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Chapter 24: Below

Chapter 24: Below

Stepping out of his black dodge charger his boots sank down into the thick viscous mud. He slammed the door as he groaned at the thought of having to clean the dirt and dust from the car later. Looking over to the small cabin he saw the Chiefs beat up old ford crown victoria sat under a sheet metal roof cover.

The cabin had fallen into disrepair. The wood had splintered and bent, the windows carried large cracks throughout. Peering inside, Sebastian spied Chinese takeout boxes piled high on the sofa with empty whiskey bottles littered on the floor. A full walk around the small cabin lead to a window looking into what looked like a teenage boy's bedroom.

Several band posters adorned the walls curling at the edges from age. A small baseball bat rested against a dresser that held a handful of small little league trophies. All was caked in dust and preserved as if the room had not been entered in years. The sheets on the bed still hung dishevelled from the edge of the mattress.

Walking back around the cabin Sebastian looked to the ancient cruiser undercover. Looking underneath he noticed a small metal hatch. On his stomach he forced himself under the cruiser to inspect the metal gateway. Having no lock he was able to lift it slightly and shine a torch inside. A series of rebar steps arranged in a ladder lead down to a wide open space below.

Pulling himself back up off of the ground his hand gripped the cruiser's door handle. With a small pop the door opened. Climbing inside he released the hand break and stepped back outside. The car rolled slowly as Sebastian pushed it out of the shelter exposing the metal hatch.

Placing his turned on torch in his teeth Sebastian began to descend the rebar rungs. Each was ice cold to the touch as one by one his hands passed over them. The bottom revealed a small concrete room. There sat a small metal chair and table facing a welded together galvanised steel cell. Inside there was a small one person bed and a long degraded chemical toilet.

Turning his torch to the floor there was a thick black metal collar attached to the wall by a chain. As he reached for it the sound of an engine approaching grabbed his attention. He quickly ascended the rungs back to the surface. In the distance a beat up jeep wrangler kicked up dust as it roared towards the cabin.

In a scramble the detective's badge fell from his pocket back into the chamber below. Unknowing he carried on as he desperately pushed the cruiser back into its place. Climbing onto the passenger seat to reapply the handbrake he saw in the rear-view mirror as the jeep grew ever closer.

Sebastian ran for the back of the cabin. Whilst he couldn't forget what he had seen he was in no position to confront the Chief on what he had discovered. He hid himself among the trees behind the property. He drew his service weapon as the jeep scraped to a halt. Its heavy door slammed on its creaking hinges.

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“I know you’re here detective! This the same car I've seen parked around where you’ve been the past few days. I know you got questions. Invading my property ain't gunna get em answered.” the Chief sounded furious as he paced around the property. He came to the car shelter where the cruiser sat. Sebastian saw as the broad framed Chief slammed his fist onto its roof.

“I know you have been down there detective. Come out so we can talk.” The Chief reached inside the cruiser and pulled out the shotgun tucked between the front seats. Sebastian swallowed his fear as the Chief cocked his weapon. “Where’s Kevin Chief?!” his words echoed through the trees hiding his position.

Wood shattered as buckshot hit the trees surrounding the detective. “I told you spooks already that he's gone. Boys as dead as George Washington!” the Chief's arms shook as he loaded another shell into the gun's chamber. “I don't believe that Chief! I know you don't either!”

Another tree shattered as Sebastian raised his arms to shield himself from the splinters. Making a dash further around the back of the cabin he ducked as another shot rang out. A small tree buckled and fell under the force from the buckshot. Sebastian saw his car around the front of the cabin from his hiding spot among the trees.

The Chief grunted in frustration as the mechanism of the aged firearm jammed. He threw it down and ran towards the cabin. Seeing no better opportunity Sebastian ran for his car. Turning and firing three shots from his own weapon to keep the crazed Chief at bay. The cracked front window shattered as the rounds made contact.

Reaching his car he desperately flung open the door and dove into the drivers seat. The engine roared to life as he slammed his foot on the gas. Dirt and mud flew into the air as the powerful engine screamed life into its wheels. In the rear view Sebastian saw as The Chief racked the charging handle on an AR-15 rifle and took aim.

Shots collided with the metal of the vehicle in loud violent thuds as it bounced down the uneven path. The rear window shattered as a bullet passed out of the front window leaving a jagged hole in its wake. Sebastian gripped the wheel hard and gave the car all of its power. The sounds of rifle shots began to fade into the distance as he let go of the breath he had been holding.

It was the early hours of the morning by the time Sebastian returned home. He had all he needed to know that whatever secret was held about Kevin that Officer Williams was willing to kill to keep it that way. In the morning he would make his report to his superiors but for now he craved the respite of his bed.

Three loud thuds came from his front door. As he cautiously approached the door flew open. Its lock shattering as the cold unfeeling face of Chief Williams charged through. With a swift punch he floored the young detective. The large Chief grabbed him by the back of his collar and began to drag him up the stairs. The thunder of the outside storm crashed as he struggled.

The Chief was unfazed and silent as Sebastian hit out and clawed at him in desperation. “Sebastian?! What's going on?” the detective's partner stepped out onto the landing. Two shots rang out as her body fell to the floor. The spray of blood from the two wounds in her skull coated both men. The Chief remained unfazed.

In a primal rage Sebastian struggled against the towering man's grip. He desperately tried to pull away as he was thrown to the ground next to his partner. Without a word the Chief put two shots into his back. Writhing and screaming on the ground Sebastian pulled himself after the Chief as he casually walked down the stairs and out of the open door.

The young detectives vision faded in and out with the passage of time as he dragged himself downstairs. Falling down the final steps he rolled onto his side facing the door. In a desperate final burst of will he tried to pull himself away as a group of tactical armoured men entered his home. Their words were muffled as they came over him.