ds_flashfiction | Doors Challenge - The Other Side (Reply)

672 Words. Not really sure where this came from. Dialog only for those who need to be warned about that kind of thing.

Hello, Ray.

Hey, Frase, how ya doin’?

As well as one could be, under the circumstances.

Yeah, I get that. How’d - how’d you track me down?

Some help, but mostly blind luck.

Dief?

In part. Dief found your location once we identified the correct block. Dewey saw your car and reported in.

It’s kinda distinctive.

Like its owner. How are you, Ray?

Not - not doin’ too good here, Frase, an’ these lights keep blinking at me.

What do the lights say?

22:25, 22:24, 22:23. Kind of a theme.

Ray, are you - can you see the mechanism?

The what? Oh, the bombs...

Ah, yes, well, bombs then. How many, Ray?

Hard to say. Two blinky things, connected to a couple of bundles all around the door and the window.

Is it dynamite, Ray?

Nah, silly putty--

Plastique.

Yeah, and there’s these tube things connected. Looks like that Russian stuff.

Are there wires on you?

Yeah, but I’m not - I’m not connected to nothin’. Just tied up like a cow. And he’s almost as good as you with knots. Every time I move it chokes...

Perhaps it would be easier if you lay on your side.

Can’t - no room to roll on one side, an’ I’m bleeding on the other.

Bleeding? He said he only knocked you out!

Can’t trust him, I guess.

[muffled conversation between Fraser and unknown party]

Alright. Ray, we’ve found the plans for the building. The floors and ceilings are reinforced concrete, but the non-load bearing walls appear to be standard construction. The SWAT team is going to attempt to cut through one of the walls in the office next door.

Interesting plan, Frase.

[sounds of hammering]

It’s a start.

A start? What else you got, Frase?

We have an ambulance standing by--

Prob’ly gonna need that.

We usually do.

‘Kay. So the black hats are gonna cut me outta here...

Yes, then we shall reacquaint you with the local ambulance crew. I just passed word to have several units of blood sent over - however useful it is, it concerns me that all of them know your blood type.

Never needed a transistor before I met you.

Does that- I’m sorry, Ray.

I’m not. Glad I met you, glad you came back.

Truly, Ray?

Just - just sorry I made you wait for our adventure. Shoulda gone.

I wondered why you delayed it.

Thought maybe I wouldn’t wanna come back [panting] thought if - if I waited ‘til I could retire, I could stay maybe.

--

That bother you, Frase?

No. It makes makes me happy.

Don’t sound happy.

You’re on the other side of the door, Ray, bleeding and surrounded by bombs. Nothing about this makes me happy.

So what we gonna do, Frase?

First, we break down the wall.

Already said that.

Yes, but a brief review would not, I think, be amiss.

You trying to distract me?

Is it working?

Yeah...

Good. So once we get you out of the room, we shall turn you over to the tender mercies of the ambulance crew.

Needles, Benton.

I’m afraid that can’t be helped, Ray. However, you will then make a full recovery--

Really?

A full recovery, much to the amazement of the fine staff of the nearest medical facility. Then, you shall fill out your retirement papers--

Done. In my nightstand.

Dear God. Ray, how long have you been planning this?

Long time. Too long, maybe.

No, it was time well spent. I could wish - but we’ll get your papers in, and I’ll finally accept the transfer they offered me.

You turned down a transfer? To stay in Chicago?

To stay with you.

--

Ray? Ray!

I’m seein’ lights, Ben. I think they got a hole through.

[shouts from the rescue team]

Ray, I’m afraid I’ve lost track. What do the timers say?

7:34.

Plenty of time, then.

You think?

Yes, plenty of time - I’ll meet you on the other side.

Better hurry or I’ll leave without you.

Never again, Ray. I won’t permit it.

Love ya, too.