144. Finish the Job

Jacob’s world spun as rough hands shoved him forward, the coarse fabric of a hood obscuring his vision. His feet scrabbled for purchase on the uneven ground, his heart pounding in his chest. “Watch it!” he snapped as he stumbled, nearly falling. A harsh laugh was his only response. Disoriented and angry, Jacob tried to focus on his other senses. The musty smell of decay filled his nostrils, and he could hear the echo of footsteps in what seemed to be a large, empty space. Suddenly, the hood was yanked off his head. Jacob blinked rapidly, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. As his vision cleared, a chill ran down his spine. He found himself in what appeared to be an abandoned warehouse, its cavernous interior shrouded in shadows. Dust motes danced in the weak shafts of light filtering through grimy windows high above. The air felt heavy and oppressive. “Where am I?” Jacob demanded, his voice echoing in the vast space. “What do you want with me?” One of his captors, a burly man with a s