Chapter 11
"Get back here!" Abuela shouts angrily at the two men, but they already had jumped back into the car and raced down the street. She then went over to Chris and she could see blood starting to appear she quickly called 9-1-1 to get help.
"9-1-1, what is your emergency?" Maddie asks automatically.
"Help, my grandson is hurt. His head is bleeding," Abuela says panicking.
"Okay, can you tell me his name and what happened exactly?" Maddie asks calmly.
"His name is Christopher Diaz, I don't know what exactly happened I came round to bring some food over, and oh my god they took him." Abuela frantically says as she remembered the horrific scene she happened to see.
Maddie doesn't answer; she knew straight away who Abuela was referring to. That it was Buck who was taken.
"Hello?" Abuela asks confused when Maddie didn't answer.
Maddie then quickly said "It's okay, I've got people on the way there now. If you can get a towel and place it on Chris's head for me." Maddie says calmly.
"How do you know where we are?" Abuela asks not realising who was on the line.
"It's Maddie, Buck's sister. Don't worry, I have people on the way. I'll call Eddie now and explain what happened to him." She says.
"Oh, thank you." Abuela says as she hangs up.
Maddie looks at Josh for permission and he nods at her, she gets up and starts scrolling her phone contacts to call Eddie but she realises if she tells him he will rush off in a instant without any explanation, so she decides to call Bobby instead.
"Hey Maddie, what's up?" Bobby asks.
"Are you on a call or at the station?" She asks, biting her lip in hope that it was the latter.
"We are at the station. It's been quiet today, why?" Bobby enquires.
"Is Eddie close by?" She asks.
"No, I'm with Athena in my office sorting out the last minute things for later, what's going on? You're worrying me." Bobby says his tone laced with concern.
"I've just had Abuela on the line and Chris is injured and she said they took him. Oh my god, multiple people took Buck, you need to send Eddie home now. I have paramedics and police on the way and I'll meet you there." She says trying not cry. She jumps as a thump comes through the phone. she decides she needs to get off the phone, so as she starts heading out the centre as she looks for the hang up button, she heard Athena's voice quietly in the back ground but then she found the button so she hung up.
In the office at the station, Bobby had dropped his phone at what he just been told, he had to sit down at his desk a second to absorb the news.
"Bobby, you've gone white. What has Maddie told you?" Athena says urgently.
"Its Chris, he's been injured and whoever hurt him t…. took Buck." Bobby says trying not to tear up at the thought of Buck being kidnapped.
"No, they couldn't have. We need go now." Athena says urgently, as she realised who took Buck.
"I need tell Eddie. Oh my god he is going hate himself for leaving them, I hate that I had to ask Eddie to come back in. I knew I should have pushed it off longer. It's my entire fault." Bobby puts his head in his hands.
"No one could have predicted this. Don't start blaming yourself. We need to focus on getting Eddie to his son and trying to figure out where they took Buck and getting him away from them." Athena says
She holds her hand out and Bobby takes hold of it and she helps him up from his seat and they walk out and start to look for Eddie. They found him cleaning the truck, oblivious to everything that had been going on. Bobby stopped mid stride. He couldn't tell him. The words were stuck in his throat, and he had an expression of almost grief upon his face.
"You go start the car, I'll go tell him." Athena says, handing her car keys over to him.
Bobby nods and walks over to the car and starts it, as Athena walks over to Eddie she sees Chim upstairs on the phone and straightaway she knows Maddie is telling him what had just happened. He just nods to her and she nods back as she gets close to Eddie.
"Eddie, I need talk to you." She says.
"What is it? Have you found them? Or is it about later?" Eddie asks puzzled.
"Eddie, I don't know how say this but you need stay calm and listen okay?" She says knowing how he will react.
"I can't promise you that." Eddie says, with a worried expression on his face.
"There's been an incident at your place, Chris is injured and Buck... He's been taken, don't worry your Abuela is with Chris and the paramedics are on the way." Athena says dreading what will happen.
Eddie drops the rag he was using to clean the truck and punches the truck leaving a dent in the door; he didn't even flinch as his anger had taken over.
"Eddie, I need you calm down, Bobby has the car ready. Let's go." Athena says.
"How? How could you let them get Buck and oh my god, they hurt my son you were meant to protect him and get these idiots." Eddie snapped at Athena.
"Look, now's not the time for the whole blame game let's go." She says as she starts pulling him to the car.
Eddie climbs in the back and Bobby pulls off as there driving along Athena is on the phone getting the latest news and also trying see if there's any way they can track the car, she gets the patrols on full alert but she knew that he could be anywhere, as they're driving she gets a message saying Chris was in the ambulance and on its way to the hospital, and she quickly relays the message to Bobby and Eddie so Bobby turns and heads there.
"Eddie, you ok?" Bobby asks looking in the rear-view mirror at Eddie.
"No, it's your fault. I should have stayed home, they both would be safe, I hate that I couldn't protect them." Eddie says wiping away the tears.
"I know, I shouldn't have pushed for you come back. I can only say I'm sorry." Bobby says focusing on getting them to the hospital.
"Sorry isn't going keep Buck from being killed is it?" Eddie snaps.
"No, don't you talk like that, we will find him." Athena turns round looking at Eddie with that look on her face.
"What!? Come on, you saw what they did to him on that night, if he hadn't gotten away that would have been it, what do you think they will do now that they have him. Now, we have no idea where he is, he's going be all alone and scared and I blame myself." Eddie says and starts sobbing.
"It's not your fault Eddie, they could have been waiting for days, and Chase knows all the protocols so they laid low and waited." Athena says.
"If I hadn't had shouted at him and pushed him away over the lawsuit he would be safe, he wouldn't have met that bastard, only if I had told - oh god I never got to tell him." Eddie sobs even more at the realisation.
"Tell him what?" Bobby asks curiously.
"We will talk about that later, we're here now let's go see your boy." Athena says and gives a smile to Eddie.
They walk into the hospital and see Maddie, she explains where they taken Chris so they head that direction as they walk the long corridor. Eddie see's his Abuela waiting. He ran to her and wrapped her in a hug.
"Eddie." She says as he hugs her tight.
"I'm sorry, they took him I gave them a description of the car I hope they find it, and Chris is with the doctors. I'm just waiting on them to come out." She explains.
"It's okay Abuela, there's nothing you could have done, I'm just glad you were there." Eddie says.
They sit there for what feels like hours but in reality it was only 30 minutes. Eddie was pacing around, he can't sit still with so many thoughts going round his head. Athena was making constant calls, using any contacts she can think of to find the car that took Buck. Eventually, the doctor starts walking towards them and Eddie rushes over.
"Tell me doctor, is he going to be okay?" Eddie asks urgently.
"Mr Diaz, Christopher suffered a fractured skull and lost a bit of blood but we have managed to stem the bleeding. We are going keep him sedated while we look at the options but we may need to operate to fix his skull." The doctor explains
"What about brain damage? I know from knowledge that certain skull fractures could cause brain damage." Eddie asks dreading the answer.
"We won't know until he wakes up, but like I said we will monitor him and then decide what the best course of action is to be, but it could possibly be a long road to recovery Mr Diaz, you can go sit with him but I would like to keep it to no more than two people at a time." She explains.
Eddie nods and walks off, his whole world is crumbling around him he's unsure what he's to do, he can feel the anger coming as he sees his son laying there head wrapped up, he just wants head to the ring and beat the crap in to someone, but he knows he can't, he needs be here for Chris. And what about Buck? He could lose Buck and he doesn't know how he would cope without him.
A hand is placed on his shoulder he looks behind and it's Bobby, he turns round and hugs Bobby and starts sobbing he knows if he doesn't let it out now he won't be able think straight.
"It's okay Eddie, let it out." Bobby says as he pats him on the back.
"I'm sorry for saying it's your fault, I know it isn't. I'm just so angry." Eddie says as he breaks the hug.
"Eddie I understand. I'm angry too, we just got him back and think the drama is all over and this happens, don't worry. You know Athena will find him, she won't stop and neither will I." Bobby says firmly.
"I know and I won't either, they will pay for what they have done." Eddie says clenching his fist in anger.
"You need to focus on Chris, and we will focus on Buck." Bobby says looking at Chris
"I have to focus on Buck until I know he's safe, at least Chris is here and safe." Eddie says as more tears start.
"Is it because you love Buck and I mean that you're in love with him, that's what you were on about in the car wasn't it?" Bobby asks suddenly.
Eddie didn't want to answer; he looked at Bobby and could see there was no way he could lie now, so he nodded before he had to sit down the stress of the day was catching up to him.
"Thought as much. You two are so alike and need each other, yes everything is crazy and you feel like you should have said something sooner but that's life Eddie. We just got be strong and we know Buck is a fighter. Past experience says so." Bobby says.
"I know, I swear if I get him back I'm going tell him straight away Bobby, no more hiding. It's not just for me but for Chris to he loves Buck too." Eddie says looking at Chris who was lying in the bed unresponsive.
"We will get him back, I'll leave you to it. I'm sure your Abuela will want come in and see him too." Bobby says.
He gives Eddie one final hug and leaves the room, leaving Eddie to sit and look at his son holding back the tears that he can feel burning to be let out, he hears the door open and close and footsteps walk over to the bed he looks up and sees his Abuela who is just staring at Chris and tears start falling.
"Eddie he looks so peaceful." She says.
"He does but we don't know... exactly how bad he is till he wakes and how he will handle it he already has CP and it's tough on him already. This will make things even harder." Eddie says shaking his head.
"We must think positive and pray that the good Lord will bring him back and with no complications." She says holding her cross on her necklace.
"I will I'm just…" Eddie starts saying
"Worried about Buck, I know and I'm sorry I couldn't help more, I hope we find him." She interrupts him.
"I know and its fine. You did what you could and you had Chris to deal with as well, I can't sit here knowing he's out there. I'm going have to help to look for him. Are you okay to stay here for a while?" Eddie says as he stands up
"You can't, it's dangerous and you don't know where to start." Abuela says looking worried
"I can't just sit here its going drive me crazy I need do something, it's been over two hours since he was taken, anything could have happened." Eddie says, with a worried look on his face.
She looks at him and nods, she knows better than to argue with him, he leans over Chris and gives him a kiss on his cheek.
"Volvere a ti, hijo mio, y tender a Evan conmigo (I will come back to you my son and I will have Evan with me)" Eddie whispers as he leaves the room and is greeted by people outside. Bobby, Athena, Maddie and Chim are there waiting,
"How is Chris?" Maddie asks concernedly.
"He is asleep. We're just waiting on the doctor to let us know which way we go." Eddie says holding back the tears.
"That kid is a fighter just like his dad." Chim says in a positive tone. Eddie smiles thinking to himself 'Yeah, he is just like Buck.'
"Any news on the car or Buck?" Eddie asks.
"Nothing yet, don't worry yourself we have got this. You focus on Chris." Athena says rubbing Eddies arm.
Buck wakes to a shock as he feels the cold water hit him, shaking his head he can't see anything as it is dark he looks round he hears voices, he tries to remember what happened Chris he thinks of straight away.
'Chris is hurt, look what you did to him, Eddie will never forgive you for this one'
"Looks like he's finally awake" Aaron says as he moves forward in to the light
He is followed by Chase who is smiling, Buck feels his hands are tied behind him, he tries to move his legs but they are tied to the chair he is sat on.
"What do you want from me?" Buck asks in a stubborn tone.
"We weren't done, when you decided to run" Chase says as he lifts Bucks chin up
A loud smack is heard as Chase slaps Buck across the face, Buck drops his head he knows he's done for, and no one knows where he is or how long he was out.
"Chris, is he okay? Please tell me, I don't care what you do to me but I need know if he's ok" Buck pleads
"Last I heard he was rushed to hospital with a serious injury and they were unsure if he made it." Aaron says smugly.
"You monsters, how could you hurt an innocent child." Buck snarls at them trying break out the restraints.
"Looks like he has some fight now, shame you didn't have the same fight to go through with the lawsuit then none of this would be happening, what happened to the kid is on you not us, you went there and then went back after you left hospital so we're not the monster you are." Chase says with a sneer.
As Buck looks at Chase a thump to the side of the face and he knows his lip is split as he turns he sees Aaron who has just punched him in the face with a evil smile, Buck knows he's most likely going die here but he was sure he would make them pay one way or another.
"Look, it's late and we are tired, So enjoy your night and we have a big day tomorrow, oh and don't worry there's no one around to hear you scream." Chase says gleefully.
He pats Aaron on the back and walks out closing the door and locking it, Buck hears them drive off and knows he alone, he uses the first few minutes and listens to try and get an idea where he could be, as he listens he can hear moving water, it's too dark to see anything round him he tried to move the chair see if he can get a better idea of what was around him. He manages to move the chair round and see's what's behind him he can see a door and it's barricaded up but there's a window but its night time and dark outside so he can't see anything.
After several minutes taking in his surroundings he knows he needs to escape, he tries to break the rope on his hands but no luck there just rubbing and cutting in to his skin, he tries his legs but same again but realises if he can get on his back he might be able slip his legs of the chair legs, he rocks the chair so it falls with him on it with a thud, he wriggles his legs and manages to his left leg now he works the right one and gets it off, once he wriggles a bit he manages to get his back loose from the chair and he's does some yoga move, wincing at the pain of the ribs that are still sore as he pulls his hands over and manages get them to in front of him.
He stands up and starts walking round trying to get a feel for where he was, he could tell it was an empty factory or warehouse and close to water so he figured only place like this would be the docks but which exact one, he started thinking to what he would say to Eddie if Chris has died.
'He won't want know me, he will hate be for hurting Chris, I'm a monster.'
His train of thought is broken when he hears a phone ring and recognises the tine it's his ringtone for Eddie, he rushes over to the phone, as he picks it up he sees lights appear outside and panics.
"Hello Eddie?" Buck says.
"Buck, how, where are you?" Eddie says with a panicked tone.
"I can't talk, they have come back must have realised they left my phone, I'm so sorry for everything, I'm in a warehouse or factory and by water so I think it's the docks I'm not sure though." Buck quickly says.
"Okay, we will start looking is there anything you can see to help us." Eddie says
"No it's too dark…"Buck doesn't finish as he falls to the floor.
"BUCK!" Eddie yells through the phone as he heard the thump.
"Try again." Aaron says in the phone with a smirk.
"You, where are you? Let him go." Eddie says furiously into the phone.
"Why? When we were going have so much fun." Chase says with a laugh.
"What do you want?" Eddie asks.
"What we want s to teach this punk why you never screw me over, but you can free him without him having to be hurt." Chase says
"What, how?" Eddie asks
"Ring this phone, when you have seven million dollars which I'm owed, for every hour we don't get it, well let's just say it won't be pretty, oh and officer grant we know your there so don't bother we disabled the gps on his phone when we took him, so tick tock" Chase explains
"Yeah Eddie, tick tock don't want keep the man you love waiting, yes we know you love him makes this even more fun" Aaron says as he hangs up the phone.
Eddie looked at his phone in horror, he never expected it to ring never mind the fact Buck answered at least he knew he was ok for now but seven million dollars where was he meant get that amount of money?
"Eddie, we will get him, at least we have some idea on location we have move quick." Athena says and starts making calls.
Eddie looks on Google for any locations of docks in the greater Los Angeles area and is shocked how many there are, he thinks to himself,
'There must be someone who may know if any have empty buildings to help narrow the search.'
He looks in his phone looking at the contacts everyone he looked at no help there then he stopped when he saw a name, he thought to himself it's worth a shot and dialled after a few rings there was an answer.
"Wow, I was not expecting hear from you." Lena Bosko says surprised.
"I know and I'm sorry how everything went down." Eddie apologises.
"So let me guess, you aren't calling for a chit chat most likely after something as that's all it was with you." She snaps down the phone.
"I deserve that but this isn't about me, it's about Buck." Eddie tries to keep calm.
"What? Does he want to get in to fighting? I thought he wouldn't with everything that happened to him." She says
"How did you know about that? No, I need info if you can help." He says
"Word gets round especially when you screw Chase, he isn't to be messed with, but what exact information do you need that involves Buck?" She asks
"Chase and his ex took him, they injured Chris and now they're asking for seven million dollars and every hour I waste they start hurting Buck and I can't have that, so please help me." Eddie says tears starting to fall down his cheeks.
"You mean they attacked Chris? That's low. What exactly do you know? How could I help?" She asks curiously.
"Well, he managed to briefly tell me that he was by water and in an empty building and obviously we had the fights at empty buildings didn't we? So, I was hoping you would know anyone who would have information on any that are empty but not used by fights but Chase could only know." He explained
"I'll ask round and see what I can do." She says as she hangs up.
Eddie look at the clock already ten minutes have gone and he hasn't got any further he decides he needs speak to Maddie so leaves the hospital after explaining to Abuela what was going on and headed off to her place. By the time he got there, the forty-five minutes had passed and he hadn't heard from Lena and knew in fifteen minutes they would do something, but then they could be beating him right now, so he quickly ran to Maddie's door and explained everything.
Buck started to stir, he felt himself tied up again but this time he was standing. He looked round and saw he was tied to a post, there was more light as they all pointed to him which made it hard to see in front of him but he could see the two figures in front of him and knew who it was, at least he got to speak to Eddie before anything happened even though it was brief.
"Ah look princess is awake and with five minutes till the first deadline passes." Aaron says as he walks up to Buck
"What you mean deadline? What's going on?" Buck asks confused.
"Well we said if they bring us Seven million dollars we will let you go and for every hour that passes we hurt you, you been out cold for fifty-five minutes so the first hour is up, but I don't think they will Eddie didn't sound to happy especially now." Chase says
"What do you mean now?" Buck asks
"Show him." Chase says looking at Aaron
Aaron walks up and holds up his phone so Buck can read what's on the screen and tears start to fall
"A young boy dies after kidnap of a fire fighter today, and following the altercation, Christopher Diaz was hit and suffered a head injury once arriving at the hospital they did the best they could but the bleed on the brain was too much and he passed with his father at his side, the fire fighter is still missing with police looking." Aaron read
"No, not Chris please no!" Buck screams.
"Told you, it's all your fault that things happen if you just did as you were told nobody would have got hurt, can't see Eddie wanting to find you now do you?" Chase says
"Just kill me, you're not going get the money just get it over." Buck says with a tone of sadness
"Well looks like an hour is over time teach them we aren't messing round, rip his trousers over his left leg" Chase says to Aaron.
"So we are starting with my idea then." Aaron says with a wink.
"Yes, we are go get the rod ready" Chase says as he walks up to Buck and punches him in the face then the stomach.
Buck stands mainly because he's tied but doesn't make a sound and then a few more hits he sees Aaron walk over smiling, holding a rod in one hand which is glowing and he can see letters AJ and in the other hand a blow torch which he uses to heat up the metal more.
"You will never forget me after this, I'll always be a part of you always." Aaron says as he kisses Buck on the cheek.
Buck starts to move but can't move much Chase smacks buck again, Chase grabs Bucks phone and starts recording as Aaron places the stamp on his skin, a blood curdling scream is let out of Bucks mouth and tears role down his cheeks and passes out from the pain, and Aaron pulls it away and laughs looking at the phone.
"Now Eddie, we told you what would happen after a hour, you have another hour otherwise we do more, I mean he's branded mine now don't think you want my sloppy seconds especially now." Aaron says.
Chase moves the camera back to Buck taking in his beaten face and blood dripping from his mouth mixed with tears and down to the brand they just burned in to his skin, he turns the camera to himself.
"So, Eddie tick tock."
He then sends a message to Eddie.
'Seems you don't care, first hour as passed, Eddie tick tock to the next one.'
He attaches the video and sends it to him.
Eddie is sat with Maddie in her kitchen looking at locations on the laptop when he hears a text message arrive he turns white he knows the first hour is over and dreads to think what's in it, he picks up his phone and looks at the text and then sees a video on it and a picture of Buck and he doesn't want play it, he's scared what they have done but also doesn't want Maddie to see.
"Eddie what is it, you have gone pale." She says
"It's from Chase and Aaron the first hour has gone by." he swallows hard as he says it.
"Show me." She asks trying to take the phone from him.
He turns so she can't take it and they hear a knock at the door, so Eddie runs to it and see it's Athena, she walks in and sees Maddie looking pissed.
"What's going on?" She asks looking confused.
"He's received a message from Chase and won't show me." Maddie says.
"I can't let you see it, Maddie I'm sorry." Eddie says tears starting to come as the horrible image of Buck burned into his memory.
"Okay Maddie, you stay in there and Eddie and I will watch it, if I think it's okay for you to watch, I'll let you okay?" Athena says giving her a look and she nods in agreement.
Maddie walks back in to the kitchen and Eddie and Athena step outside the front door, Eddies hand start to shake as he presses play, as the video ends, Eddie turns and throws up on the front porch and Athena can't believe what she has just seen, she rubs Eddies back and helps him in. As they enter, Maddie is standing there and Athena just shakes her head curtly.
"Can you get me some water for Eddie, please?" Athena asks Maddie and she runs to get some.
"How could they do that to him, that's beyond evil. Athena what will they do next? I'm scared for him." Eddie says breaking down.
"What happened?" Maddie asks concernedly.
"It's best you don't see, it's bad but he's still alive which is the main thing to know. Have you any luck on any locations?" Athena asks trying to keep Maddie distracted.
"Not yet." she says "You okay Eddie?" Maddies asks.
"I'm so sorry Maddie, if I had the balls and just told him he would be safe." Eddie says.
"What are you on about?" she asks, confused.
Eddie just breaks down and curls in to a ball on the sofa sobbing to himself. Athena stands up and takes Maddie in to the kitchen to quietly explain.
"He's in love with Buck, he blames everything on himself for not telling him sooner." Athena says.
"They're both their own worst enemies." Maddie says nodding.
"The main thing is we have to find him soon." Athena says and then they hear Eddies phone going off.
"Hello?" Eddie says wiping the tears away.
"Hey, I've done some digging and I have three locations, but I can't guarantee you anything." Lena says.
"It's better than what we used to have, thank you." Eddie says gratefully.
"I can come and help, you know safety in numbers." Lena offers.
"That would be great, which area do you think be best to try?" Eddie asks
"I would say we try the Port of Los Angeles but there are 27 terminals so without any more info we could be looking for a needle in a haystack literally." She says.
"I'll meet you there." Eddie says straight off.
He hangs up the phone, looks at the time fifteen minutes have gone already there's no way he can find him in the next 4fourty-five minutes, he walks in to the kitchen and Maddie walks over and gives him a big hug.
"It's not your fault Eddie, when we have him back you tell him." She says holding him close
"I will, Lena gave me three more locations, but they're big places." Eddie says as he shows Athena the list.
Athena instantly gets on the phone to the police station to organise the officers to start searching the list of the docks, Eddie knows it is a long shot but what else could he do if he had the money he would get it. He starts moving towards the door. He can't wait any longer he needs meet Lena.
"Where do you think you are going?" Athena says with concern.
"I need to help with the search." Eddie replies.
"No, you need stay with your son." She replies knowingly.
"He is safe, Abuela and Bobby are there to watch over him. I can't be there knowing that Buck needs me, Chris would tell me to go find him." Eddie say trying hold back the tears.
"Fine, but I'm coming with you." Athena explains as she opens the door
"Me too, he came for me when Doug took me. It's my turn help him." Maddie says in a determined tone, grabbing her coat.
They head to Eddie's pick up and drive off, it takes them almost forty minutes get to the docks, once Eddie pulled up he froze he knew he soon be getting another video of the horror there inflicting on Buck, they get out the pickup and meet Lena and start looking.
"Well, looks like another hour has passed, what fun shall we have now?" Aaron says looking at Buck who was just coming round, he felt a punch to his gut but didn't care now, Chris had died nothing could hurt him more than that.
"Let's get started." Chase said with an evil grin.