by D L Jones
“Recoup my ass!”
Rebecca walks into the livingroom still wearing her workout gear. She is very into fitness and spends a lot of time at the gym, or at home doing various exercise classes, yoga and anything health and fitness related. She very much wanted to have a child but has had problems conceiving. One thing she wanted to make sure was that her health and fitness wasn’t the cause, so she worked extra hard at staying fit.
Rebecca walks over to Chauncy and plants a kiss on his cheek as he is gathering things. She then Sat down on the sofa in front of him. She picks up a tumbler sitting on a coffee table and takes a sip.
“You going to miss those drinks when you are pregnant.” Chauncy said.
“I don’t drink as much anymore” Rebecca responded.
Chauncy looks at Rebecca sideways as Rebecca returns a sideways look.
“For real, I’m starting to get paranoid that the drinking may be hurting my chances too. I want to not do anything that contributes to our problem…I want a child!” Rebecca added.
“So, you coming with me? Figured both of us together would make him extremely uncomfortable. You would get a kick out of that.” Said Chauncy.
“That does sound fun, watch that skinny inconsiderate little nerd sweat!” Rebecca said laughing.
“I really don’t want to see him though. If I can get through this weekend without seeing him at all, I will be happy. In fact, that is my goal.” Rebecca added.
“Aww, Becca, he’s going to think you don’t like him…well, he already things that. I’m thinking in his mind, seeing you would be more surprising than not seeing you.” Said Chauncy.
“SO, I can really avoid him the entire time?” Rebecca asked.
Chauncy walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. He grabbed a bottle of water and drinks as he ignored Rebecca’s last question. He then goes to the cabinet and grab a couple cookies from a box. Rebecca walks over to Chauncy.
“So, what’s this I hear about you needing to recoup? From this morning?”
Rebecca leans in really close to Chauncy. Chauncy could feel the warmth from her body against his, he could smell her scent, which was a combination of soap, perfume and a little of the days sweat. It was a pleasant smell. Chauncy lifts the cookie to take a bite and just as it was about to enter his mouth, she takes it out of his hand.
She leans in and kisses Chauncy. He acts uninterested, returning a quick kiss and walking around to the other side of the table. Frustrated, Rebecca throws her hands down and walks away. Just as she gets to the door, she feels her body lift off the floor as Chauncy lifts her. He then tosses her in the air, spinning her to face him. She lets out a small yell, a combination of surprise, fear of falling and pleasure.
Chauncy catches her and kisser her. He then sits her on the table and undresses her.
Chapter 5
Tre arrived at the airport on Time and stood outside waiting for Chauncy. He had enough time to go to pick up his luggage. He had a couple bags and his backpack. He keeps looking at his phone, and the cars as they pass, expecting Chauncy to show up.
Chauncy’s car pulls up in a rush. Chauncy hops out and pops the trunk.
“What it up! Man, it’s been a long time! Let me help you with those…” Chauncy said.
Chauncy grabbed a bag out of Tre’s hand and tosses it in the trunk.
“Chauncy Peters! Took you long enough. Good to see you man!” Tre said.
Chauncy then grabbed a second bag out of Tre’s and tossed it in the trunk. He then reached for Tre’s backpack.
“I got the backpack, can’t let this out of my site.” Tre explained.
“Top Secret huh? Excuse me MR AWARD WINNER…” Chauncy said.
Chauncy closed the trunk and gives Tre a quick hug as he rushes him to the car. Tre gets in the passenger side and Chauncy hops back behind the wheel.
“Ahh, I see, I’m MR AWARD WINNER now? Man, I’m still the same ole Tre. But yea, we do need to hurry. I have a conference call with some very important clients from China in a few hours.” Tre said.
“Thought we would hang out, have a few Drinks…” Said Chauncy as he drives off.
“Oh, we will. This is more of an update call. Should only last about 10 minutes, they just like to do these meetings face to face…Well video conference.”
“Man, it’s good to see you Tre. You have been a busy man since college. I see you haven’t made any time for a marriage or kids…huh?” Chauncy said.
Chauncy looked at his watch then reached in his pocket. He pulled out a pill and tosses it in his mouth.
“Nope, no time for that kind of stuff yet.”
Tre noticed Chauncy taking the pill.
“What’s that you on? Blood pressure meds?” Tre asks.
“Oh, Nothing like that. Doc got me on these pills. Becca and I been trying to get pregnant. This is supposed to help the process.” Chauncy explained.
“Viagra? I know it’s been 10 years, but we haven’t got to that age yet…have we?” Tre said.
“I don’t know about you, but that age is no time soon for me! Never a problem in that category…Becca wants a child. We’ve been trying for about 3 years. My swimmers aren’t cooperating.” Explained Chauncy.
“I see…yea that’s rough. Thought you never wanted kids.” Tre said.
“I used to think I didn’t, but you know…people’s mind change about some things as time passes. At first Becca was having some issues and those have been taken care of…”
“And now?”
“Now it’s me. Doc has me on this medication. I have to take a pill 2 times a day for 3 weeks. Becca doesn’t even know.” Chauncy explained.
“She still thinks it’s her?” Tre asks.
Chauncy looks down at the gas gauge and notice the gas light is blinking. He was in such a rush to get to the airport, he forgot that he needed to stop to get gas.
“Yea. I hate lying to her about it. I just couldn’t face her knowing things aren’t working up to par on my end.” Chauncy said.
Tre gave Chauncy a look and sang the theme song from a once popular television sit-com.
“MEN, MEN, MEN, MEN, MEN…”
“HA HA HA. Shut up Tre. Very funny.” Chauncy laughs.
They drove for a few miles. Chancy was scanning the side of the road looking for a gas station. They were driving on a stretch of road that didn’t have much in the way of businesses or houses. Chauncy noticed an old gas station.
“I’m going to pull over here to get some gas”
“Is that place even open?” Tre asked.
Chauncy pulls the car into the parking lot of the gas station, pulls beside a pump. He looks, and it is a rundown building. It does indeed look like it is closed. After scanning the area for a few seconds, he notices that the lights inside were on. Chauncy gets out of the car and walk through the front door. Once inside, he looks around but sees no one.
“HELLO!?!”
Chauncy looks behind the counter and there is no one there. He stands for a few seconds more and decides to leave. He heads back towards the front door.
“No one has been here for a few days!” said a voice
Chauncy looks to see where the voice is coming from. There’s a man holding Tre in a headlock from behind. It was a large white man wearing women’s stockings on his head to hide his face. Chauncy paused to check out the man. The man had a very long beard, went down to about mid chest. It was a mixture of blonde and grey.
The man held Tre in a headlock with one arm and rose his free arm. He was holding a sawed-off shotgun. He smiled and pointed the gun at Chauncy.
“The car keys…they in your right or left pocket?” asked the large man.
“Left.” said Chauncy.
“We don’t have any money, you’re wasting your time” Said Tre.
Another man walked into the store, also wearing women’s stockings on his head. He was carrying a pistol. He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a hand full of zip wire ties. He walked o
ver to the first man who was holding Tre and grabbed Tre’s arms. He then used the zip wire ties to bind Tre’s hands behind his back. He then uses a few more wire ties to bind his ankles together. The first man took a roll of duct tape from the counter and taped Tre’s mouth so that he could no longer talk. Chauncy, still surveying the store noticed a third man sitting at a table. That man was also wearing stockings on his head.
“What do you want--” Chauncy said before interrupted.
The second man with the pistol swung and punched Chauncy in the jaw, knocking him to the ground. He then kicked Chauncy a few times. Several hard kicks to the stomach. Chauncy coughed and struggled for a few seconds till one kick took all his effort away and he lay sprawled on the floor. The man then took the wire ties and tied Chauncy the same way they bound Tre. His hands bound behind his back and his ankles tied together. The man then reached into Chauncy’s left pocket and took his car keys.
Chauncy looked over at Tre. The third man sitting at the table was now standing over him. He had a towel in his hand. Chauncy watched as the man pulled out a bottle and poured something into the towel. The third man then put the towel over Tre’s face and Tre fell limp. While he was watching, he noticed an arm appear in front of his face holding a towel. He struggled for a second as the towel smothered him but he too soon fell limp.
Chapter 6
An hour or so had past, Chauncy and Tre finally started to wake up from their chloroform induced nap. They were both shirtless and barefoot. They look around for a minute to noticed that they are in a room with no windows. Not the same location that they were in before. The only way out of the room was what use to be double French doors. The doors were missing but in their place were 4x4 wood beams nailed to the frame. The room they were in was a make-shift cell. Tre and Chauncy investigated their surroundings. Checking every wall and inspecting the make-shift beams that blocked the exit.
“Are we in here alone?” Tre asks.
“I don’t know” Chauncy responds.
“HELLOO!!! HEY!!” Chauncy yelled.
“HEY!!! ANYONE HERE!?!” Tre added.
“LET US OUT! PEOPLE WILL BE LOOKING FOR US!!!”
They spent a few minutes yelling and making a lot of noise. Eventually they heard some heavy footsteps coming from down the hall outside the room. From the sounds and looks of things it looks as if they were in an old abandoned house, maybe condemned.
“SHUT THE FUCK UP IN THERE!!”
The first man with the bearded pocked his head in front of the make-shift door to just say that. He was still wearing the stockings over his face. Chauncy recognized the beard.
“That’s the same guy from before.” Chauncy whispered.
“Shit! What are we going to do? I’ve been hearing about these guys on the news…at least I know they aren’t killers.” Chauncy said.
“That’s if these are the same guys…” Tre added.
“I SAID SHUT THE FUCK UP IN THERE!!!” Said the bearded man.
The bearded man stormed into the room and stood outside of the make-shift cage door. He pulled out a set of keys from his pocket and unlocked the door. He walked in the room and kicked Chauncy in the stomach. Chauncy fell to his knees. Chauncy then stood and charged the bearded man. He grabbed the man and tried to take him to the ground, but he was just too big and strong. The bearded man slung Chauncy back to the ground and kicked him some more. Chauncy coughed and gagged on the blood that came out of his mouth. Tre stood terrified, wondering if he should try to attack the bearded man also.
“What? You thinking about giving it a shot too?” The bearded man said looking at Tre.
Tre stood silent.
The bearded man walked over to Tre and looked him in the eyes. Chauncy watched what was happening as he was trying to bring himself to his feet. The bearded man reached behind him and pulled out a large knife from the sheath on the back of his belt. He put the blade to Tre’s throat. Chauncy noticed a tear drop from Tre’s eye. Chauncy then ran towards the bearded man to try to get him while his back was turned.
The bearded man turned around as Chauncy was coming and held up the knife. Chauncy stopped.
“Just for that, Say goodbye to Tre!” The bearded man said.
He then turned around and swung his knife into Tre’s stomach. Chauncy yelled. Tre winced as this was happening then realized he wasn’t stabbed. He looked down to see that the blade missed him. The blade had stabbed the wall beside Tre instead. The bearded man pulled the blade out from the wall and laughed. Tre slid down the wall, letting out a sigh of relief. The bearded man continued laughing as he walked away, locking the cage door as he left the room.
“Now Shut the fuck up.” He said as he left.
Chauncy crawled over to Tre.
“Man…I thought you were…” Chauncy said.
“Me too! What the fuck are we going to do Chauncy?” Tre responded.
Chauncy crawled over to the wall Tre was sitting against and sat beside him.
They both sat quiet for a few minutes. Tre fell asleep. Chauncy leaned his head back against the wall and after a few moments, also fell asleep.
Chauncy was awakened by one of the kidnappers, this time it wasn’t the bearded man. This kidnapper still had his face covered. He grabbed Tre by the arm and dragged him out of the caged room. Tre was holding on and fighting, trying to keep from being dragged away.
“What are you doing? where are you taking me?” Tre yelled.
Chauncy ran over behind the kidnapper dragging Tre but he closed the door and locked it. Chauncy watched as Tre was dragged out of sight. He could hear what was going on. 3 of the kidnappers were yelling at Tre, asking for his pin number to his bank card. Tre wouldn’t tell them. Sounds of a beating was then heard. Sounds of flesh being slapped and punched filled the room.
“Tre!” Chauncy yelled.
The kidnappers repeated asked Tre for his pin number with no response. The beating continued. 2 of the kidnappers dragged Tre back to the cage. Tre was limp and half unconscious. He had blood running from his mouth.
“They must’ve stuck to all body shots.” Chauncy thought as he noticed Tre didn’t have any swelling on his face.
They opened the caged door and tossed Tre inside. Chauncy went over to him. He braced himself to be dragged out next.
“Don’t worry, you don’t have shit we want…Chauncy!” The kidnapper said.
“How do they know our names?” Chauncy said.
“They have our wallets, our ID’s.” Tre responded, coughing.
They sat in silence a bit more.
“Damn, what a way to reunite…after 10 years.” Tre said.
“Yea, this is fucked.” Chauncy added.
“Is that our stuff over there? Just outside the wooden bars?” Tre said as he pointed.
Chauncy looked and saw several bags and suitcases. The amount of stuff that was thrown against the wall outside the make-shift cell confirmed that these kidnappers were the same as the ones he heard about on the news. Chauncy thought that all that luggage must be the items stolen from others that were kidnapped.
“Yea, looks like they went through it and just tossed it against the wall in the corner.” Chauncy answered.
“My Backpack! Think you can get to that?” Tre said.
“Let me try…” Chauncy responded.
Chauncy reached for the backpack but it was just out of reach. Tre puts his leg between the make-shift bars and was just able to touch the backpack after a few tries. He could get enough of his toe on the backpack to slide it just a little. Chauncy tried reaching it again and this time he could get a finger on it. After a few minutes of trying, he could get enough of a hold on a corner of the backpack. He slogged the backpack closer and closer to the make-shift cell door. Eventually he got it close enough to where he could comfortably pull it the rest of the way.
“Now what?” Chauncy asked.
Tre unzipped the back pack and pulled out a small cardboard box. The box didn’t have any writing of inform
ation on it. It was very nondescript. While the backpack was still too big to bring inside the room through the wooden bars, the cardboard box fit through with no problems.
“This is what I’ve been working on…” Tre explained.
“What? You worried about your job right now?! How does this help at all in this moment Tre?” Chauncy angrily asked.
Tre opens the box and inside were a lot of little vials. Each vial contained a liquid and a built-in syringe. Looks like each vial was a single dosage and delivery mechanism for some type of drug or medicine. Tre’s face lit up. Chauncy looked at him confused.
“Ok, What I need you to do is really concentrate on getting out of here.” Tre said.
“Will you explain what that shit is—”
“Just think about all you want to do is get out of this place and get to safety” Tre interrupted.
“That is what I want dammit!” Chauncy yelled.
“Ok…Keep that thought! Concentrate on that thought!” Tre said.
Tre takes one vial out of the box and looks at it for a second. He then pulls off the cap and stick Chauncy in the arm. He then squeezed the chemical into his arm. He takes another one vial out of the box and do the same to himself. Tre then puts the little white box back in the backpack and zips it.
“What did you just do? I feel fucked up.” Chauncy asked.
“Me Too…Just keep thinking about getting out of here. It is the most important thing in your life right now!” Tre said.
Chauncy notices his body feel warm. He’s getting warmer and warmer as seconds pass. Both Chauncy and Tre start to sweat profusely. The muscles on their back and shoulders start to show visibly. The muscles on their arms flex and their veins pulse. They both start breathing hard.
The room turns silent.
“AAAAAAGGGHHHHH!!!!!!” Chauncy yells uncontrollably.
“LET ME OUT OF HERE!!!!” Tre yells.
But of their eyes are glassy and their whole body has tensed up. The beating of their hearts is almost visibly seen through their chest.
Chauncy takes off running at full speed towards the 4x4 wooden bars and with one try, crashes through them. Wood from the make-shift bars splinter all over the floor. Tre quickly follow him. They both are yelling and screaming uncontrollably. One kidnapper runs into the hall leading to the make-shift cell to see what was going on.
