Chapter 5: Confused

Saturday 28th June

23:38

Calleigh sat at the table, head in hands and her hair messy and loose from the many times she had run her fingers through it. Her breathing was harsh but as there was a knock at the door, she lifted her face to reveal bloodshot red eyes. Her face was also red, crimson below her eyes were she had rubbed away the tears so much. As the door clicked open, some strange feeling clipped onto her heart, but then fell away. Delko looked tense, shoulders hunched and his walk tighter. He sat down in the chair beside her and put a hand on her shoulder. But as he looked at her eyes, he could say nothing of comfort, nothing of help. So they sat there, looking like statues apart from their eyes, which blinked furiously.

"It was my entire fault Eric." She murmured. Delko looked surprise at the sudden breaking of silence, but he simply lowered his head to Calleigh's eye level.

"Cal, you know perfectly well it wasn't your fault. No one could have…"

"She knew it and so should have I. I sent him after her and now…" Calleigh broke down and Delko looked to the door to see Alexx come in. She looked upset as well, but as she bent down to Calleigh's face, she hid it from her.

"This is the boss we're talking about. He'll be fine and will come back with…"

"They're going to kill them both. She knew and why didn't I take it seriously." Calleigh said furiously through tears.

"Cal, they won't kill them. They wouldn't dare." Delko muttered and Alexx nodded. But Calleigh shook her head.

"They dared to attack her for the past few months. They dared to attack in broad day light outside a hospital! Why wouldn't they dare kill them?" Calleigh growled.

"Because, we're going to find out where they're hiding and take them down. They'll be ok, Calleigh, you wait and see."

Horatio felt horrible. His mouth was dry and his throat was sore. As he tried to move his hands, he realised that they had been tied together behind his back. He struggled to sit up, his neck sore from the awkward position he had been in. His feet too were bound together with thick industrial rope. He was suddenly aware of yelling, a voice that he recognized and another, male and older.

"If you don't tell me where he is, I'll make sure that you both die horrible deaths." The male voice hissed.

"You can kill me, I don't care. But you let him go. He had nothing to do with this!" Retorted the other. Horatio suddenly realised who it was and tried to yell out, but he had been gagged and speech was impossible. It was Chloe.

"Oh and risk us being arrested? Not a good idea, you little bitch." The male voice taunted. There was suddenly a small whimper as the male slammed Chloe against the door the held Horatio inside.

"Do you really think I'd let him go? You thicker than your mother!" There was suddenly a growl and the male voice uttered an insult as Chloe caused him some sort of pain.

"You'll pay for that, you slut!" The male voice roared and there was a small grunt of pain and Horatio heard something smack against a wall.

"JOE!" The voice was another male, but more smoother. "Since when do you beat up little girls?" Joe had obviously stopped attacking Chloe.

"Since they start fighting back, Mark." He snarled. Horatio saw a gap in the rooting wood of the door. Silently he moved across the floor and pressed his face against the door. He could see that they were in a warehouse. The ceiling was beyond his view, but he could see windows. It was night, but large lights light up the grey hall. A large sleek black table stood in the centre, but Horatio couldn't see what was on top. Tow men stood on the other side of the table. One was large, with muscles and was wearing a white sleeveless t-shirt. A tattoo in the shape of a tiger lay on his bicep while a winged wolf on his forearm. He had shortly cut brown hair and a vivid scar scratched his cheek. Horatio knew that this was Joe. But the other man was different, weaker in terms. He was wearing a navy blue suit and a lighter blue shirt underneath. He had wavy blonde hair and looked more like someone out of an advert. But a silver gun was clipped to his black belt. It glinted evilly in the bright light, as though enjoying a sudden spotlight. This was obviously Mark.

At the end of the hall was Chloe. She looked worse than she had a week ago. Her jacket was stained with blood and she had a cut lip. Blood trickled down past her eyes, which were looking angry and upset. Her jeans were torn and tattered and patches of red gleam among them.

"My, my Chloe. You seem to have grown a temperament. Is it all because we have your CSI friend or…" Mark laughed. "Is it because you want revenge over your dear old parents." Horatio saw a tear pass down Chloe's cheek, but her fists were clenched.

"You seem to be much quieter than previous days. Would you lie to share with us why?" Mark's voice was greasy, sly as though trying to coax a pathetic answer out of the girl.

"Both actually, you blonde pig!" Chloe retorted suddenly. Joe flinched, but Mark put his hand out and Horatio felt a wave of panic as he reached for his gun.

"I can just as easily kill you, but I can also kill your guard in there." Mark said, trying not to look angry as he pointed the gun toward the door. Chloe looked to the door, to the gun and then to Mark.

"Exactly. Now may I suggest that you keep that mouth of yours shut or else we shall have to hurt him." Mark said and he lowered the gun.

It happened in a split second. The gun flashed and the bullet shot out. Horatio let out a muffled cry, but then he heard the bullet slam into concrete. A huge crater crumbled beside Chloe's chest.

"Next time, it won't be so close." Joe mocked and both of them walked away, laughing. The lights flickered off, but the moons rays filled the room. Silver flashed over the table. Horatio couldn't see Chloe anymore. He lay on his back and raised his legs. He slammed his feet against the door and it gave way, the rotting wood cracked under his feet. He fell forwards and suddenly his hands came free. He wrenched the gag out of his mouth and said in low voice, "Chloe?" There was a soft whimper and a pair of eyes appeared. "What have they done to you?"

To me, taht is a perfectly good chapter. In the next one, (which I have not written, so don't complain if it's different) I shall do some Calleigh time, reflecting back on the man she loves. Horatio. Ah, makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Well, here you go and I must go, so Cherrio!

Fro, TheNextTitan ;)