"If you can feel that staying human is worth while, even when it can't have any result whatever, you've beaten them."

George Orwell

CHAPTER 9.:

Don't worry about me

Autor's note:

I dedicate this chapter to Lieutenant Colonel Arnaud Beltrame (*18.04.1973 - † 24.03.2018) , a real life hero who selflessly sacrificed himself to save life of innocent in hostage situation. His brave decision cost him the highest price. May his soul rest in peace. Gone, but never forgotten.

(Kionaole road, 09:37 pm, Steve missing for 115 hours)

"Where is Detective Williams?" Lou than noticed blonde man behind his car, giving orders to mass of officers around him.

"We need to move! I want this area upside down! We're not gonna leave until we find something! Go! Go! Go!"

"Danny!"

"Hey! We gotta go!"

"You gonna tell us what the hell is going on?" But Danny was on his way down to trees.

"Steve! He is somewhere here."

"What?" Team was just following him to forest, now filled with dozens of people screaming Steve's name.

"Danny! Talk to us!"

"I got a call couple minutes ago.. Some guy found Catherine here injured and scared.. She was a mess.. She told me Steve is still here and that it's vendeta for Freddie's death.. that Jason has him... We were right Lou! Hart was behind all of this!" Danny said moving with his hands and running deeper to darkness.

"Hou hou! Slow down Danny! What do you mean she was mess?! Where is she?"

"I don't know what he did to her, but she lost consciousness in hospital, she was covered in blood and bruises.. They took her in.. I just couldn't wait... I left my nuber there.. no call yet.. I called Joe.. he is with her."

"Oh god... If she was like that.. in what mess could be Steve right now?"

"Exactly!"

(Unknown place, 34 minutes sooner)

"JASON! JASON!"

"Jesus Christ, you idiot stop screaming!" Billy ran inside the room where Steve was held, interrupting Jason's next punch.

"We got a problem!"

"What's going on?"

"Not here." He looked on Steve spitting blood on the floor. Jason now even more upset, followed his man outside.

"So?"

"She is gone.."

"What?"

"She is gone Jason.."

"She is gone? How could she be gone?"

"She broke the window.."

"She had a double dose of mescaline... How could she possibly stand up? Not to break the window and run away, you idiot?"

"I don't know.. look I'm sorry... but we have to do something.. if she.."

"How long is she gone?"

"Cheking on her every two hours.. so.."

"Fuck... I'm gonna beat your stupid little brain out of yo ass! You are lucky I don't have time for this now!"

"I'm sorry Jason.."

"Why are you still here!? Find Ricky and get him prepared! We are moving!"

"Roger that."

"I'll get this straight. You cooperate, you are not in pain. You try something, you will regret that you were born. Got it?"

Steve just looked with foggy eyes at men standing in front of him. He had no strenght to try something.. he had no reason... whatever they had prepared for him. So he just closed his eyes in weak nod.

"Good."

One of the men released the chain from metal loop and let Steve's weak form slide down to cold floor. He lied there, completely torn inside. He gave up on everything. His chained hands lied in front of him. Steve just stared at them, blood, dirt and sweat, purple skin under those chains. But this picture was blurred soon enough by tears he couldn't control anymore. His eyes were open, but he couldn't see anything... felt only sharp pain in cuts on his cheek, as tear slowly dropped trouhg them. He breathed out weakly and painfully. His breath slowly dissolved in the cold air.

"Stand up!" Chain between his legs was loosen enough for him to walk, but not enough to run. But it didn't matter, he could hardly try.

"I said STAND UP!" Another kick to his back that forced Steve to slowly turn around and put a knee under him to hold his weight. Other man realized he is not gonna make it alone. So he lifted him up putting his arms under Steve's. Holding him steady, now he faced the man that kicked him. Poisonous grin on his face didn't disturb Steve anymore. He watched his wrist being now free but not for long. Chains were replaced by handcuffs. Silence was suddenly interrupted by strange voice: 'Fight' Whispers. 'No self pity!' Again. 'You weren't made for giving up! Fight!'

"I can't" Steve mumbled. He recognized the voices. All of them were shouting, screaming at him, trying to convince him about next try. But he didn't want to. Steve felt like he doesn't deserve next chance.

"What?"

"I can't." He repeated to drive away those voices in his head. Ricky was looking at him, angry, not knowing his victim is not talking to him.

"Oh no... I'm sure you can... because if you won't walk that corridor and I will have to drag your ass all way long, I will cut your fingers off one by one. Because I hate deadlifts... MOVE!" Small painful steps and gun on his shoulder led him outside. When they reached exit, Jason's voice stopped them.

"Hey.. you forgot something.." He stopped behind Steve. And suddenly, the darkest blackness around him.

"I'm sorry.. It's necesarry." Jason whispered to his ear putting the hood over his head. Than Steve felt cold air on his skin as doors were opened. His unsecure steps were led to van. He was dragged in, again left lying on the cold floor. One of the men stayed with him. Doors were slammed close. Few moments later, everything went quiet again, only sound of engine, leaving that hell, was there with him in the darkness.

(Present)

"Hey Danny, you ok?" Lou just watched him taking those steps, each one of them more shaky, more afraid. Every second seemed longer and neverending for him. He was shouting Steve's name, screaming and every time it was more painful.

"It's Joe." He didn't answered the question, just squeezed the beeping phone.

"Joe, something new?"

"Uh yeah...I spoke to doctor."

"And?" He turned on the sound so Lou could hear.

"Long list. She has a cracked rib, brain concusion, couple of bad bruises and cuts, but that's not the main problem. She was injected with mescaline, overdosed to be accurate. Doc wasn't sure what consequences it could have, it depends on lot of things. Assuming from her condition and reaction to meds so far, it could be bad, she has a rough night in front of her. He said she had it in her body for at least 3 hours, combined with stress and other injuries, her body overreacted rising the level of adrenaline. Her heart is beating irregulary, and they are doing some check ups on her brain right now. It will take a while. I call you than." Danny and Lou were starring at each other in meaningful silence. Danny closed his eyes and shook his head.

"Thanks Joe.."

"How are things going there?"

"Same.. no good news.." And he put the phone back to his vest.

"Danny.." No answer coming. Lou grabbed detective's arm and forced him to look at him.

"They are gonna be allright. Catherine is a though girl. And we will find Steve. Everybody is doing their best to do so. If he is here, we will find him..."

"If he is here..." Danny escaped his grip and continued in desperate searching surrounded by his bubble of anxiety.

"I got message from Lou, Cath is holding up, but it's bad. Overdosed with mescaline." There was something in Junior's expression, Tani noticed. "What?"

"Shhh.." His eyes were glued to the road under them. And then she saw the lights followed by the cracking voice of old engine. Junior gestured to move. They have to check this. Finnaly reaching the road, the old blue van approached them, two wierd faces inside. Both were obviously not ready for being stopped by police. Junior waved with hand and walked to their window.

"Good evening, what can we do for you?" The hispanic man behind wheel stupidly smiled and stared at Junior with his big black eyes.

"What are you doing here?"

"We were out to try my new riffle, chase some boars."

"Can you show me your license?" Man reached for his wallet and handed the paper to Junior. "David Alvaro Torres...What you got back in there?" Junior continued with questions still starring at the photography.

"Well, we killed one so.." Tani was looking at him not really convinced about it.

"Open it." Strangers looked at each other.

"C'mon officers... we are in hurry.." Hispanic hissed and Tani and Junior exchanged serious looks.

"It won't take long... do it."

Second man stepped out of the van and walked to back doors from other side. He was a little shorter than hispanic, but with a much longer hair tied to scruffy tail. Junior followed him. As the doors were opened she heard a painful groan and saw Junior fell uncoscious on the ground. Breaking the eyesight with driver she almost didn't noticed that he pulled gun on her.

"Junior!" He wasn't responding. And She couldn't help him. Standing 5 meters from the wehicle with her hands up she didn't have many choices. She only watched that black haired man to drag Junior inside. It was too late. Tires made the hoarse noise leaving Tani alone. She pulled out her gun and started firing at them, but they disappeared in dark forest. 'Oh god.. It was them..' Breathing wildly, starring at the dust settling down. Quickly searching for the help, she realized they got themselves into really serious trouble.

"To all units, we've got suspects on the run, blue van, southern road to Kionaole, officer took hostage! I repeat, blue van, southern road to Kionaloe!"

"You son of the bitch what were you thinking!"

"He saw him! I had no choice!"

"And what about her? Huh?"

"She didn't!"

"Oh she didn't... Tie him! One more mistake and I swear to god I will kill you!"

"Everything okay back there?"

"Speed up! They know about us, We have to get out of here!" Billy took off Junior's vest and ziptied his hands and legs.

"He is waking up." He noticed that eyes of their new victim are slowly opening.

Junior binked few times trying to get rid of that pain in his head. He tired to focus to make sure what is going on. He found himslef tied up, he remmember what happened. "Tan.. Tani.." He slowly whispered searching for her. Nothing. Instead he found somebody else. His eyes stopped on limp form in the corner. His body shivered when he realized who is it. He was too tied up, hood over his head, shirtless, barefoot, and beaten. Junior recognised the tattoo on his shoulder. Steve. It's Steve! "God! Steve! What did you do to him!?" Steve's bruised body painfuly jerked after hearing the different and terrified voice. Junior tried to move closer to him. "Steve!? Can you hear me? Sir!" But he was stopped and dragged back.
"Don't move, you understand?" He didn't care. Mistake. Recieving another blow, Junior fell to blackness.

Steve had a lot of time to think. He was busy with keeping his demons under control and he wasn't even giving much attention when he heard Ricky saying they got a problem from the front. Still not caring about his surroundings or the burning pain when the wehicle slowed down and competely stopped. He was disturbed from his mind only when his senses finally realised things are not going as they were planned. He felt Jason crouching down and than silent and cold whisper adressed to him. 'Try something and I'll kill them.' And now he understood. The van was stopped by police officers. His senses kicked him again and he lost control of his demons. 'Take your chance!' So he tried to turn around, checking on his ability to move. His mind running trough every option how to drive the officer's attention to him. But when he felt coldness of iron on his chest he froze. "That's the last thing he will feel on his head... Final warning." Whisper followed the sound of key in the lock and he felt cold air on his skin again. Everything happend so fast, van was in motion again and he heard a gunfire from outside. Jason and Billy's fight was cut off by the new voice. It was mumbling something, but than he recognized the fear and...'Steve!'..his muscles tightened. His mind could be playing with him again. 'Steve! Can you hear me?...'It was so real. Now he was no longer alone. There was somebody who recognized him, but not able to help him.

"Tani! What happened!" Danny appeared in front of her.

"We stopped them, wanted to see what they got in the back.. Junior wento to check but they knocked him out and started firing... they took him... they took him!"

"Calm down.. it's gonna be ok!"

"Junior saw his license.. His name was David Alvaro Torres."

Sirens were beeping from outside the forest. People rushing around. They have to find them! They have to! Tani watched Danny as he spoke to Chin. He stayed outside on the road to search area with the drons. Everything was in slow motion suddenly. What if they hurt him? Who are they?

"No records on Torres, it was fake.."

"They still don't have them? It's been a while! They can be gone now!"

"This place is surrounded, they can't escape. We have to wait."

Danny's transmitter informed the team that the other unit found a strange place. Old house. Voice from other side said they won't like what they found. Danny, Tani, Lou, Kono and Adam rushed up the road. 250 meter above, hidden behind dense vegetation there was an old gate and concrete path. They entered the place. Duke Lukela was standing in front of the building with strange look in his eyes. Almost as strange as the place was. He was standing above the tiretracks, obviously fresh.

"What do we have Duke?"

"My men are inside... come on, I show you." Duke led them in. The strange atmosphere enclosed them. Cold and wet air sharpen their senses. Long narrow corridor, 5 doors.

"Here, look." Danny stepped to first room. There was a big table, some chairs. It was messy, food packings, dirty plates, empty coffee mugs, ashtray full of all kinds of mess, old newspapers and in the corner under window there was bucket of water and towel hanging on it.

"We found here this." Duke was holding a dirty blue shirt, cracked phone and wallet. Danny almost fell to his knees when he saw the familiar things.

"Thay had to forgot it... It was thrown on the gound in that mess. At least we know he was here." Duke tried to find something good on this situaton. Seeing blonde detective squeezing Steve's shirt in his hands almost broke him.

"I guess the next two rooms won't make you happy either." Danny threw a shocked look on Duke and rushed to another room. But he stopped as he opened the next door. He hated places like this. Every time he was so angry, especially when it had to do something with Steve. But now he wasn't angry. No word can desribe the feeling. It was a nasty place. Two chairs with restrains, chains hanging from the ceiling, table with... "Son of the.." Danny had to lean on that table, his knees were failing him again. Pictures still lying steady in the painful silence. Team was standing there shocked, each one of them finding their own face. On their mind only one person. Steve. How much he had to endure? They were threating them to make him suffer. And they know this is the worst suffering for him when his beloved ones are in danger. Only God knows what he had to do to cover them for 5 days. Empty syringes were lying on the floor. Everything was covered in blood stains. This place was making Danny nauseous, he was tired and definitely not ready to continue the excursion in the house of horrors. 'Don't worry about me.' He wrote to his stupid letter not to worry about him and this was happening the whole time. They burried him and he was still there going trough hell! He knew what was about to come and he wrote only 'Don't worry about me'.

TBC

Aloha!

Here we go with next chapter! Jason is on the run with Steve and now with Junior. Danny and team found the place where Steve was held. Cath is in bad condition and soooo on. I hope you guys like my choice of new Jason's victim. I was thinking about it a lot and I decided for Junior cos of many reasons. Hope you will enjoy it. So now we are only few steps from rescue, but still have many problems ahead. Stay tuned for next chapter!
I have a little struggle with next piece, so please be patient with me, it will maybe take more than week to post it. I'll try my best to by as quick as possible! :)

Thank you for your wonderful reviews and for your time! Have a nice day! See ya around!