Misinformed: Chapter Thirteen

Sophie sat up with a cold sweat pouring down her body. Her shirt clung to her and her hair was matted against her face and neck. Her whole body shivered and her hands trembled as she reached to turn the light on. She looked around, unable to register where she was for a moment. Clutching her chest to took several deep gulps of air and calmed herself down.

The panic was still there.

She slid her feet off the bed and walked across the cold floor to the window and looked out. Black and white as far as she could see. It had stopped snowing at least, the storm had passed. Sophie felt ill at ease about it, the darkness stretching farther and farther before her, the snow tall enough it reached the windows.

She reached for her phone and began going through messages feverishly. Any sort of sign, any clue at all. Sophie had saved so many conversations. Surely there was something Silas said, some sort of slip that would give it away.

Beauchamp was too good for that, she thought as she dropped her hand to her side. No, he was far too careful and far too cunning to let anything give him away. She knew though now, somehow, Beauchamp had been planning this all along. Ever since she was a girl, beaten and bloody in the hospital, he had been planning this,

She sat on the edge of the bed and held her head in her hands. How could so prove it, though? Who would believe her? Her mother considered him a close friend. Her father, while he didn’t trust him, still admired him. Makepeace would listen, maybe, but he would say if there was nothing to back it up, he couldn’t do anything.

All she had was Silas and Isla. All along, Silas had said he never trusted Beauchamp, even though Beauchamp provided a roof over his head and steady income. He still couldn’t stand him. Isla had never been Beauchamp’s biggest fan, in fact, she rarely ever spoke of him. Sophie knew her well enough to know that meant she either hated him or didn’t trust him.

Why hadn’t she caught on until now? She had been so convinced of his innocence because of how hard he had fought for her before. But he had simply been wrapping her around his finger from the start. He had never intended to use her for anything more than leverage. For her past, her family’s name, her money.

“God,” Sophie shuddered as she doubled over and began to sob.

Her nightmare had given her an all too sharp awakening as well as an epiphany. It should have been obvious from the start. She checked her phone again, tears splashing onto the screen as she typed out a message.

“You’re going to say I’m being silly, but I need to know you’re ok.” Sophie sent that message first.

“I’m so scared. I just had a nightmare. I just need something.” She sniffled as wiped her face, peeling the shirt off her skin as she wiped her face. She tugged it off and tossed it aside, letting her shiver as she dried up.

Sophie knew she had to stay here for her own safety, but she wanted to run away. She wanted to go back home to the cottage. God, if all of this was true if Beauchamp was behind this, would she ever be able to go home again?

The phone pinged as she was pacing and she lunged at it, grabbing it up and seeing the message her sent.

“Go to bed, you’re silly.”

Sophie closed her eyes and sighed in relief, a few more tears springing forth. It was nice to see him reply so quickly, but it did nothing to comfort her nerves. She sat there, fixated on the message before her.

“Don’t be afraid,” another message popped up without provocation. “I’m here. I’m working for you. You’re safe and warm. Promise me?”

Sophie swallowed, her throat tight, but she agreed. “I’m safe and warm. Promise.”

“That’s all I need to know.” Silas replied to her. “Try and sleep little master. It will all be over soon.”

Sophie hands trembled, wanting to ask the same promise from him. She wanted to know he was safe and warm. Tucked away in the home they had made together despite their start. She closed her eyes, though, she knew he wouldn’t promise her the way she promised him.

“I’m praying for you,” she sent to him.

“Don’t need any prayers. Go back to bed now.”

Sophie sniffed and wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and hiccuped. She set her phone aside and held her head in her hands again as she tried to calm herself. Anxiety taking over and making her tremble and ache. She curled into a ball at the center of her bed and imagined herself waking up in the cottage, everything a horrible nightmare. Sophie wanted to smell coffee bacon, to walk into the kitchen and see his bare back as he stood over the stove. She wanted to press a kiss to his naked shoulder and wrap her arms around his waist.

When she felt Sophie could breathe again and stand up, she changed into clean pajamas and walked to the kitchen to get something to drink. The kitchen was chilled and still. She stood before the fridge and drank her glass of water, her eyes fixated on the magnets on the door. Handmade relics from long ago baring Isla and her siblings’ names. Old faded baby pictures and wide grins with missing teeth. She set her cup down and noticed Persephone sleeping by the door. Kneeling down beside her she heard something move and she looked up, nearly shrieking when she saw the armchair pointed at the door and someone sitting in it.

“Just me,” Grimm said quickly and turned on a light.

“Fuck,” Sophie covered her mouth and collapsed by Persephone who shifted to lay herself in Sophie’s lap.

“Sorry,” Grimm replied, and Sophie saw the gun in his lap. “Just keeping watch.”

Sophie narrowed her gaze, “keeping watch?”

He shrugged and ran his fingers through his hair, pushing it away from his face. “Just in case, you know?” He answered with a nonchalant shrug. “I think it’s a bit overkill, but they insisted.”

She tilted her head onto her shoulder, “they?” She stretched her legs out onto the cold wood floor as she felt herself relax.

“Isla and the big one,” he answered, moving the gun to the side table. “Isla didn’t exactly ask me for it, but I think she sleeps better knowing someone is awake. Then the big one seems to think that every nook and cranny is filled with eyes and ears. He won’t even let me say my own name around him!”

Sophie pressed her lips into a hard line.

“He’s angry,” Grimm sighed, “like a feral dog. Well no,” he pinched his brow. “Not feral no, that’s bad wording.” He leaned back into his chair. “He’s more like one of those spoiled house dogs you’d think would piss themselves before they’d even consider barking.” He rubbed his chin. “But then, when they sense danger to what they love, they go right for the throat.”

Sophie looked down at Persephone in her lap and rubbed her soft ears.

“Right now, he’s on his haunches with a gnarled ridge going down his back as he begins to show his fangs,” Grimm’s voice was a low purr. He then laughed, “quite fascinating really to watch him. He’s much more organized than I would’ve given him credit for.”

Sophie glanced back up at him and smiled gently like he was complimenting her. “When I first met Silas, I thought for sure he was some hitman or something,” she chuckled. “He was so big and frightening, he looked like he would snap my neck with a twist of his thumb,” she stroked Persephone’s fur.

“But Persephone loved him,” she murmured. “Right away she knew exactly who Silas was. She couldn’t seem to get enough of him. So, I knew when she wagged her tail around him and smiled that he wasn’t this scary monster I imagined in my head. There was something warm inside him, something beyond the scars and the mask he wore.”

Persephone lifted her head as Sophie talked, her tail slowly starting to go back and forth.

“Real monsters wear a more pleasing mask,” Grimm replied. “Silas is nothing but an honest man. Even so honest as to not hide what he is. He wears his scars more like a shield. Stay away, go back from whence you came.” He chuckled. “I think that’s what attracted us-you, I mean.”

Sophie chuckled. “He told me you flirt.” She looked up at Grimm and smiled. “Have you known him long?”

“Known him?” He shook his head, his mouth tugging down at the corners. “No. Known of him? Long time,” he nodded. “We’ve passed by each other a lot in the office. Like you said, he was a frightening creature the first time I laid eyes on him. Had no clue why Beauchamp would be dealing with him. But, by and by, after I heard all the rumors and whispers, I realized he was a hard worker. A competent one. I respected him for what dirt he could find for Beauchamp. But,” his expression shifted ever so slightly as he continued. “It wasn’t until I learned about his work for Makepiece that I started to understand who Silas was.”

Sophie furrowed her brow, “his work for Thomas?” She asked, shaking her head. “But Silas doesn’t work for Thomas.”

“Oh,” he made a guilty expression, “well, I don’t know if I should-”

“What does he do for Mr. Makepiece?” She snapped.

Grimm flinched and chuckled nervously, “well, he probably didn’t want you knowing because of the nature of it. Considering your first assumption and all-”

Sophie narrowed her steely gaze on him and he nodded.

“Yeah well,” he swallowed. “Makepiece dealt with a lot of helpless cases. He takes on extra charity work. People who don’t have a voice or money but a real claim, understand? Sort of the opposite of his old man,” he shrugged. “He takes on a lot of rape cases too, a lot of young women whose voices are squashed out before they even use em.” He rubbed behind his horns.

“A lot of these women don’t even get to see court,” his voice went low and deep. “Men in power who pay off everyone and get everything quieted and swept under the rug.” He watched Sophie’s expression as her eyes went wide and bewildered, she didn’t even know Thomas did these things.

“Well,” Grimm cleared his throat. “Thomas knows all about getting stepped on or pushed aside because of who you are born.” He kept inspecting Sophie’s reactions. “That’s why he does all this. It really pisses him off too. So, when he found out what Silas did for Beauchamp, he offered him another job.”

“And?” Sophie’s voice choked slightly.

“He has big, frightening, menacing Silas beat up these actual monsters,” Grimm tried to suppress his smile. “Beat them bloody and unrecognizable, and then he promises to do it again and again and again,” he laughed, “unless they pay.”

Sophie’s jaw dropped.

“And they always pay,” Grimm said with a nod. “Maybe not at first but there has never been a third beating mind you,” he shrugged. “Silas gets the money, gets his small cut and then the rest goes to the real victim.” His voice went soft again. “And sometimes, Silas doesn’t even take his cut.”

Sophie nodded, biting her cheek. “It makes sense,” she murmured and then she let out a big laugh. “Of course he does!”

Grimm smiled gently. “He probably thought you’d be scared for him or something, that’s probably why he never said anything.”

“I didn’t even know Thomas did that,” she pushed her hair from her face.

“It’s guilt really,” Grimm shrugged. “Why he does it I mean.” He stretched out his legs and leaned back again. “He knows his family has done some fantastically shitty things and he kind of takes the burden onto himself.”

Sophie furrowed her brow and her lips parted slightly.

“What’s that look?”

“Does Beauchamp know about this?” She asked. “Makepiece’s charity cases?”

Grimm’s expression went pensive for a moment. “I assume he knows what his partner does,” he replied with a shrug. “Being partners and all at the firm,” he looked back at Sophie. “What do you mean?”

“Beauchamp never just does anything,” Sophie answered. “He never does anything without having some motive behind his movements. If he knows about Thomas’ charity cases, there has to be a reason he has kept letting Thomas use Silas. He must know. He must be…” her expression fell slightly.

“What’ve you got cooking, girl?” Grimm asked.

“I just having this sinking feeling that Beauchamp has more planned than we think.” She stood up, Persephone sitting at her guard post again as Sophie took a hair-tie from around her wrist and tied her hair back.

“I’ve been wondering,” she murmured as she began to pace. “What if he’s been using me? Ever since he won my case against Thomas’ nephew.” She held her hands before her, moving her fingers as if pointing out bullets and arguments on a screen. “But why? What leverage do I hold?” She scratched her cheek and behind her ear. “He brought me in for an intern way to easily. Isla told me when I started working there that Thomas is usually extremely selective about who he brings into his firm. I looked back and I shouldn’t have been qualified for the position,” she clenched her fists. “So it had to have been Beauchamp, putting me where he wanted me most.”

“So what? Why would you being at the firm do anything?” Grimm asks. “Because if you weren’t qualified for an internship there I sure as hell am not.”

“Thomas’s nephew,” she huffed, “Beauchamp’s biggest win was against him. That’s why he fled the country.” She twisted her fingers together. “I thought he and his mother were back in the country. I had been seeing their vehicle everywhere, almost following me.”

She turned to look back at Grimm. “A car nearly ran me over one day, and I could have sworn it was him,” her eyes darted about as she slowly connected dots. “But what if he never came back at all. Thomas didn’t know. He said he had no contact with his family aside from his brother,” she licked her bottom lip and tucked it between her teeth, stomping back and forth as everything built before her.

“But it could be argued that Thomas knew all along, that he was withholding the information for his own gain. He has no proof to it, and of course, evidence could be made against him easily. Especially if it was Beauchamp doing it,” she let out a sarcastic chuckle. “Beauchamp could never make a reputable firm for himself,” she murmured. “Everyone who is anyone knows that.”

“So?” Grimm asked.

“He’d have to take one,” she murmured and fidgeted. “He’d have to prove there was someone out there more crooked than he is,” she glanced back at Grimm. “Using my history with the Makepiece family, and now Silas’s business with Thomas,” Sophie’s eyes went wide. “He wants to get rid of Thomas for good,” she then cupped her hand around her mouth. “He’s not just after me,” she whimpered and she turned back to Grimm. “He’s after Silas too.”

Grimm’s eyes widened and he stood up.

“Everything!” Sophie gasped as she went to Grimm and grabbed his shirt. “Every attack that Beauchamp has made,” her fists clenched tight and sure, her breath shuddering. “The car that nearly ran over me. When my home was broken into! When Isla was shot! Even letting me move into the cottage…” she dropped her hands as the realization hit her like a ton of bricks.

“He was trying to frame Silas from the beginning,” she reached up and gripped the sides of her head.

“Because framing Silas meant also framing Thomas,” Grimm said with a dark voice. “You weren’t the target. He is.”

“I have to tell him!” Sophie ripped away from Grimm and ran for her phone. Grimm grabbed her before she ran into her room.

“Don’t!” He snapped.

“And why not?” Sophie shouted at him. “Beauchamp has been attacking Silas all this time! I’ve just been bait! Silas needs to know!”

“Silas has probably already come to this conclusion as well,” Grimm kept a tight grasp on Sophie’s wrist. “Not only that but Beauchamp has no way of hurting anyone right now with you out of the picture. “If you call Silas panicked like this he’s going to make a mistake!”

Sophie wrenched her arm free and smashed her face against Grimm’s chest as she began to cry. “Then what am I supposed to do?” She sobbed, her shoulders shuddering.

Grimm sighed and put his hands on Sophie’s back, mouthing ‘there, there’ as he patted her.

“What if Beauchamp tries to use Silas to lure me out?” She whimpered. “What if he gets hurt? What am I supposed to do?”

“Sophie,” Isla stepped into the hallway, she looked white as a ghost. Her eyes were wide and panicked. “What’s going on?”

Grimm passed Sophie off to Isla. “She’s pretty much got this puzzle figured out,” he sighed and rubbed the back of his neck. “I guess I’ll go put some coffee on.” He side-stepped around Isla and Sophie as they held each other.

Isla set her chin on top of Sophie’s head as she sobbed, petting her hair and rocking her gently. Once Sophie was calmed down, Grimm brought them coffee and she told Isla everything that she had concluded. Isla listened intently, her eyes focused on the distance as Sophie spoke. She nodded and furrowed her brow, standing up when Sophie was almost finished.

“I told Thomas it was a bad idea to tell Beauchamp,” she grumbled.

“You know?” Sophie asked.

Isla put her hand on her bandaged shoulder. “I knew about the charity cases,” she said with a nod. “And I had a…” she scrunched up her face and tilted her head to the side, “inkling about the blackmailing bit.” She then chuckled, “I would never have fucking guessed the big guy was in on it. Fuck, I barely knew he worked for Beauchamp.” She shook her head, chewing on the side of her lip as she took a breath. “If he kept track of everyone that Thomas sycked Silas on, and if they all have some pull in the world. God-” she gasped, “Thomas doesn’t stand a chance,” she whispered.

“What do we do?” Sophie asked. “How can we stop this?”

Isla shook her head slowly, “fuck, I don’t know,” she bounced on her heels. “It all seems so out of control right now. Telling Thomas is just...well it’s throwing sticks at a wall,” she scoffed.

Sophie held her face in her hands. “It feels so hopeless.”

“On one hand, you’re out of the way,” Grimm suggested, “Beauchamp doesn’t have his main component, so his master plan shouldn’t work. But on the other hand,” he grimaced.

“What?” Sophie asked.

“Beauchamp doesn’t have just one plan,” Isla spit. “Knowing him, he has contingencies for every possible outcome.” She sat picked up her mug and took a hard swallow. “I wonder if he counted on you two falling for each other.”

Sophie sank then, her body sagged and her mouth hung open. “He did,” she murmured. “Oh my god…”

“You can’t say that for certain,” Isla snapped, trying to be reassuring. “Even Beauchamp isn’t that evil,” her expression said she didn’t even believe that herself.

Sophie suddenly stood up and went back to her room. She came back out, her fist clenched around her phone.

“Sophie?” Isla whispered.

Sophie walked into the kitchen and set her phone on the counter. She rummaged through drawers for a moment then brandished a meat cleaver. “Cover your ears.”

“Sophie,” Isla started towards the kitchen and then Sophie brought the spiked hammer down on her phone with a loud bang.

Isla screamed at the loud noise and fell to her knees.

“Whoa! Whoa! Whoa!” Grimm shouted as he knelt down beside Isla. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” He managed to shout over a few more choice whacks.

Sophie stared down at the remains of her a phone and sighed longly. “That was my phone,” she murmured. “I’ve had it as long as I’ve lived in the cottage and,” her shoulders slouched. “I can’t trust it,” she took a tupperware container and swept the crunched remains into it.

“You want to keep it fresh?” Grimm scoffed as Isla began to collect herself.

“I’m sorry I had to do that,” Sophie murmured apologetically. “I know the loud noises are a big triggering,” she looked into the tupperware bowl. “Anyone know what a bug would look like?”

Isla held up a trembling hand and managed to extend her middle finger at Sophie. “You think he bugged your phone?” She scoffed as she stood.

“Is it really ridiculous to think that after all this?” Sophie asked. 

Isla took a deep breath and patted Grimm’s arm. “Look at it, see if there’s anything strange.”

Grimm shrugged. “Have you ever left your phone alone with him?” He asked as he took the bowl from Sophie.

Sophie shrugged, shaking her head. “I’m sure there have been times I left it in the office going to lunch or something,” she murmured. “He always made us leave our phones out of the conference room when we had a meeting. So maybe even then-” she shuddered.

Grimm shifted the contents of the bowl. “You could’ve, you know, told us this before you smashed the thing.”

“I didn’t know you knew what a bug was!” Sophie threw her arms up. “I thought you were just a janitor.”

“Hey,” Grimm looked offended.

“I’m guessing you didn’t tell anyone your phone was going to be down?” Isla asked, cocking her eyebrow up.

“That’d be counterintuitive wouldn’t it?” She asked. She shook her head. “I had reset it completely before I got here,” she clenched her fists. “I thought I was being as careful as I could be.”

“I’ll let Silas know,” Isla clutched her hurt arm again.

“Found something,” Broon spoke up.

Sophie’s eyes widened and she held her breath as both she and Isla moved in closer. Grimm held something small in his palm. It was chipped from the bashing. It looked like a thin, flat coin.

“Tracker,” Grimm murmured.

“Oh my god,” Sophie cupped her hand over her mouth.

“Bag that up,” Isla scowled. “This is evidence we need,” she pulled back slightly. “At least it’s a start.”

“What about Silas?” Sophie gasped.

“I’m staying here,” Grimm replied, “knowing that this thing exists, I’m not letting you two alone here even for an hour.”

Isla nodded as she stroked her arm. “He’s alone out there,” she whispered.

Sophie’s jaw dropped and her voice choked off. She cupped her hand back around her mouth and tried to calm herself down.

“No need to get panicked now,” Isla said, trying to calm herself as well. “Nothing has happened so far. But that’s not to say something won’t,” she growled as an intensity came to her eyes. “We’ve just gotta keep our heads about this,” she squeezed tightly on her arm.

Sophie turned and looked out the window. Beyond them and the snow, the sun was rising. The sky was painted pink and orange. She watched as the sun came up over the mountains, cresting their snowy peaks as the sky went from pink to blue. She clutched her arms around herself and squeezed, trying to mimic Silas’s arms around her.

“Anyone hungry?” Grimm asked to break the silence. “How about I make breakfast?”

“Yeah,” Isla kept her voice from trembling. “That sounds nice, doesn’t it, Sophie?” She asked, turning towards her.

Sophie nodded slowly. “Yeah, thank you.” She moved sluggishly to the kitchen with Isla and Grimm. She suddenly felt so tired, her mind having run laps all night until now, she was exhausted. She slumped at the table with Isla, drinking more coffee to keep from nodding off.

Sleeping now seemed like such a strange thing to do. Danger lurking in every nook and cranny she could lay her eyes on. Yet she felt like she could sleep until it was safe to go home.

A lot of good came from it, but she began to regret smashing her phone. Sophie so wanted to talk to Silas, to see the pictures she saved and remember him. Now she had no connection to him she could cling to.

Sophie remembered that first day in the cottage and how excited she was. How when Persephone ran downstairs she feared the worst from her new neighbor. Even worst was when he opened the door as she snuck into his home. It was dark and dusty, and it smelled like a thrift store somehow, but when he opened the door there was a rush of fresh air tinted with coming rain.

Their first meeting had been unceremonious, a small accident because Persephone had been excited about her new surroundings and new smells. Silas had been gruff but understanding, and all the while Sophie had just assumed he was tolerating her.

“What’re you thinking about?” Isla asked.

Sophie’s eyes widened as she remembered where she was. “Ah-” she then chuckled and shook her head. “I was just lost for a moment,” she muttered.

“I’m sure he’s thinking about you too,” Isla replied, her head resting on her arm.

Sophie shook her head and placed her cheek into her palm. “I'm not thinking about that,” she sighed. “I'm just-” she wrung her fingers together. “I'm worried about him,” she replied as her throats became tight and stony. “I know he's smart and probably knew all this from the beginning but I just-” she chewed on the inside of her cheek. “What if he doesn't?” She looked up at Isla with big, wide eyes. “What if he still doesn't know what's going on and is trying to figure it all out?” She squeezed her hands together and twisted her fingers about. “But calling is dangerous isn't it?”

Isla was silent for a moment, and she touched her shoulder. “I don't know what to do either. Call, don't call, call-” she let out a long sigh. “There was a tracker,” she murmured, “I'm just glad Grimm didn't leave last night after all.”

Sophie nodded, both of them sitting in doubt as Grimm brought over plates with nothing but scrambled eggs.

“Oh fuck,” Isla growled as she snapped to her senses. “Who fucking let you cook?”

“I offered to be nice!” Grimm scoffed.

“Do we look like we want to choke down scrambled eggs and only scrambled eggs?” Isla waved her plate under his nose. “We have been through emotional trauma and you want to shove your awful eggs in our face?”

“I thought you liked my eggs,” Grimm took the plates away.

Isla’s eyes widened and her nostrils flared. “It's called faking it!”

Grimm and Sophie’s jaws both dropped.

Suddenly a smile broke across her face and she cupped her hand around her mouth and began to laugh. Grimm started laughing with her and soon Sophie was giggling herself. They were all laughing until it hurt, not noticing the cell phone in Isla’s phone ringing in the back.

He hung up his phone and tried again, this time typing out Sophie’s number. He held his breath as the phone rang and rang again. He squeezed his eyes shut tight and kept his breath held back.

“Hi! You've reached Sophie Starling. Sorry, I can't reach the phone at the moment. Please leave a message and I will get back to you. Bye.” She sounded strange, he had never heard her talk like that before.

There was a click and a beep and he swallowed hard. “Sophie...I don't have to tell you who this is so-” He snarled and shook his head. “I really wish you would answer your damn phone. Well, I guess it figures you don't right now.” He looked down at his blood covered hand then closed his eyes again.

“I just wanted to hear your voice again,” he seethed. “Maybe say a few things left unsaid. I don't know why I'm calling anyways. I know you wouldn't want me to under these circumstances.” He winced and nearly dropped his phone, he grabbed it back up and tucked it between his shoulder and ear.

“You're going to be ok. You can come back and live your life and annoy someone else. But you will be safe. I promise.” His back began slipping down the wall. “Promise me you'll be happy. That's all that matters.” He turned off his phone and let it drop. It clattered, the glass shattering on the screen.

Silas pant, his breath coming out in thick white clouds as he adjusted himself back upright. He put his hand on the wall, smearing blood as he went. Blood splashed on the wet and icy asphalt as he trudged down the dark and endless alleyway.

A door opened before him and she leaned against the wall, chuckling darkly as Beauchamp came out and walked towards him.

“Didn't expect you to actually show up,” Silas spit.

Beauchamp shook his head, a sympathetic look upon his face. “Silas, Silas,” he sighed. “You've got this all wrong.”

“Save your bullshit for the courtroom, Beauchamp!” Silas snarled, showing his fangs. “Save your fucking lies for someone who wants to hear them.”

Beauchamp sighed, shoulders relaxing before he clapped his hands together. “I had hoped to help you, I am honest there,” he nodded. “I didn't want to lose you. You were so good at what you did. I'll never be able to replace you-”

“You're fucking blowing hot air!” Silas shouted.

Beauchamp’s eyes narrowed, a cold state coming through as his expression went blank and empty. “It should have been so simple,” he growled and he stepped closer. “But you had to keep snarling on your chain.” He flicked his eyes up and Silas felt an arm go around his neck, and something cold against his temple.

“I’d kill you now if I didn't need you,” Beauchamp plucked a bit of lint off his sleeve and tossed it away. “But, as it were, turns out your ‘little master’ did not fly the coop,” he then chuckled wickedly, “so to speak. No, turns out she isn't too far away.”

Silas’s eyes widened and he began to struggle against the man holding him back, the gun clicked and pressed harder to his skull.

“I need you to bring her back,” Beauchamp purred threateningly. “So, alive you must remain.”

Silas unhinged his jaw to roar and spew venom but the butt of the gun was brought down against the back of his head and he fell to the cold ground in a heap.

Beauchamp scoffed, “pick him up,” he waved his hand dismissively. “Tie him up, make sure he can't move at all. He moves one inch and you're the one who suffers,” he snarled as he walked back inside.