Disclaimer : I do not own any of the characters mentioned herein. This is pure fiction, written for entertainment only.

Thank you to everyone who read and reviewed!

Just so you know, Mrs Sid the Kid is back! She has stopped writing for more than a year and has already updated three stories in the past two days! Like Macho Man, Randy Savage used to say, "What a rush!" Check out "Candy" written by her, you will love it!

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Chapter 24

"We've been searching for an hour and we found nothing!" Randy growled in exasperation as they pulled into a gas station.

Adam stopped the car and opened the door. "Let's ask the people around here, they may be able to help."

The man behind the counter looked up from his newspapers when the door opened. He sat his papers down and got up to meet them. "Can I help you gentlemen?" he asked, giving them a brief smile. He recognized them immediately.

"Hi, we are visiting and we were just wondering if you can tell us something about this side of town. We would like to do some exploring on our own," Adam said with a friendly smile.

The man beamed. "It'll be my pleasure! What exactly do you want to know?"

"I have intention to buy a piece of land here and settle down. I would like to know if there are any quiet places here that I can take a look. I like my privacy, if you know what I mean."

Cena and Randy gawped at Adam. He was so smooth that they would be taken in by him as well.

"I understand," the man nodded. "If you continue driving southwards for another two miles, you will come to a forked road. Keep to your right. It will bring you to a forested area. I understand there are several cabins scattered over that huge piece of land that are up for rent or sale. There are signs displayed along the way to guide you. Just follow them and they will take you to the landowner. Is there anything else I can help you with?"

"No, but you have been a great help, thank you!" Adam, Cena and Randy made haste and climbed back into their car. "That's exactly the kind of place Raven would take Jeff!" Adam said excitedly as he pulled out quickly. "Check in with the others. Find out if they've got anything yet and tell them where we're headed," he said as he stepped on the gas.

After several minutes of conversation with everyone concerned, Cena said with a sigh, "Nothing so far. We just have to continue searching."

"What are we going to do if we don't find Jeff?" Randy looked frantic with worry.

"The police are looking for him as well. I'm sure we will find him," Cena gave him a reassuring smile but inwardly, he was just as worried as he was.

"I swear that once I get my hands on that son of a bitch, I'm going to tear him limb from limb!" Randy growled between gritted teeth.

"Leave a piece of him for some of us, but let's focus on finding Jeff first," Adam said as he turned right at the forked road. After about ten minutes, they came upon a forested area. They followed the signs and finally came to a dead end. There was a sign that read, 'Take the footpath.'

The men climbed out and looked around. It was peaceful and there wasn't anyone around. They heard thunder in the distance and looked up to see dark clouds rolling in from the east. A strong gust of wind blew against them, tearing at the trees and disturbing the serenity of the place.

"Come on, we better head in before it pours!" Adam led the way forward. They tramped through the path which was covered with overgrown vines, roots and fallen leaves from the trees around them. Ten minutes later, they came to a cabin. There was an old man sitting on a rocking chair on the porch and he had a shotgun beside him. He watched them approached. "What can I do for you, boys?" he asked, taking the pipe from his mouth.

"We're looking for someone," Cena spoke up as he bounded up the steps. Adam and Randy followed more cautiously, keeping their eyes on the shotgun.

"Who are you looking for?" the old timer asked as he stuck the pipe back in his mouth before climbing slowly to his feet. His back was bowed and he had difficulty walking.

Cena decided to go with the truth. Time was of the essence and he didn't want to beat around the bush and waste precious time.

"We're actually looking for two men. Our friend, Jeff, was kidnapped by a man named Scott just a few hours ago. We're checking out all the possible places that he might have taken him. Are there any more cabins in the vicinity besides this one? We would like to check them out, if it's not a problem."

"I have a couple more cabins and they're currently occupied." He hesitated before asking, "Maybe you can give me a description of the men you're looking for."

"Our friend is about six one, slim built with long strawberry blonde hair. He's very pretty and he wears earrings. His kidnapper is about six one, six two, stocky built. He has raven hair and he normally wears them in braids," Cena described them to him.

The old man looked thoughtful as he said, "A man fitting your description paid cash up front for the rental of a cabin for a week just yesterday. He gave his name as Scotty, last name was Levin or Levy, I think."

"He's the guy we are looking for!" Randy shouted excitedly as Adam and Cena shared a grin. They had finally found a lead! "Can you take us to the cabin now? We'll pay you for your time!" Randy was impatient to get to Jeff.

Just then, the clap of thunder close by startled everyone and the rain pelting down, hard and fast.

"I suggest you come on in first. We're not going anywhere in this rain." The old man turned to go inside the house, carrying the shotgun with him.

"But.." Randy began, looking to the others for help even though they followed him in. Now that they knew where Jeff was, they should try to get to him as soon as possible. God knows what Raven was doing to him!

The old man sat himself down and gestured for them to sit. "I know it's important but I'm not a young man anymore. My bones are too rickety to go out in this weather." He sent them an apologetic smile as he added, "Rheumatism."

"Just give us the directions, we will head out ourselves." Cena was in total agreement with Randy. They needed to get to Jeff as like, now!

The man listened to the raging storm outside. "The cabin is not easy to find and worse still, in this storm. But, I understand the need for urgency." He gave them the directions and suggested they call the police since the man was wanted for kidnapping.

"Thanks for reminding us," Adam said as he called Hunter on the phone. Quickly, he informed him of their lead and where they were headed to. "Call the police and try to get here as soon as you can!" he said before hanging up. He looked outside at the storm. "Raven won't be expecting anyone in this storm," he said, "We have the element of surprise on our side." He looked at Cena and Randy, "Let's go get Jeff out!"

-ooo-

Jeff shivered as a strong gust of wind and rain blew through the open shutters. He was curled on the bed, naked, with his hands still cuffed to the bedpost. He hadn't seen Raven since he left more than an hour ago. He wet his lips, they were dry and he was feeling a thirst. During Raven's absence, he had some time to think and he realized he had to get out before he came back. He believed that Raven was going to inflict more pain on him when he returned and he had no intention to wait around for that to happen!

For the umpteenth time, he tugged furiously at the cuffs trying to free his hands but he only bloodied his wrists further. They were already rubbed raw, but he disregarded the pain and discomfort. The wind howled outside and he flinched when the thunder boomed nearby. He continued to struggle with the cuffs, pulling at his hands, lubricated with blood, trying to work them through the cuffs. It seemed to be working and he continued with his efforts, praying all the while that Raven would not return until he was long gone. Twenty minutes later, he was free. His wrists were raw and bleeding, but he was free. He got off the bed gingerly, sore at the core. Limping, he opened the closet and found some of Raven's clothes. He shuddered wearing them but he had no choice. After pulling on the clothes, he opened the door softly and peered out. It was the living room and there was no one in sight. He stepped out, moving quietly in case Raven was somewhere in the house. He headed towards the main door and just as he opened it, a loud clap of thunder sent reverberations throughout the whole cabin and he screamed out in fright.

Raven stared at him in surprise in the rain. He was just coming back from making a grocery run. There was no food in the cabin and he had gone out to stock up on supplies. It had taken longer than usual because he had stopped to trade in his car for a truck. He knew that the police was most probably looking out for his car and he decided to get rid of it. As soon as he overcame his surprise, he rushed at Jeff but the door slammed in his face and he heard the lock clicked. "Fuck!" he screamed as he dropped the bags of groceries and went to the side, hoping to get in by the windows.

Jeff was having a panic attack inside the cabin. He still didn't feel safe even with the door locked. He was trying to think but the storm raging outside and the claps of thunder were making it almost impossible for him to do that. The windows! Whimpering in fright, he scrambled to the bedroom and was in time to see Raven climbing in. He looked around frantically for something to hit him with and finally picked up a stool. Raven snarled as the stool struck the side of his head with a loud thud. He crumpled into a heap inside the room, unconscious. Jeff dropped the chair and ran out the way he came in. With desperate fingers, he unlocked the door and fled into the storm. He didn't know where he was going but he knew he just had to put as much distance as possible between him and Raven.

Sobs of fright bubbled from him as he ran, as much as his sore body allowed him. He finally fell gasping at the side of a river bank. The swollen river raged and he looked desperately for a way to get across. If only he could get to the other side, he would be safe. And then, he spotted it. It was difficult to see with the rain pelting down hard but he was sure he saw a bridge. He hobbled towards it and stopped, hesitating to cross. Held together by wooden planks and thick ropes, the bridge swayed in the wind and didn't look safe. But the thought of Raven coming for him forced him to make a decision. He gulped as he stepped onto the rickety bridge. It swayed under him and he grasped at the sides with trembling hands. "I can do this! I can do this!" he told himself as he took each shaky step forward. He was halfway there when he heard a loud thud. He froze and he heard it again and it was coming at quick intervals. The bridge creaked dangerously and that was when he heard his raspy laughter coming from behind him. With a gasp, he turned his head and saw Raven standing next to a tree with an axe in his hands. He grinned at him as he swung his axe, chopping at the ropes that held the bridge up. With his heart thudding loudly against his ribcage, Jeff forced himself to move forward. He had to get across before Raven severed the ropes and brought the bridge down with him on it! He moved quickly but the planks were covered with algae and moss and he kept slipping and sliding. The bridge suddenly lurched to one side as the ropes gave way and pitched him into the foaming waters. Jeff clung onto the ropes for dear life but the current was fast and strong and the freezing waters numbed his senses. His fingers grew numb quickly with the biting cold and he felt his grasp slipping. He tried to climb but his legs refused to obey him. With a sob, he felt his fingers loosening around the ropes and he was swept along with the current.

...

Adam, Randy and Cena were still trying to locate the bridge. They had been following the river for quite some time but hadn't found the bridge that would take them over to the cabin on the other side. The rain was still pelting down mercilessly and they were shivering in their wet clothes.

"It has to be here somewhere!" Adam insisted as he led the way, wiping the water from his eyes to see ahead.

Cena who was behind him agreed. "It can't be far, we have been following the river for almost a mile now."

Randy who brought up the rear, cursed at the raging storm. "I wish it would stop raining for a fucking minute! I can't see a damn thing and I'm freezing my ass off!"

Just as he said that, a flash of lightning lit the sky, flooding the place with light. And he saw someone thrashing past them in the fast flowing river. "It's Jeff!" he shouted and plunged into the river before the others could register that Jeff was in the river and not on land.

"Where are they?" Adam screamed as he and Cena ran alongside the river, trying to pick them up with his torchlight which the old man was kind enough to let them have it. "I don't see them!"

"Oh God!" Cena cried out as he picked up his legs and ran like the hounds of hell were at his heels. He chased them down the riverbank, never taking his eyes off them. Randy was closing in on Jeff but Jeff was struggling weakly in the water. If Randy didn't get to him on time … He pushed that thought away. No! Randy will get to him on time!

They took off as fast as they could, thinking of how to get to them. To their immense relief, they saw Randy made it to Jeff and held him up but they were still being swept down the river. Now, both men were in danger. Cena recalled seeing a fallen tree further down the river. He had an idea and shouted to Adam as he kicked up his heels, "Follow me!" They took off and reached the place. The tree had fallen partly into the river and its branches spread out like outstretched fingers.

Adam took one look and knew what Cena was thinking. "Let's go!"

Both men clambered on the large trunk and made their way out to the river. They only had one chance to get it right, but they hoped Randy foresee what they were trying to do and try to slow themselves down by grabbing onto the outstretched branches. Both men had already taken off their belts and looped them together. Cena looped one end tightly around his wrist and handed the other end to Adam. They were barely in position when they saw Randy and Jeff coming down the river, about eight hundred yards away and closing fast!

"Whatever happens, don't let go!" Cena ordered before lowering himself into the river and gritted his teeth at the biting cold. His lower half was beginning to grow numb but he ignored the discomfort and swam forward strongly. Grabbing onto a thick branch, he waited, and prayed.

Randy saw them and he kicked out to grasp frantically at one of the branches while keeping Jeff secured to him with one arm. Cena and Adam almost cried out with relief when Randy caught and held firm onto a thick branch. He looked pleadingly at them and they knew they had to get to him fast!

Cena plunged forward, grasping at branches along the way to get closer but they were still out of reach. "Let go of the belt!" he called out, coming to a decision. Adam hesitated but did as told. Randy was losing his grip and as soon as Cena pulled Jeff from his grip, he let go and was swept away. Adam saw his weakened state and without hesitation, jumped into the water to go after him. He grabbed onto his shirt and was fortunate to latch onto a branch in passing, pulling them to a stop. "I got you!" he gasped out, teeth chattering with the cold. He kicked hard and with the help of the branches, pulled them ashore.

Cena had already got Jeff on land and was trying to resuscitate him but he lay unmoving. His lips had turned blue. "Please Jeff, please don't die," Cena choked out as he tried to revive him.

"Jeff!" Randy called out weakly as he tried to get to his feet to go to him. Adam helped him up and they made their way towards him. "Please baby, come back to us!" Tears fell from Randy's eyes as he rubbed Jeff's cold hand between his, trying to get the blood to circulate.

Cena continued to give him the kiss of life as Adam rubbed furiously at Jeff's other hand to get the blood flowing. "Jeffrey Nero, I swear I will kick your ass if you die on us!" he said between chattering teeth. "Wake up, damn it!"

They heard voices and the place was suddenly flooded with light. "Jeff!" Matt rushed towards them, the others close behind him. He paled at the still form of his brother as he kneeled down beside him alongside Adam. "Don't you dare leave me, Jeffro!" he cried as he worked with Cena to revive him.

Everyone watched silently as the four men continued to work on Jeff. They thought all was lost when Jeff coughed. Cena quickly turned his head to the side and the water spilled from his blue lips. However, his eyes remained closed.

"We have to get him out of the cold!" Hunter quickly removed his leather jacket and wrapped it around Jeff before lifting him into his arms. He moved quickly with Shawn and Matt leading the way. Cena and Adam helped Randy up and they made their way out.

Six hours later …

Jeff still remained unconscious. His blood pressure was too low and he was suffering from hypothermia, just like Randy was. Both men lay on the hospital beds next to each other, with Randy keeping vigil over him. He couldn't rest, not until Jeff woke up. Cena and Adam were carted back to the hotel, against their wishes, to get some rest. There was nothing else they could do and Morrison, Carlito, Shannon and Shane were ordered to watch over them. They would only be allowed back to the hospital in the morning after they got a solid night of rest. Matt and Chris had stayed back at the hospital to keep watch but reassured by Randy that he would keep an eye on Jeff, went to the cafeteria to grab some coffee. Hunter and Shawn had been liaising with the police but so far, Raven remained evasive. By the time the police got to the cabin, he had disappeared.

The nurse came in to check on them. She spoke kindly to Randy, "Try and get some sleep. I promise to call you if he wakes up."

Randy gave her a grateful nod and watched her leave. As soon as the nurse left, he got up from the bed and made his way towards Jeff.

"Hey baby," he gently brushed the hair locks away from his face before bending down to press a soft kiss on his lips. They were no longer blue but pale and remained unresponsive. The thought that Jeff would never wake again shook him up. "Please baby, you have to wake up!" His desperate plea fell on deaf ears and he started to tear. "I have so many things to tell you …" He moved to lie beside him and pulled him towards him, wrapping his arms protectively around him. He pressed a kiss on his temple and whispered longingly, "I wish we have met sooner. No one has made me feel the way you do. I never knew what it is to love until I met you. Every day, I wake up with you in my thoughts, I go to bed with you in my thoughts and when you're not by my side, I have you in my thoughts." He barked out a short laugh. "If my family could see me now, they would say I'm crazy in love, and I know I am, I'm so crazy in love with you, baby!" His tears fell as he spoke in a raspy voice filled with emotion, "It doesn't matter if you don't pick me. So long as you're alive and well and happy, it's enough for me. I want to see those emerald eyes open again. I want to see you smile and laugh again. Just … just wake up, and I'll never ask God for anything else!" He hugged him and closed his eyes wearily, silent tears flowing. Exhaustion finally took its toll and he fell asleep.

Matt and Chris came in half an hour later to find them in that position and left them be. They headed to the couch in the waiting area, deciding to catch forty winks.

An hour later, the lift doors opened and Adam and Cena stepped out. They had snuck out, too impatient to wait till morning to come visit. They were both anxious to know if Jeff had woken up yet and wondered how Randy was doing.

"We have to get past the nurses' station. Do you think they will let us see them?" Cena looked worried.

Adam assured him, "Don't worry, with my charm, I'll get them to agree to anything!" And just like he said, he convinced them to let them see Jeff and Randy for a few minutes.

"You can talk your way into anyone's knickers!" Cena commented, tongue-in-cheek, as they headed to the room.

Adam chose to ignore his gibe as they pushed the door open quietly and stepped in. It didn't surprise them to see both men lying together.

"I guess Jeff hasn't regained consciousness yet," Cena said with a sigh of desolation as he moved in closer and noticed the tear streaks on Randy's face.

Adam stood silently watching them. He pulled up a chair and sat down whilst Cena moved to sit on Randy's bed. Both men spoke in hushed whispers, not wishing to wake Randy up.

"You think Jeff will ever wake up?" Cena asked quietly as he studied his close eyes.

Adam sighed. "I don't know. He was in the water for a while. Randy wasn't in there that long and he was almost done in. Jeff's really lucky to be even breathing."

A nagging thought forced Cena to speak up, "The police haven't caught Raven yet. I'm afraid for Jeff. What if that loony comes for him again?"

Adam nodded his agreement. "It was a mistake to leave Jeff by himself. None of this would have happened if one of us stayed behind with him."

"What's done is done. We just have to be more careful from now on," Cena said as he got up to throw another set of covers over the two men.

"I say we don't wait for Raven to come calling. We should have done this a long time ago!" Adam looked to Cena with grim determination, "What say you we go hunting for that vulture?"

He had nothing but vengeance on his mind. The restraining order didn't stop Raven from coming for Jeff. And this time, he almost killed him! They had to stop him before he tried to kill Jeff again!

"I'm all for taking him down, but, where are we going to find him?" Cena looked worriedly at Jeff. He wouldn't be able to rest until Raven was caught and put behind bars.

"We can get Hunter to help us. He keeps in close touch with Jarrett and I'm sure he can find out from Raven's friends where he's at. Someone has to know where he's hiding, or, how to contact him," Adam said thoughtfully.

"Or, we can lay a trap for him."

Adam looked up in surprise at Cena, who continued. "It will take far too long to go hunting for him. I say, we lure him here. No one can survive the freezing waters in the river but Jeff did. He must know Jeff is in a bad way. All we have to do is to make it public knowledge that Jeff is unconscious but alive. Knowing he's vulnerable, he'll come for him. That bastard tried to kill him and something tells me he won't stop until he succeeds. I don't think we should sit around and wait for him to make his move. Let's take control of the situation and turn the tables on him!"

Adam nodded. "I agree with you. So, do you have a plan or what?"

Cena grinned. "Let's go find Matt and Chris and we'll discuss how to put our plan into action. We're going to catch ourselves a psychotic birdman!"

At that moment, Raven was in his truck, right outside the hospital. He was in disguise. He had been watching the hospital closely for the past two hours, contemplating on going in, but was afraid to get caught. He knew that Matt and several others were still in the hospital with Jeff.

'He has someone with him right now. I can't get to him, not yet anyways,' he thought to himself. He knew that Jeff was still alive. His brother and friends wouldn't be at the hospital if he wasn't. A feeling of morose crept up on him. It was never his intention to try and kill him. He was angry at Jeff, and at himself. He had him in his hands but let him slipped away from him, again. When he cut the ropes, he wasn't thinking of killing him, he just wanted to punish him for trying to escape. And till now, he couldn't explain his actions. He knew the freezing waters would most probably kill Jeff, but he wasn't even thinking. The anger had overwhelmed his common sense. He was so furious when he regained consciousness after being hit by the stool. He had gone after him, and with an axe even! What was wrong with him? No matter how many times he turned it in his head he couldn't explain why he did what he did.

Raven sighed. All he wanted was to punish him for turning his back on him. What made him think that he, Raven, was not good enough for him? And there again, his anger rose to the surface, overwhelming his logic. He started muttering angrily to himself.

"I took care of the little fucker when his brother left him high and dry, and the little ingrate hightailed and ran back home to him after he got tired of me. After everything I've done for him, he tried to rub my face in the dirt, showing me he's better off without me! I'll show him that no one bests the Raven!"

He yawned as exhaustion took over, and pushed down his seat to lie back more comfortably. Even with the police looking for him, he couldn't bring himself to stay away. Jeff was so close. He had him twice and he was sure he would have him again. He just had to bide his time and wait for an opportunity to grab him. Closing his eyes, he decided to take a short nap. He would think better after a few hours of rest and then, he would decide on his next course of action.

-ooo-

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