Malicious Intent

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

Chapter 1: An Uninvited Guest

Henry parked his pick-up truck in the driveway. He turned to glance at the strange car parked in front of his house and just shook his head. "Neighbors must have company," he thought. He grabbed the two grocery bags next to him and headed to the front door. He unlocked it and headed inside. He put the groceries on the table and turned to put his keys in their usual spot. He noticed something out of the corner of his eye. "Shawn?" he said when he saw his son sitting on the floor of the kitchen, back against the cabinets. It looked like his hands were pinned behind him. Shawn's eyes were closed and his head was leaning against the cabinet. Henry knelt next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. He felt the muscle twitch under his hand. "Shawn, open your eyes," he commanded. It was then he noticed the duct tape binding his son's wrists together. "What the hell?" he thought. The hazel eyes opened and focused on him. Henry saw relief and then fear in his son's eyes.

"Dad, no. No, no. You have to go. Get out of here. Now. Go," Shawn rambled, eyes wildly searching the room.

"Shawn, what are you talking about? Why do I want to leave my own house? Why are you…," Henry stopped talking when he heard footsteps coming from the bathroom. Henry stood up to see who this intruder was.

"You know Shawnie boy, your Dad has a nice place," the stranger said as he was walking toward the kitchen. Henry hid with his back flush against the cabinets, hoping to jump the guy as he passed on his way back into the kitchen. He froze when he felt the muzzle of a pistol next to his ear.

"You must be Dad? Just walk over there and have a seat, Mr. Spencer," the man said. Henry glanced over at his son as he walked toward the chair. Shawn watched his father intently. His features carefully schooled not to show the emotions that Henry was sure were lurking beneath the surface. Henry sat and glared at the man holding the gun.

"What's this all about? Who are you?" Henry angrily asked.

"Shawn, you want to fill your pop in, or should I?" The stranger went over to Shawn and reached down pulling him up quickly by the arm. Henry heard a pained gasp come from his son. The stubborn, angry expression on Shawn's face was one Henry saw much too often, but was directed at this person.

"Tell him yourself, Parker," Shawn growled. Parker pulled Shawn around the table and suddenly pushed him to the open floor harshly. Shawn fell to his knees and then the intruder shoved his back making him fall forward. With no way of stopping himself, Shawn's head bounced off the linoleum loudly. He blinked rapidly and a grunt of pain escaped his lips. Parker knelt down, putting one knee in the small of Shawn's back. He grabbed a bunch of Shawn's hair, roughly pulling up his head. Henry was furious and rose to his feet, but stopped when the gun was pointed at him.

"Mr. Spencer, your son is having some issues with his attitude today. Just sit down and we'll get right back to you," Parker said menacingly. When Henry didn't move, Parker dug his knee into Shawn's back and a muffled moan was heard. Henry sat down, but continued glaring at his captor. Returning his attention to Shawn, he pulled the hair harder. He heard the hiss of pain that Shawn couldn't stop. "If you want to see your father come out of this alive, Shawn, you need to start cooperating with me. Now I'll tell him what is going on and you think about if you are going to tell me what I want to know." He banged Shawn's head hard against the floor, knocking the young man out. Henry stood up again, filled with rage. Parker straightened up and kicked Shawn hard in the side, when he got no response he nodded. He walked back over to the table.

"Henry, sit. I'm not asking again. I have no problems putting bullet holes in your son, especially with all the trouble he's causing me," Parker said pointing the gun at the chair. Henry sat, glancing down at Shawn. Parker sat at the chair across from him. "Don't worry. He's just taking a little nap." Henry's angry glare was quickly directed at him again.

"Let me just explain what's happening here. Shawn and his sidekick are helping my soon to be ex-wife hide my sons from me. The little bitch seems to think she can leave me and take my boys with her. She has a restraining order against me and hired them to help her hide until all the proceedings start."

"From what I'm seeing, she might have a pretty good reason for wanting to get away from you," Henry said. His cold stare returned by a chillingly colder one.

Parker smiled, "That very well may be, but your boy knows where she is and threatening his wellbeing doesn't seem to affect him at all. We're going to try a different tactic. If he doesn't tell me, I'm going to shoot you."

A cold chill ran down Henry's spine, but he kept his mask firmly in place. "Hate to break it to you, but you have seriously misunderstood how that kid feels about me. He would probably applaud you if did it."

Parker grinned, "Really, is that why when I suggested it he lost all the color in his face and told me to leave you out of it." Parker walked over to Shawn and kicked him again. Not getting a response, he rolled him over and slapped his face. "Time to wake up, pretty boy." Shawn slowly opened his eyes.

"Oh rats, you're still here," Shawn said and smirked. He was pulled to his feet and pushed into the chair across from his dad. He blinked numerous times to clear his fuzzy brain. He looked up to make eye contact with his dad. "You okay, Dad?" he asked.

"I'm fine," Henry said coldly. Shawn looked confused, not really picking up on the game his dad was playing.

Parker moved to the side of Shawn and said, "Your dad seems to think that you'd be pretty happy if I put a bullet in his head." Shawn's confusion grew. Henry's one eyebrow rose slightly and suddenly Shawn got it.

"Well, old grumpy pants over there is generally a pain in my ass," Shawn said sarcastically. Henry frowned at him.

"Listen psychic boy, tell me where they are. I'll kill your father whether you like him or not. I'm not sure I care at this point."

"For the last time, numb nuts, I'm not telling a wife beating, child molesting piece of scum like you where they are," Shawn snarled at Parker.

"I'd have to agree with the kid there. You don't seem like the model dad," Henry said smiling.

"Now I know where you get your attitude from Spencer. Well, this is fun and all, but I'm not playing games anymore," Parker said. He pointed the gun at Henry and fired.

All Shawn could do was scream, "DAD!"