Oh wow…it's been a while, hasn't it? I apologize greatly – but in a meek excuse for my lateness, I've had an extremely bad case of writer's black and on top of that, have been swamped with family, boyfriend and homework troubles. But hopefully those problems will soon disappear and I can get back in the habit of updating again. I appreciate all of your patience and reviews! This chapter would have probably been posted much later if it hadn't been for them.
I hope you enjoy this chapter (and any suggestions will be extremely helpful, as I don't really have a solid plan for this story yet…)
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"It's called sodium thiopental. It has a very distinct molecular build, so it's very easily recognizable. It puts you unconscious within seconds, and can keep you that way for hours depending on the dosage. I'm surprised to see that this person had this large of a dosage, though."
Tyler wrung his hands together, clearly nervous and upset, "What do you mean?"
Caleb continued pacing as the gray-haired Head of the Science Department, Professor R. R. Martin, spoke. It had been only hours after Reid's disappearance. They all were left clueless and worried, and each of them was left with only one option – to find out what was in the syringe, and from there, try to piece together the whereabouts of their friend.
"Oh, well, in 38 states this barbiturate is used as a lethal injection. And just looking at how large this syringe is, I wouldn't be surprised if the person who was on the wrong side of this needle is dead!"
Caleb sighed deeply and forced a smile, "Well, thank you, Professor. You've helped us out a lot."
Professor Martin clapped his hands together, a cheery grin planted on his face, "Oh, no problem! Say, is this for a science project? If it is, I would be glad to get in contact with some of my colleagues who would be more than willing to help you out with more information!"
"Thank you, Professor," Pogue said as he brushed his hand through his hair, "But we have just about everything we need for this project."
"Yeah," Tyler added, following in suit as his friends walked slowly to the door, "Thank you anyway, Professor."
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If the circumstances of the previous night had not occurred, Caleb would have thought it to be a beautiful day. The sun was shining, and a cool wind pushed through the heated air, making the temperature almost perfect.
But it wasn't a beautiful day, Caleb told himself. Shoving his balled hands into his pockets, he fought the urge to just throw something. He had no idea what to do. He had no idea if Reid was just pulling another stupid prank, or if something was really wrong, like Tyler kept insisting.
Tyler's troubled voice suddenly broke his thoughts, "Do you think it was Aaron? Maybe they got in a fight and he knocked Reid out or something."
Pogue shook his head and sighed, "It couldn't have been. Aaron was at the pool table with Ryan that whole night."
"And Reid went out along. I watched him," Caleb said, "You know, we're probably just overreacting about this whole situation. I mean…that needle we found could have been anyone's…and the note – " Caleb was suddenly cut off by Tyler, who waved at him to be quiet as he answered his cell phone.
"Hello?"
"Tyler."
He knew that voice. A pang hit his stomach and his chest tightened. He clenched the phone with his fingers, nearly breaking it. Then the words came out of his mouth before he could stop them, and all his pent up anxiety came crashing through when he all but screamed,
"Reid, where the fuck are you?"
Caleb and Pogue's heads both snapped towards him.
"T-Tyler," Reid said, his voice trembling.
"Where are you, Reid?" He said more calmly, "Are you hurt? We'll...we'll come pick you up."
"Tyler," Reid repeated, his voice now sounded urgent and upset, "P-ple…please…P-Put…put Caleb…on."
"Reid…"
"No…pl-please."
Reid never begged. Never. Something was wrong.
Tyler handed the phone over to Caleb with shaky hands, "Something's wrong…he needs to talk to you."
Immediately, Caleb snatched the phone from him and placed it to his ear, "Reid, where are you? What's going on?"
"C-Caleb…I-I need the…B-Book of D-Damnation."
"What? Reid, what are you talking about? Where are you? I'll come and get you."
"I-I need the B-Book of D-Damnation…p-please. I n-need it."
"Why do you need it, Reid?"
A short, raw scream tore through Reid's throat, and Caleb jumped with shock and alarm.
"You hear that, Danvers?" A new voice. It was one Caleb recognized all too well, "That's not even close to what I'm going to do to him if you don't give me back what's mine."
Caleb was fuming with rage, "Chase, I'll fucking kill you if you touch Reid again!"
"Oh yeah? And how are you going to keep that promise?"
Caleb could hear Reid moaning with pain in the background. Shaking with fury, he was suddenly oblivious to his surroundings and friends.
Caleb took in a shaky breath, "Put Reid on. I need to talk to him."
Reid screamed again in the background and Chase chuckled over the noise, "What's that, Danvers? I can't hear you."
"God damnit, put Reid on!"
Chase suddenly turned serious, "Bring me the Book of Damnation. Midnight tonight. In the park, on the edge of the forest."
And then with a quiet click, Caleb was torn away from the only means of getting his best friend – his brother – back.
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