Chapter 19: Aftermath

Haley felt horrible. Her face was a mess, and her mascara ran alongside her cheeks. Grabbing her chest, she felt like her heart was torn out of her chest. Choking, She held herself tighter and laid her head on her knees. Tears would no longer come out of her eyes; they were red and raw. She was currently at her grandpa's house alongside her entire family. After all, Her baby sister was just abducted.

"My baby... Alex.. Not my baby."

Lifting her head, she turned to look at her mom. She was inconsolable and continued to cry. Her father was holding her, his face sad with dried tears staining his cheeks. He was strong for her, but Haley knew he was most likely in a similar state. He said nothing but continued to hold her and rock her back and forth, rubbing her back.

Haley stood up and walked over to her mother, embracing her. Haley's eyes began to tear up again; she wanted to throw up but focused on comforting her mom. Haley kept thinking about her sister and all the good times they had because if she didn't, she would also break down.

"You listen to me! My granddaughter needs me, and you WILL pay me the money you owe me today! TODAY!"

Her grandfather yelled at his phone. A look of rage and desperation was all over his face. This was his fourth call today. He was getting everyone he lent money to pay him back today. After all, even with his money, it would only be impossible to gather the required amount in the short time they had.

"Jay, please. Call them outside."

Gloria said as she held a despondent Manny. Haley felt a surge of anger rise inside her, only for her to squish it back down. She knew it wasn't his fault. It was no one's fault.

"It should have been me! Not her! They wanted me... I'm sorry! I'm so sorry, Alex!"

Manny kept repeating that between his sobs. Gloria only kept rubbing his back and held him tighter. Gloria's makeup was ruined as she, too, cried silently. Her uncle Cameron wiped away some tears and walked up to Manny. He joined Gloria in hugging the boy, whispering that it wasn't his fault.

"Claire, It's going to be okay. We'll get her back. We can't give up hope."

Her uncle Mitchell walked up to her mother. A warm cup of tea in his hands. He then sat next to her and her dad, trying to bring her mom back from her current state. Mitchell then turned to look at her and held her arm.

"Haley... It's going to be okay."

Haley nodded, not trusting her voice. She felt if she talked, she would start sobbing uncontrollably. She then rubbed her arms and looked up; turning her head, she saw Andy. Joe's male nanny, as he rocked her baby uncle to stop him from crying. He lifted his eyes, stared at her, and nodded. While not part of the family, Andy also felt the situation's effects if his sad face was any indication.

"Where's Luke?"

Haley choked out.

"He's outside with Harvey."

"Oh."

Haley remembered Harvey's state when they all arrived at the museum. The blood that coated his body left her horrified. He was injured when he ran after the van that took her sister. Manny said he never stopped running until he was shot in the leg, causing Harvey to land and roll violently on the road. He also hurt his head and scratched his arms due to the fall. No one could get him to move from where he stood on the road after getting up. Not even Uncle Mitchell and Cam could convince him to move. He was like a statue.

It was only when she walked up to him and grabbed his hand that she finally got a reaction from him. At first, his expression scared her. The intense look of rage and focus in his eyes unnerved her. Haley quickly got over her fear and hugged him. He stood in place but followed behind her when she dragged him to see a waiting paramedic. The medic said Harvey was lucky due to the bullet not hitting anything vital. He told Harvey he would be taken to the hospital, only to receive a firm 'No' from him. The paramedic argued with Harvey but couldn't convince him to go; in the end, he patched up Harvey and left.

Haley stood up and slowly walked over to the back of her grandpa's home. Looking out the window, She saw Luke being held by Harvey. Her brother's shoulders shook sporadically. Harvey rubbed her brother's back as he spoke to him. When Haley stared at his face, she felt a shiver go down her back. He had that same expression from when she found him on the road.

•••

Jay walked upstairs and entered his bedroom, closing the door behind him. Walking over to the far-off wall, Jay leaned on it and slowly slid down. Taking his glasses off, he then rubbed his eyes, not allowing himself to cry. After all, this was all his fault. No matter what anyone said.

"Why did this happen?"

Jay replayed the tape he was sent in his head for the millionth time. It was a short video; it showed his granddaughter all tied up with tears flowing down her face. Fear and anxiousness could be seen in her. Jay cursed in his head and replayed the video once more.

///

"Jay Pritchett, I'm sure this video found its way to you." A dark-skinned man in black and grey clothes said from beneath a ski mask.

"As you can see, we have your little granddaughter here. All wrapped up and waiting for you." The man began. "Of course, we hoped it would have been your son behind me. But, it all worked out in the end."

The man walked behind Alex and placed his large hands on her shoulders, causing her to whimper.

"You now have eleven hours to get together three hundred thousand dollars in cash and deliver it to the address that was written on this tape." The man then walked in front of her.

"If you don't have the money ready and delivered by midnight tonight, I'll have to put a bullet in her little pretty face. Tik tok, Mr. Pritchett." The man said with a wagging finger. "Oh, and if I see even a single sign of the police. You'll have to use that money to buy a casket."

Alex started crying while screaming for help. The tape immediately ends, leaving only a black screen.

///

Jay looked down at his watch and saw it was currently six forty-five. He had only five more hours to prepare all the money and deliver it on time. If not then... Jay couldn't finish the thought as he choked back a sob. He had no time to feel sorry for himself. He has to save his granddaughter, no matter what.

Jay then stood up slowly and walked over to the window. Out in his backyard was Luke and Harvey. Harvey was consoling his grandson as best as he could. The young man's earlier bloody state caused Jay to remember his time in the service, someone his age shouldn't have gone through that. But Jay was thankful to hear that Harvey did everything he could to try and save Alex and his son. He was almost killed for it. The police that arrived at the scene were of no help. Even three hours from when Alex was abducted, he has yet to hear anything. Closing his eyes, Jay pulled out his phone and looked for a specific contact.

"...Hello?"

"Alvin... I need your help."

"I'm on my way."

•••

'Spirit...'

'Nothing yet, Harvey.'

'...At least we know she hasn't been hurt.'

Harvey and Spirit finished their mental conversation. Looking down at Luke, Harvey could only continue rubbing his friend's back. After Alex was... Taken, Harvey had Spirit expand his senses to try and find Alex. But the ability only worked when the blood of the innocent had been spilled, leaving a trail for Harvey to track and find. But currently, there was nothing for Alex. It was both a good and bad thing.

'I'll keep searching. It's hard to sort through every other soul, but I'll let you know when I find your friend.'

'...Thank you, partner.'

"Luke, Let's head inside."

"Okay... Harvey?" Luke asked as they both stood up.

"Yeah?" Harvey responded.

"...We'll find Alex, right?"

Harvey closed his eyes and hugged Luke closer to his side. "We will. She'll come back safe and sound."

Luke nodded as Harvey opened the door and let him in. Following behind him, he saw Luke walk over to his dad and hug him. Phil wrapped his arm around Luke and brought him in the family hug.

"How are you holding up?"

Harvey turned to look at Mitchell. He was surprised to hear the two men he met at the fair were part of the Dunphy-Pritchett family. He quickly got over it; it wasn't important at the moment. Finding Alex was.

"I'm doing better." Harvey touched his forehead, feeling the bloody bandage under his fingers. "Don't worry about me. Any news on the money?"

"My dad's doing everything he can. He's still missing the remaining thirty thousand, even after we brought everything we had. We're still short." Mitchell said in a tired voice. "...I don't know what we're going to do."

Mitchell's voice broke as he began to cry. Harvey nodded and wrapped an arm around the man; he wasn't very good at comforting people. Still, he tried his best to help the red-headed man.

"We'll get her back. Not a hair out of place. I swear."

"Thank you, Harvey. I'm sure we will."

Mitchell said he wrapped his arm around Harvey. After a few seconds, the man let go and walked off to find his daughter, Lily. Harvey winced as he saw his leg wound start to bleed again through his bandages. It was healing, but it wouldn't be fully healed until tomorrow. Cursing, Harvey walked over to the far wall and leaned against it; laying his head on the wall, he closed his eyes.

"Harvey?"

He opened his eyes and saw Haley walk up to him, arms wrapped around her body. She stood in front of him; her shoulders started to shake.

"Yeah?"

"...I don't know what to do. My baby sister is gone, and there's nothing I can do!" Haley then wrapped her arms around him and started sobbing in his chest. "What should I do? What should I do?!"

Harvey frowned and hugged her tightly. He was watching her throughout the night. Haley was being strong for her family, holding her emotions in. It seems she finally hit her limit. Harvey continued to hold her but stayed silent; he didn't know what to say. So he just held her and rubbed her back. Closing his eyes, Harvey stood with Haley.

"It's gonna be okay..."

•••

"I should kill you both right now. Where you stand."

"Listen, Drake. It was either her or nothing!" Brandon spoke from the hood of the Toyota Corolla. "It worked out in the end! We got his granddaughter."

"How hard was it to grab a fucking kid?! Two grown men!" Drake kicked a chair across the room. "You even shot one! This whole operation is at risk due to you fools!"

"Boss." Tray said while holding his hands up. "We have the girl. Different methods, same results."

Drake rubbed his face and walked off towards a bound Alex. She sat there with a blindfold and was gagged; her body was shaking in fear. Drake stood in front of her and nodded.

"Does your grandfather love you enough not to let you die?" Drake asked Alex. "Hm? Answer me!"

Alex nodded fiercely; it was her only form of communication. Drake then nodded and rubbed his chin; his face still had some remnants of anger on it.

"He better. Otherwise, tonight will be your last."

Alex began to cry silently through her bindings. Brandon had a lecherous grin on his face as he stared at her. He then got up and walked up to Alex; bending down, he sniffed her hair. Causing the girl to whimper loudly.

"Man, I think we got the better choice. Just look at her chest." Brandon whistled as he eyed Alex's shaking chest. Taking a knife out, he traced it along the bottom of her shirt, slowly bringing it up and over her breasts and up to her cheek. Alex started shaking in her chair, yelling through her gag.

"HEY! Stop!" Zack yelled, causing Brandon to jolt in surprise. His knife accidentally cut Alex's cheek lightly, Blood slowly leaked from the injury. "Get away from her!"

"The fuck! Who do you think you are?" Brandon roared, flicking his knife to the ground. A lone drop of blood splashed on the cement. "I can do whatever I want!"

"You perverted piece of shit, She's a child!"

"Even better! She'll be even tight-"

Zack then punched Brandon across the face, dropping him to the ground. Brandon wiped his bloody lip and got up; he rushed Zack and tackled him to the ground. Once on the floor, both men engaged in a fight. Zack was getting the upper hand, his greater strength giving him the advantage.

"Enough!" Tray yelled. "I swear to god I'll put a bullet in the both of you!"

"Easy there, Tray. Let these morons fight it out." Josh stated lazily as he ate some chips. "Something to do while we wait to get paid."

"You two. Enough." Drake ordered from the table that held all the guns; he was loading an empty magazine with an expressionless look.

Zack and Brandon stopped fighting and got up. Zack was the one in better shape. However, Brandon had a broken nose. They glared at each other and then walked away, going to different corners of the room. Josh laughed at the two, causing him to choke on his chips. Drake looked back and shook his head.

"...Children."

•••

Harvey was standing by the pool with his eyes closed. The soft nighttime breeze blew his hair; his hands were in his pockets. The night sky hung over him like a suffocating blanket. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open. His eyes were glowing a bright, blazing orange.

'Found her.' Spirit said.