Chapter 2
The Gang
Matt was awake, but hadn't opened his eyes. He decided that he didn't want to know where he was at or how far away he was from home. That and he wanted to eavesdrop before announcing he was awake.
But all he heard was quiet murmurs that sounded like it was coming from another room. He strained his ears to hear what they were saying but it was far too quiet and perhaps a little too far away as well. He groaned inwardly, wishing he could hear.
He sighed softly and decided that maybe he should open his eyes anyway just to see where he was--he had a feeling that he was alone. He had to be it far too quiet.
He slowly opened his eyes and blinked. He realized that he was wrong--he wasn't alone. There was someone sitting in a chair, staring . . .no, watching him. He had bright red hair, and brilliant blue eyes that had a sense of understanding and caring to them--yet hid it.
"Hello, there, mate!" He said, rather cheerfully, with an Australian accent. "You've been sleeping for about four hours, just to let you know. "
Matt blinked, surprised. "You--you're kinda too nice for a burglar. Or something." He stammered, and raised his head--only to lower it back down as a wave of dizziness swarmed over him. "Uh...ohh." He groaned and blinked his eyes. He went to raise his hands to rub his head--but only to realize they were tied.
In fact, he was on a bed, flat on his back, each of his wrists and ankle's tied to the bed post. That was when he realized how completely and utterly uncomfortable he was. And then he blinked, realizing the pain soaring up and down his broken arm.
"I tried to get them to wrap your arm up, but Bunzo and Zenko wouldn't have it." The red head said, his face showing sympathy and regret. " I wish I could give you pain killers but. . .I can't. My ass would be beaten."
Matt squeezed his eyes shut. He also noticed the pain in his head and blinked his eyes open. "What. . .what about my head?" He asked.
"We had to wrap that up. But if Zenko didn't knock you out with his gun in the first place. . ."He shrugged.
"Zenko the scary big guy with blonde hair and cold grey asked?" He ventured a guess.
The man nodded."Sure is. He is a bit scary, eh?" He waved a hand and then leaned forward. He glanced behind him quickly, as to make sure that no one was listening. "If I were you, I'd watch myself when Zenko, Razan or Bunzo is around, alright?" He didn't wait for Matt to reply.
Instead he grinned cheerfully and said, solemnly, "I'm gonna go and tell Bunzo that you are awake now. Later."
Matt trembled slightly as he watched the other leave, dreading something awful of this Bunzo guy. He squeezed his eyes shut and thought, Any minute now, Tai will smack me, bitching at me to wake up. And Tk, he'll be laughing cuz he thinks we're amusing.
A slap did come but it wasn't from Tai. Startled, Matt gasped and opened his eyes only to see a very tall, lean man glaring down at him with deep brown eyes that held only coldness. He had pitch black hair that was cut close to his head and high cheekbones that seemed to fit him.
"Stop fakin', blondie." He growled. "Now, what is your name?"
Matt stared, angry that the guy was thinking he was faking it. Yet he kept his cool and replied back, coldly, "Matt. My name is Matt."
Another slap. Hard.
"Don't give me that tone, boy." He threatened. He ran his eyes up and down Matt, sizing him up. "You're a thin boy. Kinda girlish. Are you gay?" he asked.
"No." He retorted. "I play in a band." As if I would've shared that. It's not even any of his business.
"Ooooh, one of those artsy freaks who likes to express themselves."
"Whatever! At least I'm not an asshole." Matt said back, sharply and as soon as the worlds escaped, he blanched, realizing his mistake a second too late.
Zenko lunged forward and landed onto of Matt, straddling him. He angrily grabbed the blonde's collar and jerked him up. Matt gasped at sudden pain and the roughness that he felt. He tried to look away but Zenko grabbed his chin and forced him to look into his cold, empty grey eyes.
"Are you implying that I am an asshole?" He asked, quietly, and to his delight felt a slight tremble in the boys body. "I can be more than an asshole." He whispered. "Much more. You're actually seeing a pleasant side of me."
"If you're going to kill me, just do it already," Matt whispered, and blinked. "I'd rather die than having you- you touch. . .torture me."
Zenko smirked. "I was thinking of killing you. . .but now that I know that is what you want, I don't think I will." He raised his eyebrows, as he traced his finger in a slow circular motion on Matt's cheek. "I can think of several other ways to make you squirm. Or torture you. It'd all be for my pleasure, of course. . ."
Matt's eyes widened and he shook his head. He trembled even more, and hated how he let his fear show. "Fuck you, you asshole!" Matt snapped and realized he said the wrong thing. . .yet again.
"Fuck me? I thought you weren't gay!" Zenko cooed.
Matt twisted his body. "Get off, get off, get off of me!" He shouted angrily.
Zenko grinned and slowly got off of Matt, but letting his hand trailing off of his face, and onto his chest and even lower. Matt tense and clenched his teeth.
"You--you sick bastard---" Matt gasped.
"Zenko, you've had your fun, let the boy be." Amane said, softly, and Shiba blinked in surprise--for Amane rarely told anyone what to do. He expected Amane to get a yelling or a beating but he got another surprise.
Zenko nodded, but kept his eyes on Matt. He got off and ordered Shiba, "Keep an eye on him," and left, followed by Amane, leaving a surprise Shiba and a hurt, angry Matt behind.
Tai was sitting with Tk. And Tk was waiting for his dad and the police officers to get done talking. They already talked to Tk, and got all the information they needed from him, and found other witnesses as well, that were near the scene.
"Tk..." Tai said, slowly, "do you have the feeling that they're hiding something?"
Tk blinked and tilted his head a little. "How so, Tai?"
"Look at your dad. He seems to be nervous and . . .scared." Tai said, quietly. "Sure, that officer said that--that the victims that were found. . .were dead." He winced noticing Tk's pale face, "Sorry, Tk, but anyways. . .just the way they talk about it. They're' not telling us everything. Your dad may know but. . .I don't think he'll tell us."
"Why not? I have the right to know, I'm family!!" Tk cried out angrily. "I mean--ugh! This is all my fault!! we were going to the school so he could see Gabumon!"
Tai wrapped an arm around his friend's shoulder. "It isn't your fault. You two were just at the wrong place at the wrong time. And you were just . . . trying to cheer him up. I know he's been stressed. . .and whatever." A pause. "And I know that some of it has to do with our fight. . ."
"Tai. . .," Tk could hear the guilt in his voice. "He was thinking if he called you, you wouldn't answer. So that was when I volunteered to talk to Kari and see what she could do." He sniffed and fought back tears. "That was when we stopped and he seemed ecstatic about it. That was when it blew up."
Tai lowered his head and was about to feel sorry about himself, but then he noticed the movement out of the corner of his eyes. He moved his head a little but didn't want to make it seem like he wasn't eavesdropping. He watched them carefully--Mr. Ishida was being led by the lead detective into a room. As soon as the door closed behind them, Tai sprang up and ignored Tk's question's of what he was doing.
"Shhh, don't draw attention to me, Tk!" Tai finally said. "I'm gonna get me some answers even if in the end it'll get me into trouble!"
Tk nodded and watched Tai sneaking up next to the door. Tai placed his ear against the cold, hard surface. Tai couldn't hear very well, it was still very mumbled. Frowning and concentrating harder, he strained his ears to hear.
". . .more than what we are not telling you, Mr. Ishida." Came the detective's strained voice.
"Really? I hadn't noticed." Came the dry reply from Mr. Ishida. "So, what isn't that you aren't telling me? Why do I think that I'm not going to like it?"
"You're, ah, not going to." The detective said, his voice a bit hesitant. "Look, I'm just going to be blunt. The victims we found by these brutal robbers. . .Sure they were beaten but there was something else. They. . .were raped, whether or not it was a boy or a girl, they were raped."
"What?" Mr. Ishida snapped, dismayed. "That. . .that wasn't what I had in mind."
Tai didn't need to hear anything else and he closed his eyes, a sense of dread over coming him. He stumbled from the door and back to Tk --only to stumble into him; he lost his balance for a second but Tk held him steady.
"Tai, what is it?" Tk asked, his voice trembling. He had seen Tai's horrified expression and had a feeling he did not like it. Not at all. "What is it, Tai? Tell me."
"The--the victims--" Tai managed to say.
"--are found beaten. I know," Tk interrupted.
"No, no, I mean, yeah but that--that's not all." Tai paused and his next words sent chills down Tk's back. "They. . .they were also raped!"
"No. No." Tk shook his head. He couldn't believe it. But as soon as they sat down again, silence growing between them, the door opened and Tk's dread became heavier--for the look on his father's face told him it was true.
"Dad!" Tk cried and ran up to his father, ignoring Tai's groan. He locked eye with his father and asked, his voice trembling, "It's. . .it's not true is it? Will it happen to Matt, too?"
Mr. Ishida glanced behind Tk and at Tai, who looked away guilty. He sighed and rubbed his forehead, instantly knowing that Tai had eavesdropped and had told Tk. He pulled Tk towards Tai and sat him down. Then he looked down at the both of them, realizing he shouldn't hide anything--the two would figure out the information on their own. So he might as well tell him what he knew.
"Yes it is true, Tk. The robbers do rape their victims." Tk's father paused. "I hope we find Matt before they even touch him in that way."
"Yeah, I hope so, too," Tai said softly, clutching Tk's shoulder. "I hope so, too."
"Do--do we have any leads as to where he may be, Dad?" Tk asked, looking hopeful.
"A little. But they don't know for sure. These guys have numerous escape cars. One witness has discribed their getaway car. Yet they did find it. . .but it was empty. We believe they took another car." Mr. Ishida told them.
"Did anyone get the discription on that one?" Tk asked.
"No." The boys expressions dropped from hope to dismay. "But there are tire tracks . . .they must've squealed out, but they're seeing if they can find the tire tracks."
"That's possible?" Tai asked.
"Sure it is.It is a lead." Mr. Ishida replied. "Look, boys, don't give up hope. . .but please don't go detective on me and try to find Matt either."
"Don't worry, Mr. Ishida, we won't." Tai replied back quickly. "I mean, we really don't have any clues as to where they'd be keeping Matt, right? So how can we?"
Mr. Ishida gave him a skeptic look. Tai smiled innocently. "You do have a point. . .but I know you, Tai, and how you are with him." He replied.
"I swear it!" Tai replied, throwing up his hands. "Really."
"Ok, well, I'm gonna stay here and see if I can help out. You two best head home." Mr. Ishida told them, and hugged Tk. "I'll let you guys in on whatever I find out."
"Thanks, dad. See ya." Tk replied, as he and Tai waved good bye and left. Tk looked at Tai out of the corner of his eyes. "So. . .are you really not going to find Matt?"
"I gave him my word. . ."Tai replied back slowly.
"I didn't." Tk stated, grinning. "You could just come with me, and didn't know what I was doing."
Tai grinned. "You're kinda sly, Tk." He laughed. "C'mon, let's go look at the tire tracks!"
"You're on!" Tk replied and lead the way, knowing that it'd look more convincing to their story if Tai was following him. "There's still enough light out to at least look at it for a bit."
"Yeah." Tai nodded and two rushed off.
"Are you ok, Matt?" Shiba asked, wishing he didn't witness that. Out of the whole gang, Shiba was never around nor did he participated in the "games" that Zenko and the others played in. In fact, he hated it. Sometimes, he wish he could help them.
"Why do you care?" Matt snapped. He had managed to twist his body, even though it was rather uncomfortable, away from Shiba. "Just. . .go away."
But there was something in his voice that made Shiba come closer to him. He didn't know why but he liked this kid. He sighed and said, "I'm Shiba," as if that would help any.
Matt looked at him, puzzled. "Shiba. Why. . .are you telling me your name?" He asked.
Shiba bit his lip and looked at the closed door. "Listen, Matt," he said leaning down, "I like you. You're different from all the others who were at the wrong place at the wrong time. I . . .like you a lot that I'm willing to help you."
"Why?" Matt asked, not believing him.
"I've been in this business far too long." Shiba told him, as he grabbed a chair and pulled it close. He sat down and watched Matt for a second before asking his next question. "Just how old are you, Matt?"
Matt blinked. "I'm. . .sixteen. I'll. . .I'll be seventeen in a few days." He answered, after contemplating whether or not to answer honestly. .
Shiba sighed. "You are so young. I hate it when youngs are captured." He said softly. "I was only a few years older than you when I got into this . . .gang. This business. At first, it was mild and ok. But lately, the others--"He jerked his head toward the door, "--have been taking something or another, cuz they've got these horrible plans and ideas for pleasuring the victims before killing them. I hate it. I voiced that we shouldn't and I got a beating from Zenko and Bunzo."
Matt blinked. "How old are you now?" He asked.
"It's been ten years." Shiba said tiredly. "I'm ready to quit. But the thing is. . .you cannot just up and quit. They'd kill me before I'd do that."
"Then you're stuck, aren't you?" Matt said. "Just like me," he added bitterly.
"No. You can help me and I can help you." Shiba replied. He grimaced. "Kinda like using one another to get free. . .Wrong, yes, but I don't want to see you--well, and I want out."
"I see."Matt closed his eyes. "I need to go to the bathroom, Shiba." he finally said. "And. . .if we can help one another out. . .I'm not going to say no." A pause. "If you manage to get away, then what?"
Shiba smiled sadly. "If I could get free, I'd turn myself in. As well as the others. What I've been doing is wrong and I know this. But enough of that kind of talk, let me take you to the bathroom."
Shiba stood up and walked over to the end of the bed. He slowly and carefully untied Matt's ankles. Then he moved to Matt's wrist and slowly untied them, and took extra care at the arm with the broken wrist. He saw Matt wince and bit his lip, and took even extra care after that.
Matt found that he couldn't sit up. He tried but to his dismay he just couldn't move. He groaned. Shiba noticed and took his good arm and helped him up. Steadying him, he managed to get the blonde to stand up without wobbling too much.
"What is wrong with me?" Matt asked, closing his eyes. "I feel dizzy and weak."
"Have you eaten at all today?" Shiba asked, slowly walking to the door.
"Uh. . .actually, no." Matt admitted, ruefully.
"And I'm sure the blow to the head and the pain from the arm isn't helping much." Shiba told him.
"I'm sure." Matt replied.
Shiba opened the door and listened carefully. After making sure it was okay, he place a finger on his lips, motioning for the teen to be quiet. Matt nodded and carefully and quietly walked after Shiba down a shabby, unkempt hallway. They didn't get far--the bathroom was only two doors down.
Matt hesitated. Shiba winked. "Do you need help?" He teased.
"No. . .no thank you." Matt replied hastily, a blush spreading across his face. "I think I can manage."
"Okay, just making sure. Listen, just try to hurry it up. . .Technically, I'm not supposed to be doing this." Shiba told him.
Matt nodded his understanding and went into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Shiba closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead and thought, Why him, why now? He is different from the others . . .Stronger. He will be my ally and I, his. I just hope my plan goes well.