(Part 2 of One Wrong Turn, Erica, Mike, and Trixie try to find Ben during the events from the last chapter.)

Erica's POV:
One turn. 

One stupid turn.

I was on my couch when I called Ben to ask about some mission details he knew better than me about a recent large-scale bio-weapon seizure mission we'd just completed.  

Right to voicemail.

"Hiya! This is Ripl- Ripley, uh, Ben Ripley. Sorry I can't answer your call right now but I'm-" There's a loud sound of glass shattering what seems like metal groaning and exploding, and a fire alarm starts going off. "Erica! What are you doing-" He laughs. "Nothing-" I hear myself call out grumpily. "The stupid toaster blew up!" "What do you mean the toaster blew up? How? It's a toaster! How did you explode a toaster?" He cackles. "Shut it and help me clean up this mess! And if you tell anyone about this I'll-" "Yeah yeah, if I tell anyone you're so bad at a basic thing like working a toaster, you'll kill and dismember me. Do you want my help or not?" "Ugh fine, shut it and come on!" "Yeah yeah okay. Great, now I have to change my voicemail again later." "Ben! Help! Now!" "Yeah ye-." *BEEP*

I smile to myself hearing it, he usually answers, so I don't think I've heard this before, and it makes me chuckle. But then worry covers my features as my face wrinkles.

I've never heard this before. Because he always answers. So why didn't he this time? It might be fine but- I have a bad feeling about this.

I went on my phone to check Ben's location and saw that it seemed to be erratically changing a lot. I pulled up street cams and saw his car was going really fast. Way faster than he should have been. That combined with his weaving maneuvers immediately put me on high alert. Ben was in danger, and none of us were nearby enough to fight with him. 

I'd have to try to aid him from where I was because I knew I'd never get there in time. 

I tried to talk to him through the comms, but they'd clearly blocked the signal. While I tried to take down their block, I got Mike and Trixie's attention.

"Hey Er, what's up sis?" Trixie asked lightheartedly.

"Ben's in trouble."

"What can we do?" She asked seriously. 

While Trixie was the most childish and optimistic, she knew that it was not a time for jokes, and got right to business.

"Trix, call in support and get in the air. I want a visual track on him in case they remove his trackers. Get the sharpshooters airborne, especially Charlie and double especially, Bailey."

"Center-mark and Bullseye? I'd love to bring them in but aren't they on mission in Guatemala?"

"No, they wrapped theirs up yesterday. And though they have they day off, you know they're going to want to help Ben. Those guys love him, especially after Buenos Aires."

"Oh you're right, he really saved their bacon on that op."

"Yes he did, and he gave their kid a really cute stuffed meerket that she loves. Kensie takes Bingi  everywhere. Get that going Trix."

"On it."

"Mike get on your cycle and start going as fast as possible to these coordinates. Don't worry about traffic laws or anything, pedal to the metal and don't let up. As it is you probably won't make it, but I'm not the team's math expert so I'm really hoping I'm wrong."

"Got it." I heard his footsteps in my comm as he ran to his garage and got on his motorcycle.

The engine roared to life and I heard tires squeal as he slammed on the gas.

"Stay focused though Mike, we don't have the liberty for distractions right now."

"You're right. You got it boss." He shouted over his bike.

This wasn't a witty quip or sarcasm, as frequent team leader, even though my position was not officially higher than the others, Mike often called me boss. I didn't mind. Especially not this time.

It started as a joke, but eventually it just became his friendly and respectful nickname for me.

That was him being serious and locked in, so I wasn't going to do the usual thing of jokingly telling him off. This wasn't the time for games or jokes.

This was the time to do everything we could to save Ben, and rescue him if the unfortunate situation arrives. 

"Alright, he's being chased by 3 black standard SUVs down the main roads just off the highway. No clear identifiers, no license plates, tinted windows. Ben's been doing pretty well avoiding them but they're closing in. His comms are down, and I have no idea who's after him. Based on the particular models and our frequent face-offs with Joshua, I'm sure it's probably him if he's still alive, which let's be real, he probably is."

"That bionic rat is harder to kill than a cockroach." Mike grumbled grumpily. "Is it so much to ask for him to just stay dead? One time. That's all I ask."

"I agree, but now's not the time to focus on that." I said, refocusing his frustration.

"If he can keep trying to shake them for a little longer, I almost have comms re-established in that area, hopefully we can talk to Ben."

"You do that."

"Trixie how's Mike doing?"

"19 miles out, at the speed he's going, it shouldn't be more than 7 minutes."

"I'm going to keep running this from slightly on the sidelines because I'm going to be too distracted in the field and we need someone to run comms and watch street cams. I'm calling a car and I'll work in there as I get driven over. I've got a bad feeling he's going to be captured, so I'm going to get there as soon as possible to help process his car and the scene to find any and all clues to find him asap. Now he's not gone yet, so everybody do everything you can. Let's bring him home safe and in one piece. Alive."

They both expressed noises of understanding and I kept at work. 

Every ounce of me was internally shaking in fear and worry but I pushed it aside. No time for distractions.

I heard a noise outside and got in the car that was waiting. I gave the driver the location.

"And step on it. Please. It's important." I handed him a pretty hefty roll of cash and his face lit up.

"You got it miss." The driver, a sweet, middle aged hispanic man said with a kind smile.

"Thank you."

He sped off, driving expertly around traffic and making really good time while I got locked in running the op. 

"Mike turn right, he's- oh god."

"What?" They both asked in unison.

"Ben just- turned into a dead end. He's not going to be able to get out of there before they block the exit."

"Shit." Mike shouted in frustration.

"You're close enough now Mike, use the upgrade. It won't last long, but it should get you there faster, and every second counts right now." Trixie advised.

"All right!" He exclaimed as he slammed his hand down on a CIA speed boost upgrade Mike had requested, yes, like in the video games. We heard the engine grow louder and then a quiet constant noise as the bike sped towards Ben. "I'm coming buddy, just hold on a little longer."

"Go get him Mike."

When I got within a couple blocks, our comms went dead again.

Last I'd heard or seen on my screen, Ben was still in the alley and had injected the tracking serum. 

But by the time I got there, Ben and his assailants were long gone. 

I remember getting out of the car a block and a half away. Any further than that was blocked off by far too much police tape for comfort. 

"Sorry miss, I can't get any closer."

"No problem, thank you." I handed him a second roll of cash and got out. Immediately I broke into a sprint, pushing myself to get there as quickly as I could manage.

 tried to stay hopeful, my eyes starting to burn as I caught a view of the alley.

All that was left were dark tire marks burned into the ground and Ben's smashed up car abandoned in the alley. I could see a vague imprint on the hood, almost person shaped. Immediately, my eyes wandered, trying unsuccessfully to find Ben. To see he was here and okay.

But he wasn't. He was gone. 

I felt my knees weaken. I wobbled but steeled myself. I needed to be strong.  

 I looked around, but Mike was nowhere in sight. His bike was sideways on the ground, and his helmet was gone, still on his head I assumed.

"Mike!" I yelled out.

Nothing.

I heard static on the line and then Trixie's fuzzy voice came through in crackles.

"...rica. The... got Be... He's go-o-o-ne. ...m sorr... We a-a-are try...ng to fi-i-ind hi..."

I cursed heavily and then went back to searching for Mike. It didn't take long because I heard a loud crack and an intensely loud scream that I instantly recognized as Mike after all of the mandatory team game nights Ben, Mike, and Trixie, as well as my mother and father made me go to. We often ended up playing monopoly, a game that Ben and I were both quite good at, and that Mike was in fact not.

"Mike!" I called out as I ran towards the sound.

I turned the corner and saw Mike with his helmet in his hands again as he whipped it at the side brick wall of the building, presumably again because the sound was the same one I'd just heard previously. 

I watched as it collided with the wall and heard the loud crack and the clattering of the helmet falling to the ground.

"Mike." 

He looked over at me,  his hair a mess and his eyes bloodshot red, tears streaming down his face. He looked exhausted and miserable, and I knew the feeling well. 

Now this next part may seem very out of character for me, and that's because it was.

I walked over and opened my arms for a hug. Yes really. Yes, I'm being serious.  Since I'm sure you're wondering why in the world I would ever hug anyone, even Ben, (yes I know about you little sailors or whatever), so why Mike? 

 And not that it's any of your business at all, but fine, I'll explain this once. 

Over the years the four of us have grown close, and Mike had become like a brother to me. An annoying brother that goofed off and teased me, but he was always there trying to help me when I need him to be. Such as every time Ben ended up in some crazy dangerous situation that he was severely under-prepared for, (the doofus). So many times. 

And while we'd all gotten better and older, we were still worried, (yes, me included), and I knew Mike was freaking out this time because it was off mission and we had very few leads. Ben was gone, and Trixie was in the air looking for him. And not that I'd admit it, (tell anyone and I'll kill you), but I care a decent amount about Ben, and I knew how much Mike did as well. We initially became closer friends from all the times we leaned on each other when Ben was in danger. Mike and Trixie knew of my unfortunate feelings for Ben so whenever I was worried about his safety, (shut up), Mike and I were able to keep each other focused.

And as much as I hate to admit it, I was worried out of my mind, (shut it), and I knew he must be too, and I wanted to try being supportive. I doubt that I did well, but I tried at least I guess, right? 

Whatever, back to the story.

Mike sobbed into my shoulder and I felt his weight shift, his knees buckling, and I held him up, knowing he was losing strength. He pulled away after a minute and started to talk.

"I was too late." He croaked. "He's gone and it's all my fault. I should hav-"

"Hey." I interrupted. "Stop. Don't do that to yourself Mike."

"But I-

"I mean it. It's not anyone's fault but the people who took him, and the people who told them to. I know you didn't do either, and so do you. So do not blame yourself. We are gonna get that nerd back and smack his big ol' brainy head for getting kidnapped again."

He laughed and nodded.

"Better?"

"Yeah, thank you."

I nodded.

"Now let's go find that doof." He said as he wiped his eyes and smiled.

"And..." I prompted.

"And let's make them pay for this."

"Hell yeah." He fist bumped me and I picked up his helmet, seeing the cracked visor and handed it to him. "You're gonna need a new visor speed demon."

"Thought my call-sign was Fox, Wolf."

"Oh it is, but that doesn't mean I can't make up nicknames."

He laughed and nodded. "Alrighty."

We spent the next several days looking for any and all evidence of where he may have been taken. We traced the tire tracks to black Cadillac Escalades.

"Great." I grumbled upon hearing this discovery. "Because if there's one thing DC doesn't have, it's a ridiculous amount of Black Cadillac Escalades."

Mike chuckled dryly. "I know Erica. But any lead is a good lead right now."

"I know. It's just- agh!" I threw the computer I was holding across the room. Everyone was silent save for the skidding of the metal device on the floor.

I stormed out of the room and found an empty narrow hallway. 

I paced back and forth, talking to myself.

"This can't be happening again- damn it! Deep breaths. I'm sure whoever took him, namely that cyborg freak, wants what we just recovered on our last mission. And Ben knows nothing about it- which they won't believe, because even if he did, he would never tell them. God- he must be suffering and here we are running around chasing our tails in circles. Think, think, think. What are abandoned places far enough away from any- no! Ben would say that robo-bitch likes to hide in plain sight. What's the most obvious possible place they could go? What would be a good cover for a ginormous building with secret evil operations?"

I racked my brain trying to think of any large privately owned buildings in DC that are not directly government related.

Think simple Erica, think like Joshua. Think smart. Think like Ben.

An idea lit up and I knew precisely where I was sure Ben was.

Ridiculous as it may sound, Joshua would need a way to launder money and also something to build a secret lair under. 

I ran back into the other room and grabbed my computer, immediately checking the list of employees, scanning through until I found what I needed. 

Manager: John Hill, honored war veteran.

I looked at the picture, clearly heavily edited, but still clearly the one and only Joshua Hallal.

"Mike, Trix!" I called. "I know where he is!"

"What? Where?" They asked.

"He's at Walmart."

Now some disclaimers so I can't be sued, no Walmart isn't genuinely evil- I think, (for legal reasons this is a joke), I just don't know any large non government buildings in DC so Walmart works and it's silly and I like it. Also! Tada! Told you I'm doing my best to stay on track or not fall any longer than a week behind, and I'm going now to finalize the fun and games chapter, so if all goes to plan you get 2 new chapters today! Love ya! Bye!