmly, this will be a little shaky."

James lifted his body and started running again. They almost got to the goal when the bullets shot near them. James sees a parked car. James rounded and hide behind the car. He took Karin off. "Stay here."

Karin grab James. "No, we could do this together."

He gave her a smile again. But this time more like a goodbye. James kissed Karin's forehead. Eyes were as if this was the last moment. Both hands grabbed Karin's head. He opened his eyes, leaving Karin speechless.

"I will be right back."