Snippet #2372022

Hayden let out a nervous chuckle at Eli's words. "Don't worry, I think if you consider the more than ten years of kickboxing and the academy training I'll be able to take him down Eli. Besides, I've got more muscle than Adams." She teased half-heartedly. In a way it put her at ease, the small talk and joking was like being back at the department, a bit a familiarity in all the chaos. All joking aside, while Hayden was definitely strong for a woman strength hadn't been what made her win her fights in practice, it was actually her speed. All the muscle in the world meant nothing if you weren't able to hit your target.

Taking one last deep breath she held tightly to the piece of wood in her hand as she took a stand next to the door. If all went as planned, she'd be hidden by the door opening when the guy opened the door. She'd have the element of surprise in the situation and hopefully would be able to take him down quickly. Of course things didn't usually go as planned.

When he walked into the room Hayden had only a quick second to size him up; tall and blonde hair. Hayden swing with controlled precision and strength, like when hitting a ball in baseball or softball. Of course in the sport the ball doesn't move on its own and Hayden just clipped the guy in the side of his head making him drop the things he held in his hands. The deputy stayed on him though lifting her leg to take out the back of one of his knees. Unfortunately he ended up dodging that as well and soon she was face to face with the man. Thankfully she that didn't throw her off at all, she wasn't even thinking much everything was happening in an almost instinctual kind of experience. Her arm reeled back and before either she or the man realized her fist was hitting the first vulnerable spot she could register; his throat. He went down gasping for air and Hayden lifted her weapon and brought it quickly down on top of his head. He didn't get back up.

Adrenaline was coursing through her body and it was as though she was on a high. Her mind was moving a mile a minute and her hands and arms were shaking. Slowly she made her way over to the man and knelt down to take his pulse. Was it bad that she was hoping she hadn't killed him? Either way he was alive, at least for the moment his pulse was thumping against her fingers pressed to his neck. Finally being able to get a good look at the man she noticed the pistol at his side with its extra clip. Needless to say she took it. She also took a second to rummage through his pockets, hoping to find another clip or a communication device, but instead she found a small ring of keys. She took that too.

Hayden looked over at Karen and moved over to grab the girl's hand, moving to the door quickly. She stuck her head out to look around the corner and once she realized the hall was clear she cautiously made her way down it and towards the direction that Eli said Nathaniel's room was. The hall was in a horrible state, in fact besides the rom they had been in the house appeared to be rather dilapidated.

Right when they were about to round another corner, Hayden heard the distinct sound of a door opening before slamming shut. She pushed Karen behind her and pressed both herself and the other woman close to the wall. A rather thick man walked down the hall and towards the staircase, muttering to himself in a rather irritated voice. Her body was still buzzing with adrenaline and it was as though her senses were in overdrive. Hayden could hear ever groan as the man descended the staircase and she refused to move until she hear another click of a door closing a distance away. Waiting for just another minute, Hayden took Karen's hand once more and moved down the hallway.

She reached the door that the man had come through, the one that Eli was saying was Nathaniel's. She tried to doorknob and, as expected, it was locked. Taking the keys she found earlier out Hayden began trying her luck. Three keys in she got what she wanted, the lock clicked as the door unlocked and Hayden turned the knob hastily. "Nathan?" She whisper as she spotted what appeared to be the boy on the bed.