Chapter Two
Madison watched as Brice and Isaac both climbed out of the car. Brice opened a back door for her to get out and also stuck his hand in for her to hold as she got out. She ignored it and got out on her own. She jumped when Brice slammed the door shut but kept her back to him. Isaac walked around the car and stopped next to her. She looked up at him but said nothing as he casually slung his arm around her shoulders.
"We gotta make this believeable" Isaac said as Brice opened his mouth to protest. Madison kept her arms folded infront of her stomach. Brice shot Isaac a 'look' but kept quiet.
"Remember, I'm doing the talking if anyone asks"
"We know Brice. And they're gonna ask. I'm half tempted to tell them the truth" Isaac said.
"Are you now? Well, Ikey boy, you do that, and I'll shoot everyone in there dead. Including you and Madison" Brice threatened in a low voice. Madison tensed up when she heard that. Brice had completely snapped so she believed him.
"Just keep quiet okay?" Madison said quietly to Isaac. She looked up at him and saw his jaw tighten. He nodded. The three walked into the diner and saw that besides one trucker sitting at the counter, they were the only customers in the place.
"Go sit in the booth over there" Brice said, pointing to a booth that was near a window. Isaac and Madison began to make their way over to the booth. Madison slid in first and then Isaac went in next to her.
"Can't you sit across from me?" Madison asked. Isaac raised his eyebrows.
"Why? Would you rather Brice sit next to you? At least with me here, he cant do anything to you" He said. "God only knows why I'm trying to protect you.... it's not as if you're greatful I'm here or anything... I've only just about saved your life a couple of times today and it's only.." Isaac looked down at his watch "One o'clock.. wow..thats a record for me" He added sarcastically. Madison was silent. She knew that if Isaac hadn't been there then she would have most likely been killed by now. If not in the trunk of the car, then at that episode with the phone. Thinking about the phone made her think about Aaron. Thinking about Aaron made her throat tighten and tears well up in her eyes. She held in a sob as she turned her head away from Isaac and looked out of the window next to her.
"Why do you even care about what happens to me anyway? I'm a 'rich bitch' remember?" She said.
"I don't know. Maybe because I'm a decent man and I know what Brice is doing is wrong." Isaac said. He looked over at Brice. He was talking to a waitress who was behind the counter. He was probably telling her his 'story' to explain how Madison looked. Madison stayed silent.
"I need the bathroom" She said a few seconds later. Isaac got out of the booth and Madison followed him. She then headed in the direction of the bathrooms. Isaac knew that she could probably escape somehow through a window but if Brice knew what was going on, he'd catch her. God knows what he'd do to her then.
"Where's Maddy?" Brice asked, sliding into the booth seat across from him.
"Bathroom.. I can't really deny her that request now can I?"
"Why didn't you go with her? She could escape that way and ruin everything!" Brice fumed. "Fuck! Go get her Ike"
"No way. You go get her. I'm not the one who wants her. But if you hurt her then I'll give it back to you twice" Isaac said. Brice ignored him as he got up and headed for the bathrooms. Once he was out of sight, Isaac got up and went over to the counter. He looked at the waitresses name tag. Her name was Jenny. "Excuse me.. miss"
"Yeah?"
"Listen to me very carefully... did that guy just tell you some story about the girl we're with being his sister and that they're on the run from their father?" Isaac said quickly. He didn't have much time. Jenny frowned as she nodded.
"Yeah... I asked what was wrong and he told me that... why?"
"It's not true... He's not her brother and I'm not her boyfriend. That guy has kidnapped the girl, Madison Stone. His name is Brice Owens and my name is Isaac Hanson, you need to call the police now, tell them what's happened. You can't let on to Brice that you know, but as soon as we leave, call the police-" Isaac stoped talking when he saw the horror on Jenny's face.
"NO! DON'T!" She shrieked just as a bullet smacked her in the chest. She slumped to the diners floor, and didn't move. The blast was almost deafening and Isaac heard Madison scream as he cried out himself.
"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING ISAAC?!" Brice exploded. Isaac whirled around intime to see Brice point the gun at him. "LOOK WHAT YOU MADE ME DO!"
"Don't shoot me Brice"
"Give me one good fucking reason why I shouldn't?"
"I'm your best friend"
"Like fuck you are! You told her to call the poilce!" Brice shouted as the kitchen doors of the diner opened and a man just a few years older than Isaac and Brice walked out.
"What's going on here-" His words were cut short by the bullet Brice shot into his chest. He dropped and landed on top of the waitress, Jenny.
"STOP IT!" Madison screamed out, she was standing behind Brice and had her face covered with her hands. She was sobbing hard. Brice turned around and looked at Madison.
"Honey, don't cry... these people were going to get the police to take you away from me... I can't let that happen. I can't lose you"
"Just let me go Brice... please" She said, uncovering her face so Brice could see the misery plastered on it. Brice didn't seem to notice. Isaac prayed that no one else would come out from the kitchen, but Brice didn't give them a chance to. He jumped the counter and stormed into the kitchen. Madison screamed again when three more shots rang out. He appeard from the kitchen, blood splattered across his face and chest.
"One of em were to close!" He claimed, obviously annoyed. Madison was a wreck, on her knees on the floor. She was rocking back and forth, her head in her hands sobbing. Isaac almost felt sorry for her. Brice was wiping off the blood from his face with a dish cloth. "Come on.. we have to get out of here... if someone heard those shots, the cops'll be here soon.." He told them, walking around the counter and over to Madison. "Up you get baby... come on... it's not that bad.. you didn't know them" Brice said, lifting her up to her feet. She stuggled to stand up as her legs felt like jelly. Madison tried to think of a reason why God was putting her through this. She had never been anything but a friend to Brice. She had never treated him cruelly. Brice slid an arm around her waist and helped her to the car. She didn't protest to the help. Madison slumped down onto the seat, bringing her knees up to her chest. Brice and Isaac slid into the front seats and within seconds, they were speeding down the highway.
"Slow down.... if you get pulled over you're screwed." Isaac warned Brice. Without a word, Brice slowed the car down. "What the hell happened back there?"
"What do you mean?" Brice asked.
"How could you just kill someone in cold blood? Several people for that matter.. I don't understand it.." Isaac said, shaking his head.
"It was easy... I didn't know them.. why the hell should I care if they're alive or not?" Isaac looked at his friend in disbelief. Had Brice really snapped over a girl?
"I don't get it... you've never done something like this.. especially over a friggin female."
"Hey... I'll do anything I have to to have Maddy... she's meant for me Ike.. we're meant to be together for life and thats what I intend to happen. Even if we have to live in hidding or leave the country. She'll love me one day.. as much as I love her. Sure, Maddy may hate me now.. but she'll realise I did this for love.. and she wont be able to resist me."
"You didn't have to do this.... or drag my ass into it." Isaac mumbled. Secretly though, he was glad Brice had taken him with him. Isaac didn't want to admit it, but he really felt sorry for Madison. No matter how much he thought she was a spoilt bitch, no one should have to endure what she was going though. At least Isaac could try and stop Brice from hurting her again. He racked his brains for a way to get the gun off of Brice. If he had it, things would turn around. Isaac would be in control. He could make Brice turn himself in and Madison could go home.
"Yeah, well... you're my best buddie... gotta have ya with the action." Brice said, smiling at him.
"No.. you don't gotta have me with the action. I could have still been in bed now asshole..." Isaac snapped.
"Now now... no need to get all narky on me... Maddy, baby... how you doin?" Brice asked. There was no response. Isaac looked back at her. Madison was still in the same posistion, her chin touching her knees, she was rocking back and forth, a vacant expression on her face. Staring at the back of Brice's seat, she chewed her bottom lip.
"I think shes flipped." Isaac said.
"What?" Brice asked.
"Look at her man... she's lost it... I don't blame her. Everything the girls been though.." Isaac told his friend. Brice glanced behind him at Madison.
"Shit!" He exclaimed. Pulling over again, he got out of the car. Opening Madisons door, he knelt down beside her. "Maddy.... snap out of it.. hey! Maddy!" Brice snapped his fingers infront of her face a few times. No response. "Fuck." Brice stood up and hit the roof of the car.
"Brice, get back in the car... she'll be ok. She just needs to soak it all in.. it's not everyday you see someone get blown away right infront of your eyes.. it's gotta be hard on her." Isaac reasoned, still seated in the car. Brice nodded.
"Yeah.. I guess... You'll be ok... won't you babycakes?" Brice asked, looking down at her. She didn't move. Brice slammed the door shut, and Madison flinched.
I've gotta get away.... have to find a way to get away... Aaron can't help me now.. Brice made sure of that... oh Aaron... I miss you... help me... Madison continued to rock back and forth. Isaac and Brice were talking, but she didn't take in what they were saying, even though she could hear them as clear as day. Why aren't you here to save me Aaron?.... please...someone help me... Tears started sliding down her swollen and brusied cheeks. The boys in the front were now silent. She didn't know if that was a good thing or not. She hadn't 'flipped' as Isaac had put it, but just withdrawn into herself to try and get away from the reality of what was happening to her. People had been killed... right before her eyes. She couldn't get the pictures of them out of her head. She kept seeing the waitress falling, the blood smear on the wall behind her, leading down to her body. Shaking her head, Madison tried to picture something else. Aarons face appeared. This only brought her more sorrow. She wished she was with him right now. If only she hadn't accepted the ride from Brice. She prayed that Aaron had heard her scream out at Brice. Aaron was her only hope of being rescued. No he's not.... you know that Isaac is on your side... what he told you was true.. if he weren't here, you probably would have been killed by now ... he'll get you home... Even though Madison was scared out of her wits, she was inwardly glad that Isaac was there but she wasn't about to admit that to his face.
An hour later, both Madison and Isaac were asleep. Brice was glad, it gave him time to think. Somehow he had to get rid of Isaac. Sure, he invited him along in the first place, but Brice didn't know he would turn on him. That wasn't allowed. While Isaac was around, Brice knew he wouldn't be able to touch Madison... in any way. He thought back to the phone incident. He haddn't meant to hurt Madison, but she had told Aaron to much. She had to be punished. Taught that she couldn't get away with shit like that. Then Isaac had to pull that stunt back at the diner. I should have kicked his ass for that.. Brice thought. He knew that would never happen though. Isaac was bigger than he was. How can I get rid of him?... and keep him from talking?..Brice could think of no other option. He had to kill Isaac. If he didn't, Madison would be taken away from him for sure. He couldn't have that. Madison was his and his only. Sure, she resented him now.. but she'd come around. Brice racked his brains for the perfect way to get rid of his friend. He wished it hadn't come to this. Shouldn't have brought him... should have known he'd go soft... Brice shook his head. No. Killing Isaac was his only solution to the problem. Brice's head turned when he heard movement from the backseat. "Hey baby... sleep well?" He asked, returning his gaze back to the road.
"I'm not your baby... and no. How the hell can I 'sleep well' when I've been kidnapped? Huh?" Madison snapped. "Fucker" she muttered.
"Come on Maddy, please don't be like this... you know I don't mean to hurt you... stop doing stupid things and I'll stop punishing you... it's as easy as that."
"What do you think you'll accomplish by doing all this?".
"You'll discover that, deep down, you do love me... that you'll see that we're meant to be together." Brice told her. Madison shook her head.
"Never gonna happen. Brice, you were my friend! Friends don't do this to friends! I love Aaron. I'll always love Aaron. Do you honestly think I'm going to fall in love with you after everything you've done to me?" She questioned him. She got no response from Brice. After a few minutes of silence Brice spoke up.
"I'm sorry for hurting you Madison.. I really am.... I know you hate me now, but you'll see soon that this was my only choice.. I had no other option. You never once looked at me the way you look at Aaron. Thats all I ever wanted Maddy... for you to look at me like I was someone. Not just some loser son of your parents friends. We were friends Maddy.. until you hit juniour high.. then all of a sudden, I was a nobody in your eyes. You would walk past me in the halls and ignore me. After so many years of your attention.. of your true friendship.. you can't possibly know how much that hurt Madison... It hurt even more because I love you... I couldn't take it anymore.. to have you ignore me and then laugh at me with your friends. No.. that wasn't fair. You gave me no other choice.. you'll see that this was all done in an act of love one day Madison. You'll thank me for taking you away." Brice stopped talking and turned his head around to look at her.
"Keep your eyes on the road or you'll kill us all" Madison said as Brice started to veer the car towards an oncoming car.
"Shit!" Brice swore as he whirled around and swerved to avoid a colision. The sudden jerking of the car woke Isaac.
"What the hell are you doing!" He yelled.
"Hey man, no biggie! Just lookin at my lovely lady in the back seat and nearly hit that car back there" Brice said calmly. Isaac glanced back at Madison, at least she looked more with it.
"You're fucking nuts you know that? Don't worry about her and keep your head forward"
"Don't you tell me what to do Ike" Brice said in a low threatening voice. Isaac was about to say something but remembered Brice's gun and kept quiet. It wouldn't do him or Madison any good if he got himself killed by his best friend.
"Okay, okay" Isaac said. He noticed that it was beginning to get dark. Had he been asleep for that long? "Hey man.. are we gonna stop for some food anytime soon? We didn't get to eat back at that diner"
"I wonder whos fault that was?" Brice asked. Isaac and Madison both kept quiet. "Well, answer me! I asked a question, I expect an answer!" Brice said loudly.
"Mine, ours... mine and Madison's" Isaac replied quickly.
"Hey! I-" Madison started to protest.
"Shut up" Isaac snapped.
"Don't talk to her like that Ike. It's not allowed." Brice said calmly. "Now.. are you guy's hungry?"
"Yes" Madison said quietly, she was starving.
"I'm starved man" Isaac replied. Brice nodded.
"Good, cause you two aint getting a bite to eat until I say so. That stunt you pulled at the diner just cost you a meal. Next time it'll cost something bigger, your life perhaps"
"What? You can't decide when I can and can't eat. You can't starve us Brice" Isaac exclaimed.
"I'm the one driving am I not?" Brice asked. There was silence. "Answer me!" He said angrily, hitting the steering wheel with the palm of his hand.
"Yes, you're driving. Whats your point?"
"Well, I'm driving, I decide when you eat again next... and that wont be for a long time. You two have to learn not to cross me" Brice said. "Not another word from either of you or I'll swerve this car into the nearest tree and kill us all". Isaac believed that he was crazy enough to actually do it so he kept his mouth shut.
