Hey! Sorry for dropping a cliffhanger on you guys and then taking forever to update. ^^;; Thanks for the kind reviews. Without further ado, I present to you chapter twenty. Enjoy.

Chapter Twenty

* * * * *

The darkened halls of Biovolt were beginning to come to life as police officers and other officials swarmed into the building. A team of firefighters was busy dousing the huge blaze in the lab and paramedics were treating the injured, which came out to be quite a few. Three cops—two men and a woman—searched the rooms.

They heard a gun go off.

"It came from down there," one of them pointed out. They ran down the hall and saw another younger officer lower his gun. He looked up when they came inside.

"He was going to kill himself. I shot the gun out of his hand," he explained, sounding a little shaken. Four pairs of eyes came to rest on the dead body of a man who had apparently been in a wheelchair. Then they looked at Kai.

"I killed him," Kai forced out, holding out his hands to show that he wasn't going to hurt anyone else. The officers took note that he looked not a day older than twenty. The woman thought he looked slightly familiar.

"Arrest him," she commanded. Kai didn't put up a struggle; he simply complied with whatever he was told. He held his eyes down and allowed himself to be led outside. Once he got into the open, he blinked at the harsh light and looked a distance off, hoping desperately that Tala had gotten Wyatt and Tyson away. He was dimly aware of someone reading him his rights. When they guided him into the squad car, he realized that he would be tried for Boris' murder. He thought rationally and found it highly unlikely that he would receive the death penalty after Boris' real intents were revealed. That was only a small comfort, though. He had heard what jail could do to a person.

He gazed out the window into the sky. The young officer had walked in and saw him with the gun to his head. Kai had hardly noticed his presence until he heard the shot and with painful force, the gun had been ripped out of his hand. He flexed his fingers and took notice of a dull ache in it.

"Do you have a criminal record?" the lady officer asked, turning her head slightly.

"I don't," Kai answered. She squinted at him.

"You look really familiar," she commented. Kai stayed silent at that. She shuffled through a sheaf of papers and Kai suddenly realized they had relieved him of his wallet when he saw her holding his license. She let out a sound of surprise.

"You're Voltaire's son! No, grandson, right?"

Kai sighed resignedly, mentally cursing Voltaire to hell and back. "Actually not. He denied my existence a while ago." If he hadn't, I could pay my way out of this mess, Kai thought.

"He disowned you? Hmm," she mused. Then she let out a tiny laugh. "Like grandfather, like grandson, I suppose."

Kai shut out her voice at that statement and resumed staring out the window. It had been a little over a month since he had been brought to Biovolt and he hadn't seen the outside world in all that time. His thoughts went back to Tala, Wyatt, and Tyson, and he sighed again, hoping.

* * *

Tala was completely out of breath by the time they had gotten far enough away from Biovolt. Tyson wouldn't stop yelling no matter what he said, and Wyatt looked so frightened that Tala didn't have the heart to demand him to help control Tyson. He stopped near an alley and loosed his hold on Tyson, nearly buckling over himself.

"How could you do that?" Tyson yelled. "How could you just leave him like that?"

Tala leaned against the dirty brick wall and glanced around, his thoughts elsewhere. He noticed Tyson glaring at him.

"I'm sorry, did you say something?" he asked. Then he felt bad because Tyson looked as if he would cry.

"You just left him when he needed someone the most! I can't believe you would do that. I can't believe you didn't let me stay!"

"Tyson, it was what Kai wanted."

"You're not supposed to give him everything he wants! He doesn't even know what's good for him. Have you seen the kind of decision-making he does? He's God-awful at it and he needed me!"

"He knew what he was doing," Tala said. I hope, he thought.

"That's not the point! The police are going to arrest him and convict him and—"

"Tyson, shut up," Tala snapped, getting annoyed.

"You have to hear this! You didn't let me help him. You left him there all alone. Did you see him? He was crying and you didn't do a damned thing about it."

"What did you expect me to do?" Tala demanded. "Just waltz him out of there? Kai is the most stubborn person on the planet! If he says he's not going, he is damned well not going!" As soon as the words were out of his mouth, he let out a groan of pain and fell to his knees. Wyatt gasped and Tyson looked taken aback.

"Hey, what's wrong?" he asked shrilly, kneeling beside him. Tala shook his head and dropped his hands onto his knees, panting slightly. He took a deep breath as a sinister grin grew on his face, and he laughed softly. It had a bitter ring to it.

"I knew it would catch up to me one day," he said, his voice dark. "One by one they all went down. I suppose it's my turn, now."

"What are you talking about?" Tyson demanded, fear putting him on the edge. Tala looked up.

"Oh, you know. The sickness the treatment gives you. What Kai had. Or still has, I don't know." He shook his head again and pushed himself to his feet.

"You need to see a doctor," Tyson said uncertainly as he helped Tala stand.

"I need to see a shrink. Let's go."

"Go where? Will you take it easy? I don't want you dying on me or something," Tyson snapped.

"I was thinking that you'd want to inform your friends about what happened. Aren't you staying at Rei's house?"

"No. Well, I have been spending a lot of time there. Fine, we'll go. But damn, we have to help Kai!"

"We will." Tala winced. "We'll help him, I promise. We can't see him now, though. Nobody will be allowed to see him until they have things sorted out and he's settled down in a jail cell."

Tyson let out a helpless noise and he bit his lip. The rest of the way to Rei's house was relatively silent and when they finally reached his driveway, Tyson left the two and ran up the steps, banging on the door. Rei opened it and was stunned to see Tyson close to tears.

"Ty—"

"Rei!" He flung his arms around his friend and began to cry. Rei stumbled backwards slightly and instinctively rested his arms around Tyson's back, trying to coax the other boy to talk. It came out between gasps and sobs, but Rei was able to decipher most of what he was saying. His eyes widened as the reality of what had happened hit him.

"Kai's in jail?" he asked in shock.

Tyson nodded, continuing his sniveling. Rei led him inside and suddenly noticed Tala and Wyatt.

"Wyatt. You're back!" Rei let go of Tyson and pulled the other boy inside. Wyatt was pale and looked as if he might faint, so Rei sat him on the couch as quickly as he could. His eyes met with Tala's ice blue orbs. The redhead backed away.

"I understand if you don't want me around," he said. Rei's brows knitted together and he shook his head.

"You can come in."

Tala went as far as the doorway and leaned against the frame. "I'm not staying. I have one last thing to do, and I'll probably be back tomorrow morning. Don't go see Kai until tomorrow, because they won't let you in to see a murderer so soon. Don't let Tyson out of your sight, either." He turned around and went down the steps.

"Wait!" Rei called. "Where are you going?"

Tala looked grim-faced, but a small hint of his old sneer showed through. "Is that really any of your business, Rei Kon?"

Rei opened his mouth to say something more, but Tala was already gone. He sighed and shut the door, turning back to Tyson and Wyatt. Caleb had come in by that time and was trying to help Wyatt, who looked as if he were fighting tears. Tyson wiped his eyes and looked up at Rei.

"How did this all happen?" he asked himself in a whisper. "Where did everything go wrong?"

"I don't know," Rei said distractedly, picking up the phone. "I'm calling Kenny."

Tyson reached into his pocket and pulled out his cellular phone. "I'll call Max. Rei, I have to go see Kai."

"You can't, Tyson. They wouldn't even let you in."

Tyson sniffled and dialed Max's number.

* * * * *

The handcuffs were taken off and Kai gratefully rubbed his wrists. The prison he had visited Voltaire in had been clean and somewhat sanitary, but this one was dank and dingy looking. An armed worker led him down the hallway, past cells holding people. Kai's eyes swept over the prisoners, and he bit his lip. Inside, he felt like laughing out loud at the whole circumstance of a rich kid like him in a situation like this. Sudden bouts of sadness would overtake him, though, and he grew weary of the constant prickling at the corners of his eyes.

The guard stopped and Kai gazed impassively at the cell in front of him. They had decided that he wasn't risky enough to need a solitary confinement cell, so were placing him in a double cell. Kai was somewhat nervous at the thought of spending time alone with a real criminal, but didn't show it at all.

"Get in there," the guard said roughly, sliding the bars open and all but shoving Kai inside. They slammed behind him with a wicked screeching of metal. Kai took a breath and looked for the person he would be sharing the cell with.

"Well, hello," a voice drawled from somewhere in the shadows. "Finally, I've got a new friend."

Kai didn't know how to react, so instead he didn't answer. Right then he realized how tired he was, so he sat down on the cot on the wall with a heavy sigh. Having never been in jail before, he had no idea what to do. His cellmate was also making him edgy.

"What's your name?" the voice asked. Kai looked up with narrowed eyes.

"Why won't you come out of the dark?" Kai asked back, wondering if he might be horribly disfigured or something of the like.

He heard a rustling sound and a man appeared, sprawled out on his cot with a bored look. He had a large build and looked about a head taller than Kai. Bigger, too. He had dark brown hair and brown eyes, and he looked completely normal. If Kai ever bumped into him on the street, he would have never guessed that he was a criminal. He seemed a good six or seven years older than Kai, although he still looked youngish. What bothered Kai even more was his friendly demeanor.

The man gave him a half-smile. "Now, what's your name?" he asked again.

Kai paused. "It's Kai."

"Kai. That's a nice name. Just call me Cleft."

Kai waited, giving him a chance to say more. When nothing else was said, he turned his head slightly and examined the wall. His thoughts wandered away, and he could help worrying about Tyson and the others. Cleft's voice pulled him back.

"So, what are you in for?"

Kai avoided his eyes. "I, ah… k-killed… someone," he managed to say. Cleft looked thoughtful.

"How'd you do it?"

Kai glared at the ground. "I don't want to talk about it." I'm not going to cry in front of a complete stranger! He thought harshly.

Cleft clucked his tongue. Kai ignored him, but he spoke again.

"I would never have thought you could be a murderer," Cleft said. Kai didn't answer, so he went on. "You look… too pretty to be a murderer."

Kai looked up sharply.

"You look too kind to kill," Cleft said slowly. He stood up and walked to the bars, looking out. Kai followed his gaze and found it disheartening that everyone in the other cells seemed to look away when they saw his cellmate. He swallowed and grimaced, wondering what they would do to him if he threw up blood all over the floor. He watched Cleft and admitted to himself that he would feel more comfortable if he weren't so much bigger than him. Kai looked back down at the floor. He heard Cleft's footsteps again and the shadows cast along the ground made him look up. He was surprised to find Cleft standing right in front of him.

Kai eased back gently. "You need something?" he asked, making sure his voice did not betray his apprehension. Cleft leaned down and gave him a lewd smile.

"Maybe," he said, dragging out the word. Kai felt a surge of anger.

"Get away from me," he snapped. In one fluid motion, Cleft's hands darted out and grasped Kai's shoulders. Kai's back hit the wall and he let out a startled gasp.

"What are you—"

"Shhh. Don't speak," Cleft said. Before Kai could react, he reached down and kissed him on the lips. Kai's mouth twisted into a grimace and he jerked away, shoving Cleft backwards.

"You sick bastard! What are you trying to do?" Kai yelled. Cleft didn't even stumble. He snatched Kai's wrists and held them tightly in his grip, giving Kai another unnerving smile.

"I've been waiting… for someone like you," Cleft said. Kai tried to struggle, but found Cleft to be much stronger. Of course Cleft hadn't been sick for quite as long as Kai, either. The larger man went on.

"I waited and all of a sudden you fall right into my lap. I'm not going to let you go. Besides, you killed someone, so you say. You have to pay for your crimes."

Kai's eyes shifted past Cleft onto the cells nearby. Every prisoner had retreated to the back of his cell, and no one dared to make eye contact. Kai took a deep breath and looked back at Cleft.

"It's not your responsibility to make sure I get punished," he said evenly. Cleft seemed to ponder over his words for a moment and Kai wondered if maybe this man belonged in the insane asylum. After a minute, Kai got nervous and was fighting to keep his composure.

"I guess you're right," Cleft said finally. "I won't punish you bad. I'll just make you scream."

Kai was shaking with fright inside at the threat Cleft had just made, knowing that he couldn't fight off this man in his current condition. It was obvious no one around him was going to help.

"Cleft, I—"

"No time for chitchat," Cleft said briskly, pulling Kai up.

"Let go!" Kai resisted again and in less than a second, Cleft threw him to the ground. Kai's head cracked against the hard surface and stars danced across his rapidly failing vision. He closed his eyes and coughed, his body shaking. He felt Cleft's hands on his face.

"You have blood coming out of your mouth," he said in wonderment. Kai took a deep breath, tasting the coppery liquid. What was even worse was that he was lying on his back. Somewhere, in the back of his mind, he found it highly ironic that he just might choke and die on his own blood after everything that had happened. He opened his eyes and found his sight swaying and blurred.

"Get…" He groaned, not able to think clearly. He shut his eyes again.

Cleft was almost sitting on top of him. The older man pushed a stray lock of Kai's hair away from his face, grinned, and kissed him again. Kai let out a muffled cry and pushed back his face, his fingers digging into his shoulders. This time, Cleft pinned his hands down, and Kai growled at him, unable to get up.

"Stop fighting," Cleft said. "I want to hear you scream."

Hot tears prickled at Kai's eyes. "God, no…"

"This'll be fun."

"No!" Kai strained against the grip on his hands to no avail. Cleft laughed and lowered his mouth to Kai's neck. He licked the soft skin and smiled. 

"How pretty," he said absently. Kai clenched his teeth.

The doctor said no sexual intercourse of any kind, he thought. What he's going to do is going to hurt me badly… in more ways than one. God, this can't be happening. This cannot be happening. This cannot—

"Tyson," he whispered suddenly, closing his eyes. A warm tear escaped his lid. Cleft looked at him dubiously.

"Tyson?" A look of realization dawned across his features. "Oh, is that your boyfriend? Heh. Feeling a little unfaithful? Well, just think of it this way. Where is he now? Why isn't he here to help you? You know, it's true what they say. Once you go to jail, your friends leave. Lovers, too. You're all alone once you step through these doors because nobody wants anything to do with a jailbird."

Kai glared at Cleft, his eyes glistening with unshed tears, with such a hateful intensity that he almost cringed. Almost. He grinned after a moment and turned his attention to Kai's body.

The people in the other cells were all strangely quiet. Most of them found something else to do to occupy their time, and some of them discovered that the natural human emotion of sympathy still abided in them, and thankfulness, too. Thankfulness to the fact that they themselves were not unfortunate enough to be stuck in a cell with Cleft. A few of them closed their eyes and tried to block out the rhythmic grunts, the cries of pain, and the soft, wet sounds. The guards always conveniently disappeared when it happened, mostly due to the fact that they didn't want to deal with Cleft themselves. It was a shitty prison.

When a particularly violent thrust from Cleft elicited a stark cry of anguish from Kai, the people renewed their efforts to look away. Soon he was sobbing openly and begging for it to be over, but no one was about to come to his aid.

* * *

TBC

* * *

Okay… now I feel really bad. The angst is getting to me here, along with all this Kai-torture. I guess this is where I pick up the plot and start dragging it uphill, huh? I feel cruel and inhumane! ;_; Anyway, a lot of people have been asking me "Is this the last chapter?!" I don't know what made you think that I would put a TBC (which in fact does mean to be continued, for those who were wondering!) at the end of the last chapter… believe me, you'll know when the last chapter rolls around, because it'll be the epilogue. :D

Now, I have a question. Since Kai did just get raped up there (Heh, could you tell? ^^;;), do I have to rate this fic as R? I thought about writing out the whole scene with details, but dismissed that idea as an excuse for me to write smut. x_X So, am I still safe with my lovable PG-13? Don't report me! If the majority of you guys say up the rating, then up the rating I shall. That means you have to review. *pokes* Please and thank you!