CHAPTER 8: THE BAND
AT THE CRAB SHACK
Ryan and Seth had spent the morning sailing together for the first time in a long, long while. It was an opportunity for them to put some Seth/Ryan time on the books. They spoke about everything, including the new relationships that have been developing with their ex's. After their sailing trip that had agreed to meet together with Debbie and Tracey at the Crab Shack for lunch.
As they sat there by a bunker next to a window, sipping on milkshakes, waiting for the ladies to arrive, Seth finally asked the question that he had been wondering about for the last few days.
"So... Ryan... you and Tracey... Where'd you go the other night at that party? You guys just seemed evaporate." Seth asks.
"We just need to get some breathing space." Ryan answered as he took a sip of his milkshake.
"Uh huh." Seth said unconvinced. "You didn't perhaps do a little extra heavy breathing... together did you?"
Ryan just gives him a look that says it all.
"Ahhh!" Seth says convinced now that he knows the answer.
"Ahhh! Nothing." Ryan says.
"So you didn't..." Seth pushes.
Again, Ryan just looks at him and takes a sip of his milkshake just as the ladies arrive. They sit down; Tracey next to Ryan, giving him a kiss as she sits, and Debbie next to Seth... but not with a kiss.
"So, what we eating?" Tracey asks and takes Ryan's milkshake and finishes it. He just smiles at her.
"I've heard the lobster is good here." Debbie responds.
"Yes." Seth agrees. "Yes it is. You can go and pick your own one if you want."
Just then, the waiter arrives and they place their orders. All four have the lobster, which incidentally happens to also be the special of the day.
"So, we're all going to Toby's tonight?" Seth asks.
"Who's Toby?" Debbie asks.
"Toby Joe's... it's the hottest, hippest, new club in Newport... and the Killers are playing tonight." Seth answers.
"Sure." Tracey responds. "We're game." And she side-hugs Ryan as she says this.
"WE are?" Ryan says.
"Common man... why you always gotta be so broody." Seth says.
"Okay, we can go... but no dancing." Ryan says.
"I'll dance. You can watch." Tracey says to him.
"Sounds good." Ryan replies.
They chat for a while longer as they wait for the food to arrive. Half an hour later it arrives and they all eat enjoyably. As they finish, they get ready to leave.
"You wanna come back to my place? I have a poolhouse... with views." Ryan says smiling to Tracey, who laughs.
"No, we've got some things to go do first. We'll meet you at your place in a couple of house and we can all go down together."
"Great. See you later." Seth says. Debbie and Seth hugged good bye as Ryan and Tracey kissed good bye. The ladies leave and Seth and Ryan walk out shortly afterwards.
As they're leaving they see Marissa and Mark sitting together at a nearby table. Marissa has seen Tracey and Ryan kissing. They casually greet each other as they pass by.
"So... nothing happened?" Seth jests with Ryan clearly picking up on their romance developing.
"Maybe, not nothing..." Ryan says with a knowing smile and Seth jokingly flat-hands Ryan on the back of the head, which Ryan quickly returns, but Seth ducks in time. They head back home to get ready for the concert.
THE COHEN'S
It's Saturday afternoon lunch time. Sandy has just got in from his regular Saturday morning surf and is in the kitchen preparing himself a bagel. Kirsten has just completed a meeting that morning with Mr Rutherford to finalize a multi-million dollar deal that will keep the Newport Group afloat and keep Caleb out of jail, but there was a twist.
"Sandy, I don't know how to break the news to my dad. It's the one and only condition that Arthur gave, but I'd rather have ten others than this. I don't even know if I want the job permanently." Kirsten said as she sat down with a cup of coffee next to Sandy.
"Hmmm." Sandy says. "These pumpkin muffins are delicious!" Sandy exclaims, as he picks up a muffin from the basket and takes a bit.
"Sandy!" Kirsten exclaims. "I'm being serious here."
"Honey... you know how I feel about your father." Sandy says as he puts down the muffin. "Personally, I think you are much better as the head of the Newport Group than Caleb. It was under his administration that the company nearly went under. If it weren't for you and Julie..."
"That's another big concern... even bigger than me being CEO is Julie being second in command." Kirsten says.
"I'll agree with you there. It has 'natural disaster' written all over it. Hurricane Julie is on the way!" Sandy says mockingly.
"You're not exactly inspiring a whole lot of confidence." Kirsten says to him sarcastically.
"Well..." Sandy says with emphasis. "It's is Julie. The name in itself doesn't conjure up a whole lot of assurance. But who knows... she has surprised in the past and after all it was her undertaking that was the basis for the deal going through."
"Perhaps you're right." Kirsten says surrendering to the inevitable. "There's no deal without her there, so I better just get to like it."
"Now that's the spirit!" Sandy says sarcastically again. He can see Kirsten is taking a bit of strain with all of this though. "Look, if you want me to break the news to Caleb..."
"No, but thanks." Kirsten says. "I think my father should here this from me."
Just then Caleb and Julie come walking in arm in arm, and looking very much in love again.
"What must I hear from you, Kiki?" Caleb says as he enters the kitchen just to overhear the last bit of the conversation. "Anything you've got to say will be fine with me. You have saved this company and me!" Caleb kisses Kirsten on the forehead.
"Well Cal, you've managed to do it again. I don't know how you always seem to crawl out of the tightest situations." Sandy says. "It's very impressive." And he gets up to put his plate in the basin.
"I was thinking we should go out tonight and celebrate. A little dinner, a little dancing, a lot of wine!" Julie says.
"Sounds great." Kirsten says. "The kids are going out to that concert tonight, so it would be perfect."
"So, Kiki, what is it you had to tell me?" Caleb asks.
"Uhmm... dad maybe you should sit down for this." Kirsten says.
"Wine anyone?" Sandy offers quickly.
"Please." Caleb and Kirsten reply in tandem.
Caleb, Julie, Kirsten and Sandy make their way to the living room to chat. Kirsten tells them of the meeting that she had with Mr Rutherford that morning and of his conditions: that Caleb step down as CEO and Kirsten take over, and that Julie be appointed as second in charge. Naturally Caleb is not very charmed with the idea, and naturally Julie is overwhelmed with the prospects of being in charge of so much.
"So he wants me to have nothing to do with the company?" Caleb asks.
"Well, not exactly." Kirsten says. "I told him that you hold some of the major investments within the company and it would be impossible to just keep you away or simply cut you off."
"And...?" Caleb asks
"And... he agreed that you can remain a silent partner, and retain an office, but the decision making would be in my court." Kirsten ends the conversation.
Caleb sits and thinks for a while. Eventually he speaks up. "Well Kiki, congratulations are in order. You and Julie have rescued the Newport Group and your deserve it." Caleb said as he stands up.
"Uhmm... dad... are you okay with this?" Kirsten says also standing and quizzing as this was not quite the kind of respond you'd expect from a man who says he'll never allow anyone to walk all over him.
"Of course I'm okay with." Caleb replies. "There comes a time in every man's life when what he has spent all his time building and establishing he needs to hand it over... And I can think of no one better than my own daughter. This has turned out better than expected."
Julie and Sandy now also stand up and they together with Kirsten as very surprised with Caleb's reactions.
"Besides," Caleb says, "It will give me more time to spend with my family and do the things I've always want to do." He kisses Julie as he says this. "Now shall we go celebrate?"
SATURDAY EVENING, THE POOLHOUSE
Ryan and Seth are in the poolhouse. Seth is dressed in a semi-formal black and white shirt and black pants. He is ready, and lying on Ryan's bed waiting for him to get out the shower. Seth has put on The Killers in the background so Ryan can get used to them.
Ten minutes later Ryan emerges from the bathroom still drying his air with a towel. He is dressed in stone-colored khaki pants and a black tank-top.
"So this is the Killers?" Ryan asks as he sits down on the couch to put his shoes on.
"Ryan, I hear the skepticism in your voice, but trust me... tonight is going to be awesome!" Seth says with enthusiasm as he gets up to turn the music up a bit.
"Right." Ryan responds, not so enthusiastic. "Summer and Marissa are going to be there right?"
"So I've heard." Seth replies.
"And what about Summer finding out about Debbie?" Ryan quizzes Seth.
"What about Marissa finding out about Tracey?" Seth responds with another question. "If Summer tries anything, I'll just hide behind you..."
Ryan just looks up at Seth. "You've got to learn to defend yourself." Ryan says as he finishes tying his laces.
"Why?" Seth asks. "Ryan, you back... I don't need to defend myself..." And Seth pats Ryan on the shoulder. Ryan looks back at Seth, who quickly stops patting.
"But you know what Ryan? It doesn't matter; coz tonight is going to be awesome." Seth replies.
Again, Ryan just looks at him, not sharing in his enthusiasm.
They hear the doorbell ring. Seth quickly jumps up. "I'll get it. You finish doing your hair." Ryan gives him a look as to say 'what's wrong with my hair?'
Seth opens the door and their stands Debbie and Tracey looking totally exquisite.
"Wow..." Seth exclaims. "You look... wow." He says and admires them both.
"Well, you are going to invite us in?" Debbie asks and they both walk in as Seth steps aside.
"Stylin pad, hommie." Tracey says as she looks around at the house.
"It's aiii." Seth replies.
Ryan comes walking through from the poolhouse.
"Hey." He says and gives Tracey a kiss, who in turn does some remodeling of Ryan's hair style.
"Now that looks rad." Tracey says and Ryan smiles at her.
"Rad?" Seth says sarcastically. "God, who speaks like that anymore?" Tracey and Ryan both look at Seth, who quickly shuts up.
"Ready to go?" Debbie asks and hands everyone their tickets.
"Let's jet." Seth replies quickly and the four of them head out the door, but are stopped by Sandy on their exit.
"Home by 12... No drugs... no alcohol..." Sandy says. "And no calling me to bail friends out tonight. Your mother and I are gonna get some 'alone' time."
"That's an image I didn't need." Seth responds and they all get in to the car.
AT THE CONCERT
They queue at the door and can hear the Killers CD playing in the club from outside. As they're waiting there, educating Ryan about the band, Marissa and Mark arrive, and shortly after them Summer with Kyle and some other guys from the water-polo team. They all seem to be already enjoying themselves, Summer included.
"Hey guys." Mark greets them.
"Sup foo." Seth replies.
"Hey." Marissa greets Ryan.
"Hey." Ryan replies.
"Hello. I'm Tracey." Tracey greets Marissa, but a little bitchy-like and smacks Ryan on the shoulder for not introducing them.
"Oh, hi. I'm Marissa." Marissa replies coldly.
Seth nods at Summer as she looks over at him to greet her, but she pretends not to see him and ignores him. Seth looks back at Ryan who's seen the whole thing and just shakes his head to indicate to Seth not to worry too much about it.
"So this is gonna be an awesome concert... what you reckon?" Mark says making conversation.
"Absolutely!" Marissa responds. "These guys are great."
"I think there's someone else here who's also great." Tracey says hanging on to Ryan. She was obviously referring to him with the intention of make Marissa jealous. It was working, but Ryan was feeling slightly uncomfortable.
"We gonna all hang together?" Mark asks.
"Sure. We can all totally hang out." Summer responds. (However, later, as they enter the club they all get separated in the crowd.)
The queue starts moving. They hand their tickets to the usher and enter the club just as the band begins playing.
Ryan and Tracey, Seth and Debbie maneuver their way to the front of the stage. Marissa and Mark are standing further down, as well as Summer and Kyle and the crew.
The concert is rocking and the band is great. Ryan offers to get drinks, which everyone gladly accepts. Seth tags along to help carry.
Summer comes over to Marissa and says she's going to the bathroom to fix up her make-up. Marissa decides to tag along.
They both enter the bathroom.
"Coop. Isn't this concert amazing?" Summer says.
Marissa looks over at Summer. "Yeh, it's okay." Marissa says halfheartedly.
"So, you are totally okay with Ryan and Tracey?" Summer responds picking up that his could be why Marissa seems a little subdued.
"For sure. If he wants to date his mom, that's his business." Marissa replies.
"Coop!" Summer laughs and jokingly smacks her on the arm. "It's only like a four year age difference."
"And you are fine with Seth and Debbie?" Marissa reverses the questioning on to Summer.
"Totally." Summer replies and touches up her lip stick. "Dating teachers is so 1990... if that's what he wants..."
"Good. Just checking." Marissa says also checking her lip stick.
"Coming Coop?" Summer says as she leaves the bathroom.
"In a minute." Marissa says. Summer leaves. Marissa pulls a bottle of vodka out her handbag and takes a mouthful. She puts the top back on and the bottle back in her bag and heads back to the concert.
STILL AT THE CLUB
At the bar, Ryan orders the drinks.
"Ryan, it's like I just don't exist." Seth says above the music to his friend. "I worked so hard to get her attention and now we're back to square one."
"I wouldn't worry about it." Ryan replies. "What about Debbie?"
"Dude... have you seen her? She's like my mom." Seth replies.
"Oh common man... the age gap is only four years." Ryan responds. "I say go for her. She likes you."
"Ryan... she is a school teacher. I cannot date a school teacher okay... it'd be too weird... and very last millennium." Seth replies, and they picks up on his last line... "She what?"
"Likes you. Said so to him earlier tonight." Ryan replies.
"Humm..." Seth muses. "Interest prosps."
"Awesome concert, hey?" Mark says as he comes to the bar to pick up drinks too.
"Oh... uhmm..." Ryan begins to say something to Mark and then stops.
"What's that?" Mark says.
"Nothing... just Marissa prefers this drink." Ryan says.
"Okay, thanks man... for the tip." Mark says and changes the drinks.
"Yeh... cool." Ryan replies.
The drinks are served and the guys carry them back over to where the ladies are standing, and leave Mark hovering at the bar. He gets the drinks and just before heading back to Marissa, he pulls a small bag from his pocket and empties its contents in to Marissa's drink. (It looks like a fine, white powdery substance.) Quickly looking around to see that no one saw him, he folds the packet neatly and puts it in his pocket again.
Marissa takes her drink from Mark and thanks him weakly. She keeps her eye on Ryan and Tracey who seem to be having a really good time and not at all too concerned about Marissa who's clearly unhappy with the current state of affairs. She sips her drink.
Seth and Debbie are really enjoying the concert now and are dancing together. Seth has taken Ryan's advice and has decided to enjoy the concert and not think about Summer... at least not for tonight. Summer is not too happy. She has seen Seth dancing with Debbie and old feelings are resurfacing.
Marissa has finished off her drink and hands the glass to Mark and asks him to fetch another one.
"Whoa!" Mark exclaims. "That was quick!" He compares her empty one to his more-than-fall-full one.
"Just get another one... and make it a double." Marissa snaps.
"This is going to be easier than I thought," Mark thinks to himself and he heads back to the bar. Five minutes later Mark comes back with another drink.
An hour later, and Summer is no longer enjoying herself... mainly because Seth is. She cannot take it any more and walks outside to get some air.
Marissa has finished her second drink and asks Mark to go get another one for her. He looks at her and says, "Maybe you should slow down." Marissa retorts with a look that could kill... he gets the hint and heads back. Besides, I'm driving he reasons to himself.
As he approaches the bar, he sees Summer standing outside looking very down. He walks over to chat to her.
"Why so glum?" He asks. She doesn't respond but sees her look over in Seth's direction.
"If you still love him, you should just forgive him and get back together." Mark advises.
"He won't take me back. Look at him!" Summer responds. "He's enjoying it with this what's-her-face. I mean... look at her... she's beautiful. I cannot compete with that. I've really messed up my chances with him."
"You're beautiful too Summer. Really beautiful. And if he can't see that, then he's the one missing out." Mark replies and Summer turns to look at him. There seems to be chemistry between them... and they both feel it. Mark leans in to kiss Summer, who for a moment is caught up in the emotion, but at the last minute pulls away.
"What? No... I can't." Summer stops.
"I've... uhmm...." Mark stops.
"Yeh... I'm so..." Summer says and walks off quickly.
STILL AT THE CLUB...
Mark waits at the bar to get the drinks he's ordered and then heads back to where Marissa is standing. She is now swaying a little. He hands her the drink, which this time she just gulps down like its fruit juice.
Ryan and Tracey are really enjoying themselves. They've been kissing randomly the whole evening. Seth and Debbie have also been getting their groove on.
Marissa cannot take it anymore. She is not looking well.
"You want to go sit down?" Mark asks as he can see that Marissa is not feeling so good.
"No. I just need some... fresh... air." Marissa says. She heads to the bathroom and pushes her hair back which is looking very flailed at the moment. She takes the vodka out her bag and takes another mouthful. She attempts to put it back in her bag, but it falls and breaks on the floor. Some other girls around her look at her as if she's made. She quickly leaves the bathroom and exits the club.
Mark tried to follow her, but looses her in the crowd.
Outside, Marissa is stumbling around like a drunkard. Pockets of people around look at her, but don't offer any help. Pictures of Ryan and Tracey are going through her mind... of them having a good time... kissing.... Hugging.... and she cannot handle it.
Just then Mark comes running out and sees Marissa stumbling around. He stands and just looks at her for a while, and then snaps in to action.
"Marissa!" Mark shouts and runs up to her.
As he gets to her, she falls to the ground.
"Marissa... are you okay?" Mark asks
"Do I look okay to you!!" Marissa snaps. "Sorry... can we just please get outta here?"
"Sure." Mark says and picks Marissa up and carries her to the car.
Back inside the club, the band has finished their final song. The concert has been a great success and everyone is beginning to leave. Ryan, Tracey, Seth and Debbie all make their way to the car.
As they head to the car, they see Summer standing around.
"Hey Sum." Seth goes over to greet her. "Kyle ditch you again?"
"Don't be a smart-ass Cohen!" Summer snaps at him. "I'm waiting for them come out... they're my lift."
"You can come back with us if you like..." Seth says tentatively and Summer doesn't respond, but for a brief moment you can see she is considering it. "You know... if you got nothing else to do... We're going back to my place for a little play station."
"Uhmmm... No." Summer says. "Play station is like so last year."
"Suit yourself Summer." And with that Seth joins the others standing by the car. They get in and head back to the Cohen's.
IN MARK'S CAR, HEADING BACK TO NEWPORT
Mark drives Marissa back to her house. She has passed out in the passenger seat and has not said a word since they left the club's parking lot. No music is playing and the atmosphere is solemn.
Marissa's cell phone starts ringing, but she doesn't hear it. Mark does. He reaches over Marissa and fiddles in her bag. By the time he gets to it, the call has ended. He quickly checks to see whose number it is... and then turns it off.
They drive on for about 10 minutes more, and as they're about a kilometer from Marissa's house, Mark gently shakes her awake.
She lifts her head and only opens one eye. "Where... what... Where are we?" Marissa says a little dazed.
"We're almost at your house." Mark says.
"Oh, no. Please. I don't want to go home... not now. I can't see my mom like this." Marissa quickly responds and holds her forehead. "Can we not go back to your place for while?"
"Sure, if that's what you want." Mark replies with a smile, and makes a u-turn. He pulls in to the driveway and parks the car. Marissa has fallen back to sleep again.
Mark carries Marissa upstairs to his bedroom and lies her down in his bed. She slowly attempts sits up.
"You need to lie down." Mark insists sounding very caring.
"I'm fine. I just need some water." Marissa replies.
"Wait here... I'll be back." Mark responds quickly and races downstairs to get some water.
Mark gets back with the water, and some tablets, which he hands to Marissa.
"Here." Mark says, "These will make you feel better."
"Thanks." Marissa says and takes the tablets and the watch.
She lies back down on the bed.
"I'm sorry about tonight." Marissa apologizes. "I... I don't know what came over me."
"Don't worry about it." Mark says forgivingly.
"Where are your parents?" Marissa asks as she closes her eyes.
"They're out of town for the weekend." Mark replies. "Anniversary." He climbs on the bed next to Marissa, and looks in to her eyes.
"What?" Marissa says after a while of him just staring at her.
"You know... even when you're drunk, you're still beautiful." Mark says flirtingly with a smile on his face.
Marissa turns and looks in to his eyes. He gets up top of her and they begin to kiss. Mark starts undressing Marissa, and she in turn starts to take his shirt off. They kiss a bit and Mark caresses Marissa's neck.
Just as they're getting in to it, Marissa starts thinking about Ryan. She again pictures him kissing and hugging Tracey. Even in her drunken states, she realizes she still has feelings for him. She stops.
"No..." Marissa says and tries to push Mark off. "I'm not ready... not yet." However, Mark is much stronger than her and pushes her back down. He looks down at her with a look of pure evil on his face.
"You mean, YES. Isn't this what you wanted?" Mark says aggressively. "Why would you want to come over to my place?"
"MARK!" No, you're scaring me." Marissa says. She looks in to his eyes, and suddenly senses a fear coming over her that she has never felt before. She is petrified.
"NO!!!" Marissa yells. She begins to cry and attempts to wrestle free at the same time, but Mark quickly pushes her down on the bed, puts his hand over her mouth to shut her up.
Still holding her down, he reaches in to the side table draw and pulls out a knife. He pulls it up to Marissa's throat so close that its blade grazes her skin a trickle of blood pours down her neck.
"SHUT THE HELL UP!!" Mark yells through gritted teeth.
Marissa lies totally still, terrified and crying uncontrollably. She pleads and begs Mark to stop, but he ignores her.
"It's no use shouting... this house is miles away from anything else. Yours is the closest, and that's half a mile so away." Mark says ever so tranquilly.
Marissa lies there terrified, as Mark quickly sits up to unzip his pants.
Just then the doorbell rings.
Mark stops suddenly, contemplating whether to answer it or not. He does his zip up again, and gives Marissa a quick kiss on the forehead.
"Wait right here and don't make a sound..." Mark says. "... If you want to live.", and shows her the knife as he says this. "I'll be right back. Don't miss me too much."
He puts the knife in its pouch and tucks it in the back of his pants. He pulls the key out the inside keyhole, closes the door behind him and locks it.
IN THE COHEN'S CAR
Death Cab is playing on the CD player and Seth and Debbie are sitting upfront, with Ryan and Tracey in the back. They are heading back to the Cohen's place. They are all having a great time discussing the concert and how awesome the band was. Ryan and Tracey are play-fighting on the backseat.
"Hey, you guys think we should check with Mark and Marissa what they're doing?" Ryan says from the back. "The six of us could hang out or something."
"Sure, but I don't think Marissa really likes me much." Tracey says hesitantly.
"She just doesn't know you." Ryan reassures her and gives her a side-on hug.
"Here, buddy." Seth hands Ryan his cell phone. "Make the call."
Ryan takes the phone and calls Marissa's number. It rings for a while and eventually goes to voicemail. Ryan leaves a message.
"Hey Mariss. Ryan here. Call me when you get this." And Ryan hangs up.
"Strange. No answer." Ryan says. "Anyone got Mark's number?" To which every replied, 'No'.
"We can take a ride past her place, and see if they're there." Seth says and heads to Marissa's.
On the way they pass Mark's house and Ryan sees Marissa's car parked outside. "Hey, wait." Ryan says. "I think they're at Mark's place. Marissa's car's outside." He points as he says this.
They drive up the motorway and park behind Marissa's car. The four of them walk up about 5 steps to the landing, Ryan in front. He rings the doorbell. There is a longish wait.
"Maybe they went out in Mark's car." Seth suggests after a while of no action.
"Yeh. Probably." Ryan says, but just as they're about to turn away, the door opens revealing Mark standing there. Ryan turns around and notices his shirt is very scruffy and his shoes are off.
"Hey guys." Mark greets them. "What's up? Sorry about the getup... I was just on my way to bed." Mark comments as he notices them kind of staring at the way he's dressed.
"Hey. We were just wondering if you and Marissa would like to join us. We're just gonna hang out at our place." Ryan says.
"Uhmm. Yeh. No." Mark says. "Sorry, guys. Marissa is a very tired. In fact she's already sleeping. I think she may have had one too many at the club tonight." Mark says with concern. "I was actually gonna call it a night too, but thanks for offering. I... we, really appreciate it."
"Okay, man. Well, see you at school next week." Seth says and they turn to leave.
"Uhmm... you sure. We're probably gonna play station it for a while..." Ryan pushes a bit, sensing something is not altogether right with this story.
"Yeh. I'm sure." Mark looks at Ryan and the two of them lock gazes for a moment.
Just then, they hear a loud bang sound coming from an upstairs room.
"What was that!" Ryan insists.
"Uhmm... oh... nothing." Mark says anxiously. "The dogs. Yeah. We lock them up when we get visitors... they cause a lot of commotion."
Ryan looks at Mark very suspiciously.
"Look dude. I'm very tired. Sorry I cannot join you guys tonight." Mark says edgily, feeling a bit threatened.
Ryan slowly turns and walks back to the car where the others are already waiting.
Mark watches them get in to the car, and then closes the front door behind him.
Ryan pulls Seth aside just before he gets a chance to get back in the car. "Something's wrong." Ryan says with concern to Seth. "Mark is hiding something. I don't what, but I know it's not good. I'm worried for Marissa."
"Come on, man. Not this again." Seth responds. "Remember Oliver? Let's not go there again."
"If I remember, it turned out I was right about him." Ryan replies feeling slightly annoyed now that Seth won't believe him again.
"Ok, so what, Ryan... We just gonna go in there and accuse Mark of what?... Holding Marissa against her will? Come on dude that is just too... Soap opera-ish." Seth responds. "Are you not just a little jealous perhaps? The girl you once knew and loved... with another guy?"
Ryan takes a deep breath, and realizes that Seth has a point. After all, he has no proof of anything. He says nothing more and they climb back in to the car. His suspicions are still very strong in his mind.
OUTSIDE MARK'S HOUSE
Seth, Debbie and Tracey get in the car and Seth starts it up. Ryan stands outside for a while, just staring at the door. He is still convinced something is not right.
"Come on, man." Seth rolls down his window and prompts Ryan.
Ryan sighs deeply and turns and walks to the other side of the SUV and opens the door.
Just as he's about to climb in, he again hears a strange banging noise, except this time it is accompanied with a loud screech that sends shivers down his spine.
Ryan slams the door shut and runs up to the front door. He tries the handle, but it's locked.
A third time he hears a loud noise.
"MARISSA!" Ryan yells as loud as possible and pounds on the door. "MARISSA!!!"
Seth runs up behind Ryan. "Call the cops... and your dad." Ryan says to him as he runs around the side of the house looking for another entrance.
The two ladies quickly run up to Seth who is looking completely shell-shocked. "Did you hear that scream?" Seth says utterly bewildered as he turns around and faces Debbie and Tracey.
"You should go with him." Debbie suggests. "He may need some help."
"Call the police... and my dad..." Seth says... he turns around, and then stops. "And call Summer too."
"Seth!" Debbie exclaims in disbelief.
"CALL HER!" Seth says almost shouting it, and runs around the house in the same direction he just saw Ryan go. He has no idea how he will be able to help. His heart is beating a hundred and fifty beats a minute.
Around back, Ryan has found a small half-open window, which he opens wide and slips through. Seth quickly climbs in behind Ryan, but not as elegantly and falls face-first on the wooden flooring of Mark's lounge.
"Owww..." Seth exclaims under his breath and rubs his face. Ryan smiles with amusement and helps him up.
They survey their new surroundings. All the lights are off, and the room is only dimly lit up by the moonlight from outside. From the lounge flows a family room and an entertainment room. A passageway can be seen heading towards the kitchen and on the right a flight of stairs leading up towards the bedrooms. They are at the back of the house and straight ahead can see the front door.
"MARISSA!" Ryan calls out again, but he gets no response. He calls out again, and again his calls are only returned by an eerie silence. He calls out Mark's name too, but also no answer.
Seth looks around for weapons and only finds a baseball bat, which he assumes to be Mark's. Ryan turns around from looking at the layout of the house and lets out a little laugh as he sees Seth holding the bat.
"These guys not pay their utilities bill?" Seth asks sarcastically and flicks on the light switch on the wall to his right. The room is flooded in to light.
"Okay... you look around here..." Ryan says to Seth. "I'm going upstairs." And with that they quickly part ways.
Seth searches the kitchen, entertainment room, and downstairs bathrooms and finds nothing of interest.
Ryan heads up stairs to the bedrooms. As he reaches the landing, he stops and calls Marissa's name out again, but still no responds. He opens the first door, which reveals nothing, same with the second. The third door is a bathroom, and the fourth door he finds open with no one inside. He reaches the very end of the passage and tries the final door, which he finds to be locked, but he can see light shining out from under the door. He bangs loudly on it.
"Marissa!" Ryan says as he bangs on the door.
"GO AWAY RYAN!" Is the reply he hears from within the room.
"Mark!! LEAVE HER ALONE!" Ryan yells and tries to kick the door in, but it doesn't budge.
"Marissa! Fight him!" Ryan advises. He tries desperately like a man possessed to kick the door in. It shows signs of giving way, but it's taking too long.
He backs away a bit and tries to kick the door in, but it doesn't give way. He kicks it a second and third time, but still no luck. Time is running out.
Inside the room Mark is on top of Marissa and she is struggling with every fiber in her body to fight him off.
OUTSIDE MARK'S PLACE
In the mean time, outside, the police have arrived with Sandy and Kirsten and Summer behind them. Debbie and Tracey explain the whole story to the cops and Sandy. The police walk up to the front door and knock on it. .
"Police! Open up." One of the officers shouts out.
Julie and Caleb arrive just as the police bang on the door.
"What is going on?" Julie demands to no one in particular. "Where's my daughter?" She looks very distraught.
Seth quickly runs to the door and unlocks it from the inside. As the cops enter he points to the staircase indicating the way Ryan went, and where he has just heard shouting coming from. They run up, with Seth behind them.
"No. Wait down here, kid." The one officer says to Seth as he stops him. Seth mopes back to the doorway.
Ryan is still pounding on the door when the cops run up behind him.
"Stand back, son." The one officer says to Ryan. They both kick the door and it flies open, half falling off its hinges.
Inside, Marissa is gagged and lying on the bed, with Mark on top of her. Ryan runs in and with every ounce of strength inside of him he violently and ruthlessly pushes Mark off so hard that he falls over the side of the bed.
Ryan goes around and full-force punches Mark square in the face. Mark collapses as a heap on the floor. Ryan jumps on him and begins punching him repeatedly. It takes two police officers to pull Ryan off.
By this time the others have heard the noise from downstairs and have rushed up to see what was happening.
As Ryan is beating the living hell out of Mark, Summer attends to Marissa who is looking from top to bottom pale and is crying uncontrollably.
The police place Mark under arrest and cuff him. As they take him away he looks back once at Ryan and for the last time at Marissa.
Ryan comes alongside Marissa to help her downstairs. As they get outside, Julie runs up to her and the two of them lock in an embrace. Marissa and Julie may not get on very well, but one thing is undeniable, and that is Julie's motherly love for her daughter.
An investigating officer comes up to Julie and Marissa. "We're going to need a full statement from you, ma'am." Julie gives him a very unimpressed look, and rightly so. "Tomorrow will be fine." The officers backs off a bit. Marissa just nods at him.
"You okay, sweetie?" Julie asks Marissa. Summer comes up next to them.
"Coop... You sure keep it interesting." Summer says half-smiling, trying to make light of the ordeal. Marissa smiles back weakly.
"Can we just go home?" Marissa asks her mom.
As they're leaving, Ryan walks up to Marissa.
"Thank you." Marissa says very tired. "If you had not come in when you did..."
"Don't mention it." Ryan says. He smiles at her and the two of them lock in a hug. Tracey is standing off in the distance, seeing them hugging.
Julie comes up to them. "Sweetie, you need to get your rest." Julie says and then turns to Ryan. He braces himself for a typical Julie tongue-lashing. "Ryan..." Julie starts. "Thank you. I..." She looks at Marissa, "WE are very grateful."
Ryan just looks at her and nods in acceptable of her gratitude. Julie, Marissa and Caleb get in their car and drive back home.
Ryan sits down on a low wall outside the premises. He is physically and emotionally drained.
"You okay, man?" Seth asks Ryan as he walks up to him.
"Yeah... Where's Mark?" Ryan says expressionlessly.
"Probably spending his next 20 years in a state penitentiary." Sandy replies as he walks up to the two guys.
Summer is sitting alone on the same wall, a little further up.
Seth and Ryan see her sitting there looking very upset and dejected.
"You should go..." Ryan says to Seth.
"Don't have to tell me twice." And Seth goes over to her to comfort her, but before he can say a word, Summer speaks.
"Just hold me." Summer says and Seth hugs her tightly. "This is so messed up." They stand in an embrace for what seems like hours.
"We're gonna need a statement from all of you." The investigating officer says to Ryan who is standing alongside Sandy and Kirsten now.
"Now, tell me a bit about this Mark guy. He got a last name? Does he have parents? Is he here alone?" The investigator asks Ryan, who tries to answer as best as possible.
About half an hour later, after all the questions have been answered, and the police have left, Ryan and Tracey, Summer and Seth, Kirsten and Sandy and Debbie are left behind.
"So..." Sandy says. "Anyone up for pizza?"
The rest just all laugh amusingly at him and Kirsten play-smacks him on the shoulder.
Ryan, Tracey, Seth, Summer and Debbie get in to Kirsten car; Ryan and Tracey upfront this time; Seth in the back between the two ladies.
Sandy and Kirsten get in their vehicle.
As they're about to get in to their cars, Sandy turns to Ryan, "Race you back. Last one makes the pizzas!"
"Oh you are so on." Ryan says and they jump in to their cars. Sandy immediately takes the lead.