'Which floor?'
Erisha asked.

'Just the fifth yet! Come on!'
Treyton waved her up.

Treyton and Erisha had begun climbing the stairs, because they had both known using the elevators would have been a great risk.
Besides, there were CCTV cameras above each elevator, and they couldn't afford to get caught before they found KK.

But Erisha, despite being fit, was getting tired, because although eight floors didn't sound so high, but the steps were high and wide.
Not wanting to show Treyton her weakness, she tried keeping pace with him.
But he was more energetic than her, and didn't even look winded, or breathless.
She paused for a minute, just looking at him ascend.
I'm so glad he's here with me. I somehow feel safe. I might not have been here if it wasn't for him..he's..
'Ouch!'
She stopped, as her sneaker twisted over a step.

Treyton immediately turned to see.
'Hey! You okay?'
Although the floors were in darkness except for occasional muted lights on the office floors, their eyes had adjusted enough to be able to see.
And he could see that Erisha was tired and frowning.

Erisha looked up to see concern in his eyes.
'Yeah..I just missed a step. Let's go..'
She made to move, but he came down the few steps where she stood below him.

'You didn't protest because you missed a step. Did you twist your foot?'
His eyes bored into hers, his body so close, that every word was like a breath in her face.

How did he notice?

Because you have all my attention..

'Ahh..no! I'm fine, really! Please, let's go. We have to find Nanna..'
She stepped back a little, avoiding his eyes, very much aware of him, his spicy cologne penetrating her senses despite of everything.

He saw her expressions, and knew she was as affected as he was by their closeness.
But he knew indulging in such thoughts was not yet safe.
He took her hand, and felt her resist. But without even glancing at her, he began climbing the stairs again.

It took them several more minutes to reach the eighth floor, but when they did, Treyton came to a complete stop.
He kept Erisha behind him, as the sound of loud laughter reached them.
The floor was as dark as the others, except for one area from where light could be seen.
A room was open across from them, where it seemed some action movie was being watched, the sounds reaching them along with male voices commenting.

'Sie ist so heiß!'

'Schau dir diesen körper an!'

'Komm schon, küss sie!'

'Idiots!'
Treyton rolled his eyes.

'What are they saying?'
Erisha asked from behind him, unable to understand.

'Uhhmm..forget it..nothing that would interest you..'
Treyton shrugged, not wanting her to know the men's chauvinist remarks.
He peered closely at the shadows that could be seen from the lights of the television on the wall in his vision.
The men were busy amongst themselves, and it was the perfect time for them to complete their search.

'Treyton! Over there! Look!'
Erisha caught Treyton's arm, and he turned to look, where she was pointing to a door with a light on underneath.
'Do you think..'

'Come on, let's check while these men are busy..'
Treyton moved on silent feet towards the door, Erisha on his heels.

This time the handle was easier, it was locked from outside and the key was in the lock.
Treyton and Erisha shared a look, before Treyton opened it, glancing back to where loud laughter continued.
Taking the key out of the lock, he opened the door as quietly as he could, thanking his stars that it made no creaking sounds.
Entering the room, he shut the door behind them, while Erisha gave an audible gasp.

The room was sparsely furnished, a cot like bed with a small metallic table next to it, serving as a side table, with a water glass and jug on it.
A table on the corner was set up with a laptop and printer, and there was a bathroom and another open area with stacks of boxes and boxes.
And it was all empty.

'Nanna!'
Erisha whispered.
'This must be where Nanna lives..'
Her voice wasn't too steady, and Treyton frowned.

'Locked away in a corner of the building! What kind of a job does he do anyways?'
Treyton moved towards the table with the laptop.
The laptop was powered off, and was cold to the touch, as if it had been untouched for hours.

'Nanna is the brains behind his projects. He comes up with the ideas, David only implements them.'
There was derision in her tone, as she shook her head.
'But what I'm worried about is, that where did they take him? He called me what..two three hours ago..to tell me that I had been right, and that his life was in danger..'

'He said that? And you are telling me this now?'
Treyton shook his head at her.
'You should have told me that at the time, maybe I could have gotten some help..'

'I'm sorry..'
Erisha came to stand in front of him.
'I knew you hated David..and if David found out you were involved, helping me..I shudder just thinking of what he can do to you..I..'
She saw something flare in Treyton's eyes, and stopped, suddenly realising what she had revealed.

'Erisha..'
He came forward, but Erisha stepped away, on the pretext of touching the bed, stroking her hand over the sheets.

'Nanna..I'm so sorry..'
She felt tears sting her eyes, but she swallowed them, sensing Treyton's eyes on her.
'Where could they have take him? Out of the building?'

'No! He has to be on this floor..'
Treyton's tone became business like, as he moved to the bathroom to check.
'Or else those men wouldn't be here guarding this place like they are..'
Finding the bathroom empty as well, he came back to the centre of the room.
'There's not even a window in this room, how awful! To keep someone here, as if they are serving a punishment instead of doing a job..'

'Let's not waste time then..let's check out more floors on this floor before the men finish their movie and come to check.'
Erisha and Treyton both came to the door together, almost crashing into one another.
'Oww..'
Her head went back as it hit his, and she moved back to rub it.
But Treyton got there faster than she did, his palm taking hold of her face to see.

'I'm sorry! Let me see!'
He pushed her against the wall next to the door, his fingers stroking over her forehead, oblivious to how his head must be smarting too.

He blew on the slight bump that was starting to form on the side of her forehead. Erisha didn't even wince, as his thumb stroked over it over and over, her eyes unable to move away from his tender actions.
An image of him running a bath for her after they had made love flashed through her head. He had been concerned for her pain then as well.

He just pretends to be a hard, ruthless man, when infact he is a softie through and through..
'Hmm?'
She came to as she realised that he was speaking to her.

'I said, does it hurt bad? I'm so..'

'No! No! I'm fine..thanks!'
Erisha assured him, but still he didn't move away from her, his body almost pressed against hers.

Their gazes locked, and she saw something flare in his, before he bent his head. She raised hers automatically, ready to receive his lips on hers.
He heard a groan as his lips touched hers, but was surprised to feel her stiffen. He flicked his tongue over her lips, but she pushed at him.

'Wha..'

'Treyton! Did you hear that?'

'Hear what?'
He pressed her between the wall and his body, trapping her.
'I need to..I know you want this too..'
His breath was hot on her face, as he grabbed her by the waist and lowered his head again.

Erisha was sure she had heard something, but as his tone and words began to take over her thoughts, she brought her hands to his shoulders.

The groaning sound came again, this time louder, stopping even Treyton in his tracks.
'What the..'

'I was trying to tell you..'
Erisha said, clearing her throat, their bodies still pressed against each other's.

The sound came again, a bit louder this time, and they both sprang apart.

'Someone's here..'
Treyton bent over to look underneath the bed, but it was empty.

Erisha was the one who noticed some of the boxes moving. The movement was slight, but definitely there.
She ran towards them, Treyton following.
They moved several boxes, working together, as the sound came again.
It was as they moved the last of the boxes, did they see a man tied to a chair, his head bent, a tape over his mouth to prevent him from speaking.

'Nanna!'

'KK!'

Treyton and Erisha said together as they caught sight of her grandfather.
He opened his eyes to see and they widened when he saw who it was.

'Mmmpphhh..'

'Hang on, KK..'
Treyton hurried to remove the tape from his mouth, while Erisha made to untie the ropes holding him to the chair.

'Nanna! Oh God! What have they done to you?'
She cried out, as she saw the marks and bruises on his hands and face.

'Erisha! My child! Trey! How did you find me?'
KK's voice wasn't too steady, as they both helped to free him.

'Nanna! I'm so sorry..I should have..'

'You have nothing to be sorry for..in fact I'm thankful to you for opening my eyes. After you warned me, I kept an eye and ear out, and you were right. David's been using me to get to Trey!'

'Why did they lock you up like this?'
Erisha had stopped untying him while Treyton continued to do so.

'Because David knew I'd go straight to you, and he felt threatened that you would save Treyton like last time..what was he talking about?'
KK sounded confused, and Treyton's ears perked up at what he was saying.

'It's a long story, but your granddaughter saved me once from David's clutches..'
Treyton glanced at her, but she was busy looking at her grandfather, and checking his hands and face for injuries.

'He said Erisha would never do what he had asked her to, if I wasn't under his surveillance. So he could never let me go easily.'
Erisha lifted him up from the chair to hug him, tears in her eyes now.
'I'm so sorry, my child. I never knew you had to do wrong things for him because of me..'

Treyton's mind was in a whirl at all that KK was saying.
Why had he never come to that conclusion?
Erisha wasn't a traitor or a cheater..she had only been under duress because of her grandfather..who had happened to work for the traitor and cheater..
I've blamed her for so long..and she was just trying to protect her grandfather..what kind of a man are you?
'We need to get out of here quickly, KK. There are men outside on this floor guarding you..'

'How did you both get in..'

'Let's save that story for later..let me check outside..'

'No!'
Erisha cried out, and both the men turned to look at her in surprise.
'I mean, what if they are right outside..don't go alone..'
She avoided looking at Treyton, but she was nothing if not concerned.

'I'll be careful..'
He put a finger to his lips, gesturing for them to remain quiet while he opened the door to peek out.

The sound of whistles greeted them from the other room across the hall, and he knew they were still watching the movie. But they couldn't take chances and wait any longer, so he motioned to them to follow.

'Can you walk okay, Nanna?'
Erisha whispered to her grandfather, and he nodded.
She held his hand, as Treyton moved out of the room quietly, waving them out.

'To the lifts..'
He hurried over to it, and pressed the call button.
There was a ping, as the elevator opened, but they all looked towards the room the men were in.
'Hurry!'
He stood on guard as Erisha pulled her grandfather along, who did look as if he had trouble walking any faster.

'Come on, Nanna!'
Erisha urged, as he paused slightly a little distance away from the lift.

'Hast du das gehört? Did you hear that?'

'Hören was? Hear what?'

'Der aufzug! The elevator!'

'Du hörst dinge. You are hearing things.'

'Lass uns nachsehen. Let's go check.'

Treyton heard their conversation, and moved forward to pull KK and Erisha inside.
But he was just a tad slow.
Two men came out from the room just as he stepped in the elevator.

'Da ist jemand. Lass uns gehen! There's someone there! Let's go!'

The men came running just as the doors were closing, and the sound of a shot rang in the air.

'Nimm die treppe. Gehen gehen! Take the stairs. Go, go!'

They heard the men, as their elevator whizzed downwards.

'Damn it! They saw us! How will we get away now?'
Erisha's heart seemed to race away thunderously.

'They must be taking the stairs. We can get to the warehouse room before they do..'
I hope so..
Treyton assured them, as well as himself.

As the elevator stopped on the ground floor, they pulled KK along towards the door they had come through. They could hear the men running down the stairs, as well as hear the elevator pinging on the upper floor.
Time was short, as they finally reached the dark hall, KK immediately tripping on his feet.

Erisha caught him before he went down.
'Be careful, Nanna! Just hold on to my hand..'

Treyton rushed to the door on the street they had come through, opening it with a push, and coming back for KK.
He quickly shuffled him out of the building, and turned to Erisha.

Just then, the door to the warehouse opened from the inside of the building.
Erisha and Treyton looked towards them, before breaking into a run to hurry out the door.
The sound of gunshot reverberated, as the men shot at them blindly.

When Treyton didn't feel Erisha beside him, he turned to look, and one of the men came at him, hitting him in the back with his fist.
'Erisha!'
He shouted into the darkness, as he punched the man, who fell on the floor.

'I'm here!'
She called out, as she ran out from behind some boxes towards him.

'Hurry!'
He held out his hand, but before she could reach him, he saw her falter.

It was as if everything that happened after that was a blurr.
Because, as he stood there looking, the sound of a gunshot came from very near. Erisha froze, and as Treyton came running towards her, as if in slow motion, she went down onto the floor.

'ERISHAAAAAA!!!'

To be continued....