Shane and Steve drove in silence for a while, but finally arrived at their destination. Shane searched for a peaceful spot to park, and once he found it, he brought the car to a stop. The two of them stepped out.
As soon as Steve exited the vehicle, he looked around, taking in the serene surroundings. He never thought a day like this would come. “This place feels… different,” Steve muttered to himself.
“Watch your step!” Shane warned, reaching out and grabbing Steve’s hand just in time to pull him away from a jagged rock. “You almost hurt yourself, man.”
“Thanks, dude,” Steve said with a small laugh, jumping over the rock. “But where are Thomas and the others?” His voice held a hint of nervousness as he looked at Shane.
“They should be close by,” Shane said, scanning the area. “There’s an abandoned house about two minutes from here. I think that’s where we need to start looking.”
“Okay,” Steve nodded, following Shane’s lead as they walked in silence, each step bringing them closer to their destination.
When they finally arrived at the house, Shane hesitated. “I think this is it,” he said, staring at the ruins. The building had clearly suffered from a fire, leaving it mostly in ashes.
Steve squinted, taking in the sight. “Are you sure?” he asked, doubtful. “This place is practically gone. There’s nothing left.”
“Yeah, I’m sure. Let’s just look around. Maybe they’re nearby,” Shane insisted, though his tone was uncertain.
They spent the next thirty minutes searching the surrounding area, but found nothing. The silence in the air was unsettling, making it feel like no one had been there for ages.
They both searched all the crooks and corner of the area multiple times, expecting to get a hint, but all to no avail.
Shane began to grow agitated, rubbing his forehead and pacing in frustration. “This isn’t right,” he muttered under his breath. “They should be here.”
Steve remained calm outwardly, but inside, he felt just as anxious. These were his men, and their disappearance weighed heavily on him. He placed a reassuring hand on Shane’s shoulder.
“Where else should we look?” Steve asked. “We’ve been here for a while and haven’t found anyone. Are you positive this is the right place?”
“Yes, Steve!” Shane snapped, clearly on edge. “This is where they were last time. I know this area.”
“Okay, okay,” Steve said, trying to calm him down. “I understand you’re worried, but take it easy. I’m sure we’ll find Thomas and the others soon. Let’s stay positive.”
Shane gave a half-hearted nod, though his mind was racing. “I just… I keep thinking… what if the people who kidnapped me have them too? What if…” Shane trailed off, fear creeping into his voice. “What if they’re torturing them?”
Steve looked at Shane, his expression serious. “Hey, don’t think like that. We have no reason to believe anything bad has happened to them. Let’s keep our hopes up, alright?”
Before Shane could respond, Steve’s phone buzzed, cutting through the tension. He pulled it out of his pocket and quickly checked the message. His face lit up slightly, and he turned to Shane with a small smile. “We need to head back. Doctor Eugene’s at the house.”
“Doctor Eugene?” Shane’s tone perked up, excitement replacing his worry. “Let’s go then!”
They hurried back to the car, Shane practically jogging ahead. Once they got in, Shane hit the gas, and they sped off toward home.
The ride back was quicker, and in no time, they reached the house. As they approached the entrance, Shane leaned in close to Steve, whispering, “Remember, you need to stay cool. Don’t let anyone suspect who you really are, alright?”
Steve adjusted his cap, nodding silently. He knew the drill. It was crucial that his identity remain a secret for now. As they entered, the eyes of everyone in the building immediately fell on them. Steve felt the weight of their stares but kept his head down, walking closely beside Shane.
The workers looked puzzled, clearly wondering who the new guy was, but none dared to ask. Shane had that effect on people-his mere presence was enough to keep them at bay.
Once they were inside Steve’s private quarters, away from prying eyes, Steve quickly removed his mask and cap. “I can’t believe no one recognized me!” he said, relief flooding his voice.
Shane chuckled, sitting down on the sofa. “You should be grateful everyone’s too scared of me to ask questions. They were probably suspicious, but they wouldn’t dare approach us.”
“True,” Steve agreed, laughing lightly. “I did notice no one would even look you in the eye. But I hope I didn’t make it too obvious.”
“You did fine,” Shane assured him with a grin. “You handled it like a pro.”
Steve disappeared into another room to change out of his disguise. A few minutes later, he emerged, dressed more comfortably. He walked over to the desk and set up the monitor, his mind now focused on the next task-finding out where Doctor Eugene was.
He sent a quick message to the doctor, asking him to be ready with Hannah and Louis. As he did, he glanced at Shane. “Do you think I’ll get answers today?” Steve asked, a hint of uncertainty creeping into his voice. “Will I finally figure out what’s wrong with me?”
Shane looked at him, his expression serious. “I’m sure of it. With Doctor Eugene, Hannah, and Louis all working together, you’ll find the solution to your problem. We’ve waited a long time for this, and I believe today’s the day.”
Steve nodded, taking a deep breath. “Thanks, Shane.” He turned back to the monitor and activated it.
On the screen, they saw Doctor Eugene standing in a lab, preparing for the experiment. Hannah and Louis were both tied to chairs, looking tense but ready for whatever was coming next.
Shane and Steve watched in silence, their anticipation growing. The moment they had been waiting for was finally here.