Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 25, 2009 22:02:15 GMT -5
Jason slipped into the room, blinking at the difference in light; it was much brighter out in the hallway than it was in here. He was still dressed in his day clothes, though he had traded in his shoes for a pair of slippers. He held a steaming cup of coffee in one hand. Carefully he stepped toward the figure at the window, coming up beside her and looking up into her face.
"Professor... are you doing alright?" he asked her softly.
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Post by paulaharris on Oct 25, 2009 22:07:14 GMT -5
Paula focused on her reflection in the glass. She looked exhausted and worn out. No wonder Jason had asked. Well, there was no use lying to the boy.
"I've been better, Jason." She said slowly. "I've been better. But I've been worse, too. I've had cases worse than this one, and I made it out alive." She glanced at Jason's reflection. "But I'm the professional. I'm used to this. The question is... are you doing alright?"
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 25, 2009 22:28:49 GMT -5
Jason hesitated for a moment. There was no point in lying to her when she had just been honest with him.
"I've been better, too," he confessed. "I'm really scared... but I'm trying to work around it. This is just so different than anything I've faced before... it's like a movie, almost, except the danger is real, and personal. I've had a countdown in my head for days now... I can't stand the thought of just sitting here in the comfort of this hotel while Zeph is trapped in some basement, alone and hurting... I can't imagine how scared he is right now."
He pulled in a slow, shaky breath. "And trying to be brave for his sake... it's not about just not being scared. It's about looking my fear in the eye, giving it a nod, and then ramming my knee into its nuts." He attempted a smile. "And that isn't always easy."
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Post by paulaharris on Oct 25, 2009 22:32:47 GMT -5
Paula nodded. "It's a motel, not a hotel, and compared to what I was staying in in Paris or the Aetai mansion, this is a trash heap. Still better than my first apartment, though."
She turned to face Jason. "That a very mature thing to say, Jason. I think you're being very calm and collected about this entire thing, which is why you're here with me instead of back at the Aetai mansion. It's because I trust that you'll perform to the best of your abilities to help Zeph."
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 25, 2009 22:55:18 GMT -5
Jason laughed softly at Paula's joke. "Yeah... pretty much anywhere looks trashy compared to the Aetai mansion. Except Dunehelden."
He nodded solemnly at her next words. "Well, going into hysterics doesn't help anyone if someone's in trouble. Sometimes you can't help it, but eventually you have to get focused on what you need to do, and just do it. I love Zeph with my whole heart... I'd do anything to see him safe and returned to his family. I'd die for him," he added, recalling a time he almost had. His legs still ached at the very memory. "Without hesitation."
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Post by paulaharris on Oct 25, 2009 23:05:25 GMT -5
Paula turned away, staring back down at the alley. "As long as I'm still alive, Jason, you won't have to. I'm here to protect you and Aritha just as much as I am to rescue Zeph."
"I called Ian a little while ago." She said. "I didn't tell him details but he knows that you and Aritha are safe. According to Natalie, who I talked to afterwards, he's done nothing but sit around freaking out. He won't eat or sleep. Natalie can... distract him... occasionally but it's a temporary solution. One of you should call him and talk to him later tonight, if you feel up to it."
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 25, 2009 23:07:26 GMT -5
Jason nodded. "I'll do that tonight. How much should I tell him, if he asks what's going on?"
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Post by paulaharris on Oct 25, 2009 23:11:36 GMT -5
"Just assure him that you and Aritha are alright, and that Zeph will be alright soon. I think it'll do him good just to hear the sound of someone's voice that isn't mine." Paula turned.
"Now, I think it's time for us to return to the other room. Perhaps the other two have stumbled onto something while we've been gone." She strode out of the room, motioned for Jason to follow her.
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 25, 2009 23:29:16 GMT -5
Jason followed Paula in silence, his hand slipping into his pocket and gripping his cellphone. Thankfully he had remembered to charge it before leaving the mansion. He sat down on a chair in the corner of the other room, quickly calling Ian. The conversation was short, and Jason spent the better part of it trying to calm down a frantic Ian. He sighed after he hung up, looking over at Paula.
"I'm going to try and get some sleep... I'll need to be awake and alert for when we find him." He tried to keep his voice confident, but knew that the hours he slept would be irreplaceable. They would have that much less time to find Zeph... he would have that much less time.
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Oct 25, 2009 23:43:46 GMT -5
- - -
6 PM, July eighth. Euros stared at the ceiling dully... Aritha's people had searched every inch of the area within ten miles of the alley... but there was only so far they could look, and there were so many possible places that could be described as 'like a warehouse.' Euros was giving up hope. They had three hours... three hours to find and save Zephyros... if he was still alive. Euros was beginning to doubt even that. He was in bed, having tried to get some sleep earlier when their continued searching for information continued to be without fruit. But he hadn't slept. Aritha was disraught, but her father had ordered her to stay in the camp... and out of Paula's way until she was called for. Which was why Euros was staring at the ceiling in the other room while Aritha's father kept looking for information, and did his best to help keep the peace.
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Post by paulaharris on Oct 25, 2009 23:50:26 GMT -5
Paula paced the length of the room. Her face was a mask of stress and frustration. Hours dragged on like eternities, and the still the search had turned up nothing. The kidnappers were this city. Paula knew that they had to be. But as the hours dragged on, she felt her loose grip on confidence slipping.
She had done all she could for Zephyros and his family. She knew it, and they knew it. But what if the unthinkable happened? What if she failed? There was only three hours left until Zeph would be killed. And the trail had all but gone cold.
NO. She told herself firmly. There are still three hours left. I will find something. There is a lead... something we haven't discovered yet. If we keep looking... we'll find it.
We HAVE to find it.
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 26, 2009 0:08:46 GMT -5
Jason huddled in a corner of the couch, his legs pulled up to his chest and his arms wrapped around his shins. He couldn't keep himself from shaking. Three hours. Zeph had three hours. Jason focused his thoughts on his boyfriend, remembering the good times, the love and the comfort, and trying to glean some comfort from them, but no such mercy awaited him. He slid to the floor, crossed himself and knelt, tears running down his face.
O Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, he prayed silently, if you can hear me... if you will hear me... have pity on Zephyros, and on me. Give us the time, the means and the ability to find my beloved and bring him to safety, and his kidnappers to justice. Help us conquer our fears with hope, and preserve Zephyros from the hands of pain and death.
He whispered aloud the final "Amen," and lifted his head. His tears were drying on his cheeks, and his heart was beating quickly, but steadily. He wiped a hand across his face and stood up again. A strange, unnamed feeling was flooding through him, neither calm nor fear. Could it be the hope he had been praying for? He had almost forgotten what pure hope felt like.
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Oct 26, 2009 0:10:29 GMT -5
Zephyros’ head slumped against his chest, his breathing shallow and slow. The one he’d mentally nicknamed ‘Muscles’ lifted his head roughly and he struggled to remain completely limp. They would leave to get something to eat soon… as long as they thought he was unconscious. They usually did at this time… Zeph was counting on that. They would want to be well-fed before they tortured him one last time…. All he wanted was the chance to say goodbye for good, to hear Jason’s voice just one last time…
Finally ‘Muscles’ let his head drop. <He’s out, boss. And with the beating we gave him, he won’t be up for a while. We might have to find a way to wake him for the last act.>
Forget the stupid lines just get out of here, Zephyros thought urgently, though he kept his breathing controlled. It was hard, when he couldn’t seem to get enough oxygen no matter how hard he tried. Everything constantly spun, making him feel even more disoriented than he already was. FINALLY, he heard them leave and he raised his head. He was back in the chair… but his arms were not bound to the arms of the chair. Listening for a while longer, he blinked and looked at the door. They’d left it open! He took a careful breath of fresh air… the gods were smiling on him in his last hours. Looking closely at what he could see, his heart soared. Maybe… His fingers scrambled for the phone that rested just above his broken ribs, just where they weren’t hitting him anymore. For now, at least. As he opened the phone he realized there were only three hours… But that didn’t matter anymore.
Dialing hurt his fingers more than it had last time, but he didn’t panic about connecting this time. He held the phone to his ear with his good hand, his eyes closing for a moment. Finally, it was answered and he sighed softly. “Jason? I love you… I need you to give the phone to Paula. Please.”
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 26, 2009 0:14:03 GMT -5
Jason jumped as his phone vibrated in his pocket, pulling it out quickly and answering it without looking at the number. When he heard Zeph's voice on the other end, his voice broke as he answered.
"Zeph! I'm here, I love you too... hold on one second--" He rushed to Paula's side and thrust the phone into her hand. "It's Zeph. He needs to talk to you."
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Post by paulaharris on Oct 26, 2009 0:16:50 GMT -5
Paula snapped into action immediately, not allowing her emotions time to react.
"Get the trace started!" She barked at Aritha's father, a little harsher than she had intended, but he would understand. She seized the phone from Jason and pressed it against her ear.
"Zeph, talk to me. Stay on the line. We're starting the trace."
Thank you, God.
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Oct 26, 2009 0:21:17 GMT -5
Zephyros sobbed, "You don't need the trace. They left the door open. Paula, I can see my father's office. I'd recognize that building anywhere. The light is reflecting into my eyes... I'm on the west. Three or four miles, I can't see clearly enough to tell. They've gone to get some food... They should be back in an hour. I can't tell you any more... c-can I talk to Jason now, please?"
His voice broke. If they found him on the phone, if they came back sooner than normal, they wouldn't wait for the deadline. He knew that... and he wanted to get the chance to speak with Jason FIRST. It was the main reason he'd called...
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Post by paulaharris on Oct 26, 2009 0:25:36 GMT -5
Fucking idiots. Thank God for fucking idiots.
Paula shoved the phone back into Jason's hands. "Talk to him as long as he can. Calm him down. Tell him we're coming." She started for the door, barking orders as she went. "Euros, Jason, come with me. Jason, keep talking to Zeph. GO!"
Time to end this.
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 26, 2009 0:30:14 GMT -5
Jason rushed out the door after Paula, his heart racing. Thank you, Mary! Thank you, Lord!
"Zeph, it's Jason. We're on our way. You're going to be okay." The words pulsed through his mind and heart like blood, giving new vigor to his hope. "You will be free again."
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Oct 26, 2009 0:34:39 GMT -5
Zephyros just cried into the phone, choking and coughing. He didn't even care about the blood that came in occasional spurts to his lips. "Jason... Jason, I love you... I can't tell you how much, I can't say it enough. I want to see you so badly... I'm so afraid to hope... Gods Jason, I'm so afraid..."
Euros leapt at Paula's voice, digging out his cell phone. "Where is he?! Aritha is going to want to help! She's really strong, we could really use her help!"
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Post by paulaharris on Oct 26, 2009 0:37:51 GMT -5
Paula waved her hand at Euros. "Call her and have her meet us at Zeph's father's work. That's where we'll start. We'll head towards where Zeph described he was. Now we need to go."
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 26, 2009 0:38:17 GMT -5
"I love you too." Jason's heart pounded in time with the words. "I love you too." Mary, give him hope... "We're coming, Zeph. Keep talking to me. Keep thinking of me. Don't give up. I'm not going to." A sob rose in his throat at Zeph's all-too-tangible pain and fear. "I'm not going to."
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Oct 26, 2009 0:42:40 GMT -5
Zephyros sniffed a little and started coughing worse. Each breath was an agony that he could barely stand... and yet one he looked forward to so much, because it meant he was still alive, and Jason was coming and he was going to see Jason again... "I can't give up Jason, I've made it this far... Jason, I want to see you so badly..." He started coughing again, spitting out the blood that filled his mouth.
Euros called Aritha quickly, getting her the information with his heart singing. Zeph was alive, he was conscious... and he was only an hour away! They could do this!
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Jason Hiller
Ireth
University Freshman: Lycanthrope
Just another nancy boy...
Posts: 1,433
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Post by Jason Hiller on Oct 26, 2009 0:48:56 GMT -5
"You will see me again!" Jason's voice was fierce even in his own ears. "I promise you that!"
He sucked in a breath, his lungs burning as he ran. "Keep breathing, Zeph... one breath at a time. Remember that I love you. Pray to your gods. Do - not - give - up!"
His words were coming in gasps, and there was a stitch searing in his side, but he kept up his pace. One breath, one step, one heartbeat at a time, he would get closer and closer to Zeph. He would find his beloved, and set him free once and for all.
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Post by paulaharris on Oct 26, 2009 0:54:31 GMT -5
----------
This is the end.
The group arrived at the building with two hours to spare. There were no words on the ride over. The analysts had pinpointed the exact location, and how there was nothing left to do but rescue Zeph.
Paula, her gun drawn, led the way up to the door. She stood outside for a moment, then turned and whispered to the three students behind her. "When the door opens, I will give them a chance to surrender. If they do not, we will apprehend them. They are not to be killed unless there is no other choice." She turned back around and took a deep breath.
Then, with no preamble, her foot connected with the door. Something cracked and the door swung open, revealing the inside of the building. Paula's finger flipped the safety off and her arms raised her firearm.
"Police!" She barked. "Get your hands where I can see them!"
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Zephyros Aetai
Kitty Kat
Academy Junior: Small God
Even the mightest Hurricane started as the gentlest of breezes...
Posts: 1,380
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Post by Zephyros Aetai on Oct 26, 2009 0:59:28 GMT -5
Zeph's head was held up by his hair again, his eyes barely open. Blood trickled from his lips, each breath a struggle. There was a knife held to his throat, and the boss looked at her. <You are too late.> The knife slid slowly across Zeph's throat... and his consciousness faded away. Jason...
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