Chapter 8

Seth gripped the steering wheel tightly as he headed towards the safe house. Morton had left him no choice. He couldn't risk failure. Morton had to go. He would put them all at risk. Seth cursed as his cell phone rang. He sighed as he checked the caller ID. It was Mr. Anders.

"Yes," said Seth answering.

"What is going on, Mr. Murdock? There are cops all over your neighbors house," growled Anders. Seth groaned. This was just what he needed.

"A boy was starting to nose around on my property. I had to do something," explained Seth.

"Do you mean to tell me you killed your neighbors son?"

"No. I'm not saying that at all. He's being kept under close watch at a safe house of mine."

"I expect you to take care of this, Mr. Murdock. Do you understand me?"

"Yes, Mr. Anders. It will be handled." Anders hung up. Seth cursed and threw the phone down. He was pissed for a few minutes before he decided on his next plan of action. Then an evil grin spread across his face. Seth turned around and headed back towards town.

…………

Jake woke up to find himself in a small dark place. He realized he was no longer tied up. Jake's head was throbbing. His fever was once again hitting with a vengeance. Jake shrieked as a door above him opened. It was then he realized that he was in the trunk of a car. A face appeared above him. Afraid that it was Seth, Jake tried to yell out. His voice was too raw to get above a whisper.

"It's OK, Jake. I'm not going to hurt you," assured the man. It was then that Jake realized it wasn't Seth.

"Who are you?" asked Jake, coughing a little.

"My name is Morton. I'm going to take you back to your family," replied Morton. Jake raised an eyebrow.

"Why? What do you care about me?" asked Jake.

"That's not important right now," answered Morton. "I just need you to keep quiet and let me handle everything." Jake wasn't sure if he could trust this man. It could have just been another one of Seth's tricks. But Jake couldn't see another options. He nodded his head reluctantly.

"OK. I'll keep quiet," assured Jake. Morton nodded and closed the trunk. Jake closed his eyes to get some sleep. He didn't have to wait long before his fever made him descend into a deep sleep.

Kate sat on Jake's bed, gripping an old teddy bear of his. Not only was her son being held by some faceless monster, but he was also fighting chicken pox and a high fever. Kate looked up as Nora walked into the room. She had been arguing with Tom about his attitude regarding his attitude towards Jake's kidnapping. He wasn't sure if he wanted Jake back. He didn't want to raise some other man's child. Everyone knew that Kate wouldn't put up with that attitude for long and that a divorce could be fast approaching if Tom didn't start behaving. Nora sat down next to Kate and sighed.

"Mom, you shouldn't be sitting in here. It's not good for you," explained Nora. Kate fought back some tears.

"How did this happen, Nora? How could I let this happen? I failed as a mother," sighed Kate.

"Don't blame yourself, Mom. There's nothing you could of done to stop this," assured Nora. Kate shook her head.

"How can I not blame myself? It's my duty to protect all my children. Jake is sick for God's sake. I should have been watching him like a hawk," said Kate, scolding herself.

"The police think he was taken in the middle of the night. You can't watch him 24/7," explained Nora. Kate shrugged and held the bear closer to her. She could faintly detect Jake's scent on it. Nora and Kate sat in silence and waited for word on Jake.

……………

Connor couldn't sit still. He was too worried about Jake. He had spent the past thirty minutes pacing around his room. His dad didn't want him to go over to Jake's house. Connor had to go see if Seth was home. Jake could be tied up in his house somewhere. Connor had been trying repeatedly to convince himself that maybe it wasn't Set but he couldn't. There was no doubt in his mind that Seth had kidnapped Jake. And that meant he was hiding something. That meant he had killed someone. That meant he would kill Jake if he had to. Connor decided to disobey his father and head over to the Bakers. He was about to head downstairs when Tyler pulled him into his room.

"What's the big idea?" asked Connor, shaking off his brother's grip.

"I know where you're going, Connor. Dad said no," snapped Tyler, wagging a finger in Connor's face.

"I have to help my friend," replied Connor, swatting Tyler's finger away. Tyler narrowed his eyes. If they kept this up, they'd get in a fight and possibly get grounded. Connor couldn't afford that right now.

"Please, Tyler. I'm worried about Jake. I can't let Seth kill him. Please let me go," pleaded Connor, sticking his bottom lip out. It was move that usually got him whatever he wanted. Tyler wasn't affected. Connor had learned it from him.

"No, Connor. You're my little brother and I don't want you getting hurt," replied Tyler, crossing his arms. Connor groaned in frustration.

"What's going on?" asked a voice from the hallway. Connor and Tyler whipped around. Toby was standing in the hallway in his soccer uniform.

"Shouldn't you be going to practice?" asked Tyler.

"In a few minutes. I heard you guys arguing and came to see if everything's alright," replied Toby.

"We're fine, Toby. Now scram," snapped Connor. Toby could drive Connor up the wall sometimes. Toby gave Connor a dirty look and stomped off. There was danger of Toby telling their mom that they were fighting but Toby knew better then to tell on his brother's. They'd get him back somehow.

"Don't you have soccer practice as well?" asked Connor, glaring at Tyler.

"Not until tonight," replied Tyler.

"I'm going," announced Connor and headed towards the door. Tyler grabbed him and threw him on his bed. Connor jumped into action and kicked Tyler in the stomach. Tyler grunted and fell to the ground. Connor used the advantage and bolted. Tyler tried to stand up but his stomach hurt too much. Connor was in big trouble if Tyler didn't stop him. Wincing he forced himself to stand up and chased after his brother. Connor was out of the house by the time Tyler made it outside. His mom was pulling out of the driveway. She waved at him and headed towards the soccer field that was just a few blocks away. Tyler sighed and started walking towards Jake's house. Suddenly someone burst out of the bushes. Before Tyler could say something, the figure shoved a knife in his stomach. Tyler then realized it was Seth. Tyler gagged as blood came out of his mouth.

"Tell your brother I said hi," growled Seth. He withdrew the knife and walked away. Tyler clutched his stomach and fell to the ground. He laid on his back for a few moments, crying. Then blackness took over.