Chapter 11: The Boy Who Refused to Be Afraid
Noah Mitchell had learned something important about grown-ups.
They always thought children weren't listening.
That was why he heard Victor Hale tell Marcus that the boy was worth more alive than dead.
And it was why, when the two men left him alone in the room, Noah began looking for a way out.
The room had no windows, only a metal door with a small rectangular opening near the top. A fluorescent light buzzed overhead, and the air smelled of dust and old paint.
Noah sat on a folding chair with his stuffed bear in his lap.
His wrists weren't tied, but Victor had taken his backpack, his shoes, and the little drawing he'd made for Family Day.
He missed the drawing most.
It had been the first time he'd ever drawn himself with a father.
Now he wondered whether he'd ever get to show it to him.
The door opened.
Marcus entered carrying a paper cup of water and a sandwich wrapped in plastic.
"Hey, buddy.""
Noah didn't answer.
Marcus set the food on the table.
"You should eat something.""
"Are you going to hurt me?""
Marcus froze.
"No.""
"Then why won't you take me home?""
The older man pulled out the other chair and sat down.
For several seconds, he studied his hands.
"Because I made a terrible mistake a long time ago, and I'm trying to fix it.""
Noah frowned.
"Did you do something bad?""
Marcus let out a humorless laugh.
"Yes, kid. I did.""
"Did my dad do something bad, too?""
Marcus looked up sharply.
"Who told you that?""
"Nobody. I heard you talking to Mr. Victor.""
The man's face tightened.
Noah hugged his bear.
"He said my dad stole something. But my mom says my dad was a good man.""
Marcus leaned forward.
"Your mother is right.""
"Then why did he leave us?""
Marcus opened his mouth, but no answer came.
Noah's eyes filled with tears.
"Everybody says my dad loved me. But if he loved me, why didn't he come to Family Day?""
Marcus looked away.
For a moment, the only sound was the buzzing light.
Then Marcus said, "Sometimes people make choices because they're afraid someone they love will get hurt.""
Noah shook his head.
"I'm not afraid of getting hurt. I just want my dad.""
Marcus's eyes filled with tears.
"I know, buddy.""
"Do you know where he is?""
Marcus didn't answer quickly enough.
Noah stood.
"You do!""
"Sit down, Noah.""
"Is he alive?""
Marcus covered his face with both hands.
"I think he is.""
Noah's knees nearly buckled.
"Then why won't he come?""
Marcus looked at the boy, and whatever remained of his defenses finally broke.
"Because I helped the wrong people find him. And because I was too much of a coward to tell the truth afterward.""
Noah stepped closer.
"Are you a bad man?""
Marcus looked at him for a long time.
"I've done bad things.""
"Can bad people become good?""
The question struck Marcus harder than any accusation.
He reached into his jacket and removed a folded piece of paper.
"Your dad wrote this for you.""
Noah took it with trembling hands.
His name was written across the front.
*For Noah, when he's old enough to understand.*
He opened the letter.
My little man,
If you're reading this, then I wasn't able to keep my promise to come home.
I want you to know something before you hear it from anyone else. I never left because I didn't love you.
The day you were born, I held you against my chest and promised your mother that I'd spend the rest of my life making sure you felt safe.
I failed to keep that promise in the way I wanted.
But every day I've been away, I've been trying to find a way back to you.
I know you may hate me. You have every right to be angry.
But please don't ever believe that you weren't worth coming home for.
You were the reason I stayed alive.
Love, Dad.
Noah pressed the letter against his chest.
"Where did you get this?""
Marcus swallowed.
"David gave it to me before he disappeared.""
"Then you've had it for nine years?""
"Yes.""
Noah's face crumpled.
"Why didn't you give it to me?""
Marcus bowed his head.
"Because I was afraid.""
Noah stared at him with an expression too old for his face.
"Everybody's afraid. My mom cries when she thinks I can't hear her. Mr.
Ray looks sad when he thinks nobody's watching. But they still came for me.""
Marcus couldn't speak.
Noah carefully folded the letter.
"Mr. Marcus?""
"Yes, buddy?""
"If you're sorry, help me go home.""
Marcus looked toward the door.
Then he looked back at Noah.
Something inside him finally seemed to settle.
"All right.""
He stood, crossed the room, and reached into his pocket for the key.
But before he could unlock the door, a voice came through the speaker mounted above it.
"Step away from the boy, Marcus.""
Victor.
Marcus froze.
The door opened from the outside.
Victor stood there with two armed men behind him.
He looked at the letter in Noah's hand.
"That's touching. Really.""
Marcus stepped in front of the boy.
"He's just a child.""
"He's the son of a thief.""
"He's David's son.""
Victor's expression hardened.
"And that's precisely the problem.""
He gestured to one of the men.
The man grabbed Noah by the arm.
Noah screamed and clung to Marcus's jacket.
"Don't let him take me!""
Marcus struck the man's wrist, forcing him to release the boy.
For one glorious second, Marcus thought he might actually get Noah out.
Then Victor raised his gun.
"Don't.""
Marcus stopped.
Victor approached slowly.
"You've been useful for a long time, Marcus. But I think your usefulness has finally come to an end.""
He turned toward Noah.
"Your father stole something that belongs to me. And your uncle Ray has it.""
Noah shook his head.
"Mr. Ray didn't steal anything!""
Victor smiled coldly.
"Then he'll have no trouble bringing it back.""
He looked at Marcus.
"Call him.""
Marcus hesitated.
Victor pressed the gun against his ribs.
"Now.""
With shaking hands, Marcus took out his phone.
He called Ray.
When Ray answered, Marcus's voice broke.
"Ray, listen to me. I've got Noah. Victor wants the drive.""
Ray's voice came through the speaker.
"Put the boy on.""
Marcus handed Noah the phone.
"Uncle Ray?"" Noah whispered.
"I'm here, buddy.""
"Please come get me.""
"I will. I promise.""
Noah looked at Victor, who was watching him with a thin smile.
"Uncle Ray?""
"Yes?""
Noah swallowed.
"Bring my dad, too.""
Ray went silent.
Then his voice returned, stronger than before.
"I'll do everything I can.""
Victor took the phone away.
"Midnight," he said.
"The old Bellhaven training facility. Bring the drive and the original documents. Come alone.""
He ended the call.
Then he leaned toward Marcus.
"And if you try to betray me again, I'll make sure neither of you ever sees David Mitchell alive.""
Marcus watched him leave.
The metal door slammed shut.
Noah sat down, clutching his father's letter.
"Mr. Marcus?""
Marcus lowered himself beside him.
"Yes, buddy?""
"Do you think my dad remembers what I look like?""
Marcus's face crumpled.
He pulled Noah into his arms.
"I think remembering you is the only thing that's kept him going.""
And somewhere beyond the walls of the abandoned training facility, a car engine started.
Marcus looked toward the door.
He knew that sound.
It was the same engine he'd heard nine years earlier, on the night he'd helped Victor Hale destroy his best friend's life.
Only this time, Marcus had no intention of letting history repeat itself.
He waited until the footsteps faded.
Then he whispered into Noah's ear.
"When I tell you to run, you run. Don't stop for me.""
Noah pulled back.
"Why?""
Marcus forced a smile.
"Because I owe your father a promise.""
May you like
He reached into his boot and removed a small metal key.
"And tonight, I'm finally going to keep it.""
