Jeff sat on his lounge floor, this was one job he never thought he'd have
to face. Scattered around him were pictures, photographs of his family. The
police had asked for recent photographs of his two youngest, now surrounded
by pictures of his missing boys, Jeff's resolve began to crumble. This was
not supposed to be happening, god had already taken Lucy from him when Alan
and Gordon were just 6 and 5 and now he was taking them from him too. Jeff
ran a shaking hand through his peppered hair, he felt like he'd turned grey
in just the last 45 minutes.
He paused and took a sharp breath as his hand came to rest upon a picture of Alan and Gordon. It had been taken at Gordon's swimming meet final, last year, his most easy-going son had easily qualified first for the under 18 team. In the photograph Gordon was laughing at Alan, who had taken his medal and put it on himself. Arms around each others shoulders, they looked happy and young, just so young. Just babies, Jeff thought to himself, that's all they are.
But to Jeff even his eldest Scott was still a child in his eyes, although Scott had always seemed more mature than his years. After the death of his mother he had had to grow up quickly. And while he acted mature Jeff saw the hidden vulnerability in his eyes, espescially where his brothers were concerned. He had the same protectiveness that Jeff had, the same fierce desire to defend and care for his younger brothers. Espescially the youngest two, who had been raised by Scott just as much as Jeff. Jeff could see how much this situation was killing his eldest, however much he tried to hide it. Virgil wore his heart on his sleeve, John......well Jeff worried about John a lot.....he felt things very deeply and to be honest Jeff was unsure how John was going to deal with this. He'd seen as everyone else had, John's little outburst and he only hoped that Scott, who had a way with John, could get through to his middle child. If a problem arose, Gordon tended to be more like Virgil ,thoughtful, usually following his heart not his head, but painfully optimistic, Alan too, went by instinct. Jeff only hoped that his youngest were using their heads as well as their hearts to get themselves out of whatever situation they were now facing.
Staring hard at the photograph in his hands, Jeff didn't hear Virgil approach him and sit down next to him on the floor. It was only when he took the photo gently from Jeff's hands that he looked up.
Virgil stared at the picture, the sorrowful look that crossed his face, had Jeff turning away.
'Let me help Dad.'
Jeff turned back slowly.
'I need to do something, let me help.'
'Ok Virgil.' Jeff answered softly
And the two began rummaging through the photographs, together.
**************************************************************************** *******************************************
Gordon did not appreciate having his mouth taped up.
However his optimistic side shone through and he figured it could be worse, they could be dead. Leaning his head back to rest against his brothers', he watched Fallon and Matchstick talking quietly, they hadn't spoken to them for a good 15 minutes now and Gordon wondered what they were up to.
He looked through the window and could see that it was getting dark rapidly outside, he figured it must be about 7 o'clock now and with the torrential rain, the sky was an ominous black. What are they planning on doing with us? He thought to himself, why haven't they contacted dad yet? Gordon knew and he could tell that Alan did, that if they were to be let go alive they wouldn't have been allowed to see Fallon or Matchstick's face. This was a worry, the way Gordon thought this would go down was that they'd demand ransom off his father and then kill them anyway. He would not let that happen!
He went over what he'd seen outside, a cluster of pine trees near the cabin, some wooden steps and vast mountains, with plenty of trees wher they could hide. Turning slightly in his seat he made sure he could see their captors infront of him, all they had to do was find a way to get out of these ropes, 'hmmm' he thought to himself 'easier thought than done'. He decided that their best bet was definately to try and get out of the ropes when Fallon and Matchstick had left the room, 'hmmmpphh' he snorted to himself, 'what kind of a name was matchstick anyway?'
Saying the only silent prayer of thanks he'd ever say for his three older brothers' bullying when he and Alan were little, he tapped his brother on the back,three times, then two, then three again. An unfortunate reprecussion for having three older brothers who were less than happy at their pranks, had resulted in Gordon and Alan being tied up at a very young age. Being clever kids they'd developed a code system for when the situation occured, which it did suprisingly frequently. One tap, then two taps then three meant that one of them had got free, two taps then one then three meant to attack now, and three times then two then three meant that they should try and escape. Gordon only hoped Alan hadn't forgotton their system, he had after all been just 13 the last time they'd been tied up by their brothers for hotwiring Scott's porsche.
Gordon also knew that telling Alan they should try and escape was all well and good, but finding a way to do it was totally different. He was pinning all his hopes on the fact that Alan had his pen-knife with him, a gift from John for his last birthday which had resulted in Scott giving John a telling off and his father confiscating the knife as a weapon, until Alan had found it that is. Gordon was the only one who knew that Alan had found it and they had conspired mischeviously to keep the fact from their father and brothers. Gordon only hoped that Alan had it on him.
**************************************************************************** ******
Alan felt the taps to his back, three then two then three, he wants us to try and escape he thought to himself. Despite the situation, he couldn't help smiling, he remembered the day they had come up with their secret code, they had filled Virgil's hair gel tub with toothpaste, Virgil who had been 14 at the time and off on a date, had been furious. 11 year old Gordon and 10 year old Alan had found themselves tied together for two hours until the more merciful Scott had taken pity on them, but in those two hours they had invented the code and it had been a lot easier to escape after that.
Uunfortunately though, the loose knots of Virgil and John's dressing gown belts were a lot easier to escape from than these ropes. Alan's mind immeadiately leapt to his penknife in his jacket pocket. As soon as they were alone he'd find a way to get it, and then they'd be out of here.
**************************************************************************** ******
John fidgeted in the passenger seat of Scott's porsche as they broke speeding laws to get to where their brothers had last been seen.
'I still don't see why we couldn't take my car.' he moaned to his older brother.
'because John, mine's faster and you know it!'
John settled back again in silence, Scott was right, John's beetle could not live up to his brother's porsche. Then again, John wasn't getting the money that Scott was, the air force paid well. The only car that could compete with Scotts was his fathers and even in the deadly situation they were in, John didn't want to face Jeff's wrath when he found out his thunderbird was missing, so they'd taken Scotts car.
'Dad's going to be really mad at us, for going off like this!' Scott offered with a shudder.
'I know, but there are more important things at stake than dad's temper right now.'
'Do you really think we'll find anything?'
'I don't know Scott, but I've got to do something!'
Scott nodded and turned back to the road, 'where now?'
John looked at the directions in his hands, 'left here and then it should be on your right.'
Scott turned left and then both brothers peered to the right. In front of them, they could make out the police investigation area, it was cordoned off with orange tape.
'Pull in behind it' John said
Scott did and then turned off the engine with a low whistle, 'there's nothing here'
John turned to his brother with a frown, 'it was over an hour ago, they've moved the bus and already checked over the area.'
Scott shook his head, 'so if they've already checked the area then just what are you hoping to find?'
'I don't know' John muttered angrily, 'something they might have missed!'
Scott sighed, 'come on then' he said stepping form the car and waiting for his brother to do the same.
John shut his door and Scott walked to the boot and retrieved two torches before setting the alarm. Together they walked slowly up to the tape and ducked underneath it.
'I don't like this' Scott grumbled, 'this has got to be illegal'.
'Yeah and kidnapping isn't?' John retorted, 'we're doing this for Alan and Gordon'.
'For Gordo and Al' Scott whispered switching on his torch and walking along the roadside.
John did the same.
For over 10 minutes they walked, the rain soaking them through the biting wind ripping through their hair. John still in his football jersey under his thin jacket, shivered, there was just nothing there.
'John........' Scott called to his brother, John ignored him, he knew what was coming, '...john.....come on there's nothing here!'
John ducked under the tape at the end of the investigated area. He didn't want to admit defeat, but Scott was right, there was nothing there.
'Fine I'm just going for a piss!' he shouted back to his brother.
Scott was unhappy with John wandering into the woods on his own, 'i'll come!' he shouted back, unable to curb his protective instincts.
John looked at Scott incredulously, 'for christ's sake Scott, can I not have a little privacy!'
Scott looked annoyed, 'fine but 2 minutes and if you're not back i'm coming to get you!' He turned on his heel and walked back to his car.
John shook his head in amusement and walked into the woods. He was little more than a few metres from the road when he stumbled on an object on the ground. Curious he bent down to retrieve it. He gasped in suprise when he realised what he was holding was Alan's phone.
Forgetting why he went into the woods John quickly ran back to the car. Scott seeing his brother's sprint flung open the door and stared at him, worry all over his face.
'Are you ok?'
'Yeah I'm fine, but look what I found!'
Scott gingerly took the phone from his brother, 'Alan's phone' he murmered in shock. The phone was wet and dirty but it clearly showed 23 missed calls on the front.
'You know what this means don't you?' John asked excited.
Scott frowned in confusion, 'Alan hasn't got his phone with him?'
John shook his head, smiling, 'I didn't find another phone,' he continued seeing Scott's eyes widen in understanding , 'it means that Gordon's got his!'
**************************************************************************** ******
Virgil was angry, he had searched all over for his brothers but it appeared that neither Scott nor John were in the house, what was worse was that one of the officers had told Virgil he'd seen a red sports car leave. Virgil shook his head in annoyance, he thought that Scott was going to talk some sense into John, but no it seemed he had only made things worse. A nagging voice inside him wondered why they hadn't come and got him, he hated to be left out espescially from something as important as this.
He pulled out his own phone and rang his brother. John answered straight away.
'Virgil?' his voice asked urgently, he thought there was some kind of news.
'WHERE ARE YOU?' Virgil hissed into the phone, trying not to draw his father's attention as he left the lounge.
'Listen Virg we had to...........'
'I don't care what you 'had to do' J,' Virgil said dangerously, 'you'd both better get your asses back here before dad finds out you're gone.'
'We will'
'Put Scott on' Virgil waited until he heard his elder brothers rather contrite voice,
'Virg...'
'I trusted you to talk some sense into him Scott, not make me worry about the two of you as well.'
'Listen Virg, I couldn't let John go off on his own.'
'So you decided to go off with him?' Virgil asked incredulously.
'He was right though Virg, listen........'
'Oh never mind Scott, you can explain everything when you get back here.'
'I'm heading back now.'
'Fine!' Virgil snapped hanging up on his brother before he allowed himself a sigh of relief. Scott and John were ok at least, he didn't need to worry about all four of his brothers.
**************************************************************************** ******
Half an hour later Fallon lay on the settee infront of Alan and Gordon, he shut his eyes and smiled,
'I suggest you get some sleep boys' he said evily, 'tomorrow's going to be one hell of a day!'
Matchstick sat in the armchair and shut his own eyes.
Gordon inwardly groaned, that meant they weren't going to leave the room till at least tomorrow, that made escaping a hell of a lot harder. He coughed loudly as his phone began to vibrate, it had been doing that a lot in the last 5 minutes. Just keep looking for us guys, Gordon willed his brothers silently, just keep looking.
**************************************************************************** *****
SO
WILL ALAN'S PHONE HELP WITH THE INVESTIGATION?
WILL THE TRACYS RECIEVE A RANSOM DEMAND?
WILL GORDON MANAGE TO SPEAK TO HIS BROTHERS?
FIND OUT IN THE NEXT CHAPTER OF 'NEXT STOP: DANGER'
Charl gives Cgruber a hug back and tells her that they can share Gordon.
XXX
He paused and took a sharp breath as his hand came to rest upon a picture of Alan and Gordon. It had been taken at Gordon's swimming meet final, last year, his most easy-going son had easily qualified first for the under 18 team. In the photograph Gordon was laughing at Alan, who had taken his medal and put it on himself. Arms around each others shoulders, they looked happy and young, just so young. Just babies, Jeff thought to himself, that's all they are.
But to Jeff even his eldest Scott was still a child in his eyes, although Scott had always seemed more mature than his years. After the death of his mother he had had to grow up quickly. And while he acted mature Jeff saw the hidden vulnerability in his eyes, espescially where his brothers were concerned. He had the same protectiveness that Jeff had, the same fierce desire to defend and care for his younger brothers. Espescially the youngest two, who had been raised by Scott just as much as Jeff. Jeff could see how much this situation was killing his eldest, however much he tried to hide it. Virgil wore his heart on his sleeve, John......well Jeff worried about John a lot.....he felt things very deeply and to be honest Jeff was unsure how John was going to deal with this. He'd seen as everyone else had, John's little outburst and he only hoped that Scott, who had a way with John, could get through to his middle child. If a problem arose, Gordon tended to be more like Virgil ,thoughtful, usually following his heart not his head, but painfully optimistic, Alan too, went by instinct. Jeff only hoped that his youngest were using their heads as well as their hearts to get themselves out of whatever situation they were now facing.
Staring hard at the photograph in his hands, Jeff didn't hear Virgil approach him and sit down next to him on the floor. It was only when he took the photo gently from Jeff's hands that he looked up.
Virgil stared at the picture, the sorrowful look that crossed his face, had Jeff turning away.
'Let me help Dad.'
Jeff turned back slowly.
'I need to do something, let me help.'
'Ok Virgil.' Jeff answered softly
And the two began rummaging through the photographs, together.
**************************************************************************** *******************************************
Gordon did not appreciate having his mouth taped up.
However his optimistic side shone through and he figured it could be worse, they could be dead. Leaning his head back to rest against his brothers', he watched Fallon and Matchstick talking quietly, they hadn't spoken to them for a good 15 minutes now and Gordon wondered what they were up to.
He looked through the window and could see that it was getting dark rapidly outside, he figured it must be about 7 o'clock now and with the torrential rain, the sky was an ominous black. What are they planning on doing with us? He thought to himself, why haven't they contacted dad yet? Gordon knew and he could tell that Alan did, that if they were to be let go alive they wouldn't have been allowed to see Fallon or Matchstick's face. This was a worry, the way Gordon thought this would go down was that they'd demand ransom off his father and then kill them anyway. He would not let that happen!
He went over what he'd seen outside, a cluster of pine trees near the cabin, some wooden steps and vast mountains, with plenty of trees wher they could hide. Turning slightly in his seat he made sure he could see their captors infront of him, all they had to do was find a way to get out of these ropes, 'hmmm' he thought to himself 'easier thought than done'. He decided that their best bet was definately to try and get out of the ropes when Fallon and Matchstick had left the room, 'hmmmpphh' he snorted to himself, 'what kind of a name was matchstick anyway?'
Saying the only silent prayer of thanks he'd ever say for his three older brothers' bullying when he and Alan were little, he tapped his brother on the back,three times, then two, then three again. An unfortunate reprecussion for having three older brothers who were less than happy at their pranks, had resulted in Gordon and Alan being tied up at a very young age. Being clever kids they'd developed a code system for when the situation occured, which it did suprisingly frequently. One tap, then two taps then three meant that one of them had got free, two taps then one then three meant to attack now, and three times then two then three meant that they should try and escape. Gordon only hoped Alan hadn't forgotton their system, he had after all been just 13 the last time they'd been tied up by their brothers for hotwiring Scott's porsche.
Gordon also knew that telling Alan they should try and escape was all well and good, but finding a way to do it was totally different. He was pinning all his hopes on the fact that Alan had his pen-knife with him, a gift from John for his last birthday which had resulted in Scott giving John a telling off and his father confiscating the knife as a weapon, until Alan had found it that is. Gordon was the only one who knew that Alan had found it and they had conspired mischeviously to keep the fact from their father and brothers. Gordon only hoped that Alan had it on him.
**************************************************************************** ******
Alan felt the taps to his back, three then two then three, he wants us to try and escape he thought to himself. Despite the situation, he couldn't help smiling, he remembered the day they had come up with their secret code, they had filled Virgil's hair gel tub with toothpaste, Virgil who had been 14 at the time and off on a date, had been furious. 11 year old Gordon and 10 year old Alan had found themselves tied together for two hours until the more merciful Scott had taken pity on them, but in those two hours they had invented the code and it had been a lot easier to escape after that.
Uunfortunately though, the loose knots of Virgil and John's dressing gown belts were a lot easier to escape from than these ropes. Alan's mind immeadiately leapt to his penknife in his jacket pocket. As soon as they were alone he'd find a way to get it, and then they'd be out of here.
**************************************************************************** ******
John fidgeted in the passenger seat of Scott's porsche as they broke speeding laws to get to where their brothers had last been seen.
'I still don't see why we couldn't take my car.' he moaned to his older brother.
'because John, mine's faster and you know it!'
John settled back again in silence, Scott was right, John's beetle could not live up to his brother's porsche. Then again, John wasn't getting the money that Scott was, the air force paid well. The only car that could compete with Scotts was his fathers and even in the deadly situation they were in, John didn't want to face Jeff's wrath when he found out his thunderbird was missing, so they'd taken Scotts car.
'Dad's going to be really mad at us, for going off like this!' Scott offered with a shudder.
'I know, but there are more important things at stake than dad's temper right now.'
'Do you really think we'll find anything?'
'I don't know Scott, but I've got to do something!'
Scott nodded and turned back to the road, 'where now?'
John looked at the directions in his hands, 'left here and then it should be on your right.'
Scott turned left and then both brothers peered to the right. In front of them, they could make out the police investigation area, it was cordoned off with orange tape.
'Pull in behind it' John said
Scott did and then turned off the engine with a low whistle, 'there's nothing here'
John turned to his brother with a frown, 'it was over an hour ago, they've moved the bus and already checked over the area.'
Scott shook his head, 'so if they've already checked the area then just what are you hoping to find?'
'I don't know' John muttered angrily, 'something they might have missed!'
Scott sighed, 'come on then' he said stepping form the car and waiting for his brother to do the same.
John shut his door and Scott walked to the boot and retrieved two torches before setting the alarm. Together they walked slowly up to the tape and ducked underneath it.
'I don't like this' Scott grumbled, 'this has got to be illegal'.
'Yeah and kidnapping isn't?' John retorted, 'we're doing this for Alan and Gordon'.
'For Gordo and Al' Scott whispered switching on his torch and walking along the roadside.
John did the same.
For over 10 minutes they walked, the rain soaking them through the biting wind ripping through their hair. John still in his football jersey under his thin jacket, shivered, there was just nothing there.
'John........' Scott called to his brother, John ignored him, he knew what was coming, '...john.....come on there's nothing here!'
John ducked under the tape at the end of the investigated area. He didn't want to admit defeat, but Scott was right, there was nothing there.
'Fine I'm just going for a piss!' he shouted back to his brother.
Scott was unhappy with John wandering into the woods on his own, 'i'll come!' he shouted back, unable to curb his protective instincts.
John looked at Scott incredulously, 'for christ's sake Scott, can I not have a little privacy!'
Scott looked annoyed, 'fine but 2 minutes and if you're not back i'm coming to get you!' He turned on his heel and walked back to his car.
John shook his head in amusement and walked into the woods. He was little more than a few metres from the road when he stumbled on an object on the ground. Curious he bent down to retrieve it. He gasped in suprise when he realised what he was holding was Alan's phone.
Forgetting why he went into the woods John quickly ran back to the car. Scott seeing his brother's sprint flung open the door and stared at him, worry all over his face.
'Are you ok?'
'Yeah I'm fine, but look what I found!'
Scott gingerly took the phone from his brother, 'Alan's phone' he murmered in shock. The phone was wet and dirty but it clearly showed 23 missed calls on the front.
'You know what this means don't you?' John asked excited.
Scott frowned in confusion, 'Alan hasn't got his phone with him?'
John shook his head, smiling, 'I didn't find another phone,' he continued seeing Scott's eyes widen in understanding , 'it means that Gordon's got his!'
**************************************************************************** ******
Virgil was angry, he had searched all over for his brothers but it appeared that neither Scott nor John were in the house, what was worse was that one of the officers had told Virgil he'd seen a red sports car leave. Virgil shook his head in annoyance, he thought that Scott was going to talk some sense into John, but no it seemed he had only made things worse. A nagging voice inside him wondered why they hadn't come and got him, he hated to be left out espescially from something as important as this.
He pulled out his own phone and rang his brother. John answered straight away.
'Virgil?' his voice asked urgently, he thought there was some kind of news.
'WHERE ARE YOU?' Virgil hissed into the phone, trying not to draw his father's attention as he left the lounge.
'Listen Virg we had to...........'
'I don't care what you 'had to do' J,' Virgil said dangerously, 'you'd both better get your asses back here before dad finds out you're gone.'
'We will'
'Put Scott on' Virgil waited until he heard his elder brothers rather contrite voice,
'Virg...'
'I trusted you to talk some sense into him Scott, not make me worry about the two of you as well.'
'Listen Virg, I couldn't let John go off on his own.'
'So you decided to go off with him?' Virgil asked incredulously.
'He was right though Virg, listen........'
'Oh never mind Scott, you can explain everything when you get back here.'
'I'm heading back now.'
'Fine!' Virgil snapped hanging up on his brother before he allowed himself a sigh of relief. Scott and John were ok at least, he didn't need to worry about all four of his brothers.
**************************************************************************** ******
Half an hour later Fallon lay on the settee infront of Alan and Gordon, he shut his eyes and smiled,
'I suggest you get some sleep boys' he said evily, 'tomorrow's going to be one hell of a day!'
Matchstick sat in the armchair and shut his own eyes.
Gordon inwardly groaned, that meant they weren't going to leave the room till at least tomorrow, that made escaping a hell of a lot harder. He coughed loudly as his phone began to vibrate, it had been doing that a lot in the last 5 minutes. Just keep looking for us guys, Gordon willed his brothers silently, just keep looking.
**************************************************************************** *****
SO
WILL ALAN'S PHONE HELP WITH THE INVESTIGATION?
WILL THE TRACYS RECIEVE A RANSOM DEMAND?
WILL GORDON MANAGE TO SPEAK TO HIS BROTHERS?
FIND OUT IN THE NEXT CHAPTER OF 'NEXT STOP: DANGER'
Charl gives Cgruber a hug back and tells her that they can share Gordon.
XXX