Don't Be A Bad Boy

Chapter Eight

8 – THE TAKING

Greg stood outside the building, puffing on a cigarette. Nick's rib jabbing comments weren't settling well within him. It wasn't like he'd set off to be picked up, all he'd wanted was some vicarious company.
He sucked up more smoke from the cigarette.
They all expected Greg to come into work dressed in zany clothes and listening to loud raucous music. Didn't they realize that he wasn't always like that? That he actually had some down days? Perhaps not. Well, this was one.
His cigarette had gone down to the butt, so he threw it down and pulled out another, his third. When he felt better able to handle the office politics, he'd venture back inside. He brought the cigarette to his lips and was just about to reach for his lighter when a flame came in front of his face. He jumped back and his head spun around to catch the one offering.
There stood Carl, smiling shyly beneath a baseball cap. He'd changed clothes, or just took his jacket off. Greg took a step back, the cigarette falling to the ground. Oh god, now they'll see him! He thought. He continued to stare as Carl smiled and bent over to get the fallen cigarette. With hands that shook but a little, he put it to his own mouth and lit it, then gave it back to Greg. His stomach turned a little bit at the thought of putting it back in his mouth, but his nerves had started jangling again and he knew the nicotine would calm them. Besides, it was just a smoke. People did that everyday, didn't they?
"Thanks," Greg said.
"N-no p-p-problem." Carl smiled.
Greg regarded Carl through squinting eyes a moment. "Tell me Carl, are you nervous, or do you always talk with a stutter?"
Something flickered in Carl's eyes but it was gone before Greg could recognize it. Instead, Carl smiled and dropped his head, hiding his face. "I-I've a-a-always s-s-s-stuttered. S-s-since I was a l-little k-k-k-kid."
"Ah."
"S-sorry."
"Hey, don't apologize. Everybody has their quirks, right?"
Carl smiled again, only this time it was brighter and reached his eyes. "Yeah."
Greg took a few puffs and felt his heart slowing to a more natural rhythm. "Listen, I'm sorry about this morning. I was just getting off work. We've had this case for the past three weeks and it's driving all of us nuts."
"Th-that's o-o-okay. Wh-what's it about?"
Greg sighed. "Can't talk about it. Open case and all that."
"Oh."
Greg threw out the butt. "I have to back now, Carl."
Carl's face dropped. "Oh."
"Maybe I'll see you around."
Carl looked up at Greg. His eyes suddenly so bright, they looked almost too happy. "Uh, c-can I show you s-something?"
"Where?"
"A-a-at my car."
Greg looked around. There barely any cars on the street and no one on the sidewalk. They were, for all intents and purposes, alone. "Where's your car?"
"A-around the c-corner."
Around the corner was dark. No street lights lit that area. Greg swallowed. "How about you show me tomorrow, Carl?"
"I-I-I'd r-r-really like to sh-show you now. Please. It'll be quick. S-something I p-picked up for you today."
"You bought something for me? Why?"
Carl looked down, and shrugged his shoulders. The man looked like a child with his spirits crushed, but he also made Greg nervous. His entire demeanour spoke of someone with something to hide, or not all quite there.
"Why don't you bring it here?" Greg suggested.
"I-I-It's too big."
"I thought you said it was little?" Greg began looking around himself in earnest.
"It is. B-but it's heavy."
"Carl. I really think this should wait until tomorrow. I have to get back to work now. Bye." Greg turned around and began climbing the steps but a hand grabbed his coat and something came around to clamp down on his mouth. He breathed in the sweet pungent scent and his body began to fight, but an arm had wrapped itself around his waist and he was hauled off his feet and toward the alleyway. He tried to scream but his sight was dimming and he could feel his body beginning to slow down. He couldn't kick as hard or punch as hard. He had one moment of joy when he heard Carl grunt painfully, but that was all. And the darkness of night overwhelmed even the brightest street lamp so that before he knew it there was nothing more.

~*~

Copyright © 2003 Anansay