This chapter is intense and there are possible (though I seriously hope not) trigger warnings.
Ch. 5 Dragging His Mess of Threads
(ADAM)
The living room, dining room and kitchen are empty, so I continue upstairs. I hear Dad in his office, and I believe Mom is their room. Drew's door is closed and I open it to find Clare in the room looking around. Even though Drew and I both moved out we still have a lot of stuff in our rooms, including our childhood beds with our bedding. Mom refuses to change the rooms, as though she thinks we may come back home. Drew left most of his posters and trophies, he took most of his pictures though, but that was about it. When he moved out to live with Owen he wanted to leave his childhood accomplishments behind. As much as still loves sports he can't ever play again, and he didn't want the reminders of it all, so left it all here.
"Leland was right," she says softly as I close the door again, "strong emotions leave their mark. They imprint on objects, like this trophy, I see so much pride and accomplishment on it."
"That was the first trophy he ever got for football, he was only seven," I tell her.
"I can almost see his smile as he was holding it," she says in a soft wistful voice. Before I can ask her any other questions she turns and takes a pocket watch from Drew's desk, "and this…I see so many emotions tied to this."
"It belonged to Drew's biological father, he never talks about him or the watch, what do you see?"
"Anger, sorrow, loss, abandonment, love. I see Drew holding the watch and crying," she says and then puts it back. "Am I really seeing it though? Seeing any of it? Or am I just imposing on it what I think should be there?"
"Did Drew ever tell you about the watch? Or the trophy?" I question and she shakes her head. "Then I would say you really are seeing it all. I don't understand how you see it, but it is a gift."
"I don't understand how I see it either, I don't even know if I am seeing it. It's not clear, it's hazy, like a mist circling and going through the objects. The images I see, they're like…a double exposed photograph. It's there but it's not, like an illusion, a dream fading with the dawn. I've never understood this ability, I thought it was normal. I thought everyone just saw the connections between letters to make words, words to meaning, and sentences. That everyone saw the connection between numbers and their solution in math problems. That everyone saw these…auras around people showing their emotions and intent. When I learned it wasn't normal I was afraid to talk to about it. What good is this ability if I can't even find someone I care about when they need me?" She questions sinking down onto the bed in frustration.
"Clare, without this ability we wouldn't even know Zoe was involved. How long do you think it would have taken the police to come to that conclusion? If they ever did? You couldn't even see Zoe on the video and I don't recall any big men hanging around her in high school. As far as I know Zoe hasn't spoken to Drew, asked him out, or talked about being with in over a year. I don't think Zoe would have been linked by the police, at least not in time to help Drew. I'm sure Leland will find Drew," I tell her putting my arm around my best friend. "C'mon let's go downstairs, if you stay in this room with all of Drew's memories, all of his childhood, you'll likely drive yourself crazy. You need a distraction, we both do."
She gives me a small smile and we leave Drew's room returning to the basement. Unable to do anything until morning and knowing we both need distraction I get out a board game. The four of us stay up all night playing board games, keeping ourselves distracted, but not entirely. I know Drew remains on my mind, and I'm sure Clare's, and probably Owen's as well. As soon as the first of the sun's golden rays begin to color the sky Jane is gone, but whispers in my ear that other security is already in place.
Owen doesn't really ask why Jane is leaving at dawn, I'm not sure it occurs to him. Clare calls Officer Turner to tell him about Zoe, she says exactly what Leland told her to and Officer Turner says he'll look into it. Neither of us find this much comfort, but knowing that Leland is looking into it does bring us some comfort. I only hope that Leland is able to find Drew before Zoe is successful or kills him. Owen hears her telling Officer Turner about Zoe, and he says Tris mentioned that Zoe didn't return to DeGrassi for her junior year.
We all call in sick to work, as Drew's kidnapping was on the news everyone's employer understands. The five of us spend the day at my parent's house waiting for news, and the more hours that pass without news the more the fear creeps in. The more the thoughts of what he's going through and what may be happening to him seep into my thoughts. At dusk Jane returns, coming through the basement door. Dad's on the phone again and Mom was so exhausted she finally took a nap. Clare, Owen and I have hardly moved from the basement, though I have to wonder if Clare sees emotional impressions of Drew (and others) down here considering how much time we all spent down here in high school.
"Leland has a possible lead on where Zoe is, he's checking into it. He believes they are in still in the Toronto area, but before he moves he needs to be sure it's them. He wants to make sure he has all the players before he makes a move," Jane tells us when Owen goes upstairs to get some food.
"Make a move?" Clare asks.
"They're metavasi and they endangered a human under his protection allowing Leland to exact retribution," Jane says.
Before Clare and I can say anything Owen returns downstairs and we go quiet. He brings down a plate of food though none of us eat very much. Around three Owen falls asleep on the sofa to the movie we're watching. Shortly after he falls asleep Jane's phone rings, she answers it and listens for a moment.
"Understood Leland," Jane says and hangs up.
"Did he find something?" I question.
"Yes, he knows where they are and he'll go at dark tomorrow night," Jane tells us.
"I want to be there," Clare and I say together.
"I don't think that's wise, but I'll tell Leland," she replies and calls him back. "Clare and Adam are insisting they come," Jane says into the phone. "I told them that but they seem insistent…understood," she says and hangs up. "Lucas will be here in a few minutes, Leland wants to see you," Jane tells us.
Jane hears the car before it's here and we leave a note that we went with Jane for a drive. Lucas takes us to the club and escorts us to through the back door to Leland's office as always.
"It's too dangerous for you to come tomorrow night, I cannot chance either of you being hurt. I promise I will bring Drew back alive, but it is too dangerous for you to come. You won't want to see Drew like that," Leland says calmly but firmly. His commanding tone does nothing to dissuade either of us.
"Yes we do, we need to see him," Clare speaks for both of us.
"You will, but you can't come with us. It may not even be safe to see Drew at first, I won't know what condition he's in until we get there. As soon as it's safe I'll bring you both to see him," Leland tells us and then looks at Lucas. "Take them home, stay until dawn," Leland commands.
"But my brother, why aren't you going tonight? What if they kill him?" I question not budging from where I am.
"I've been told he's alive, Zoe won't kill him unless she feels threatened. Which means I need enough people to take the entire place at once to ensure they don't kill Drew because they feel threatened. There isn't enough dark left tonight to go tonight. Go home and wait, I know it's hard but I will bring Drew back alive, you must trust me," Leland says.
"Come Adam, trust in Leland," Jane insists tugging at my arm.
I still don't want to leave, but I'm not sure I have a choice. I want to be with them tomorrow night, I want Leland to move now and bring Drew back now. Even though in the logical part of my brain I know he's right and we shouldn't go, I just want my brother back.
(CLARE)
Adam and I pace the basement waiting for dark, waiting for news. We returned from Leland's club just before dawn, Jane and Lucas raced home. After being awake for over two days straight Adam and I fell asleep from pure exhaustion. We both woke up a little after noon and Audra brought us something to eat.
It was hard to not tell Audra, Omar and Owen that Leland had found Drew and was told he was alive. Leland didn't say we couldn't tell them, but neither Adam nor I knew what we would tell them. How we would explain it, any of it. Audra would want to call the cops and have them take care of it, and I was sure that having the cops go in would be bad. Not to mention that Leland never even told us where Drew was. If Audra or Officer Turner tried to call Leland or try to see him they couldn't, not during the day.
So, we kept silent, and tried to keep our minds busy and distracted as we wait impatiently for dark. I used to love the long summer days, the way the sun seemed to chase away the dark until the dark finally won out. Right now though I wish the sun would just disappear and the night would come. Until it does Leland won't do anything, or can't, I still have no idea if they sleep during the day or just are not seen because the sun will burn them. Either way I wish dark would hurry and get here so that Drew could be rescued and we could see him.
Officer Turner called in the afternoon to say they had some leads and were pursuing them but nothing concrete. He assured Omar that the police were doing all that they could to find Drew. Adam and I wondered what the police would be told after Leland and his people do whatever they plan to do tonight.
Owen went to work today, he felt he had to, and I think he wanted to distract himself. Adam and Audra didn't feel like they could go to work, they didn't think it would be distracting enough. Omar did some work from home, but of course all of our minds were on Drew. Owen returned to the house that evening, waiting for news like the rest of us, only Adam and I were waiting for different news. Yet, it wasn't Leland or Jane or even Lucas that brings us news but a knock on the door. Omar opens the door and Officer Turner steps inside.
"I have good news," Officer Turner tells us taking off his hat, "Drew has been found and he's alive."
"Thank goodness, where is he? Can we see him?" Audra asks.
"Of course, he's at Toronto Western, being examined but you'll be allowed to see him as soon as the doctors have seen him and are sure that he's stable."
"Let's go," Omar comments.
We all get into the minivan and follow Officer Turner to the hospital. When we go into the hospital Officer Turner is waiting for us near the reception desk. He tells us what room Drew is in and we follow him to it. Before we get there a woman that looks vaguely familiar comes out of his room. She's not a nurse or a doctor, but she is dressed very nicely and looks official, at first I think she's hospital administration.
"You must be Omar and Audra Torres," the woman says extending her hand, "my name is Paige Michalchuk. I'm a therapist specializing in PTSD, and was called in by the hospital."
"This is Drew's brother Adam and Drew's friends Owen and Clare," Omar says shaking Paige's hand. I know her now, she went to DeGrassi with Darcy.
"Our son, can we see him? I need to see him," Audra insists.
"He's alive and sedated, you can go in and see him, he'll know you're there," Paige says opening the door for us.
Drew is lying in the bed, the blankets pulled up to his neck he looks like he's sleeping and nothing more. I know the blankets are pulled up to his neck to hide signs of trauma. An IV is in his wrist, the blanket covering everything but the IV.
"When will he wake up? When can we take him home?" Audra questions.
"I'll need to question him when he wakes up," Officer Turner comments.
"He'll come out of sedation in the morning, however it's ill advised for you to take him home Mrs. Torres," Paige tells us.
"I don't understand, he's our son, he needs to be home where we can take care of him," Audra asserts.
"You must understand Mrs. Torres, Drew has been through a horrible trauma. He's been held in captivity for days, and that might not seem like a lot but when you're being held against your will a moment is an eternity. I'm sure Drew thought it would never end, or wished he would die. I know he has a history of PTSD and that only makes it worse. For Drew's safety and for yours it's best if he starts his recovery somewhere equipped to handle it. My parents have space at their house, and my entire family is trained to handle PTSD. I'll stay there with Drew, help him through the first days, maybe weeks. There's no telling when Drew will be ready to return to work, to society after what he's been through. Don't misunderstand we encourage families to visit and help with the healing process. Visits must be scheduled though, for Drew's sake."
"You're saying he might be violent?" Omar asks.
"He already has, when he was brought in he lashed out at the doctor, and he may lash out at you," Paige says.
"Then when can we bring him home?" Audra questions.
"There's no telling Mrs. Torres, pushing Drew too hard or too fast could fracture him further. We all want what's best for Drew," Paige responds.
"Yes, of course that's what we want," Omar remarks just as a doctor comes in.
"You must be the parents," the doctor says.
"Yes, will our son be okay?" Omar asks.
"Physically he'll be fine in a few days, mentally however I cannot say. I see you've already met Miss Michalchuk, she's the best in Toronto for this and she will be the best tool for your son's mental state. I need you to sign some papers and there's some things we should discuss. Officer I have a copy of the report as well for you, but you won't be able to speak with Drew until he's at the Michalchuk's tomorrow morning at the earliest. If you'll just follow me," the doctor says. The doctor leaves the room; Audra, Omar and Officer Turner follow him out.
"Owen, you're Drew's roommate I believe?" Paige asks when they are gone.
"Yes," Owen nods though he doesn't think to ask how Paige knows that.
"Obviously, Drew will be unable to work during this time, but arrangements have been made to pay for Drew's expenses. If you'll call this number they'll take care of everything," Paige says handing Owen a card.
"Umm, okay thanks, I'll be back in a few minutes," Owen says. He leaves the room and now it's just the four of us.
"Leland knew we'd need a way to get him out of the room. Dr. Abbott is one of ours, he'll give your parents and the officer a guarded version of the truth. What your parents and Drew's roommate shouldn't know is about these," Paige comments pulling down the blanket.
Adam and I gasp when we see bite marks, animal like bites, all over his arms, and thighs. I'm sure there are more but she pulls the blanket back up. All I can think of, and I'm sure all Adam can think of is Drew being held somewhere and bitten repeatedly.
"I'm only letting you two see because Leland assured me that you two know of our world. Leland called my father himself, our family has known Leland a long time. We are metavasi-martefoina, beech martens, we were born, but I've seen others who were turned against their will. It's going to be hardest for him in the first few weeks, he wasn't born metavasi, he hasn't been learning to control the changes and urges since he was young. Nor was it his choice to be turned, along with captivity that takes an immense toll on a person emotionally and mentally. We're the best equipped to help him through this," Paige tells us.
"Zoe was successful then?" Adam questions.
"She was able to turn him yes, but as he wasn't born that way he cannot fully transform. You'll see for yourself at some point, I can't accurately describe it," Paige responds.
"Was Zoe successful in…mating with him?" I ask barely choking out the word.
"No, he wasn't with them long enough. She'd only succeeded in turning him within the last few hours."
"How many times was he bitten?" Adam questions.
"More than you want to know or think about," Paige replies.
"Does anyone else at the hospital know any of this? Will any of this come out in the media?" I inquire.
"No, Leland saw to that. I'll be here at the hospital with Drew over night so I'm here when he wakes up. After we get him moved to my parents house and I think he can handle visitors I'll call your parents," Paige says and then motions for us to be quiet just before Audra, Omar and Owen come back the room.
"We should get home kids, Drew won't be awake until the morning. We've spoken to the Michalchuks and they have assured us that they will call us tomorrow as soon as Drew is settled and ready for visitors," Omar says.
Omar looks at his oldest son with both relief and worry in his eyes. Adam gently squeezes his brother's hand with the IV in it. Audra kisses Drew's forehead and smooths his hair, while I place a tender kiss on his lips. I'm relieved to have Drew back, but also worried about what he's been through and what effects it will have on him.
"I'm going to sleep at home tonight, I have work tomorrow," Owen says when the minivan parks in the Torres driveway. "I'll call you after work tomorrow, go and see Drew if the Michalchuks let me."
"I think that's wise Owen, Drew is safe now and you need your rest. We'll be in touch tomorrow," Omar replies.
Owen comes in to get his things and says goodbye. Audra and Omar say they're going to bed, they look relieved but also exhausted. Knowing that Drew is alive and safe they are feeling the toll of the last few days. Audra tells us to get some rest before they go upstairs and we go down to the basement where Jane is waiting for us.
(ADAM)
"…and the bodies are taken care of?" Leland is saying when we walk into his office.
Jane was waiting for Clare and I when we went down to the basement, she said Leland wanted to see us immediately and Lucas was waiting in a car out front. Not a word was said on the drive, it was eerily quiet, I would have been really worried if I didn't know Drew was alive.
"Good, thanks Lou, when you're done return to the house you can go back to London in the morning," Leland says hanging up his cell phone and looking at us.
"I know you met Paige Michalchuk at the hospital, and she showed you the extent of Drew's injuries," Leland comments.
"Yes, there were so many bite marks, she succeeded in changing him," Clare replies. Her voice laced by fear and concern.
"Yes, I'm afraid she did, but they didn't have enough time to mate. I've seen other humans that were forced to undergo the change against their will, it takes an immense toll on them. Paige and her family are the best in the area to handle this sort of thing. Her family line goes all the way back to some of the original metavasi-martefoina in the Ukraine. I've known her family for many generations, they will take good care of Drew and prepare him for his new life. Right now he can't control the change and it would be too dangerous for you or your family to be around him. I wouldn't have had him taken to the hospital at all, however he had some very fresh bites that needed to be treated."
"How exactly did my brother get to the hospital?"
"When we descended upon the place he was being held and rescued him I had one of my men drop him at the hospital anonymously. In sight of the ambulance bay but away from cameras and then I placed a call to Dr. Abbott, he's one of ours so I knew he could be trusted," Leland informs us.
"When you say one of ours, do you mean a vampire?" Clare asks.
"No, another supe, there are many of us."
"You're sure no one else at the hospital knows what really happened to Drew? Why he was held? That he can transform to an animal now?" I inquire.
"Actually, he can't truly transform into an animal, it's only a partial transformation. No one at the hospital besides Paige and Doctor Abbott know that Drew was bitten or can change. That was part of the reason to sedate him. No one else knows why he was held either, or even where right now. Tomorrow the police will get an anonymous call about the residence where Drew was being held, when he's conscious Paige will coach Drew about what to tell the police, can't very well tell them the truth," Leland remarks.
"No, I suppose that couldn't easily be explained, but what about Zoe and the others that were holding Drew?" I question.
"I have dealt with them, it was my right as thy are supes in my district that intentionally harmed a human in my protection," Leland says. I'm curious about what a district is? How big is his district and what other humans are in his protection? But I don't ask, not right now.
"Then they won't go to prison?" Clare inquires.
"What I have in store for them is far worse than prison," Leland replies but doesn't go into details.
"If the police haven't seen it yet can I see the place where my brother was held?" I inquire.
"Yes, I want to see it too," Clare says.
"I'll take you Adam if you are certain that's something you want to see, but I will not allow Clare to come with us," Leland replies, and Clare instantly stiffens into annoyed defensive.
"You will not allow me?" Clare snaps with her hand on her hip. "You don't own me. If I want to go see where Drew was being kept I have every right to…"
Leland cuts her off by zipping over faster than we could see and clamping his hand over her mouth. "You misunderstand Clare, I'm not forbidding you based on your gender or thinking that I own you in any way. I'm doing it for your protection, emotions mark a place, mark objects, you saw it for yourself in the mall parking lot. Now imagine seeing all the emotions, all the intent that have permanently branded the spot where Drew was held and tortured for days. Think what that would do to your mental and emotional state, it may be something you could never erase from your mind."
"He's right Clare, I won't see any of that, but you will and with your feelings for Drew," I comment and Leland's face changes just slightly to show his displeasure, "I don't want it to scar you. I'll tell you what I see if you want to know, but you shouldn't come." I see Clare deflate in defeat and she sighs into Leland's hand at which point he takes it from her mouth.
"Okay, you're right, but I want to know everything," Clare replies. Before I can blink Leland is back at his desk and holding his phone to his ear.
"Brody, come to my office," he says and hangs up. A few seconds later Brody comes through the door. "Brody take Clare back to Adam's parent's house and stand guard just to be safe. Adam will come with us and we will bring him when we are done," Leland instructs.
"I promise I'll tell you everything," I assure Clare as Brody motions for her to come with him.
"Lucas, we'll take the town car, please have it ready," Leland says and Lucas follows Clare out of the room. "Before we do this you must be sure that you want to see it Adam. It is not a pleasant sight and though you will not see the emotions and intent the way Clare would you will see remnants of Drew's captivity including blood from his bites," Leland warns me.
"I understand, but I need to see it," I respond.
"Let us go then," Leland says.
The drive takes over half an hour, and is eerily silent, in fact Leland doesn't even seem to move. We end up somewhere I wasn't expecting, in my head I pictured rural farmland with no neighbors or anything for miles around. Instead we end up at a residential neighborhood, on a quiet street. Lucas parks down the street and Jane picks me up, then all the vampires run to the house. I'm assuming this was done so that none of the neighbors see us walking. I have to wonder what the neighbors thought of last night's raid (I'm not sure what else to call it) or if the neighbors even knew about it.
"This is it?" I question looking around the home as we go into the backdoor. "It's just a house on a street," I comment looking at one of the pictures on the mantle. It's a large man with three other large men, I believe they are the ones in the security footage from the mall. They seem to be related, brothers I'm guessing.
"I believe it's the pack leader's house, Zoe's house is a few houses down, but it does appear she was staying here while Drew was in captivity," Leland remarks.
"Is everyone on this street a…metavasi?" I question.
"No, but most of them are, I'm sure the other neighbors have no idea," Leland replies.
"I suppose John Wayne Gacy and Ted Bundy's neighbors had no idea what was living next door either," I comment. "Where was Drew held though? I can't imagine he was held in the living room."
"No, your brother was being held in the basement," Leland replies.
He begins walking, so I follow him. We go through the kitchen to a door leading down to a basement. It has cement floors and walls, with some pillars and manacles hanging on a pillar. Drew's clothes from the night he was taken are still on the floor, all of them, they appear to have been ripped or cut off. The manacles have padding to not cut into his wrists, but there are pools and small spatters of blood around. It smells of urine too, meaning Drew wasn't even released to relieve himself. Along with the manacles are leg chains and a chain that went around his stomach I presume by it's placement.
Leland was right in refusing to allow Clare to come. I feel sick at the remnants of the torture and debasement I can see. Imagining my brother chained naked in this basement, alone, forced to relieve himself where he was chained, repeatedly bitten, it's almost too much for me to take. I can't imagine how he slept, or if he did sleep. I've never felt so sick at the mere thought of something in my entire life. For Clare to see all this and see Drew's emotions as he was going through it, how he was being tortured and humiliated, it would have an irrevocable effect on her.
"Drew…" the word creaks from my mouth in a pained whisper as I am hardly able to get it past the lump in my throat.
"You should go home Adam, I think you've seen enough," Jane remarks tugging at my hand.
I can't seem to get my legs to move, it doesn't matter she pulls me with her. The four of us leave the basement, and the house, and Jane once again picks me up and runs with me to the car. Not a word is said on the drive to my parent's house. I know I told Clare I would tell her what I had seen, but I'm wondering if I should, I don't want these images in my head and I'm certain that she doesn't either. Still I did promise, but how I can tell her what Drew was put through? She'll picture it as I did and those images will be branded on her mind. I can't lie though. I spend the whole drive debating on it and when we reach my house I hesitate to get out of the car.
"I'll stay on guard tonight," Jane says pulling me out of the town car and Brody comes out of the shadows.
Leland only nods, and a moment later Lucas and Brody drive off. Jane and I start walking to the basement, but I stop her a few feet before the sliding glass. Jane stops and looks at me, cocking her head slightly to one side as she wonders why I stopped.
"I need a minute, I don't know what to tell Clare," I confess.
"The truth, she wanted to know, you promised you'd tell her."
"She'll never get the images out of her head."
"I'm sure she's imagining it, knowing has to be better than speculating. You'll never get the images out of your head either. Drew will have to live with it all, those are memories that can never be erased. At least this way you the three of you can kind of share the pain."
I take a deep breath and nod, I know Jane is right, but I still hesitate to tell my best friend what I saw. I take another deep breath to steel myself and then we walk through the basement door. Clare looks over and jumps up as soon as she sees us.
"What did you see?"
I hope you enjoyed these chapters! This story is just beginning, there's a lot more still to come including more Clew, a little Clowen and many more surprises.