Devil on the Doorstep
Am still running for my life… for the record, I want black roses on my grave.
Devil on the Doorstep, Chapter XI: Tell Me It's Not True
It wasn't until the morning that the full extent of Bryan's condition was revealed. Before, he had been nervous if Kai left his line of vision; now, he was petrified. He was only complacent if Kai, Max or, oddly enough, Lee were within touching distance. He wouldn't talk, not in Russian, not English, nor BSL. Kai kept his nightly vigil on the hard wooden chair, feeling horrifically guilty.
The dojo was almost silent. The rest of the Majestics were blanking Johnny and Lee could see that this wasn't a time for prejudice. The 'Inner Circle' (that is to say, those that Bryan trusted) spent all their time in the wooden floored room, trying to make Kai get some sleep, or trying to persuade Bryan to talk. Needless to say, neither of these attempts worked.
It was Max that remembered the guitar, shoved high up in the living area. He got it out, with the help of Robert, and dragged it into the bedroom. Lee cottoned onto the plan instantly and quickly unzipped the case, pulling out the instrument.
To say Bryan's eyes lit up was an understatement. The look on his face was a far cry from the sullen look he'd worn as a Demolition Boy, and a change from the shy expression he'd had since he arrived in the dojo. The Inner Circle would never forget the look of childlike wonder on his face, nor the magic he summoned when he started to play. It didn't make him talk, but he looked a lot happier.
When the others had gone, Kai talked in Russian to Bryan, telling him that he would never leave him, that they'd be friends forever, and that Kai would help him with what they talked about… if Bryan still wanted to, that is. When that failed, Kai wrapped his arms around Bryan and they both cried for the people they'd lost.
Kai remembered the photo album Seth had left – were there any Demolition Boy pictures in there? He scrambled under the bed for it, when suddenly, he heard Bryan's voice.
"Look out Kai!"
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Tell me it's not true, say it's just a story…
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Bryan was shaking as he screamed. Again and again.
"SOMEBODY HELP US! SOMEBODY HELP US!" Kai was pale and his eyes were bitter and resolute as he struggled against the man who held him.
Within five minutes, all of the bladers in the dojo had been captured.
"Wouldn't you like to know who betrayed you, Kai? Wouldn't you like to know who told us you were here?" Boris was smiling at the effect he had on the two boys. Without waiting for an answer, he stepped back, revealing a familiar masked figure.
"Dad? No…" The fight went out of Kai in an instant. "Please say this is just one of your sick jokes, Boris! Tell me it isn't true! Dad, please!" Seth raised his head and the look Kai feared was there. It was a look Kai had seen many times on Voltaire, and it was eerily fitting to Seth. "Dad? No… God, Dad, please!" There was contempt in Seth's eyes as he looked at his sobbing son, and he raised the ever present stick and bought it crashing down upon the younger boy's head.
"Come, Balkov. Put the brats in the van and let's hasten our journey to Russia." Was all he said, turning away from the hostile stares of the bladers.
For once, it was Bryan who cradled Kai. The bluenette was unconscious, and Bryan was scared. He hugged the younger boy to him, hoping his warmth would revive the Indonesian.
"Bryan?" Lee turned his head in the darkness of the van. "Are you ok?" Bryan nodded silently. "Are… are you scared?" Bryan nodded again.
"Are you?"
"Very." Lee hugged his knees to himself. "I - I don't like enclosed spaces. And how did Boris manage to find us?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Ray sneered. "Bryan told him." The aforementioned blader gave Ray a withering stare and stroked Kai's hair.
"Kai's dad set a trap."
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Say it's just some clowns, some players in the limelight, and bring the curtain down…
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Seth sat bolt upright in the passenger seat of the van.
"No turning back now." Boris sneered. "Your son will never forgive you."
"Shut up."
"It must be some feeling, to know that I know your son better than you ever will. He'll never forgive you. And, now you have turned the Demolition Boys against you, you better look out. Because one day, your father won't be able to watch your back. Then you'll be in trouble."
"I said shut up, Balkov." Seth growled. "I don't need to know a pathetic weakling."
"I always knew you'd come around in the end." Boris chuckled and stroked Seth's arm. Seth pulled away in disgust. "I always knew you'd see Kai as a weakling." The lust filled smile on Boris' face grew bigger as he studied the Phantom's impassive face.
Who said it was Kai I was referring to?
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Tell me it's not true, though it's here before me, say it's just a dream, say it's just a scene…
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Hehe! I just couldn't resist the wisecrack at the end! I really should have called this 'Third Time Lucky' because that's how many times I changed the name! After today, I don't know how quick the updates will be; because I'm going back to school tomorrow. Don't worry, I will finish the story… I have much more planned for my favourite Russians and Indonesians!
Review!