Part Thirty-Three
Notes: / / ‘ ’ and : : indicate voice’s in Dru’s head
Jesse got out of the car; ready to go into the apartment complex when Lindsey’s voice stopped him. “Jesse.”
He turned around and looked at his lover. “Yeah, baby?”
“I was thinking; if Vincent would let you, would you move in with me? They’ve promised me a new, a bigger, apartment.”
Jesse stared, stunned and elated. Then the real world crept in, shading his emotions with fear. “What if Vincent won’t let me?”
“Then it’s not the end of the world,” soothed Lindsey. “I won’t leave you if he says no.”
“Well, I’ll ask,” said Jesse cautiously.
Xander walked slowly through the park, wondering the entire time why he was there. It wasn’t because he hoped Corey would be there. Nope, not at all.
“Xander! You came back,” said Corey happily, coming up behind Xander.
Xander whirled around and stared dazedly at Corey for a minute. Corey was wearing the tightest pair of jeans Xander had ever seen coupled with a form-fitting tank top. He watched, practically drooling as Corey moved, showing off golden skin and well toned muscled. “Huh?” he asked when he realized Corey had said something.
“I asked,” grinned Corey, “if you’re doing anything right now?”
“Uh, not really.”
Corey’s grin turned into a smile. “Is there anywhere in this town that’s cool?”
“Well,” gulped Xander, trying not to melt at the sight of that amazing smile. Trying not to notice how Corey’s eyes seemed to sparkle in the sunset. “There’s the Bronze.”
“Wanna go?”
“I have to get permission first.”
“So? Where do you live? Let’s go!”
Iam had followed Xander to the park, making sure not to be seen. He watched as Xander met up with the same guy from the night before. Listening to the conversation, he decided he did not like Corey. There was something about him that just screamed ‘Trouble!’
Realizing they were heading right toward where he was, he quickly ducked behind a tree. Seeing that they were heading for home, he slipped around behind them and headed home a different way.
Corey watched out the corner of his eye as the blond who’d been following them left. He wondered who that was. “So, your dad keeps a good eye on you?”
“Uh, well, no. I don’t live with my parents,” said Xander guardedly.
“Oh, an uncle?”
“No. I, uh, my dad, um,” stuttered Xander, trying to figure out what to say.
“Hey, it’s cool. So you like live with a foster family now?”
Xander gave Corey a small smile. “I was adopted. Giles is really nice. You’ll like him.”
“Cool. I can totally understand why he wouldn’t want to let you out of his sight,” leered Corey.
Xander blushed, and then stopped. “We’re here.”
After letting himself and Corey into the house, Xander smiled sheepishly at Corey. “Hang on a minute, I’ll go find him.”
Corey sat down on the couch and waited for Xander to get back. He looked around the room, noting the nice furnishing and decorations.
Liam was wandering out of the bedroom to ask Giles a question, when he saw a strange young man sitting in the living room. “Oh, hello.”
Corey twisted to one side to see a tall, dark-haired, well-built man coming out of the hall. “Hi.” He knew this couldn’t be Xander’s guardian.
“I’m Liam. And you are…”
“Corey. I’m waiting for Xander.”
“I see.” Liam stared thoughtfully at the boy on the couch. He sat down on the other end of the couch. “So, have you known him for long?”
“No, I just moved here. Ran into Xander in the park last night and again tonight,” Corey shrugged. “No biggee.”
Liam looked at the way he was dressed and made a small uh-huh noise in the back of his throat. “Interesting pants. Is it hard to get in and out of them?”
Corey snickered. “Easier than you think.”
“So, you’re taking Xander out to the Bronze?”
“Yeah, he said it’s a cool place.”
Xander and Giles walked out into the living room.
“Hey,” said Corey. “What’s up?”
Xander looked uneasy when Giles addressed Corey.
“Not too much. I’m Rupert Giles, Xander’s guardian,” said Giles.
“Corey. Nice to meet you.”
“Corey, what time did you plan on being back?” asked Giles almost sternly.
“I don’t know, sir. Not after eleven because that’s my curfew,” said Corey respectfully.
Giles relaxed. “That’s acceptable. You’re planning on staying at the Bronze the entire time?”
“Yeah, if you take all the trouble just to go somewhere, why would you want to go somewhere else?”
“True. Well, did you boys need a ride?”
Xander looked apprehensive and started to answer, but Corey beat him. “That would be cool, Mr. Giles.”
Iam cursed in his room. He couldn’t believe they were just letting Xander go out with a strange boy. He had the worse feeling about Corey. Maybe he could get a ride to the Bronze. He had to make certain Xander would be alright.
“So, how was your dinner?” asked Vincent, in a falsely bright tone.
“It was good, sir,” said Jesse clearly, though he wished he could mumble it.
“When did you get back? I didn’t hear you come in.”
Jesse colored slightly. “I, he, that is, I stayed the night.”
Vincent chuckled slightly, “Well, that’s good. So, how are things progressing in your relationship?”
“He gave me a key to his apartment,” said Jesse hesitantly.
“He hasn’t asked you to move in with him, has he?”
Startled, Jesse looked straight at Vincent. “N-no! Why would he do that?”
“Because, Jesse, he might wish to be near you all the time. Wouldn’t you like that?” asked Vincent innocently. He looked at Jesse darkly. “You know, one thing that I just can’t hate are liars. He asked you to move in with him.”
Jesse trembled slightly, then looked down at the floor. “Yes sir,” he near-whispered.
“Look at me!” yelled Vincent.
Jesse raises his gaze up to Vincent’s face fearfully.
“Lies are for the weak. You have to learn these things. Look at me,” he commanded again when Jesse’s gaze slipped back to the floor. “What happens when you disobey?”
“My friends get hurt,” said Jesse guardedly.
“Your friends get hurt. Yes, that’s correct. Well, this time it’s a little different.” Vincent leered at Jesse. “Why don’t you come with me and we’ll discuss your punishment?” He turned toward his bedroom, with Jesse inching along slowly. Stopping at the doorway, he turned and looked at Jesse. “If you resist, you’ll only make this harder on yourself!” snarled Vincent, causing Jesse to move quickly into the bedroom.
“I want to go home,” sobbed Dru, flinging herself onto the bed. No colors, nothing to change the scenery except the meal trays pushed in at random times. She no longer knew if it was day or night, or even what day it was. She hadn’t even seen another human being since she had been drugged.
After examining her cell thoroughly, she had discovered a camera in the left corner of the door. So she was being watched. By who, Dru didn’t know. She assumed it was the same man that had kidnapped her.
/Of course, who else would it have been?/
‘I don’t know. Maybe he works for someone.’
:Who?:
/Like we know?/
‘That’s why we’re asking!’
:Well…:
“Will you just shut up?” screamed Dru, clutching her ears fiercely. “Just be quiet.” She rolled onto her side, crying. “Leave me alone! …please, leave me alone…”