Gordon, John, and Tin-tin arrived back at the island half an hour after the call from Alan's captor. Jeff and Virgil were still in the office, both unable to speak after learning the full extent of Alan's situation. Jeff had silently set up his account for the auction and was waiting for it to begin; a timer on the site said twenty minutes.
Tin-tin went to her father after she returned, wanting what comfort he could give her. She was emotionally exhausted and he gave an herbal tea that relaxed her enough for sleep.
Gordon and John went to their father's office, and knew almost immediately there had been news on Alan. "What have you heard?" John asked, not really sure he wanted the answer.
Virgil looked at his father, who did not look like he could explain. Clearing his throat, Virgil spoke up, "You two should sit down," Gordon and John shared a look but sat on the coach. Virgil leaned on Jeff's desk and looked at his older and younger brother, "Alan's kidnapper called." Swallowing the lump in his throat, Virgil forged on, "It would seem he is selling Alan to the highest bidder."
"What?" Gordon exclaimed. John turned visibly paler.
"He is also having Dad bid in this…auction," Virgil spat out the word.
"That is just so…so wrong!" John managed, "Who could do that to a kid?"
Gordon just sat with his jaw hanging open, my only baby brother is with a monster! The same monster that is making Dad bid against more monsters for Alan! "He couldn't just ask for a ransom?" Gordon finished his thoughts aloud.
"Bad for business," Virgil responded harshly.
"Has Scott been told?" John asked after a few minutes of silence.
Jeff nodded, finally acknowledging his other sons, "He and Brains know and told the police. I don't want Tin-tin or Fermat to know though," Jeff said taking a deep breath, "They shouldn't have to know about that side of humanity."
"It isn't humanity, Dad," John said with a cold voice, "Those monsters don't deserve that credit." Virgil nodded his concurrence.
"How…" Gordon choked on his words, "How does this…auction work?"
"We're going to find out in a few minutes," Jeff answered looking at the timer again. John got up and fiddled with his father's laptop, "John, what are you doing?"
"Making it so we don't have to crowed around your desk," John said, and with that the screen on the wall showed what Jeff's computer screen showed.
"Good call," Virgil said, sitting on the sofa next to Gordon. John sat on the other side, and they all watch the clock count down: 4…3…2…1…
As the clock reached zero, the four Tracy men sitting in the office watched as the screen showed a video of Alan, still tied to the chair with the ball gag and blindfold firmly in place. "Alan!" Gordon cried, his eyes tearing up. John and Virgil put their arms around their younger brother, both feeling their own eyes prick with tears.
A banner over the video read: You can only watch. While to the left, was a meter that measured what the bidding values were. The starting value read $5,000. At each 5,000 increment was a line. "Welcome," A voice sounded,"The rules for this auction are as follows: Every five hours the bidding will be open for ten minutes. A live feed will play for three hours. After those three hours, the feed will repeat for two hours, so the article can have a break." After the voice stopped talking, a timer flashed with the words, bid open, under it and counted down from ten.
"How we going to play this, Dad?" Virgil barely found his voice.
Jeff heart's clenched seeing his youngest trying to control his shaking; every now and again, however, a tremor broke through. "Let's let this first time play out," Jeff managed, casting a quick glance at his three middle sons, "Then someone will always be in here to keep an eye on Alan."
The Tracy's watched the meter level steadily rise for the next ten minutes. When the clock reached zero it began a new timer, this one counting down from five hours with bid closed written under it. The last bid value was marked at $12,050.
"How many sick people are involved in this!" Virgil cried as his own tears fell. Gordon just stood up and stalked out of the room. John watched him go and let out a shaky breath.
"Not as many as you would think," Jeff said emotionlessly, "But more than is right."
"I'm going to check on Gordo," Virgil said not hiding the sadness in his voice.
John squeezed his shoulder in silent support and watched him go. Turning to the Tracy patriarch, the second eldest spoke, "Dad, you need a break."
Jeff tore his eyes from Alan, whipping them, and he looked at his son, "I can't leave him, John. Not while he's like that." He pointed towards the big screen then buried his head in his hands.
Walking up to his father, and pulling him into a strong embrace, John told him, "I'll stay here. You need to eat something and stay strong for Alan. You can't do that wearing yourself down." John held his father by the shoulders and looked him in the eye, "I'll ask Kyrano to make some of his herbal tea. That is the only way Tin-tin was able to sleep. You need to sleep."
Jeff took a deep, shaky breath, "You get me when the timer is down to half an hour."
"I will, Father," John promised as he led him to the door.
Kyrano came at that time, as if sensing he was needed, "I will take care of him, Mister John." John nodded his thanks, "And I will keep Tin-tin busy."
"I'm sure Gordon would like to help with that, it would be a good distraction," the blonde Tracy thought aloud.
Kyrano nodded as he led his closest friend and employer to his room. John returned to the computer, seeing if he could trace the signal at all.
Alan's room
"Well, Alan," Billy's tenor called from in the computer, "First ten minutes and we are over $10,000. Imagine what the next few biddings will bring."
The gag was still in his mouth, so Alan just grunted, I really don't want to know! The least he could do is knock me out. Sitting for three hours tied, gagged, and blind is not going to be a fun repeating process!
The next three hours were spent in silence. Alan could hear Billy typing and working at the computer. After a while, Alan tried to get into a more comfortable position; limited mobility meant limited comfort though.
I wonder what everyone is doing, Alan thought, Scott is probably pacing or in the gym; he's never been good at sitting still. Johnny's most likely trying to trace the website or something; please let that happen! Virgil will be plucking at the piano, but none of his skill will be heard. Gordo's probably helping John trace, unless Dad recalled him; then he's swimming laps. Alan let his head drop to his chest; he was getting tired from this long day. Dad…Dad you're probably sitting at your desk barely holding it together. Kyrano and Tin will be cooking; hopefully forcing everyone else to eat. Brains will be with Fermat; wonder if Fermat is home…
With thoughts of his family, Alan let himself drift off into a light sleep.
Billy had watched the blonde boy fight sleep, and was amused that he still pulled at the ropes, though weakly, when he did sleep. After the three hours of live feed, he switched the loop into the feed, and turned off the camera. That done, he got up and walked over to Alan's sleeping form. Billy loosened the ropes around Alan's wrists first then undid the ankles completely.
Shaking Alan's shoulders gently, "Time to wake up, kid," Billy said evenly. Alan mumbled something into the gag then tiredly raised his head. "That's it, join the land of the living," he encouraged as he undid the gag's fastener. Feeling the gag loosen, Alan spit it out of his mouth; Billy wiped off the saliva that hung to it with a towel.
Alan flexed his jaw and licked his lips, "Thanks," he croaked.
"Here have some water," he offered as he held a cup and straw to Alan's mouth. Savoring the taste, Alan emptied the cup in seconds. "Need more?" Billy asked. Alan shook his head. "Alright, let's get you walking around some then," he said this as he finished undoing the wrist restraints.
Alan groaned as Billy lifted him to his feet and stood unsteadily. As Billy loosely cuffed his hands behind his back, Alan asked his captor, "It that really necessary?"
"Sorry, kid, don't trust you that much," was Billy's retort as he walked Alan around the room.
His stiff legs protested the walk at first, but after a while it felt good. After ten minutes of walking, Billy stopped Alan by pulling back on his shoulder. Alan heard a door open then Billy pulled him forward, "You have five minutes." That said, one cuff was released, leaving the second attached to his left wrist. A moment later and the blindfold came off too.
Before Alan could turn around, Bill closed the door and locked it. Rubbing his sore wrist, Alan squinted against the light, and looked around. He was in a small windowless bathroom that only held a toilet. With a sigh, he walked towards it.
Billy waited outside the door. Giving Alan a little more than the five minutes he had allotted. Knocking on the door, Billy called out, "Times up, Alan."
"I don't mind staying in here," Alan replied, really liking that he could actually see.
"No can do," Billy smiled, "Now, you are going to do what I say, got it?"
A resigned sigh was heard followed by a "Yeah."
"Good. You are going to kneel facing the wall opposite this door," Billy heard shuffling feet and Alan acknowledge he was kneeling, "Now put your hands, on your head and close your eyes."
Alan did as Billy ordered; this is probably some sort of test. Do what he says, without him having to physically enforce it, it may build up some trust…Alan thought, even as he stifled a yawn. "Alright, Billy," he informed his abductor he had done as told.
Alan heard the door open a little, and then all the way, "Must admit I expected some resistance," Billy stated as he walked forward and first tied the blindfold back in place.
Alan shrugged, as the cuffs where fastened again, "Not much point; wouldn't get far," he reasoned.
"True," Billy replied, "You wouldn't even get out the front door." Picking Alan up off the floor, Billy directed him back into the main room. "What do you think about getting some actual sleep?"
"You mean I have a choice?" Alan responded dryly.
"For the next five hours you do."
"Five?" Alan asked confused.
"There is a little over an hour until the next bid," Bill explained, "Then you will have four after that. An hour before the third bid we'll move round again and get some more food into you."
"So glad you care about my comfort," Alan grumbled.
Billy just chuckled and sat Alan on the bed.