by Ian Dawson
Kyle scanned the area once more, his eyes settling on the paved road a few hundred yards away. “Maybe he went that way.” He checked his watch, 8:05. Crap, that was fast. Kyle hopped back on his bike. If I miss seeing my dad they’ll know something’s wrong. Should I tell them? Tell Daniel’s mom? If I knew for sure what was going on I would tell them. But I don’t.
Kyle headed back across the rickety bridge and onto the trail toward his house. It was at that moment that an idea popped into his head.
Kyle raced home to see his dad, knowing that he probably had just solved the mystery of Daniel’s disappearance.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Everything seemed to come to a complete stop. James couldn’t believe what he had just heard Austin say. Why would he want the kid with the spiky hair to take off his shorts? The whole idea made him uncomfortable, and he could tell the kid looked confused, too.
They had already made him remove his shirt and shoes, soon he would be naked, something James really wasn’t interested in seeing.
Austin must know what he’s doing. Besides, he had his uncle’s hunting knife. James had seen Austin brandish the blade with expert precision to field-dress a deer Austin and his uncle had shot one afternoon when it ambled innocently onto their property. Austin had wielded the blade and skinned the animal’s hide off in almost one piece. It was an impressive but disturbing and bloody sight.
And now, here the two were again. Only this time it was a kid, not a deer, under the threat of the hunting knife. “Austin,” James began. “Why don’t we let him go?” He could see Austin’s body tense in the glow of the flashlight. James instinctively knew that rage was building inside of Austin. He took a slow step back, away from his unstable friend.
“Let him go?” Austin growled. The flashlight’s beam shot into James’s face. “I’ll tell you when it’s time to let him go. And right now, he has plenty more to do before that happens.” Austin pointed the blade’s tip at James’s throat. “Understand?”
James nodded. He could feel the cold tip of the hunting knife on the tender skin of his neck. Austin whipped back around toward his captive. The kid had undone his belt and stopped.
“What did I tell you to do?” Austin spat as he pointed his knife toward the skinny kid.
“Take off my shorts.”
“Then do it!” Austin demanded. The boy unbuttoned his shorts and dropped them around his feet.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Daniel was shivering from both the cooling air and out of fear for his life. He stood before the two boys in his Batman boxers and dirty, bloody socks. His shorts lay in a heap next to him. He wrapped his arms across his chest; his fingertips cold against his skin.
Austin sat down on a nearby stump, watching the hunting knife’s blade as it glinted in the flashlight’s beam. James stood beside him slowly rocking back and forth as if he were a tree caught in a breeze.
“Pull down your boxers,” Austin said nonchalantly.
“Austin...” James cut in, but he soon had the hunting knife on him again. He backed away and turned around.
Austin brought his focus back to Daniel. He let out a frustrated sigh. “Your boxers. Now.”
“No,” Daniel said in defiance. He didn’t have much left to bargain with, but this was too much. Too creepy. He had to draw the line somewhere. “Screw you.”
Austin’s eyes widened, a crooked smile appeared on his face. “No, huh? You’ve got balls kid, I’ll give ya that. But you won’t have them much longer if you don’t pull down your boxers!” Austin charged at Daniel, knife ready to slice downward. Daniel clenched his jaw and didn’t move.
Austin brought the blade down but missed Daniel by inches. Daniel felt the breeze from Austin’s arm as it swished past him on his left side. Austin stood close to Daniel, towering over him in an act of intimidation. Daniel looked him square in the eye, didn’t blink. Didn’t move.
Daniel knew that if he blinked or moved first he would lose. This wasn’t a game he wanted to be a part of, but he sure as hell had no intention of losing. It would be Austin who would have to make the next move. And he did.
It happened so fast that Daniel didn’t even realize that his boxers were around his ankles until it was too late. In one move, Austin had pulled them down and slithered back about six feet.
Daniel was frozen in shock, his head spinning from the events of the last few moments. And now he was naked in front of two older boys in a clearing surrounded by trees and far away from anything familiar or safe.
Daniel felt tears sting his eyes.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Kyle raced home, excited to see his dad, but also about the possibility of finding Daniel. He was a little upset with Daniel for taking off to Megan Walters’s house, but he understood. He knew that Daniel had a crush on Megan and had helped her more than a few times after school with her homework.
He also knew that Daniel ditching him was probably payback for Kyle hiding so well. All that mattered was seeing Daniel safe at Megan’s; and seeing the look on Daniel’s face when Kyle popped up unexpectedly.
The alternative was too scary to think about.
Kyle dumped his bike on the side of the house, ran around back, and entered through the sliding glass door. His mom was on the couch reading a magazine beside a lamp with a stained-glass lampshade.
“How was Daniel’s dad?” she asked as he closed and locked the back door. He placed his backpack on the kitchen table as he entered the living room.
“What?”
Kyle’s mom looked up from her reading. “Daniel’s dad. You know, the soldier in Iraq. How is he? And why are you all sweaty?”
Kyle wiped the sweat off his face, then realized that his shirt was spotted with sweat as well. “He’s good. We were digging a hole in the backyard, I lost track of time.”
“A hole? Didn’t they just landscape their backyard?” Kyle could tell she wasn’t buying it. They both heard a car door slam outside.
“Dad!” Kyle ran out the front door, down the stone pathway, and nearly knocked his dad onto the hood of his car as he embraced him.
“Whoa!” his dad said in surprise. “Slow down there, buddy.” He hugged Kyle. His dad had a stocky build, chiseled features, and a full head of grey hair that he parted neatly on the left side. He wore a charcoal grey suit and carried a tan attaché case.
“I missed you, dad,” Kyle said as he released his hug. “Let me help you with your bags.” Kyle grabbed the keys from his father’s hand and ran around to the trunk.
As Kyle’s mom and dad greeted one another in the driveway with a long kiss, Kyle opened the trunk and pulled out his dad’s lone suitcase. It was big, black, and heavy. It hit the ground with a loud thunk. Kyle was grateful it had wheels on the bottom. He pulled the suitcase up the walkway to the front door, following his parents close behind.
Kyle’s dad let out a loud yawn as he loosened his tie, removed his suit jacket, and tossed his tie and jacket on the couch.
“Want some dinner?” Kyle’s mom asked as she hugged her husband once more, giving him a peck on the cheek.
“I think I’ll take a rain check. I want a long, hot shower and an even longer sleep.”
“I’m staying over at Daniel’s tonight, so I won’t bother you,” Kyle said.
“Make sure you’re back for breakfast,” his dad said. “In fact, why don’t we all go out? Invite Daniel and his mom and sister along, too.”
“Great!” Kyle said. “See you tomorrow. Bye, mom.” Before she could kiss him goodnight, Kyle had grabbed his backpack, was out the sliding glass door, down the side of the house, on his bike, and racing down the street. This time in the opposite direction of the field’s main entrance.
Kyle snickered. Boy, Megan and Daniel are sure in for a big surprise when I show up!
CHAPTER THIRTY
Stay strong. S
tay strong. Daniel repeated the words in his head over and over again. He couldn’t show them any sign of weakness. Couldn’t let them win. He knew it felt like he had lost at this moment, naked in front of two total strangers, but he refused to breakdown.
“What’s wrong with his...thing?” James asked, shining the flashlight beam onto Daniel’s privates. Daniel blocked the intrusive light with his hand. Really? Daniel thought with a sense of annoyance. Are you really that stupid? It’s called being uncircumcised, dumbass! Of course, he kept those thoughts to himself. Especially with that menacing hunting knife so close at hand.
“Who cares?” Austin said as he grabbed the flashlight from James. He shined it back in Daniel’s face.
Daniel had to think fast, turn the tables before the unthinkable happened. He had an idea. “So, are you guys pedophiles? Is this what gets you guys going? Seeing a young naked kid in front of you? That’s really sick.”
Austin looked at him, his face twisted in confusion. “What did you say?”
“I’m just curious,” Daniel said, “because you seem to be getting a little too excited about watching me stand here, you know, naked. So, are you?”
“Are we what?” James asked.
“Child molesters? Pedophiles? I always thought they were older and lived with their parents, but I guess there are exceptions.” Whether he had confused these two idiots or not, what he had said appeared to have worked.
Austin made a motion toward Daniel with the flashlight. “Pull ‘em...Pull ‘em back up,” Austin said. “Now!” Daniel could hear James as he breathed a sigh of relief.
As Daniel quickly pulled up his boxers, he wanted to smile about his win. It was a small victory in what was now an ongoing battle, but it made him happy nonetheless.
“And we’re not child molesters,” James said to him. “We’re...we’re not. We won’t touch you...there,” he said pointing toward Daniel’s boxers.
“Shut up!” Austin said, punching James in the arm.
Daniel decided to try another tactic since both boys seemed to be thrown by what had just taken place. “I want to help you guys out. Really. I do.”
“Help us?” Austin asked.
“Since you didn’t molest me – and I do thank you for that - maybe I can help get you guys some stuff you might want. What do you guys like?” Daniel stood staring at them waiting for an answer.
“Whatever we want, eh?” Austin looked at James who shrugged his shoulders. The two went into another huddle, their conversation inaudible to Daniel. This time around Austin had the flashlight beam aimed directly on Daniel’s pale chest. He had no place to go without being caught.
His left foot was throbbing, the pain getting worse and he could feel the stickiness of his blood between his toes. He was also starting to feel a little nauseous and lightheaded, which he figured was from the loss of blood.
As the two older boys continued their huddle, Daniel tried to figure out his next move. He may not get out soon, but he had to buy himself a little more time.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
James looked over at Daniel where he stood shirtless and barefoot. Blood seeped through the duct tape wrapped around the kid’s wounded foot. James could tell the kid was scared, terrified of the situation. James was, too.
“What’s he up to?” Austin asked James.
“I don’t know.” James looked over at the kid with the spiky hair and green eyes. Austin grabbed onto his arm, the pressure from his grasp made James wince.
“I want to find out what he has in mind. Just for fun.”
James looked at Austin, then back at the boy. At least one of us is having fun. This sure isn’t what I thought we’d be doing tonight.
Austin turned toward the shivering boy. He wanted to laugh at the kid; skinny and pale, in his boxers and socks, standing in a field with an injured foot, at the mercy of he and James. But now the kid had started to turn the tables on them. Austin only wanted to humiliate the kid by having him stand in the clearing naked, and the boy turned it into some twisted sex offender thing. Even Austin had limits he wasn’t willing to cross.
And now, the kid wanted to negotiate.
“What do you have that we might want?” Austin inquired.
“My family’s rich, I could bring you some money. Or a new computer. My dad works with computers.”
Austin considered the offers set before him, and decided to play along. “If we say we want ten-thousand dollars, or some hookers, or a new car, you’ll get them for us and come back?”
The kid with the spiky brown hair nodded. “Ask for it, and it’s yours.”
Austin looked at James, then back at their skinny prey. He let out a short laugh. “Don’t think so, kid. We let you go, you won’t come back with money, you’ll come back with the cops.” Almost instantly, he saw the boy’s bony shoulders slump as he was handed his defeat. “You really think we’re stupid enough to let you go?”
“Austin,” he heard James say from behind him. He then felt James’s hand on his shoulder.
Austin swung around and batted the hand away. The force of the strike knocking James off-balance.
“Don’t touch me! I told you. No one ever touches me!” He pushed James away from him, then pivoted on one foot toward the half-naked boy.
Austin reached into the duffel bag once again and took out a small butane torch. He heard the hiss of the gas, pressed a button on the side, and a spark from within brought the blue flame to life. Austin’s face glowed in the light of the flame.
“We’re gonna have a little fun, kid,” Austin said, staring at the torch’s flame. With his other hand he placed the knife into the flame and watched as the blade started to heat.
The shirtless boy looked at James, who in turn looked back at him. James had an idea about what he thought Austin was planning to do. The very thought sent chills through him. He had witnessed this from Austin before and didn’t want to be around for what was coming.
James saw the blade blacken and smoke. Soon the knife’s blade was covered in blackness; no hint of its previously shiny face could be seen.
James’s eyes were fixated on the blade and the flame. The blue fire licked the blade on all sides like a thirsty dog lapping water from a bowl.
Austin handed the still lit torch to James who extinguished the flame. Austin spat on the blade, which sizzled as the spit met the heat.
James saw the boy wince.
“My uncle used to brand cattle,” Austin began. “It meant they were owned by the guy who had the ranch. I think James and I need to make our mark on you.”
“Austin,” James moved forward, “You can’t brand the kid. Come on. Don’t be stupid.” He immediately regretted his choice of words.
“Stupid? Did you just call me stupid?”
“No, no, of course not. I...” Austin stood and smacked him in the face. James stood for a moment, stunned. The side of his face both numb and burning at the same time. He tasted blood.
Austin grasped the back of James’s neck, forced him to sit on the tree stump. “Next time you try anything, I’m gonna brand you!” Austin started to lurch toward the boy.
“Where should I put it?” he asked himself. He circled his skinny prisoner, moving the knife over each area mentioned. “The chest? The back? Maybe someplace no one will see?” He moved the blade down toward the kid’s Batman boxers, then back up again. “So many choices.”
James rose from the tree stump. He knew he had to stop this, even if it meant putting himself in harm’s way. He took a step forward.
“This might hurt,” Austin said. “I hope it does.” He moved the knife’s point toward the boy’s chest.
“Austin!” James yelled, almost ready to jump on Austin’s back and tackle him to the ground. He knew if he tried that he would surely be stabbed in the end.
“You got a problem, James?” Austi
n asked without turning around.
“I think we should...” James stopped mid-sentence, thinking hard for some idea that would get him out of what was now a dangerous situation for him.
“Let’s take him back to your uncle’s place. Less likely someone will come by, especially if the kid starts screaming.”
James watched as Austin turned and looked at him, the knife now pointed toward his direction. Did I say too much? James thought. Was it a stupid idea? Is he going to brand me for interrupting?
Finally, Austin lowered the knife, and nodded. “Yeah, I like that idea. Glad to see you’re finally thinking,” Austin said with a slight laugh as he stood. “It is getting a little cold out here.”
Austin turned and looked down at the kid. “James, watch him while I get things packed. We’re about to take a little trip,” Austin said.
As James nodded and let out a quiet sigh of relief, Austin lunged toward him, the sharp, hot tip of the hunting knife’s blade digging into James’s throat. The blade burned James’s tender neck flesh and he let out a small yelp, surprised by the sudden pain. Austin’s other hand pressed against James’s upper back making it impossible for him to move.
“And if he runs this time,” Austin said in a forced whisper, the smell of cigarettes invading James’s nose, “this will be the last night you or anyone else hears your voice. Got it?”
James could feel the knife’s hot tip pierce his neck even deeper. He swallowed hard, which only seemed to drive the tip further into his neck. “Yes,” James said in a cautious whisper. “I understand.”
Austin released James and pulled the knife away. James wiped his hand underneath his neck and looked at his bloody fingers. He knew without looking that his neck was burned as well.
