Chapter 7

 

Charlie and Chris approached them. They grabbed Howie first, pushing him over to Craig and Jack. Howie stood still. Hoping, praying it was all a nightmare. He was then ordered to take his shirt off. Howie did as he was told, and reluctantly pulled off his shirt. Brian, A.J., Kevin, and Nick watched as their friend, their brother was whipped. After just the first time they closed their eye, not able to bear the pain in Howie’s brown eyes. A.J. followed Howie. He collapsed to the ground, after his beating was over. Howie wrapped his arm around A.J., hoping to comfort him. Knowing though, that he couldn’t the pain was too intolerable. A.J. just looked over at him resting against the wall. Brian went after hesitating, before standing up. After Craig and Jack were through with him, Brian lay down on the cold cement, closing his eyes; somewhat relieved it was over. Kevin was the fourth to go. He sat down next to Brian, grimacing, as his bare back touched the wall. He then quietly began speaking to Brian. Knowing how much pain he was in, taking a beating and a whipping, in only a matter of days, not having time to recuperate after his first beating. Nick walked up slowly. For some reason they treated Nick worse, whipping him several more time then the others. The other four watched, as if in slow motion as Nick’s eyes rolled back into his head and he collapsed to the floor. Wanting desperately to run over and help Nick, the pain in their backs was too unbearable to walk. Instead they sat still, calling Nick’s name, hoping he would come to. Nick was picked up roughly. The other four Backstreet Boys were ordered to get up and walk. They looked up at Rob, stunned. How he could possibly think that they could just get up and walk was beyond them.

 

Kevin slowly stood up. Using his hands for support. Shaking in pain, he lent a hand to help up Howie. A.J. stood up wincing as pain shot up his back. Brian sat up next. He then pulled himself up. As he stood, Brian let out a cry in pain as he fell back to the ground sweating and shaking.

 

“He can’t do this,” Kevin mumbled. “Please he’s in to much pain!”

 

 Rob, Chris, Jack, and Craig, looked from Kevin to Brian, to each other. Contemplating whether or not they should put him through the torture of walking, or just carrying him.

 

Jack, whom was the most considerate of all gently picked up Brian. Brian moaned quietly before closing his eyes, allowing the bliss of oblivion take over.

 

Howie, Kevin, and A.J. let out a sigh of relief, thankful that just one of their brothers would be spared the pain.

 

Once they entered the dreary basement, Brian and Nick were rested on the ground. They both moaned as they were laid on their backs. Kevin, Howie, and A.J. sat down next to them. All five of them breathed heavily and grimaced, as a shot of pain would surge through their backs. Jack, Craig, Rob, and Chris, laughed evilly as they through their shirts down walking out of the basement.

 

Kevin was the first to speak his concern for his friends more important then the relentless throb of pain, surging through his back. “Guys we’re gonna need to check out each other. Somehow manage to keep the bleeding under control.”

 

A.J. and Howie agreed. They decided it was best to check out Brian and Nick’s back first, since they were unconscious. The three men slowly made their way to Nick. Turning him as gently as possible, they settled him on his stomach.

 

“Oh my God,” A.J. moaned.

 

 Kevin took over ordering Howie to grab him a sheet, not wanting to use their shirts. Kevin gingerly placed the sheet over Nick’s back, pressing down. Once they had Nick’s bleeding under control, they moved over to Brian, doing the same for him. Then they took care of each other’s lacerations. Twenty minutes later they were all fast asleep.

             

The next morning A.J. woke up to the familiar pain in his back. He sat up slowly looking at the other four. He was relieved to find that the bleeding had stopped. Just as he was through checking over Howie, Nick sat up. A.J. rushed to his side.

           

“Are you alright Nick? Man you scared the crap out of us.”

           

“Yeah, and sorry, it hurt so bad,” Nick groggily stated.

           

“Don’t apologize Nick, you didn’t do anything wrong.”

 

“Is everyone okay?”

 

“Yeah as far as I know…the bleeding has stopped…that’s a good sign.”

 

“Thank God,” Nick murmured, resting his head in his hands.

 

“Nick, God your freezing, I’ll get your shirt.”

 

“Okay, thanks Jay.”

 

“Here ya go Nicky.”

 

 Nick slowly pulled his shirt over his shoulders.

 

A.J. did the same, resting his head down on his pillow, talking to Nick.

 

About fifteen minutes later, Brian stirred and opened his eyes.

 

“Bri you okay, bud,” A.J. asked.

 

Brian didn’t answer, instead he sat up, and looked around to make sure everyone was okay.

 

“Brian?”

 

“I’m fine,” Brian’s softly replied.

 

“You guys alright?”

 

“Yeah, Rok, we’re fine,” A.J. said.

 

“Howie and Kevin?”

 

“Yes Brian, everyone’s alright.”

 

Brian then looked up at Nick.

 

“You passed out, are you okay, I was so scared.”

 

“I know, I know Brian, but I’m okay.”

 

 Nick, A.J., and Brian then went to sleep.

 

They slept through the whole day. Only waking up for, at the most five minutes. Sleeping was a temporary relief from the pain and the mess they were in.

             

At about eleven thirty Jack and Craig walked in.

             

Brian, Howie, Kevin, and A.J. all held their breath, fearing the worst. Not wanting to go through any more torture.

           

 To their relieved surprise five waters, and five bowls were placed in front of each of them. They each grabbed a spoon, eating the soup as quickly as possibly. All five of them starving.

           

 After they had devoured their soup and drank their water they decided to go back to sleep.

             

Kevin and Nick sat talking the next morning. Thinking things through. Trying to find a way out of their terrible situation. Then their thoughts turned to how the police were handling everything. Nick and Kevin were both hoping that the police would somehow find them. Knowing that the chances were very slim. Where ever they were it was far away from civilization and their kidnappers were obviously very experienced. So their only hope was to find a way out.