** 2 Hours Earlier **
Danny closed his eyes, and took in a deep breath.
It's those nights, he thought, it's those nights that make it bearable. He let the cool night breeze caress his face, while the Camarro hummed on, and the distant sound of the waves crashed against the rocks…
He opened his eyes and turned to look at Steve behind the wheel.
And still he won't let me Drive.
"No, Don't say it Danny. I know what you're thinking, just don't say it."
"You, my friend ..."
Danny never got to finish his sentence. He saw it, at the edges of his vision, the black SUV, barreling towards them. Then everything froze, time had stopped on impact. The whole world had shifted, and started to roll, the ground was suddenly upwards, there was glass everywhere, blinding lights, then nothing.
The crunching sound of glass was what rouses him the first time. A ringing, a loud ringing, and throbbing pain in his temple. He squeezes his eyes shut and tries to focus. A white light, voices, men yelling. The sound of metal, no a door being unhinged. He glances towards where the driver seat used to be, and he just sees an arm, an extended limp bloody arm. Suddenly he feels hands on him, rough hands. He was being pulled out, but his head connects with something hard, and then there is darkness.
He comes to again, his head feels like it is being ripped open, he wants to drift back to the darkness but a pressing sense of dread summons him. The world slowly comes back to focus, he was being carried. His arms and legs feel like lead, he cannot will his limbs to move. The rough hands were still upon him. Blurred faces of strong men, carrying him across a dimly lit corridor. In front of him a dark haired man was sharing his same fate, he only sees the back of his head, outstretched arms, unmoving. Something was wrong.
Do something, before it's too late.
But still his legs refuse to move. His eyelids are heavy, and the darkness engulfs him again.
The next time Danny awoke he was in the dark room. He opened his eyes with dread, he knew they were captured. The pain in his head was now reduced to a dull ache. He forces himself up.
Darkness.
STEVE, where was Steve.
Danny froze, and fear washed over him.
Steve was in the driver's seat, how hurt was he? Where was he?
Danny paused and listened intently, there was breathing, raspy shallow breathing. Steve was alive, and he was there.
"Steve, buddy, wake up!"
"Steve"
"Hey, c'mon buddy say something"
Nothing, Steve was out for now.
He's alive, he's here, that's what matters.
Danny's focus goes back to the chains, he follows their trail and tests their strength, but his attempts are futile. Everything is too secure and bolted down. He can't see anything, he needs to get his bearings.
He checks his pockets for anything, but they had been frisked, and relieved of any weapons or communication devices.
"Hey, I know you can hear me, let us out of here! Hey!"
Silence…
A shallow breathe…
Danny racks his brains for an explanation, for an indication of the culprit, anything that could help him, but comes back with nothing. His thoughts then drift to his family, of Grace, will he ever see her and his son again.
Danny is lost in thought, it feels like days have passed, he barely realises the stirring and movement at the other side of the room. Then he snaps out of it.
"Steve?"
** Current **
The door is unlocked, and the room floods with light. Danny shields his eyes while they adjust.
Three men enter, two heavy built walls of men, the muscle. In the middle, an ageing man strolls alongside them. Danny does not recognize him, any of them.
Danny turns his eyes to Steve, his partner does not look well. Ignoring the sweat and sickly pallor he looks into Steve's eyes. Danny catches recognition in Steve's eyes, he also catches a glimpse of fear.
TBC