Chapter 34: Kidnapped

Seth was sitting at Kimberly's desk talking with her about work and letting her vent about Ashton when his phone began to ring. Looking at it he gave Kimberly an apologetic look, "Sorry I have to take this."

"Go ahead," Kimberly knew he had been expected a call.

Seth stepped away into his office and answered, "Hello."

"Seth it's Rachel."

"Hi, how are you?" Seth hadn't heard from her since he had spoke to her about their desire to adopt the baby.

"I'm doing okay. I'm calling because I made the appointment. I'm going in for the test tomorrow at noon."

"I'll be there," he quickly looked at his calendar seeing if he'd have to rearrange any meetings.

"You don't have to come," Rachel said softly.

"Rachel I want to be there," he assured her. When she didn't speak for a few minutes he continued, "Do you need a ride?"

"Not thank you I can manage. Hey Seth I have to go I'm at work I just wanted to call and let you know about the appointment."

"Thank you. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Bye," she disconnected and left Seth holding the phone. She hadn't said anything about her decision on the baby but he knew not to push her.

Seth quickly punched in Allie's number and listened to it ring until she picked up, "Hey I can't talk long."

"I know I just wanted to let you know Rachel called. She set the paternity test for tomorrow at noon. I'm going to be there…did you want to come?"

"Of course I do…if that's okay with both of you."

"You know it is." He paused, "She didn't say anything about her decision."

Allie sighed, "She's probably waiting to see what the paternity test says."

"You're probably right." He knew this day was coming and it was finally here. "I'll let you get back to work. I'll see you later, love you."

"Love you too," Allie returned before ending the call.

Danielle was in lab checking on Travis and Lisa. Both seemed perfectly well, no changes in mood or behavior. They both seemed to be enjoying their new found tolerance to the sun, Travis had even managed a slight sunburn but after he fed he healed himself quickly.

"How are you feeling today?" She looked at Travis.

"Same as every day," he shrugged.

Danielle consulted her notes, "It looks like you have been devouring the same amount of blood since day one which is two pints more than before the injection."

"That's about right. Is that good or bad?"

Looking up she smiled, "I'm not 100% sure but my working theory is that the injection is making your body work differently and is taking more fuel. I was slightly concerned at first but since it's holding steady and not increasing I think it should be fine. We will continue to monitor you two though."

Lisa looked over at Danielle and spoke for the first time since this days tests had started, "I understand we need to be supervised but how long do we have to stay in here? No offense but this place isn't my style."

"I understand and I hope you won't have to stay here too much longer. I want another week to monitor you but if the numbers hold steady I think you'll both be able to go home and come in for tests."

After Danielle finished her tests she looked to her phone and saw she had a missed call and text from Seth giving date and time of the paternity test so she could be there to have the sample ran through her lab in half the time. She text a quick response that she would be there and then went back to work.

Jean was in her office looking over some files before her next patient when Beth called. "Hey Beth how are—"

"Jean something bad has happened to Candice and David. Mick and I are on our way there now…" Beth was trying to keep calm knowing she needed to keep her wits but it was hard. "Can you pick up Kayla after dance and watch her for us?"

"Of course I will. Anything to help but what happened? Are they okay?"

"We don't know. We're almost there. Mick got a voicemail from David, it's Candice saying she's scared…David talking…reassuring her but then they fade out. I think they blacked out. Then someone comes in and…I don't really know."

"I'll call Josef…"

"Mick's already on the phone with him now. He's sending men too. I just…I need to be there…but Kayla…"

"Kayla will be taken care of Beth don't worry about her. Call me as soon as you know something on Candice and David."

"I will, thanks Jean." Beth disconnected the phone and focused all of her attention on Mick's call with Josef.

"…I just sent the message. I don't know what it was about I got the voicemail late. We're pulling in now, bye." Mick shoved his phone in his pocket as he pulled into the parking garage of David's building. Beth was out of the car before it came to a complete stop heading for the elevator but instead heading to the stairs and vamping up them without a thought other than to check on her friend. Mick was close on her heels not wanting Beth to walk into a dangerous situation blinded by concern for her friend.

As Beth got to the door she found it open. Inside she spotted Candice instantly laying on the couch unmoving. At her side in a flash Beth looked, no stake wound but Candice wasn't moving. "Mick why isn't she waking up…Come on Candice wake up…Candice…" Beth continued to shake her.

Mick took hold of Beth's shoulder and stilled her, "Stop Beth. Listen." He got Beth to stop shaking Candice and remain quite so that she could listen to the faint sound of Candice's heart, it was soft and slow almost like she were in a freezer. "She's alive…probably drugged."

Beth looked around, "Where's David?"

Mick stood up and looked around the room. It seemed to be in perfect order aside from the edge of the rug being turned up and scuff marks on the floor around it. Taking in a deep breath Mick watched snippets of events, David vamping out and going to the door controlling himself long enough to take a delivery then him and Candice drinking the blood and slowly fading out before a very attractive woman came in with two strong burly men pushing a dolly with a large crate. The men shoved David into the crate carefully then wheeled him out as the woman spoke to Candice.

"They took him," Mick knelt down by Beth's side and grabs David's cell phone half sticking out between the couch seats. "Are you going to be okay here? I'm going to go meet Josef's men downstairs see if I can find out which way they went."

"Go," Beth urged. Mick kissed her temple quickly before heading out the door. He knew when Candice woke from whatever drug she was given Beth would be there for her and the first question she would ask is where is David and he intended to have an answer.

To Be Continued…

Evilous