Seventy- four- Deadly results

"What exactly is going on?" The shock on his face was something she had pictured a lot but seeing it in reality really broke her heart. It never seemed to be something that would hurt that much to Chloe.

"I-"

"We have him sir," a thick voice interrupted the tense air and a look behind her, Chloe saw Nathaniel had been secured between two men, cuffs on his hands, his head still bleeding.

"Can't you see he is not okay? Shouldn't you be treating him before he loses too much blood? " Chloe found herself rushing towards Nathaniel who didn't appear to be aware of what was going on around him.

"Stay back Agent," one of the men pushed her shoulder slightly causing her to stagger backwards. She caught herself before her buttocks hit the ground hard but instead of staying back like the man wished, she lunged at him and tried to snag the keys attached to his trousers.

That attempt was rapidly unsuccessful and Chloe was soon forced against the rough wall surrounding them.

"Agent Pepper, don't you think you are acting rather foolish?" Markings walked towards her, his signature smug look decorating his face. With a slight signal at the man who was holding her back, Chloe was released.

Her entire system in chaos, heavy breaths being an evidence, she watched helplessly as the two men dragged a weak Nathaniel away and her heart fell even more.

"Now..." Markings began as the girls who were inside were now being escorted out.

"You need to behave Agent Pepper, in order to get your reward which I believe..." The man smacked his tongue. "... is the truth about your brother."

"I-"

"What?" The man mocked her as words failed her. "Do you wish to go to prison like your lover boy?"

Chloe shook her head dejectedly. " He is not the culprit."

" Am I the culprit then?"

" Well you kidnapped me once, so who knows?" Chloe finally found a strict tone with which she momentarily flogged Markings with.

But, it seemed her words which she intended to smack him didn't affect him at all as he resumed his hysteric laughter and ordered one of the men to escort Chloe out along with the girls.

"Get your hands off me," she snarled at the man who approached her and he simply refused to heed to her warning. If he were able to bundle her underneath his armpits, Chloe was certain he would have as he dragged her without mercy giving her little chance to apologize to a still shocked Gabriel.

Till he was out of sight, Chloe kept looking his way, her mind hoping her eyes were giving the explanation she wanted to give.

But if one were to look at the issue closely, she actually had no explanation nor excuse to give. She was no baby who wouldn't know what she was in for when she befriended the men.

No. In fact she knew what she was in for and she knew how deadly the result would be. But she really had underestimated how painful the deadly result would be.

And she could already sense there was more hurt to come. Especially when she finally faces Nathaniel.

Instantly, Chloe gave in to the reckless dragging of the man in front her and made her mind numb.

The mere thought of Nathaniel scared her so much, she felt that killing her racing mind for some minutes was the best solution.

~

Thanks to Markings ridiculous laughter and useless talks throughout the ride to the headquarters of the Agency, Chloe had to take refuge in her scary thoughts.

But she was soon relieved of that purgatory when the man seated beside her announced their arrival.

Without words, she approached the entrance of the small building that led to a even larger one concealed perfectly from wandering eyes.

She was already making her way to the Agency's dormitory when multiple hands joined together and welcomed her with loud clapping.

With a slight, dismissive look at the group of seniors that were acknowledging her so called achievement with a grin and random murmurings, Chloe managed a small smile and without delay, she walked away as fast as possible.

She was already on her way to her intended destination when Agent Connor's voice dulled her steps.

"Agent Pepper, you've done it again," he said quite joyously but Chloe really wasn't in the mood to be celebrated.

"Agent Connor, I need your help." She rushed towards the man and grabbed his arms in a way that startled the man a bit. "Please, I need to see Nathaniel."

The man wore a frown. "But why?"

" I need to ask him something. I have to see him."

The man watched her suspiciously. " Are you doubting something?" he asked and Chloe took a few seconds to ponder whether to respond. " Chloe?"

Her breath dragged with tiredness. " Yes." She took a sharp inhale. " Yes, I have my doubts."

"You know letting you meet the man could put me in trouble."

" Please sir. I need this favour and I promise you, you won't regret it." Chloe hoped she looked as desperate as she felt. " Please."

Agent Connor nodded. "Okay, I will see what I can do for you. By tomorrow morning I should have found a way."

" Oh, thank you." Without haste or double thinking, she pulled the man into an embrace which she actually needed. "Thank you. And please, I would prefer if Agent Markings isn't aware of this arrangement."

The man wore another inquiring look. " Why?"

Her head danced with apprehension shaking her insides. " You will come to know later sir. Just help me this once."

" Alright." Agent Connor reached and patted her right cheek in a fatherly way before saying, "You should go wash up, you look absolutely terrible."

"Thank you." She shook her head furiously. " I mean, I will go do that."

Agent Connor gave her one more cheerful look before she walked away from him, her mind now dreading yet anticipating the meeting with Nathaniel.

~

As promised, Agent Connor found her a way to meet the man whose helpless state haunted her night sleep.

Chloe could feel her heart thumping terribly and since there was no way she could ease it, she decided to go with it. Perhaps it would help her at some point, she thought.

A few more steps and she was being greeted with partial sincerity by the guard in front of Nathaniel's cell.

With the full realization that he was just few distances away from her, her feet began to feel heavier. But she moved them anyway and when she finally approached the iron bars that distinguished the room quite well, she cleared her throat.

The dark lights inside of the cell were instantly illuminated by the installed electric bulbs and she could finally see him.

His bandaged head ducked, it seemed the floor was a better thing of interest and he certainly didn't seem to care that he was almost falling off the single bed in the room.

"Nathaniel..." she carefully called and hoped he would actually respond.

He did not but his head came up and as his eyes met her, she felt a chill down her spine. His eyes which she always felt was so full of life stared at her emotionlessly, Chloe could not help but feel instantly weighed down by guilt.

It was all her fault.

She might have been doing a job, but it was all her fault.

"Nathaniel..." she called again and he blinked.  "I-"

"I think I know who is responsible for this." His voice was even colder.

But what he said could not be ignored, so she rushed towards him. "What do you mean? Do you also think it is a set up?"

Her brief excitement seemed to bore him as his eyes flicked to the side for a moment. "I have a strong feeling he set this all up."

"Who?"

The stone look in his eyes pierced through her heart as he look her way again. But the word he uttered after made her head really fly.

"Amir."