"Tattoos and Kidnappings"

ALEX

"Oh, Jack, that is hot. Nice."

"You like that, eh?"

"Yeah."

"Yours is hot too."

"Story of my life." I said, as Jack pulled me on to his lap, and kissed me. Moments like this, man. Even since we left, it's not like what happened could just go away. There was no vacation for us. Just a little more stress. So, not much of a point, I guess. We were gonna head home soon enough. But first, of course, we had to have something to show the guys back in Detroit. So I got 'Jack' tattooed on my lower back, as kinda of a caption to the design already there, and 'Spares' tattooed on me, like Jack, but on the back of my left shoulder. He got 'Alex' tattooed on his left chest, over his heart. Aww. Okay, I apologize for that. Sentimental moment is over now. Ooh, and I got my nipple pierced. God, I'm kidding. No, I won't prove it. Screw you, man. Anyway, it was time to go home. We got in the car. Jack, in the driver's seat, turned to me.

"You ready?"

"We're never ready Jack. In the whole time you've known me, have I ever been ready?"

"Well, then," He started the car, "Let's go home."

Of course, being me, I can't help but break into quiet song.

"My heart is beating from me, I am standing all alone. Please call me only, if you are coming home."

"What's that?"

"Green Day. Homecoming."

"Cool. Got anything I know?"

"Of course." I put in a CD. 'Walk This Way' started. "Everyone likes Aerosmith."

"Yeah, but who can actually sing along to this song?"

JACK

Ah, Detroit. I missed it so. Okay no I didn't. But I missed the people here. No, not the dealers, pimps, and gangbangers. The family and friends. We pulled up in front of the house. We got out, got our shit and went to the front door. When we came in, we went straight upstairs, and came back down after we dropped our stuff. Bobby's jaw hit the floor, but Angel hardly noticed. He was like, in a trance or something.

"Morning." Alex said, smiling.

"Where the hell were you? You just FUCKING take off like that!"

"Yes. We're sorry. Very much so."

"Can't we deal with this later? Something's wrong, isn't it?" I asked. "Angel? Bobby." I looked at Bobby, concerned.

"Sofi's gone."

"What happened? They fight?"

"They took her, Jack."

"Who?"

Bobby handed Alex the note, which we both read. "Jesus." Alex ran her hand through her hair. "Damnit. Sofi...What happened?"

"She was saying how some guys were hittin' on her, and it was real bad, we had to take care-a them, but, I dunno, they took us down. It's bigger that just some assholes this time. We're talking, Sweet-level. Maybe more, whatever, but we're waiting for a call." Bobby said. Angel still hadn't moved. That's when the phone rang. Fear instilled in us all. But Alex raced to the phone, after a moment, not wanting to lose a moment.

"Hello?" After an ungodly minute of anticipation, Alex hung up. "They gave a ransom."

"Ransom? What do they want?" Bobby asked.

"Me."

"What!" I practically deafened Angel with that.

"Listen, I don't know why, but all they said is, hand me over, and they won't kill her. They didn't say she gets free, just that they'll kill her if I don't go. So I'm going."

"What! No! Bobby--"

"Jack, I have to go, alright? I'll be fine. We're in no position to compromise. They said they wouldn't kill her. Homicidal conspirators don't lie. They find it takes away from the creepy factor."

I just stared at her, looking desperate for her to stay safe.

"Jack, don't think I'm not scared. I have to go, I'm going. None of you can stop me. I just want Sofi safe, and believe we both will be. They told me to meet them in an hour, public place, alone, so it doesn't look suspicious. Until then, here's what you can do..."

DEACON

"Really, Tyler, what's the problem? You never drink."

"Pffft. Hahaha, that's funny. I don't drink..."

"Haha I thought you'd like that. But really why now? Is something bothering you, man?" I had gone over to Tyler's, to see him drinking. I was more than happy to invite myself to join.

"Nothing is bothering me. I'm FABULOUS. Absolutabaly serene. Wheeee! See? Happy."

"So, how was YOUR day? Week? Month? Year? Solstice? How was your birthday, Tyler?" Yep. We were so drunk. You always seem more drunk when you're with other drunks. They really bring out the liquor content in you.

"My month SUCKED. Where the FUCK are Alex? And Jack? Where's the booze?" He said, reaching for the bottle, swaying, and having to attempt to grab it a few times before actually getting a hold of it, sloppily refilling his shot glass. Then there was knock at the door.

"Shit." I mumbled as I fumbled and stumbled to the door. I opened it to see Henry. "Well HELLOOOO Henry! Welcome to my humbable abodee. No wait, this is Tyler's place. Damn, how did I get here? Anyway, come in come in. Tyler look! It's HENRY! Whoooo!" I yelled, half-sarcastic, flailing my arms about wildly.

"Henry...Henry. Whoa...I..." He tried to stand up, but failed miserably.

"Hi. Whoa you guys are wasted. Man, gimme the booze. I'll make you guys some coffee. Come on."

So all I know is, the next day, I wake up on Tyler's couch, soo hungover but not as bad as I would have been if not for Henry. Tyler was ESPECIALLY appreciative, and by the sight I was greeted by when I looked into Ty's bedroom, I wasn't sure whether I should laugh, or just be severely freaked out.

ALEX

Damnit. Oh, God. No. Why? Why me? Frick. This is not good. Not good at all. No good. Very very bad. I suppose I should explain my distress. Stupid stupid Alex. I was captured by those guys. Taken. Things went very wrong. All I wanted was to meet them in a cafe, so I could find out why they wanted me, and if they would give up Sofi. I was supposed to call Bobby and tell him the terms, and locations, details of these guys, so maybe they could take care of them, but when I went to the bathroom, I was followed. Some random woman came up behind me, and pommeled me with a very large object. I should have figured. Bitch. I woke up tied to a chair, Sofi behind me, our chairs back-to-back, our four hands all bound together. "Well hey there Sof." I said, not taking my situation too seriously.

"Nice rescue attempt, Alex."

"Hey I was about to sacrifice myself to them for your life, so sue me. Next time don't whine about me not being there."

To tell you the truth, I'm not so sure how I got here. I just ended up somehow being captured for something. Anyway eventually, a couple of men came in to our little dungeon.

"What do you want?" Sofi spat.

"So rough," One man said, brushing Sofi's hair out of her face, "for such a pretty girl." Sofi cringed.

"Don't touch her." I snapped at him.

"You're in no position to threaten, my dear." Man #2 said to me. "We wouldn't want a repetition of a certain tragic event in your short life. You know the one."

"How do you know that? Leave me alone. Please. You wouldn't."

"Oh now she cooperates. Now she begs. I have connections, little one. I know what happened to you. Terrible, I'll give you that. But nevertheless, I need what I need, and I am going to get it. By any means necessary."

"I won't tell you shit. Actually, it depends on the question. But chances are, that will be my response. It usually is."

"So now Alex, are there any things in your past you regret?"

"Sure. Lots. Can we go now? That was easy."

"Not so hasty. That's just easing into it." And with that, he walked out.

"Alex?" Sofi asked, sheepishly.

"Yeah?"

"Are we gonna die here? Do you think he'll kill us?"

"No, Sofi. He might kill me though."

A while later, a few hours, maybe--we couldn't be sure, being stuck in this windowless mind-numbing prison and whatnot--the man came back in. "So, Alex, of all these things, what do you regret most?"

"Why are you doing this?"

"C'mon, Alex. The key to escaping is in the back of your mind, though I believe it is, or should be, fresh in your conscience. Until you admit this, well, this will be most unpleasant." He left, and a bit later returned, unbound the chairs together, after chloroforming Sofi, and took her into another room. Later on he came back this time bearing a Bic lighter.

"Ready to confess, my child?"

"Well, I'll take the Lord's name in vain a couple times, I'll tell you that in advance."

"Alexis. Always adding humor to the most tragic of situations. Aren't you scared?" I swallowed, saying nothing. "Of course you are."

"I am."

"You should be." With that he flicked the lighter.

"AGH! What do you want from me?" I yelled through clenched teeth. My thigh was on fire. A burning agony overthrew my attempt to withstand this torment. At first I was reluctant to answer. I would not give him anything. But the burn was just the start. I was beaten, had hair ripped out, and was even eletrocuted a few times. Shit, I hate life. This is not the proper karma for me. But he seemed to think so. But one day he crossed the line. Big time.

He started by bringing Sofi back into the room, bringing his little friends. They forced me to watch while they raped one of my best friends. At that point I would tell them almost anything. But the fuckers never told me what I needed to say or do. Since I had nothing to say that was relevent, they made it more 'personal'. I remember being on the ground, a faceless person above me, and a pain, of present and past, shooting through my body and soul. My memories all came back more vivid than ever to the point where I couldn't even separate the two events. I eventually blacked out, as it came to an end. But it was not the end.

JEREMIAH

"Shit! Where--Well where is she Bobby!" Jack yelled, objective to our attempts to calm him down. "Three days, Jerry! Three fucking days..." He broke down, falling into my arms and crying. "I just want to know if she's alright. I know she isn't, because then she woulda came back. I need to know...if she's alive. I need her back!"

"Shh...shh...she'll be back. She'll find a way." At that point, I heard a door upstairs open, then close. I motioned for Bobby to go upstairs, since Sofi had been gone too, no one forgot that. But certainly Angel could use a shoulder, a brother.

BOBBY

"Aynge?"

"Yeah, Bobby?" He said, like there was no concerned, like he was bored.

"We'll find her. We'll get 'em both. They'll be back."

Silence.

"You think this is easy? That it's so simple for me and Jerry, is that it? Like we can't relate?"

"No,"

"Then what, Angel. Let me in for once. Let it go. Just, give me something that I can help you with. I know this is incredibly hard for you. Man, even I miss Sofi. I just...Agh! I hate sitting here, wonderig if members of my family are even alive. I just...can't stand this! Agh!" I punched the wall. Angel came over to me, slowly pulling me into a hug, where we both broke into tears. Downstairs, Jack was still crying into Jeremiah's shoulder, as a single tear steamed down the older's face.