Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
|
Post by Zephyros Aetai on Oct 21, 2009 22:58:34 GMT -5
"I love you too," Zeph said, listening intently. "I'm in a large room... like an abandoned warehouse. There's only the camera they took that first video with, and a chair that I was tied to. There's a tube of like surgical rubber... that's what they used to give me the drugs when I first got here. I can't hear anything outside, I haven't heard anything except them since they brought me here. There's... five or six men. All men. I haven't heard more than three voices, but I know I've dealt with more than three people, otherwise I'd have been able to fight back or something when they beat me."
He paused, biting his lip. "They tend to disappear during the day... maybe going to work? I can't move very well; it took me nearly an hour to get to the phone from only halfway across the room. The men have very dark skin... like people from Aritha's gypsy camp, but not like they're from Africa or something. They only speak Greek... And a language among themselves, but I haven't been awake enough to try to understand when they speak it. I don't know where I am... I was unconscious when they brought me here, and I woke up right as they were filming that video."
It was still silent outside. He clutched the phone like it was all that was keeping him alive. "Jason... Promise me. You won't be there when they... promise me."
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 21, 2009 23:09:03 GMT -5
Jason spoke quickly, repeating and paraphrasing key words and phrases of Zeph's descriptions so Paula could hear and possibly record them.
"Large room, like an empty warehouse. One camera, one chair. Tube of surgical rubber, used to give him drugs. No sound from outside. Five or six people involved, all men. Not around much in the daytime. They have dark skin, like Aritha's people. They speak only Greek, and something else among themselves. Zeph doesn't know where he is, he was out cold when they brought him."
He paused to take a breath and listen to Zeph's next words. His heart sank.
"I can't promise you that," he told him, his voice coming out in a whisper. He looked at Paula again, waiting to see if she would give him more questions to ask.
|
|
|
Post by paulaharris on Oct 21, 2009 23:31:43 GMT -5
Paula's mind worked furiously during this exchange. She logged everything Jason said away for use later.
"Tell him that you and Aritha and I are working on getting him out. Tell him to struggle against the kidnappers but not to resist - if he's docile, they'll get suspicious, and if he puts up too much of a fuss, they'll get tired and knock him off early. Tell him to find the line between the two and stick to it. Anything else he can tell us right now would be helpful."
She leaned forward. "And tell him to stop thinking about death. I know that's what he's thinking about. Tell him that we are going to get him out alive, no matter what."
Maybe. Paula thought, but she pushed that thought away as soon as it came. There was no maybe when her students were involved.
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 21, 2009 23:43:20 GMT -5
Jason nodded, licking his dry lips before he spoke again to Zeph.
"Aritha and Professor Harris and I are working on getting you out," he said, trying to keep his tone soothing. "Be sure to struggle against your captors, but don't resist -- and don't be too tame either. Find some balance between passive and aggressive, and stick to it. And keep your mind away from death. We're going to get you out alive, no matter what. Think of me," he added.
"Is there anything else you can tell us about where you are or who has you?"
|
|
Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
|
Post by Zephyros Aetai on Oct 21, 2009 23:55:19 GMT -5
Zeph whimpered... and started coughing. No! No, he couldn't let Jason hear how bad that was... He wiped the blood from his lips, breathing carefully. "I can't struggle... I can't. Jason..."
Tears slid down his face as he started coughing again. Lifting his head, he gasped. "Jason, I love you... I have to go."
He hid the phone carefully, praying they wouldn't notice. He would claim he was looking for some water... The door slammed open and he curled up into a tight ball, looking up at them. <I... I need some water... Can't breathe...>
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 22, 2009 0:04:54 GMT -5
"I love you too," Jason answered shakily, just before the line went dead. He slowly lowered the phone from his ear, staring down at the number on the screen. Swallowing, he looked at Paula again.
"What do we do now?" he asked in a whisper.
|
|
|
Post by paulaharris on Oct 22, 2009 0:12:11 GMT -5
Paula sat for a moment, deep in thought. "We do a couple of things. First of all, we go back to the Aetai house. I want to talk to the entire family, and you two, all at once. Second, we send this number to the police. I happen to know the police chief of a town nearby... from last year. Don't ask, I won't tell. He and his people can run the number and see who it's registered to. I'm guessing that Zeph didn't block the number when he called."
"And third, and most importantly, we do not panic." She looked dead into Jason's eyes. "Jason, you are doing a great job so far, but this can only get worse before it gets better. I'm going to throw that on the table right now. Whatever happens, you must not break down and you must not lose focus. Zeph's life is too important. You must remain calm and rational. The same goes for you, Aritha. Do you two understand?"
Paula finished off her coffee and tossed the empty cup over her shoulder. It landed in a trash can directly behind her.
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 22, 2009 0:15:13 GMT -5
Jason nodded once, breathing deeply to calm himself. "Yes, ma'am."
|
|
|
Post by Aritha Bianca Kairavi on Oct 22, 2009 0:24:07 GMT -5
Aritha had crushed the cup as the conversation continued, tears standing in her eyes. At Paula's demand, she nodded quickly. "Yes, Professor. Anything to get Zeph back."
Oh Zeph... Zeph my brother... please be okay. She threw her cup away, ignoring the remaining coffee. Rubbing her arms, she looked at Paula. "He said they were dark-skinned... like my people. Zeph couldn't possibly know everyone... I don't even know everyone; we have some new families that just joined us."
Her hands flew to her mouth. "Oh gods... do you think...?"
|
|
|
Post by paulaharris on Oct 22, 2009 0:36:47 GMT -5
Paula stood quickly. "Yes. It is entirely possible that whoever did this managed to infiltrate your people. If that is the case, than this is developing into a massive conspiracy theory. Whoever did this would have to have people both inside the Aetai mansion and your people."
"I think now, the best course of action is to return to the Aetai island." Paula said, beginning to gather up the files and put them back in the briefcase. "I assume that you managed to get me a room in the mansion. If I have to stay at a hotel than that will severely hinder my ability to help with this investigation. And Jason, I will need that phone number written down and in my hand by the time we leave the airport. I need to text the number to my police chief friend so that they can find out the phone that it belongs to."
She reached over and hit the table in front of Jason and Aritha. "Alright, children. Let's move out."
|
|
|
Post by Aritha Bianca Kairavi on Oct 22, 2009 1:01:13 GMT -5
Aritha nodded, "Even if Jason didn't, they'll give you one. They just want Zeph back..."
She bit her lip, trying to keep the tears out of her eyes. Her heart ached, hoping Zephyros was going to be okay. Would they kill him for just moving? They wouldn't have left a phone where he could reach it, so that meant he'd moved to get to it... what if they figured out what had happened? No, no panicking... Panicking might only get Zeph killed if he wasn't gone already...
And if he was... gone... panicking wasn't going to do any good. She could freak out when they got Zeph back, in whatever condition.
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 22, 2009 11:06:17 GMT -5
Jason quickly pulled a clean napkin toward him, digging in a pocket of his jacket for a pen. You never knew when one might come in handy. Pulling it out, he started to write the phone number down on the napkin, his heart skipping when the pen didn't work right away. He scribbled on a corner of the napkin, trying to get the ink flowing, and sighed at the dark blue lines that showed on the flimsy paper.
He wrote down the number quickly and clearly, then handed the napkin to Paula. The caffeine buzz in his head was starting to fade, and now that he was calmer, without adrenaline driving him, he began to really notice how tired and hungry he was. He hadn't slept or eaten since the fifth. He hoped Zeph's captors would give him the mercy of food and water, if nothing else.
|
|
|
Post by paulaharris on Oct 22, 2009 14:16:28 GMT -5
---------- The cab ride had felt a lot longer than it had been. Paula had busied herself by rereading the notes that had been sent to her from the school. There was not a lot there, but Paula knew that even the slightest detail could not be overlooked - she had to know the ins and outs of this family as if she were one of them in order to make any progress with this. The pressure was mounting - Paula knew that Jason and Aritha, Jason especially, were relying on her to solve this case. The fact that she was personally involved with all of these kids, being their teacher, made the entire situation more stressful for her.
Jason's snoring had not helped whatsoever.
By the time that Paula and the kids arrived at the Aetai island, her mounting feeling of pressure was fully repressed, and her cool businesslike manner had returned. She had brushed past the servants who attempted to take her briefcase and coat from her and headed back to a large room with a TV in it. After she crossed through the door, she turned on her heel and spoke to Jason and Aritha quickly.
"Someone gather the entire family here. Tell them to bring the video and anything else they have that might help." Paula sat in a chair and opened her briefcase. She could read the files again one more time while the family was gathering.
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 22, 2009 14:28:11 GMT -5
"I'll do it." Jason got up from the couch a little too quickly, and swayed a little. Sleeping in the cab had helped with his exhaustion, but he really needed to eat. And a shave wouldn't be bad either.
Later, he promised himself as he left the room hurriedly, calling everyone he could find and urging them to gather in the living room. He slipped back into the living room himself, sinking down onto the couch next to Aritha and slipping his hand into hers.
"How are you doing?"
|
|
|
Post by Aritha Bianca Kairavi on Oct 22, 2009 14:32:03 GMT -5
"A lot better than you, Jason... you need something to eat. Stay here, I'll get you something from the kitchen really quickly," she said, patting his cheek a little with her free hand. "You need to take care of yourself too or you won't be able to do any good later."
She stood and hurried to the kitchen, finding the cupboard Zeph had arranged for Jason and just grabbing a bit of an assortment. The junk food she would be interested in wasn't what the werewolf needed right now.
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 22, 2009 14:40:04 GMT -5
"Danke," Jason smiled as Aritha returned with food for him. He ate slowly and carefully, knowing that eating too much too fast would upset his stomach and impede all his efforts to stay focused on the task at hand. He watched Paula carefully over the top of a glass of soy milk, which he sipped from as the rest of Zeph's family filed into the room.
|
|
|
Post by paulaharris on Oct 22, 2009 15:03:10 GMT -5
Once the family was in the room, Paula set her files on the small table next to the chair and stood. She finally shed her coat, setting in on her chair, and drew herself up to her full height. Then she stepped out a few steps to where everyone in the room could see.
"Good morning." She said clearly and precisely. "My name is Paula Harris. I am a former detective and a teacher at your son and brother's school."
Without waiting for anyone to respond, she cleared her throat continued. "Alright, bullshit's over. Down to business. I believe, from what I know, that Zeph's kidnapping was a carefully planned and skillfully executed event. The important thing to remember right now is that our first priority will have to be to identify the kidnappers. We find the who and the why, finding the where becomes a lot easier."
Paula began to pace in front of the family, her hands clasped behind her back, her eyes watching their faces intently with a firm, but not cold, glare that she had perfected during her years on the Springfield police force. "Whoever did this knew where Zephyros was going to be, and when, and that he was going with only Jason and no one else. Which suggests to me that there is an information leak on this island. This could either be an electronic bugging of the house or a servant that is giving information to the kidnappers. The second is more likely."
"I also think that something that needs to be brought to you attention right away is the motive. At first, it seems to be money. However, Mr. Aetai, sir, you are a very wealthy man. You have your own private island. Two million dollars is a small amount to ask in comparison to what you probably have. Which leads me to believe that either the kidnappers are stupid, or there is a personal motive at work here as well."
Paula stopped pacing and folded her arms across her chest. "Would anyone like to comment on any of those things before we watch the ransom video?"
|
|
Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
|
Post by Zephyros Aetai on Oct 22, 2009 19:28:58 GMT -5
Dawn immediately buried her face into her husband's neck, clinging to him tightly. Astraios tried to soothe his wife softly, looking at Jason. "Ms. Harris, I think it would be wisest if Jason and my wife do not watch the video again... they found it difficult enough the first time."
Dawn stifled a wail, babbling in a mixture of English and Greek that made no sense in either language. Astraios kept trying to calm her down, finding it difficult. She was too distressed at the thought of her son being in the hands of whatever horrible men had him. He sighed softly, still trying to calm her down.
Euros shifted, his blue eyes avoiding the television. Seeing that terrified expression on his brother's face... There might have been a day he would have found it funny... if he'd known Zeph was going to be okay. But now... they were running out of time, and they were no closer to finding him. He looked at the floor. If they didn't find him before the time ran out... Zeph was certain they were going to kill him, money or no money. Did Professor Harris really think they were going to find him in time? They had thirty hours left... Zeph had thirty hours left... Euros put his face in his hands. If Zeph was still alive.
If you make it out of this, Zephyros... I'll never fight with you over something stupid again.
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 22, 2009 19:32:42 GMT -5
Thank you, Jason thought, hearing Mr. Aetai's words and curling up where he sat. He didn't think he could stand seeing Zeph in such pain again... it had hurt badly enough the first time, and during that blessing of a phone call. He unconsciously tightened his grip on Aritha's hand, looking at Paula for her decision.
|
|
|
Post by paulaharris on Oct 22, 2009 20:11:48 GMT -5
Paula nodded understandingly. "I would like Jason and Mrs. Aetai present during the discussion of this investigation. All opinions and views need to be considered. However, if they step out of the room during the viewing of the ransom video, I understand completely. Whenever you are ready, please put the video in. Time is of the essence here."
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 22, 2009 20:19:15 GMT -5
Jason set aside his empty plate and glass, getting up quickly and leaving the room. He remained within earshot of anyone in the room who would call him back once the video was finished with. He leaned against the wall, his eyes darting around restlessly.
A chill settled deep in his heart. Not so long ago he and Zeph had walked these hallways together, happy and carefree... Would Zeph ever walk these halls again?
He pushed the thought away, focusing on the present, and what they knew. Zeph was alive, or had been at the time of the phone call, not very long ago. They still had thirty hours before the ransom was due. He prayed it would be enough.
|
|
Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
|
Post by Zephyros Aetai on Oct 22, 2009 20:49:14 GMT -5
Dawn stood on the other side of the doorway, her face in her hands. She was still crying, but wasn't so hysterical anymore. This Harris woman seemed to know what she was doing... m-maybe Zeph would make it home alive? Her poor boy...
She refused to look over at Jason... out of guilt. After all she'd said to him... after all she'd done to hurt him and make him leave and now he was just trying to help... All he'd done was try to help get Zephyros back...
Euros glanced at the window as his father put the tape in the player. Again, he watched Zeph's head get pulled up, saw that blank expression and then the fear as he seemed to understand what was going on... and then snow. He'd been staring so intently Zeph's face seemed burned into his eyes. His passionate brother...
Astraios had given Paula a translation through the tape, his voice choked. Their time was running out... And he was hesitant to give them the money if Zeph was so certain they were going to kill him anyway... When it switched to snow, he hung his head and covered his eyes. He hadn't slept since seeing the tape... he couldn't. All he could see was Zephyros' terrified face... and then as if Zephyros was asleep... Except he knew his son wasn't asleep. It had woken him every time he closed his eyes...
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 22, 2009 21:12:58 GMT -5
Jason glanced over at Zeph's mother every so often; she never looked back at him. He felt terribly for her, having to face such horrors falling on her youngest son... her favorite son. Maybe he should tell her about the phone call... but he knew she would never stop questioning him if he did, and they were running out of precious time.
He stepped over to her, facing her and laying a hand on her shoulder before he spoke. Even if she didn't look at him, she needed to hear him.
"There is still hope for Zeph," he told her calmly. "He's alive, wherever he is. I can feel it. We're going to find him and bring him home. I will see him safe and alive in your arms again, even if it's through dying eyes. You have my word."
|
|
Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
|
Post by Zephyros Aetai on Oct 22, 2009 21:19:46 GMT -5
She looked at him and, surprisingly, pulled him in a hug, "Don't say that. Zeph would be shattered if that happened... if he lost you. And now I see why. I'm sorry for those things I said. I'm so sorry."
She started crying, sniffing a little. "M-my poor baby! He's never been through anything like this." Apparently she didn't know about most of the events of the previous year...
|
|
Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
|
Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 22, 2009 21:30:46 GMT -5
...And Jason wasn't about to tell her. He held her comfortingly as she cried against him, speaking to her gently.
"It's alright. I know how much Zeph means to you; I don't blame you for not approving of me." He tactfully decided against revealing his canine nature anytime in the near future. Maybe once this was over, once Zeph was safe and sound. "Zeph is strong. He'll get through this. He won't let them break him."
Jason took his own words and lodged them in his heart, strengthening his hope with them.
|
|