Raven used the side mirror of the stolen car to adjust her green contact lenses. Like she was in a shampoo commercial, she flicked at her newly blond hair. "All right, but tell me, how do blondes work? I feel like my entire identity is going through an existential crisis.
After hotwiring the car, Dante, who now has jet-black hair and brown lenses, didn't even look up. "You'll survive."
"Will I, though?" She fluffed her hair again and made a dramatic face. "I don't feel like myself. I feel like a tax accountant. However, one who engages in fraud for amusement.
The engine roared to life as Dante twisted the ignition. "Is a tax accountant currently stealing a car?"
Maybe a cool one," she whispered.
Raven checked their burner phone absently as Dante pulled out of the motel parking lot, not expecting much. This number shouldn't belong to anyone.
That's why when she saw a new message appear on the screen, she almost choked on air.
from Javi.
JAVI: What on earth have you two done? Give me a call right now.
Raven gazed at the phone as if it had betrayed her directly.
Dante glanced at her, observing the change in her expression. "What?"
She turned the phone to him in silence. It took him hardly a second before he turned back to the road. "Ignore it."
"But—"
His voice was dangerously level as he said, "Raven." "We decided. We will remain off the grid. We run the risk when you call him.
With his thumb hovering over the screen, Raven paused. However, what if he is aware of something? What if he knows Valerie's whereabouts?
"Or what if it's a trap?" Dante retorted.
The vehicle became silent. Too silent.
Raven, lost in thought, drummed her fingers on her knee. At last, she sighed dramatically. "All right, let's not give him a call. But what if Javi loses his temper? Have you ever witnessed Javi lose his temper? It's similar to seeing a chihuahua brandishing a gun in anger.
Dante let out a breath via his nostrils. "First, we locate the elderly man. We'll be able to tell quickly if Javi is still someone we can trust.
With a sigh, she tossed the phone into the glove box. "All right. However, I will haunt you if we are murdered as a result of our disregard for Javi.
Dante grinned. "You would need to wait in line."
Raven sank into her seat and rolled her eyes. They had better hope this doesn't backfire.
The city lights faded behind them as the car rumbled down the pitch-black road. Restless, Raven drummed her fingers on the dashboard. Have you ever had the impression that ignoring Javi is akin to prodding a sleeping bear with a stick? A bear with weapons and access to all our documents?"
Dante remained focused on the road. "Remember that Javi is a Chihuahua? I'll take my chances.
Raven leaned back in her chair and snorted. "Yeah, well, chihuahuas bite."
The burner phone in the glove box buzzed before Dante could respond.
Both of them froze.
"Javi," Raven muttered. "He's gone crazy. He is now threatening to kill me.
Dante grabbed the phone from the glove box, but as soon as he saw the name flashing on the screen, his face darkened.
Javi wasn't the one.
Valerie was the one.
Raven's breath caught. Without thinking, she picked up the phone and answered. "Valerie?"
Not moving. Then she heard a voice she hadn't heard in months.
"Raven…?" The voice sounded weak and tremulous. However, it was her.
Raven sat up so quickly that she almost hit the dashboard with her head. "Oh my god, Valerie! You're where? Are you all right? Have you managed to get away? Are you having problems? "Blink twice if you're tied up—wait, fuck, you can't see me—Dante, how do I say 'blink twice' on the phone?"
Dante looked at her disinterestedly. "Really?"
The line crackled with more static, then a ragged breath. "Hear me out. You must—" A jarring sound in the distance. There's a crash. Valerie let out a gasp. "No, I'm short on time—"
Raven's heart was racing. "Who took you, Valerie? "Where are you?"
Valerie's voice wavered, and the line distorted and broke. "You're looking in the wrong place—"
Then she heard a loud bang on the other end of the call. A painful grunt. The voice of another person.
Then there was silence.
Raven tightened his hold on the phone. "Valerie? "VALERIE?!"
The line died.
The call ended as the burner phone screen blinked.
Neither of them moved for a moment. Like a thick fog, the weight of the moment descended upon the car.
Dante then grabbed the phone out of Raven's trembling hands and threw it onto the seat in between them. "Well," he said in a tight voice. "That was concerning."
Raven's eyes widened as she faced him. "Are you—ARE YOU CONCERNING? That was Valerie, Dante. She is still alive. And in danger. Furthermore, it appears that we are searching in the wrong area.
Dante's hands gripped the wheel as his jaw tightened. Furthermore, we have no idea where she is. or who abducted her. or how this number even came to her."
Raven let out a breath in an attempt to slow her heartbeat. "So what do we do?"
Dante gazed at the path ahead, considering his options. Then he changed direction.
"We find out what she meant. Fast."