Disclaimer: I own nothing except the cruel men in this fic.
---------------------------Two Hours later--------------------------------
Zack lay curled up in a tight quivering ball upon the cold dew encrusted grass. The sounds of a river near by were his only sounds of comfort. Nature was the only sane thing that he could grasp at the moment. For now nature was his friend. It had not harmed him physically or mentally like his own kind had. Man kind had betrayed him. Deceived him into thinking that there was no evil out there in this world he and fellow human beings call home. How naïve he was…or at least had been. He knew better now that the filthy unmerciful men had showed him the cruelest side of man kind.
A whimper escaped though the blood stained cloth that had been tied tightly around his mouth, gagging him. Blood seeped out through the corner of his mouth where the cloth had rubbed him raw. His lashes matted with hot tears as they flowed abundantly down the freckled bridge of his nose.
There was no way out of this. He knew they were going to kill him but he hadn't expected them to go any further than they had tonight. The moment he was forced to strip down to his boxers he knew. He knew.
They beat him within an inch of unconsciousness and then raped him unspeakably then backed off for another drink, another smoke. Now here he lay broken and bruised waiting to welcome the cold lips of death where perhaps he would be welcome.
Zack shuddered remembering Frank's oily voice in his ear as he stroked a dirty finger down the frightened fifteen year olds cheek.
"Such a pretty mouth. Such a pretty, pretty face. Such a pretty boy,"
Zack brought his bound hands up to his face and covered his eyes.
"Oh, God!" he moaned.
How could this have happened to me? Why?!
Sobs racked his body and a unearthly wail tore his throat.
"Shut up you!" a dirt clad was heaved in his direction as his cries became more hysterical. He flinched as flecks of dried mud stung his bare bruised back. He hastened to obey, knowing the men could do much worse than they had already done.
He forced himself to concentrate on the gurgling river as it bubbled over the smooth rocks. He could just barely see the murky brown water out of the corner of his eye.
Slowly it dawned on him. There was only one river that he knew of and it was on the bad side of Boston where the crack dealers resided. It had even earned the name Crack River because of the dope dealers who haunted its shores.
Before Zack could further think of where on the river he might be a hated already familiar hand jerked him into a sitting position and ripped the gag out of his mouth. He took the opportunity to spit out the blood that had collected on his tongue that he refused to swallow. For some reason his abductors chortled in amusement at his actions-but then again they were drunk. Everything was amusing when alcohol was flowing through your veins.
Zack froze in place as the cold barrel of a gun was dug into his jugular. The metallic click told him that it was loaded and ready. He scarcely breathed as Samuel's -the big man's- smirking face came into his field of vision. He watched with wide apprehensive eyes as the man fished in his torn jean pockets, searching for something Zack was afraid to see. He sagged slightly when he saw that it was a scarred cell phone. He looked at it curiously, not quite sure what to think.
It was unusually silent as the men all focused their attention on their ring leader. Maybe Zack was imagining it but he thought he detected sympathy in their eyes. This couldn't be good. His heart drummed an unsteady beat in his chest as the pistol was pressed even deeper into his neck.
"Okay, here's the deal. Since we boys are so kind hearted," he paused as the silence was broken by numerous snorts. "Were going to allow you one phone call to call any one you want. You can say anything you want but here's the catch," Samuel grinned maliciously, revealing yellow stained teeth.
"You can only say three words. You exceed that limit we'll shoot you in the neck and let you suffer a painful death as you choke and sputter on your own blood. You play by the rules and your death will be quick and merciless. Either way your going to die. It's a lose-lose situation," Samuel snapped open the cell phone and waited expectantly for Zack to give a number but he hesitated.
"Wha-what if I choose not to call anyone?" Zack's voice rasped and trembled threatening to crack as he fought for control over his fear ridden thoughts.
Samuel's grin faded.
"We'll shoot you till your dead," he said ominously without cracking a smile.
Zack swallowed bile as a tremor ran through him.
"Well?" Samuel's finger poised over the portable phone.
Zack's thought turned frantic as he thought about all the people he knew. Lots of course. He wasn't unpopular at school. He had friends. There were probably even a few who could have helped him stall but how do you communicate that you were in serious trouble and needed help using only three words? It wasn't worth the chance. He didn't want to die but if now was his time then let it be quick and painless.
His conscience finally settled on one person who he needed forgiveness from. Somebody who he had hurt unintentionally some months previously. They hadn't spoken since. He had to set things straight now or he would die with a guilty heart.
Zack swiftly gave the Samuel his twins cell phone number (didn't want to take the risk of getting a hold of his mother if he called their suite. He was only allotted one call) and didn't move as the phone was pressed to his ear and he listened to the dial tone drone on.
Please pick up. Please pick up!
Three rings. Five rings-.
"Hello?"
Zack could have sobbed with relief but was afraid even the smallest sound would count as a used up word. He stumbled to say something but how do you tell someone you love that you were going to die and that your sorry? He couldn't do it. Couldn't think of a thing to say.
"Hurry up you!" Samuel growled, sharply jabbing him with the gun.
Zack yelped in fear and pain. Tears streamed down his face and he choked on them while repressing a sob.
"Zack? Zack, is that you? Zack?!" Cody's voice sounded panicked as he shouted for a response.
"Zack, this better not be a joke, cause if it is it's not funny!"
Zack whimpered slightly as he opened his mouth to speak to his twin one last time; to say his last and probably the three most important words that he would ever say to his brother.
"Zack, please! Are you alright? Hello-?" Cody's voice broke off as Zack finally spoke.
"Sorry. Love you,"
Well should I continue? Please Review and give me your opinions!
Yeah, I worked on this for two days so show some appreciation.
