Justin's breath hitched upon sensing the careful and deliberate
movements of the slight pleasant weight of his lover being removed from his taut
stomach. The blond groaned when he realized what was happening, his body already
missing the warmth of JC's. He needed him back, needed the feeling of the
brunette's heated willowy frame against his, needed to know where the older man
was, needing to know that he was safe from harm. The one place Justin knew JC
would be safe at was in his strong and capable embrace.
Justin willed his body to respond to the signals his brain was sending but his
efforts were seemingly for naught as his body still ignored him. He wouldn't
give up, he had to wake his self, he had to stop JC from leaving him. The young
blonde's eyes fluttered open and his surroundings became clearer as he slowly
regained small semblance of consciousness, his mind forcing him back into
reality. Justin's eyes focused, forced to watch, helpless, while Lonnie
maneuvered a barely covered JC through the room and out the door. Justin wanted
to protest, wanted to scream at Lonnie and have him bring back his safety, his
sanity, but his body once again rejected his instructions. Justin softly called
his boyfriend's name, "J... Jceee." The exhausted man reached his hand
out toward Lonnie's back, hoping, praying that the black bodyguard would hear
him and turn around, turn around and bring back his baby. Justin's hand was
grasped and pulled close to another man's body, instinctively, he violently
jerked it back.
"Justin?"
Justin shook his head, knowing who spoke and wanting that person to leave him
alone. He closed his eyes and turned his head, hoping the other man would get
the hint and go away.
"Justin. Justin please." Joey gently shook Justin's shoulder.
"Hey, partner. If you're awake let me know. Otherwise, I'm stuck dragging
you're heavy ass out of here."
The blond turned his head toward the other, opening his eyes leisurely.
"Justin." The brunette cupped the side of the younger man's face,
looking directly into cloudy azure eyes. "Listen. We need to get you out of
here. Can you get up?"
"Joey," Justin sighed.
"Come on." Joey pulled on Justin's arm, in an attempt at propelling
him forward. "I know you had a vision and it's totally wiped you out, but
you need to get over it. Right now, the most important thing is to get you the
hell out of here, before Lou... before Lou comes back."
"JC?"
"What about JC?" Joey paused as he gathered the weakened man against
him, "He's with Lonnie."
"Lonnie?" The blond leaned into Joey's strong embrace.
"Yeah, after you freaked, Lonnie decided I shouldn't touch JC anymore."
Parts of the vision flashed once again into Justin's mind causing his balance to
fade slightly. "Hey, easy there. What's wrong?"
"Na... Nothing. Go ahead a finish," Justin whispered.
"Okay, right. So, since Lonnie carried JC out of here... that means I'm
stuck with getting you out. I was a little worried about your weight and size, I
figured I'd have to drag you out, but since you're up, my job just got thirty
times easier."
Justin slowly straightened his tired body, moving away from Joey's arms, Joey's
help. He didn't want Joey touching him, didn't want the older man's help. He
would be strong for JC. He rubbed his stomach absent-mindedly upon thinking
about his lover, missing the sensation of JC's pale bare skin against his. The
blond looked up at Joey, remembering other parts of the powerful vision, "Why?"
Justin swallowed, "Why were you gonna hit him?"
"Justin. Come on. We don't have time for this right now." Joey
shamefully looked away, fidgeting. "Lonnie has left all ready with JC. We
need to leave." He met Justin's eyes, "We need to get you to him, so
if he wakes up he won't freak out or something."
Justin scrunched his forehead, contemplating Joey's words. He scowled,
"Fine, but this isn't the end, you hear me?" Justin took a step toward
the door. His vision blurred, stomach turned as he took another step. He wobbled.
Joey was instantly there, arm wrapped tight around his friend's waist.
"Take it easy, Justin..."
"Don't touch me," Justin tried pulling away, but Joey's strength was
too much to overcome in his weakened state. He fell against the brunette. The
blond looked up, searching Joey's gaze, "You're... You're not forgiven. I
just need your help, that's all."
"Yeah, I know," Joey sighed, "I hear you."
**
Lonnie swiftly moved down the narrow hallway after leaving Justin and Joey
behind, carrying a barely covered, sleep heavy dancer. He silently prayed that
the other two would get out safely, but right now the large man was worried
about JC. He needed to get him out of the strip club and back home, safely in
his bed and away from Lou and his sick demented mind. Only a few more minutes
and a couple more turns and the two of them would be home free. The problem was
getting throughout the narrow hallways without beings spotted by someone and
questioned. The bodyguard shifted the light weight around in his arms as he
peered around a corner, seeking salvation. "If I can just get him around
this corner and passed that room, we'll be fine," Lonnie said to himself.
Salvation was around the corner, for them, and at the end of the dimly lit
hallway. Lonnie only had to pass Lou's office and out the fire exit to escape to
a relatively safe location, the parking lot. There he would place JC in his
Lincoln and rush him home, waiting for Justin and Joey to arrive. He just had to
get by Lou's office.
Lonnie said a short prayer, maneuvered the small frame over his shoulder and
burst around the corner. He hustled his way down the hall, stopping only when he
heard voices coming from the dreaded room, forcing himself hard into the wall,
banging JC's body. "Sorry, kid," he said softly.
"Sunny?"
"Yeah, boss."
"Have you seen Lonnie?"
"Um... No sir. I haven't seen him since Lance returned from the employees
lounge."
"What?"
"Oh... I forgot to tell you..." Lonnie held his breath. Sunny you
fucking asshole, he thought, again adjusting JC. The brunette stirred. "...
Lance decided to leave the bar unattended and sneak in the back with JC's hot
little boyfriend. He was gone for a while, I don't know what he was doing back
there, but..."
"He left the bar?"
"Yeah, but Lonnie didn't want me to tell you. He said that you didn't need
to know that Lance was gone. Basically wanting me to lie to you and protect that
little blond haired worm."
"Did he now?"
"That's right..." Asshole, Lonnie said silently. "...besides that...
I haven't seen him."
"You've got your Nextel on you?"
"Of course, sir." Sunny pulled out the small black wireless phone and
opened it.
"Why don't you give him a ring? I think I need to have a little talk with
him."
Shit, Lonnie thought while searching desperately with one hand for his Nextel,
trying not to jar the unconscious man. Shit, shit, shit... Where is that that
mother fucking thing. The big man patted his pockets looking for the item.
"Hang on boss." Sunny gripped the small phone tightly in his large
menacing grasp. He smiled evilly as he dialed Lonnie's number. He waited
patiently for the other to answer.
Oh shit... Lonnie turned around. He wanted to get as far away from the room as
possible, he stopped when he heard Sunny yell. "Damn it. He isn't answering."
"What?"
"I didn't get an answer."
"Why not?"
"I don't know, sir, but I can..."
"No, never mind. We'll just go look for him. Come on." The two men
exited the room and
walked down the hallway turning the corner. "Hey, did you see that?"
"See what sir?"
"I could've sworn I seen somebody turn the corner up there. No one is
suppose to be back here."
"Do you want me to check it out sir?"
"Yeah, go ahead. I'll look for Lonnie out in the bar room and get to the
bottom of his insubordination."
"Will do, sir." Sunny walked quickly down the hallway until he reached
the corner. He pressed himself against the wall and counted to three. He spun
around the corner and his well trained ears heard a door click shut. "Who's
down here?" The bodyguard half yelled. "Who's here?" He
cautiously walked down the hall, stopping at every door, opening them, scanning
each room. After the fourth door, Sunny was going to call it quits, until he
heard a muffled noise coming from the employee lounge. He moved silently toward
the door, not wanting to alert the individual or individuals within it. He flung
the door open.
**
Lonnie, having set the small brunette down on the employee lounge couch, quietly
shut the door. He walked back toward the sleeping figure patting his coat down,
looking for his missing phone.
"Looking for this?" A groggy voice asked.
"You little... When did you wake up?"
"When you threw me over your shoulder. You hit a rib or something and it
kinda shocked me back," JC mumbled through thick lips. "And then you
banged me into the wall. That was a little unpleasant as well."
"Cute. What did you do, turn off the ringer."
JC smiled as best he could, "Yep."
"Well, now that the coast is clear, we need to get you out of here, for the
time being. Can you walk?"
"Lonnie, I was beat up, not crippled."
"Funny." Lonnie bent down and helped the battered man up. "Let's
go, kid."
Just as the two men reached the door, Lonnie heard a small noise.
"Shit."
"What? What is it?" JC asked, desperation dripping from his still
small voice.
"We've got company."
"No," JC sighed, "I..."
"Shhhh..." Lonnie listened carefully. "I think someone may have
seen me, they're checking the rooms," the black man explained. "We
need to hide you."
"Come on," JC whined. "Can this day get any worse?"
"I hate to tell you, JC, but it's already tomorrow."
"Great..."
"Hurry up and hide somewhere. Behind the couch." They heard the door
click, "shit there's no time." With lightening quick reflexes, Lonnie
pushed JC onto the couch and instructed him to curl up as small as he could. The
body guard ripped his long trench coat jacket off and threw it over the top of
the small bundle, hurriedly placing his huge frame onto the couch as well.
The door opened.
**
"Hey," Lonnie mumbled as he recognized the intruder. "What do you
want?"
"Did you see anyone back here?"
"When?"
"Just a bit ago, Lou thought he saw someone."
"Maybe he saw me, coming down here."
Sunny surveyed the room. "Yeah, maybe." His dark eyes focused on
Lonnie and his jacket. "So..." He paused, "what are you doing in
here?"
"Well, genius. It's the employee's lounge, where employee's go when they
are on break. I'm an employee, I'm on break."
"Always a wise ass. Why can't you just simply answer my questions?"
Lonnie smiled, leaning back into the couch, "Cuz, I don't want to."
"Asshole."
"That's right, learn to live with it."
"Whatever." Sunny pulled out his phone, "did you get my message?"
"If I did do you think I'd answer it."
"Lou wants to talk to you."
"Yeah, about what?"
"I don't know," Sunny lied. "He just told me to get a hold of you.
I do what I'm told."
"Like hell you do," Lonnie mumbled.
Sunny turned around and headed back toward the door, "You should go see
what he wants."
"I will," Lonnie said as Sunny exited the room. The black man reached
over and pulled his trench coat from JC's barely covered body.
"That was..."
"Shhh..." Lonnie instructed, placing two large fingers over JC's
bruised lips, causing a slight moan to escape from the brunette. "He's
still there. Don't say a word," the bodyguard said softly into JC's ear.
"Wait."
JC nodded his reeling head. The sudden push into the couch and having to curl
his weary body up caused a great deal of pain to course through the younger man.
His eyes were blurry from the tears that threatened to fall, but he would not
allow them, he wouldn't let them fall, he won't cry again. He was tired of being
hurt, tired of being pushed around. He needed to be strong. He needed to be
strong for Justin's sake. He fluttered his eyes, looking intently at Lonnie,
waiting for the all clear.
Lonnie spoke, "Seems like he's finally gone. I can't hear his footsteps
anymore." The footsteps indeed where becoming quieter and quieter, a tell
tale sign that Sunny was leaving the area. "Don't speak," Lonnie
warned. JC nodded. The heavy set black man got up off the couch and slowly made
his way toward the closed door. He placed his one hand on the surface the other
wrapped around the handle. Lonnie bent forward, placing his ear onto the door,
listening.
"Okay, lets go."
JC uncurled his long body from the couch and attempted to heave himself up, but
his body protested and he winced. Lonnie sauntered over toward the brunette and
helped him up, supporting the younger man's movements.
"Thanks." Lonnie nodded.
The two men slipped out into the hallway, carefully navigating their way down
the dark passage and toward the fire exit. JC was leaning heavily against the
sturdier man, gaining the support he needed in order to make his way to safety.
When Lonnie finally opened the door, the two men rushed out into the dark rainy
night. When the cool breeze assailed JC's heat flushed body, he shuddered. It's
menacing briskness penetrated his false bravado, causing his vision to blur and
his knees buckled. Lonnie felt JC's smaller frame become limp in his grasp and
he tightened his hold around the slender waist.
"Hang in there, JC. We've only have a few more steps. My car is just on the
other side of those bushes."
They had escaped the strip club and JC was thankful for that; he shivered as
another round of cold rain droplets plundered his skin, his warmth. The brunette
tried wrapping his trembling arms around his body, begging for the warmth they
would lend, but the movement sent another searing wave of pain through his
exhausted frame, he moaned softly, not wanting his friend to hear his discomfort.
However, Lonnie noticed JC's actions. He stopped and braced the younger man up
against a car. He pulled his trench coat off and wrapped it around the smaller
man. "There, is that better." JC nodded his thanks. "Good,"
Lonnie bent down and placed his arms behind JC's knees and lifted the seemingly
weightless man.
"Lonnie," JC moaned, "it hurts."
"I know, we're almost there." Lonnie, although slowly, made his way
through the parking lot, steering their way in the direction of the black man's
car.
"Put me down..." JC whispered. "It doesn't hurt so much when I
walk."
"Okay, but if your body gives out one more time..."
JC nodded his head and Lonnie placed the younger man's feet onto the cement of
the parking lot. The bodyguard pointed in front of them, "My car is right
there."
"Good, I'm glad it's close."
"Let me get the door for you," Lonnie said as he pulled his keys from
his pocket and pressed the unlock button. The exterior lights blinked twice
signaling to them that Lonnie's attempt was successful. Then the interior lights
slowly intensified, lighting up the darkened area, beaming like a beacon.
"The proverbial light at the end of the tunnel," JC whispered.
"What, kid. I didn't catch that."
"It's okay. It was nothing."
Lonnie opened the passenger side door for JC and tried helping the wounded man
climb inside. The task of getting into the car without pain was a daunting one,
but the young man just gritted his teeth and bared it, knowing he had no other
choice. When he was entirely in the car, the sitting position he was in sent
shock waves of pain through him, his stomach threatening to release it's
contents. His eyes watered and he blinked rapidly, trying to stop them; it was
too much. "Lonnie," his words were soft, barely audible.
"What.... What is it?
"I can't... I can't stay like this."
"You need to lay down?"
JC nodded his head.
"Fuck, and I don't have bucket seats. We need to move you to the
back."
JC understood what that meant... more pain. He swung his feet out of the car and
allowed Lonnie to lift him out. The bodyguard already had the back door open and
carefully moved his charge toward the comforting confines of the bench seat. The
black man sat JC down again, this time in the back off the car, and he watched
as the brunette instantly collapsed onto the cushions, pulling his legs in so
the older man could easily close the door. Lonnie did, and then made his way to
the driver's side. He scanned the area one last time before getting in. He sat
behind the wheel, placing the key inside the ignition, "I hope the other
two have an easier time than we did," Lonnie spoke softly.
"Me... Me too, Lonnie, me too."
**
Joey cracked the door open and then quickly shut it.
"What's going on?"
"Shut it," Joey chided. "Someone's coming."
"What? Who?"
With one arm still wrapped tightly around Justin's waist the brunette again
opened the door. "It's Lonnie."
"What?"
"Shhh...." Joey waited a few more seconds before he saw another person
walking stealth fully down the hallway. "Shit... It's Sunny." Joey
closed the door softly. "He's following Lonnie and JC."
"JC?" Justin whined.
Joey squeezed Justin closer, "He'll be all right. He's with Lonnie."
Justin sighed. "Besides, by the way Sunny was walking, I'm assuming he
doesn't know which room they ducked into."
"What should we do?"
"Stay here, until we're sure Sunny is gone."
"What if he comes down here? Shouldn't we have a place ready to hide in
just in case."
"Yeah," Joey looked behind him, surveying the area. "We could
hide in the little room," Joey smirked. "I'm sure you're familiar with
the area, since you've spent some quality time back there."
Justin's eyes became stormy. "Don't... Don't even pretend like you know
what we were doing in there. I don't want you even thinking about JC. You got
that."
Joey shrugged his shoulders.
"I say we hide behind the couch. I mean it worked once, you sat back there
and let Lou beat up JC and the fat fuck didn't even know you were there. I think
it would be a perfect hiding place."
"Shut up."
The blond looked menacingly toward Joey. "Are you for real?"
"Look, I just don't want to go behind the couch. Is that too much to
ask?"
"It is for you."
"How long are you gonna hate me?"
Justin smiled coyly, "Until JC forgives you. And even then, I still may
not."
"Until then, can we call a truce. Just until we get out of here. Then I can
explain what happened, what was going on between us before you and Lonnie came
into the room."
"You're gonna explain what went on between you two, huh." Justin
laughed to himself. "Joey, you don't have to tell me what happened. I
know."
Joey sighed, "You only know half of it."
"You're right. Funny thing though," Justin crossed his arms over his
chest, moving away from Joey.
"What's that?"
"It's your side of the story that I witnessed. I saw you about ready to
strike JC. I didn't see it from my babies point of view, but yours. I don't know
what happened from JC's perspective, but I will."
Joey took a deep breath and cracked the door opened once more. Sunny had
disappeared into one of the rooms, it was time for them to move on. "Okay,
looks like we can make a break for it." Justin nodded. "Follow
me." Joey led Justin through the maze of turns until they reached the bar
room floor. "You need to get behind me as best you can, so no one
recognizes you."
Joey felt Justin's hand grab roughly onto his shoulder, biting his nails into
the brunette's skin. "Let's go," the blond detective sneered.
Joey led the way across the dance floor, making brief eye contact with Lance,
noticing Lou screaming at him. He wandered what the cute bartender had done this
time to get the wrath of Lou Pearlman. He wouldn't get the chance to stick
around and find out, Justin was practically pushing him out of the club. When
the reached the door, Justin quickly let go of Joey and braced his tired body
against the entrance.
"Hey, come on Justin. We just need to cross the street." Justin shook
his head. "What?"
"I'm not going any further with you. I'll go by myself." Justin
scanned the parking lot while speaking with Joey, looking for the familiar
Lincoln. He felt another presence.
"Their gone," Wes said. "I watched them leave, about ten minutes
ago."
"Thanks, Wes." Justin turned toward the black bouncer, "How'd he
look?"
"I couldn't tell from this distance. But he was standing on his own for a
little while."
Justin let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding. He shivered slightly
caused by the wind blowing against his rain soaked low riding jeans.
"That's good, right?"
Joey stood in the parking lot gazing at his partner, shaking the thoughts from
his head. "Let's get out of here, Justin. Let me take you home to JC."
"No," the blond hissed. "Get. I don't want to see you right now.
Do you understand that?"
"Yes," Joey answered softly. He turned around and ran across the
parking lot toward his car. Upon reaching the vehicle he turned back in the
direction he came, hoping to catch a last look at his partner, to plead his case
in only a gaze, but his partner was no there. Justin was being helped to his car
by Wes. Joey was furious.
**
JC stared at the back window, watching as each raindrop jutted and curved its
way down the slightly slanted glass. He titled his head slightly and could until
his vision took in the back side window, he again watched quietly, using his
finger to trace the patterns of the droplets. He whispered, "Just like my
life."
"What is?" A voice came from the front.
"The rain."
"The rain?"
"Yeah, when it runs down the window, it doesn't no where its going, but it
twists and turns seeking out the way to salvation. It's never a straight path,
it always curves and changes just as the water gets momentum. Each time it runs
into another droplet, the first droplet takes the second one where ever it goes,
seemingly down the straight and narrow and then BAM, all of a sudden you're
going in a different direction, one that takes you further from your
destination." JC continued staring at the raindrops, continued tracing
paths in the steamed windows.
"JC?" The black man questioned, "What's this about?"
"I thought my life was on the right track. I mean, Justin... Justin decided
I'm worth something, decided he wanted to spend time with me, get to know
me." JC couldn't finish his train of thought, "I'm like these fucking
raindrops."
"How so?" Lonnie looked for JC's reflection in his rear view mirror.
"Why do you think you're like these raindrops."
"Well, Justin loves me and I'm like dragging him all over the place, into
things he shouldn't be involved in. Altering the course of both our lives and
never getting any closer to my destiny or his, just floundering."
"You mean Lou when you talk about things he shouldn't be involved in,
right?"
"Yeah, I mean... We were doing great. Then this has to happen," JC
turned his head toward Lonnie's seat, "now he's gonna figure out that this
isn't the first time Lou has laid a finger on me. He's gonna remember all those
other times when I'd come home and deny him the sight or the use of my
body." JC gingerly sat up, wincing, placing his folded arms across the back
of the front seat. "He's gonna figure it out."
"The use of your body," Lonnie scoffed. "I don't think Justin is
using your body and so, what if he does figure things out. He'll still love you,
he'll only want to protect you even more. I know the kid's type. He'll do
anything for you. When he figures it out, that shouldn't change anything. You
two should be a happy couple, no matter what happened or what will happen."
"He's gonna want me to quit. He's gonna want me to stop dancing."
"JC...," Lonnie paused, "I think you should quit. I think you
should listen to your boyfriend and take him into consideration, let him run
into you, let him determine the new direction you two will take. I don't think
that would be unreasonable."
JC sighed, meeting Lonnie's gaze in the mirror. "You think I should quit,
really?"
"I think it would be for the best. You need to get away from Lou, C. You
need to make a life with Justin that doesn't involve any minute part of your
past."
JC's eyes became cloudy filled with water threatening once more to escape. JC
bit his abused lips.
"What is it, C?"
"He knows." He closed his eyes, not wanting to meet Lonnie's. "He
already knows."
Lonnie continued driving until he reached JC and Justin's road where their large
two-story brick Victorian home sat nestled in a heavily wooded caldisac. The
drive had been nearly fifteen minutes; that short, but it seemed like forever to
Lonnie. The rain splashed underneath the Lincoln's tires as Lonnie turned the
corner. He watched the wipers move from side to side, side to side, musing over
the situation, not believing the mess he was getting himself into. He gripped
the steering wheel tighter, knuckles now a paling caramel brown. Lonnie sighed,
when it finally dawned on him how close to Lou, JC and Justin were. The two only
lived fifteen short minutes away from Lou's club, away from JC's own little
personal hell. The large black man shook his head slowly as he pondered the
topic, glancing in the rear view mirror to check on his passenger. He whispered,
"Hey, you're extremely quite back there. We're almost to your place, sorry
about it being so cold in the car, but the heater isn't working."
JC had settled back down into the seat and had wrapped Lonnie's trench coat
around himself snugly; holding onto the lapels, binding it tight for warmth and
comfort. The brunette's knees were bent slightly as he laid on his back, easing
some of the discomfort radiating from his side. He heard the bodyguard mumble
something about it being cold, and that they were almost to his house, but he
couldn't concentrate on that. Instead, he sighed sadly as thoughts of Justin
faded in and out of his mind; visions of his live-in boyfriend's reactions when
he finally comprehended what exactly JC did. How he sold his body to women for
enough money to eat and eventually find shelter.
The brunette squeezed his eyes together; water lining the lashes, trying
unsuccessfully to rid himself of the tormenting phantasms whirling within him,
but to no avail. In the beginning, he watches as Justin finally arrives home and
storms his way into the house. JC sitting on their couch, stares wide eyed.
Justin starts screaming words, hurtful words, words the brunette cares not to
remember. When he doesn't respond to Justin's critisms, all hell breaks loose.
JC physically shuddered at the thought of Justin becoming so angry with him that
the young lover would strike him. Eventually, forcing him out of the house to
live back on the street, to sell his body again.
JC blinks. He turns his head in the direction of Lonnie's voice, but still does
not register completely what the black man is saying. JC closes his eyes once
more, wishing he could end the cycle of the horrible thoughts trampling his
mind. Wishing he could will the end result to change, but it always ends the
same, this taunting vision; it always ends with Justin walking out on him.
Lonnie slowed the vehicle and leisurely maneuvered his Lincoln between the large
stone lion head statues situated at the end of the winding driveway. He drove up
the wide path and parked just in front of the house, aligned with the walkway.
Lonnie turned off the engine and waited for his young passenger to realize he
was finally home.
"JC, you're home," Lonnie mumbled to himself. He looked into the
mirror watching the battered man rise from his comfortable position. The black
man stared at JC, determining the condition of his charge. JC winced at his own
movements, seeking the easiest way with the least amount of hurt. When he was
comfortable with his position, he looked out the window. Lonnie blinked slowly,
they sat silently for a while, listening to the raindrops assail the car; each
deep in thought until JC finally broke the silence.
"Thanks," he whispered and began sliding his weary body toward the
door, making his way out of the Lincoln by placing one hand on the door handle.
"For what kid?" Lonnie peered over his right shoulder, trying to steal
a glimpse, effectively stopping JC's actions.
JC shrugged his shoulders dejectedly, avoiding the black man's gaze. "For
everything." He paused, turning his head slowly and meeting chocolate brown
eyes in the rearview mirror. Hi eyes twinkled, "I guess."
"Hey, you wouldn't have left me back there, right? Don't think nothing of
it."
"I guess," JC answered. " I'm not... Not really use to," he
paused gathering his thoughts, "people other than Justin or Lance being
nice to me." He looked away, staring at the raindrops. "Not many
people are."
"What?" Lonnie smiled softly, "I can't hear you, you're mumbling.
You need to speak up."
"Nice to me," the brunette said in a louder voice. He turned once
again toward his companion, "I'm not use to others being nice to me."
"Well, I don't understand how that could be. You're a very likable
person."
JC huffed and blinked back tears. "I don't know why, people don't like me,
they just don't. Do you? Do you know why people don't like me, Lonnie."
"JC..." Lonnie began, sadness in his voice, "Not everyone hates
you, it just seems like it right now, you've had a tough couple of days.
Besides, I don't really think it has anything to do with you personally. I
mean... There're a lot of idiots out there, who don't really take the time to
know people, but instead judge them with some bias opinion."
"I'd except that if I were out and out gay," he shrugged, "I'm
not. I like girls too."
"I know, and I'm sure that's what makes it seem worse for you. Doesn't
it?"
"Yeah, I guess," shrugging his shoulders once more, "Everyone
likes Justin. He has a lot of friends." JC blinked slowly, "His
parents still like him, even though he's gay. I don't have anyone Lonnie."
He turned his head and gazed directly at the other man. "I only have
him."
"That's not true." Lonnie tried turning his large body toward JC,
desperately searching the brunette's pain filled eyes.
"I can't loose him, too, Lonnie... I wouldn't be able to take that. I can
take anything this life throws at me, all the hate, all the hurt," he shook
his head from side to side, "but I wouldn't be able to take loosing him,
Lonnie. Life wouldn't be worth it."
"JC... don't say that. You know you have Lance and now me..."
"It's not the same... He's everything to me."
"Well, maybe," Lonnie paused "...maybe you should let him guide
the two of you. You know, like we talked about on the way here. Let him dictate
what happens and see where it goes from there."
JC looked away quickly, biting his bottom lip, hand trembling on the door
handle. "He'll want me to quit. I know he will." He tipped his head
forward, thinking, "I'll quit," he whispered.
"What...?"
"If that's what he wants. If... If you think it's... It's the right thing
to do."
"JC I'm not gonna tell you what you should or shouldn't do. That's
completely up to you. You should quit only if you think it's the right thing. I
mean... As I said... I don't run your life, neither does Justin." He
paused, "If you want some advice... Then yeah... I'll give you some, but
ultimately it's up to you and what you want to do. I don't like seeing you get
hurt, but the decision must come from you. You're the one who has to live with
it."
"Not anymore Lonnie. Now I have to think about Justin, and how my decisions
affect him. It's not just about me anymore. I... I just don't know how."
The large black man sighed, contemplating his next statement. "I'd help
you. If you wanted to leave Lou's."
JC quickly covered his steel eyes with trembling hands as he shook his head.
"I want to," he whimpered. "I want to, but I'm afraid."
"What are you afraid of?" Lonnie asked, knowing the answer already.
"I'm afraid... Afraid no one else would hire me. Lou would make sure I'd
never dance again... he... he would tell them that I was a male whore and that
he caught me in one of his rooms, making money on the side, cheating him. He
would tell them that... I'm sure of it."
Lonnie turned around in his seat and softly encompassed one of JC's slender
wrists. "Listen, JC. I'll help you as much as I can. I'll try and keep Lou
from you, but you have to make the first move. You've gotta be the one to move
on from this life."
"Lonnie, you don't understand."
"Yes, I do." He squeezed the wrist he was holding tighter, "Let
me see if I get this right." His cold stare penetrating JC's, "If it
weren't for Lou, you'd still be selling yourself, trying to make it in this God
forsaken place. You'd still be sleeping somewhere in a run down area of town
with barely a garbage bag for a blanket. If it hadn't been for Lou offering you
a job, you'd still be a whore and you would've never have met Justin." He
shook the brunette slightly, "Right." He raised his voice, "Am I
fucking right, JC." The brunette nodded his head. "I know all to well
the noose you have around your neck, and who is holding the other end, but I
will help you. Only if you want it though. Only if you make the first attempt at
breaking the ties." Lonnie pulled the other hand away from JC's tired and
battered face, "Are you willing to give it up? Are you willing to give up
dancing for Justin? Are you willing to give up everything you were and
everything you are for him?"
JC nodded and then whispered, "yes."
"Then that's good enough for me." The bodyguard let go of JC's wrists
and watched as the defeated man lowered his head, resting it upon the back of
the passenger seat. "I'll tell you what, why don't you just go inside and
take a nice long soothing shower, dress in your pajamas and go to sleep. It's
two o'clock now and you're scheduled to come in early tomorrow and I'm sure
Lou's gonna want you to work a double."
"Lonnie?"
"Yeah."
"When do I tell him I don't want to do this anymore. I'm sick of
this."
"Whenever you feel like it. If you want to do it tomorrow; I'll be
there."
"Okay... Let me sleep on it."
"Why don't you do that, kid? Maybe discuss it with Justin when he gets
back. I'm sure he'll want to be a part of your decision."
JC took a deep breath., "You think I should... Let him in on the
decision... But I want it to be my idea, just like you said."
"That's right."
"Okay. Right." JC nodded his head and then looked back toward Lonnie,
"thanks, again. For everything. I'm lucky I've got you on my side."
"You're most welcome and I would like it if you considered me one of your
friends."
JC smiled, "yeah I'd like that."
"Me too. Now get the hell out of my car and get some sleep, have you looked
at yourself in the mirror lately," he joked.
"All right, I'm going... I'm going."
JC opened the back driver's side door, grasped the roof for leverage and tried
sliding out of the car, he moaned softly; catching Lonnie's attention.
"Hey, you need a hand."
The brunette bashfully looked away and mumbled, "please. Just to the door,
I think I can manage from there."
Lonnie quickly but gracefully exited the vehicle, walked around the door and
wrapped his strong comforting arm underneath the coat and around JC. He gently
guided the battered man out of his Lincoln and unhurriedly maneuvered him toward
the front door that marked the young man's salvation. As the two made their way
down the narrow path, JC's limp bare foot caught on an uplifted block, bruising
the toe, pitching him slightly forward. The brunette gasped when Lonnie
instinctually tightened his once comforting hold around JC's sore mid section,
his face paling, lips blanching. Upon hearing JC, Lonnie turned his head and
studied the younger man's face, mentally cursing himself for his carelessness.
He figured early on that evening that JC could be suffering from cracked or
broken ribs. He would need to be more careful in the future. The black man again
focused his attention on JC and realized he was definitely in more pain than the
younger man was letting on. The trained bodyguard noticed the brunette's pale
complexion and clammy skin. "You sure you don't need me to help you up the
stairs or anything."
"God, no Lonnie. You don't have to do that. You've done so much for me
already."
"JC, it's not that much trouble." As they approached the door,
Lonnie's Nextel beeped. "Shit."
Lonnie propped the lighter man against the railing of the porch as he reached
for his phone.
"You...ummmm... Gonna get that?"
"I hadn't planned on it. I was just gonna turn it off again."
JC closed his eyes, exhaustion creeping up on him again, "you should
answer. Don't let them get suspicious of you."
"Yeah, you're right. There is no telling what they're up to."
"Mmmm, hmmmm."
The older man pulled his phone from his pocket and answered the annoying beep.
"Yeah?"
"Where the hell are you?" Bleep.
"I had some errands to run." Bleep. Bleep.
"Errands?" Bleep
"Yeah, errands and it's none of your fucking business." Bleep.
Bleep.
"Well, Lou needs you. He wants you back here like yesterday." Bleep.
"Okay, I'm on my way." Bleep. Bleep.
"Better make it quick." Bleep.
Lonnie flipped his phone off, "yeah." Bleep. Bleep. The
bodyguard glanced over his shoulder toward JC. "I've gotta go, kid. You'll
be all right?"
JC half smiled, "I've done it before."
"That isn't funny."
"I'll be fine, Lonnie. You need to get back."
"All right. I'll see you tomorrow then."
"Yeah, tomorrow."
Lonnie turned his back and was halfway down the walk when he heard JC's weak
voice call out his name. He quickly turned around, fearing the worst.
"What?"
"Lance."
"What about him?"
"Would you make sure that he knows I'm okay?"
"I'll tell him," he turned to walk again.
"Lonnie wait."
"JC, I've gotta go."
"Would you make sure he's all right? Will you help him out too?"
The black man nodded his head, "I'll try my best."
"Thanks. Bye."
"Bye, kid." Lonnie sat back in his Lincoln and started the engine,
only looking once over his shoulder to check on the progress of his new friend.
He huffed when JC was no where to be seen. Must've made it inside okay, Lonnie
thought as he pulled out of the driveway and back in the direction of the club.
As JC watched his new friend leave the confines of his yard, he sighed. He
rolled his head toward the door contemplating his next move. He bit the inside
of his mouth, chewing, gnawing on the skin. JC closed his eyes and ran his
fingers through his rain slick tangled hair in an attempt to come to a
conclusion. He knew he had to go inside the house and wait for Justin's return,
but what he wasn't sure of, was just how he was going to accomplish that. He
laughed silently to himself when he realized he wasn't wearing the clothes he
left in, in fact, he was only wearing Lonnie's trench coat and his skin tight
work pants.
"Go figure," he whispered. "I absolutely can't win, today."
JC looked toward the right and his eyes rested on the large porch swing.
"Well, this will have to do until Justin comes home." The brunette
walked over toward the swing and cautiously sat down, drawing the coat around
his small frame. He manipulated his legs up onto the now moving object and
turned over, bending his knees and laying on his back. "Justin should be
here in a few minutes, it shouldn't be a long wait. I just wish I was smart
enough to have remembered the damn things. Justin will get a good laugh out of
this one." JC laid quietly, listening to the raindrops spatter harshly like
bullets onto the awning, turning his head and watching the water ricochet toward
him. He wrapped his arms around his shivering body to protect against the wiping
wind and waited.
**
When Justin initially left the club he had one thought on his mind, JC. He was
only ten minutes behind Lonnie. It wouldn't be long before he would be holding
his baby in his arms and comforting him. The blond frantically drove down the
wet paved roads, intent on catching up with the Lincoln, maybe even passing it,
so that he would be there waiting with open arms for JC.
He blinked back unshed tears as he thought about everything. Everything that
happened to either himself or JC. It just seemed like one thing after another
and they weren't allowed any time to recuperate from any of it. "I wonder
what JC's doing right now," Justin said out loud as he wiped his hand
across the front window, cutting through the thick layer of condensation.
"He's probably taking a nice long warm bath and I'm fucking missing
it." The vision of JC's shimmering body was interrupted brutally and
Justin's mind reeled.
The images that accosted his mind were vivid, running sequentially and painfully
real. A man. Suspended, arms above his head, wrists bound by a steel cord,
moaned painfully. Blood dripping from various cuts, bruises thick over the young
man's slender naked body were a signal of what scene was playing out before
Justin's eyes. It seemed real, to real. Another man, dressed in leather chaps
and a matching vest sat in the corner, watching, watching his prey. The other's
face was a blur, body large almost menacing. The ogre of a man stood and the
trapped man trembled, pulling his battered body away from his tormentor. Justin
watched; head pounding. The large faceless man approached the other, stopped in
front of him and reared his hand back. The fist flew forward and connected with
the tied man's face sending a spattering of bright red blood onto the wall
beside them, mingling with the darker dried shades. The ogre screamed,
"Fucking make up your mind. You fukers are all the same, you think you can
have any one you want, not caring who's shut out, who looses out cuz you can
have whom ever you want. But you can't... You can't have them all. One or the
other not both." The brute hit the young man once more, knocking him
senseless. The large man loomed closer, forcing the other's legs apart and....
The car squealed out of control, careening into a shallow ditch. The blonde's
body lurched forward striking his forehead against the steering wheel, harshly,
adding to the berage of bumps and bruises already adorning it. Justin looked up
at the object that stopped his forward momentum, blinking his eyes profusely and
reaching a shaking hand to his temple. The young detective slowly raised his
head and noticed the car was stopped in front of an old abandoned church. The
detective carefully tilted his head sideways as he examined the outside of the
building, he huffed.
"I can't fucking believe this," Justin said to no one.
"Arrrggghhhh. Why me?" The blonde's grip on the steering wheel
intensified while he figured out what to do next. "Well..." he
conceded, "I guess I'll need to check out the fucking damage." The
young detective opened his car door and swiftly exited, wanting to make short
work of his inspection. As the rain soaked through his cloths, Justin walked
toward the front of the vehicle and noticed the awkward angle of the tires.
Blinking the offending rain water from his eyes and rubbing his face, the young
man sighed.
"Shit," Justin paused, "shit, shit, shit." The blond reached
into his wet pocket and pulled out his cell phone, dialing the house phone. No
one answered. "That's odd." He hung up and tried the number once more
and again no answer. "Where is he? He should be there by now," Justin
let the phone ring over and over, before finally giving up, believing his
boyfriend to be in the shower. "I'll just call back later."
Justin walked back to the opened door and slid inside, closing the door. He
stretched his body across the passenger seat and opened his glove compartment,
shuffling through the various papers within it. "Damn it. I know that
fucker is in here somewhere. I saw JC put it in here myself and I don't know how
many times it's fallen out, but now... now that I need it... ah ha... found
ya... Okay." Justin skimmed through the list of phone number listed on the
AAA card, hoping to find one relatively close. "Well," Justin mused,
"this one will have to do." He dialed the number. When a man answered
the phone, Justin gave him directions and waited for a time estimate.
"It'll take about thirty minutes for one of our guys to get out that
way."
"I really don't have much of a choice in the matter, so make it so. But
tell them to hurry."
"Yeah, right."
"I'm serious."
"So am I."
Justin pressed end on the cell pad and watched the glow of the face. He rubbed
his large thumb of the key pad and decided to speed dial his house again. He
wanted to let JC know what had happened, and that he would be home as soon as he
could. The number of the house flashed onto the green lighted face and Justin
pressed send. He waited. The ringing of the other line continued sounding as
Justin silently cursed himself for not buying a new answering machine. Clicking
the phone off, Justin whispered, "Where the hell are you, JC?"
The blond closed his eyes, intent on taking a little nap before the tow truck
arrived, however, his mind wouldn't settle down. It continually flashed small
bits of the unfolding scene that caused the accident. After each flash Justin
would open his eyes briefly, stopping the images and catching small glimpses of
the church. The church. He closed his eyes again and then opened them quickly at
the first sign of the image, the church. Justin got out of the car.
"What are you trying to tell me?" Justin whispered as he approached
the run down building. "What secrets are you hiding?" The sound of the
rain and the rustling of the leaves were the only other noises the detective
could here other than the sucking sound coming from his shoes. By the time he
arrived at the front broken in door, his feet were soaked. He touched the
door...
The illusion was back, clearer than before, more profound. The large man was
brutally thrusting his hips up into the suspended man, body wet with
presperation, grunting uncontrollably. The younger man's mouth was permanently
opened, fists clenched tight, head thrown back, while short gasps of pain
gurgled from his throat. Liquid red streams were rushing downward, creating
intrique patterns inside the man's arms and thighs, as the attacker climaxed
into the victim. The ogre pulled roughly out and stood laughing. "Have I
changed your mind, yet." This time when the man turned around, Justin could
almost make out a face, could almost see. The large man smiled at Justin,
"He's next," the attacker laughed, "he's next."
Justin's hand fell threw the door, his body followed, hurling him into utter
darkness. "So close," he whispered, moving onto his knees as he
cradled the hand against his chest. He looked up and observed a small sliver of
light escaping from underneath a closed door at the far end of the church.
Justin carefully stood, checking his balance before continuing forward. His
curiosity getting the better of him. He circumvented his way around the dark
room, using the light as a beacon, showing him the way toward salvation. Only
once did the young detective misjudge his footing and stumble over something,
catching his balance quickly. He finally was at the door. He closed his eyes
half expecting another vision to assail his mind. He reached for the door,
coming in contact with it... Nothing. Justin ran his hand over the solid wood
door until he found the handle, again bracing for the worse. Nothing. The blond
turned the handle and pushed the door open.
The room was aglow in low burning candles, illuminating the space just enough
for Justin's observation. The enclosure was rather small, but large enough for
the act which took place within it, the act which is now embedded in Justin's
mind. When Justin turned his head toward one of the corners his suspicions were
proven true. In the corner, hanging from the ceiling was a long steel cable. The
detective moved toward it, grasping it within his hands, hoping for more
information. A flash. A flash of blurry images of trees and bushes, pavement. A
blurring of colors swirling, tumbling within his mind. He blinked. "This is
it. This is the room, but why aren't I getting a clear vision. What's going
on?"
Justin turned and walked across the dimly lit room searching for additional
clues. That's when he found it. A small door, leading... "Only god knows
where," Justin said out loud. He grasped the iron door handle with both
hands and pulled. A loud creaking noise permeated throughout the room, causing
the blond to wince. He dropped the handle and turned around, grasping a burning
candle within his left hand. Justin moved around the tiny door and dipped his
head forward, trying for a better look. The candle flickered.
"It must lead outside," Justin said. "Hmmm... Well, let's see
just where it leads, too." The blond stepped inside, slipping and catching
his balance with the help of the door. "I'd better be more careful."
Justin maneuvered his half bent form through the tunnel, stopping momentarily to
get his bearings. The candle was nearing its end and if he didn't find the
opening he would have to flounder in the dark passage, either looking for the
end or turning around and heading back in the direction of the church. It was
then that Justin became aware of a brisk damp breeze, cupping the flame, he
continued forward. He could see the opening of the tunnel and his steps
quickened. The candle winked once, twice and then disappeared and the detective
discarded it to the side, no longer needing it. When he reached the edge, he was
surprised by the quick descent and to slow to stop his forward momentum, he
slid. He tumbled down the slope. The falling man moved his hands in front of his
face, protecting it from the sharp pieces of wood and the stones scattered about
the embankment. His body was pummeled from those same objects, but thankfully
none could penetrate his thick jacket. A blurring of colors swirling,
tumbling within his mind. Blurry images of trees and bushes... and
then... pavement.
The night was no longer young, however, the crowd at Lou's Club didn't seem to
notice. The patrons continued dishing their money out to the dancers and
bellying up to the bar; as if they had all night or something. The last dance
was up, and the establishment was still standing room only.
"Lousy pieces of shit," the blond bartender mumbled under his breath.
As much as Lance hated the stragglers, tonight he wished there were more.
Tonight the lowly scum of the earth, he affectionately calls them, are a God
sends. A small alarm behind the counter went off, signaling Lance that it was
time for last call. The bartender cringed at the taunting sound, dreading this
moment, silently praying that the night would never end so he could avoid
speaking with Lou. The blond knew he was in for it, but he just didn't know how
deep, and my making last call, the bar crowd would thin. Lou was a very
intimidating figure by himself, but throw Sunny in the mix, and Lou was down
right scary. Lance was thankful the owner didn't know about his slip up, him
leaving the bar unattended. If Lou ever found out... he shuddered, wiping the
sweat rings from the glasses off the counter, busying himself, avoiding the
inevitable. He looked over his shoulder at the clock and took a deep breath. The
blond slowly walked over toward his discarded microphone, picked it up and
placed the cumbersome object onto his head, adjusting the mic.
"It's 3:30 everybody, and that means it's last call at the bar. You've got
fifteen minutes and then the bar will be closing." Lance peeled the headset
off, mussing his hair, and waited for the last rush of alcoholics to get their
last drink.
**
Lonnie entered the strip club with ease, expecting nothing less. He heard the
announcement about last call and sighed to himself. The bodyguard looked in the
direction of the bar and watched as Lance poured the last minute drinks for the
patrons. Lonnie shook his head, "This isn't gonna be easy," he said to
no one in particular. He made his way through the dispersing crowd and scanned
the room, finding his intended target mere feet away from the bar, Lou. The
black man quickened his steps while pulling out his Nextel and dialing a
familiar number.
Bleep. "Boss man?"
Bleep, Bleep. "Hey, Tiny."
Bleep. "Yeah, what's up?"
Bleep, Bleep. "Could ya come up front to Lance's position and give
me a hand?"
Bleep. "What's the problem? Is someone hassling the kid?"
Bleep. Bleep. "Actually, I see Sunny advancing on the little guy.
I may need some help getting the kid out of here, tonight."
Bleep. "Lon, you know by helping him... you know what that means
don't you?"
Bleep Bleep. "It depends on what exactly takes place. If they just
rough him up, than... we can live with that, but if it goes too far... I just
need you... will you have my six?"
Bleep. "Yeah, I've got your back. I'll be there in a minute."
Bleep. Bleep. "Thanks."
Lonnie pushed his way through the rest of the crowd and settled in beside the
bar. He rested his elbows on the counter and nodded his head at Lance signaling
the blond over. Lance lifted his index finger toward Lonnie, as he continued
filling the customers drink. The bodyguard observed the usually steady hands of
the bartender shaking profusely as he continually peered over his shoulder
toward Sunny.
Lance pushed the finished drink toward the patron and excepted the large bill
the man gave him. He retrieved the correct amount of change and placed it in
front of the man. The patron pushed the money back toward Lance, silently
instructing the blond to keep it. The blond smiled at the man and thanked him
for the generous tip. The stranger winked at him and whispered something into
his ear. Lance turned his head away, blushing. The stranger turned and
disappeared into the dwindling crowd. The blond shook his head slightly and
tilted his head forward watching the man walk away.
Lonnie cleared his throat, again gaining the younger man's attention. This time
the bartender didn't ignore Lonnie and approached him cautiously.
"Y...yeah."
"Look kid. JC wanted me to tell you that he was all right."
Lance's face brightened, "that's great. Where is he?"
"He's at home right now. I told him to stay there until his next
shift."
"That's tomorrow morning. He's scheduled for stock duty, so am I. So he's
coming in for that?"
"Well," Lonnie lowered his voice and grabbed Lance by his shirt,
pulling him closer. The black man whispered, "He's quitting."
"Noooo," Lance gasped quietly. "He... he can't do that." The
blond pulled himself away from Lonnie, "he can't Lon. I mean... this is his
life." Lance threw his hands up in the air motioning around the room.
"He can't give this up. I bet he won't."
"Put your fucking hands down," Lonnie growled, "you want to
attract attention." The black man quickly looked around the room, double
checking, making sure no one noticed. He turned back toward the young bartender,
"And what the fuck do you mean, he can't give this up. That this is his
life." He stared hard at Lance. "You think JC likes getting beat up
all the time, fondled by the patrons, by Lou. You think that's something JC
couldn't give up. You think he couldn't give up going home and having to hide
his body from Justin's sight, that he has to deny Justin. You think he likes
having to stop Justin from making love with him because his body is to black and
blue and the simple idea of having sex hurts him."
onnie turned his head again surveying the scene and then continued. "JC
deserves better than this... he deserves to be treated with respect and dignity,
and I think you know that." The bodyguard paused again, watching Lance's
eyes well up, "And in case you've forgotten... Justin is JC's life now, not
this."
"But... he can't."
"Why? Why can't he, Lansten?"
"He can't... I know this is selfish," Lance looked down at the floor,
"but... but he can't leave me, here, by myself."
"Who's to say that you can't leave too?"
"Lon, that just isn't possible," Lance whimpered.
"Why?"
"Cuz... if it wasn't for Lou..."
"Don't even finish that fucking sentence." Lonnie placed his head on
his forehead, rubbing it. "Deja Vu. My god, did you and JC sit down and
write up that sorry excuse for a reason together, cuz he tried using the same
one."
"I owe him. I mean... if it weren't for him I'd still be on the streets
right now."
"You owe him?" Lonnie gasped. "Fuck kid, for all the blood, sweat
and tears he has taken from you, I'd think that he'd owe you." The black
man felt another person's presence by his side. He turned his head and
acknowledged Tiny. "Watch out for Sunny or Lou, K."
"Gottcha, boss."
Lonnie turned his large head back toward Lance observing the look of
contemplation spread across his face. Just a little more and I'll have this
one free as well and then my conscience will be cleared. "Besides,
Lansten, can you prove that you'd still be on the street, with no job and no
place to go. I think you're a bit more resilient than that."
"I didn't even finish high school, Lonnie. How would I be able to find
another job?"
"Lansten, more than one place in this sleazy town hires people without a
high school diploma."
The bartender tilted his head, "They do."
"Yes, they do."
"I was told that Lou's was the only place."
"By who, kid. Who told you this?" Lonnie paused. "Lou?"
The younger man quickly looked away, sighing. Laughing silently to himself,
"Yeah, Lou told me." He raised a hand to his head and rubbed his
temple. "You think he'll let me go? You think he let us walk, without
repercussions?"
"I don't know, kid." Lonnie grabbed Lance's forearm gently, "I'll
do what I can for you two, but you know it won't be easy." The big man
shook his head, "It won't be easy at all."
"Does JC know how hard it'll be? Did you tell him what may happen?"
Lonnie made a sour face and looked sheepishly into Lance's eyes. Lance's face
darkened when realization struck.
"You didn't... shit, Lonnie. You didn't tell him, did you? You let him
think that he was gonna be able to walk away from this shit unscathed. How could
you do that?"
"In coming," Tiny interrupted.
Thank God, Lonnie thought. "We'll finish this later. Right now we need to
worry about what's gonna happen to you."
"Yeah, tell me about it." Lance turned from Lonnie and began cleaning
the bar area. He glanced quickly at the two menacing figures looming toward him.
The blond also noticed the man who tipped him almost fifty bucks following
closely behind them. He started filling a small tub with hot water and soap,
getting things ready so he could wash the glasses. As he dumped the Dawn dish
soap into the water, he watched as his hand shook with nervousness. Lance set
the blue plastic bottle down and filled the tub with the dirty dishes,
anticipating Lou's call.
**
An enormous clap of thunder startled Justin from his unconscious state. Upon
waking, he blinked his hazy blue eyes rapidly, batting away the droplets of
water that assailed his face. His vision focused on a large pile of
disintegrating leaves, American Tulip he guessed. Intent on getting up, he
cautiously moved one of his arms underneath his body, arching his back slightly.
He moaned as a searing jolt of pain stifled his movements; he laid back down.
Turning his head, he gazed at the embankment that he fell down and shook his
head at his own lack of caution. It was then he realized it was still night. The
rain was coming down in sheets, pelting the groggy man, soaking him to the bone.
He sighed while watching his breath escape his lips; he sighed again. He was
cold, wet, covered in mud and felt downright miserable. The blond just wanted to
go home. In order for that to happen, Justin realized he needed to get up.
Justin was still lying on his stomach in a pile of soggy leaves and mud, jarred
awake once more by the storm; he had dozed. Upon opening his eyes again he
determined how lucky he was. It seems when he completed his fall, he ended up
with his head tilted, facing up the embankment, potential saving him from
suffocating. Thank God for small favors, Justin thought. The young
blond had no idea how long he had been unconscious lying in the rain drenched
earth, but he needed to get moving. He slid his arms underneath his body and
pushed gently, tentatively, hoping he didn't suffer from any broken bones.
Looking down at his arms he noticed his watch. It had stopped. Shit, he
paused his movement, shaking his head slightly, time what the hell time is
it, the blond thought. I need to get up and find my way back to the car before
the tow truck arrives. The young detective rolled toward his left, feeling
an immovable object collide with his back. He pressed against it trying to push
it blindly away. It wouldn't budge and from Justin's angle he couldn't muster
enough strength to move it. Justin rolled his body away from the object, facing
it for the first time.
"Oh my God," Justin whispered hand cupping over his gaping mouth, body
swiftly moving away. The object was a corpse. He was pushing against a corpse.
Justin continued progressing away from the body, scampering back, slipping in
the mud, trying to get further from the battered and pale body.
It was lying in the same manner as Justin had found himself in. The prone figure
looked to be male. In fact, it appeared to be the same body from Justin's
vision, the same timid scared man that had been hanging from his wrists in the
small room in the church. Justin closed his eyes, rain running down his face,
heart racing. He was experiencing short flashes of the vision, replaying certain
parts of it over and over again. They were focusing on words said by the
faceless man. Words he couldn't quite make out. He pushed the imagery from his
mind and reopened his wet lashes.
Justin was resting on his backside, knees drawn up to his chest, one hand
positioned behind him, the other still tightly fitted over his mouth; he
continued to gawk at the body. The detective allowed his breathing to slow down
before he removed the suction of his hand from his lips. The blond tilted his
head toward the side, wet strands of hair falling into his face and squinted his
eyes, wiping rain from them. He swung his body around, flipping his legs
underneath his weight onto his hands and knees. He crawled closer to the small
beaten frame.
This was the first time Justin had ever discovered a body, the first time he was
first on the scene. He had no idea what exactly to do. By falling down the cliff
and striking the corpse, he had already disrupted the evidence and was sure to
get an earful by the investigative and forensic teams. The young detective
examined the position of the body. The way it was lying was definitely
unnatural. The body appeared nearly embedded in the thick mud surrounding it,
only somewhat removed from its original position, the outline still prevalent.
"Well, at least I know I wasn't out for too long, but I better call this
in." When he moved closer, that's when he noticed the patches of rotting
flesh and the hordes of maggots hanging desperately onto the decomposing skin.
Justin's stomach turned. He felt the bile rise quickly and bent down behind a
tree, retching. "Shit, that's fucking disgusting," the detective said,
running his hand down his face, wiping the residue from his lips.
As Justin reached for his phone, he prayed that God would grant him at least one
miracle today. He prayed that the phone was still functional. When he removed it
from his pocket and pressed the slippery on button, he was relieved.
"Yes," he yelled out loudly. "Looks like your luck is about to
change, Timberlake." The phone had turned on.
The blond crouched down, balancing on the balls of his feet studying the
unmoving figure, while dialing dispatch. He studied the crisscrossing marks that
marred the man's back, and the bruises that were still evident running rampantly
over the pale skin. By the condition of the body, Justin estimated that the time
of death was nearly ten days ago. The detective then observed the sloppy and
less deliberate dumping of the body, so close to where the actual murder
took place. The suspect appears to be getting desperate. It can't be that. We
just found one the yesterday. This was one of his first victim, Justin
thought. "Otherwise, there's no way he would have dumped the body so
carelessly."
Justin waited patiently, "This is dispatch."
"Yeah, hey, Brit. Detective Timberlake."
"Justin you know you don't have to be so formal, it's not like you're on
the CB or anything."
"Brit, hush. I've got something important here and I need you to
contact..." Justin hated even mentioning his name right now, "...
Joey. I've found a body."
"Really? Okay. Wow. What's your position?"
"I... I have no idea... Um, I think I'm about ten minutes from my house,
going east on Hamilton. There's an old abandon church there. I'm behind it, I
think..."
"Justin, these aren't very good directions, but I think they'll be
sufficient. Joey's a pretty bright guy."
"Yeah, whatever. I really don't have time to chat, Brit. Just have Joey
bring his team to the church. Tell him he has to pass the church on foot until
the come to a cliff. The body is at the bottom. That's all I can tell you."
"Okay, keep your phone on, I'm sure Joey will be calling you."
"That's fine, thanks."
"No problem."
Justin leaned back against the tree and hit end, leaving the phone on, placing
into his drenched pocket. No telling how long that damn phone will work, if
this fucking rain keeps up, Justin thought. He lifted his gaze heavenward
and closed them, letting the water splash upon his face, rinsing away the mud
and muck. Snippets of his vision still haunted his thoughts. His mind was
seemingly trying to tell him something, trying to remind him. Justin pushed the
thoughts back as he pushed himself away from the tree. Still a little unsteady,
he nearly fell over. He reached forward with one hand toward the ground,
catching himself. However, instead of the ground, Justin's hand rested on the
corpse's leg and he jolted back into his vision. The images appeared mingled and
unfocused except of one aspect. The part of the vision where the faceless man
turns in his direction, voice menacing... He's next. Again his mind
played through the whole scenario in a jumbled mess of colors, until reaching
that one part. It resounded in his mind clearly. He's next. Realization
dawned on him.
"No...no" shaking his head, " .... no... no...," he looked
up toward the cliff and whispered, "It can't be... It can't mean. I won't
let it." Again the haunting voice echoed in his head, He's next. "JC!"
**
The enormous clap of thunder startled JC awake. He blinked opened his steel blue
eyes and dazedly took in the sight around him. He moved awkwardly. Fuck,
he thought, that fucking hurt like hell. He crinkled his face at the
pain, absorbing it.
"Hm... I'm still locked out, still on the swing. Justin must've been called
in. Damn it. I hate his fucking job. He should be here with me, taking care of
me. Nooo... instead he's out there somewhere, solving crimes." JC lifted a
weary hand to his head, "Stop it, JC. You're being unreasonable," he
chuckled softly at his current situation, "and it seems you're going insane
talking to yourself." He paused, calming himself down, "He doesn't
even know I'm suck out here."
JC decided to go back to sleep. He knew he would be able to fall asleep on the
rickety wooden porch swing again, so he wrapped the coat tighter around his
shivering frame. "I guess I'm stuck out here for the rest of the
night," he sighed and closed his eyes.
**
The young blond ran from his perch, scaling the impossible cliff without regard
to injury. Though the cliff was not extremely steep, the rain made the grass
slick and the ground saturated. Digging his dirt caked blunt nails into the
earth and grabbing clingy clumps of grass Justin painstakingly pulled himself up
the embankment. Slipping only once, twice and a third time, this third time
Justin completely lost his footing and narrowly managed stopping his downward
movement. In the process he smacked his body hard against the ground, knocking
the wind out of him. The blond closed his eyes and paused, silently reminding
himself that he must make it; he must get to JC. Pushing his weary body up once
more, he continued upward. The rest of his misjudgments were quickly compensated
for allowing him sure footing. He was not going to allow this simple obstacle
from interfering with his need to find JC. Justin needed to make sure the vision
was wrong, make sure his lover was all right. He'd be damned if he was letting a
simple rainstorm and slippery conditions get in his way.
He found the opening in the embankment he had fallen out of and charged into the
light less tunnel. Remembering vaguely the directions it would take him, Justin
tried navigating a safe path. However, the young detective found it extremely
difficult, running into the solid wall numerous times in the dark. He wouldn't
slow down, though. The blond continued his heart stopping pace and would
continue until JC was safe in his arms.
It seemed to Justin he was taking forever in the cave. The detective fell on
numerous occasions, swearing each time his battered knees hit the tunnel floor.
Eventually, he found the small wooden door leading into the church. It was one
of Justin's most unforgettable moments, for he knew now that JC was only ten
minutes away.
He streaked down the main aisle of the church and crawled through the door and
out into the rain again. The blond stopped on the front step, refocusing his
attention, looking for his car. My car, it's gone. No... No, this can't be
happening. I need to get to JC. Where's my fucking car? Someone stole my fucking
car. The blond was panicked, dazed. When Justin heard a loud clanking noise
he looked up and observed a short fat man stepping into the cab of his tow
truck. He scanned the truck and recognized his car fastened onto the back. Shit,
he thought. That's right... I was in an accident. How am I gonna get to JC
now. I can't run that far. No, this can't be happening. "Shit,"
Justin screamed out loudly causing the driver to turn his head. When the man
caught sight of Justin, he climbed back out of the truck.
"This your car, mister," the driver screamed.
"Yes," Justin clumsily ran forward, still disoriented.
"Well, you need a ride somewheres. I can give you one."
Justin looked fanatically around, not knowing what to do. He looked at the
driver, at the truck and then at his car again. The blond ponder an idea only
briefly before determining it was the best course of action. He grabbed the
man's shoulders, squeezing. "Take the car off."
"What? Are you crazy?"
Justin squeezed tighter, "Look, I need your truck. It's for police
business. I need you to take my car off," he paused and closed his eyes.
"Just take the fucking car off," Justin's voice squeaked with
intensity.
"Whatever man." Justin let go of the driver and watched as he removed
the car from the lift.
"Hurry it up, Jesus."
"Look, I'm going as fast as I can."
When Justin saw the vehicle hit the ground, he turned toward the man. "The
police will be here in a few minutes," he stepped up into the cab,
"tell them to go into the church and all the way toward the back."
Justin turned the ignition on. "There's a small room, they need to go into
the room and in the far corner is a door," he looked at the man, "do
you got all that, so far?" The driver nodded his head. "Good, tell
them... tell them they need to go into the tunnel, at the end is a cliff, at the
bottom of the cliff is the body." Justin smiled when he observed the man's
color drain, "Yeah, don't forget to tell them that, all right."
"Right."
Justin closed the door and then quickly opened it again, "Thanks." He
shut the door and sped off, toward their house.
**
After eight minutes of careless driving, Justin squealed into the driveway. He
threw the truck into park and jumped out of the cab, neglecting to shut off the
engine. Justin noticed the lights were out as he ran up the narrow walking path
toward the front door. "JC," he whimpered. Reaching the door he patted
his cloths down looking desperately for his keys. No, no, no, no... they've
gotta be here. "Shit," he yelled and grabbed the doorknob,
checking to see if JC had left it unlocked. He hadn't.
Justin's insides twisted with guilt as images of a beaten and raped JC rushed
through his mind. Tears developed quickly and Justin lashed out, banging his
shoulder into the door, breaking the door in. He ran into the house screaming
JC's name. No answer. Justin ran up the stairs and checked each room, no JC.
"Where are you? Where are you, JC?" The blond moved back downstairs
and entered the kitchen, still no sign of his lover. Justin slouched his
shoulders. He tipped his head forward and allowed his tears to escape his eyes.
"Not my baby, please. Please God."
**
JC woke with a start upon hearing a loud voice screaming the word shit. He
gingerly moved his body into a sitting position. The startled brunette stared in
the direction of the voice, vision blurry. "Justin?" he whispered. JC
watched Justin search for his keys and chuckled softly when his lover couldn't
find them. His mood changed quickly when Justin began breaking the door in. JC
said his name again, but the noise from Justin's pounding drowned his weak voice
out. The brunette became panicked himself, hearing Justin's pain filled calls
throughout the house. He needed to get up. The battered man threw caution by the
way side, desperately needing to find Justin, to calm him; he got up. He winced
occasionally as he made it to the broken door. JC leaned on the door jam,
watching Justin's defeated body quake with despair. "Justin?"
Justin's head shot up. Eyes still filled with tears, "JC?" He glanced
toward the doorway and saw the most beautiful sight in his world, JC. His lover
was half naked, shivering, holding his arms across his small body. Justin's
breath hitched at the view and took three long quick strides toward JC, dropping
to his knees, encircling his arms around JC's narrow and willowy frame.
"JC," he cried pulling the smaller man tight against his body. Tears
streaking his face as he looked up and met steel blue orbs. "JC," he
wailed, disbelieving. "Thank God," Justin rubbed his cheek against
JC's bare stomach. "Thank you, God."
JC uncoiled his arms from around his sides and ran his fingers through Justin's
wet hair, soothing his lover. "I'm here, Justin," he whispered.
"I'm right here."
It seemed that God would grant Justin two miracles this time.