:) and the first official chapter to Taken! Hope you like it! So far, some interest. 3 follows, 3 favs, 96 hits. More than I expected!
The beginning of this story is going to be written mainly from Sam's perspective. After a chapter or two, it will change. It's also going to take a few chapters to really ramp up.
6/27/24: The movie Taken was released in 2009. This story, including the title and plot, was already set and outlined in 2006. I did NOT rip off the movie title.
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot.
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Chapter One: Time
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She sighed and closed her journal. Another long day was nearly at its end, and she would soon retire. Before then, however, she would do as she had for the past four years and sit out on her balcony for a while, simply gazing up at the stars and reminiscing of times when life was carefree.
As she headed for the balcony, she flipped the light off and closed the curtains behind her. She sat in her chair and shifted into a comfortable spot, shivering lightly at the biting cold. But she paid it no mind; she would continue this tradition if she took it to her grave.
Wrapping a blanket around herself, her eyes shifted from star to star, marveling at the beauty. Occasionally she would spot a shooting star and lean forward in excitement, only to slump back over as it disappeared, her hopes dashed once again. Every time it felt as if her heart shattered into millions of pieces.
She snorted at that thought. It was wrong of course, for her heart hadn't been whole since the day he was taken. She had learned to live, yes. She graduated high school, had a job and was even living on her own. She was now a woman of twenty-one. But the ache she felt refused to leave her.
She shivered again in the cold. It was November now, and Christmas was nearly upon them all. While everyone was scrambling to find things they wanted, Sam, of course, already knew what she wanted. It was the same as the past four years.
She simply wished for Danny to come home.
–
Sam stomped her feet as she entered the home, the smell of good food assaulting her nose. As the door clicked behind her, she heard footsteps. Looking up, she spotted a tall woman with short red hair smiling at her.
"Glad you could make it, Sam. I wasn't sure if the snow was going to keep you locked away."
Sam smiled back. "No blizzard could keep me from coming, Mrs. Fenton."
The raven haired girl took her boots off and left them with the others and then went over to hang her coat in the closet. She entered the kitchen and smiled warmly at the sight.
Maddie was currently getting the turkey from the oven while Jazz was preparing the mashed potatoes. Tucker was busy setting the table and winked a greeting when he noticed Sam. The room was warm and full of family. Well, except for two.
"Where's Jack?" Sam questioned, reaching for the plates to help Tucker.
The dark skinned man chuckled. "He's currently running down the baby. He's finally steady on his feet and now he's getting into everything."
"I told you we needed a baby gate!" Jazz pointed a spoon at her mother.
Maddie shrugged. "It's ok, sweetie. Besides, your father just loves that little guy."
"Speaking of them." Tucker straightened as he heard the heavy footfalls of his father-in-law. It was followed quickly by giggling.
A few moments later, a little boy came running around the corner, his legs still a bit wobbly, with a big smile plastered on his baby face. Jack came booming after him. "I've got you now!"
Sam laughed at the comical scene. Just when it seemed like Jack had the lad; the little boy took a sudden turn and made a beeline for the counter. Something caught his eye, and he was determined to get it.
Jazz looked over just in time to see her son plop himself on the floor and shove the PDA in his mouth. "Chase Alexander Foley! Give me that!" She grabbed the PDA from his mouth and placed it on the table. "Tucker, you've got to keep track of that."
Tucker grinned and shrugged before giving his wife a kiss on the cheek. Jazz waved him off. "Don't think that works every time, mister."
Tucker wiggled his eyebrows. "But it does work sometimes!"
Jazz softened a bit and sighed. "Fine. Just be careful. He could destroy your PDA."
Tucker puffed out his chest. "That's why I got the water proof model. His slobber can't hurt it at all!"
Jazz rolled her eyes and went back to the mashed potatoes.
Jack picked up the tyke and tickled him. The little dark haired babe giggled and then reached up, pulling at his grandfather's hair.
Maddie placed the cut turkey on the table and grabbed the rolls from the oven. "Dinner's ready guys. Take your seats!"
Jazz placed the mashed potatoes on the table. It joined the turkey, rolls, sweet potatoes, ham, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and green bean casserole.
Jack and Tucker took the seats at each head while their wives took their respective seats next to them. Sam took a seat between Tucker and Maddie and Jazz placed Chase in the high chair between her and Jack.
"Jack, will you do the honors?" Maddie asked her husband and he nodded in response. They all held hands around the table as Jack prayed.
"We thank you for this day and for the family we have around us. Thank you for keeping us safe. I ask you to bless this food and the hands that prepared it. Amen."
"Amen," was heard around the table.
–
After the meal and clean up, the family sat in the living room-with the exception of Jazz and Chase. Tucker believed Chase was old enough to try and use a spoon by himself. That idea turned into the tot deciding hurling mashed potatoes across the room was fun. He was a mess and it resulted in Tucker being made to clean up mashed potatoes off the wall. Jazz was currently giving her son a bath.
"There's apple and pumpkin pie in the fridge if anyone wants dessert later." Maddie offered.
Jack grinned. "Pumpkin pie is my favorite!"
"We know, Jack." Maddie smiled good-naturedly.
Sam smiled but shook her head. "I'm full, but thanks."
"How can you be full?" Tucker asked. "You didn't even eat any meat!"
Sam rolled her eyes. "There was a lot more than just meat, Tucker. Not to mention, not everyone has as big of a stomach as you," she teased.
"Except me!" Jack stated proudly.
At that moment, Jazz came down the stairs with the eight-month-old. He was squirming to be let down and squealed in excitement when he got his wish. He walked around the room intent on finding something to play with. As he got to Tucker, the dark-skinned man smiled and gave his son his teddy bear, lovingly named "Bear-Bert Jr." by Jazz.
Chase promptly sat down and started sucking on the bear's ear, content to feel the fur between his sore gums. Jazz shook her head in amusement and went to the kitchen for a piece of apple pie.
"Sometimes I still can't believe you two got together." Sam chuckled. "I thought Jazz was smarter than that."
"Hey!" Tucker protested. "I may be younger, but I'm smart too!"
A 'That's debatable' was heard from the kitchen. Tucker pouted.
"It's a good thing you two have a sense of humor too. Otherwise, you'd be at each other's throats." Maddie giggled.
Sam didn't hear the rest of the conversation. She began to think about Danny as she always did, and especially couldn't get him off her mind at this time of year. The dark-haired woman wondered what he'd say if he knew his sister and best friend had gotten married.
It had been a whirlwind romance. Jazz was very supportive and helpful after Danny was taken. Tucker had had a crush on Jazz for a while but was too scared to admit it to Danny in fear his half ghost friend would waste him. It was only a few months after the kidnapping that the two got together and got married a little over a year and a half ago. Chase was sort of a surprise. They certainly hadn't expected to get pregnant immediately! Wouldn't Danny be surprised if he knew he had a nephew?
Tucker noticed Sam's far away look. He left the conversation with the others and went over to Sam. She snapped out of it as he touched her shoulder. Startled eyes met his concerned ones. "Want to go talk about it?" he offered.
She looked away. He always asked, and she always refused. They had a fight a few years back. She told him she still thought he was alive, and he told her she was nuts. She knew he still wouldn't believe her, but he asked all the same, even if he knew what she was thinking.
Finally, she nodded, and they headed down to the lab. If the other three noticed their absence, they said nothing.
"What's going on, Sam?" he asked when they were down the stairs.
Sam couldn't meet his gaze. "Tucker, you know what's wrong. It never changes."
He sighed heavily and rubbed his temples. "I'm not going to have this conversation with you because we've already had it. But I will say this, Sam." He placed a hand on her cheek and forced her to look at him. "You will not move on until you can move past it. I miss him too and a part of me will never be the same without him, but dang it Sam, it's not good for you. I'm not asking you to forget him because that's something even I can't do. All I'm asking is that you move on."
Sam pushed away. "I never will, Tucker. I just can't do it… I loved him, Tuck. I never got to tell him…I never…I never even got to say goodbye…" her voice was barely a whisper.
Tucker had nothing to say. He knew it hurt her more than she ever let on. He couldn't stand to see her like this.
"It's not fair," she said as she looked back at him, tears glistening in her eyes. Tucker couldn't take it. He pulled her to him and held her close.
After Danny was taken, the two had become very close. The bond between them was…indescribable; more than siblings.
He breathed into her hair and closed his eyes. "No, it's not fair," he said. "But we can't change the past. That was four years ago, we're 21 now and you have a whole life ahead of you. Sam, please, you have to move on." He pulled back and kissed her forehead.
She shook her head and let go of her best friend. "I can't, Tuck. I just can't. I'll keep on going, I promise. But I can't move on." She left him and walked up the stairs.
He sighed and followed her.
The sight that greeted them was serene. Chase was sleeping peacefully in his mother's arms and Jack and Maddie were talking quietly as to not wake the baby.
Sam went to the closet and grabbed her coat.
"Leaving already, Sam?" Maddie inquired.
The raven-haired girl nodded. "It's getting late and I need to get home before the roads freeze completely."
"You are welcome to stay the night like Jazz and Tucker," Jack offered, but Sam shook her head.
"I need to get home and walk DJ. He's been home alone for a few hours and he has separation anxiety," she explained.
She was talking about her border collie. Why she got the dog, she wasn't sure. She had always been a cat person. She supposed it was because Danny had always wanted one and the black and white fur reminded her of him. Not to mention the dog's quirky personality. That was the reason she named him DJ. It was short for Daniel James, Danny's first and middle names.
She hugged Maddie, Jack and Jazz in turn and placed a light kiss on Chase's forehead. Without looking at Tucker even once, she turned and headed to the door. She put her boots on and twisted the doorknob, giving one last wave and then headed out, the door shutting behind her.
Jazz looked pointedly at Tucker. "What's wrong?"
"Same thing that's always wrong." He sighed and grabbed his son from his wife and went to tuck him in.
–
Sam opened the door to her apartment and was greeted by a very enthusiastic DJ. "Come on, DJ. Get down," she scolded. The dog did as he was told and sat down, but his whole body shook with excitement. Sam grabbed the leash off its hook and put it on DJ's collar. She headed out into the frigid air and down the street.
DJ stopped at every light pole and did his business. He wasn't concerned about the snow at all; in fact, he very much liked the snow.
Sam shivered a bit. She stopped when DJ stopped and walked when he was done. She passed the streetlamp where Danny was taken as she did every night and sighed. It had long been fixed.
After about twenty minutes she headed back inside. She took the leash off DJ and he shook to release the snow from his fur. Sam winced and covered her face as the snow splattered her. "DJ!" she cried.
The border collie simply yapped and wagged his tail excitedly. Sam rolled her eyes. "You have too much energy."
The raven-haired girl shrugged her coat off and placed her boots by the door. After hanging the coat in the closet, she went to the computer, navigated to her favorite international news site, and pressed play on one of the latest videos. It was a nightly ritual.
She then headed down the hallway, the weather blasting in the living room, and turned into her bedroom to change into her pajamas. After pulling on her black pants and shirt with little white ghosts on them, she went to the bathroom to brush her hair.
Then something caught her attention. The news had shifted to a topic that had been highlighted for quite a while and was often the gossip at work among her co-workers. She stepped out of the bathroom and into the living room.
As she ran the brush through her hair, a woman on the computer talked away.
"Another murder joins the slew of others that have occurred over the past year in the eastern Asia region. What makes these murders stand out from the average murder is that all the victims have a hole burned straight through them. No known technology has the capability of burning through flesh to this magnitude. All victims have been tested and found negative for any kind of chemical acid. Images about to be shown are graphic and viewer discretion is advised." The woman was replaced by pictures, one after the other of the victims, with their wounds blurred out.
The news anchor continued while the images scrolled. "There have been well over thirty murders, most of which have occurred in China. Many of the victims have been found to be very prominent people in drug rings, gangs and participants in the black market of China. Rumors of this being a vigilante of sorts are circulating rapidly."
As the view changed back to the woman, Sam began to lose interest, as this was information she had heard before. But as she turned to head back to the bathroom, the woman once again caught her interest.
"We have received exclusive video footage of the last attack. The quality isn't very good, so the image is very blurry, but it shows the attacker and the victim's last moments."
The view switched off the woman again and an extremely blurry image began to play. Screaming was the first thing heard and the video became shaky as if the operator was running. As the shaking stopped, a person-shaped blur was in the right-side view of the image and the person appeared to be on his knees. Sam moved closer to the monitor to get a better look.
As she stepped closer, she jumped suddenly as a black and white blur dashed across the screen. Another scream and a green flash lit the screen. Her eyes widened.
The screen switched once again to the woman, but Sam no longer heard what she was saying. She dropped her brush and her hands moved quickly as she grabbed the mouse and pressed pause.
Once that was done, she stepped back, still in shock. She knew what she had to do.
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And end chapter 1. Uh oh….what's going on and who is this person committing murder? What is Sam's next move?
Please review with any comments or constructive criticism.
And I know 8 months seems young for a baby to walk, but my little God brother was already walking at 7 months! Plus, I needed Jazz and Tucker to be together for at least a little while before they got married!
And yes, random prayers from them. No, they aren't suddenly Christian. I know a lot of families who will say a prayer before a special meal, such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter and the like, but not other times.