Day 15 - Rescue
A/N: Sequel to Day 13 Cornered. Doc leaves the safety of the Delorean to track down both Marty and the Almanac.

Initially, he hadn't been too concerned about Marty's delay to the rendezvous spot. He had anticipated that the young man would return by the time he'd finished tweaking and fiddling with various parts of the time machine that needed attention. And after all, he's probably exhausted by this point. Might be a bit slower on his feet.

It was the sudden roar of screeching tyres that drew his concern. While his position on the gymnasium roof wasn't the best vantage point due to the multiple large oaks surrounding the building, he could still see some of the car park through gaps in the leaves. Doc leaned over as far as he dared, gripping the railing as his eyes searched for his time-travelling companion. Don't tell me he's gotten himself into another cat and mouse chase with Biff again…

The screeching appeared again. Doc found himself sprinting to the opposite side of the gymnasium, scanning along the road for the cause. His gaze was quickly drawn to a black Ford Super fishtailing onto the main road, the familiar profile of Biff Tannen visible at the wheel.

It was the pair of off-white sneakers sticking up from the backseat that set the alarm bells off. "Marty!" Great Scott!

The scientist watched in horror as the Ford sped along the deserted road, rapidly blending in with the surrounding darkness as it disappeared. "Marty!"

Doc clutched at his hair, his heart thumping in his throat. His body seemed to act faster than his brain, as he didn't register that he had sprinted to the driver's door of the Delorean until his hand was grasping the handle. Wait a minute, what the hell am I doing?! I can't go after him in this!

But I need to get to him!


He was quietly embarrassed at how long it took him to find a way down from the roof. I'm a scientist, for God's sake. My brain cells should be functioning at a higher capacity than the average citizen's.

Then again, it did take me forty-five minutes to find an unoccupied vehicle to use. Maybe I could use some 'street smarts' after all.

Doc gripped the handles of the bicycle, ignoring the icy numbness spreading along his fingers. He sped along the darkened streets as fast as his aged knees would allow, sighing as he finally spotted the turn-off for Biff's street. Dammit, why the hell does Biff have to live so far from the school?!

He hauled around the corner, cringing as his thumb slipped and accidentally rang the bicycle's bell. Despite his aching muscles screaming at him to stop, he refused to obey until he had pulled up onto the driveway of the Tannen residence. He practically leapt off of the seat, suppressing a groan of relief as he pushed the bicycle into the bushes. How did my younger self rely on this for transportation? This thing is a torture device for the male's sensitive areas…

Trying not to feel self-conscious of his suspicious behaviour, Doctook a few steps before he pressed his ear against the smooth wood of the garage door. The ominous sounds of shuffling feet and flesh impacting flesh sent chills down his spine, and it took tremendous willpower not to burst his way in immediately. Besides, I need to confirm Marty is definitely here-

"I said stop squirming, you little rat!" Biff snapped irritably. From the huffs and noises of exertion he was giving, it sounded like he was struggling with something. Or someone-

"Gahh! Get the hell off me! HELP! HELP!"

Marty! Doc felt simultaneous relief and panic flood his body.

"You better shut up the hell, Klein, before I shove a sock down your throat!" Biff threatened.

Doc could hear Marty panting through the door. God, I hope he's not too injured...

"HELP! HE-"

A powerful smack interrupted the pleas for help. "I told you to be quiet, you son of a bitch!"

"You kiss your mother with that mouth, Biff?" Marty snarked angrily.

Biff swore colourfully before a strangled scream fell from Marty's mouth, and Doc decided he could sit back no longer. He crouched down as he scuttled along the front of the garage, hurriedly feeling in the dim light for a handle. Come on, come on-

Marty's screams vanished, replaced by muffled moans and a chilling laugh from Biff. A cold dread rippled down Doc's spine, his clammy hand finally grasping the door handle he'd searched for.

I'm coming, Marty!

The scientist decided to abandon all attempts at stealthiness as he pulled the wooden door open, yet despite his squeaky entrance, though his presence seemed to go unnoticed by Biff. The teenager was kneeling near the left passenger door, appearing to be holding a struggling Marty in his grasp, though the tips of both mens' was all that was visible from Doc's perspective. "You know, Calvin Klein, I think I'm really gonna enjoy this."

Doc's brow furrowed as he heard a muffled shout from Marty, taking a hesitant step forward as he closed the door behind him. Is he really this oblivious? Alright then…

"How the hell are you still awake?" Biff commented. "Thought this stuff was supposed to be instant!…"

Doc felt ill. Is he trying to chloroform Marty?! Suffocate him?!

He briskly scanned his immediate surroundings, his vision struggling to adjust to the dim lighting. He was dismayed to find that the shelves and various boxes near the back of the Ford Super had little for him to work with; a box of various screws, a bottle of wax and some polishing cloths were not ideal choices. I'm not physically strong enough to incapacitate him on my own. If only there was a hammer or a-

Crowbar!

The scientist eyed the device, which appeared to have been hurriedly discarded across the room. He tried to suppress the queasiness in his stomach as he wrapped his fingers around it, realised the black metal was slick with warm blood. And I don't need to be a genius to figure out whose blood it is.

A weak groan from Marty extinguished the last pieces of his hesitation. Doc crossed to Biff with two strides and brought the crowbar across his back, physically cringing at the ghastly sound as flesh and metal collided. The teenager let out an agonised scream before Doc landed a second hit, sending his battered body to the floor.

If he didn't have Marty to immediately attend to, Doc was certain he would've vomited. He threw the crow bar aside in disgust, disregarding the blood that had sunk into the crevices of his palm. Panting, he dragged Biff's unconscious form around to the front of the trunk, dumping him unceremoniously as he finally got a full view of his time travelling companion. "Marty!…"

The young man's face was streaked with blood, eyelids fluttering as he fought to win the battle for consciousness. A stained rag was hanging out of his mouth, which Doc quickly discarded for fear of suffocation, though a quick sniff confirmed his suspicions: Biff had intended to sedate him. If anything, all this proves is that the Tannens are more psychopathic than we give them credit for…

Marty barely reacted as Doc lifted him from his position on his back, allowing the scientist room to untie the wires crudely cutting into the teenager's wrists. Most of his leather jacket had been torn away, leaving gaps in the fabric where Doc could see exactly where the crowbar had been implemented. His breathing was harsh and labored, with the audible rattles further increasing Doc's concern.

He needs a hospital.

The teenager groaned softly, his head lolling further to his right side as unintelligible words spilled from his lips.

"It's alright, Marty," Doc said frantically. Although he was unsure if the boy could hear him, he knew from his limited medical studies how hearing was usually the one sense that prevailed in circumstances like these, and decided it could bring comfort to him. "It's Doc, Marty…You're safe, I've got you…"

A grim feeling settled in his stomach. He knew there was no way he could carry Marty all the way back to the Delorean on foot, nor could he balance the young man on his back on the bicycle. Asking a neighbour for assistance was definitely not an option, and he wasn't willing to take the risk of using Biff's car.

But right now, he decided he didn't care about timelines or risks.

He would walk to the ends of the earth for this boy if he had to.

Doc hauled Marty's arm around his neck as he pulled both of them off the floor, slowly shuffling towards the garage door, leaving an unconscious Biff to his own devices.