Disclaimer: Don't own them, never have. Never will.
Notes: I apologise for the delay. Thank you for all the reviews.
Luna- Don't worry, help will come in the next chapter. Thanks for the review, hope you like this chapter.
Bountyhunterslady – I've got something planned for Max, don't worry. Hope you are still reading this.
Nash Carter- Sorry for the long delay, I've got something really interesting planned for Larry, don't worry.
ClayandSarah4ever – sorry about the spelling errors, I do run a spell check, but then again, English is not my strong suit. I'll try and pick up the errors. Sorry about that.
Stace- I will finish this story, don't worry. There just might be a few delays between chapters. I'll try update sooner though.
Jullian Gray – Hi, sorry for the long delay, I hope you like what I have planned for this story.
Triple-m1978 – this story is continuing, sorry for the delay. Hope you like the rest of the story.
Sombra – thank you. I'm really sorry for the long wait. Hope you like this chapter. I joined two chapters together for this one.
Briebydeb – thank you. I hope you like this chapter, sorry for the delay.
0-0-0
Present Day
Hannibal saw the tears in Sister Mary's eyes and knew there was still a lot to come. He just couldn't believe what he was hearing. He always wondered what kind of childhood Face had. He knew that Face didn't have a good childhood, but nothing could have prepared him for this.
Mary smiled a sad smile as she wiped the tears from her eyes, before taking a deep breath.
"We searched everywhere, we created posters, we even called in the media," Mary said, as she tried to clear the tears from her face.
"Did they find him?" Murdock asked softy.
"We searched for two weeks, not a sign for Templeton or Max. The police went onto other crimes; the media began advertising other news stories. Even the town's people began to forget about Templeton. I tried to look, but I still had the other children…" Mary said sadly, as she looked away, ashamed of she had done.
Hannibal saw the guilt in her eyes and knew that she wasn't to blame.
"It wasn't your fault, you know that, right?" Hannibal asked.
"My head knows, but my heart can't accept it," Mary whispered.
Hannibal new what she was going through, he still wore the burden from the war. He too had to leave men behind. He had searched for weeks, but with no success.
"Did they find Max?" BA asked as he clenched his fists.
"Three weeks after that horrid day, Max was found. He had been arrested for beating his new girlfriend,"
O o o
Twenty-three years earlier…
Max struggled against the policemen's grips, but no matter how hard he tried, they were just too strong.
Cursing his ex-girlfriend he continued to struggle, even with the handcuffs, which were digging deeply into his flesh.
"Stop fighting, and get in!" the one officer ordered as he pointed into the one interrogation room.
Max knew the drill and snarled at the officer as he walked into the room.
Like in all interrogation rooms, there was a table in the middle of the room, two chairs on either side, and a mirror on the one side of the room.
He let the officer lead him to his chair, before sitting down.
Max looked directly at the mirror, already knowing that there were people behind it.
"I did nothing wrong, the lying whore is making it all up," Max swore at the mirror.
"I'm not interested in that,"
Max turned to the door, where a man stood. The man was in his forties, he had short brown hair, which was slowly turning grey .He medium height, slightly overweight, but that was hidden under his uniform. However, it was his eyes, his glaring hard green eyes that scared Max.
"Who are you?" Max asked, trying to not to be intimidated.
"I'm Officer Brooke," Mike answered as he sat down on the chair, his green eyes boring into Max's.
Mike had requested that if they had found Max or Templeton that he would be called. He was lucky to have friends in high places that allowed him this chance.
"Yah, whatever," Max said, trying to sound convincing, but failing miserably.
"Where's the boy?" Mike asked directly.
Max frowned as he tried to figure about what Mike was asking him, the only boy he knew of was…
A smile formed on his face as he realised what Mike was asking. All fear disappeared as he looked at Mike.
"What boy?" Max asked with an evil grin on his face.
Mike didn't move a muscle, his eyes still glaring into Max's eyes.
"You know who. Where is he?" Mike asked again.
Max just smiled as knew he held the key to the mystery.
"It's in it for me?" Max asked as he leaned back into his chair.
Mike remained emotionless, as he tried not to lose his cool.
"You're in here for kidnapping, assault, and if you don't tell me where to find the kid, murder," Mike threatened.
"Ah, but I didn't kill the runt, anyway, no body, no cause," Max replied, enjoying the game.
Mike was thankful in a way, at least he knew that Templeton was still alive, now all he had to do was to figure out where.
"You still got assault and kidnapping, and seeing your passed records, I don't think a Judge would mind adding the murder charge to it,"
Max's smile faded from his face as he stared at Mike.
"So what, instead of spending a few years I get to spend twenty-five?" Max asked sarcastically.
"No, your choice will either be life in prison or death penalty," Mike said in a serious tone.
Max leaned forward, not really believing what he was saying.
"You can't do that!" Max shouted outraged with what he was hearing.
Mike smiled, he had control again.
"Yes I can, and I will. Now where is the boy?" Mike asked again.
Max stared at Mike, not really knowing what to do.
"I sold him,"
Mike's heart turned to stone when he heard those chilling three words.
"Where? When? With who?" Mike asked quickly, hoping he wasn't too late.
"About three weeks ago. He owns a company that makes stuff, I dunno what. I wanted to make a quick buck so I made the runt work for Larry, Larry Peterson. He owns a factor outside in the city," Max explained.
0 0 0
Present day…
"Once Mike got Max to speak we discovered that he sold Templeton to a business man," Mary said softly, watching the horror in their eyes.
Murdock wanted to be sick when his mind raced with all the different possibilities.
"Templeton was forced into working in a factory, making different products. It was a free labour," Mary said quickly, try to reinsure them.
Everyone breathed out a sign in relief, their fears quickly disappearing.
"Wait, is the sucker still alive?" BA asked, hoping that he could pay Max a little visit.
Mary saw the murderous look in BA's eyes and knew what would happen if BA saw Max.
"He was sentenced to life in prison, for attempted murder, slavery, abuse, etc. Three years into his sentence, he was killed in an attempted jailbreak," Mary said with some pleasure.
BA growled in frustration. He wanted revenge, he wanted to teach Max a lesson that he would never forget, and now, all his chances were gone.
Hannibal was also disappointed when he heard of Max's fate, he too wanted justice.
"Sold and forced into doing work; no wonder Face doesn't like working," Murdock said softly as he looked at Mary.
"Most people thought Templeton was a spoiled brat that never worked a day in his life, but he did. He worked harder than anyone I ever meet," Mary answered.
Frankie paled when he remembered all the times he thought Face was a spoiled upper-class brat that didn't know what the word work meant. He had seen many times when Face complained and made excuses about working.
BA, Murdock and Hannibal winced when they too remembered all the times they joked and laughed at Face for being to upper-class for work.
"He always complained, made up excuses, moaned and gave me a hard time when I ordered him to do something," Hannibal said softly as memories began to surface.
"But in the end, he always did his work?" Mary half asked, half explained.
Realisation dawned on Murdock as he looked at Mary.
"Because he could, he complained because he could choose to do the work or not to," Murdock answered.
Mary looked at Murdock with a smile.
"Indeed. Templeton is a very complex man, a man with many scars,"
Everyone nodded at her statement as they started to understand.
"After Mike spoke to Max, did they go to the warehouse to get Face?" Frankie asked, wanting to know more about the man he thought he understood.
Mary signed once again, closing her eyes as she began to tell them more on Face's life.
"Mike and the other officers arrived at the warehouse that same day. But, once again, they arrived too late," Mary said softly.
"What?" Murdock asked in surprise.
"What do you mean too late?" BA asked in confusion.
"Please, let me explain. Everything will be explained in due time. I need to tell this so that you truly understand," Mary pleaded.
Hannibal could see that something important was happening.
"Go on," Hannibal said, even though his mind was racing with questions.
"By the time they arrived at the warehouse, it was already night time. They went into the warehouse to discover a hundred people forced into working…"
O 0 0
Twenty-three years earlier…
Mike walked into the warehouse alone, knowing that back up was surrounding the area. His eyes scanned the room to see many people working. He tried to spot Templeton, but he couldn't see him.
"WHAT'S GOING ON?" a man yelled as he walked into the main area where Mike was.
"Are you Larry?" Mike asked.
"Yes, now who are you and what the hell are you doing in my warehouse?" Larry demanded as he walked up to Mike.
Mike smiled, he had the right man.
"Larry Peterson, you are under arrest for the charges on kidnapping, and salary," Mike stated as he handcuffed the very confused Larry.
By the time Larry released what was happening, he was already handcuffed. He just couldn't believe what was happening. Sure he knew what he was doing was illegal, but he never thought he would be caught.
He looked around to see all his workers begin lead out the warehouse by other officers.
"Wait, kidnapping? I haven't kidnapped no-one!" Larry stated as his mind processed what Mike had been saying.
"Three weeks ago, Max Tanner sold you a kid…"
"Max, the idiot!" Larry swore as he interrupted Mike.
"Where's the boy?" Mike demanded.
"The little runt couldn't do anything right, he only managed to work a few weeks, before his body gave up!" Larry growled.
"What happened to the boy?" Mike asked, afraid of hearing the answer.
"I told Max to pick the runt up. I wanted my money back, but Max didn't come back. He double-crossed me!" Larry yelled in outrage.
Mike roughly pulled Larry closer to him, his instincts screaming to punch him.
"Where is the boy? What did you do to him?" Mike threatened.
Larry unconsciously shivered when he saw the anger in Mike's eyes.
"I dumped him on the streets; I swear I don't know where he is. I went back in the morning because I thought I could sell him. But he wasn't there. I swear!" Larry confessed.
Mike felt his heart stop. He was too late, he couldn't believe it.
"When? Which street?" Mike demanded.
"It was last night. I don't know which street, it was dark and raining. I just pushed him out the door, I didn't know where, I swear," Larry answered in fear, knowing he was digging his own grave.
Mike tightened his grip on Larry's clothing, all he wanted to do was to take out his gun and kill Larry, but seeing the fear in Larry's eyes he knew that it wasn't worth it.
"Take this piece of garbage and lock away!" Mike ordered to one of the officers.
Mike lowered his head in defeat, he just couldn't believe it. He was a day late.
0o0
Present day…
"HE DID WHAT?" BA yelled in outrage.
"Larry later confessed that he hit Templeton, knocking him out. He then placed Templeton in the car and drove. Once he arrived in the city, he stopped, opened the door and dumped Templeton out onto the streets before driving away," Mary answered; her heart breaking as she did.
Hannibal opened his mouth, only to close it again. He wanted to speak, but just couldn't find the words.
"I can't take this anymore," Murdock said as he covered his face with his hands, not wanting to believe what he was hearing.
"This can't be real; no one can suffer so much and still live. This is more of a story than a person's life!" Frankie commented as he looked at Mary, trying to see if she was really telling the truth.
"I'm telling the truth, I wish that I wasn't. The Lord knows how many times I wished it wasn't. But it did. No one can change it," Mary stated.
"But how did he survive? How could a little boy survive the streets? How could he survive?" Hannibal asked, trying to understand how anyone could survive.
"He kept on fighting, he didn't give up," Mary answered.
"How long was he on the streets?" Murdock asked, wanting to know more about Face.
"After Larry was arrested, Mike and a few other people searched the streets. We didn't find anything. He simply disappeared without a trace. Sure we didn't know if Larry was being honest, but we searched for days. Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into Months, months turned into years," Mary explained.
"Years?" Hannibal asked in shock.
"When people don't want to be found, they won't be found. Templeton was missing for three years,"
Everyone's mouths dropped when they heard how long Face was missing, they just couldn't believe it. Three years, three very long years on the streets, a place no child should ever grow up.
BA knew how hard the streets were, he grew up in a bad neighbourhood. He knew the dangers, the rules. He also knew that being alone, and at that age, the chances of living were slim to none.
"Three years," BA whispered in aw.
"Surprised to know how strong Templeton is?" Mary asked as she saw the disbelief in Frankie's eyes.
"he…three years?" Frankie asked, still very shocked to hear this.
Mary nodded her head, knowing how hard it was to hear. If she wasn't there, she wouldn't have believed it.
"How was he found?" Hannibal asked.
"I never really knew what had happened over those years. Templeton never really gave out information. All I know what that an angel came and helped him. You see, that night when Larry dumped him…"
0o0
Twenty-three years earlier…
Templeton shivered for what had to be the hundredth time, his clothes were still soaked to his skin which made his body numb. The place where he was working had a leak in the ceiling, which allowed the rain to fall directly onto him.
He didn't know how long he had been working for; all he knew was that his hands were bloodied and numb. He barely felt the piece of medal which was currently cutting into his hands as he placed it into its container.
His mind was numb with fatigue; he was just so tired, both mentally and physically. He just wanted to sleep, just to close his eyes and drift away.
Templeton's eyes shot open when he felt a heavy hand on his shoulder. He turned to see a very angry Larry looming over him.
Stunned into a silence, Templeton just stood there not knowing what he could do.
"I warned you, boy. I warned you that if you didn't work you'll be punished!" Larry warned as his hand dig deeper into Templeton's shoulder.
"I'm…I'm sorry," Templeton stuttered, not really knowing what he could say.
Larry didn't say anything; he just tightened his grip on Templeton as he raised his fist, sending it straight towards Templeton's face, knocking him onto the ground.
Due to the lack of sleep and energy, all Templeton could do was to lie there; his body to weak to move.
He felt Larry picking him up, but he didn't care. All his determination, all his hopes were gone. At that moment, he really didn't care if died. That was his last thought as he fell unconscious.
He didn't know how long he was out for, but he was rudely awoken as his body was thrown out the car, into the pouring rain. He gasped as his body hit the wet concrete floor.
"Ou," Templeton cried as he rolled onto his back.
The cold rain quickly soaked his clothing, but it was the cold that managed to sweep through his clothing straight into his bones.
He looked around to see where Larry was, only to his surprise, Larry and the car was gone. Looking at the ground, he saw that he was lying on the pavement. Not wanting to remain in the rain, he slowly got up, careful not to hurt his aching ribs.
By the time he was standing, he already felt faint. His head was aching; his ribs were burning and his body numb from the cold.
He looked around to see where he could go for shelter, he saw some buildings, but he knew he couldn't knock on anyone's door. Left with no choice, Templeton entered an alley that was behind him.
Looking in the dark he noticed a small gap between two garbage bins. Seeing no other shelter, he slid in-between the two bins.
Templeton sat down on the cold ground, hissing as he bumped his ribs. He sat cross-legged but quickly changed his position as he hugged his knees, trying to get warm. His body still shook form the cold, but at least, the bins were stopping him from getting wet. He rested his head on his knees, as he looked at the rain falling.
As he began to fall a sleep he couldn't help but smile. He was finally free from Max and Larry. He was finally alone.
To be continued…