Disclaimer: Days of Our Lives is owned by Corday Productions and NBC. I own nothing and am making nothing off this story Read Part 1first if you haven't already done so.
The Innocent (Part 2): Shawn in Tights and Other Strange Visions
By: SparksJSH
"I have to get back to the hospital before your mom worries." Bo reluctantly told Shawn. Two hours had passed since Shawn and Belle had been attacked near the pub and Belle had been kidnapped. Though the police were diligently searching for her, so far there had been no leads. Everyone at the pub agreed that Hope didn't need to know about what had happened tonight. She was exhausted from giving birth and didn't need any additional worries. They couldn't keep it from her indefinitely, the bruises on Shawn's face would see to that but they had decided once she was released from the hospital would be soon enough.
"Tell Mom I love her." Shawn told him absently. He'd been this way since Bo had brought him home from the hospital. Bo looked at his son. He knew Shawn was worried about Belle and feeling guilty for not being able to do more.
"I will. You get some rest, Sailor Man. You heard the doctor. You may not have any broken bones but you are still injured. I'll call and check on you later." Bo hated to leave. He was torn; he knew his son needed him right now but so did his wife and other son. Caroline seemed to sense his hesitation and met him at the doorway. She hugged him.
"Go on back to Hope, Bo. Shawn will be fine. He's surrounded by family and friends that care."
"But Belle isn't. Mom, I know this is killing John and Marlena. No matter what has happened in the past, the one thing they've tried to do is shelter the kids from it Belle didn't even know what Stefano looked like until she saw him in France. She's not prepared for something like this. She's out there alone somewhere going through who knows what…"
"She' not alone, Bo. We've all said prayers for God to watch over her and bring her home safe and sound. Besides, you heard John; he really doesn't think Stefano was responsible this time."
Bo nodded. "I know; that's what scares me. As bad as Stefano is, I don't think he would hurt her. But if we are dealing with an unknown person here, we don't know what they might do to Belle. Call me if there is any word."
Caroline nodded. After Bo left she turned to look around the pub. Belle's friends from school had poured in as soon as they heard she was missing. Even Chloe was hovering in the fringes; worried about one of the few people in all of Salem she could count as a friend but afraid to be noticed. Eric and Sami had arrived about an hour earlier after Marlena had tracked them down to tell them. John, Marlena and the twins were sitting together in the corner.
Sami wiped her eyes. She and Belle weren't that close, they never had been, but that didn't matter right now for she was still terrified for her sister. "I wish that this was like the last time she was missing. At least she was safe that time."
She was referring to the time when Belle had been just a baby and Sami had kidnapped her. At the time she'd been so afraid that the truth would come out that John was Belle's father instead of Roman and that the truth would destroy her family. In the end the truth had come out and her parents had divorced but that was water under the bridge, she had reluctantly come to realize that Marlena and John loved each other and belonged together. Marlena reached over and squeezed Sami's hand.
Eric shook his head. "I can't believe something like this happened. Haven't we been through enough?"
"Roman and Abe will find her." John tried to reassure them all but even he didn't sound convinced. The door to the pub opened and everyone at the table looked up; each one secretly hoping that it would be Belle and that it had all been some horrible mistake. But it was a messenger instead. He looked around.
"I have a delivery for John Black."
With a glance at the others, John rose and accepted the thin brown envelope. He gave the messenger a tip. Everyone watched him expectantly as he opened the letter. A typed letter and a Polaroid picture fell out of the envelope into his hand. He looked at the picture first. He then shut his eyes, his jaw rocking. He then scanned the letter. Marlena touched his arm.
"John?"
"It's from the kidnapper. He says he wants three million dollars or he'll kill Belle. He'll contact me soon with details for the drop."
Marlena took the picture from him. It was a picture of Belle. She was bound and gagged. Though it was obvious she was terrified beyond compare, it didn't appear that she'd been hurt. Grateful for that at least, Marlena sank into a chair. She looked at John. "Could that be really it? Someone who knew you had money kidnapped her for the ransom?"
"It looks like it at least. Doc, if they are wanting money they won't hurt her, not if we cooperate. I don't care about the money. Hell, I'd come up with twice that much money if it meant getting Belle back safe and sound. I'm going to call Abraham and Roman and tell them about the ransom demand. I'll be right back."
Marlena nodded. She continued to sit there clutching the picture that was for the moment her only connection to her youngest daughter. Shawn approached her. Oblivious to the pain, he knelt beside her. Stray tears traced his cheeks. Marlena smiled sadly at him and pushed the hair from his eyes. "Oh, Shawn, quit blaming yourself. There was nothing else you could have done. If you had tried anything more they might have killed you. Belle wouldn't have wanted that. She'll be fine. You'll see. Soon this will be just a horrible nightmare."
***
"You will give her this." Rolf handed Bart a syringe of clear liquid. Bart looked at it skeptically.
"What is it?"
"Something that will ensure that Miss Black doesn't trust any of her memories of this whole experience."
Bart frowned. "In that case why don't you give it to her? She seems like a sweet kid. I don't want to hurt her."
Rolf frowned. "Would you rather that we permanently silenced her? That is the alternative. If she recognizes my voice before she is given the drug, it may make what she saw in that nursery more relative and hard to forget. I promise you that the drug will not cause young Belle any permanent damage. Now go in there and give it to her."
Knowing he had no choice, Bart put his ski mask back on and went to the door.
Belle actually had to wake herself up when the door opened. She shook her head, trying to get rid of the cobwebs in her mind. She had to be ready for whatever happened. She had no concept of how much time had passed since she'd been kidnapped; it could have been hours or days. Her whole body was stiff from being tied up. She was hungry and thirsty.
Her captor knelt in front of her. She still couldn't see his face but she'd be more scared if she could. If they were planning on killing her they wouldn't bother keeping their faces covered. Hopefully they would release her soon. Her eyes pleaded with him to take the gag out at least. He sighed.
"If I remove the gag do you promise not to scream?"
Belle nodded. She would have crossed her fingers if she could because if it meant someone might hear her and rescue her she would scream bloody murder as soon as she could. She remained completely still as he untied the bandanna. She didn't scream right away. She knew as dry as her throat was she wouldn't get much of a squeak out.
"Water?" Even that one word was painful.
Bart took pity on the girl and held a bottle of water to her lips. Belle drank thirstily, unmindful that some of the water was spilling down her blue shirt. After she drank her full, she pulled back. Tears filled her eyes. "Why are you doing this to me? Please let me go. I won't tell anyone anything. I don't know anything to tell them. Please, I just want my mom and dad."
'Sorry little girl. Your dad is going to make me a rich man. Look, I hate this as much as you do. You seem like a nice kid and all but business is business. This will all be over in a day or so. Right now, I have to do this to you. I'm really sorry." He pulled the needle from his pocket and set it on the floor beside Belle. Using an alcohol pad, he swabbed a small section of the girl's bare upper arm.
Afraid of what might be in the needle, Belle began to scream as loud as she could. She squirmed and wiggled trying to get as much distance between her and the needle. Bart slapped his hand over her mouth with a bruising force to muffle her screams. His big hand partially covered her nose making it difficult to breathe.
"Shut up kid. What are you trying to do; get me in trouble?" He quickly replaced the gag, tying it tighter than before so that the material almost cut into the sides of her mouth. Belle was shaking all over; her screams now reduced to muffled whimpers. He picked the needle back up and uncapped it. "Hold still."
But Belle couldn't. She wiggled and moved, dodging his every attempt to inject her with the contents of the syringe. Bart was growing impatient with her. With his left hand he backhanded her across the right cheek. As the teen lay there dazed, he completed his task. He looked down at her. "I didn't want to hurt you. If you'd just done like I told you I wouldn't have had to hit you."
Belle was sobbing now as a warm flush crept over her body. Her head began to spin. Whatever he'd given her worked fast. She blinked rapidly and then her whole body stiffened. There was a rattlesnake curled up at her feet ready to strike.
***
"Bo, what's wrong?" Hope watched her husband closely. Every since he'd returned from supper, he'd seemed edgy and restless. Also she couldn't buy the fact that Shawn was too exhausted to come back to see her.
Bo turned back to her. Despite his worry about Belle, it didn't take much effort to force a smile at his beautiful wife and tiny son. "What makes you think something is wrong, Fancy Face?"
"Before Shawn left here he was so excited. He couldn't wait to get back here. Suddenly he's too tired to visit? And you, you're as jumpy as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. You keep looking at the phone like you're expecting it to ring. My imagination is working overtime thinking of the worst. Please tell me what happened."
Bo sighed and perched beside her on the bed. He hated to upset her but since she was already upset he had no choice. "Belle Black was kidnapped this afternoon. She and Shawn were on their way to the pub when two men jumped them."
Hope paled. "Poor Belle. John and Marlena must be frantic. Was it Stefano?"
Bo shook his head. "Apparently not. That was John's first thought so he went to confront DiMera. He said Stefano seemed genuinely surprised and concerned to hear that Belle was missing."
Suddenly Hope picked up on what else Bo had said. "What about Shawn? You said Shawn was with Belle. Is he okay? Is that why he isn't here?"
The baby in the bassinet let out a cry. Before answering Hope, Bo picked the baby up and placed him in Hope's arms. "Shawn is with Mom and Pop. I won't lie to you, Hope; he was beaten up. The ER doctor checked him out though and said he's okay. He's got a lot of bruises but no broken bones. To be honest I think he's more concerned about Belle than the pain."
Tears filled her eyes. She knew Bo wouldn't lie to her but she wanted to hear for herself that he was okay. "Hand me the phone, Bo."
Bo understood her need and handed her the receiver. Since her hands were full with the baby, he dialed the number to the pub. She wouldn't be able to concentrate on her new baby until she was sure that her other son was fine.
***
Belle froze when she saw the snake at her feet. She hoped that if she didn't move the snake would ignore her and go away. Just as the rattlesnake was about to strike a hand snatched the snake by the neck and slung it away.
"Hey TinkerBelle. What is going on?" To her utter shock and joy Shawn was beside her. It took her a moment to realize he was wearing a green tunic and green tights. He smiled at her and winked. "Don't tell me you don't recognize your old pal Peter Pan. I figured it was time to take you to Never Never Land."
Belle was confused. Why was Shawn acting this way? She whimpered, hoping he would remove the gag and untie her. But he made no move to do either. He cocked his head. "Remember what you said on the island after the plane crash? You said you weren't going to grow up. So, it's off to Never Never Land with you. I've got the magic fairy dust all ready for you."
She screamed his name into the gag but it was too muffled to be understood. How could he sit there playing around while she was being held hostage? Where was her father? This was a nightmare but she knew she had to be awake; she hadn't had time to go back to sleep. Shawn shrugged.
"Okay, I guess you're a little tied up right now. I'll leave the dust with you and you can follow me when you get freed up. Just remember to use the dust and think happy thoughts. You do remember the way to Never Never Land don't you? Second star to the right and straight on til morning. See you in a little while."
As quickly as Shawn had arrived he was gone. Curling up in as much of a ball as she could, Belle closed her eyes and allowed her sobs to overwhelm her. Please, Dear Lord, let my dad find me soon. I can't take much more of this.
***
"Shawn, are you okay?" Chloe tentatively sat at the same table with Shawn. She had never seen him look so scared.
"Why does everyone keep asking me that? I'm fine. Belle's the one everyone should be worried about." His tone was sharp. So sharp that Chloe flinched and almost left the table. Shawn took a deep breath. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped. I'm glad you are here. Belle will be too when she's rescued and I tell her. I'll be okay. I just wish I could do something. I wish I was the one that had been kidnapped instead of Belle."
Chloe frowned. "So you would rather it have been Belle that had been beat up? Shawn, according to the picture that her father received she hasn't been hurt. I know she's probably really scared right now but at least they won't hurt her until they get their money. By that time, the police and Mr. Black will have figured out where to find her."
Shawn nodded. "I guess you have a point. I just feel so helpless. I can't just sit here and do nothing. I'm going to go find that delivery boy and see what he can tell me about the person who sent that letter."
"Didn't the police already question him?"
"Yeah, but he was scared. Maybe he'll talk to me and tell me something that he didn't tell them. He didn't look that much older than I am. If anyone asks, tell them I went up to my room to rest."
Chloe shook her head. "I'm going with you."
Nobody noticed the two teens sneak away from the pub.
***
Several warehouses away, Bart watched the monitor Rolf had set up to observe Belle. Rolf had insisted that it wasn't safe for them to stay in the same building in case someone happened to come by. This way they could still watch over her without the risk of capture. The teen was still curled up in a ball. He felt sorry for her. If she had just stayed out of that nursery for a couple of minutes more this wouldn't be happening. He turned to Rolf. "What was that stuff you had me give her?"
Rolf smiled. "A very powerful hallucinogenic. She'll be seeing things for another couple of hours yet. By the time I'm through with her, she won't trust any of her memories."
Bart noticed on the monitor suddenly that Belle had uncurled. She was looking to the space next to her like someone was in there with her. He wondered what sort of hallucination she was having right then.
***
"Hey TinkerBelle, I see you are still all tied up."
Belle opened her eyes and uncurled. Shawn was back, still dressed in his Peter Pan tunic and tights. He smiled at her with that same cocky grin that she'd grown to love. Belle cried even harder. What was happening to her? This couldn't really be Shawn. He'd never leave her just tied up like this.
Shawn shrugged. "Well, I'm sorry, TinkerBelle. You've lost your chance to go to Never Never Land. I found someone else to go with me. I hope you understand. It's nothing personal but I can't wait for forever."
Suddenly Chloe was three with him. Only she didn't look anything like the Chloe Belle knew so well. Instead of her trademark black shapeless clothes and glasses, Chloe was wearing a beautiful red chiffon ball gown with a slightly revealing neckline. Her long curly black hair was pulled back in a sophisticated sweep. The girl was breathtakingly beautiful. Even in her bewilderment Belle couldn't help but think the ones that made such an art form of tormenting Chloe should see her this way.
"TinkerBelle, meet Wendy. I'm taking her with me to Never Never Land. You should hear her sing. All the boys are going to love her. Well, we've got to fly now. So long TinkerBelle."
No! She screamed in her head. "Don't leave me here. Please take me with you. Shawn, Chloe…"
Chloe smiled. "Silly, girl, who is Shawn and Chloe? He's Peter Pan and I'm Wendy. Come on, Peter, sprinkle that magic dust. I've got my happy thoughts all ready."
Shawn laughed and tossed a handful of dust on Chloe. "Okay Wendy, here you go." He turned to Bellea nd threw a handful on her as well. "There, TinkerBelle. Now you are ready to follow us if you ever get untied. Goodbye."
As suddenly as they appeared they were gone, so quickly that Belle wondered if they had ever really been there. She sniffled. She'd been crying so hard that her nose had started to run. With her hands tied she'd had no way of wiping it. Pretty soon it would be hard for her to breathe. She wished her captor would come back. Even if he had hit at least she knew he was a real person. She was starting to believe that whatever he'd given her in that shot had driven her crazy already.
"Belle."
The frightened teen looked around the room. There was no one in the room with her. Where had the voice come from? She must be losing her mind. The voice sounded almost familiar but she couldn't place where. Nobody she knew had that sort of an accent or that patronizing a tone.
"Really Belle, you should have taken care to dress a little more appropriately." Belle glanced down at her shorts and blue shirt. Her outfit was fine for the already hot climate Salem was currently having. She looked around again. "You are going to get hypothermia dressed like that as cold as it is." Now that he said it, Belle realized she was cold. She began to shiver. She curled back up in a ball to try to maintain her body heat. How had it gotten so cold all of a sudden?
"And the spiders, I've never seen so many spiders. They're crawling all over you."
Belle's heart began to pound as she felt the creatures crawling up her legs and arms. She could see literally thousands of small black spiders crawling all over the room, including her body. With her arms bound she had no way of knocking them off. She squirmed and wiggled again hoping they would fall off. Her body continued to shake.
***
In the other warehouse, Rolf grinned. It never ceased to amaze him what the power of suggestion could do to someone on this drug. He looked at Bart. "Would you like to try something?"
Bart shook his head. "No, why can't you leave her alone. Isn't she going through enough as it is?"
Rolf shook his head. "Getting a conscience late in the game aren't we? No, you see this way, she will associate my voice with her hallucinations. Now she'll never connect it to what she saw or heard in the nursery. This is too good. I'll have you give her another injection in a couple of hours. Tomorrow afternoon we can safely set up an exchange with John Black. I'm sure he is willing by now to do anything to get his precious little girl back."
***
Chloe sighed. "That was a bust. He didn't know anything more than what he told the police."
Shawn nodded. "I was so sure this would get us somewhere. I hate this."
"So what do we do now? Go back to the pub and wait? I bet your grandparents are worried about you by now." Chloe touched his arm. She never realized before just how much Shawn apparently cared for Belle. She wondered if he even realized it.
"You go back if you want. I can't just go back there and sit and do nothing."
Chloe shook her head. "No, if you are staying then so will I. What about the picture, did you get a good look at it?"
"Yeah, Belle was in a dark damp room. It looked kind of like one of those buildings down beyond the dock. The police are checking them out now."
"Is that the only place it could have been? Maybe we're all overlooking something."
Shawn suddenly looked up, smiled and hugged her tightly almost whirling her around. He put her down as his bruised ribs protested. "You are a genius Chloe. There are a couple of old abandoned warehouses on the other side of town that look like that. She could be in one of them. I'm going to check them out. You go back to the pub and tell my grandparents what we came up with."
Chloe caught his arm. "I'm going with you. It's too dangerous for you to go alone. Come on let's go."
Time was too precious to waste by arguing with her. Shawn nodded. As they started toward the warehouses he said a little prayer that Belle would be there and unharmed. Hang on, Belle, we're on our way.
STAY TUNED FOR PART THREE: RESCUE AND RECOVERY.