Title: Resurfacing
Authoress: Ladya C. Maxine
Rating: R
Summary: see chapter one
Warnings: see chapter one
Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade or any of its characters. Any and all unrecognizable characters belong solely to me and are not to be touched. I am not making any money off of this and I write with the sole intention to entertain.
************
*~*~*~begin flashback~*~*~*
"Boris, this is my grandson Kai."
The tall, pale man looked down at the small boy who was craning his neck to meet his eyes, the boy reaching him barely at mid-thighs.
"A magnificent specimen of a child, Lord Voltaire," Boris admitted to the older man. "You must be very proud."
"That I am. Have our scientists examine him; I want the results by tomorrow evening at the latest. I am most curios at how he will score, though I predict high results."
"He has potential. That I can see. He will make an excellent blader and soldier."
"Then I leave him in your hands. I will return tomorrow morning."
"Yes, my lord," he bowed.
Meeting his grandson's questioning eyes, Voltaire tenderly caressed a smooth cheek.
"Listen to Boris and do not disobey him. Understood?"
"Yes, grandfather," Kai answered, looking back to the tall director who was studying him with much interest.
"Good boy. I will return soon."
When the dark cape vanished behind the closing door Kai turned to face his new tutor and trainer, not sure if he should say something or wait until given permission.
"I've heard much about you, young Kai," Boris said instead, starting to circle the boy, studying him fully. "Your IQ is impressive for one your age and unless the charts lie you have the speed and strength to participate in our training program."
"Yes, sir," he said, not knowing what else to say.
"There's no need for formalities, Kai. Call me Boris."
"Yes, si--Boris."
"Now then, let us begin for we have much to do."
Taking a small hand in his, he led the boy towards the dark stairwell that spiralled downwards, into the Abbey basement.
Remembering his grandfather's words, Kai obeyed though the situation made him feel insecure. Also not improving his nervousness was the sinister grin on Boris face, grey eyes gleaming as he led the small boy into the darkness.
*~*~*~end flashback~*~*~*
Kai looked up from where Dranzer was spinning on the office's rug.
He had been in deep, troubled thoughts the entire time but the sudden chill that swept through the building caused his muscles to tremble in hopes to generate some heat.
Something was out there and he had a sinking feeling that he knew what it was. He could see the glow of a blue move before the small space between floor and door and heard an ever so soft growl that he would have recognized amongst a thousand growls.
Throwing all of Mr Dickenson warnings in the wind, he grabbed Dranzer and ran to the door and flung it open. It slammed loudly against the wall behind it, echoing down the hall....which was empty.
A movement out of the corner of his eye brought his attention and he turned to see the blue glow disappear around the bend at the end of the long corridor. Again a low rumble of a wolf's growl reached his ears and he followed.
Looking down the new gallery he saw the tip of a bushy, blue tail get swallowed by the shadows of a dark staircase that led downwards. The cerulean hue faded as the creature descended.
'Tala's down there.....'
Looking back behind him to where he should be staying he took a deep breath and started down the stairs, taking two steps at a time before the growl could get out of hearing range.
**********
"10 minutes, Mr, Dickenson," a tall brunette informed him from where he had been talking with Judy, Bruce and Mr Granger.
"Thank you, Ann." He turned to his companions. " The trophy will change hands within 10 minutes."
"Better herd up the homies then." Mr Granger adjusted his tie as he stood.
"I'll go get Kai."
"Why did he leave anyway?" Judy inquired as she too stood up. She had been several feet away from the rest when Boris had brushed pass her, not even giving her a second glance. When she had finally reached them Kai was being led away by Tyson's father.
"He just needed some space for himself," Bruce said quickly. He didn't like lying but Kai's situation was very personal and as Mr Dickenson had said it would destroy the fragile trust between them and the boy if they went about telling everyone.
Without another word he turned and quickly headed for the stairs.
Mr Dickenson took a step forward to get his team ready but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. He turned to find Judy standing there. Bright blue eyes held a light that warned him not to keep her in the dark.
"Stanley, something is very wrong here. What is going on? Is it Kai?"
"No, dear. All will be fine." He patted her hand and started off again when she spoke up in a voice only he could hear.
"I saw the bruises."
He blinked as the words registered but her eyes showed no deception. Taking her by the elbow gently he led her further away from the youngsters who were getting 'professional' advise from Mr Granger. Reaching the staircase that Bruce had just taken he finally spoke.
"When did you see them?"
The blond sighed and leaned against the wall, crossing her arms before her. Her eyes were downcast as she recalled her own shocking discovery.
"It was after Ray's battle with Bryan. I came down to the locker room wanting to see if I could do anything to help. No one seemed to be there but then Kai rounded the lockers. I started calling out to him but..." She closed her eyes and shuddered. "His chest was bruised badly and there was a healing slash on his stomach. I was shocked but even more so when it became clear that he didn't even see me. He walked right past where I was standing between the lockers but never looked up! I don't know Kai as well as the others but I know him the type that always senses when someone is there."
Blue eyes opened and turned to him.
"Who did that to him? Was it Boris?"
He sighed and removing his glasses he rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"I'm afraid so."
"He also forced himself onto Kai, didn't he?"
The accurate question almost made him drop his cane and he stared at the scientist in shock.
"How..."
"Kai wasn't wearing his belt so his jeans were riding low. I saw the bruises on his hips. And also I know that Boris had once been to court on accusation of raping and killing a child."
"Where did you find that?" His people had been on Boris' case for years now yet this had never been told to him.
"It was accidental. I was in the library trying to find some information on the Demolition Boys' history. All bladers' files are kept under lock and key so my search came up short but then while going through old newspaper articles I found one that spoke of a boy's body having been found in an alley. He had been raped and beaten to death. Teeth marks found on his shoulder matched the dental work of a person the papers had initialled B.B."
"Boris Balcov," he gasped.
She nodded and unconsciously allowed her eyes to wander over to check on Max who was happily joking along with Tyson.
"They could not convict him since any other evidence had been tampered with. No doubt Voltaire's work. The whole thing was hushed up though I can't understand how that man was still given command of an abbey filled with young boys. So, did he do that to Kai?"
She was burning up inside with natural protectiveness. No one, be it family or stranger, was ever allowed to touch a child, especially not in that manner. The manager's next words almost knocked her off her feet.
"Yes. It was Boris. And Voltaire as well."
Her mouth fell open. Looking over to where Tyson and his own grandfather were competing for camera attention, striking poses and laughing as they tried to out do each other, she could not find it in her to ever see Voltaire as human. How far would one go to have all power?
They were interrupted by heavy footsteps that were quickly making their way back down the stairs and soon Bruce appeared, eyes wide and breathing laboured.
"He's not there!"
"What?!" He gripped his cane to the point of almost breaking it.
"He's gone. The office is empty." Bruce found his breath but the tightness in his chest didn't go away. Concern was gripping at his heart.
"Were there any signs of a struggle?"
"Not a struggle but something really...bizarre. The walls on both side of the hallway have several gashes in them, like someone had taken a large knife and slash it here and there. The damage is at an even height of some six feet above the floor. I also found this in the hall outside of the office I had left Kai in." He held out something in his palm that still glowed a faint blue.
"Glass?" Mr Dickenson asked as he studied the object but Judy took it and held it up.
"Crystal," she corrected, "though I have never seen any stone being able to glow like this without the need of light reflection. This is coming from within. Strange." Somewhere in the back of her mind she recognized it but could fit it in anywhere.
"Whatever it is it has something to do with Kai's disappearance. I must alert the agents--"
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 45th annual Beyblade Championship Ceremony. I'm D.J. Jazzman and I will be your host for this evening."
"Go, Jazzman!!" Tyson shouted from where the team stood on the stage. Max covered his mouth, allowing Jazzman to continue. Ray however kept on looking around. So were many people in the audience who had also noticed the absence of the team captain.
"...And here to speak for the Bladebreakers is their manager, head chair man of the BBA, Mr Stanley K. Dickenson!"
"What are we going to do?" Judy asked worriedly as the crowd turned towards them, awaiting the old man to climb the stage. He pressed his cell phone into her hand.
"Call the number you'll find in here. I have our agents on alert. Tell them what has transpired and they will do the rest. Bruce, try and see if you can find anything else that will lead us to Kai and keep in touch with Judy until the ceremony is over."
"Will do." He watched the older man put on his friendly face as he made his way to the stage, shaking hands and smiling as best he could.
"Judy, tell my father. It will be better if he knows also. That way he can keep an eye on the others. Just make sure that Tyson and his friends don't find out. The moment the ceremony is over have them get back onto the busses immediately and send them back to the hotel. We don't know what we are dealing with but Boris will do anything to save his skin."
"Got it. Be careful," she said as he turned and climbed back up the stairs.
Opening the cell phone she found the number and speed-dialled.
"Yes, this is Judy Tate speaking. We have a situation..."
*************
Reaching the bottom step, Kai looked around the area. He was in the old garage by the looks of it. He had never been there before but Kenny, as always, had told them everything there was to know about the arena and its sections. This place hadn't been used in years ever since a newer garage had been built above ground level.
'This place gives me the creeps.'
He walked around a large puddle that had formed beneath a leaking water pipe that ran along the ceiling. He left a trail of footprints in the dust caked floor as he studied the surroundings.
The air was stale and dust floated about. New dust arose from the ground with each step he took. As he passed he made sure not to touch the walls which were covered with grime. Everything about the place was brooding and brought back vivid memories of the abbey's dungeons.
Searching he could not find the light he had been following. Something was very wrong here and he shouldn't have left the office.
"I have to get out of here. Mr Dickenson will get worried."
Just as he thought this two thick arms came from behind him and wrapped themselves around his torso, purposefully squeezing his injuries. He cried out in surprise and pain and tried to throw them off but the person was stronger and his hold was like steel. Hot breath swept his ear as his attacker whispered into it.
"It's been a while since I've held you like this, hasn't it, Kai?"
All struggles came to a halt and he stiffened almost to the point of breaking his spine.
He had expected a hired hit-man.
He had expected Boris.
He had never expected...
"Grandfather?" he asked thought there was no mistaking the voice. The hot breath on his neck made him shiver, his spine feeling like ice.
"I've missed you back home, grandson. How many nights I laid there thinking of you."
"Let me go." He squirmed, hoping to wriggle his way out but it only hurt his bruises even more.
"I don't have to." Voltaire ran a hand down his grandson's painted cheek. "No one is here to stop me. Don't you want to spend some quality time together?"
Shying away from the touch he kept his eyes averted at all times. He didn't want the old man to see that he was afraid.
"What have you done with Tala? Where is my friend?"
"Friend?" Voltaire barked incredulously, "You certainly know how to choose your friends, grandson. With friends like him you need no enemy."
He started to lead the unwilling boy further into the more secluded part of the garage: a badly lit hallway that led to the locker rooms.
"What are you saying?"
He resisted as best he could but he knew he could never hope to overpower his grandfather. His own physical strength was no where near that of Voltaire. But it was his mentality that weighted him down more; how could he fight against a man who had always been able to dominate him for so many years?
"Did you not follow something down here? A blue wolf, perhaps?" Voltaire smirked as he pulled the slender body closer. God, he had yearned to feel the heavenly boy against him once more for so long. "Your pretty friend has very strange ways of proven how much he values this precious friendship you speak of."
Kai gasped.
"You're lying! Tala would never do that!"
"Oh he wouldn't, would he? Then how do you explain this?"
He swung open a door and Kai's struggle stopped once more. Not from fear, but disbelief.
Tala stood from where he had been sitting on the bench. His eyes locked with the crimson pair of the boy that Voltaire held with fierce possessiveness. For that one moment all his injuries and inner fear seemed irrelevant to the pain of betrayal in Kai's eyes.
The bluenette shook his head.
"...No...No!! You tricked him! He would never do this on his own free will!"
"He had a choice and you came up on the short end. Isn't that right, Tala?" He ran his fingers through Kai's soft, blue hair almost lovingly as he placed a soft kiss on the pale skin right behind and below an ear.
Kai jerked his head away, his eyes never leaving Tala.
"He's lying, isn't he? Tell me he's lying, Tala!"
His confidence dampened when Tala faltered to answer. Why couldn't he even looking him in the eyes?
"Tala....tell him..." he almost begged.
He didn't want to believe that his friend would do this to him. Not after all the years they had spend looking out for one another. Tala would never hurt him or place him in harm's way and vice versa....right?
"Did you do this, Tala? Did you sell me out?"
"I'm sorry, Kai. I...I had no choice."
Tala's voice was thick with tears.
The confession hit him hard. It felt like someone had promptly dumped a bucket load of ice cold water over him for now his whole body felt numb as did his mind. His heart was the only thing he could feel and it pained him. Badly. Nothing Voltaire had ever done to him before had ever hurt this much. This was the first time in his life that words had ever hurt him.
"The world is so full of betrayal," Voltaire smirked. "It looks like you have no one to turn to now, Kai. Your so-called best friend is nothing but a traitor."
"It's not like that!" Tala's eyes shimmered with emotions. "They set me up! You have to believe me, Kai! I would rather die than let anyone touch you! But they made me choose between you and my team!"
"What type of person would choose anyone over his best friend?" Voltaire challenged though his attention was more on removing the white scarf around Kai's neck.
"Kai, please--"
"Enough talk! I have a plane to catch...though I do think that I have enough time to reacquaint myself with my grandson." He appraisingly ran his eyes over Kai.
With a speed that caught both teens by surprise he shoved Kai forward onto the floor and followed him down. He produced a piece of cloth from somewhere in his coat and a strong smell of ether invaded the room. Grabbing Kai's wrists, he smothered the boy's mouth and nose with the cloth. The drug took effect almost immediately as Kai's struggles grew weaker.
"Kai!"
Tala started forward, tears in his eyes. His progress was brought to a searing halt when a fist came seemingly out of nowhere and caught him in the stomach. He felt the stitches in the wounds burst and the warmth of blood started to spread over his stomach, staining the sweater and soon dripping onto the ground.
Clutching his stomach in agony he was helpless when a rough hand grabbed his hair and wrenched his head up to look into Boris' smirking face.
"Didn't your mother ever tell you not to interfere in other people's affairs?" With a laugh he grabbed an upper arm and started to drag the boy away from where Voltaire was busy unbuckling Kai's belt. "We should leave them alone. They probably want their privacy."
Tala tried to get to Kai but with each move his injuries tore more and pain was starting to overcome him; it was unbearable but he would have happily lived with it if it would spare the fearful moan Kai made when Voltaire need fully pulled off his loose pants.
"Don't touch him! Take me instead!! Damn it!!" Tala shouted but Biovolt's leader was in his own world as he swept his hands over and between his grandson's legs. Kai's movements were sluggish but still his hands tried to protect himself but they were slapped away.
Boris managed to get him out the door and once in the hallway he was slammed against the opposite wall with much force. Hard lips crashed down hard on his and hands gripped his hips so hard he feared that they would damage the bone there. The director's own hips ground against his with a predator-like need.
Just when spots started to appear before his eyes from lack of air Boris pulled away. He gasped on the stale air, both in lack thereof and pain. His clothes were soaked with blood and the red substance was starting to spill from his mouth as his ribs gave way under the pressure and punctured his lungs. His breathing became raspy and gurgled as the liquid poured into his windpipe.
Boris pulled away and smiled. Lifting a hand he traced the high cheekbone before gripping the boy's face painfully.
"For eleven years I took care of you as well as simply took you. I remember every scream, every plea, every wound, and every tear that you have shed in my bed, on my desk, on the floor, against the wall. You can not do as much as even blink without me knowing. 'Tis a shame that tomorrow we must part. You will be taken away by some stranger who will ravage you every night and in between his meetings. And I will spend the remaining nights of my life alone."
"Bullshit!" Tala choked on his blood, "You'll simply grab the next kid who walks pass you."
"Either way, your future looks very bad. You don't know what this man could be like. He could be a cold, heartless bastard who will hurt you for his pleasure."
"And you're not?" His reward for that was a solid punch that made him reel and had it not been for Boris holding him he would have fallen.
"Don't make me tame that tongue of yours, boy. Since you won't be persuaded I will be blunt. Since Voltaire has gotten his hands on Kai he has changed his mind about founding my research. I now have the money and I am considering buying you back. We have been together too long to let something as petty as money pull us apart."
Had he not been in such teeth grinding pain Tala would have rolled his eyes at that but he simply moaned as another stitch suddenly snapped, painfully ripping away at his already tender flesh.
"So what do you say, Tala? Do you want to return to the Abbey?"
The pain made it hard to speak so he simply spat in the grinning face, feeling some satisfaction as the bloodied saliva hit the man in the eye.
"You little cunt!"
He backhanded him with such force that the boy's head connected with the wall behind him, knocking him out temporarily. Holding the limp body he smirked and pushed open the door nearby and carried the blader inside. It turned out to be an old storage room filled with crates that were layered with dust and cobwebs.
He placed Tala on the nearest crate, keeping the boy waist height. His breathing laboured, he searched his coat for the handcuffs he had taken off the thin wrist just an hour ago. All the while his eyes watched the body's movements as Tala slowly came to.
The metal click of handcuffs sounded loudly but he was barely even aware when his arms were roughly yanked above his head and cuffed to the pipes that ran along the wall. Something pulled at his sweater before he felt the slight graze of a knife cut through the material. His lungs struggled for air, unintentionally causing him even more pain as the muscles contracted against the broken rib, driving it deeper into his flesh.
"I gave you a choice. You've brought this upon yourself. If I can't have you, no one can!"
Bony fingers wrapped around his throat and he gasped. He was going to be strangled and abandoned in this place. With his hands cuffed above him he had no way of protecting himself.
"You were born in filth. Now die in it!"
Boris tightened his hold on the smooth neck while his other pulled at the dark pants, not worrying that each tug caused the wounds to open even more. When the pants were finally removed he smiled and with his free hand he removed the small black mask from his pockets and put it on.
Tala gasped when his legs were wrenched apart despite his efforts. The fingers around his throat tightened as the man penetrated him, cutting off all cries for help. Once again the world was going black but this time he would not wake up. Agony seared through him and he finally broke down into sobs. His back arched almost complete off the dusty crate but the handcuffs prevented him from much movement.
"All of this is your fault. I raised you to be the best blader. You brought this upon yourself," Boris grunted as he thrust into the child's body.
The satanic red eyes that peered at him from out of the mask slowly began to shift from shape and intensity until they were a soft scarlet.
Soft scarlet which would light up with joy...
Soft scarlet that would dim with sadness...
Soft scarlet that would shimmer with love...
'Kai,, I am not strong enough to survive this but you are. Please, find a way out....' He bit his lip when a deep thrust tore him even more. Forcing himself to focus he sent out all his prayers and wishes to his best friend. And his team. Where ever they were he hoped that they were alright. He wish he could tell them how proud and honoured he was to have been their captain.
Boris smiled when the breathing grew fainter and fainter and the skin paler and paler. Gripping the hips which were sticky with blood he leaned forward, wanting to be the last thing the boy saw before he finally let go of life.
"Weak. Your mother saw in you what I should have seen; a pathetic, wretched punk whose only place in life is always on the bottom."
His hold on the now badly bruised neck didn't waver but the boy's breathing did drastically.
He had long lost feeling in his hands and arms but now he felt control of his body slowly slipping away as his heart beat lessened with every second.
"I hope that the devil himself will have as much fun with you in hell as I did. When I die, make sure that you are there to greet me when I come down."
His eyes fluttered shut and he took his final breath, choking out a last word.
"...Kai..."
Boris grinned when the boy's breathing stopped all together. With a final thrust he came and pulled out of the still teen.
Leaning over the still body, he ran a finger over the delicate face, tracing the slightly blue lips and closed eyes, studying his latest victim.
"Don't feel too bad, Tala. There is simply no place on this earth for failures."
"So why are you still here?" a deep voice snarled from behind him.
He spun at the voice but a fist flew out at lightning speed and smashed squarely into his face, the impact breaking his nose and propelling him backwards to land on the dust covered floor. His head caught on the edge of a wooden crate on the way down and knocked him out.
Not even giving the unconscious man a second glance, Bruce made his way over to where the teen laid, unmoving and not breathing.
"Tala? Tala!"
He feared the worse as he pressed his fingers against the black and blue neck, praying to find even the slightest of pulse.
Nothing.
"Come on, kid. Breathe," he whispered trying to get life back in the beaten body.
When words didn't work he removed the torn shirt completely, wincing at the bruises and blood but with a firm resolve he began to rub the area of skin over the heart, a technique taught to him since his work would sometimes bring him and his team hundreds of miles away from any medical facilities. It was a crude form of CPR, which he didn't dare do out of fear of breaking the boy's no doubt fragile ribs.
"Wake up, Tala..."
After a couple of minutes he felt his heart sink when he still hadn't picked up something but then he felt a small thud against his fingertips. It was followed by another. And then another. Slowly the lungs discovered the reopened airway and started to fill themselves once more. The red-head groaned and shifted but his hands were still bound above him.
Blue eyes drowsily opened, blinking once in incoherency. They blinked again but clenched back shut when he coughed up bright red blood. The teen had serious internal injuries which worried Bruce since he couldn't tell the extent of them.
Calling upon his skills as field medic once more, he removed his tuxedo and pressed it gently but firmly against the largest wound on the quivering stomach.
Tala cried out softly as his lungs filled with more air. Watery blue eyes turned to the source of his pain. When he finally noticed the dark-haired man who was partially leaning over him, he made a small sound that was a whimper and a cry at the same time and attempted to get away, pulling his torn body to put as much distance as bearably possible between him and this new person.
Bruce feared the boy would bring more damage upon himself and talking softly he took hold of the upper arms, holding the boy still.
The action made Tala jump, whimpering and begging softly in his native language to be released.
"Tala, stay still," Bruce said calmly, keeping his words soft as to not alarm the red-head even more. "I'm not going to hurt you. I need you to stop moving around or you will injure yourself."
"Don't...touch...help..." the boy rambled, too overcome with fright, trauma and pain to speak straight.
"I'm not going to hurt you. And I am helping you. I'll take you to the hospital. I'll take you away from all this."
His words finally computed and Tala warily met his eyes.
"Take...me a-away?"
"Boris won't hurt you anymore, Tala. The police will be here soon and bring him to prison. You don't have to be afraid."
He didn't respond but he did fall still, still eyeing the man warily but understanding that he meant no harm.
Sighing in relief, Bruce returned his attention to the external wounds, checking the flat stomach where the blood had almost soaked his jacket. Picking up the discarded sweater the teen had been wearing, he gently made a make-shift bandage, wrapping it around the thin torso and securing it gently but tightly.
"Who...are you?" Tala managed to ask with much difficulty, watching his saviour, his eyes telling Bruce that he recognized him but couldn't place a finger on it.
"Bruce Granger," he said, then added "Tyson's dad," for security.
He couldn't quite remember but it eased him and he laid back, breathing heavily against the pain.
Tyson...
Bladebreakers...
...Kai!
He sat up abruptly, his arms twisting painfully as they were still retrained. His stomach muscles clenched at the action and a trail of blood trickled from beneath the cloths wrapped around the wound as it was squeezed further open. The pain made his shout out and fresh tears ran on their own accord down his cheeks.
"Easy!" Bruce said, startled himself by the sudden movement and its effect on the body.
Ignoring the man's words, he swallowed a ball of blood before saying,
"Y-You have t-to....have to...help K-Kai."
"Don't ta-- What about Kai?" He turned his full attention to the blue eyes.
Noise from outside the hall startled both as voices rang through the narrow passage, shouting out orders. Rapid footsteps were to be heard as were doors being forced open. A dog barking echoed loudly and soon a black nose poked around the doorway followed by the pointed snout of a German Shepard. A man in uniform stepped into view. Seeing the two he turned and shouted to the others. He then entered and took in the situation, his eyes falling on Boris who had yet to wake up.
"Sergeant Johan Bocadiv, BBA secret service."
"Bruce Granger."
"How is he?" Bocadiv asked while examining the handcuffs that were cruelly bruising the slender wrists. Turning he shouted out something in Russian before starting to go over the numerous injuries.
Removing the now soaked tuxedo he scowled and shot a death glare to Boris.
"We've been trying to get him for years but he always managed to cover up his tracks."
Three other agents ran in. Two of them cuffed Boris and carried off his unresisting body. The third held a small black kit from which she removed a small iron staff that was bent at the end. Giving the barely coherent teen a reassuring smile she leaned in and started to pick the lock. Not five seconds went by when the lock gave way and the cuffs sprang open. Bruce and Bocadiv caught Tala and laid him down gently on a blanket that had been spread out on the floor. Some higher power must have finally had mercy on the boy as he had slipped into unconsciousness.
"The medics will be here within a few minutes."
"Good thing. He was lucky that I was able to find him."
"How did you manage to do that? I must say that even I, who work here, had almost forgotten of this place," Bocadiv admitted as he wrapped the shivering body in a thick blanket. Thankfully the blood wasn't flowing so much but the boy had to be brought to a hospital immediately.
"I followed these." Bruce pulled out and held out a small shard of crystal from his pocket. "At first I had no idea what they were but then I realised that they came from his bit beast. That creature is so big its wings scraped the walls as it walked down the hall., breaking off these crystals and leaving a trail." He turned to Bocadiv suddenly, "He is fortunate that I found him but my real reason for being here was because I was looking for another teen. Kai Hiwatari."
"Does this belong to him?" One of the men who had brought away Boris re- entered holding a long, white cloth...spotted with blood.
"That's his scarf!" Bruce took it from him. Yes. This was positively the scarf that the phoenix never went anywhere without, mainly thanks to Boris and Voltaire. "Is he alright?"
"We don't know."
"What do you mean?!"
"We found this in an abandoned room a few doors down. It was lying on the floor alongside this." The officer placed several pieces of something in his hand.
Dranzer's blade...completely destroyed.
tbc.......
*************
Read & Review, please.
Authoress: Ladya C. Maxine
Rating: R
Summary: see chapter one
Warnings: see chapter one
Disclaimer: I do not own Beyblade or any of its characters. Any and all unrecognizable characters belong solely to me and are not to be touched. I am not making any money off of this and I write with the sole intention to entertain.
************
*~*~*~begin flashback~*~*~*
"Boris, this is my grandson Kai."
The tall, pale man looked down at the small boy who was craning his neck to meet his eyes, the boy reaching him barely at mid-thighs.
"A magnificent specimen of a child, Lord Voltaire," Boris admitted to the older man. "You must be very proud."
"That I am. Have our scientists examine him; I want the results by tomorrow evening at the latest. I am most curios at how he will score, though I predict high results."
"He has potential. That I can see. He will make an excellent blader and soldier."
"Then I leave him in your hands. I will return tomorrow morning."
"Yes, my lord," he bowed.
Meeting his grandson's questioning eyes, Voltaire tenderly caressed a smooth cheek.
"Listen to Boris and do not disobey him. Understood?"
"Yes, grandfather," Kai answered, looking back to the tall director who was studying him with much interest.
"Good boy. I will return soon."
When the dark cape vanished behind the closing door Kai turned to face his new tutor and trainer, not sure if he should say something or wait until given permission.
"I've heard much about you, young Kai," Boris said instead, starting to circle the boy, studying him fully. "Your IQ is impressive for one your age and unless the charts lie you have the speed and strength to participate in our training program."
"Yes, sir," he said, not knowing what else to say.
"There's no need for formalities, Kai. Call me Boris."
"Yes, si--Boris."
"Now then, let us begin for we have much to do."
Taking a small hand in his, he led the boy towards the dark stairwell that spiralled downwards, into the Abbey basement.
Remembering his grandfather's words, Kai obeyed though the situation made him feel insecure. Also not improving his nervousness was the sinister grin on Boris face, grey eyes gleaming as he led the small boy into the darkness.
*~*~*~end flashback~*~*~*
Kai looked up from where Dranzer was spinning on the office's rug.
He had been in deep, troubled thoughts the entire time but the sudden chill that swept through the building caused his muscles to tremble in hopes to generate some heat.
Something was out there and he had a sinking feeling that he knew what it was. He could see the glow of a blue move before the small space between floor and door and heard an ever so soft growl that he would have recognized amongst a thousand growls.
Throwing all of Mr Dickenson warnings in the wind, he grabbed Dranzer and ran to the door and flung it open. It slammed loudly against the wall behind it, echoing down the hall....which was empty.
A movement out of the corner of his eye brought his attention and he turned to see the blue glow disappear around the bend at the end of the long corridor. Again a low rumble of a wolf's growl reached his ears and he followed.
Looking down the new gallery he saw the tip of a bushy, blue tail get swallowed by the shadows of a dark staircase that led downwards. The cerulean hue faded as the creature descended.
'Tala's down there.....'
Looking back behind him to where he should be staying he took a deep breath and started down the stairs, taking two steps at a time before the growl could get out of hearing range.
**********
"10 minutes, Mr, Dickenson," a tall brunette informed him from where he had been talking with Judy, Bruce and Mr Granger.
"Thank you, Ann." He turned to his companions. " The trophy will change hands within 10 minutes."
"Better herd up the homies then." Mr Granger adjusted his tie as he stood.
"I'll go get Kai."
"Why did he leave anyway?" Judy inquired as she too stood up. She had been several feet away from the rest when Boris had brushed pass her, not even giving her a second glance. When she had finally reached them Kai was being led away by Tyson's father.
"He just needed some space for himself," Bruce said quickly. He didn't like lying but Kai's situation was very personal and as Mr Dickenson had said it would destroy the fragile trust between them and the boy if they went about telling everyone.
Without another word he turned and quickly headed for the stairs.
Mr Dickenson took a step forward to get his team ready but a hand on his shoulder stopped him. He turned to find Judy standing there. Bright blue eyes held a light that warned him not to keep her in the dark.
"Stanley, something is very wrong here. What is going on? Is it Kai?"
"No, dear. All will be fine." He patted her hand and started off again when she spoke up in a voice only he could hear.
"I saw the bruises."
He blinked as the words registered but her eyes showed no deception. Taking her by the elbow gently he led her further away from the youngsters who were getting 'professional' advise from Mr Granger. Reaching the staircase that Bruce had just taken he finally spoke.
"When did you see them?"
The blond sighed and leaned against the wall, crossing her arms before her. Her eyes were downcast as she recalled her own shocking discovery.
"It was after Ray's battle with Bryan. I came down to the locker room wanting to see if I could do anything to help. No one seemed to be there but then Kai rounded the lockers. I started calling out to him but..." She closed her eyes and shuddered. "His chest was bruised badly and there was a healing slash on his stomach. I was shocked but even more so when it became clear that he didn't even see me. He walked right past where I was standing between the lockers but never looked up! I don't know Kai as well as the others but I know him the type that always senses when someone is there."
Blue eyes opened and turned to him.
"Who did that to him? Was it Boris?"
He sighed and removing his glasses he rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"I'm afraid so."
"He also forced himself onto Kai, didn't he?"
The accurate question almost made him drop his cane and he stared at the scientist in shock.
"How..."
"Kai wasn't wearing his belt so his jeans were riding low. I saw the bruises on his hips. And also I know that Boris had once been to court on accusation of raping and killing a child."
"Where did you find that?" His people had been on Boris' case for years now yet this had never been told to him.
"It was accidental. I was in the library trying to find some information on the Demolition Boys' history. All bladers' files are kept under lock and key so my search came up short but then while going through old newspaper articles I found one that spoke of a boy's body having been found in an alley. He had been raped and beaten to death. Teeth marks found on his shoulder matched the dental work of a person the papers had initialled B.B."
"Boris Balcov," he gasped.
She nodded and unconsciously allowed her eyes to wander over to check on Max who was happily joking along with Tyson.
"They could not convict him since any other evidence had been tampered with. No doubt Voltaire's work. The whole thing was hushed up though I can't understand how that man was still given command of an abbey filled with young boys. So, did he do that to Kai?"
She was burning up inside with natural protectiveness. No one, be it family or stranger, was ever allowed to touch a child, especially not in that manner. The manager's next words almost knocked her off her feet.
"Yes. It was Boris. And Voltaire as well."
Her mouth fell open. Looking over to where Tyson and his own grandfather were competing for camera attention, striking poses and laughing as they tried to out do each other, she could not find it in her to ever see Voltaire as human. How far would one go to have all power?
They were interrupted by heavy footsteps that were quickly making their way back down the stairs and soon Bruce appeared, eyes wide and breathing laboured.
"He's not there!"
"What?!" He gripped his cane to the point of almost breaking it.
"He's gone. The office is empty." Bruce found his breath but the tightness in his chest didn't go away. Concern was gripping at his heart.
"Were there any signs of a struggle?"
"Not a struggle but something really...bizarre. The walls on both side of the hallway have several gashes in them, like someone had taken a large knife and slash it here and there. The damage is at an even height of some six feet above the floor. I also found this in the hall outside of the office I had left Kai in." He held out something in his palm that still glowed a faint blue.
"Glass?" Mr Dickenson asked as he studied the object but Judy took it and held it up.
"Crystal," she corrected, "though I have never seen any stone being able to glow like this without the need of light reflection. This is coming from within. Strange." Somewhere in the back of her mind she recognized it but could fit it in anywhere.
"Whatever it is it has something to do with Kai's disappearance. I must alert the agents--"
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 45th annual Beyblade Championship Ceremony. I'm D.J. Jazzman and I will be your host for this evening."
"Go, Jazzman!!" Tyson shouted from where the team stood on the stage. Max covered his mouth, allowing Jazzman to continue. Ray however kept on looking around. So were many people in the audience who had also noticed the absence of the team captain.
"...And here to speak for the Bladebreakers is their manager, head chair man of the BBA, Mr Stanley K. Dickenson!"
"What are we going to do?" Judy asked worriedly as the crowd turned towards them, awaiting the old man to climb the stage. He pressed his cell phone into her hand.
"Call the number you'll find in here. I have our agents on alert. Tell them what has transpired and they will do the rest. Bruce, try and see if you can find anything else that will lead us to Kai and keep in touch with Judy until the ceremony is over."
"Will do." He watched the older man put on his friendly face as he made his way to the stage, shaking hands and smiling as best he could.
"Judy, tell my father. It will be better if he knows also. That way he can keep an eye on the others. Just make sure that Tyson and his friends don't find out. The moment the ceremony is over have them get back onto the busses immediately and send them back to the hotel. We don't know what we are dealing with but Boris will do anything to save his skin."
"Got it. Be careful," she said as he turned and climbed back up the stairs.
Opening the cell phone she found the number and speed-dialled.
"Yes, this is Judy Tate speaking. We have a situation..."
*************
Reaching the bottom step, Kai looked around the area. He was in the old garage by the looks of it. He had never been there before but Kenny, as always, had told them everything there was to know about the arena and its sections. This place hadn't been used in years ever since a newer garage had been built above ground level.
'This place gives me the creeps.'
He walked around a large puddle that had formed beneath a leaking water pipe that ran along the ceiling. He left a trail of footprints in the dust caked floor as he studied the surroundings.
The air was stale and dust floated about. New dust arose from the ground with each step he took. As he passed he made sure not to touch the walls which were covered with grime. Everything about the place was brooding and brought back vivid memories of the abbey's dungeons.
Searching he could not find the light he had been following. Something was very wrong here and he shouldn't have left the office.
"I have to get out of here. Mr Dickenson will get worried."
Just as he thought this two thick arms came from behind him and wrapped themselves around his torso, purposefully squeezing his injuries. He cried out in surprise and pain and tried to throw them off but the person was stronger and his hold was like steel. Hot breath swept his ear as his attacker whispered into it.
"It's been a while since I've held you like this, hasn't it, Kai?"
All struggles came to a halt and he stiffened almost to the point of breaking his spine.
He had expected a hired hit-man.
He had expected Boris.
He had never expected...
"Grandfather?" he asked thought there was no mistaking the voice. The hot breath on his neck made him shiver, his spine feeling like ice.
"I've missed you back home, grandson. How many nights I laid there thinking of you."
"Let me go." He squirmed, hoping to wriggle his way out but it only hurt his bruises even more.
"I don't have to." Voltaire ran a hand down his grandson's painted cheek. "No one is here to stop me. Don't you want to spend some quality time together?"
Shying away from the touch he kept his eyes averted at all times. He didn't want the old man to see that he was afraid.
"What have you done with Tala? Where is my friend?"
"Friend?" Voltaire barked incredulously, "You certainly know how to choose your friends, grandson. With friends like him you need no enemy."
He started to lead the unwilling boy further into the more secluded part of the garage: a badly lit hallway that led to the locker rooms.
"What are you saying?"
He resisted as best he could but he knew he could never hope to overpower his grandfather. His own physical strength was no where near that of Voltaire. But it was his mentality that weighted him down more; how could he fight against a man who had always been able to dominate him for so many years?
"Did you not follow something down here? A blue wolf, perhaps?" Voltaire smirked as he pulled the slender body closer. God, he had yearned to feel the heavenly boy against him once more for so long. "Your pretty friend has very strange ways of proven how much he values this precious friendship you speak of."
Kai gasped.
"You're lying! Tala would never do that!"
"Oh he wouldn't, would he? Then how do you explain this?"
He swung open a door and Kai's struggle stopped once more. Not from fear, but disbelief.
Tala stood from where he had been sitting on the bench. His eyes locked with the crimson pair of the boy that Voltaire held with fierce possessiveness. For that one moment all his injuries and inner fear seemed irrelevant to the pain of betrayal in Kai's eyes.
The bluenette shook his head.
"...No...No!! You tricked him! He would never do this on his own free will!"
"He had a choice and you came up on the short end. Isn't that right, Tala?" He ran his fingers through Kai's soft, blue hair almost lovingly as he placed a soft kiss on the pale skin right behind and below an ear.
Kai jerked his head away, his eyes never leaving Tala.
"He's lying, isn't he? Tell me he's lying, Tala!"
His confidence dampened when Tala faltered to answer. Why couldn't he even looking him in the eyes?
"Tala....tell him..." he almost begged.
He didn't want to believe that his friend would do this to him. Not after all the years they had spend looking out for one another. Tala would never hurt him or place him in harm's way and vice versa....right?
"Did you do this, Tala? Did you sell me out?"
"I'm sorry, Kai. I...I had no choice."
Tala's voice was thick with tears.
The confession hit him hard. It felt like someone had promptly dumped a bucket load of ice cold water over him for now his whole body felt numb as did his mind. His heart was the only thing he could feel and it pained him. Badly. Nothing Voltaire had ever done to him before had ever hurt this much. This was the first time in his life that words had ever hurt him.
"The world is so full of betrayal," Voltaire smirked. "It looks like you have no one to turn to now, Kai. Your so-called best friend is nothing but a traitor."
"It's not like that!" Tala's eyes shimmered with emotions. "They set me up! You have to believe me, Kai! I would rather die than let anyone touch you! But they made me choose between you and my team!"
"What type of person would choose anyone over his best friend?" Voltaire challenged though his attention was more on removing the white scarf around Kai's neck.
"Kai, please--"
"Enough talk! I have a plane to catch...though I do think that I have enough time to reacquaint myself with my grandson." He appraisingly ran his eyes over Kai.
With a speed that caught both teens by surprise he shoved Kai forward onto the floor and followed him down. He produced a piece of cloth from somewhere in his coat and a strong smell of ether invaded the room. Grabbing Kai's wrists, he smothered the boy's mouth and nose with the cloth. The drug took effect almost immediately as Kai's struggles grew weaker.
"Kai!"
Tala started forward, tears in his eyes. His progress was brought to a searing halt when a fist came seemingly out of nowhere and caught him in the stomach. He felt the stitches in the wounds burst and the warmth of blood started to spread over his stomach, staining the sweater and soon dripping onto the ground.
Clutching his stomach in agony he was helpless when a rough hand grabbed his hair and wrenched his head up to look into Boris' smirking face.
"Didn't your mother ever tell you not to interfere in other people's affairs?" With a laugh he grabbed an upper arm and started to drag the boy away from where Voltaire was busy unbuckling Kai's belt. "We should leave them alone. They probably want their privacy."
Tala tried to get to Kai but with each move his injuries tore more and pain was starting to overcome him; it was unbearable but he would have happily lived with it if it would spare the fearful moan Kai made when Voltaire need fully pulled off his loose pants.
"Don't touch him! Take me instead!! Damn it!!" Tala shouted but Biovolt's leader was in his own world as he swept his hands over and between his grandson's legs. Kai's movements were sluggish but still his hands tried to protect himself but they were slapped away.
Boris managed to get him out the door and once in the hallway he was slammed against the opposite wall with much force. Hard lips crashed down hard on his and hands gripped his hips so hard he feared that they would damage the bone there. The director's own hips ground against his with a predator-like need.
Just when spots started to appear before his eyes from lack of air Boris pulled away. He gasped on the stale air, both in lack thereof and pain. His clothes were soaked with blood and the red substance was starting to spill from his mouth as his ribs gave way under the pressure and punctured his lungs. His breathing became raspy and gurgled as the liquid poured into his windpipe.
Boris pulled away and smiled. Lifting a hand he traced the high cheekbone before gripping the boy's face painfully.
"For eleven years I took care of you as well as simply took you. I remember every scream, every plea, every wound, and every tear that you have shed in my bed, on my desk, on the floor, against the wall. You can not do as much as even blink without me knowing. 'Tis a shame that tomorrow we must part. You will be taken away by some stranger who will ravage you every night and in between his meetings. And I will spend the remaining nights of my life alone."
"Bullshit!" Tala choked on his blood, "You'll simply grab the next kid who walks pass you."
"Either way, your future looks very bad. You don't know what this man could be like. He could be a cold, heartless bastard who will hurt you for his pleasure."
"And you're not?" His reward for that was a solid punch that made him reel and had it not been for Boris holding him he would have fallen.
"Don't make me tame that tongue of yours, boy. Since you won't be persuaded I will be blunt. Since Voltaire has gotten his hands on Kai he has changed his mind about founding my research. I now have the money and I am considering buying you back. We have been together too long to let something as petty as money pull us apart."
Had he not been in such teeth grinding pain Tala would have rolled his eyes at that but he simply moaned as another stitch suddenly snapped, painfully ripping away at his already tender flesh.
"So what do you say, Tala? Do you want to return to the Abbey?"
The pain made it hard to speak so he simply spat in the grinning face, feeling some satisfaction as the bloodied saliva hit the man in the eye.
"You little cunt!"
He backhanded him with such force that the boy's head connected with the wall behind him, knocking him out temporarily. Holding the limp body he smirked and pushed open the door nearby and carried the blader inside. It turned out to be an old storage room filled with crates that were layered with dust and cobwebs.
He placed Tala on the nearest crate, keeping the boy waist height. His breathing laboured, he searched his coat for the handcuffs he had taken off the thin wrist just an hour ago. All the while his eyes watched the body's movements as Tala slowly came to.
The metal click of handcuffs sounded loudly but he was barely even aware when his arms were roughly yanked above his head and cuffed to the pipes that ran along the wall. Something pulled at his sweater before he felt the slight graze of a knife cut through the material. His lungs struggled for air, unintentionally causing him even more pain as the muscles contracted against the broken rib, driving it deeper into his flesh.
"I gave you a choice. You've brought this upon yourself. If I can't have you, no one can!"
Bony fingers wrapped around his throat and he gasped. He was going to be strangled and abandoned in this place. With his hands cuffed above him he had no way of protecting himself.
"You were born in filth. Now die in it!"
Boris tightened his hold on the smooth neck while his other pulled at the dark pants, not worrying that each tug caused the wounds to open even more. When the pants were finally removed he smiled and with his free hand he removed the small black mask from his pockets and put it on.
Tala gasped when his legs were wrenched apart despite his efforts. The fingers around his throat tightened as the man penetrated him, cutting off all cries for help. Once again the world was going black but this time he would not wake up. Agony seared through him and he finally broke down into sobs. His back arched almost complete off the dusty crate but the handcuffs prevented him from much movement.
"All of this is your fault. I raised you to be the best blader. You brought this upon yourself," Boris grunted as he thrust into the child's body.
The satanic red eyes that peered at him from out of the mask slowly began to shift from shape and intensity until they were a soft scarlet.
Soft scarlet which would light up with joy...
Soft scarlet that would dim with sadness...
Soft scarlet that would shimmer with love...
'Kai,, I am not strong enough to survive this but you are. Please, find a way out....' He bit his lip when a deep thrust tore him even more. Forcing himself to focus he sent out all his prayers and wishes to his best friend. And his team. Where ever they were he hoped that they were alright. He wish he could tell them how proud and honoured he was to have been their captain.
Boris smiled when the breathing grew fainter and fainter and the skin paler and paler. Gripping the hips which were sticky with blood he leaned forward, wanting to be the last thing the boy saw before he finally let go of life.
"Weak. Your mother saw in you what I should have seen; a pathetic, wretched punk whose only place in life is always on the bottom."
His hold on the now badly bruised neck didn't waver but the boy's breathing did drastically.
He had long lost feeling in his hands and arms but now he felt control of his body slowly slipping away as his heart beat lessened with every second.
"I hope that the devil himself will have as much fun with you in hell as I did. When I die, make sure that you are there to greet me when I come down."
His eyes fluttered shut and he took his final breath, choking out a last word.
"...Kai..."
Boris grinned when the boy's breathing stopped all together. With a final thrust he came and pulled out of the still teen.
Leaning over the still body, he ran a finger over the delicate face, tracing the slightly blue lips and closed eyes, studying his latest victim.
"Don't feel too bad, Tala. There is simply no place on this earth for failures."
"So why are you still here?" a deep voice snarled from behind him.
He spun at the voice but a fist flew out at lightning speed and smashed squarely into his face, the impact breaking his nose and propelling him backwards to land on the dust covered floor. His head caught on the edge of a wooden crate on the way down and knocked him out.
Not even giving the unconscious man a second glance, Bruce made his way over to where the teen laid, unmoving and not breathing.
"Tala? Tala!"
He feared the worse as he pressed his fingers against the black and blue neck, praying to find even the slightest of pulse.
Nothing.
"Come on, kid. Breathe," he whispered trying to get life back in the beaten body.
When words didn't work he removed the torn shirt completely, wincing at the bruises and blood but with a firm resolve he began to rub the area of skin over the heart, a technique taught to him since his work would sometimes bring him and his team hundreds of miles away from any medical facilities. It was a crude form of CPR, which he didn't dare do out of fear of breaking the boy's no doubt fragile ribs.
"Wake up, Tala..."
After a couple of minutes he felt his heart sink when he still hadn't picked up something but then he felt a small thud against his fingertips. It was followed by another. And then another. Slowly the lungs discovered the reopened airway and started to fill themselves once more. The red-head groaned and shifted but his hands were still bound above him.
Blue eyes drowsily opened, blinking once in incoherency. They blinked again but clenched back shut when he coughed up bright red blood. The teen had serious internal injuries which worried Bruce since he couldn't tell the extent of them.
Calling upon his skills as field medic once more, he removed his tuxedo and pressed it gently but firmly against the largest wound on the quivering stomach.
Tala cried out softly as his lungs filled with more air. Watery blue eyes turned to the source of his pain. When he finally noticed the dark-haired man who was partially leaning over him, he made a small sound that was a whimper and a cry at the same time and attempted to get away, pulling his torn body to put as much distance as bearably possible between him and this new person.
Bruce feared the boy would bring more damage upon himself and talking softly he took hold of the upper arms, holding the boy still.
The action made Tala jump, whimpering and begging softly in his native language to be released.
"Tala, stay still," Bruce said calmly, keeping his words soft as to not alarm the red-head even more. "I'm not going to hurt you. I need you to stop moving around or you will injure yourself."
"Don't...touch...help..." the boy rambled, too overcome with fright, trauma and pain to speak straight.
"I'm not going to hurt you. And I am helping you. I'll take you to the hospital. I'll take you away from all this."
His words finally computed and Tala warily met his eyes.
"Take...me a-away?"
"Boris won't hurt you anymore, Tala. The police will be here soon and bring him to prison. You don't have to be afraid."
He didn't respond but he did fall still, still eyeing the man warily but understanding that he meant no harm.
Sighing in relief, Bruce returned his attention to the external wounds, checking the flat stomach where the blood had almost soaked his jacket. Picking up the discarded sweater the teen had been wearing, he gently made a make-shift bandage, wrapping it around the thin torso and securing it gently but tightly.
"Who...are you?" Tala managed to ask with much difficulty, watching his saviour, his eyes telling Bruce that he recognized him but couldn't place a finger on it.
"Bruce Granger," he said, then added "Tyson's dad," for security.
He couldn't quite remember but it eased him and he laid back, breathing heavily against the pain.
Tyson...
Bladebreakers...
...Kai!
He sat up abruptly, his arms twisting painfully as they were still retrained. His stomach muscles clenched at the action and a trail of blood trickled from beneath the cloths wrapped around the wound as it was squeezed further open. The pain made his shout out and fresh tears ran on their own accord down his cheeks.
"Easy!" Bruce said, startled himself by the sudden movement and its effect on the body.
Ignoring the man's words, he swallowed a ball of blood before saying,
"Y-You have t-to....have to...help K-Kai."
"Don't ta-- What about Kai?" He turned his full attention to the blue eyes.
Noise from outside the hall startled both as voices rang through the narrow passage, shouting out orders. Rapid footsteps were to be heard as were doors being forced open. A dog barking echoed loudly and soon a black nose poked around the doorway followed by the pointed snout of a German Shepard. A man in uniform stepped into view. Seeing the two he turned and shouted to the others. He then entered and took in the situation, his eyes falling on Boris who had yet to wake up.
"Sergeant Johan Bocadiv, BBA secret service."
"Bruce Granger."
"How is he?" Bocadiv asked while examining the handcuffs that were cruelly bruising the slender wrists. Turning he shouted out something in Russian before starting to go over the numerous injuries.
Removing the now soaked tuxedo he scowled and shot a death glare to Boris.
"We've been trying to get him for years but he always managed to cover up his tracks."
Three other agents ran in. Two of them cuffed Boris and carried off his unresisting body. The third held a small black kit from which she removed a small iron staff that was bent at the end. Giving the barely coherent teen a reassuring smile she leaned in and started to pick the lock. Not five seconds went by when the lock gave way and the cuffs sprang open. Bruce and Bocadiv caught Tala and laid him down gently on a blanket that had been spread out on the floor. Some higher power must have finally had mercy on the boy as he had slipped into unconsciousness.
"The medics will be here within a few minutes."
"Good thing. He was lucky that I was able to find him."
"How did you manage to do that? I must say that even I, who work here, had almost forgotten of this place," Bocadiv admitted as he wrapped the shivering body in a thick blanket. Thankfully the blood wasn't flowing so much but the boy had to be brought to a hospital immediately.
"I followed these." Bruce pulled out and held out a small shard of crystal from his pocket. "At first I had no idea what they were but then I realised that they came from his bit beast. That creature is so big its wings scraped the walls as it walked down the hall., breaking off these crystals and leaving a trail." He turned to Bocadiv suddenly, "He is fortunate that I found him but my real reason for being here was because I was looking for another teen. Kai Hiwatari."
"Does this belong to him?" One of the men who had brought away Boris re- entered holding a long, white cloth...spotted with blood.
"That's his scarf!" Bruce took it from him. Yes. This was positively the scarf that the phoenix never went anywhere without, mainly thanks to Boris and Voltaire. "Is he alright?"
"We don't know."
"What do you mean?!"
"We found this in an abandoned room a few doors down. It was lying on the floor alongside this." The officer placed several pieces of something in his hand.
Dranzer's blade...completely destroyed.
tbc.......
*************
Read & Review, please.