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Chapter 13

Panic at the Krusty Krab

The rain continued the pour, flooding the docks and warehouses. The harsh wind whistled through the industrial buildings, making them creak and groan as they swayed dangerously. A constant noise of roaring water filled the area.

A man dressed in black walked down the steps down to the docks, he growled as he splashed onto the lower level – the water was up to his knees, he had to regain his balance against the strong current. He walked past the first warehouses, two on each side before arriving at the final two. He slipped into the right one.

There an unconscious ginger boy was tied to a steel chair which was welded to the metal flooring, the cold water lapped over the boy's knees. The man strolled closer, the grabbed the chin that was resting against the chest and raised it to examine the sleeping kid. He smirked cruelly at the wounds that had been inflicted, he huffed in amusement as he let the head drop back down.

His phone rang.

"Hey." He greeted cockily, "I've got him."

…

"He's been unconscious for nearly 24 hours, I think I took him out a little too well." He chuckled quietly.

…

"Yeah… ok… I'll stay and keep an eye on him… see you soon." He hung up.

He climbed the metal stairs in the warehouse to get out of the water, not that it made a whole lot of difference. The warehouse was more holes than building at this point so the whole thing was soaked through, he sat on the top step and watched over his victim.

There wasn't much he could do until he woke up.

SpongeBob grimaced as he came to, his head and face hurt and his legs felt cold and wet. He tried to move his arms to find them tied behind his back, his eyes opened in confusion.

He looked down at the rising water and gasped at his reflection. He had scabbed road burn down the left side of his face, on the forehead above it was a weeping cut with mottled bruising around it his curls and gag was stained with droplets of red from the rain.

He frowned as he remembered what happened. Slowly, he rose his head and leaned back in the uncomfortable steel chair. He looked down and studied the rope around his chest and stomach, securing him in place. He then tested the ropes around his wrists, they were too tight to allow much movement. He looked forward to see a warehouse across the water, he looked around at the rusted steel building taking in the sounds and sights around him.

He flinched when he heard the warehouse creak, he looked up in horror to see the roof swaying slightly in the wind. Fear blossomed in his heart, the water was rising rapidly and the building he was in seem like it would fall on his head any minute and there was no way for him to escape. He could smell the salt of the nearby sea, he knew he was at the docks and wondered how he got here.

Who would want to kidnap him?

"Well, well." A familiar voice startled SpongeBob out of his thoughts, his head whipped round to see a man dressed in black strolling down the metal stairs. "I thought you'd never wake up!"

SpongeBob watched the man as he waded through the water towards him, he tensed uncertainly.

"I didn't think I was that rough with you." The man pulled his long hood back to reveal his face.

SpongeBob gasped in shock, he wasn't supposed to be here!

"Awww, you look surprised!" Phineas chuckled darkly, "You really are an idiot, aren't you?"

SpongeBob shook his head in disbelief, wide eyes staring into that familiar face. The one he thought he had hurt and betrayed, he had been playing with him all along.

"Relax, I'm not gonna do anything." Phineas rolled his eyes, "Boss is on his way, we'll get on with the next step and then, as long as your friends do as they're told, you'll be out of here in no time."

SpongeBob glared at the man with hatred, he struggled against his binds and tried to speak. Phineas watched with an amused grin, even going as far as to chuckle at the pathetic attempt.

"Let me go!" He tried to yell but it just came out as muffled nonsense.

"You're gagged idiot." Phineas crossed his arms as he watched, "I can't understand a word you're saying, and I don't really care about whatever it is you wanna say either. I suggest you stay quiet and behave yourself, you're nothing but a pawn in our little game."

"Don't be so dramatic." The two males looked over at the entrance to see a new figure had joined them.

"Alright boss?" Phineas greeted as he backed away from their prisoner.

"I suppose." Plankton sighed as he strolled towards them, his eyes locked on SpongeBob's heated glare. "I'd rather this had been done quicker but I'll settle for this."

Plankton smirked as he bent over, pushing his face close to SpongeBob's so their noses were almost touching. The boy flinched but didn't let up his furious glare.

"Hello SpongeBob." Plankton teased nastily, "Don't look so mad! I'm sure my friend here didn't mean to hurt you! It'll heal in no time I'm sure."

SpongeBob narrowed his eyes in disgust.

"C'mon now!" Plankton laughed as he straightened up, "And I thought we were friends, what a shame."

Plankton strolled over to join Phineas' side, he was much shorter than the hired help. He glanced up at his employee with a stern expression.

"Good job." He nodded coldly, "But we're not done. Get his ridiculous tie."

Phineas waded over and pulled SpongeBob's tie off harshly over his head, he stopped for a moment and gave the boy a smirk. He took the pointed end of the fabric and pressed it against the head wound.

"Just to make sure they understand how urgent this is." He mocked lightly, Plankton watched and rolled his eye.

"It's a red tie you fool!" He snapped furiously, "You'll be lucky if they even notice that pathetic bit of blood!"

"Yeah, but if they do notice it?" Phineas smirked back, Plankton still didn't look amused. If anything it seemed to piss him off even more, SpongeBob recognised the dangerous look the other man was giving his kidnapper.

"Listen," He growled, "You are not to make this into a performance!"

He snatched the tie from Phineas and turned his back, SpongeBob couldn't see what he was doing with his hands. He craned his neck to the side to get a glimpse, Plankton turned round and saw this.

"Patience." He chuckled to him. "I'll tell you everything once we're alone."

He revealed he was holding a bulging envelope, with 'Krusty Krab' scribbled on the front. He held it out towards Phineas who came over and collected it, shoving it into his hoodie pocket.

"Now, you are to keep your hood up so they can't see you properly. You will walk into the Krusty Krab, drop the letter and leave immediately. No gloating, No messing around. Just in and out, do you understand?" Plankton commanded, SpongeBob glanced between the two curiously.

"Yes, I understand." Phineas huffed, "You're no fun."

And with that he pulled his hood up to hide his face, turned and walked back out into the downpour.

SpongeBob jumped when he realised Plankton was now right next to him, also looking out at the sheets of rain.

"Quite the storm we're having?" He mused suggestively. "Y'know... if this continues, the water level will get pretty high when the tide comes in... I hope your friends come before then..."

SpongeBob couldn't suppress his frightened whimper.

"Phineas is delivering a ransom letter," Plankton informed him, watching to see the boy's reaction. "They can have you back in exchange for the formula."

SpongeBob glared at the other man, once again trying to tell him to let him go.

"But, we can avoid all this unpleasantness." Plankton assured him, stepped forward and facing the boy. "Just tell me the formula and I'll let you go. No problem, right?"

SpongeBob shook his head furiously, snarling at the cocky villain. Plankton grinned and chuckled.

"Oh good. This'll be more fun anyway." He shrugged, "Don't worry, I'll keep you company until Phineas comes back."

SpongeBob bowed his head worriedly, he wanted his friends to rescue him but hated the price. He knew Mr Krabs would give up the formula for him but then what? Plankton would steal their customers, their business! The Krusty Krab would end up shutting down for good!

He couldn't believe Plankton would take this rivalry so far, how could any of them have known it would go this way?

But he wouldn't betray his boss, he'd wait for his rescue and hope they came in time.

Meanwhile, the Krusty Krab had just opened for business. Mr Krabs, Sandy and Squidward were all inside waiting to see if their fry cook would come into work today or if he was going to be off for a second day with no communication.

They were trying to get things ready, glancing out the window periodically.

Sandy looked up and gasped in shock.

"Oh my god, guys!" She called over to the others as she hurried to the doors, Mr Krabs and Squidward came running in concern.

They raced to the doors to find Sandy dragging a waterlogged and exhausted Patrick into the warmth, he was panting and crying.

Squidward jogged, grabbing a towel from the kitchen before running back to join the others. Patrick was on his knees on the wooden floor, he was trying to tell them something but no one could understand through the breathless sobs. Squidward handed him the towel gently, watching him in concern.

"Relax. Dry yourself off, take a breath and then tell us what's going on." He nodded softly.

"I'll make you a cup of tea!" Sandy nodded but stopped as Patrick shook his head. "Oh... uh... Coffee?"

The boy nodded, Sandy rushed off to make it. Mr Krabs jogged over and flipped the sign to closed, he knew this would take a while and the boy was in too much of a state to have customers around. He waited by Squidward's side as the boy calmed himself and dried off.

Sandy arrived with a steaming mug, Patrick took it gratefully.

"Thanks Sandy, I've been running around Bikini Bottom all yesterday and all night." He huffed tiredly, the others stared at him in shock.

"Why on earth would ya do that!?" Sandy demanded, "You didn't even sleep last night?"

Patrick shook his head.

"What were you thinking!?" Mr Krabs scolded, Patrick sniffled.

"After SpongeBob didn't turn up for work yesterday, I went to his house to see if he was ok." Patrick began miserably, "He wasn't home! So, I searched everywhere I could think of and then everywhere else!"

The others looked at one another in worry.

"But he's gone! I can't find him anywhere, he's just disappeared!" The boy cried as panic crawled up his throat again, "I don't know where he is! Gary's still at home so I know he didn't go away on purpose!"

The others listened as their own minds raced, what had happened to their fry cook?

"You're sure you checked everywhere?" Squidward asked breathily, brow creased with worry.

"Yes! Well... no... well... kinda..." Patrick cringed. "I checked all our usual places, I checked every restaurant and bar (including the Chum Bucket) and I kept going back to check his house too just in case!"

The friends nodded in understanding.

"I even asked people if they'd seen him but no one has!" Patrick sniffed, "I think he's gone missing!"

Stunned silence fell over the four, they disappeared into their own thoughts for a moment – each unsure what to do and trying not to panic. The only noise was the howling wind and the sound of rain hitting the window.

The front doors opened, making everyone jump and glance round.

"We're closed." Mr Krabs called over hollowly, the man walked forward and dropped a bulging envelope on the floor. He turned to walk out but Sandy stood up, she recognised the figure.

"Phineas?" She questioned, the man immediately fled.

The others gasped in shock and went to follow him, but they stopped in front of the letter. The man had disappeared into the gloom, they glanced down at the soggy letter before sharing a wary look.

Mr Krabs picked it up and opened it, his fingers reached in and his whole body tensed. The others watched as he pulled out a familiar red tie, Patrick wailed and leaned against Sandy.

Squidward took the tie from his boss and held it gently, staring at it as if it held the key to his friend's whereabouts.

Mr Krabs pulled out the letter and read it silently, everyone glanced at him when they heard him curse bitterly.

"It's a ransom note." He growled, looking up at the others with wet eyes. "They want the formula and they're holding SpongeBob captive at the docks until I hand it over."

"He's at the docks?" Patrick gasped in shock, the friends looked at him as he paled. "But I passed them yesterday! They're completely flooded and the warehouses are sealed off because the police think they're about to collapse!"

"We'd better hurry then." Mr Krabs nodded as he stormed to his office to collect the bottle with his long-kept secret formula.

Sandy hugged Patrick to try and calm him down, both were still looking at the tie in Squidward's hands. They knew it would hurt Mr Krabs to give up his success but there was no choice, their friend was in danger and being held captive.

It was the formula or him.

For the four, it really wasn't a hard choice.

Of course it's not a hard choice!

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