WARNING:

This installment is more violent and significantly more disturbing than the previous chapters.

If you are sensitive, you may not want to continue.

In addition, I would like to stress (especially to diehard Alvin and the Chipmunks fans) that the intention of this chapter is not to disgust or shock; the characters mean far too much to me to use them in such a way.

1990

Prison

Klaus held a shank to his left eye, a maniacal grin spreading across his face; his hand shook with anticipation.

"I will avenge you, Klaus!" he whispered to himself. "I will destroy those who destroyed you! I promise…"

The makeshift blade pierced his flesh, his face contorting with ecstasy as a drop of crimson trickled down his face.

He screamed euphorically as he carved a slit into his skin.

"…I seal my promise with blood!"

8:30 PM, August 21, 1992

Captain Jonathan O'Neil of the LAPD, an old friend of the Sevilles, had been placed in charge of the investigation into the chipmunks' disappearance.

The tall, mustachioed officer placed his hand on Dave's shoulder.

"It'll be okay, Dave. We'll find them."

"I know. I'll be alright."

The captain smiled grimly.

"I know you'll be alright, but I don't know about her," he gestured towards Mrs. Miller, who was wailing inconsolably on the sofa.

"John, you've always been straight with me," Dave looked into his friend's eyes, his own eyes filled with tears. "I want you to tell me the truth. What do you think's going to happen?"

"I don't know, Dave-we never know how these things are going to work out, but you know I'll try like hell to find the kids."

Dave grasped his friend's hand firmly.

"Thanks."

9:01 PM

The phone rang. Capt. O'Neil waited a few moments for the phone tap to kick in, then answered.

"Hello? This is the Seville residence."

"I have information about the case," responded a deep, raspy voice.

"Who is this?"

"You'll find out soon enough. Now, listen carefully. I am holding the chipmunks. I will release them on the following conditions: bring me Inspector Jamal of INTERPOL. Send David Seville, the Miller woman and one officer-only one-in an unmarked police car to Little Tokyo. There, one of my partners will give you the first clue to my location…don't worry, he'll find you; if he sees that you have broken our agreement, I will kill one of the hostages. You have until eleven o'clock tonight."

CLICK

The captain yelled into the receiver,

"Hello? Hello? Are you still there? Damn it, he hung up!"

9:40 PM

Lt. Rodriguez parked the car in a shady alley.

"An Asian male is approaching the vehicle," the police officer spoke into his two-way radio. "approximately five foot six; blue jeans, white t-shirt."

"Acknowle-" Captain O'Neal began.

"Gun! He has a gun!" Rodriguez interrupted. Instinctively, his hand moved to his holster.

"Oh, mercy!" Mrs. Miller cried from the back seat.

The Asian man pulled the trigger…spraying water onto the windshield.

"It's a joke!" the henchman yelled, laughing. He walked to the driver's side window of the police car, then banged on the glass. "Open up!"

"What's going on?" O'Neal asked over the radio.

Rodriguez shook his head in disbelief.

"It's a water gun."

"Shit! Does the jackass have a death wish?" the Captain yelled.

"He's pounding on the window. He wants me to open up."

"He does have a death wish."

Rodriguez opened the window a crack.

"Do you have a message for us?" he shouted.

"Yes, boss says:

'5-18-15-13-20-12-9-2'

you have fifteen minutes to break the code," the henchman grinned. "Good luck."

9:45 PM

"Your parents are coming to rescue you!" Klaus smiled cruelly. "A shame you'll all be dead by the time they arrive!"

Simon carefully concealed his pen gun behind his fingers.

"Now, let me see. Which one of you shall I kill first?" Klaus studied each of the chipmunks individually. "Ah, how about this one?"

He leaned to unlock Jeanette's cage.

"No! Don't hurt her, please!" Brittany screamed hysterically, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Take me! Please, take me! I deserve it! Please!"

Simon aimed his weapon. I'm coming, Jeanette! One, two, three, fire!

"Wha-?" Klaus yelled as the bearing ball struck his shoulder.

"Oh, no," Simon gasped; he had missed his mark-the Jugular vein-by almost a foot.

"Damn it, don't stand there like a couple of imbeciles!" Klaus yelled to his henchmen, grasping his wound. "Get the medical kit!"

The gigantic men obeyed.

"You," Klaus glowered at Simon, an expression of unbridled madness spreading across his scarred face, "you will die last. You will see me kill all your friends before your eyes!"

"No! This is all my fault!" Alvin screamed. "Kill me, torture me, do whatever you want to me, just let the others go!"

"Why would I let them go? I can do whatever I want…with any of you…whenever I want! Six times the fun!"

"Li…listen…you can…you can kill me!" Alvin hyperventilated. "Hold the others for ransom! Don't kill them, hold the others for ransom!"

"You really don't understand, do you! I don't want money, I don't want fame!" Klaus' body tremored with maniacal laughter; his skin dripped with sweat. "I want vengeance! Vengeance!"