Chapter Twenty-Three: Something in the Way:

Meanwhile, Doyle has a little hang-up. Ever since he tracked down Lauren, he had a feeling that someone was following him. The lavender perfume gave it away.

“She’s back,” he said to himself. Doyle turned around.

“How long have you been following me?” he asked. A woman with long dark red hair sat on the old wooden trunk. Her eyes seemed to glow in the dark. She smirked as she raised her eyebrow.

“A few days now,” she said. “She your new plaything?”

“No,” he said. “What are you doing here?”

“What is she to you?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“The same reason you do.”

Doyle smirked. “Jealous much?”

“No,” Rosaline said. “Just curious, like you.” Doyle smirked.

“How did you find me?” he asked. She smirked and flicked back her hair.

“The same way as I always do,” she said. “You haven’t changed your habits, have you? You really are getting old and losing your touch.”

“It’s worked for me in the past.”

“Heh. I don’t think it will work for now.”

“Oh? Since when do you care about my will-being?”

“Since that child came into the picture.”

“She’s definitely not a child, I will tell you that.”

“She’s a child because of what happened to her. Even newbies weren’t as dumb as she was. I’m telling you, let her go.  She’s only going to drag you down with her.”

Doyle smirked and shook his head. “You know I can’t do that once I find a new interest in something.” Rosaline frowned and narrowed her eyes.

“Yes, I am all too aware of that,” she said. “Which is why I am going to take your new pet from you.” Her tone was enough to hold his attention.

“And what do you plan to do with her?” he asked.

“That’s not really any of your concern,” Rosaline said. “I can do whatever I want to do with her. Oh, but what’s this? Your little plaything seems to be in a bit of trouble.” She smirked at the shocked look on his face.

“Oh, what’s this?” she asked. “Didn’t you sense it earlier? Wow, you really are losing your touch.” Doyle rushed over and grabbed her by the blouse.

“Did you do anything to her?!” he asked.

“Nope,” she said.

“Don’t lie to me!”

“I’m not. But my friends on the other hand…” She tried not to bust out laughing. Doyle gritted his teeth and threw her across the room. Rosaline looked up as he stood over her.

“If you kill that girl I will snap your neck!” Doyle barked. Her lips curved into a smirk.

“Relax, babe,” she said. “My friends won’t do too much to her. Just rough her up a little bit. Besides, I don’t want them to kill our little plaything.” Rosaline broke into laughter as she jumped to her feet.

“Do what you can to save her for now,” she said. “Bye.” She jumped up and vanished into thin air. Doyle cursed himself as he slammed his fist against the wall in his hotel room. What did that kid do to end up in this situation? He sat down on his bed and cleared his mind.

Lauren, can you hear me? Lauren? Lauren?

He winced as the only thing he received in return was static. Doyle rubbed his ear. That alone was motive enough to vanish out of his room himself.