I woke up with a startle, my head pounded and vision blurry. The cold, hard floor beneath me sent a shiver down my spine. I tried to move, but my body felt heavy and uncooperative. Panic began to set in as my memory caught up with me.

  Slowly, my senses began to return. The dim light filtered through the grimy windows of the factory revealed an empty abandoned space filled with rusting machines and debris. The air was thick the smell of oil and decay, along with the faint sound of dripping water echoed through the vast empty space.

  I forced myself to sit up, I winced at the sharp pain present in my ribs and head. As I looked around, my eyes fell on something lying next to me on the floor. My heart skipped a beat as I recognized it; Darius's business card, now covered in a coat of dried blood. My mind raced, and fear gripped my heart. "WE WARNED YOU" It read, a message that taunted me, derived from the men of El Diablo.

  A sudden noise made my head turn, my senses came on high alert. Footsteps echoed through the factory and moments later, Jacob bursts into the room, his face etched with worry. His eyes locked onto mine and he walked over to me and dropped to his knees beside me.

  "Izzy. Thank God, you're awake." He said, his voice filled with relief. "Are you alright? What happened?" He asked.

  I held up the bloodied business card. My hands trembled.

  "This is proof. They got to have Darius captured and they're taunting me with things that are his to make me come after them. His pager. Now his business card. They got to have him right? What else could this mean?" I said as my hands continued to tremble.

  "You're right. They're taunting us. Provoking us with items to push us to the limits to come get them."

  Jacob's expression turned dark as he took the card from me and began to examine it closely. "We need to get you out of here and back to the precinct. We'll figure this out. But first, let's get you somewhere safe. Where nobody can sneak attack you."

  He helped me to my feet and supported me as we made our way out of the factory. Every step was a struggle. The pain in my ribs along with my head made it hard to focus. But, the thought of Darius in some sort of danger, pushed me forward.

  As I got into the passenger seat of the car, I heard my phone ring. It was a phone call from the mystery number that I have been in contact with through messages. I exchanged a quick glance with Jacob who had just entered the car.

  "This is Detective Grant." I said slowly but calm.

  "Ahh Detective Grant. I hoped so." The voice on the other line said, the voice laced with a sense of wicked.

  "We haven't been formally introduced in person but you know me very well as I do you. You seem quite intrigued by me don't you?"

  Jacob and I exchanged another glance.

  "Do I take it we are speaking with El Diablo?" Jacob asked angrily.

  "You are indeeeeed. My my, I'm flattered. You've heard of me." He said as he began to laugh psychotically.

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  "I see the wonderful Sergeant Flint is there with you eh? Nice to talk to you Flint." He'd laugh again.

  "Well well, Detective Grant. I see you've been enjoying this little cat and mouse game I've got you playing huh? I know I have things you want."

  "Izzy?" Another voice on the other line came into play which sent a jolt of recognition through me. It was Darius. He is okay.

  "Darius? Where are you?" I asked.

  The line went silent.

  "Ohhhhhhhhhhh, how adorable. The Detective is worried about her man and wants to know where he's at from the man himself! Dear, I hate to admit it. That's not how this works here. I have your little friend here along with myself. You know how powerful my organization is. I know that the members of the Miami PD have been searching far and wide for me. You also know, I'm a clever man, but not a monster to everyone. How about you come down to my warehouse? You know the one, you come down and we can meet each other in person and settle all this then okay? Let's say around... Oh I don't know, 9PM? Alone. No backup. No weapon. And then we can chat then alright?

  Before I could answer further, the line went dead.

  "Iz, come on, You can't seriously be considering this. After all that Diablo has put us through, put YOU through for that matter! It's way too dangerous." Jacob insisted.

  "I really don't have a choice Jacob. Diablo's a mastermind who knows himself that we have been looking for. And plus, Darius is there. He could be in danger and we just don't know it."

  "Then, I'm coming with you." He insisted.

  I shook my head. "No, he was clear. I have to go alone. You can be there with backup if things go haywire. We can figure out a way for you to get piped into the ear or something but if I have any chance of getting Diablo captured and getting Darius out safe and sound. This is the only way."

  Jacob looked as if he wanted to argue, but he knew better than to try and change my mind once it was set. "Alright, alright, fine." He said reluctantly

  "Please be careful. I can't lose you again." He said with empathy.

  I laughed while I understood where he came from. "Ohhhhhhhhhhh, please. I survived being shot in the shoulder from a psychopath. I am a police officer. I get in stickups. I chase down criminals who rob gas stations in the middle of the day. I got this." I said with class which made Jacob laugh.

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  "Grant. You're sure about this?" He asked, his voice low.

  "I have to Captain. It's the only way. Plus, who am I to back away from a challenge?" I said as I laughed a bit, I tried to do this once in a while to see if Howard could at least crack a smile. It failed once again.

  He nodded, his expression continued to be fierce and grim. "Okay, just promise me you'll be careful."

  I nodded, "I will don't worry." I assured him, though my heart pounded with a mixture of fear and uncertainty.

  With one last look back at Jacob and the team, I headed out, the weight of the unknown, what was actually going to be waiting for me pressed heavily on my shoulders.

  I stopped before I exited the building fully. I turned and looked at Jacob only. I walked back over to him the utmost causal and wrapped my arms around him in a giant embrace to which he smirked at.

  "You got this Detective Grant." He said as he reassured me.

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  The address Diablo had given me led to the warehouse we went to first. An abandoned quiet place on the outskirts of town. A place enveloped in shadows and silence.

  As I approached the entrance, my phone buzzed again. Another message from the mystery number. "Enter alone. No tricks. You do so. Cooperation."

  I took a final deep breath before I stepped inside. The darkness swallowed me whole. The faint sound of dripping water echoed through the enormous about of space. The air was thick with the smell of damp everything and rotten flesh. My footsteps echoed in the silence, each step amplified the anxiety scratching at my gut.

  "Ohhhhh! Welcome! Finally! Detective Grant!" The voice paused.

  "Or wait, you know what, you're not on duty. Let's be formal. Izzy! You're here." A voice called out which cut through the silence.