Disclaimer: You know it isn't mine. :)
Chapter 11
April 1st 7:00 AM-Standard Eastern Time
Sunlight through the window penetrated Roger's eyes and it's brightness slowly woke him. He rubbed his eyes and stretched. He then jumped up and realized that he forgot about Mark. He never came home last night. There could have been the possibility that Mark spent the night with Dave, he really did like him. But Roger couldn't ignore his feelings that something was terribly wrong. Mark would have at least called last night. He'd make sure him and Crystal took their medicine and had something to eat. No, something must have been wrong. Roger got up quickly and walked over to his room. He knocked on the door hard and Crystal opened the door.
"Morning Rog, everything ok?" she asked, rubbing her eyes.
"Mark never came home last night, I'm worried. He didn't even call," said Roger.
"I'm sure he just spent the night, I mean come on, Mark's a grown man, and he's crazy about Dave," said Crystal.
"I'm going for a walk, I need to clear my head," said Roger.
"Ok, I'll make us some breakfast after I shower. I'll stay here in case Mark comes home," said Crystal.
Roger nodded, threw on his jacket, and headed out the door.
The city streets were packed as usual, even this early. It was still chilly out, but not as deadly as January and February were. Roger shuffled around the crowd, knocking into people here and there and mumbling apologies. His thoughts were completely focused on Mark, and he looked at the ground as he walked. Mark dammit, please come home. At least call, anything. Roger walked over to the Life and went inside, hoping to find Mark there. He scanned the room and didn't see him at any of the tables. He asked a waitress if he saw him, and she replied that she didn't. What if he was mugged? What if he's hurt, in trouble? What if he's dead? Roger's head was racing and his heart beat faster and faster. Feeling defeated, he went back to the loft an hour later.
April First: 8:00 AM Standard Eastern Time
Crystal had breakfast made, but Roger couldn't eat.
"Roger, I'm sure every thing's fine, you always assume the worst," said Crystal. She took his barely touched plate away after a moment and stuck it in the fridge.
"I have like this intuition, you know? I just know something isn't right," said Roger.
"Listen, you're a good friend Roger, but you're giving yourself unnecessary grief," she said, placing a hand on his shoulder. He didn't expect her to understand their relationship, Roger knew Mark inside and out, and vice versa. A few minutes later, the phone rang. Roger didn't feel like answering it, and Crystal was cleaning up the kitchen.
SPEAKKK...
"Hi, Mr. Davis? My name is Detective John King. I hope I'm calling the right address, I'm trying to reach where Mark Cohen lives..."
Roger immediately picked up the phone.
"Sorry, what's going on?" asked Roger.
"I think you need to come down to Mercy Hospital. It's very serious," Detective King said.
"What's wrong? What's going on?" Roger started panicking, and he couldn't stop shaking.
"I don't want to discuss too many details over the phone, just come down here as soon as possible," he responded. Roger slammed down the phone.
"Crystal, we have to leave now! Mark's at the hospital and the police are involved," he said urgently. He grabbed Crystal's hand and they ran down the street.
When they arrived at the hospital, they burst through the lobby and Roger looked around frantically. He rushed to the front desk and said "I need to know where Mark Cohen is right now!"
The girl behind the desk said "He's in the trauma unit, third floor room 313, Detective King is up there as well."
Roger didn't even thank her but ran to the elevator and jumped inside. Trauma unit, what the fuck happened? His knees felt weak and he wanted to vomit. He hated hospitals, absolutely despised them. They gave him claustrophobia and brought back too many bad memories.
"I'm so scared Roger, I don't want to see what's behind that door," said Crystal.
Roger didn't say anything but put his face in his hands. He couldn't face what was beyond that door either. The elevator gave a loud ding and they both stepped outside. When they reached the room, there was a police officer standing outside of the door.
"Roger Davis and Crystal Muller?" he asked them.
They nodded.
"You two are the only approved visitors for now, step inside, Detective King is waiting for you," he told them.
"Whatever happens, I'm with you Roger," whispered Crystal.
"Thanks, I need someone with me," he said back.
They both walked into the room and stopped in shock. They couldn't believe the horrible sight before them. Mark was laying in a hospital bed unconscious without his glasses. He had bruises on his arms, wrists, face, and neck. His lip was busted and he had a black eye.
"Oh my god Mark, what happened to you? Oh my god!" Roger ran over to the bed to hold his hand but a police officer stepped in front of him.
"I'm sorry Mr. Davis, we can't let you do that just yet, we need to get evidence from him and he can't be touched," said Detective King, who was sitting in the corner.
"What happened, do you know anything, please?" asked Crystal.
"Well, sit down. This is going to be hard to take," said Detective King. Crystal and Roger each found a seat and sat down. Roger rocked back and forth and held his mouth.
"Mr. Cohen was found in an alley this morning by a homeless woman. He was badly beaten, and his clothes were disheveled. Further examination has shown evidence of rape, sexual assault, strangulation, blunt force trauma, and that he was bound. A drug was also found in his system, most likely a date rape drug such as GHB, and he probably doesn't remember any of it. He is in a medicine-induced coma for now so he can recover," he told them
Rape, sexual assault, strangulation, blunt force trauma, bound. The words swirled in Roger's head like angry bees. What did that motherfucker do to you? I'LL KILL HIM! Visions of Mark, helpless, being hurt, stabbed him like a thousand knives. He started sobbing. No one has ever seen Roger sob before, not even at April's funeral, but the tears just flowed. Crystal placed her arms around him and sobbed too.
"You two should leave, this is a very traumatic situation. I'll call you as soon as we find anything, and you can come visit later," said the detective.
They both nodded and Crystal helped Roger out of his chair. Stunned, they both waked home in silence. When they got there, Roger stormed into his room and slammed the door. Crystal put her ear up to it now and then, making sure Roger was ok. All she could hear was Roger making angry noises and throwing things around the room. Other times, he just collapse on his bed and cry again. His best friend in the whole world was hurt in the most vile way, and he couldn't do anything about it. Crystal just leaned against the door, helpless herself, with tears flowing down her cheeks. She knew what it felt like to be used like an animal, treated no better than meat. She remembered the feeling of being vulnerable, violated, and guilty. Crystal walked over to the bathroom and went inside the shower. She sat in the corner, crying hard, trying to scrub not only her feelings of shame and filthiness, but Mark's as well.
April 2nd – 10:00 AM Standard Easter Time
Roger and Crystal both sat at the breakfast table, but neither of them said a word. Both looked awful, with bags under their eyes and their clothes a mess. Neither of them could sleep last night either, especially Roger. He had multiple nightmares about what happened to Mark. Even though Mark was drugged, he had visions of him crying, screaming, begging for help. They both snapped out of their daze when the phone rang. Roger picked it up immediately.
"Mr. Davis, I just called to let you know that we have a suspect in custody, and his name is David Murphy. We picked him up trying to hop a Greyhound at Port Authority. Following the description of him given by the employees of the Life Cafe and yourselves, we were able to apprehend him quickly because he is a convicted felon. His DNA matched what we found in Mr. Cohen, and he will be tried multiple charges. Mr. Cohen should be off of his medicine in a day or two, but you can come down to visit," said Detective King.
"Thank you so much!" said Roger. He hung up the phone and smiled, happy that Mark's attacker was finally caught.
"What happened?" asked Crystal.
"They caught the guy! Some con named David Murphy," said Roger.
Crystal's eyes widened and she let out a piercing scream. The mug she was holding shattered into a million pieces.
"Crystal, what's wrong? Tell me!" said Roger frantically. He grabbed her shoulders.
"I know how I know Dave now. David Murphy was an associate of Jake's in his drug-dealing ring. He was his right-hand man. This means I'm next Roger, he knows where I am and how to get to me," said Crystal. Roger embraced her as she cried, vowing not to let anyone hurt her or Mark again.