Chapter 2: Set the World on Fire

CCs POV

Holy fuck. There're too many people surrounding the building. I can't even find Andy but maybe he got past. I push past the crowds of by-standers and race into the building, ignoring the whistles and shouts from the police. All I wanted to know if Jake was okay... maybe he left the building. I ran into the building and coughed, smoke was from ceiling to floor, I just ran through it ad up onto the roof. "Jake! Where the hell are you?!" I looked around frantically and saw no one; I raced down the stairs and searched. "Jake! Answer me!" I saw Andy and ran over to him. "Did you see him?" I couldn't breathe, I couldn't see... I couldn't think. I need air, but I need to know if Jake is okay.
"N-No… we need to get out of here before the building collapses." Andy started to walk towards the fire exit, pulling me with him. "He's not in here CC."
"Well where the fuck is he?!" I was getting mad and I wanted Jake.
"Calm down, I'm sure he'll be fine. We'll find him." we had both walked far away from the crumbling building. Talking all our instruments, and CC's precious drumsticks.

• • •

I guess I had fallen asleep, I found myself laying in the back seat of Andy's' car, he was probably driving me home. Maybe Jake really did go home... I hope so. I lift my head and looked at the streetlights whizzing past the car as we drove towards my house
"Where there any signs from Jake?" I asked, sitting up and stretching.
"No, I'm sorry CC. Maybe he's at home." he glanced at me through the mirror. "You should get some more rest, you look pale." he pulled into the driveway and waited for me to get out.
"Thanks Andy..." I walk inside and sit on the couch; if Jake were there he would've come to greet me at the door. I watched Andy's headlights go past the mirror and disappear down the road. I saw Jakes' phone on the table and sigh. "He never takes his fucking phone." I stand up and walk to the bedroom. I guess I'm tired, I had run down three blocks and ran through a burning building... Maybe I should go to the hospital tomorrow and see if he's there but I doubt it. They would've called me. "Damn..." I sit down on the bed and hold my head, I had no idea what to do in the current situation and all I felt like I could do is to sleep. Jake isn't next to me though. My head hit the pillow and all I remember is our happy memories.
"Jake... about yesterday..." I approached him slowly; it wasn't a topic I really felt like talking about with a guy.
"I know, I shouldn't have played that stupid games, I'm sorry we both had to go through that." he looked back down at the half-polished guitar.
"No, I mean... i-it wasn't that bad... " I could feel my face burning up, I knew it was tomato red again. He just looked at me and blinked a couple times.
"It's okay CC, you don't have to make a joke about it. It's over and done with. I'd just like to forget it." he just laughed it off and I frowned.
"I'm not joking around. I mean it." I was trying to be serious; maybe I did wish it were a joke.
"CC, you gotta be kidding me, seriously?" he stands up and looks at me; he looked disturbed and ruffles his hair. "I mean... I don't think I'm gay... I don't think you are either. Maybe your still a little drunk."
I knew he wasn't going to understand so I just started to walk away. "You're probably right, never-mind then." I felt so stupid. Why did I even bring it up again?
"Goodnight CC, I'll see you tomorrow at practice." he walked out of the lounge and I sat in the chair, tapping the drumsticks on the heel of my boot.
"I'm not drunk... I mean it." I sighed and looked around and it was only 9 o'clock. I had plenty of time to burn off before I would usually go home. I banged on the drums a little and messed around with a few other instruments before I was even the slightest bit tired. "I should go home... they're going to turn off the lights soon." By then the rest of the band had gone home to sleep. I was never big on the idea of sleep though.
I got in my car and drove home; I was a little disappointed that Jake didn't understand. Maybe he would never accept my feelings. I wonder if he wanted to say the same thing. I bet he was too embarrassed to say anything about it.

Jakes POV

What was that about? Did he really mean it? I don't really want to admit it felt normal to kiss a guy. I don't think I want to be gay. But I like CC... I can't tell anyone that! If Ashley and Jinxx knew, I would never hear the end of it. I'm sure Andy would stand up for us. He's the only truly sympathetic person I know. I wonder what he does by himself at the lounge. I wonder if he feels lonely there. I should stay back with him one time. Who knows, it could be fun.

Andy was shaking me; Jinxx and Ashley were there too. I opened my eyes and sat up "Did someone find Jake?" I asked. I was still half asleep so I must've sounded like a frog.
"No, but the police want to interrogate you. They think he's missing..." Andy frowned and let go of my shoulder. "We'll be in the car." they all left my room and I just sat there dumbfounded. I know we're famous and I guess it really shouldn't surprise me that he was kidnapped. It happens sometimes right? I wanted to cry but I couldn't, at least not now. I stood up and stretched, I took a quick shower and got dressed, walking out of the house and to the car. I got in the back seat next to Jinxx and we drove towards the police station. I had to admit I was pretty nervous. I usually wasn't the one who caused trouble out of the five of us, but I guess they needed information on Jake. It's not like they couldn't get it from the Internet anyways.
We drove into the parking lot of the police Station and we all got up, I guess they wanted to interrogate me first, they must've told them I'm Jakes' boyfriend. I sat down in a chair across from an officer. Don't screw up. Don't stutter, and definitely don't cry.
"When was the last time you saw Jake?" the officer started with questions.
"He went up to the roof of the lounge to eat lunch while the rest of us went to get pizza. He said he needed a little alone time." I tried not to seem like I was lying, I thought of the worst that could happen. I should stop watching those stupid crime shows.
"Alright, when did you notice he was possibly missing?" he looked me straight in the eye, putting more pressure on my nerves than I wanted.
"We saw the lounge was on fire when we saw it on the news, I ran down to the lounge and managed to sneak inside with Andy to look for him, he wasn't on the roof so we thought he had gone home. We got out safely... No one was hurt." I looked at him, I was afraid to break eye contact.
"Have you been in any fights with him lately? Something that might make him mad?"
"W-We got in a small fight that morning but it was over nothing… he seemed fine the rest of the day. I can't imagine he would try and run-away over something like that." all the sudden it felt like everything was my fault.
"How long have you two been together?" he looked so serious, like he had no sympathetic feelings.
"A little over a year..." my hands are sweaty, I need fresh air. I don't do so well under pressure. I just want to get out of here and find Jake.
"How are the other band members about your relationship?" I think he's just making up questions now; I was getting a little irritated with all the personal questions.
"Everything is fine with the band." My tone changed. I was getting angry.
He continued to ask me a series about Jake, I wanted to cry, all of my answers about him and I seemed to all be terrible. He stood up and walked out to interview the rest of the band. I stood up and walked outside, leaning against the hood of the car, thinking over my entire relationship with Jake. It was going downhill when it used to be in the clouds. I don't like fighting with him... maybe I'll go home and clean the house so when he can gets back we can't fight about that. I smile a little, wondering if we could maybe cuddle like we used to, I miss him. It's not the same without Jake. I want him back. I want to know if he's okay, what if he's not even alive? I shook that thought out of my head as Andy, Ashley, and Jinxx came back outside. Ashley was ranting about how stupid the questions were and Jinxx didn't even bother to listen. I chuckled quietly and got in next to Andy. "What did they ask you guys?"
"Probably the same questions you were asked. It was kind of stupid in my opinion." he started the car and drove towards the new lounge we had rented while our old one was in repair.
"Thank you!" Ashley shouted, grinning.
"Shut up Ashley, no one is the mood okay?" Jinxx seemed ticked off about something; I decided not to ask him.
I looked out the window, laying my head on the glass. Where are you Jake? I started to fall asleep. Jinxx and Ashley arguing over the questions. The last thing I heard was Andy telling them to shut the fuck up. I fell asleep smiling at their stupidity.

Jakes POV

I groan and open my eyes. I'm lying on a cold, concrete floor. Where the hell am I? I try to stand up but my legs won't move, I sigh and think Jinxx and Ashley are playing a joke on me. I smell smoke. But I don't feel any heat so it's not fire. Maybe there was a fire? I look around and see nothing. There's a small light bulb on the ceiling hanging by a fraying wire. No one was in the room but me. What the hell is going on?
"Haha guys this is super funny! Now help me up!" I yell out of the room, the door was open just a crack, I tried to look out it but it was complete darkness on the other side. "Well that's creepy... Andy! Come on! This isn't funny any more!" The door closed all the way, I could hear a locking sound. For some reason, I knew it wasn't Jinxx and Ashley. Where am I? What happened and where's CC?
"I wouldn't move if I were you." I couldn't see the person. He was wearing heavy boots. All I could make out was long brown hair. He was trying to pull of the "tough boy look," but his voice wasn't cutting it. It's probably a crazy fan or it's one of Andy's old band members. I had no idea who. I just knew I had to get out.
"Just let me go and there won't be any problems. Okay? This is uncalled for." I tried to sit up but the heavy boot kicked me back down roughly.
"I said you should move, Mr. Pitts." He laughed loudly and walked around me in circles, I knew this wasn't going to end well. I could hear something metal dragging along the floor. What the hell is going on? Why is this happening? I couldn't hear it anymore. He must've picked it up. He's going to beat me with it, that's what happens in those TV shows me and CC would always watch together, we would always make fun of how weak the captured people were. I guess I should've shut my mouth. I'm one of those people now and I'm terrified.
"What have I done to you?" I tired to sit up again; the sound of the metal pole connecting to my cheek rang through the room.
"I wouldn't talk if I were you! You belong to me for the moment." I knew this was entertaining him. Shit that hurt. I think it broke my jaw, I can barely move it and I can taste blood. Oh god, I can't move, I can't speak. How the hell am I supposed to get out? I left my fucking phone at home. I'm going to die here. What about the band? What about the fans? What about CC? What will they all do when they find out I'm dead? This needs to stop soon before I burst.

CC, help me… Please…