Yes. It is indeed 1 AM. But I just missed you guys. And I really wanted to post something.
This is the story I mentioned a while back. Completely prewritten. A parody of "The Call". It's a thriller. Very intense.
Proceed with caution.
TW: kidnapping, blood, violence, things left to the imagination
But please enjoy this angst fest that is oddly... Davey centered.
Well...
You'll see.
"911, where is your emergency?"
"I need a police officer, 119 East Central Street, 3rd floor. I got a woman here, she's stabbing herself and a child!"
"Operator 602, state your emergency, please."
"Hi, there's an accident on Highway 28, and I... I... Like, I think somebody's dead!"
"911, what's your emergency?"
"I'm at the Beverly Resort.
My girlfriend, she's..."
"What's going on there?"
"She jumped from the 12th floor balcony."
"She jumped off the 12th floor balcony?"
"911, what is your emergency?"
"Oh, God, I hit someone with my car. I hit him! I think I've killed him!"
"All right, listen carefully. Pump the chest hard 30 times. You need to count out loud, go ahead."
"911, what's your emergency?"
"911, where is your emergency?"
"Please, I need assistance right away!"
"911, where's your emergency?"
"There's a lot of blood, I know, but you need to keep pressure on the wound."
"I shot my wife."
"You shot your wife?"
"Yup. She's lying on the floor..."
"911, where's your emergency?"
If there was one thing that David knew, it was that his job was anything but easy. It was a stressful, mentally challenging, insane job that David was so grateful to have.
But it was days like these that made him wish he could be anywhere else.
"Christine... put the gun down," he ordered gently. He'd been on the line for several minutes now. He hadn't made any real progress. This kid was scared. She didn't know what to do. She was out of control and she couldn't stop it.
"I didn't mean ta do it!" she insisted, her Jersey accent strong and harsh. "I didn't mean it!"
With a shake of his head, David tried to figure out what to say next. "Christine, put the gun down! It isn't worth it!" he tried. He didn't want to lose this girl. She could still have a future.
Through the headset, David could hear the black and whites, screaming at this disturbed young woman, ordering her to drop the gun without an ounce of gentleness. David understood that. Their job was to protect the rest of the civilians. His job was to help the person on the other end of the line. "Put the gun down! Put it down!"
"Christine! Listen ta me-"
And that was it. The line went dead.
It wasn't the first time it had happened. But that didn't mean it made it easier.
For a second, the young man contemplated getting up, leaving his station for just a moment. He had every right to. It was a way to protect themselves from all the stress put on them everyday. So many lives put in their hands. But right now, David just prayed the next call he got was from a group of kids making a prank call.
He didn't need to get up. The Quiet Room would still be there later if he needed it to calm his nerves. So, he took a deep breath and let his computer know he was ready for another call.
"911, what's your emergency?"
The operator couldn't help but let himself slump over just a bit in relief when an angry, but familiar voice met his ears. "Goddamn it! Why am I in here?!"
Letting himself laugh, David just shook his head. "Hey there Mr. Kloppman, how ya doin'?" he asked, knowing full well what the answer would be.
"Not good, kiddo... I'm in jail," Mr. Kloppman began to explain. David let himself smile. This man wasn't a bad guy, just got himself into trouble a bit too much. The first time he'd called, David had been on the line with him for close to an hour as the old man gave him his life story. Not that David minded. He was an odd guy, but that didn't mean he wasn't entertaining as hell. "Ain't no one's tellin' me nothin'!"
Knowingly, David could only sigh and ask the question he asked every time this man was on the line. "You been drinking again, Mr. Kloppman?"
It was almost comical the way the man quieted down immediately. Everyone around the hive knew this man. They only got a call from him every few weeks, when he'd fallen off the wagon again. He'd had a rough life. Plenty of reason to start drinking. But he was trying to get better. "I s'pose..." he replied sheepishly.
Nodding, David just shrugged. "So you know what you have ta do. You gotta ask your DO for another call, okay?"
"... okay... thanks, kiddo..."
"No problem. Stay outta trouble, alright sir?" David asked, a small smile still on his face. It really was a nice break from all the stress.
"Alright, kiddo. Bye bye." And then that was it. David let himself sit for a moment, letting himself just breathe. For a moment, everything was okay.
"Does he still call you, 'kiddo'?" At the young, feminine voice, David spun around in his chair.
"Of course he does, Smalls" he responded to the small woman behind him. "It's a hell of a lot better than 'sweetheart'." She playfully rolled her eyes at him.
"That's fair," she replied, turning away from her own station for a moment. "So how's Les? Still a little rascal?"
With a sigh, David shrugged. "You know it. My mom just got him braces. The kid is not happy about it and I never get to hear the end of it," he explained. His little brother was certainly a handful. There was no questioning that.
Snorting, Smalls replied, "At least he'll have straight teeth when he grows up! My parents couldn't afford that kind a' sh-"
"Ah, Smallsie, always such a charmer ta walk in on," a voice interrupted. A grin spread across both of their faces as they looked up to see a young police officer walking through their building, right towards them, along with a woman of the same uniform.
Smalls, ever sarcastic and good for a laugh, looked around. "Did anyone call for a stripper?" she called jokingly. David just rolled his eyes as the young female cop burst out laughing.
"Hey, Jack. What're ya guys doin' here?" he asked, standing to his feet so that he could shake his friend's hand before he was pulled into an embrace.
Jack always was one for hugs. "Nothin' much, man. Just thought we'd stop by b'fore I have two little monsters ta deal with when I get home," he shrugged, letting him pull back and then slinging an arm around the woman's shoulders.
With a grin, Small's kicked her feet up onto her desk, twirling a pencil around in her hands. "Katherine, I understand that you helped deliver a baby yesterday," she commented, sounding almost impressed.
The female cop nodded, a grin growing on her face. "Yes ma'am. Seven pound, eight ounce little princess," he stated, smirking over at Jack who placed his free hand over his heart in offense.
"Excuse me, I was there too!" he insisted.
But the woman only laughed. "He was holding her hand and covering his eyes. He's the true hero here," Katherine corrected sarcastically. It seemed to be good enough for Jack who nodded his head and smiled.
"Thank you."
David laughed. He had the best friends. He'd gone to high school with these people. And college with Jack. They hadn't always been close, but he still absolutely adored them. In fact, they were now his closest friends.
"Really though, she saved the mama's life," Jack stated. The pride in his eyes wasn't something that could be looked over. It was so clear how madly in love he was.
A hum brought the officer out of the trance. Small's was staring at the with a sort of false admiration. "You guys are disgusting," she breathed before turning back to her desk and getting back to work.
Jack chuckled a bit, turning to kiss his girlfriend and partner on the side of her head before he stepped away from her and towards David. "Hey, can I talk ta you f'r a minute?" he asked quietly.
With a slight nod, David pushed himself up from his chair. "Darcy! I'm goin' on break!" he called as his boss walked by. Then he lead Jack out to the small patio they had outside. David's favorite place in the whole building.
The fresh air was always so nice.
He leaned up against the railing of the small outdoor space. Jack stood across from him, leaning back on a chair pushed up against one of the tables. "What's up?"
"Just about everythin'," Jack laugher, scratching at the back of his neck nervously. "I was wonderin' if ya finally wanted ta meet my boys," he stated.
Ah yes. Jack's boys. His little brothers. His half brothers. The adoption hadn't been easy. Not with the many potential guardians that were apart of all of their lives. Though, they were unwanted and never seemed to be good for anyone. Jack's family was anything but conventional. Their mother was anything but loyal or faithful.
"Yeah, I'd love to!" David grinned. The adoption had been closed a year ago. They kids were officially Jack's. And while David was one of Jack's closest friends, he still had never met the boys. "When should I be over?"
"I was thinkin' tomorrow night?" It was like Jack was scared to have him over it wouldn't surprise the young operator. Those kids had been through enough in their short lives. New people weren't exactly their favorite things. But Davey was beyond touched that his friend was allowing him to meet them. It was a big step for him. It was important.
"I'd love to, Jackie," he smiled.
Jack grinned. "Cool..."
Meeting Jack's brothers was the ultimate kind of trust. David knew that all too well. The stories had been everywhere. They'd been hurt as children. All of them. But Jack trusted him. And David couldn't help but be so incredibly happy.
But he wasn't done at work yet.
"... Then I want you to take the child in your arms and exit the building quickly," he heard Specs instruct as he made his way back to his desk. Jack walked past him and took Katherine's hand as they made their way out.
"See ya, Mouth!" Jack called as he pulled Katherine away from Smalls.
David just nodded and waved at his friend with just two fingers. "Later, Kelly!"
As soon as their friends left the building, Smalls was turning to David with a questions. "Hey, what's the code for multiple stabbings?" she asked in a rush, muting her call for just a moment as the young man tried to recall.
"Uh... Two forty-five," he responded in a rush.
The small girl nodded. "Thank you!" She turned back to her own call immediately, leaving David to take a breath and try to get back into the game.
For a moment he stared at his screen. He listened to the people around him. His coworkers. Some of he bravest people he'd ever met. This job was so important. He had to know that. They all did. It was crucial. They were protecting people.
He clicked on his space bar, indicating he was ready for another call. Instantly, he had one. "911, what's your emergency?"
"Help me! Please... someone's trying ta break into my house!"
The voice was panicked. Nothing David hadn't handled before. But it definitely brought him out of his daze. He sat up straighter. "Okay, okay, breathe for me, pal."
"I'm all alone! My parents went to see a movie! They won't answer their phones!"
"I understand that, buddy. What's your name?" David asked calmly as the trace on his computer began to run.
The boy was breathing hard on the other end of the line. David could hear him. "B-Benjamin... Neilson..." Immediately the man typed the name into his systems.
A picture came up easily. David allowed himself to vaguely study the face of the kid. Blond hair, grey-blue eyes. Lanky and tall. He was sixteen. "Alright, pal. I've got all your information here," he stated, taking a breath. "Can you get out of the house, Benjamin?" He was typing frantically. Just like he always did. The more information, the better.
"No! No! He's out there!"
"Okay, take a deep breath for me, kid," the operator instructed before switching his headpiece over to the radio. "Any units clear to handle hot prowl in progress? 23 Kinnard Street. PR is alone and hiding."
"Seven-Adam-Thirteen, responding!"
The man switched back as quickly as he could, feeling his chest tighten as those panicked gasps met his ears again. "Police are on their way, buddy!"
Benjamin Neilson was hiding behind a wall. He didn't want to move. Whoever was there might see him. All of the lights were off. The only noise that could be heard was a juggling lock and the voice of a stranger on the telephone.
The boy was about to say something else, beg this man to make the police get there faster. But the shattering of glass made him jump a foot in the air. He could hear someone reaching through it to get to the lock on the door. "Oh my God, he just broke the window! He's coming through the back!"
David's whole body went from somewhat to tense in an instant. He had to breathe. He had to be the strong one. "Benjamin, go find a room and lock yourself in. Right now!" he instructed, trying to think. That was right. Those were the right instructions. "Do not disconnect with me, okay? Stay on the line!"
The boy didn't respond. He just darted towards the stairs in front of him. He sprinted in through an open door and closed it as quietly as he could. "Okay! I'm in my room!" he stated, standing against the door. "But the door doesn't lock n' I don't know where ta hide!" he cried out in a whisper.
"It's okay, Benjamin! I need you ta stay calm," David tried.
But the boy was anything but calm. "He's gonna find me!" he whispered urgently. He looked around his room.
"Okay, is there a window in that room, Ben?" David asked quickly.
"Yeah..."
"Here's what I need you to do..."
The only place he thought to go was beneath his bed. It was obvious. But it was all he had.
Footsteps were coming closer. The board outside his room creaked. The kid whimpered. He wished beyond anything that he had a bat or a weapon of any kind. But he'd seen the outline of the man. He was huge. He'd be no match for him.
"Buddy, stay quiet for me, okay?" David demanded, seeming to sense the situation, even from miles away. "Don't say a word."
The boy didn't. He held his breath as he ears his door creaking open. The intruder seemed to think someone in this room wouldn't have already heard the glass shatter.
The man's shoes were covered in dirt and mud. They were old and worn brown work boots. That was all the kid could see of the guy.
David muted his end of the call again. "Seven Adam Thirteen! What's your ETA?"
"Eight to ten!"
That was too long. Looking around, David caught a glimpse of his supervisor, doing his own job. He zeroed in on David just as the young man threw his arms up helplessly. There was no way anyone was going to get there in time.
Benjamin was beginning to get dizzy. He didn't want to risk making a sound. The man was still in his room. He was looking in the closet. Behind the curtains. But Benjamin didn't move. Eventually he saw the man lean out the open window. He must've seen the one shoe he'd dropped down there. It looked like he'd jumped and ran.
The man didn't check beneath the bed.
Footsteps began to leave the room in a haste. The kid breathed a sigh of relief. "I... I think it worked. I think he's leaving..."
"That's good, kid. Just-"
The line went dead. David felt himself panic for a moment. The boy surely hadn't meant to hang up the phone. The man had to still be inside the house. He'd told him to stay on the line.
In a moment of pure panic, of idiocy, David called back.
That meant the phone rang.
Benjamin answered the call immediately. "I don't know where he is!" he hissed, terrified.
"Benjamin-"
"Oh my God, I think he's coming back!"
All David felt was nauseous. "Kid-"
"I think he heard the phone ring!" He cried, trying to push himself from his hiding place. He had to get up. He could hear the man coming back. He could fight. He could-
David heard the boy scream in pure terror. "Benjamin?!"
Benjamin struggled beneath a huge man who'd just ripped him from his safe haven. "Let go! Let go!" he demanded, trying so hard not to sound completely horrified.
"Kid-" David's heart sped up. He tried desperately to figure out what to do next. The boy more than likely didn't have the phone by his ear anymore. He was stuck, listening to a child beg somebody to just let him go.
"Shut up!" another voice screamed.
"Get offa-" Benjamin let out a muffled sob when a strong hand rushed to cover his mouth.
Then the man reached for the phone.
And David could hear his quick, irregular breaths. Something told him that this was more than some burglary. He'd gone after the kid specifically. There was more to this. And that scared him.
He'd given the kid away.
"Wh-whoever this is... the police are on their way to that house right now," he stated carefully, trying not to let his voice shake too much. He felt his hands begin to tremble as his face went pale. "The only thing for you to do is let that boy go..."
This is what a panic attack felt like.
This was his fault. He'd given the kid away. He'd made a mistake.
"I suggest you leave that house before you do something you regret... you do not have to do this..."
The breathing was quick. But the man wasn't scared. He was angry. Driven by grief and adrenaline. He looked the boy up and down as he struggled below him. He pinned the boy's arms beneath his knees as he reached to run a demeaning hand through his hair. And, without truly even thinking about it, he let out a small, but horrifying reply.
"It's already done."
Benjamin screamed.
And then the line went dead.
David couldn't breathe. The trace disappeared. The picture faded. He knew he wasn't supposed to panic. He knew he wasn't supposed to not know what to do. He knew he was supposed to have the answers and the fix.
He knew he wasn't supposed to call back when there was an intruder. What did I just do?
Ripping off his headset, David ran. He ran to the Quiet Room as those three words echoed in his brain.
It's already done.
That boy was targeted. He didn't know why, but he was.
The door slammed shut behind him. He was the only one in the room. He stepped away, pacing as he tried to get his limbs to stop shaking. "Oh, God..." he breathed, reaching up a trembling hand to run through his hair.
The door was opened behind him. The man flinched as he whirled around, his vision blurred as tears filled up in his eyes.
"It's already done." It was all he could hear. Over and over again. Even as he barely made out the form of his boss standing before him.
"What the hell was that?" Oh great. Darcy has been listening to his call. Of all things. "That ring gave him away." The older man was scolding him like David didn't already know. Like David wasn't tearing himself up right now. It must've taken the man a moment to see the tears in David's eyes. Because he expression softened. "Just... help me out here. What were you thinking?"
Immediately, David shrugged, completely at a loss for words. He could still hear Benjamin screaming. "I... I wasn't... I..." He could hardly speak anymore. Nothing was coming out right. "I don't know... I didn't..." He still couldn't breathe. "I'm just normally... I wasn't focused like I usually am and I... I don't know..."
He could've vomited right then and there. A child had just been kidnapped.
And it was his fault.
Wow. How are we feeling? Stressed? Me too. I'll be back next Monday with an update unless I get 10 reviews before then? Maybe? If anyone's interested.
I know... I'm awful.
As always, thanks for reading! Make sure to tell me what you liked, what you didn't, what you'd change or what you'd improve by leaving me a review! Love ya, babes!