Chapter 4

Don's eyes slowly crept open to the sound of his father in the kitchen and the sound of classical music from his cell phone. Don jumped as that song only singled one thing, that Charlie was calling him. Don answered the phone in a leveled voice, with little excitement expecting the worse from the other end.

"Hello?" Don asked as he hit the small green button on his phone known as send. A small weak voice much like the one from last night answered the quick hello.

"Don?" Don's heart stopped as he noted the slight change from last night, they had beaten him again.

"Charlie, hey how'd you get your phone?"

"They're letting me call you."

"I see, well that's nice of them now isn't? They kidnap you and then allow you the right to call your family."

"Don please I know who the leader--"

"Charlie? Charlie!" Don yelled into the phone only to have one of the men from last night answer.

"Sorry Don, your brother is currently not able to talk right now, however what I do wish to let you know is that we will send you a tape. It should come in about 20 minutes so be prepared. Also if we find that you have gotten any information from Charles we will not hesitate-- Wait I'll let you watch the tape then you'll know the path of his actions. Well bye bye Don." With that the phone went dead. Don who now hung his head in shame waited as he heard his father move closer.

"Donny, Listen I'm sorry. I know you were at work and couldn't do anything to prevent this and for that I shouldn't have gotten mad at you I'm sorry." Alan beamed down at his son, who only opened his mouth to close it tightly once again.

Don and Alan Eppes sat in silence, one waiting and knowing what was going to happen in the next 2 minutes and the other just praying that his son would be alive by the time they got to him.

The door bell sounded as Don ran to it. "Right on time" He said quietly to himself as he opened the wooden door.

"Package"
"Thank you." Don said as he took it from the man who then quickly left as if he knew what was contained in the small square shape box. Don reentered the living room where his father looked on with curiosity.

"What's that Don."

"A tape from the kidnappers."

"Well are they going to give back Charlie or what?"

"I don't know dad!" Don had yelled those words, he knew he had no right to yell at his father but he did. And he didn't regret it not one bit. Alan sat back and waited till don moved from the T.V. as so they both could watch the black tape.

Static filled the TV screen as it began to show numbers and then the familiar but hurt face of the young mathematician. Don noted the cuts that seemed to be coming infected by poor conditions none the less. The room was like a dungeon. The walls were pure stone, which compensated for the footsteps over the phone. Don gave a quick glance over to his father who was beginning to cry at the mere sight of his youngest son in such a terrible state. However it wasn't till Charlie began to speak that Don's tears began to flow. It was raspy and unnatural, but they listened.

"Greetings Don and Alan Eppes." Charlie paused, Don knew this was rehearsed most likely by force. "I am here to tell you that there will be no trade for my life. There will be no chance of retrieval, there is no way to find me and secure my safety. I'm sorry. To this--"Charlie froze as a black metal gun was pointed to his head. Tears began to fall as he winced mostly from the tear entering his wound that still bled slightly on the sides. A man's voice sounded on the TV.

"Ignore all that Agents… Dear little Charles wished to try and be a hero, well that didn't work now did it." The man's face moved closer to Charlie's. Charlie tired to move away but was held by two others, they gripped his hair as so not to move his head to much. They wanted Alan and Don to see this. The man kissed Charlie as he free hand moved down Charlie's shirt and then up it. The Camera followed this action which meant that there was at least three men and one other yet to be identified. The man released Charlie from the kiss and then hit him hard across the cheek with the guns side. He turned to the camera with a wide wicked grin.

"Oh I'm sorry Agent Eppes did you not like that… Well to bad!" The man yelled as he yanked hard on the light mask he wore. Don's eyes shot wide as he let out a small gasp and a name.

"Edgerton." Don's face remained the same as the tape went black. Alan turned to Don in confuse as to what the tape was suppose to do. Don could barely speak as he knew what they were going to do to Charlie that much was clear, but why and for what. That's what didn't make sense to Don as he looked into his fathers eyes. Tears streamed down both as they embraced in a hug, showing their fears for Charlie.