Out of Time

Disclaimer: Don't own Victorious

A/N:


Chapter 13 (The Escape)

It seemed to happen much faster than expected, Tori was reported as missing the very next day. Typically when it came to teenagers, the police didn't want to bother looking for a few days because the kid likely would "return home soon."

Gary had the team begin within hours of Jade telling them what happened, hoping to get a jump on the LAPD. They needed to be independent of them for the moment. One of the first things to do was to try and contact Ian.

Jade tried phoning first, waiting with the speakerphone on. After four rings there was a click, giving her a second of relief before Ian's voicemail played. "This is Ian Dennison, I can't pick up right now so please leave a message." Her heart sank and dropped her hand to her side.

"Should've expected that." Rather than try to call him again, they drove out to the address they had on file for him. His home was a simple one-story brick home with the front door on the far right side with a square rectangular window beside it. The driveway was on the left, but devoid of cars. "Doesn't look like anyone's home."

There was a man standing beside a lawn mower in the front yard, he had a full black moustache and was wearing a brown cowboy hat. When he saw Beck approach, he turned fully towards him and made eye contact. "Hey, are you the owner of this home?" The man shook his head.

"No, I do yard work for them. The family is on vacation, they just left yesterday." Beck's forehead crinkled and the man turned back to the lawn mower. "They'll be out for a few months I'm told." This wasn't the best news to receive, but it certainly was indicative of something, but Jade just wasn't sure what that would be.

"Did the whole family leave?"

The man started up the lawn mower and gripped the handle, he raised his voice above the motor. "No, I think the oldest kid's still around but he hasn't been home for a few days."

Jade felt her stomach turn as Beck made his way back to the car. He was shaking his head and glancing over his shoulder at the home. "Ian's hiding," he muttered, "That's the only thing I can think of."

Hiding wasn't always indicative of criminal action, and she was sure this wasn't the case. If he knew there was a plan to help Tori escape somewhere, he had to realize the police would come to ask him questions. Knowing what happened to him before, Jade was almost positive his questioning wouldn't be a pretty scene.

As they drove around town trying to figure out what to do next, Sam started a video chat with Carly. Jade sat beside her in the back seat and smiled when Carly's face popped up. "Hey Carly, how's it going?" Sam waved as the girl yawned loudly.

"Tired, just waking up from my nap." From what Jade could see, Carly was sitting in a blue chair just beside a small square window on a white textured wall. Carly had a headset on and was wearing a pink shirt. The girl leaned towards her computer, squinting at the camera. "Hey, I recognize that girl. Jade!" Jade waved as Carly leaned back. "I didn't think Sam was talking to you."

"I started working at her office," Jade replied casually, "It's good to see you again. How's Italy?"

"Italy's great, I miss everybody back home though."

"Well everyone misses you too," Sam replied, "I know Spencer's going crazy without you home." Carly frowned and bobbed her head.

"Yeah, I know. He's really been putting all his energy in his projects. Sometimes I wonder if I should have stayed in Seattle."

"You have to live your life, I know that's what he'd say." Carly twisted around, reaching for something off the camera and thanking someone. When she returned, she was opening a bag of peanuts. "Hey, has anyone contacted you about the Italy thing?"

Carly poured some peanuts into the palm of her hand and raised them to her mouth, stopping just before her lips. "I've had a few people contact me, even today I've some calls. Too many calls to remember all of them." She ate the peanuts and chewed for a few seconds before swallowing. "I miss Freddie doing all that legwork. I don't think I've slept more than ten minutes on this whole trip."

Then it hit Jade, she was surprised she hadn't seen it before. "You're on a plane, Carly?" Carly nodded and Sam gave her a deadpan look.

"You couldn't tell that from the video?"

"I mean, I wasn't paying that much attention."

"Carly's flying in to LA already, her airplane should be landing here in a couple hours." Jade was stunned, but it made sense as Carly might prefer to meet some prospective people in person. "Anyway Carls, we were wanting to get in touch with you because one of Jade's friends might want to reach out to you for your Italy trip. If she does, we'd like to know."

Carly raised an eyebrow. "Okay? Is it anyone I know?" Carly poured some more peanuts into the palm of her hand. "I'll give them some consideration for the trip."

"You remember Tori Vega?"

"Yes. She's wanting to do the Italy thing?"

"I believe so." Carly yawned once more and downed the peanuts in her hand. "Should we let you try and get some rest?"

"Please. I just want to get on the ground, get to the hotel and sleep for the rest of the day."

"Alright, we will talk to you later, it was good to see you."

"Good to hear from you too. Maybe we can hang out tomorrow or something, I'll be in town for a while."

Sam grinned. "Oh yeah, sounds like a plan." Carly waved before ending the call. Sam closed her laptop with a heavy sigh. "Bad timing though, but I can't tell her that. Still, at least we know if Tori contacts her, she'll let us know."

That was the hope anyway, but Jade had a sneaky suspicion it might not be so simple. "If Tori was smart enough to hide just how much she knew and what she was planning right up to the moment she decided to make herself disappear, do you think she could try to convince Carly to help her and to keep quiet about it?"

Sam frowned at the suggestion while Beck slowly glanced over his shoulder. Clearly neither wanted to consider Carly would actually hold back information on Tori. "We'd have to hope that wouldn't be the case. Wouldn't put it past Tori to try something like that at this point…Tori knows she needs help, but doesn't know who can help besides herself, so we have to find a way to help her in all of this."

The police radio in Gary's car chimed about a vehicle being reported by a swimmer at the beach. Curious, the group drove out to the Santa Monica pier. It quite the drive, and Jade was praying this wasn't Tori's car

The police had already arrived at the scene, so when they arrived, Gary had them stay in the car. Jade rolled the window down and tried to peer at the crowd by the water. This was located at the edge of the beach, away from the more crowded areas and easier to be unseen.

Jade knew this spot well, couples would often come for alone time because it was a private enough spot that sexual activity was often reported. She and Beck were a part of that statistic.

She watched with baited breath as Gary approached the police officers present. When she saw Mr. Vega, she immediately ducked down to make sure she was out of view. David crossed his arms and scowled as Gary stepped beside him.

The two men started talking, though Jade couldn't hear. "Hard to know what they're saying," Beck said. He squinted at the pair, though she didn't understand the intense stare he was giving. "Read their body language, see if they can tell us anything. Right?" Sam nodded, flashing a proud smirk.

"Good, you're learning."

The men were difficult to read, shoulders broadened and muscles tense. David was looking off at the beach. His facial features were tight, jaw locked and a strong wrinkle was forming between his eyebrows. The man was angry, that much was clear to see.

Her eyes drifted to the mountainous peak near the ocean, a cliffside that Jade often enjoyed sitting at to watch the sunset. Police were at the edge, studying the ground. "That edge is what they're looking at." She pointed and the other two followed with her gazes. "You don't think-could Tori have driven off?"

"A drop from there to the ocean?" Sam leaned towards the window, her eyes squinting and corners of her mouth dropping. "I wouldn't say that's survivable." Her stomach twisted and a slight whimper fell from her lips.

Beck shuffled in his seat, leaning back against the car door. "Multiple people could push that car of hers off." He was right, Tori's car was fairly small, assuming the vehicle was Tori's. "I remember once I mentioned this spot, Tori proceeded to talk about how she used to come out here too."

"Really?"

"She didn't say much about it, just that she liked coming out in the past." He shrugged, his posture straightened and he motioned to the window. Jade turned her head back and saw Gary walking back to the car, he was frowning at them and his hands were closed up. "Doesn't look like good news guys."

Gary entered the car and started it up, remaining silent as he started to drive. Once on the street, he glanced to the rearview and let out a sigh. "It was Tori's car," he muttered, "Someone was doing some diving and spotted the car."

Jade sank into her chair and dropped her chin towards her chest. She was becoming used to these blows. As much as she hoped against it, she wasn't surprised at all to find that Tori had disposed of the car.

Gary ran his hand through his hair and rolled his shoulders back slowly. "Police divers are searching the vehicle, a body hasn't been found. They're saying Tori could potentially be anywhere in that ocean." He paused, his mouth turning to a smirk. "David is beyond pissed. Wonder what's going on with your circle of 'friends' and Holly right at the moment."

"Ooh, can we drive by them?" Jade leaned forward, her eyebrows bouncing. It was interesting to see a little bit of a snarky tone in Gary. "I bet Holly's more angry than distraught, not sure why but I feel like it."

"Gotta be." He chuckled. "If David's more ticked than concerned at his 'daughter' potentially being at the bottom of the ocean or missing…"

Meanwhile, miles away a small brown Nissan Rogue was driving through the terminals at the Los Angeles International Airport. In the vehicle, driving, was a man of about twenty. He had curly brown hair, thin wire glasses and a skinny frame. His eyes scanned the road.

In the back, Tori sat looking down at the crumpled flyer in her hands, beside her was Ian, glancing protectively out the vehicle. "I didn't want Jade to hold on to this," Tori whispered with anxiety in her tone. Her fingers trembled, crinkling the page. "Thanks for helping, Sinjin."

Sinjin looked to the rearview. "Of course. Going to the police probably would be better. California State Police maybe, the LAPD can't be trusted with your dad looking to head it." Tears glistened in her eyes and she slowly leaned against Ian's shoulder. Her hand drifted to his and she shut her eyes.

"Probably would've been better to wait at the hotel," Ian said while giving Tori's hand a squeeze. "Can't believe we're meeting her at the airport. I know you didn't want to wait any longer, but I'm just wondering the timing. It has to be this way."

"Agreed. My sister's gone, I'm not letting something happen to you too." Sinjin let out a heavy sigh. "Also Mr. Sikowitz and your friends, it was important to get you out of there, Tori. Although, I don't think Beck and Jade are a part of that little group. I think they're oblivious."

Ian nodded. "Still don't trust them far as I could throw them; but they are working with some independent officer." Tori sat upright and slowly wiped the tears from her face.

"I don't care. I just want to get the hell out of California. Not sure how much time we have before those assholes come looking for me." Tori barely had anything with her, she wanted to burn all her belongings down with that house. "I hate that hell house, those pretenders."

It wasn't long before they were parked and waiting for Sinjin's contact in the pickup line. He stepped out of the car, leaving the couple. Tori took a few deep breaths, her body still trembling and every muscle in her body was screaming.

"She's not going to want to leave right away is she?" Tori shook her head. "No, I couldn't ask…How does Sinjin know her?"

"When they were in LA, remember? Techies tend to flock together, so I'm guessing it was more through her friend. Sinjin said he kept contact with both." Ian shrugged and looked out the window.

As Tori lifted her gaze, she saw Carly Shay walking out of the airport with her luggage. "Not sure how Sinjin managed to convince her to help us." Carly's gaze connected with Sinjin's he immediately went to help with her luggage.

Carly entered the front passenger side of the car, her gaze connecting with Tori's. "Hey Tori." Tori smiled sadly and Carly reached out for her hand. "Take my hand?" A sob fell from her lips as she rested her hand in Carly's. The girl held her gaze and slowly pat her other hand on top of Tori's. "It's going to be okay. I have to tell you, I don't think we should keep you hidden-"

"I don't trust anybody in this fucking city, Carly."

"I know, but you trust Sam?"

"I don't know Sam enough." Sam wasn't a part of her friends' group, so maybe she could be trusted. "Sam's working with some independent cop, I think they can help you if you want them to."

"Not now." Tori pulled away with a sigh. "And please don't tell her I'm with you." Carly frowned and shut her eyes.

"I don't like keeping things from her, but for now and for your sake." The girl opened her eyes and Tori felt like screaming. She wrung her hands together and watched as Carly slowly nodded. "I do have a reason for helping. I want you to be able to trust Sam, though but I'm sure that's a bit of a tall order…"

"Why should I trust anyone?"

"The important thing right now is that you're safe. But it's not going to be long before I'm going to have to talk to Sam-not about you-but about that investigation going on." Tori's heart sank and she started to whine. "It's going to be difficult for them not to trace Sinjin to you or me."

Sinjin looked over his shoulder and his shoulders rose. "When I was talking to Carly and Freddie about you on video chat, her brother was there. When I showed Carly a picture of your 'parents', her brother freaked. I don't know what happened after that, but Carly does want to go to whatever cops can be trusted."

Carly shut her eyes once more and shook her head slowly, the girl's body seemed to tense and she slowly moved back. "Let's get to the hotel now, please." Sinjin started up the car and nodded briskly. "I'll talk more with you guys when I wake up."


So much to think about here, wasn't expecting to see Carly. So she has an invested reason, seems like she's aware of something but not sure if she's drawn the same conclusion about Tori that Sam has; but let's see if she can convince the group to turn around and aid the good guys.