Chapter 14

Christian was terrified that Syed was hurt. He tried to dial the number back but it was withheld. He thought about phoning the police but the man had sounded serious, he couldn't risk it. How had Syed got himself into this? Who was this guy? He couldn't think straight. The situation was crazy. He phoned James, the one person he knew he could trust to do as he asked.

"What is going on Christian?"

"I need your help. I wish I didn't have to ask you this, but you're the only person I feel I can trust with this James."

"Christian what is it? Do you need money?"

"No, nothing like that… It's Syed. I think he's in some serious trouble."

"What kind of trouble?"

"I don't know exactly. But the kind of trouble where he might get hurt"

"Christian, you're still not telling me anything. Where is Syed?"

"That's just it, I don't know, he left me a couple of weeks ago ...I hadn't heard from him and then some guy phones up, he's got Syed with him, against his will, and he wants me to meet him- he's got a 'proposition' he says. I mean it's crazy. Like something out of a bloody film. The guy wants me to meet him tomorrow in Whitechapel. I could hear Syed shouting at me and then everything went quiet. I know Syed's hurt. Someone hit him James. I could hear it going on. Syed was screaming at me not to come tomorrow, but I have to. The guy –he sounded dangerous. I don't know what's going on but I need to help him.."

"Christian, are you crazy? Just call the police!"

"Look James if I call the police he's gonna hurt him."

"You don't even know who this guy is, or what he's capable of; you can't walk into this on your own!"

"Well that's where you come in."

"You got to be joking! I don't want anything to do with it. I know you love Syed but this is a situation for the police Christian."

"I told you, I can't do that. Just hear me out before you say no. I have to help him okay? I don't know exactly what I'm walking into. All I want you to do is sit in Jameson's bar across the road from the cinema and just watch –if things look dodgy for me call the police but I beg you, don't let anyone see you and don't get involved if things look rough. I can handle myself James, its important that you're not seen."

"Christian, this is madness! Please don't do this."

James, I've told you, the guy said they will hurt him, I can't take that risk. I'm so sorry about what happened between you and me but I love Syed so much, he's …he means everything to me. I have to do something…, I know it sounds crazy, it sounds crazy to me, but what would you do in my shoes?"

Christian stifled the tears he felt welling up, he didn't trust himself to speak.

"Christian? Christian where have you gone? Christian, okay I'll help you of course I will. I'll be there alright? - I'll take registration numbers, everything, but if I don't hear from you within one hour I'm calling the police, okay?"

"Okay –just be there for ten twenty and I'll be there around the same time. Make sure you can get a good position in the bar by the window, maybe go earlier just in case there are loads of people in there. But please, I beg you, whatever happens don't get involved, don't be seen, just call the police and stay put until they come. Promise me."

"Do you know what you're asking me? Not to come and help you if you need it?"

"Yes of course! Because someone need to be there to witness and speak to the police if necessary. Promise me James! I'll see you tomorrow. I love you dearly you know. See you"

Christian walked down the narrow lane that led to the Odeon. His heart was thumping. He was terrified for Syed. When he got to the cinema there was no-one outside. He stood, hands deep in his pockets, his back to the wall that ran along the side of the cinema. He could see James in the window opposite but dared not acknowledge him in case someone was watching him. At exactly 10.30 a sleek BMW pulled up alongside the kerb across the road, right outside the window where James was sat.. At that moment Christian's phone rang and Qadim said,

"Get in the car Christian. I am waiting inside to talk to you."

"Where's Syed? Who are you? I'm not going anywhere until I know he's okay."

"He's right here. You can talk to him if you like, here he is..."

"Christian! Why did you come? I..."

"That's enough. You can talk to each other later. I promise you. Now come on Christian, I've kept my side of the bargain. Syed is here and I just want to talk to you, both"

Christian walked toward the car praying that James wouldn't do anything stupid and would take the number plate. The passenger door was opened and Christian got in. Qadim was sitting in the back next to Syed whose hands, Christian could see, were bound in his lap. Next to him a whip thin man with an impassive, bored look about him, was holding a gun and pointing it at Syed's groin.

"Christian…"

You keep quiet for now Syed I want to talk to Christian"

"But I recognize you! You're Amira's father! What the hell is this?"

"Well you see Christian. I've got a dilemma. Syed and you of course, although in a lesser sense, have hurt my daughter terribly. Worse still, Syed here has turned his back on his faith .and committed one of the filthiest sins known to man. There needs to be some justice in this situation. I don't feel right if I don't make him pay for that in some way. A father should protect his daughter. I always knew there was something about him I couldn't stomach and now it all makes sense. I don't feel its right to just let him get away with it. His family too, must feel so much shame. – You, well you are damned all ready but Syed had a chance and he was stupid enough to throw it away. Very foolish. Very, very foolish and now I have a dilemma. I want the two of you to pay. What do you think is a fair punishment? In my country you might be stoned to death or maybe castration, but of course this is England."

"Please. You talk like we're living in the dark ages!"

"You think I'm joking? I heard of a case only a couple of weeks ago. The young man in question was beaten to death by men who didn't take kindly to his filthy ways. I'm not a murderer. England loves its gay boys, no? Half the judiciaries are gay boys. Public school boy chums don't you know!"

Qadim laughed and the owner of the gun laughed with him. Christian and Syed exchanged a look and Christian gave a tiny shake of his head, willing Syed not to do or say anything stupid. He couldn't see any way to get them out of the situation with the gun in the equation

"So, I think I would just like to hurt you, like you have hurt Amira."

"Mr Shah, Amira wouldn't want this! She cares for Syed and …"

"Speak again and I swear I will let Ahmed here shoot Syed and where that gun's aimed, there'll be no more play for you two boys!"

Christian looked at Syed. He looked battered from the beating he had all ready received. Christian could feel his whole body crying out with his love for him.

"Look Mr Shah. There's something you should know. I forced him. I pushed and pushed. I wanted him so much, but he left me weeks ago. He knew he had made a mistake. He told me he was straight"

"No Christian."

Keep out of it Syed!" said Christian savagely "It was me. I just wanted him so much I wouldn't listen when he explained about his religion. I wouldn't listen when he told me he cared for Amira. I just wanted him and I…"

"Christian!" Syed could barely speak "Stop!"

"No Si, you don't know what you're saying. Don't try and protect me, we both know it's the truth. Mr Shah here knows the truth. You are Muslim. Mr Shah understands better than I ever will. You couldn't turn your back on your religion, or Amira You told me. : You said you'd made a mistake and I accept. I'm sorry Syed, for trying to force you to be something you're not. Mr Shah I'm beggin' you. Let him go, he's suffered enough. If he had some doubt as to what he felt, he's cleared it up and he chose his faith, his family. I just didn't want to accept it…"

Qadim held his hand up to stop Christian talking and Ahmed pushed the gun right up against Syed's thigh.

"Commendable Christian, coming from one so steeped in the ways of the wicked, but I have all ready made up my mind. We are going on a little journey and when it is over you and lover boy here can lie together for as long as you like. One wrong move Christian and I won't be able to stop Ahmed here. He loves to fuck up gay boys, something to do with a nasty experience when he was young, eh Ahmed?!

Ahmed scowled, not happy to have his trauma laid bare.

Qadim called to the driver who had, until now, remained so still and silent Christian had forgotten his presence.

"Drive" said Qadim.

The driver was a huge man. Christian sized him up, all ready mentally preparing for what might lay ahead. He knew James would have taken the number plate and would be calling the police sometime in the next twenty minutes or so. He just prayed it would be soon enough. He was trying to think of some sort of plan but he could see that Syed was all ready hurt and wasn't sure if he could deal with everyone in the car and get Syed out of there. He kept coming back to the gun. If he could just get the gun…but then there may be another gun in the car. He couldn't think clearly enough.

"Where are you taking us?"

"Just a nice little picturesque spot I know"

Forty minutes later they pulled into what looked like a disused trading estate. Lots of empty buildings and rubbish filled yards. Christian was frantically trying to work out if he could wrest the gun from Ahmed, he was so full of adrenaline he felt ready to fight if he had to. A sudden sharp blow to the head from behind and he didn't need to think anymore. Everything went black.