Author's Note: Hey everyone. I know it's been forever since I've updated, but school started and suddenly I had all of this stuff to do! Anyway, I took a night when I had absolutely no homework (yay!) and finished up this chapter. I hope you enjoy it, and I'm sorry for the delay! Happy Readings!
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I rested my head on the table, hoping that it would somehow soak up the impending headache that was beginning to take form at the base of my skull. My shoulders were tight with strain. What was I going to do? I had a whole new enemy to deal with. The worst part was that I had no idea WHY he was my enemy. It was strange knowing that that man, that Vamp, knew what I looked like, but I had no idea what he looked like.
I lifted my head as I heard the door open. I watched Mike and Mou enter the room. Mou had the usual stoic expression on her face, and Mike's expression was one of simple acceptance. I wished that I had his laid-back mannerisms right then.
"Well, one thing verifies what he was saying. The sperm samples we found didn't belong to Lake. They belonged to some guy by the name of Smith," Mou stated, voice stony as usual.
I simply blinked. What was I supposed to say?
"Yay?" I asked sarcastically.
Mou's eyes narrowed for a moment. Mike merely threw me a grin.
"What's going to happen now?" I questioned.
"Well," Mike began, large bear paw motioning for me to stand up. I acquiesced to the unspoken request.
He and Mou turned to begin walking out of the room, and I assumed I was to follow.
"We're going to search through the records and see if we can't find anyone with the alias of Vamp. We'll drill Takanaka for information about other people who we could talk to, and we'll pray for a lead," Mike said.
I sighed. His tone was so casual I could have sworn my life WASN'T hanging in the balance. How quaint.
We made our way toward the bustling main office.
"In the meantime, Kon, I would expect you to be on your guard," Mou said.
She glanced back at me with those dark eyes.
"If you would like, I can set you up with some police protection."
Her statement caught my attention. Police protection? I supposed it would be nice to have that sort of security, but did I really want a bunch of strangers sitting around? And where WOULD they sit anyway? I wasn't sure if I was going back to Kai's, or if I was going back to Max's. I needed to see my blonde friend again so that I could apologize, but a large portion of me wanted to spend another night in the arms of Kai. I needed to think about it.
"Thanks for the offer, Mou. Is it possible that I could take you up on it later? I'm not so sure I want that right now," I told her as we passed the front desk.
Mou and Mike halted in front of the exit and turned around to face me.
"That's fine, whatever you're comfortable with, Rei," Mou said.
There was softness in her eyes as she spoke those words. That simple spark of gentleness gave a whole new light to her sharp features. I could see the Mother shining through. Her kid was lucky, he really was.
I smiled and nodded slightly. I was feeling very content at that precise moment, which is why I was startled again when Mike Anderson clapped a hand on my shoulder.
"G'luck, Rei," he said in that deep voice.
I chuckled and shook his hand off. "Thanks, Detective . . . um, Mike, I mean," I replied.
Mike was a nice enough guy, but he was like a giant, and he didn't know his own strength.
"Anderson, I'm taking Rei back to the hospital. I'll meet you here in an hour," Mou said.
Mike nodded. "Sure thing," he replied as he turned and began walking away. His final good-bye was a simple wave over his shoulder.
Unconsciously, I rubbed my offended shoulder. He had a grip . . . a really tight grip.
"Ready?" Mou asked.
I looked over at her, and she was smirking. I glared at her.
"Is he always like that?" I asked.
She shrugged, pushing the door open at the same time. I followed her outside.
"Only to guys who are littler than he is," she replied.
I rolled my eyes. Now there was a good reputation. Rei, the little guy.
"Precious," I said dryly.
Mou simply smiled as we came to her car and climbed in. She pulled out of the parking space, and we were on our way. Once again, the car ride was uneventful. It was filled with little snippets of conversation that had nothing to do with anything. I really just wanted to get back to Kai and tell him everything that I had learned.
Upon our arrival to the hospital, Mou walked me to the doors and extended her hand. I shook it easily.
"Thanks for the ride and everything," I said.
Mou nodded. "Of course. Remember, if anything, and I DO mean anything, happens contact me immediately."
Duh.
"I know," I said, smiling.
She gave me a stern warning look. It was, in fact, the look you would expect a Mother to give her child when she thought he was lying. In some ways I was touched, in others I was dubious as to her thoughts. I mean, why wouldn't I call for help if something happened? I'm not stupid. I'm stubborn but definitely not stupid, especially when a situation screams danger. Geeze.
Mou's features didn't alter even as she turned around and walked to her car. I watched her, listening to the faint clicking of her shoes against the pavement. She got into her car and drove away, and I watched the imminent dark of twilight swallow her whole.
A slight breeze separated from the steady wind currents and gently wrapped its arms around me, sending a chill up my spine. I shivered a little, feeling the multiple pricks of goose bumps rising abruptly on my skin. Suddenly, I was very tired, and I just wanted to go curl up some place warm and sleep for a short eternity. However, the one I wanted to curl up WITH was trapped inside a sterile Red Cross dungeon and couldn't get out without the person who signed him in.
I smiled slightly to myself as I walked through the hospital's automatic doors and to the front desk. The halls were emptier than they had been before, and the florescent lights that reflected off of the tile floor seemed brighter.
I let my personal smile vanish and replaced it with one appropriate for greeting when I reached the desk. I place my arms on top of it and smiled down at the nurse. She seemed to be quite busy scribbling things down on important looking forms, so I cleared my throat gently to get her attention. She looked up, a little startled.
"Hello," I greeted.
She smiled. "Good evening, sir. Is there anything I can do for you?"
I leaned forward a little. "Yeah," I said. "I was here before. I checked in a patient, uh, Kai Hiwatari."
She nodded in recognition. "Oh that's right, the stubborn young man with the head injury."
I chuckled. "That'd be him."
"He's not much for hospitals, is he?" She asked conversationally.
I nodded my head. "Hospitals . . . and people in general," I retorted.
She laughed. "Anyway, you know his room number. Since you're the one who signed him I'll allow you to see him." She winked. "Plus he's been asking for you since you left. He demanded to be informed of your arrival the second you got back."
I grinned. That was my Kai!
"Great," I said. "Thank you."
"Sure."
I waved to the nurse quickly and headed to Kai's room, very eager to see him again. Maybe he could help me sort everything out. I wondered if he would mind me giving Tyson, Max, and Kenny a call to tell them what happened.
The door to his room was shut, and I couldn't help another smile as I opened it. The room hadn't changed at all. Everything was still there including its occupant.
"Rei," Kai said immediately.
I smiled as I pushed the door shut.
"Hey there," I said.
A very small smile graced his lips. "You were gone for a while," he replied.
I walked over to him and leaned down to give him a quick kiss on the lips.
"I know, I'm sorry. Did you miss me?" I asked through a grin.
I grabbed the chair from the previous time I had been there and sat down next to him.
"Maybe a little," Kai answered, flashing me a small smile. "So what did you find out?"
I sighed. He just HAD to ruin a perfectly good moment with 'what I found out', didn't he? I passed him an expression that mirrored my tiredness.
"Everything I didn't really want to know," I replied.
Kai's pale face contorted slightly in worry, his crimson eyes narrowing just slightly.
"What's wrong?" He asked.
So, I took a deep breath and proceeded to tell him everything that I had learned. Throughout the entire thing he kept a very stoic expression, and he was still. The thought had crossed my mind that he had possibly stopped listening or something, but I quickly reminded myself that Kai was ALWAYS listening, always contemplating, and was always a little creepy in that way. However, that was only one of his many charms.
When I finished I let out another haggard sigh and placed my elbows on my knees, cupping my chin in my hands.
"So?" I questioned, after a moment of silence.
Kai's brow wrinkled slightly in thought.
"I'm not sure," he answered after oh-so-strenuous deliberation.
I rolled my eyes.
"Thanks," I said dryly.
He cracked another treasured smile.
"I'm sorry, Rei. There isn't anything we can do right now, especially with me sitting in this damned hospital," he grumbled.
A smile slipped onto my lips, and I felt my features brighten.
"Hey, when do you get out?" I asked.
"Tomorrow. They want to keep me over night for observation."
I grinned. "Ha! Kai has to stay in a hospital, Kai has to stay in a hospital, Kai has to stay in a hospital!" I chanted the mantra rather childishly.
Kai growled softly and reached forward to yank some of my hair, after which I swatted at his hand and set my face in a pout.
"I hardly call that playing fair, Hiwatari," I said.
Kai snorted. "The only thing that isn't fair around here is that I have to sleep in this damned room, and you get to leave."
I stood up and stretched before leaning down and kissing him on the lips again.
"Don't be bitter, love. I'll be back in the morning," I said with a grin.
Kai smiled again and reached a hand up to cup my cheek. He gently rubbed his thumb over my skin and stared me in the eyes. I reveled in the soothing touch, savoring every sweet sensation that it sent through my body, for that was my Kai. Kai, the person I could truly say that I cared for, was staring at me with eyes full of an emotion that so many people spent their lives searching for. It was an emotion that I wouldn't have known if it had not been for . . . for . . . Max.
I allowed my hand to cover Kai's for a moment before pulling away. I had something I needed to do, and since Kai couldn't go home that night anyway, curling up with him was out of the question.
"I'll see you in the morning, Kai," I told him, as I started for the door.
I had started to exit the room when I stopped at Kai's words.
"Wait, Rei!"
I looked back at him with questioning eyes. "Yes?" I asked.
Suddenly, my strong, fearless Kai looked a bit timid.
"I love you," he said softly.
Warmth filled me, and my heart swelled. I knew it was true, but it was good to hear it, especially after so little time had passed since I decided that I loved him, too.
"Love you too," I said quietly.
For a moment, time stopped, and all that existed was he and I sharing that moment, but it ended all to quickly, and I passed him a smile before I closed the door behind me.
As I walked down the empty hall, I couldn't help but feel a little sad. I didn't know why, for I would see him the following day, yet something about that knowledge seemed off. A familiar feeling threw a noose around my heart. Doubt. Doubt was slowly beginning to tighten inside of me, but I wasn't sure why. I would see Kai as soon as I could the next day, and we would leave together, and everything would be okay because . . . SOMETHING in my life had to be. I wanted it to be okay, I prayed to the gods that it would be okay as I said my good-byes to the nurse and left the hospital.
The night air surrounded me once more while I made my way to my car. The sky above me was pitch black, and I couldn't see the stars what with all of the lights from the city. Sighing, I climbed into my awaiting vehicle, buckled up, started the engine, put it into gear, and exited the hospital's massive parking lot.
Soon enough, my car joined the hundreds of other cars on the road, all moving as a massive juggernaut against a chaotic world. I drove distractedly, for my mind was thinking of so many things: Kai, Max, Mou and Anderson, that Vamp guy, and everything that had happened. To think that it all started with a little trip to a club to celebrate my freedom from Mariah.
I wondered about Mariah and Lee then. I hadn't heard anything from them in a while, and the last time I had seen them was after Kevin and Gary died. I remembered that Mariah had sworn vengeance, and poor Lee was going to try and keep her out of trouble.
I sighed and rubbed my eyes for a moment with one hand. I was beginning to feel the weight of the day baring its burden upon me, but I refused to give into it. Soon, I would be at Max's, and I would have to get on my knees and start begging forgiveness, and I wasn't sure how sincere I would look if I fell asleep in the process.
I rolled down a window and turned on the radio, not really caring what was on. I just needed something to wake me up a little. The air blowing past the opened window filled my ears and caused me to shiver while some talk radio show played in the background. After a while, it all sounded like white noise.
Eventually, after a car ride that seemed longer than it really was, I made it to Max's apartment. As I pulled in to the parking lot, I noticed that none of the lights were on and, glancing at the digital clock, realized that it was still rather early in the evening for Max to have gone to bed. I thought that he hadn't come home yet, so I climbed out of the car and strolled toward the apartment, reaching into my pocket for the key as I did so. I inserted the key into the lock and attempted to turn it, but it wouldn't budge. Frowning, I realized that the door was unlocked . . . and Max never left the door unlocked when he left.
Immediately, I was on guard, allowing my neko-jin instincts to kick in gear. I carefully turned the doorknob and pushed the door open, but I dared not to step inside. Instead, I listened for movement or some sign of life inside; I heard nothing.
Taking a deep breath, I entered. I could practically hear the blood rushing in my veins, and I fought to stay calm. My first step was to turn on the lights, so I made my way quietly to the switch located near the kitchen counter and flipped it on. Part of me expected to find a thousand bad guys hiding behind the chairs and the couch, under the table, lurking in the closets, and oh-so-stealthily obscuring themselves beneath variously placed lampshades.
Relief washed over me like warm spring rain after winter, and I allowed relaxation to take fear's place inside of me. I slid my key back into my pocket and shut the door behind me. Max was probably at Tyson's still, or I thought he might have been at the college. He was so dedicated to his schooling that he often stayed late and worked on recreational labs or assisted a teacher in some scientific hoo-haa deal.
I yawned. Hopefully he would be home soon so that I could speak with him. Suddenly, my stomach grumbled, reminding me that I really hadn't eaten anything since breakfast. I made my way to the refrigerator and opened it. Max, for all of his love of sweet things, was actually a rather healthy eater. His fridge was filled with fruits and vegetables, some leftover meals from a few nights ago, and a drawer dedicated to cheese and lunchmeat along with other refrigerator staples such as salad dressings, mayo, butter, etc. I was satisfied with heating up one of the Tupperware containers that held some leftovers.
I'm not modest. I'm a pretty good cook, but Max . . . wow. I'd eat his stuff over mine any day!
As I sat down at the table with my left over spaghetti and a glass of water, I began letting my mind wander some more. I wondered if Mou and Anderson had come up with any leads yet. If they could just find out who the guy was, then it could all be over. I could apologize to Max, maybe consider moving back into my apartment (although I rather liked living with Max), and I could concentrate on a relationship with Kai.
I sighed. But that would simply be too easy.
'Kai . . .' I thought.
That feeling of doubt nagged at my senses again, giving me a rather nauseous sensation deep within the pit of my not-quite-so iron stomach. No, I had to be positive. I WOULD see Kai the next day, and I'd take him home, and everything would be fine.
I shook my head as I forked another helping of spaghetti in my mouth. Damn, I couldn't even believe my positive attitude.
I continued to eat my late dinner, only realizing that I was still wearing Kai's clothing after I spilled some sauce all over the jeans and black t-shirt. I realized then how very cruel I had been to the outfit. I tore a sleeve from the hoodie, bloodied up the REST of the hoodie, and spilled pasta sauce all over the jeans and t-shirt. Well, if that didn't deserve five gold stars, I didn't know what did.
I threw my dirty dishes into the sink to be washed later and went to my room to change. Maybe if I got the soiled clothing into the wash soon there wouldn't be a stain.
Once in my room, I changed into my baggy gray sweatpants and a white t-shirt, my classic bedtime attire. Somewhere within the course of the day I had bound my hair, but I quickly alleviated myself of the thing before I exited the room. After getting Kai's abused clothing into the washer, I went back into the kitchen to get another glass of water, and I thought about going into the living room to watch some television in hopes of waiting up for Max. However, the thought occurred to me that he may be spending the night at Tyson's, in which case I would be waiting up for nothing.
'Maybe I should call him,' I thought.
I sipped at my water while contemplating the pros and cons of calling Tyson, and somehow during the process I had walked over to the couch and sat down. I yawned as I set the glass on the coffee table and leaned back into the ultra soft cushions. I was feeling very cozy, and my sleepiness was being enforced. Maybe I could call Tyson later, or maybe Max would come home. Either way, I had decided that I was going to procrastinate and go to sleep, as the day had caught up with me.
So, I did just that. I fell into a calming and much needed sleep. I released my soul to a world of dreams and allowed its hand to be guided by the soothing waves of unconsciousness. I rested my weary mind in downy clouds that cradled my being in warmth that exceeded heat of any kind. So delighted was I to be in this state of extreme pleasure that I was most unprepared for the nightmarish vision that struck me like a thousand bricks.
Suddenly, I was back at that club with the music pounding and the mindlessly moving people in their state of intoxication. Except, I wasn't PART of it all, I was a mere spectator standing in the middle of it, and in my pajamas no less! People passed through me as though I was non-existent. Why was this happening?
With hesitant steps, I meandered toward a familiar scene that had caught my eyes. It was, in fact, VERY familiar. The table where Max and Tyson and I had all assembled was there exactly as it had been that evening. Max was sitting there, his loose fist tucked under his chin as he stared with slightly morose eyes into the crowd.
A pang of guilt smacked my heart. Poor Maxie hadn't even wanted to go that night. Where had I been while he was sitting there all alone?
I looked around the room in an attempt to find . . . well, myself. I located, um, me at the bar. I recalled that I had been getting a drink and as I approached the me standing at the bar, I took notice to the pants that had clung to me that night and smiled.
'Damn,' I thought. 'I KNEW those pants were worth the money.'
I frowned. I was getting off the subject. I was having the strange dream/memory for a reason, and I had to find out what it was.
I watched myself order a drink, and I watched as the bar tender started to say something to me, but I couldn't hear it. I could only observe the interaction and was surprised when another drink was placed next to the one that had all ready been ordered. The bar tender motioned in another direction, and I saw myself look toward it. I tried to look too, but for some reason I couldn't see what was in that dark corner.
The conversation concluded with the bar tender, and I followed myself over to the table with Max, who smiled sweetly when I showed up. Some conversation was exchanged about the beverage. I saw Max go a little paler than usual when he looked over in the dark corner, and I attempted to look too, but I just couldn't see much. Still, there had to be something over there. I stared into that darkness, trying to make out the darkened figure that was hiding in the shadows.
Abruptly, the club scene began to crack like glass all around me, and pieces of the picture began to fall out, leaving gaping black holes in their wake. The fallen shards seemed to disintegrate into the growing black void, all of the sounds and colors slipping away into a dark void. All I could do was watch helplessly as my dream world fell apart, and I dreaded the thought that I might be pulled into the mysterious void as well, but I wasn't. When all the glass was gone I seemed to be afloat in the darkness.
I took a deep breath, wishing deeply that I would wake up, but something wasn't right. I was supposed to see something that I had failed to see. I gulped nervously. That something was in the darkness, that much I knew. It lurked there, waiting, preying upon my fear, and I couldn't see it . . . I couldn't see it just like I couldn't see . . . HIM . . .
I gasped as realization struck me, and the figure that I hadn't been able to make out slowly began to appear before me. It was him, the creepy looking guy who had ordered that drink for Max at the club! The guy who I had thought looked like a . . . vampire.
His dark eyes drilled into me viciously as his white teeth were bared by means of a terrible grin. I started to back away in utter disbelief and fear, but my body wouldn't move. It was as though I had been painted into the darkness.
Suddenly, his hand shot out and wrapped around my neck, fingernails burrowing into my skin, grip tightening around my airway. I gagged and struggled, my head getting light and my body getting weak.
His lips were moving. He was saying something, but I couldn't hear him. I could only hear the beating of my heart. Everything became futile as he strangled me, and I stopped struggling because I no longer had the strength. Then, everything was quiet, and his image filled my vision, plaguing me. If all was quiet, then I couldn't hear the beating of my heart . . . so, was I dead. . . ?
"Rei!"
My eyes snapped open, and I heard myself gasp for air. My chest was rapidly rising and falling, and my hand instinctively went up to rest over my heart, which was beating heavily and quickly inside of me.
"Oh God . . ." I murmured.
I felt a warm wetness on my cheeks and moved my hand from my heart to my face to wipe at it. My eyes felt soar. Had I been crying? The dream.
"Oh God. . . " I said again. "Oh God, Oh God, Oh God, Oh God."
"Rei?"
I recognized the voice as Tyson's, but my mind wouldn't pay him any attention, for I was still stuck on recovering from the effects of my terrible nightmare. I didn't answer him, I simply stared upward at the ceiling, trying to calm my nerves and digest the information that I hoped was not true.
"Rei!" Tyson's voice sounded panicked as he came around the couch and leaned over me so that his face restricted my view of the ceiling. "What's wrong?" He asked.
I shook my head, and my lips tried to move, but my voice wouldn't work.
"Jesus, what kind of nightmare did your have?" He asked, kneeling down next to me.
He rested the back of his hand against my forehead in a soothing manner and brushed some of my bangs from my face. I watched him do so. What was he doing here, anyway?
"W-what are--" I started.
He seemed to catch the drift of what I was trying to get out and answered before I had to finish the question.
"I just came over to see if Max was here," he replied.
I blinked. Max . . .
"I haven't seen him all day, and last I checked he said he was going home. I guess I'm just a little concerned, because his car isn't here and--"
Max.
I shot up, nearly knocking Tyson off of the couch in the process.
"Max!" I shouted.
Tyson balanced himself and gave me an odd look.
"Yeah, Max. Do you know where he is?" He asked.
In frenzy I grabbed Tyson's shoulders. "You mean he's not with you?" I practically yelled.
"No!" Tyson answered, slightly fearful of my present state.
"And you've looked EVERYWHERE?"
He nodded. "I, I think so . . ."
I growled as I released him and stood up. "Shit! God damn it! No!"
At first, I didn't know what to do, but an idea popped into my head. I walked over to Max's closed bedroom door and threw it open. I could only stare. The room was in utter chaos, and not just the 'I don't clean my room' sort of chaos. There were things broken on the floor, the sheets torn from the bed, and the phone had been knocked off of the stand.
Tyson came up behind me.
"Rei, what the hell is wrong with . . . you . . ."
He saw it too, and he thought what I was thinking. This couldn't be happening, not to Maxie. I WOULDN'T let it happen to Max.
Immediately, I spun on my heel to face Tyson, whose face had gone so utterly pale that he looked stricken with some sort of terminal ailment. My heart went out to him, but I didn't let it faze me.
"Tyson, call Mou," I instructed, my voice monotone.
I walked past him and went into my room to quickly change from sweats and a t-shirt into jeans and a long sleeved white shirt. I put on sneakers and a jacket and got my keys. I hurriedly tied a ponytail at the nape of my neck and left the room, destined for my car and a certain club.
Tyson's blue eyes were misty when I walked by him, and his hands were shaking as he reached for the phone.
"Rei, wait! Where are you going?" He asked.
I didn't look at him. I merely replied, "To check on something."
I left the apartment and sprinted to my car.
I was never one for ignoring speed limits, but as far as I was concerned the damned signs didn't exist. I couldn't believe what was happening. Who the hell ever would have guessed that the weirdo sitting in the corner of the club would have had anything to do with all of the craziness that had gone on? Not only that, but that weirdo was the very core of the craziness.
'And now he might have Max,' I thought.
I growled under my breath and pressed the gas a little harder. I wasn't sure how Max tied in with anything, but I was damn well going to find out, and after I did that I was going hurt someone. I refused to let anyone harm the people that I cared for.
With luck on my side for that rare moment, there weren't any cops around to pull me over, and I made it to the club without hassle. There was a tremendous line of people outside the doors, which wasn't a surprise. I observed the two large bouncers standing outside again. I was glad they weren't different than the guys that had been there the night I was there. At least I knew that they could be bribed.
I parked messily and jumped out of the car. I quickly dipped my hand into my pocket and brought up my wallet. I sighed and grabbed the sixty dollars inside of it, an action that cleaned me out totally. I pocketed my wallet and jogged up to the bouncers, ignoring the other people completely.
The bouncers both looked down at me as though I were a lower species. I didn't bother to let him say anything. I just held up the money.
"For you two if you let me in," I said.
One bouncer looked to the other who shrugged. He then bent down and unattached the rope from the pole. I shoved the money into his meaty hands and walked past him.
The club was just as active and sultry as I remembered, but this time I didn't let it pull me in. I wasn't there for any of that this time. I shoved my way forcefully through the crowd so as to get to the bar. People were lined up at the counter, and I nudged my way between them as well. A few of them seemed put off but didn't say or do anything.
"Bar tender," I shouted over the music and the voices.
The older man glanced over at me with slight irritation but slowly came over to me.
"What can I get you?" He asked.
"Information," I said evenly.
He raised an eyebrow and leaned in slightly. "Ain't cheap," he replied.
I growled in slight frustration. Getting in hadn't been either. I went for the only thing I had left. I laid my hand on the counter and flexed my fingers a little so as to accent my sharper than normal nails. I allowed my fangs to flash in the light and narrowed my eyes.
"How much is your life worth to you?" I asked, my voice holding a dangerous tone.
The man looked pretty surprised, and I hoped to the gods that he wouldn't catch on to the fact that I was totally bluffing. He stood back a little, and his brow wrinkled in thought. He nodded slowly to himself.
"A lot," he said.
Mentally, I sighed in relief; outwardly I smiled, concealing my fangs purposefully.
"Fantastic. Now, the night that I was here there was a guy sitting in that shadowy corner over there. Is he a regular?"
The question seemed harmless to me, but I knew that it meant something dreadful to him when his eyes bulged out and his muscles visibly tensed. I tilted my head.
"Well?" I asked.
He gulped. "Yes . . . he comes here a lot."
"And he's called Vamp, correct?"
The old man nodded. "Yes, Sir, that's what they call him."
"Fine. I want to know everything that you know about him," I demanded.
The bar tender hesitated, his elderly hands going up to wipe a little bit of sweat from his brow.
"Son," He started. "I don't think you want to get involved with that guy."
I growled and leaned in. "I didn't get involved with him, HE got involved with ME, and now one of my best friends is in trouble, and I am not in a happy mood. I swear to you, if you don't tell me EVERYTHING, and I do mean everything, I'll cause you pain in ways that you've never imagined in your darkest nightmares. Do you understand?"
I heard myself saying the words, but I couldn't believe they were coming from my mouth. It was, as before, a total bluff, but I hoped he'd fall for it. I was lucky, he did, and he started to ramble off all sorts of things.
Apparently, Vamp was a regular who came in and sat down, had others order things for him, and all he did was sit and observe the crowd. No one ever sat at the table where he sat for fear of the consequences. The bar tender had over heard things from the people who came with Vamp. They always talked about shipments, trades, and mentioned names that meant nothing to him. Once, he heard something about the "the warehouse", but could never make anything of it.
I left the club with information but nothing truly useful. Feeling let down, angry, sad, worried, and utterly depressed, I headed out to my car. I'd have to go and see if Tyson had made any progress with Mou and Anderson.
The night-lights of the city silhouetted two figures standing in front of my car, and I paused in apprehension. I didn't move; my heart was racing too fast.
"Don't be shy now, Mr. Kon," one called out to me.
"Yes, if you dawdle we might forget information . . . important information about someone very special to you," the other one added.
Air caught in my lungs, gagging me. My stomach felt nauseous, and I could practically feel the color draining from my face. It was about Max.
'What should I do?' I thought.
It wasn't safe, nor was it smart to actually go over to those two, but if I left I might never find Max. I bit my lip as my hands shook by my side.
"Mr. Kon, we highly recommend that you come with us. It is for the good of your friend, oh what's his name? Max? Yes, of course, Max. He's in a lot of pain, Mr. Kon. He needs you."
I felt so sick that I could've vomited right there. What if they were telling the truth? What if Max had been hurt? Would it be too late if I took the time to go get help? Logic advised strongly against the decision my heart made.
With a deep breath, I walked shakily over to the two men. As I became nearer, I could make out their features better. Both were dressed in black suits and one was a littler taller than the other. They shared tan skin and brown eyes, but the sharpness of their features varied tremendously between them.
"Hello, Mr. Kon," greeted one.
His voice mocked me.
"We will now ask you to come with us, as our boss is very eager to meet you," said the other. He too had an offensive edge to his tone.
"And so is Max," the other added for effect.
I was trembling, but it was dark, and I felt a little more confidence in knowing that they couldn't see me very well.
"Where are we going?" I spat.
One of the men grabbed my arm in an iron grip. "It's a surprise," he replied loosely.
I struggled under his tightly clasped fingers but to no avail.
"Follow me." He ordered.
I didn't follow so much as I was dragged to a car down the sidewalk from my own. The man who wasn't burdened with my arm opened the door for his companion, who ever-so-gently shoved me inside. The other man followed us into the back seat and pulled the door shut. He leaned forward and told the driver to go.
We jolted forward as the car started and the gas was applied. I glared pointedly at the man who still held my arm.
"Settle in, Mr. Kon. The ride won't be too long," he said.
"Where are we going?" I asked.
"I told you, it's not for you to know at this time."
With his free hand, he pushed me back into the seat. "Comfy?" He asked sarcastically.
I couldn't believe this was happening. "Up yours," I mumbled.
I don't know why I didn't expect it, but I didn't. I was shocked when a hand slapped across my face with enough force to snap my neck to the side.
"Don't run your mouth, it's not wise," said my captor.
"Yes, it would seem you and your lovely blonde friend have that same little problem."
I looked over the latter man who had said it, my eyes slightly wide.
"It was truly a shame how often he had to be put in his place."
I swallowed, but my mouth was dry. I saw the man smirk and place his cold gaze on me, and a smirk slid onto his lips.
"The bruises, the blood, it absolutely marred that beautiful pale skin of his. You know, he didn't shed a tear throughout all of it. Indeed, he was very brave about it."
Tears pricked at the back of my eyes and flowed forward to blur my vision.
"However, I do seem to recall some point when he did cry, don't you, Mace?" He asked.
The man holding onto my arm smirked as well. "Oh, yes, of course. It was when the boss got hold of him. The boss was a little over zealous because he enjoys blondes so very much. He could have been gentler when he took him."
Bile rose up into my throat, and the tears were streaming down my face. I could feel myself shaking, my stomach churning, and my mind screaming at me.
"No . . ." I whispered. "Please God, no."
The two men chuckled. "Oh yes, and it was quite a sight to observe," said the one holding my arm.
Rage was building up within me, boiling in the pit of my soul. Flames of hate danced inside of me, singeing my heart. Those hot, salty tears continued to travel down my cheeks, and it was all too much. I didn't have time to think logically.
"You sick bastards!" I screamed.
I barred the nails on my free hand and attacked the man holding me. He shouted in pain as my nails scraped across his eyes. I could feel his skin curling up under my nails as he released my arm and, wasting no time, I elbowed him in the temple as hard as I could. He yelled and fell to the side.
The driver swerved, surprised and uncertain about what to do next. The quick motion flung me into the lap of the other guy whose face looked frantic and enraged.
"You little shit," he said.
Before I could do anything, he grabbed my hair and yanked me upward. The last thing I remembered was the pain in my head as he slammed me into the darkened window. I blacked out completely.