Chapter Three: In the Dark
"Do you want anything?"
"No…"
"Are you sure? I can stay here if you want."
"I just want to be left alone…"
Thinking it over now Greg wished he could have taken it back. He didn't want to be alone any more than he wanted to be here. His mind was racing, but he felt empty inside, a bitter taste in his mouth as he eased himself down on his bed. He was exhausted, but Greg wasn't sure if he could even sleep.
Slowly he laid down on the bed, his head resting on the pillow, not even bothering to change. Nick had taken his clothes for processing, giving him a pair of orange stretch pants, as well as a shirt to wear home. They weren't very comfortable, but Greg somehow didn't have the strength to even care.
He glanced up at the clock near his bed, then to the phone. It seemingly stared at him in mockery, bidding him to call in. He knew Sara's cell by heart, he wouldn't even have to leave his bed. Biting his lip he turned away, burying his head in the pillow. Greg knew it was impossible, even if he wanted her here, he knew that it wasn't the best of ideas. Besides…Sara would only come out of pity. Pity…it was the last thing he needed.
He felt himself relax, even as miserable as he felt. He tried to clear his mind, urged himself to let go…it was over, he was home, and he was safe…as safe as he could be…right?
"What did you get?"
Nick didn't look up from the microscope, instead he concentrated on focusing it. "Some fingernail scrapings, looks like Greg may have gotten a piece of our guy. Since he's been at work before hand we can assume it's recent. He would have been wearing gloves while here."
Sara nodded, glancing over his shoulder. "Did he say anything though?"
Nick shook his head, pulling back so Sara could take a look. "Not a word. I didn't think it was even possible for Greg to be that quiet…it's some sort of hair, not human though. Does Greg own any pets?"
"Fish?" Sara suggested, a wry smile crossing her face.
"Well, unless fish all the sudden started growing fur, than it belongs to our guy. Did he say anything when you drove him home?"
"No," Sara shook her head sullenly, sliding out of the way as Nick moved back in. "I offered to stay with him, but he said he wanted to be alone."
"Time to think," Nick nodded, "He's probably still in a bit of shock. It's common. More in likely he's angry at himself. Once he gets some rest, and time to sort things out, he'll be like his old self again."
She only nodded, somewhat lost in thought. Clearing her throat she spoke up, but kept her voice low so that the words only passed between them. "You did…a thorough process…right?"
Nick looked up at her, confusion crossing his face, "What…?"
"There were no traces…"
"No," he shook his head quickly, "no. No one touched him."
He heard her let out a sigh, and knew how she felt. He had been afraid as well, of the possibility of his friend being raped. It would explain Greg's quiet demeanor, and unwillingness to talk. Therefore he felt beyond relieved when there were no visual signs. Still it worried him, there had to be some explanation to why he wouldn't talk.
"So, what do we do with him Crow?"
Greg heaved heavily, trying to draw in shaky breath. His stomach was on fire, and with his head pounding he felt more than sick. The two older men had pinned him against the wall, denying him of any relief for his aching body.
In front of him, the teen paced, one hand still griping the knife, the other rubbing his chin. He didn't say anything, only turned to stare at him, sending a chill down Greg's spine. Never before had he felt so weak and vulnerable.
Letting out a snarl Crow turned away from him, bending over to grab the wallet that had been tossed to the ground before hand. They had searched him, turned every pocket inside out, even going as far as pulling off his shoes in order to find any spare money.
"Credit cards," he mused quietly, pulling out the only three Greg had. "They'd be nice, but someone smart like you would cancel them…if you get out of here. And if you don't, with the connections you have, it wouldn't be good to carry around a record of using a dead cop's card."
"I won't say anything," Greg rasped, coughing. "Just please…take whatever you want, let me go."
He knew know why most people would offer up anything in a situation such as this. Everything could be replaced, everything that was save for his life. All he had to do was survive this, and everything would be okay.
He could hear the teen laugh, the one they had called Crow. Greg could only assume that was a code name…even if could somehow get this information back to the lab it more in likely wouldn't help at all.
Crow hadn't looked up at him, hadn't listened to a word he had said. Instead his focus was on the piece of leather in his hand. A smile crossed his face as he pulled a piece of paper free, studying it closely.
"Here now, who is lovely lady?"
Greg let out a curse as he caught a glimpse of the picture; the same one Sara had given him at the last Christmas party. She had gone out that year, getting professional photos done for her annual Christmas Cards. It had been years since her last one, and Greg couldn't believe how much she had grown.
The picture in front had been removable, one he took care to do so quickly, replacing it with the one that used to be in his wallet. This one was different, however. She had a sly smile on her face, when she whispered in his ear to look on the back. It was the only one she had written her address on, despite the fact that Greg already knew where she lived.
This simple fact worried him, and he watched with growing concern as Crow flipped it over. "Could be a sister," he laughed, "but I don't see any resemblance. A good friend perhaps?"
"You leave her out of this," Greg warned, moving forward. The only thing that kept him from tackling the teen was the two men. He calmed himself down, knowing full well that there was no way he could fight all three of them at once. He'd be lucky to even take one of them.
He was never a fighter in school; for a long time his father wanted to put him through boxing lessons. Partially he was ashamed of Greg's stature; his son was more concerned with science than anything. Were most kids were going out for sports, Greg busied himself with books, and lessons.
If his father were to have his own way, Greg would have gone through them as well. His mother however convinced his father to let him be. At any rate, he was desperately wishing that his father had won the argument. Any experience at all would come in handy at the moment.
"Perhaps we will," Crow laughed, as well as the other two men. "Depends on how loyal you are…"
Greg furrowed his brow, watching him. "What do you mean?" His heart was racing again, and he was beginning to feel sick.
"We'll take care of this," he nodded, slipping the wallet in his coat pocket, "You do whatever you want; Cancel your cards, talk to your friends, turn us in even. Just keep in mind we know where you live…and most importantly, we know where your little friend lives." He tapped the top of his jacket.
"Don't," Greg pleaded, "don't hurt her. Just leave her alone."
Crow ignored his pleading, turning to the men that held him there. "Make sure he doesn't see a thing."
Greg sat up quickly, fumbling in the dark for his lamp. His heart was racing, and the darkness only spurred on his fears. With a click, the soft glow of the light filled the room, and he let out a shaky breath. His entire body was shaking, as he pulled his feet up under his chin, wrapping his arms around his knees.
They had threatened her, not him…he could hear Crow talking even as the larger of the two dragged him further back into the alleyway, further into the darkness. There was no way they would go after him, it was too risky, going to the door of cop friend. But Sara…they had no way of knowing she was a fellow CSI, and being a woman alone gave them a sense of ease. She would be easy to take…and when she didn't expect anything…
Greg let out a bitter sob, biting his lip. Now was not the time to lose it. His eyes fell on the clock, bitterly angry upon finding that he had been asleep no more than twenty minutes. What was he going to do?
Without thought he reached over, grasping his phone. Seven numbers later the phone was ringing, the receiver pressed against his ear. All he needed to hear was her voice; he didn't have to say anything. It was what he did as well. As soon as she picked up, he ended the call.
It was long enough to hear her say hello, long enough for reassurance. She was still at work…she wouldn't answer her phone that quickly otherwise. A few moments later his own phone was ringing, he knew it was Sara. Cursing himself he turned away, trying to ignore the shrill ringing. Sara knew it was him, her caller ID would tell her if she didn't guess on her own.
Greg knew it would only worry her if he didn't answer, but he wasn't up to talking yet either. Sara would somehow find a way in, get what he didn't want to tell out of him. He couldn't…why didn't she understand that? It was then he knew…then he figured it out.
The only way to keep her safe was to keep her close. Without another thought, he reached over and picked the phone up in one smooth motion.
TBC
