Lydia smiled. “Certainly. I wouldn’t expect less.”
The old man nodded, and Lydia picked up the paper and started reading. He wasn’t kidding. They had rules galore. Stuff about standing behind red lines and wearing protective eye covering and plugs in your ears. Keeping your fingers off the triggers and the barrels always pointed at the targets. These were the kinds of rules she needed. It helped to keep her world tidy and organized. She only wished she had the same type of guidelines for her gifts as well.
Lydia finished reading and signed at the bottom of the page. She handed Briggs the pen and grabbed the glasses and earplugs. She pointed toward the door. “Can I go in now?
The old man picked up both papers and glanced down at the signatures. “He can, but I’m afraid you can’t, honey.”
Lydia walked back over to the counter. “Is there a problem? I signed the paper.”
The old man pulled a clipboard from behind the counter and flipped the page. “I was told that a…Briggs and Thompson would be coming to shoot, not…” He looked down at the paper. “Stevens.”
She leaned against the counter. “There must be a mistake. Rick wasn’t planning on shooting.”
The old man shook his head. “No, the first name wasn’t Rick.” He walked over to his message pad and flipped back a page. He walked over to the counter and handed the pad to her. “Lydia Thompson was the name I was given.”
Briggs threw his hands in the air. “For the love of god. You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Lydia picked up the book. She felt her face flush. This had to be a sick joke someone at the compound was playing on her. Lydia handed the book to Briggs and closed her eyes. She inhaled and quickly regretted it. The smell of the gunpowder was almost overwhelming on her empty stomach.
Lydia patted Briggs’ arm. “I’m going to step outside for some fresh air while you get this straightened out.”
Briggs glanced out the front window. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”
Lydia smiled. “It’ll be fine. I’ll stay where you can see me. Besides, I can take care of myself. Remember?”
Briggs gave a reluctant nod and replied in his stern, gravely voice. “Don’t go wandering off.”
Lydia lifted her fingers to her forehead and gave a salute. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
She pushed through the door and out into the sunlight. She walked to the SUV, placed her palms on the hood, and inhaled a deep breath. The mixture of earthy smells from the green forest and exhaust from the roadway hit her nose. At least it was better than that of the gunpowder.
A hand came out of nowhere and shoved a cloth over her mouth and nose holding it in place. She inhaled a sweet scent that after a few deep breaths turned to smell like rotten eggs. Her vision blurred as she felt herself being dragged through the gravel. Tears filled her eyes. Lydia was helpless, and she couldn’t scream. She couldn’t even focus on her power. Her limbs and mind were failing her. A deep unfamiliar voice filled her ears. “I knew you’d leave the compound eventually.” The man’s arms around her waist and neck squeezed tight. “Now it’s your turn to pay.”
Thoughts of Rick filled her mind before Lydia’s world slipped into an unnatural darkness that consumed all rational thoughts.
****
Rick walked back through the compound door he’d left thirty minutes ago. A sense of déjà vu overcame him. The only thing missing was Lydia by his side. A situation that he was going to rectify as soon as he saw her again.
Brody walked in behind him and patted him on the back. “Wise choice, old man.”
Rick shook his head. The thought of spending eternity in the compound with Lydia was worth whatever ribbing Brody was going to dish out. Rick’s new phone vibrated. The overhead alarms running through the building sounded, and red lights flashed. Rick hit the button on his phone. “Thompson.”
“We have a situation.” The general’s voice filled the line.
Thompson turned in place. Rick and Brody looked on as men in uniforms flew past them with guns clutched in their hands in a hurry to exit the building. “I can see that.”
The general hung up and hastily walked over to Rick and Brody. “I’m glad you’re back, but the reunion is going to have to wait.”
Dread filled Rick’s bones. As long as he’d been at the compound, there had never been an instant where the alarms sounded. The general’s somber look told him what he needed to know. Lydia.
“What happened? Where is she?”
Brody glanced from Rick to the general and back. “What the hell is going on?”
“She’s missing. I’ll fill you in on the way.” The general grabbed Rick by the arm and walked with him back out the door he’d just entered. Brody followed close behind.