Charlie's POV

Monday morning seemed as normal as any other day. The sunlight spilled through my window, shining across the wood floor. I wiped the sleep from my eyes, yawning. I stretched as I placed my feet on the floor. I stood groggily and went to my closet. I chose a pair of khaki pants and my blue pi t-shirt. I found a plain white suit jacket to go with it. I laid them out on my bed and went to the bathroom to take a shower.

I let the warm water run over my skin, helping to wake me. I winced when it hit my back, but slowly it stopped hurting so much. I gritted my teeth and finished bathing.

When I was done, I turned off the water. I pulled back the curtain and grabbed a towel. I dabbed at my back and was pleased to find no blood. It was a relief.

I turned awkwardly to see my back in the mirror. I could tell it was beginning to scab, for which I was thankful.

I went out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around my waist. I changed into my clothes, especially careful when pulling the shirt over my back.

When I was dressed and ready, I went down the stairs. Dad was working at the stove, where he was most comfortable it seemed.

"Hey, Dad," I said as I came into the kitchen.

"Morning, Charlie. You sleep okay last night?"

"Yeah. Fine." I didn't let on that I had to sleep in the uncomfortable position on my stomach, unable to turn properly and get in a comfortable position.

"That's good. You ready to be back?"

"More than ready." I smiled. I had missed working, though I had appreciated the break.

I sat down at the table and waited for Dad to finish the bacon so I could fix a sandwich. I liked mine plain, just a few strips of bacon in between two slices of plain white bread.

Dad laid a plate of bacon on the table a few minutes later.

Foolishly, I reached for a piece and found it too hot.

"Wait for it to cool," Dad admonished. You would think after all this time I'd know to wait.

I take the paper towel and dab at the bacon in an attempt to cool it faster. After a while, it seems cool enough to eat.

I fix my sandwich and eat it while Dad sets a cup of orange juice in front of me.

"Hey, Charlie, did you see Don yesterday?" Dad asks.

I freeze, the glass of juice still touching my lips. I shake myself, trying to act like nothing was wrong.

"Um, yeah. He stopped by my office for a little while. Why?"

"I was just wondering why he didn't come over for supper. He said he might, but I guess something came up. He could have at least called."

"I guess so."

I turned my attention back to my sandwich.

"He told me you're hiding something, Charlie."

I coughed, choking on a piece of bacon I swallowed in surprise.

I pounded my fist on my chest to try to calm. I took the glass of orange juice and drank greedily.

"Charlie? Are you all right?"

I knew Dad wasn't just talking about the bacon.

"I'm fine, Dad. Don worries too much."

"I doubt that."

I looked up at him, searching for some trace that he knew what was going on. I found none, for which I was thankful.

"Thanks for breakfast, Dad," I said as I got up from the table.

"Oh, I forgot to mention, I met your friend Jake."

I froze. I turned, frantic.

"What?"

"Jake, our new neighbor. He said he knows you. He seems like a nice young man."

"Yes."

I turned and ran up the steps, thankful that Dad remained downstairs. I went into my bathroom, shutting the door, and threw up.

I went to work, feeling shaken that Jake contacted my father in any way.

I was sitting at my desk, thinking about Jake, when the center of my thoughts walked in.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, standing. My voice shook and I hated it.

"I've got another message for you."

He held out a piece of paper to me. I took it from him quickly, hoping he'd leave. He didn't.

I opened up the folded paper.

Well, Professor, I have a little job for you. I would explain it here, but I fear someone may see. Your brother, perhaps? Which is why you are to meet Jake tonight. He'll give you the details. Remember, it's our secret.

Even in writing, the man affected me. I could just hear his sinister voice talking to me.

I looked up at Jake.

"What am I supposed to do?" I asked him.

"Well, Professor, you are to meet me tonight at the LA City Park at midnight. I'll discuss the job there."

"I'll be there."

"See that you are. You are to come, rain, hail, tornado, hurricane, whatever. Be there or I may have to take drastic measures."

He stepped toward me and I stepped the equivalent of his steps backwards.

"You wouldn't want that would you?" He stepped threateningly closer.

"N-no." I stammered. I was getting closer and closer to the wall. I didn't want to know what would happen once I was trapped.

"I already talked to your father, gained his trust. I'd hate for him to have an accident."

I felt the wall connect with my back. I took in a s harp breath as the pain tried to take over.

He stepped up to me, in my face. He was about to say something more when Larry walked in.

"Charles, I need you assistance on my-" He stopped suddenly, taking in the situation.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt. I'll come back later." Larry turned to the door.

"No! Larry, stay!" I said, trying to sound like this was a normal conversation.

"Yes, stay. I was about to leave anyway," Jake agreed.

Larry stayed put, watching Jake with intensity. Jake turned back to me once he got to the door.

"Be there, all right?"

I nodded in agreement, knowing I didn't really have a choice in the matter.

Larry watched Jake as he left. Once he was out of sight, Larry turned back to me.

"Charles, you know if you're in any trouble, you can come to me."

"I'm not in trouble, Larry."

"Okay, but if you are..."

"I know. Thanks."

I sank into the chair behind my desk. I took the piece of paper in my hand and shoved it into one of the drawers.

"Charles? You're shaking."

I nodded. I spun my chair around so that Larry couldn't see me. I stared at the wall in front of me, fighting for control.

When I turned back, my emotions were in check.

"What did you need help with?"

Don's POV

I sat at my desk, completely distracted. I couldn't stop thinking about Charlie. I knew he was in trouble; he had to be. But what I can't understand is why he wouldn't tell me, come to me for help. I'm an FBI agent! I'm supposed to help.

I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I didn't even see Colby standing in the doorway.

I jumped, startled.

"Sorry, Don," He said, watching me carefully.

"Hey, man. What's going on?" I asked, as though everything was normal.

"Are you okay? You want to take the rest of the day off or something?"

"Why would you say that? I'm fine."

"Come on, Don. You're not fooling anyone. Megan and David have come in here three times each today to tell you something and each time you don't hear a word they say. What's going on that's got you so out of it?"

I sighed, rubbing my temples. Worrying about Charlie gave me a headache.

"It's nothing, Colby. I don't know what's gotten into me."

"Look, there's not that much more to do today. We can finish up here. Go home, or whatever that's on your mind. We'll finish up here."

"You sure?" I asked after a few minutes. I didn't want to leave for nothing, though I wasn't really getting any work done because I was so distracted.

"We have your cell phone number if we need anything. Just go."

I smiled and got up. I hadn't even had work on my desk. I couldn't believe I'd spent so much of the day doing nothing.

"Thanks, guys," I told Megan, David, and Colby, who were in the conference room, on my way out.

"Bye, Don," They called.

I waved as I went to the elevator.

I drove to my apartment that afternoon to clean up and try to gather my thoughts more.

I took a nap after I got a shower and changed into some more comfortable clothes. I was surprised when I woke up that it was eight o'clock.

I got up, groaning. I hadn't meant to oversleep. My stomach reminded me that it'd been since breakfast since I'd eaten.

I went to the bathroom to check my appearance. When I considered myself presentable, I went to my car, but not until I grabbed something from my dresser. I had a plan up my sleeves, one that Charlie wouldn't like. I hoped he'd be home.

When I got to Charlie's house, I went in the back way to the kitchen. As expected, Dad was doing the dishes.

"Hey, Donnie. I wondered if you're come over tonight. I saved a plate just in case. It's over there by the stove," He said, pointing out the foil-wrapped dish.

"Thanks, Dad. I'm starved."

Dad watched me as I went to get my food and stick it in the microwave.

"Something on your mind?" He asked.

"Hmm? No. No, I'm fine."

"You look exhausted."

I laughed. "I shouldn't be, considering I just got up from a four-hour nap. I'll never get to sleep tonight."

"You're not coming down with something are you?" Dad dried his hands on the kitchen towel and then came over to me. I tried to shake him off, but he was persistent. He placed his hand on my forehead, then my cheeks.

"You don't feel warm."

I sighed. "I know, Dad. It's nothing, okay?"

"If you say so."

He went back to the dishes. I heard the ding of the microwave and turned to take out my supper.

"Is Charlie home?" I asked before I went through the swinging door and into the dining room.

"Yeah. He should be in there grading papers."

"Thanks."

I went through the door and, sure enough, there was Charlie. He was staring at a piece of paper, but he didn't seem to actually be reading what it said.

"Hey, Buddy. What are you doing?" I asked as I came in and sat across from him at the table.

"I'm grading papers."

I saw him look up at me and there was a touch of fear in his eyes. I could tell by tensity in his shoulders that my presence was not welcomed.

"Hey, boys, I'll be right back. I need to pick up some milk from the store. You need anything?" Dad said as he came in, wearing his jacket.

It had been lightly raining when I left my apartment. I wondered if it was worse now.

"Nothing for me, Dad," I said.

"Not that I know of," Charlie added.

"Okay. I'll be back soon."

He went out and I could hear the rain. It had gotten worse.

When I finished eating, I came around the table to Charlie's side. He was bent over his papers, trying to look like he was actually working on it.

I took out what I had grabbed from my drawer, knowing now was the time.

"I owe you a new shirt," I said near Charlie's ear.

"What?" He asked, but I had already started.

I sliced a long cut in his shirt, cutting it in half.

I wasn't prepared for the sight before me. Two ugly red cuts lined Charlie's back. What could have happened?

I froze. Charlie, now frantically standing, was trying to hide his back from me.

"Don't look at it! Stop!" He said, and then fled from the room.

When I finally regained my composure, I followed Charlie. He was in his room and had his torn shirt off and was searching for a new one. I looked at the cuts, wondering how something like that could happen. Or, rather, who did it?

"Charlie. What happened?" I asked, my voice shaking slightly.

He threw on a t-shirt and then went to his closet, grabbing a jacket. He stormed past me and down the stairs.

"I have to go."

"Charlie, wear are you going? It's pouring out there. Come on, just tell me what's going on!"

"I have to go to my office. I-I-I forgot something."

"What could you forget? Come on, I'll drive you." We were in the garage by now and he was getting his bike ready to leave.

"Charlie! You can't go out in that."

"I have to go."

"Charlie!"

He sped out the garage door.

I watched, stunned and frightened, as Charlie sped away on his bike.

In the opposite direction of CalSci.