Chapter One

When Isaac heard a car pull up in his drive way he vaguely wondered if his family were home early. No, that was impossible, if anything, they would be home late. Isaac looked at his watch. 10:00am. He was still in bed.

"Ike my man! you home?" A voice rang out though the house. Brice. Isaac groaned and rolled over, not really in the mood for his best friend to 'drop by' as Brice would put it. Isaac's bedroom door opened and Brice appeared. "Get up you lazy shit."

"Alright, alright.. I'm up ..... what the hell do you want anyway?" Isaac snapped, annoyed at having to give up his mid morning snooze.

"I have a killer idea." Brice told him. Isaac rolled his eyes. This meant 'Road Trip'!

"Yeah? what?"

"Why don't we go on a road trip? Why waste the time we have left? I mean, we're not going to see much of each other when you go work for your old man... so, how bout it?". Isaac thought. Brice was bullshiting him about the 'not seeing much of each other yada yada yada...' but he didn't mind the idea of getting away from the empty house.

"Where we goin this time?" Isaac asked as he got up out of bed.

"Just up to my aunts cabin...only a two day drive from here. She's away in Europe this summer so we'd have the place to ourselves" Brice told Isaac. Isaac had to admit, that did sound like a good idea. Better than spending the rest of the summer with his family. He nodded.

"That actually sounds great... just let me pack a few things ok? Give me ten minutes or so" He said, heading towards the bathroom. Brice thought about Madison in the trunk of his car.

"Sure, thats ok" He said. Fifteen minutes later, the boys were heading out to Brices car. Isaac had left his family a note telling them where he was and how long he was going to be.

"Hey, Brice... you wanna open your trunk so I can throw this in there?" Isaac asked, standing at the trunk. Brice shook his head.

"Nope, I can't do that Ike"

"What?"

"The trunks stuck. It wont open. You'll have to put your stuff in the back seat ok?". Isaac shrugged and walked to the back. He pulled open the door and threw his bag in. Brice waited until they were half an hour out of home to tell Isaac about Madison.

"YOU'VE WHAT?" Isaac yelled once Brice had told him his "good news". Brice smiled.

"I've got Madison in the trunk... thats why you couldn't put your stuff in there"

"Oh my god... are you out of your mind? Stop the car!"

"I know what I'm doing Ike..."

"Brice, stop the God damn car now!"

"Okay okay..." Brice muttered, they were on a lonely stretch of road with nothing but forest on each side of them. Brice slowed the car down and eased over to the side of the road. Isaac leaned over and pushed the button that released the trunk. He then released himself from his seat belt and opened his door. He got out and saw Brice getting out of his side. Isaac walked around the car and stopped infront of the trunk.

"You better be just messing with me. If she's really in here.... are you crazy?" He said as he took hold of the trunk door.

"I'm not crazy.... crazy about Madison maybe but I'm not generally nuts" Brice said, trying to joke around with Isaac. Isaac didn't laugh. Instead, he lifted the trunk door and groaned when he saw Madison, curled up in a ball shape on her side. She moved her head in Isaac's direction when the sunlight hit her face. Her eyes and mouth were covered with silver tape and she had streaks of mascara down her cheeks. There was a large bruise and lump on her forehead.

"Fuck... shit Brice! You fucking shit! What the hell were you thinking?" Isaac suddenly exploded, shoving Brice hard.

"Fuck you! I'm sick of missing out all the time! You know how much I love Madison and it was time for me to show her how much I loved her!" Brice yelled, shoving Isaac back.

"By tying her up and stuffing her into the trunk of your car? What the hell are you going to do to her?"

"Nothing! I thought that if she came with us and spent some time alone with me then she would love me to and not that fuck of a boyfriend of hers"

"You've lost it Brice. My God... " Isaac muttered. Reaching in, he took hold of one of Madison's arms and helped her to sit up. She started making loud sounds of protest, but Isaac calmed her. "Shh... Madison... it's Isaac... it's ok, I'm not going to hurt you. You'll be ok" He said, lifting her out of the trunk, then slamming the lid closed. "Do you realise she could have fucking died in there? It's the middle of summer you asswipe... I'm surprised she isn't fucking dead now!" Isaac said, turning to face Brice. "Open the back door" He snapped. Brice did so. Leaning in, Isaac moved his bags to the floor of the car and placed Madison on the back seat, laying her across the full length of it. "Now get into the drivers seat and turn this car around. If you take her home now, maybe she wont go to the police about you, she'll just get her boyfriend to beat the living shit out of you". Isaac knew Aaron, he was a good friend of Taylors. Aaron was a lot bigger than Brice and could easily win in a fight between the two. Brice shook his head.

"No way am I gonna turn the car around! I have Madison right where I want her! You know how long I've waited for this Ike. No one is going to take this away from me. Madison is all mine now" He said, walking over to the drivers side door. He opened it and leaned in. He then straightened up and Isaac saw what he held in his hand.

"Oh shit" He breathed out. Louder, he asked "Where the hell did you get that from?". Brice grinned, waving the small pistol about in the air.

"Nice isn't it? You know my Dad's a gun freak... I found the key to his cabinet a few weeks ago... thought I'd just borrow me this baby.... it's a Sig Sauer .380 semi-automatic, from Dad's days as a cop. He's got so many of these things that he wont even know this is missing." He said, casually pointing the gun in Isaac's direction.

"Don't point that thing at me. Just put the gun away and lets go home." Isaac said, more concerned about Madison's safety than his own. Brice and Isaac had been best friends since the fourth grade, there was no way he would hurt him. But he's gone nuts Isaac thought there's no telling what he'll do with that thing! . Isaac glanced down at Madison, after hearing the word 'gun', she had let out a muffled, frightened noise and was now quietly crying, her shoulders and chest were shaking as she sobed.

"I'm not going home Isaac! I thought you'd be in on this with me! We both know that you cant stand Madison! Why are you trying to ruin this for me?" Brice shouted.

"Yeah, I can't stand Madison, but I'm not going to let you hurt her! You can't do this to anyone, let alone someone you think you love"

"I do love her!"

"And you think by kidnapping her, its going to make her love you back? Thats crazy Brice, You're crazy!" Isaac shouted. Brice's face twisted in anger and he aimed the gun at Isaac's head.

"I AM NOT CRAZY! I KNOW WHAT I'M FUCKING DOING! NOW GET IN THE CAR!" He yelled, keeping the gun aimed at Isaac. Isaac knew he was serious, that he had completely snapped.

"Okay Brice... we'll go where you want, you wont have anymore trouble from me." Isaac said, slowly walking around to his side of the car. He looked up at Brice. He was smiling as he tucked the pistol into his jeans waist.

"Great.... this is great Ike... we're gonna have a killer time... maybe you'll even get lucky and hook up with a babe.... I've got Madison of course, so the whole female population is yours for the taking". Brice was back to his normal self, smiling and talking like nothing had happened.

"Yeah, sure... we're gonna have a great time.... " Isaac said quietly, getting into the car. He glanced over his shoulder at Madison, her shoulders and chest had stopped heaving up and down. "Shouldnt you take the tape off of her eyes? I mean, it's not like she doesn't know what you look like". Brice laughed as he started the car up and pulled out onto the road again.

"You've got a point... okay, I'll take the tape off" He said, slowing the car down again.

"I'll do it... you keep driving" Isaac offered. Brice nodded and spead up again.

"Okay. Go for it" He said. Isaac undid his seat belt and turned around so he could reach Madison. He took hold of a corner of tape that hadn't stuck to Madison's skin and slowly started to peel it away, being careful of her eyelashes. He didnt know if the tape had stuck to them or not. Once the tape was removed, Madison opened her eyes and met Isaac's. 'I wont let him hurt you anymore' he mouthed the words to Madison. Madison just nodded. Isaac turned around and then wound down his window. He let the strip of tape fall from his fingers when he stuck his hand out. The wind whipped the tape away and Isaac was glad to be rid of it. He wound the window back up again and then turned the air conditioning up in Brice's car. For a while, nothing was said. Isaac turned in his seat every now and then to check on Madison. Her eyes were closed as though she were asleep. He couldn't understand why he felt the need to watch over her. He couldn't stand the girl, although you wouldn't have guessed that from his earlier actions towards her. To him, Madison was a snob. She came from a wealthy family and Isaac had actually dated her older sister Kimberly. She was the same as Madison, only concerned about those in her 'class' as Kimberly had put it to him when she broke up with Isaac. She had told him that he basically wasn't good enough for her. He resented her and her family. Isaac looked back at Madison again. He felt sorry for her. She was obviously scared. Her eyes were open and she stared back at Isaac.

"Why do you keep lookin at her man?" Brice snapped. Madison jumped and Isaac cringed. The last thing he wanted to do was make Brice angry again.

"Just making sure shes ok.."

"Well she is.... aren't you sweet stuff?" Brice asked, glancing back at her for just a second before returning his eyes to the road. He got no answer from her.

"You know, why don't you just untie her altogether? Take the tape off of her mouth. She's not going anywhere, you've got a gun for fucks sake! Do you honestly think she's going to try anything?" Isaac reasoned. "You wouldn't be stupid and try to get away.. would you?" He asked. Madison shook her head, hopeful at the thought of riding herself from the rope that held her wrists and ankels together and the tape that covered her mouth. Brice thought about it then grined at his friend.

"Yeah... you're right... take it off..."

"You'll have to stop the car so I can.." Isaac pointed out. Without a word, Brice pulled the car over and slowed to a stop. Unbuckling his seat belt, Isaac climbed out of the car, he opened a back passenger door and waited for Madison to sit up. The sun was hot on his neck, back and shoulders. He wore only a singlet and shorts and the difference between the inside of the car and outside was huge. Madison moved over so she was directly behind Brice and Isaac sat down in the seat next to her. As soon as his door was shut, Brice took off. "Here.. I'll take the tape off first." Isaac said, reaching over to her mouth. Doing the same as with the tape over her eyes, he slowly took it off, taking his time as not to hurt her more that she had been already. Once it was off, Madison opened and closed her mouth, moving her lips around as if she were trying to stretch and get feeling back into them. Her bottom lip was swollen and spilt on the right side. It looked painful. She gave Isaac a half smile and then held up her hands. He began working at the tight knots that bound her wrists together. It took a while, and as soon as he freed her hands, he untied her ankels. She said not a word of thanks to him, but stared out her window as she massaged her wrists and ankels, trying to sooth the rope burn. "Ok, I'll get back in the front now.." Isaac said, leaning forward and tapping Brice on the shoulder.

"Nah.. I think I'll keep you back there buddy... keep an eye on my girl... don't let her do anything stupid.."

"Fuck Brice.... lemme back into the front seat....she's not going to do anything ok?" Isaac snapped. Before Brice could answer, a phone started to ring. Brice slammed on the brakes, sending Isaac and Madison flying into the back of the front seats.

"What the fuck is that?" Brice yelled.

"My phone." Madison spoke up. "It's in my bag in the front seat..". Brice leaned over and picked up the bag. Tossing it over his shoulder at Madison he snapped

"Answer it.... tell anyone whats happened and I'll blow you're damn head off...". Nodding, Madison searched her bag for the small phone. When she found it, she looked at the screen to see who was calling.

"It's Aaron" She announced. She pressed 'OK' and bought the phone up to her ear. "Hi hon... I know I'm late..... I'm sorry.......... Tracey picked me up.. I'm at her house... Because I am ok?! Look, I'm staying here for a couple of days... . I know you've got that family thing but I'm sorry ..I just can't make it." There was a long pause while Madison listened to Aaron. "I want to see you to... more than you would know right now..." When she said that, she glanced at Brice, his eyes were dark and he had a scowl on his face. He didn't look happy. "I don't know... when I can I guess.. Tracey wants me to stay at her place for a few days, her parents are out of town, but I'll call you tomorrow ok? Maybe we can go out for the day or something.. .. yeah... that would be nice.. just you and me.." Another pause. Isaac couldn't help but think she was game. After everything Brice had done to her because she was with Aaron and not him, she was rubbing it in. He looked at Brice, and he looked pissed. "Ok then, I'll talk to you soon sweetie... I love you... you know that right? Ok ok.. I was just making sure..... bye" Madison hung up the phone.

"Call the fucker back and tell him you want to break up." Brice said, his voice low and steady.

"Huh?" Madison said, her eyes widening.

"You heard me.... tell him you can't stand him and finish with the asshole."

"She just told him she loves him man... if she calls back right away saying she wants nothing to do with him, he'll know somethings up" Isaac pointed out. Brice didn't care.

"Fuck that! Do it now! Tell him that you've been secretly dating me for the past six months... that you've decided that you want me more than him... yeah... I like the sound of that."

"I don't.... and I'm not calling him back.. Brice, I don't love you... You are my friend... and that only... even after what you did to me... I still consider you as a friend... the friendship we share can't be broken just like that..." Madison snapped her fingers "I know you don't really want to do this.. deep down you know that we can never be together because we're to good a friends... Brice.. I love Aaron.."

"NO you don't! You love me! Call him back now or I'll fucking kill the both of you!" Brice screamed, hitting the steering wheel.

"BRICE! Listen to me! Isaac is right! If I call him back now, he will know something is up and you know what he's like! He'll figure out what has happened! Especially if I tell him I've been seeing you... " Madison exclaimed. There was no way she was going to cut herself off from the one chance she had of being rescued. Brice swung the car over to the side of the road and pulled over. Isaac noticed they seemed to be doing that quite a bit. Brice turned around in his seat, pulling his gun from his jeans waist. Pointing it at Madison, he told her to call Aaron back.

"But you're right.... tell him you're with me and I'll fucking make you scream... got it?"

"Brice... take it easy man.. You wont touch her... got it?" Isaac snapped.

Shaking, Madison said "Ok, ... ok Brice, I'll call him back.. just please, put the gun away..." She dialed Aarons number "See, this is his number... I'm calling him..." She pressed the 'OK' button and bought the phone to her ear. She prayed that no one would answer. She listened to it ring five times before a breathless Aaron picked up.

"Hello?" The sound of his voice and the thought of what she was about to do brought tears to her eyes. Her throat tightened up on her, but she managed to choke out...

"Hi Aaron... it's me.."

"Hey babe! whats up?"

"Uh.. I need to talk to you... you aren't busy are you?" She asked. Say yes... please baby say yes... Madison thought.

"Nope... just finished in the gym. I was actually on my way to have a shower... wish you were here to join me..." Aaron playfully said. Me to she thought. Madison could practically see the sly grin on his face. A grin that made her melt everytime she saw it.

"Uh well... you wont when you hear what I have to say.." Madison paused, tears she was trying to hold in spilled from her eyes and she had to force the words out. "I think we should break up... I ... I don't want to see you anymore...". There was silence on the other end. "Aaron?..."

"You don't mean that...."

"Yeah... I do... I.." Madison looked Brice in the eye. He shook his head. "I've been seeing someone else... I don't want anything to do with you." Madison didn't mean a word of what she was saying and it showed in her voice. She could barely speak from the sobs that racked her small frame. She only hoped that Aaron would pick up on it. Isaac watched her face. The pain in her eyes made his heart go out to her. She really did love Aaron and it was killing her to do this. He didn't know how, but he was going to get her back home safely.

"Baby, whats wrong? if you really wanted to break up, you wouldn't be crying so much... and you were fine ten minutes ago... I mean, you told me how much you loved me and then the next thing I know you're calling back to say you hate me? No sweets.. I don't think so.. you don't mean it and I don't beleive you. Can you talk truthfully right now?"

"No.... I do mean it... No, I can't love you anymore.." She said, hoping he would get the message that no, she couldn't talk. He did. Madison was greatfull that Brice could only hear her end of the conversation.

"Ok baby, just keep talking like you are... I know somethings wrong, but you have to help me out here ok? Just answer yes or no.... are you hurt in anyway? Are you ok?" He asked, the worry in his voice killed her.

"No, I don't want to see you again Aaron..."

"Ok, are you still in Tulsa?"

"NO AARON! Stop saying that! I don't love you anymore.." Madison exclaimed. Brice smiled, plased by the sound of things from Madisons end of the conversation.

"You're not? Fuck... you can't tell me where you are?"

"No"

"Are you with anyone we know?"

"Yes Aaron, thats what I'm telling you..."

"Who the fuck is it?" Aaron cried, surprised that someone he knew had kidnapped his girlfriend.

"I'm not telling you who it is Aaron..."

"Meaning you can't tell me..."

"No.." Madison said. Trying to figure out a way to let Aaron know she was with Brice she said "All I'll tell you Aaron is that he's a friend..." When she said that, Brice's hand shot out and smaked her acoss the face.

"Maddy? What happened? Are you ok? Tell me! Madison!" Aarons frantice voice cried out when he heard the sound of skin connecting with skin and then her cry out in pain.

"Hey!" Isaac snapped.

"Ike?... is that Isaac, Maddy?"

"Shut the fuck up!" Brice hissed at Issac.

"Brice??... Maddy are you with Brice?" Aaron asked. Before she could answer, Brice snatched the phone away from her and opened his door and got out of the car.

"NO BRICE! GIVE IT BACK!! AARON! HELP ME!! GIVE IT BACK TO ME! AARON!" Madison screamed out, knowing Brice was going to destroy her phone.

"MADISON! WHERE ARE YOU? TELL ME BABY!" Aaron yelled, hoping she would hear him. The only answer he got was the sound of a voice saying

"The phone you have dialed to has been disconnected. Please hang up and try again."

"FUCK!" Aaron yelled, slamming his phone down. Picking up the phone, he dialed Madisons number again, and got the same message. Picking the phone up for a thrid time, he dialed 911.

Brice dropped the phone to the grownd and with one heavy boot, he stomped on it several times, smashing it to pieces.

"Brice! You ASSHOLE!" Madison screamed, getting out of the car. Knowing something bad was about to go down, Isaac climbed out of the car and hurried around the back of it to try and get himself between Madison and Brice before he hurt her. He was to late.

"DON'T TALK TO ME LIKE THAT BITCH!" He yelled, punching her in the stomach. She dropped to the ground and Brice proceeded to kick her.

"BRICE! Stop it! You're hurting her!" Isaac yelled, pulling Brice away from her.

"Get the fuck off me man!" Brice cried, stuggling to get out of Isaacs grip. With one quick movement, Brice freed himself from Isaacs hold and had the gun pointed at Madisons head. "Get Back in the car Ike... this is between me and my girl..."

"She's not you're girl... if she were, you wouldn't have hurt her like that... look at her.." Isaac said, motioning towards Madison, who was curled up in a fetal position, her arms hugging her legs to her chest. Her face was out of sight as her head was tucked down. Brice's face softened and he knelt down beside her.

"Maddy?... I'm sorry baby... you just get me so angry sometimes.... You know I would never hurt you on purpose... I love you to much to do that... I'm sorry Maddy... Maddy... look at me.." He said. "Madison... look at me." He repeated, more firmly this time. Lifting her head, Madison looked up at Brice. She had pure hatered in her eyes. "Don't look at me like that sweetie.... I know you don't mean it... you're just mad at me right now... and hey! I would be to... come on.. get up and back into the car.. we've still got a long way to go" Brice said, his voice returning to normal as was his personality. The Brice Isaac knew was coming back. It was like he was two different people. Standing up, Brice tucked the gun away and took hold of Madison under both armpits. He lifted her up to her feet and helped her over to the car. Isaac watched as Brice flicked the child lock on the door and closed it. He walked around to the other side and did the same to that door. "There." He said. "Now she can't get in and out of the car when she pleases." Walking around to the drivers seat, he gave the phone one last stomp and climbed in. Shaking his head, Isaac walked over to the car and sat down in the front passenger seat.

"Glad to see you've let me back in the front." He muttered.

"Yeah, can't see the harm in it... with the child locks on, she cant open the back doors from the inside and do something stupid like jump out of the car the next time we stop... it would be a pretty silly thing to do considering I could out run her anyday..." Brice said. "So, Ike... does your family come home tonight?" He asked. Isaac looked at him, shocked. Considering everything that had just gone down, Brice was talking as if nothing had happened.

"Uh... yeah..." Isaac's family had gone on a week long vacation at his Mom's parents house. Brice continued to chat with Isaac, occasionally asking Madison a question. She only gave one or two worded answers. After an hour or so, Isaac looked back at her. She was sprawled out across the back seat, appearing to be asleep. "Brice?" Isaac asked.

"Yeah?"

"What makes you think that you can pull this off? I mean, even if you do get Madison to love you... whats stopping her parents from getting your ass thrown in jail huh? No matter what you or Madison tells them... when it all comes down to it, you've kidnapped her and held her against her will... not to mention beaten the shit out of the poor girl."

"I thought you didn't like her? Why you sticking up for her all of a sudden? Huh? You not gettin the hots for my girl are ya Ike?" Brice asked, glancing over at Isaac and then looking back at the road.

"Fuck no! I personally don't know what you see in her.. sure, she's good looking, with a killer body.. but shes a snob!... she's not in your league.. rather, you're not in hers... shes a rich bitch." Isaac said souerly. "She's no different from Kim."

"Hey!.. Madison is nothing like the whore you went with man.. don't even go there.. they may be sisters, but they are nothing alike! Kim was always a bitch.. but Maddy always had time for me... she would always hang out with me when we were younger.. I love her Ike... I really do... and I know that this wasn't exactly the best way going about things.. but it's the only way I could think of. I had to get her away from that fuckwit she's with now and make her see that she loves me back." Brice said. Isaac sighed.

"You can't force someone into loving you... just give up Brice... take her home. Shes scared of you... is that what you wanted? No. And I'm telling you, if you hit her again, I'll give you some of you're own medicine, gun or no gun, you don't hit ladies... understand?" Isaac warned. Brice nodded.

"Yeah yeah... you think I like hitting her? Gota do something to keep her inline..."

"Don't hit her."

"Ok ok... I wont..." Brice said. "Hey man... you hungry? All this excitement is giving me the munchies..."

"Yeah, I'm starved." Isaac said. "Pull in there." Isaac pointed to a small, rundown gas station that had a diner next to it. Looking past the steering wheel, Isaac noticed that Brice was running low on gas. "You need gas to.."

"I know... I'm not fucking blind." Brice snapped. He pulled up and parked the car in a narrow space, just outside the diner. Madison had sat up and was brushing her hair with with a small fold up brush from her bag.

"How are you gonna explain me?" She asked. "I mean, one look at me and they're gonna call the cops..". Madison pulled out a small compact of make-up and started applying to it parts of her face that weren't swollen, bruised or cut. Isaac rolled his eyes.

"Easy... we're a couple and Ike here's your brother. You're running away from your father who beat the shit out of you." Brice explained.

"Uh... a couple.... me and you?... they wont beleive that for a second.." Madison said, looking Brice up and down. "You look more like my brother and it'd be more believeable with me and Isaac as the couple... not that I'd ever go out with either one of you...." She said, disgust showing in her voice.

"Thats exactly what I was talking about before! She's a rich bitch!" Isaac exclaimed.

"Excuse me? I am not!"

"Coulda fooled me! 'Not that I'd ever go out with either one of you...' Whats with that bullshit huh? Ungreatful bitch." Isaac snapped. Had she forgotten that he was the one who got her out of the trunk, who had convinced Brice to take the tape off her and untie her, who had stopped Brice from beating the shit out of her. Obviously.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Madison cried. Isaac opened his mouth to answer her.

"SHUT UP!" Brice yelled. There was silence. "Maddy... you're right... you and Ike be the couple...." He turned to Isaac. "Any funny business and I'll kick your ass.." He warned. Isaac rolled his eyes. He wasn't in the mood for Brice's bullshit.

"Whatever."

"Fine.. it's settled then. Leave the talking up to me." He instructed.

Two
Back