Chapter Twenty-One

Part of her knew it was a dream.

But she sure as hell wished it made the pain she felt less real. Her leg was mangled before her and she was laying on the crusted pink shore of the little garbage island. All around her, the sounds of yelling, gunfire, planes and lord knows what else. She tried to move, but the pain shot from her leg all through her body.

She could see the guys, firing away at the pirate horde than had invaded their little island. Most of the Plastic Beach was in complete ruin. Half the house was lost in the depths of the ocean. The wreckage of the pirate plane behind her reeked of fire and fuel The Cyborg lay in a heap just a few feet behind Murdoc and 2D, its black oil oozing across the crusted shore.

There was a sudden quiet around her and she realized that a young woman wearing a cat mask was standing over her, staring down at her, still holding the gun she had been using to help Murdoc and 2D fight off the pirates. Casting another look at her bloodied and mangled leg, Hailey returned her attention up at the young woman, who was now slowly pulling her mask away.

"Noodle?" Hailey whispered, laying back against the ground.

The woman's green eyes scanned the newcomer over carefully, her gaze fixing on her mid-section and then at the mangled leg. Saying nothing, she turned around and glared up at Murdoc, who was now throwing down the gun he had been using and staring at Hailey with wide eyes. Still silent, Noodle saw 2D rushing towards her now with his arms open, crying out her name.

Hailey lay her head back, wanting to close her eyes. Other than Murdoc's babbled excuses and 2D's half sobbing excitement, there were no other noises now. Slowly, she turned her head, staring at the trio. Noodle stood still and silent, watching both men gesture wildly, rambling away. With a grunt, Noodle brought her first back and sent it slamming into Murdoc's face, knocking the bassist to the ground with a cry.

The dream shifted and she was no longer laying on the beach. She was in the master bedroom, the pain now just a dull throbbing. The room was only dimly lit with a tiny lamp. There was a breeze coming from somewhere and Hailey realized also that the windows were covered with plastic tarp in an effort to keep out the impending elements.

From the other side of the door, in the narrow hall that led to the lift, she could hear voices.

"Murdoc, what the hell is all of this?" Noodle demanded.

"It's the Plastic Beach!" Murdoc said excitedly. "Point Nemo, baby!"

"Drop the act, you knackered out old fool!" Noodle hollered. "You flaunted a fraud, that's what you did!"

"Come now, Poppet," he said, chuckling. "I created Gorillaz. I can do with it as I wish. You weren't 'round when I started workin' on the new tracks, so I built somethin' t' play in your stead. Lard-ass wasn't interested, not that I asked...so I used his old beat machine..."

"I should punch your face in again, you stupid fuck," she snarled.

"Wow, some reunion, girlie...Missed you t' fuckin' death an' you want t' punch me face?"

"Explain the woman," she hissed. "Where did she come from? How did you obtain the guests for the album? How did you get 2D here?"

2D's voice broke in. "Dun' worry 'bout it, Noodle...We're just so happy t' see you!"

"You kidnapped him, didn't you!" she demanded hotly. "You kidnapped all of them! You knew you had nothing without them and they wanted nothing to do with any of this. The rumors I heard were all true, weren't they!"

"They weren't very cooperative about it...so I had alternate arrangements made," he said confidently. "As for Hailey...she got caught up in it all when it was startin' t' fall 'part."

"You kidnapped a pregnant woman because she caught on to what was really going on!" Noodle sounded even more furious than before. "Were you high? Drunk? Murdoc, what the fuck!"

2D broke in again. "Err...it's not quite like fat, Noods..."

"Not quite? Well, fill me in, Stuart!"

Murdoc cleared his throat. "Yeah, 'bout all that. We didn't know she was preggers 'til 'bout a month or two ago..."

"He met her at a bar in Seattle," 2D interjected.

Noodle sounded irritated, her voice high pitched and strained. "Wait a bloody minute...She was one of your random hook-ups! What the hell was she even doing at a bar if she was pregnant?"

"Noods, I dun' fink she was pregnant then," 2D said meekly.

"Well, we think it happened in Seattle, an'ways," Murdoc said, his tone now losing its confidence.

2D let out a snicker. "It's his."

"WHAT!" There was a shuffled of movement and the sound of flesh against flesh, Murdoc crying out and something hitting the wall. Noodle sounded both upset and worried. "What the hell happened to you, Murdoc? You'd think at your age, you would actually be a bit more careful!"

"It's called heat o' the moment, love," he said, his tone now nasally. Hailey realized that he had gotten punched in the face again. " 'Sides, nothin' bad 'bout it...We're expandin' Point Nemo's population!"

The door flew open and Noodle stormed through it. "We need to get both of you off this god-forsaken place," she hissed. "She needs medical attention and you're losing your bleedin' mind." The young woman paused at the foot of the bed, staring at Hailey. "Are you alright?" she asked in a kind tone.

Hailey realized that it was hard not to look at her face, at the scarring around the right side, most likely from the ill fated El Manana video-shoot. She nodded her head as Noodle rounded the bed to examine the injured leg.

"It's bad," Noodle whispered. "If we don't get you out of here, you will lose the leg or it will get infected, killing both of you."

"I'm sorry for intruding on all of this," Hailey murmured.

"This isn't your fault," Noodle said, flashing a small smile. "Murdoc has been isolated and running for too long, I think." Her smile fell a moment, her gaze now at Hailey's face. "How are you feeling now?"

"Tired. Little sore," Hailey whispered, watching as both Murdoc and 2D came through the door. Murdoc's nose was bloodied and his lower lip swollen. Their faces started to swim in her vision, blurring out of focus and blending into a mixture of colors and shapes.

Hailey opened her eyes, staring at the dim early morning light. Rolling, she stared a vacant space on the bed, the sheets cool. Had he come to bed at all? Slowly, she sat up, staring at the clock. Barely past five in the morning. Bloody early.

Throwing on her robe, she padded across the room to the door. From downstairs, she could hear voices. 2D, Noodle and another voice, one that was familiar but also not one that was heard often. She made the slow descent down the stairs, staring at the familiar brown bald head of Russell and with him was his fiance, Kylie.

"Any leads?" Russell asked in a low voice. "Anything at all?"

"No," Murdoc muttered, holding a coffee mug in his hands. "Not even a call or letter demandin' money. We're startin' t' think this is personal." He perked his head up when Hailey emerged at the foot of the stairs. "Mornin', poppet."

"Morning," she whispered, smiling at the numerous faces that turned towards her. Her gaze shifted back over towards Murdoc. He looked worn out and exhausted. "Have you slept at all?"

Murdoc merely shook his head, greasy black and grey hair falling across his eyes. "I want t' know who did this...An' why...What did they have t' gain by takin' our boy?"

Alicia's words echoed in her head. She had to wonder if maybe there was a kernel of truth there. Could it have been someone he had crossed through the years? It was no secret that the Black Clouds were not the only shady group he had dealt with in the past. "Is there anyone else out there that you've wronged, that could possibly have something to gain by taking Alec? A way to flush you out?"

His hollow and sleep-deprived eyes narrowed as he glared at her from across the living room. "No. Why would you even suggest such a thin'?"

"I just thought that maybe..."

"You just thought that it was my fault?" he hissed, setting the mug down onto the table.

"No...nothing like that..." Inside, she was mentally kicking herself for even saying it aloud. "I was just trying to figure out who could be behind this..."

"An' you just come t' the fuckin' conclusion that it must be due t' somethin' I did, right?" His voice was rising as he got to his feet. "Yeah, I shoulda fuckin' figured, right? It's all big bad Murdoc's fault. He must have done somethin' to someone..." He flashed her an acidic glare as he shoved past her to get to the kitchen. "Check the shit out, mates, me own wife thinks that I'm somehow responsible for my boy's disappearance! I can so feel the fuckin' love!"

Hailey cringed back against the wall when she heard the coffee mug shatter in the sink. "Please, keep it down...it's still early and we have neighbors."

"No, Hailey, I won't keep it down...Someone took Alec out of his fuckin' bed, right out from under our fuckin' noses." Emerging from the kitchen, he stopped mere feet from her, his dark eyes narrowed to slits. "What other brilliant theories you got?"

"I dunno...Look, I didn't mean...I just thought..."

"Didn't mean what?" he demanded hotly. "Just thought what?" He was inches from her now, lips curled back from his teeth. "I spent the last five years of me life tryin' t' make thins' good for you an' Alec, you ungrateful little slag. An' you have the audacity to suggest that his kidnappin' could have somethin' t' do with the shit I did years an' years ago?"

Hailey pressed herself against the wall, lower lip trembling. Reason was trying to remind her that it had been a stressful couple of days and he was also exhausted. Of course he would blow up at the wrong thing, right? She swallowed hard against the dryness in her throat. "The Black Clouds found you after five years...Who's to say that someone else...?"

"Get out of my sight," he snarled, drawing back.

"But..."

"GET OUT OF MY FUCKIN' SIGHT!" he screamed. "I dun' care where the fuck you go, but I dun' want t' fuckin' look at you right now!" Stalking across the living room, he slumped down onto the overstuffed chair, his hands in his hair.

Hailey could still feel everyone else's eyes on her. She took a breath, fighting the tears that threatened. She didn't know what to do. Go upstairs and just hide in their room? Leave the house altogether? Pulling herself from the wall, she wiped at her eyes as she veered around the wall and darted back up the stairs. Just lay low, get out of the line of fire until he had a chance to cool off.

Alicia stared at the battered and lifeless little body on the blankets, feeling her panic rise. He was breathing and she could feel a pulse, but he was otherwise still and silent. His eyes were still partially open, glint of moisture just catching at the crappy little light.

What if he never wakes up?

What if he dies?

The sob caught in her throat as she doubled over in the chair, her hands pressed to her face. She was going to fry for sure if this came back on her. Even if his parents get busted for the other crap, she would get tossed in right along side them. Hell, given the circumstances, they might decide to make her and Hailey bunk-mates just to watch the smaller woman beat the ever loving snot out of her. She'd deserve it, wouldn't she? She never meant for it to go this far. She never meant to hurt the boy.

An intruding voice came in from behind her. "You really are over your head, aren't you?"

Alicia gasped, nearly toppling out of the chair, staring at Chloe. The woman merely took in her surroundings, leaning in the door-frame. Weird little smirk on her face. Alicia narrowed her eyes, trying her best to regain her composure. "How the hell did you find me?"

"You had a spaz attack at Curry's and then left in a big fucking hurry...You're not good with the whole intrigue thing, are you? I followed you. Not hard, I might add." Stepping around the blond, Chloe stared down at the lifeless child. "Hmmm...doesn't look good. But, whatever. One less gutter-rat breeding filth, right?"

"He's just a kid, Chloe," Alicia whispered. "Don't you even care that he's just a little kid?"

Chloe turned her head towards her, staring at her with wide eyes. "No, not really."

Alicia covered her face, unsure of what to make of her intruder. She remembered that Hailey had hated this woman, loathed every little thing about her. She thought she was better than most because of her background and never failed at bringing this up to Hailey when the two women had worked together. Cold, calculating and no empathy whatsoever. A vicious creature who destroyed whom she could not undercut or humiliate. Alicia frowned, now peering up at the woman. "What do you want anyways?"

Chloe smirked, her icy blue eyes wide. "To see the gutter-rat suffer. She's a nothing. A nobody. A fucked up foster kid who should never have gotten the opportunities she got. Not the job, not this quaint little fairy tale marriage or whatever the hell it is. How is it that we, who come from good and stable families, work hard and get nothing, but she gets orphaned and abused and then gets everything handed to her?"

"She worked just as hard as you, Chloe. She watched other kids in her same predicament fall through the cracks. She deserved her degree, her job..."

"What about this little charade of a family she's flaunting?" Chloe asked with raised eyebrows.

Alicia frowned, chewing on her lower lip. She wasn't even sure anymore. She hadn't even gone near the townhouse since she had snatched the boy, so she had no idea what was going on there. Whatever her delusions were about Hailey and Murdoc, reality seemed to be rearing its ugly head now. Those moments she had caught the two of them on the balcony, talking and smiling with one another. Those moments when they would just stand there side by side, not saying a word, his arm around her, head on her shoulder.

She could claim it was a charade all she wanted, but the proof had been in her face the whole time, right? She didn't want to believe that whatever it was the two had was good. She had convinced herself that something more sinister was taking place and that had been the fuel that powered her actions.

Now look what happened. Their little boy might die or be permanently hurt and she was the person behind it.

Chloe grabbed another battered chair, pulling it over and sitting down. "Don't start feeling guilty about it, Alicia. That kid would have been no different than his gutter-rat parents and you know this."

"He's a four year old little boy, Chloe. A four year old little boy who did no wrong..."

"Don't chastise me, woman," Chloe said, sneering. "You're the one who beat him within an inch of his life, not me." A soft laugh erupted from the woman. "I kinda wish Hailey was here right now, to see what her little gutter-child looks like...See the look on her face. Prove to her once and for all that people like her don't deserve the things that people like us work so hard for."

Alicia cringed, shaking her head. It was practically her own words coming back on her, only twisted and warped into something else. Maybe deep down, she really believed she was better than Hailey. Maybe it was all true. She was just determined to keep Hailey in the place that she felt she belonged. But she also wanted to believe that she only believed that crap because she cared about Hailey and wanted what was best for her.

Chloe peered down at the child again, her gaze falling on the black and purple bruise that took over most of the side of his face. "So...what's you plan now, fearless leader?" she asked in a mocking tone.

"Dunno," Alicia mumbled, pressing her hands back against her face.

"Maybe you should put an offer on the table for the husband," Chloe whispered. "Let Hailey come with you and you keep quiet about the forged papers and give him the boy back."

"Hailey won't leave her son. She'd fight me tooth and nail to go back to them."

Chloe chuckled softly, staring at the blond. "Convince her that it's for the best and if she tries to go back, remind her how long both her and him would rot in prison should you go to the authorities about her papers and departure."

"That's blackmail, Chloe."

"Duh." Chloe smirked, lighting a cigarette. "Doesn't take much for you to catch on, eh, Captain Obvious?" Getting to her feet, Chloe started to head towards the door. "Think about it a bit, Ali," she said sweetly, pausing at the door. "Don't brush off the idea so quickly. The fear of prison alone might keep her with you. Gutter-rats are like that."

It was so good being home finally. Hearing the random noises downstairs as his mum worked on her laptop and his dad fixed lunch in the kitchen. Dad wasn't exactly a gourmet chef, but he had learned a few tricks from mum. He must have said something funny because mum was laughing and calling him a nob. More noises as plates were pulled from the cupboard and the faint clink of silverware.

Alec padded down the hall from his room towards the stairs, the house filled with the aroma of cooking food. Music played from the stereo downstairs, and Alec found himself humming to it, recognizing the singer as someone named Skillet.

I need a hero...save us now...I need a hero (save us now).

His mum and dad were both in the kitchen, moving along to the music as it played. He smiled when he saw them, both of them singing along with the song softly. Had the horrible things he remembered just been a nightmare and he had been safe at home and in his bed this entire time? The pain and fear were only a distant memory now.

He stared at them both, unable to keep from smiling. It felt like he hadn't seen them in days. Leaping from the last couple of steps, he raced towards them and squeezed in between them, his arms around their waists. "Whatchya makin'?" he chirped.

His mum looked down at him, smiling. "Grilled cheese sandwiches, your favorite." A small snicker came from her as she stroked Alec's hair. "Unless you dad burned them again."

"Oi...I'm gettin' better, yeah?" his dad protested.

"Much better," his mum assured him.

Pulling away from them, Alec bounded into the living room. He paused just by the sofa, staring around the spacious house. It was home. There was no doubt in his mind that he was home now. Back home in England where they belonged, not in the narrow and cramped little holiday house they went to a few times through the year.

But it didn't feel right.

Something was horribly amiss and he couldn't figure out what.

The blond woman's voice, echoing words that had hurt: Your dad is a bad man, Alec.

The living room was gone and he was now standing in the hallway again. Towards the end of the hall, staring at the dull light that came from his parents' room. Something weird coming from the room, noises he had never heard before. He inched down the hall, unsure if he wanted to know what the noises were. It was late, he was normally asleep at this time, wasn't he?

The door was only partially open, just a crack visible. Nudging the door gently, he peered into the room, unsure of what to make of the scene before him. Unsure of what to make of seeing his mum naked, sitting upright on her knees on the bed, his dad behind her, pulling on something he had wrapped around his fist. Whatever it was, it was also around his mum's neck. His gaze fell to the bruising on her body, marks that never seemed to go much further than her torso and thighs. It occurred to him that he had never noticed the marks before because her clothing covered them.

But what the heck was that thing on her neck?

Whatever it was, it loosened finally, his mum taking a breath. His dad tangled his fingers into her hair, yanking her head back, his mouth on hers.

Alec drew back, still confused about what he had seen. It almost looked like dad was hurting mum. Like he was choking her. He couldn't process why they had both been naked. Couldn't process the bruises and scratches on both his mum and his dad.

Your dad is a bad man, Alec...

The cold and damp room came into his focus, the pain becoming very apparent and real to his senses. Whimpering, he curled within himself, tears springing to his eyes once he realized that the horrid things that the blond woman did were real and being home had been a dream. In spite of the confusing and frightening turn the home-dream had taken, he wanted to be home, he wanted his parents.

Every part of him hurt when he moved. His ribs especially. Hurt to breathe. He tried desperately to shut it all out, to find that wonderful little part of the dream where they were all together at home, but the musty smells of the room invaded his senses, the random dripping, creaking and scuttling around him made him painfully aware that this was real and he was in that horrid room with that horrid woman.

A low sob caught in his throat. "I want my mummy an' daddy," he whimpered.

The blond woman's voice echoed in the tiny room. "Ohmuhgot, you're awake!"

Alec stared up at her, his face raw and wet with tears, dirt and blood. "I want mummy an' daddy," he repeated. Pulling at the scrappy blanket, he hid his face with the material, his sobs echoing through the room.

Alicia felt her throat tighten as she watched the boy cry on the blankets. Every racking sob – every hiccup – sent shivers down her spine and a stabbing pain in her chest. Crouching down to the floor, she reached out, her hand touching at the boy's bruised cheek. With a yelp, he jerked away from her touch, pulling the blanket around him even tighter.

She thought of Chloe's idea, of offering Murdoc the child in exchange for Hailey and Alicia's silence. Seemed plausible. Probably the only way she would get out of this unscathed, right? But would she be able to keep Hailey with her?