Dave chuckled as he pulled the other level with him. "We'll only be in there for five minutes. I just have to pick up a file I forgot, and then we can go to dinner. You won't be in the way, I promise." Slipping an arm around the other's waist, Dave hugged Kale tightly. "Besides, most of them have been wanting to meet you."
"Really?" Kale was surprised that Dave had told his co-workers about Kale. He was touched that Dave thought so highly of him.
Dave smiled down at his lover. "Of course. I'd gladly tell the whole world I loved you."
Dave's words filled Kale with happiness. The two had been together for nearly two blissful weeks. Since their first night together in Dave's apartment, Kale had felt like he was truly complete. He believed he had finally found his one true love and that nothing could go wrong ever again. Tonight was their sixth date and Kale knew he would have a wonderful time as always. Dave had suggested going to dinner early since Kale had to work that night, even choosing a restaurant close to the Void so that Kale didn't have to worry about being late.
Dave reluctantly released his embrace to hold the door to the police station open for Kale. Smiling at the other's chivalry, Kale followed Dave to his desk on the second story. A loud chorus of greetings met his ears as the two entered the large room where Dave worked. They were instantly surrounded by a group of Dave's co-workers wanting to meet him. Kale felt a little overwhelmed at the warm reception he received.
�So this is the boyfriend we�ve been hearing so much about. It�s nice to finally meet you.� An officer to his right spoke cheerfully. Glancing at the name tag, Kale noticed that the officer�s name was Mendez before shaking the other�s hand.
�Same here.� Kale smiled widely as he received similar comments from all those around him. Kale conversed politely while waiting for Dave to finish. Dave rescued him from the mob moments later, using the excuse that they'd be late for dinner to pull him away.
Safely back in the car, Kale breathed a sigh of relief. "They seemed nice." He genuinely liked Dave�s co-workers. All of them had treated him friendlily, far beyond what he had been expecting.
Dave chuckled lightly. "You looked liked like you were going to drown in there."
Kale blushed at the other�s comment. "I was surprised. I didn't expect that warm of a reception."
Lightly caressing the other's cheek, Dave spoke quietly. "Why not? You'd have to be a complete fool not to see how wonderful you are."
Smiling, Kale leaned over to plant a light kiss on Dave�s cheek. �You�re a hopeless romantic.�
Pulling Kale over for a deeper kiss, Dave spoke playfully. �Would you really have it any other way?�
"It's alright, really." Kale addressed the other through Dave's car window. Dave sat at the driver's seat, still trying to convince the other to accept his offer of a ride to work.
"Are you sure? It's not a problem for me to drive you there." Dave sounded uncertain of Kale's plan.
"Didn't you say you had work to catch up on at home? Besides, the Void is only two blocks away and I have plenty of time to get there." Kale smiled at the other in reassurance.
Sighing, Dave reluctantly agreed. "Alright. I'll see you tomorrow then?"
Nodding, Kale stepped away from the car to let Dave back out. As soon as Dave started down the road, Kale headed in the opposite direction towards the Void. It was a calm, cool evening, perfect for walking. Kale rarely got out much, so he was glad of the chance to take a leisurely walk even if he was on his way to work. He had fifteen minutes until he absolutely had to be there.
Kale smiled as he remembered his dinner with Dave. Everyday he felt himself falling deeper and deeper in love with the other man. He had never been in a relationship like this, where the other treated him as he were a prized treasure that few people knew the true value of. Kale felt warm inside just thinking of the love he shared with the other. It was as if everything in his life had suddenly fallen in place to form a breathtaking picture. Kale couldn�t remember a time when he had been more happy, more in love.
His thoughts focused inward, Kale neglected to notice a tan car slowed to a stop in the street beside him. He was taken by surprise as a strong arm grabbed him from behind, holding him in place while a damp cloth was pressed over his nose and mouth. Gasping reflexively, Kale accidentally took in the noxious chemicals. Seconds later, oblivion overtook him and he fell into the other's waiting arms.
Dave paused in his work as the phone next to him rang loudly. Setting aside the papers he had been reviewing, Dave picked up the phone. "Hello?"
He was surprised as he heard the voice of Kale's roommate on the other end. "Dave? Is Kale there?"
Dave frowned in confusion. "No, I haven't seen him since we parted at the restaurant. I thought he had to work tonight."
Silence greeted him before Brian spoke again, worry creeping into his voice. "Rich called a couple of minutes ago saying that Kale never showed up for work. We thought he was with you."
Trying in vain to calm rising panic, Dave tried to think of a possible explanation. "Can you think of any place he might have stopped for a few minutes before going to work? Maybe he just lost track of time."
"No, there's no where near the Void that he would go. What time did you finish dinner?"
"We were out of there by 7:45. The restaurant was only two blocks away from the Void, so he had plenty of time to get there."
"You don't think Ryan would have tried anything, do you?"
Dave swore furiously as his fears were voiced aloud. "That's exactly what I think happened. Look, is Laura or anyone else there?"
"Laura and Cheryl came over for dinner, and Seth's still here."
"I'm going down to the Void to check around there. Why don't you guys split up and see if you can find him. We'll call each other if we find anything. Alright?"
"Yeah."
The two hung up to begin searching for their missing friend. Dread clenched Dave's heart as he wondered if Kale was still alive, wherever he was.
Kale jolted awake. The last thing he remembered was someone grabbing him from behind. Struggling to move, Kale gave it up as hopeless. His hands were tied tightly behind his back and his feet were tied together. He lay on the floor of a cold, dusty room. A small, dirty window set high in the wall let in faint shards of light, enough to dimly illuminate the room. A pile of unmarked crates stood against the wall to his right. To his left stood a small table. From his position on the floor, Kale was unable to see the contents of the table. A wooden door stood opposite the window beyond Kale's feet.
Kale froze as the door opened to reveal his ex-boyfriend Ryan. Fear made his words shake as he remembered how Ryan had nearly killed him the last time they met. "Ryan, what am I doing here?"
Kale shuddered as Ryan's brown eyes gleamed with an odd light that he couldn�t identify. Ryan walked calmly over to the other before speaking in a deep, low voice. "You're mine. I won't let him have you."
Trying to quell his rising panic, Kale attempted to make sense of the other's words. "You didn't answer my question. What's going on, Ryan? Untie me."
Slowly, Ryan knelt beside him. Reaching out, he laid a hand on Kale's cheek in a light caress. Flinching away from the touch, Kale tried to move away only to be held in place by a hand around his throat. His eyes widened in fear as he hovered on the brink of panic. Kale was unable to turn his head as the other leaned down to capture his lips in a rough kiss. Instead, Kale shut his eyes tightly and prayed that Dave would come save him.
"If I can't have you, no one will." Kale's eyes flew open as Ryan crossed over him to pull something off the table. He felt beads of sweat break out across his face as he considered the implications of Ryan's last words.
�Ryan, let me go. Please? This isn�t funny.� Kale�s pleas fell on deaf ears.
All doubts as to Ryan�s intentions were driven from his mind as Ryan turned to face him, holding a large knife in his grasp. Kale struggled to bite down on the panicked screams that threatened to break loose from his mouth. His eyes felt like they were about to burst from their sockets as he squirmed in place, desperate to escape. He could only watch helplessly as Ryan resumed his place next to him on the floor. Kale trembled as Ryan slowly traced the flat part of the blade in a mock caress over his cheek, unable to take his eyes from the hypnotic blade.
"You're mine. I won't let him have you."
Tears began to flow from his eyes as Ryan used the knife to pop of the buttons of his shirt, slowly undressing him. Tremors wracked his body as he laid there, helpless to stop what he knew was about to happen. He squeezed his eyes shut, unable to watch as the other prepared to rape him.
"If I can't have you, no one will."
Kale screamed as Ryan forcefully entered him, a second scream following as the forgotten knife plunged deeply into his right shoulder. Eyes flew open, glazing in pain as he felt the knife sink into him again and again in time to Ryan's thrusts. Kale lost hold on the world around as he felt terror take hold of his body. He was crying uncontrollably, shaking wildly in his panicked attempt to escape. Screams filled the room as Kale felt warm liquid pooling on the floor beneath him, felt his life draining out of him. Ryan's words echoed hollowly through his head, becoming a type of grotesque chanting as he plundered the unwilling body below him.
"You're mine. I won't let him have you."
"Look, if you don't help me I'm doing this on my own." Dave delivered his ultimatum to his boss, Chief of Police Max Webber. He was about ready to storm out of the office any second now, with or without the help of the city�s police force.
"Maybe the kid just wandered off somewhere. You don't know for sure he's in danger."
Dave practically hissed in frustration. Something had to be done now, before it was too late. "One of the shopkeepers on Madison Avenue saw Kale being pulled into a car by another guy. The description matches with that bastard Ryan Leiham. Plus, the guy's already tried to kill Kale once. Nearly got away with it too if I hadn't stopped him."
Nodding, Chief Webber gave in to the other�s demands. "What's the guy's name again? I'll have all available units start looking. My guess is if we find the car, we find your boyfriend."
Smiling slightly in a mixture of gratitude and relief, Dave repeated the name. He watched anxiously as the Chief pulled up the other's file and ordered an A.P.B. to start looking for the car. He was startled as the Chief spoke. "Home address is 136 Lakeshore Drive. Why don't you take a couple officers out there and check it out?"
Nodding his thanks, Dave rushed to gather the others and head out.
Dave took his frustration out of the door to Ryan's apartment. After knocking for five minutes, they had received no response so Dave had opted for breaking in. He was near panic with worry over what could have happened to his lover. He doubted that Ryan would hesitate even the slightest in harming Kale. He only worried that he might be too late when he finally found Kale.
The other police officers had been eager to help him once he had told them of Kale's kidnapping. They had all taken a liking to the younger man when the two had stopped by the station earlier that day. Also, they all knew Dave and had worked with him for nearly a year. Any one of them would gladly do whatever possible to help one of their own.
Dave almost fell as the door gave in suddenly, hanging from the doorframe by only one hinge. Not pausing for a moment, he relentlessly stormed in to the apartment. After thoroughly searching every possible hiding place, they came up blank. Dave cursed vehemently at being denied the object of his quest. He had felt certain they would be here. He couldn�t think of any other place Ryan would take Kale. His curses were cut off as the small radio Dave carried in his pocket beeped into life.
"This is Officer Mendez to Officer Ross. We've found the car, license plate AY7340, located outside a warehouse for Leiham Corporations. The address is 497 Grant Street. Do you copy?"
Grabbing the small device, Dave spoke quickly. "This is Dave. We're on out way." He had been out the hall and heading towards the police car in a dead run as soon as the other had finished. His relief at finding Kale was short-lived as he puzzled over why the two were in a warehouse. The answer he came up with was not pleasant.
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