The Huntress

5. Freedom

...Ash POV...

...Two Months Ago...

I hated having to leave her. It went against everything I was trained to do. My job was to protect her, not leave her there to die. But I knew she was right. If there was any hope to get out of this, then leaving her here was our best chance. She was too injured to leave with us. Her broken leg would make it impossible to get her out of here. Both Hunter and I were too injured to carry her out, and if she couldn't walk herself, she wouldn't be able to come.

Which meant that we needed to go all the more. Hunter and I were her only chance of survival. We needed to get help, and quick. Though I found myself doubting our escape. Why would Silvio let us go? I know if I had gone to the work of capturing someone, I would never allow them to escape. So why did he give us this opportunity? Surely he knew we weren't that injured to escape?

Perhaps he thought that we wouldn't leave Sienna? The thought alone was crippling. If the evil mastermind behind this had better morale than us, then we were truly screwed.

Hunter and I made it outside of the building that we were being held in. The first thing I noticed once we made it outside, was that we were no longer in Colombia. I don't know when we were moved, or how we got here, but for whatever reason, we were here now. I look around to get my bearings, attempting to figure out where we were. It took longer than it should've for me to figure out that we were in New York. I think mostly because I couldn't wrap my brain around why we were here.

I looked toward Hunter and saw him intimidated by our new surroundings. Soacha is his stomping ground. He's been to the states on numerous occasions, but this was all new to him. I saw the colour drain from his face as he looked around. I could see his desperation to get back to Sienna kick in. Forgoing our plan in hopes of staying with her.

But Sienna was right. Silvio had the opportunity to kill her. So if he wanted her dead, he would've done so. Which could only mean one thing. He plans on using her. He wants her for something. There's only one reason that comes to mind. Her father. I don't know why, but Silvio wants to send a message to someone. I just hope we manage to find help before the message is sent.

"He's targeting the Johnson's whoever that is." Hunter suddenly proclaims, making me turn my head to look at him.

"What did you say?" I ask again, not hearing him right.

"Before Silvio woke you up, Sienna got him to confess part of his plan. He plans on attacking the Johnson's, and he's using Sienna to do it." Hunter explains. I analyze that statement for a while as I devise a plan.

"Did he say why he's doing it?" I ask, hoping to know as much as I can.

"Not really. Sienna mostly guessed at it, saying that he's attacking his own family. To which he agreed, not caring that they're his family because they treated him as an outcast or something like that." Hunter adds.

I nod my head in reply. I didn't realize that the Johnson's were involved in this. But from what Hunter is telling me, he must be. There's only one Johnson family I'm aware of. I just hope he's referring to the same one. Otherwise, all of this will be in vain.

"Follow me." I shout as I do my best to run down the corridor. I take a quick check to make sure he's following me, before continuing.

"Where are we going?" He asks, as he catches up to me.

"We need to get off the streets. We need to find a secure location." I state, looking around frantically to find anything useful. The problem with being in a city like this means that there are cameras and microphones everywhere. While sometimes tech can be a good thing, right now it's the complete opposite.

"What are you looking for?" Hunter asks, seeing my head spin in all directions.

"Some place where we won't be overheard." I state.

"Over there." Hunter states, making me narrow my eyes. He's not even from here, so how would he know whether a place has tech or not? Hunter sees my adversion, but doesn't let it get to him.

"Come on!" He shouts, as he runs down the street. In order for us to save Sienna, we need to stick together. So while it goes against my better judgement, I follow him.

There's nothing in the vicinity that screams out to me, except for a nearby bar. Since it's early in the afternoon from the direction of the sun, the bar shouldn't be too busy this time of day.

It's not ideal, but it will have to do. I grab Hunter's hand and pull him behind me. Hunter's confused at first but doesn't say anything. I appreciate his cooperation as we run into the bar. I scan the area and as I expected, there's no one in sight except for the barkeep. As I rush to the bar, Hunter stays behind and locks the door, turning the open sign around to let others know the bar is closed. He then begins to close the blinds making sure no one can see inside. I appreciate Hunter's diligence to keeping this private. In the meantime the barkeep is losing their mind at our antics, reaching below the bar to what I can only assume to be a weapon of some sort.

As I expected, the barkeep stands up holding a bat tight to her chest getting ready to crack our skulls. I reach my hands out, showing I'm unarmed.

"Stop. I'm FBI undercover." I say to her. She looks at me skeptically, unmoving. I can't say I blame her as we both just ran here like crazy people and began to make demands of her.

"I just need to make a phone call, and we'll be on our way." I explain, keeping my hands raised so she knows I'm not trying to trick her.

"How do I know this isn't a trap of some sorts?" She asks.

"What would we get even if it was? A bottle of tequila at most?" Hunter remarks, stepping closer. While he has a point, his antics are only serving to intimidate the barkeep. However, Hunter just seems bored.

"Hunter. Stop. You're scaring her." I say slowly, not taking my eyes off of the barkeep.

"She's the one with the bat." Hunter states, stopping in place, as he gestures to the bat in her hand, as if I was blind and didn't see it.

"I can see that." I grit through my teeth.

"Get out before I make you!" The barkeep suddenly yells, making my eyes go wide. I didn't think this tiny thing had it in her. Hunter on the other hand just looks annoyed.

"Look. Just let us make a call, and we'll be on our way." He states, hoping to get this over with.

He takes a step closer to her, however, the barkeep doesn't take his proximity kindly, and swings the bat. Hunter ducks just in time, missing being hit on the head.

"You shouldn't have done that." Hunter comments, a fire lighting in his eyes.

Before she has a chance to swing the bat again, Hunter reaches out and grabs the bat, forcefully removing it from her hands. The barkeep stumbles and falls backwards with her hands raised. Hunter, however, suddenly changes. Similar to an animal that is driven to attack after being provoked. The same fire lighting in his eyes. He tosses the bat in the air, gripping it firmly on its descent. He swings the bat and slams it on the countertop next to the barkeep's head.

"Hunter! Stop! We don't have time for this." I say, dropping my hands as I attempt to position myself in front of the frightened barkeep.

"I've killed for less." Hunter remarks, looking over my shoulder eyeing the frightened girl on the floor.

"What would Sienna do?" I ask, knowing that they share some sort of connection. I could tell from the brief moment we shared together, that Hunter must be the one to own her heart. And seemingly, she also owns his.

At the mention of Sienna's name, Hunter drops the bat, letting it tumble to the ground in a clatter.

"Where's the phone?" He asks, not once moving his gaze from the woman.

"Over there, beside the register." She comments, visibly shaking.

"See... that wasn't so hard, now was it?" Hunter remarks, tilting his head toward the phone, and gesturing for me to move along. I eye him suspiciously, unsure as to whether to move or not, in fear he may go after the girl.

"I'm not going to hurt her. Now go." He states, seeing that I'm unmoving. I'm not sure whether or not I can trust him. Banking on his feelings for Sienna to keep him in place. I know he wouldn't do something if it meant Sienna would think of him differently, so I just have to hope that's the truth.

I keep my eye on Hunter as I walk towards the phone. I dial the first number coming to mind. After two rings, the call is picked up, however, the receiver remains silent.

"Jace. It's me. I need a team in place. The tiger has been captured. We need to be quick if we're going to make sure the dam doesn't break." I say, quickly reciting my lines before ending the call. Hunter just looks at me as though I've lost my mind.

I walk towards the barkeep, as she frantically gathers herself, getting to her feet getting prepared to run if needed.

"Go. Get out of here. Otherwise I'll let him have his fun." I state, hoping to intimidate her. She takes a quick glance at Hunter, who snickers in return. Her eyes scan the ground to where the baseball bat lies between the two of them.

"Oh, I don't need a weapon, rather, I enjoy using my hands." Hunter declares, flexing his arm as he cracks his knuckles, making the tattoo of the scythe or a Grimm Reaper's blade twist on his arm in a menacing manner. The woman takes one look at the tattoo before gulping. Hunter takes a challenging step towards her, forcing her to take a step backward. The woman stumbles once more, petrified as tears begin to slip from her eyes.

"GO!" I shout. Encouraging her to leave.

The woman scrambles to her feet, before running out the door.

"Finally! I didn't think she'd ever leave." Hunter comments, as he walks back over to the door to lock it.

"You wouldn't have actually hurt her if she didn't, would you?" I ask, needing to know what kind of man Sienna is attracted to.

"Of course not. I don't enjoy hurting woman or children. But you have to admit it worked." He remarks, walking behind the bar to grab a shot, winking as he does so. Causing me to roll my eyes at his antics.