A very eventful evening.

A languid shiver curled around my spine, inching its way upward, ever-reaching for the base of my neck. As it achieved its mark, my shoulders jerked violently, and I drew a sharp breath. I knew who it was, before I turned. I had felt his eyes on me before. Not tonight, I thought to myself. Not again. 1

It had been a long worthless day at work, of pushing paper around on my tiny desk, trying to figure out exactly what part of my job description demanded that I clean up everyone else’s mess. Now all I wanted was to drown my bruised ego in a few Coronas, while listening to the house band churn out something that sounded very similar to just about every popular song on the radio. 2

It was my usual hang-out, Billie’s. Here, even though there were no rainbows in the windows, and no flamboyant bartenders, the downtrodden gay could down a few drinks without having to explain themselves to nosey normal people. It was just about the only place in town that wasn’t a meat market. Here you didn’t have to be pretty, you just had to be miserable, and no one would ask any questions. So it was extremely irritating to have this stranger staring at me. 3

I hadn’t come here looking for anything erotic, pitifully, I no longer cared much for sex. It was all the same after a while. Peter tried to tell me I just hadn’t found the right guy, the one that would play me like a lead guitarist.. But I’d been with three lead guitarists, including the one playing tonight, and none of them had been able to carry a note with me. 4

Taking a final swig of my Corona, still very aware that he was watching, I decided it was time to go. If I couldn’t be miserable in peace, I would just have to go home and sit in my dark apartment, maybe if I stared into space long enough my brain would explode. Hooking my thumb into the collar of my suede jacket, I stood from the bar stool, and offered a mild nod to the bartender as I turned toward the door. I made a point of not looking in the stranger’s direction. I didn’t want to know what he looked like, I didn’t want to give him even the slightest notion that I was interested. As I exited the bar, I felt the chill of the evening drift through my loose knit sweater. Winter was fast approaching, my favorite time of year, but not even that could stir hope in me this evening. No tragedy had occurred, no great wrong had been committed, I was just bored of everything.. Of living. I slipped my jacket on over broad shoulders, and wrapped it around what used to be a rock hard chest. I had even lost interest in working out, and I swear it had nothing to do with the fact that my favorite trainer, Lars, had been transferred up north. I just didn’t see the point in any of it anymore. 5

As I slid the key into the lock on my car door, I was contemplating just taking off, driving until I found a new place. 6

The sharp pain that seared through my right forearm, was enough to make me gasp, but before I could fully react, my other arm was twisted and pinned against my back. I was shoved up against the car, the side view mirror, pushing into my side with such pressure that it hurt to breathe. Just as I was going to scream, a smooth palm crushed against my lips, silencing anything but a moan. Quick fear bolted through me, from my groin to my chest, as I imagined the scenario that was about to unfold. Pathetic paper pusher, raped in Billie’s parking lot, and more than likely hacked to pieces. I was aware there were at least two men holding on to me, making sure that I couldn’t move, that I could barely breathe. 7

..then I felt it. A shiver, that snaked so lazily along my spine, it left no question as to who was standing just behind me, his hot breath coasting along the back of my now exposed neck. 8

I felt tears beginning to well behind my eyes, as I cursed myself for not even acknowledging this psychopath, and probably influencing this turn of events. 9

I tried to move, to tilt my head away from him, but it was nearly impossible, with the way four arms were wrapped around me. I squeezed my eyes shut and prayed that someone, anyone would walk in or out of the bar, would see my situation, and call for help. 10

When his fingers dove down through waves of my mussed blond hair, I was surprised at the softness of his touch. It didn’t stay that way for long though, as he jerked my head backward, and leaned in just far enough to whisper in my ear. 11

“..this is not a game. You belong to me now.” With that he slammed my head forward, knocking it into the ridge of the car door, and for an instant I felt like I was free.. Before the darkness consumed me. 12

The first thing I noticed was the stale scent of cigarettes. Wherever I was waking up, reeked of it. This was odd to me, because I rarely was attracted to a smoker. As I began to reach full consciousness, the sharp pain hammering my skull, made me wince. Only then did I began to remember. My eyes snapped open, only to be submerged in darkness. There was not a hint of light anywhere. I tried to move my hand, so that I could rub at the lump on my forehead, only to found they were bound by rough rope that bit into my flesh. My feet were bound as well, and I realized I was laying on a cold stone floor. Straining against the rope, despite the discomfort it caused, I tried to sense if anyone else was close by. 13

It was pointless, the sea of darkness around me swallowed up any indication of whether I was alone or not. Growling in frustration, I stopped my futile battle with the ropes, and laid my head back against the floor, trying to figure out just what was happening. 14

I knew that I had been kidnapped. I also knew that I had not been violated, but instead was being held hostage. Had some sadomasochist taken his fantasy just a little too far? Was all this just a sexual game that I had unwittingly become a part of? 15

But somehow I was beginning to doubt that. I was still fully clothed, and as far as I could tell I hadn’t been harmed any further. 16

As I was beginning to relax into the knowledge that I could not escape, a sharp sound came from the darkness, followed by the ignition of a flame. I looked in the direction of the eerie glow, and watched as it met the end of a cigarette. The faint light allowed me only the view of my captors lips, full and dark crimson, slightly chapped. The cigarette shivered slightly as he inhaled, and the flame died away. Now there was only the embers winking at me, fixating my attention. 17

For a long moment there was nothing but silence. I observed the cigarette being pulled from his lips, and the slight billow of smoke that followed. 18

Uncertain of myself, I ventured a question in a hoarse whisper. “…who are you?” 19

The embers danced off to the side, and as he flicked the ash from the end of it, brief pinpricks of light scattered through the darkness. He offered no response. 20

I closed my eyes again, the pain in my head really beginning to overwhelm me. I wondered how long I had been unconscious, what day it was… if anyone had noticed me missing yet. 21

As I sorted through my thoughts, I almost forgot about my silent captor sitting there, still staring at me. Until a light suddenly snapped on. It was a bright overhead light, that screamed into my eyes when I opened them. It blinded me instantly, and I rolled on to my side in an attempt to escape it. The sole of a boot mounted my shoulder, and pressed there, holding me still. At first I thought he was going to kick me, but instead I felt him tugging at the ropes that bound my hands and feet together. A few moments later, I was no longer restrained by anything but his boot. I didn’t move, afraid of what was to come. 22

He nudged my shoulder lightly with his foot, rolling me on to my stomach. I pressed the wound on my head against the cool floor, finding some relief from the searing pain. 23

“..get up..” He murmured, and I noticed that though his voice had been graveled by smoking, it still held a definite twinge of youth. 24

Obediently I slowly got to my feet, keeping my back to him as I did. In all the movies, if the victim saw the assailants face, they wound up dead. 25

“..look..” I began, “No one has to know about this, just let me go.” I held my breath as I waited for his response. He offered none, and I began to think he had left. Just as I was about to turn around he spoke. 26

“Jarod McKenzie, twenty-two years old, born in Bayonne. Correct?” 27

I bit into my bottom lip. He could have found my name and age from my wallet, but not my place of birth. This was becoming more twisted by the moment. 28

“Yes..” I breathed. “Why? What do you want from me?” 29

I felt his chin come to rest on my shoulder, and the embers of his cigarette were so close to my cheek, that it began to sweat from the heat. His hand coasted along my chest, to the edge of my shirt, which he pulled up slowly. He seemed to be looking at something on my stomach. It took me a minute to realize it was my birthmark, a perfect circle, unusual but not unheard of, right below my belly button. 30

After scrutinizing it for a moment, he released my shirt, and stepped back. 31

“..turn around.” He commanded. 32

The last thing that I wanted to do was see this man’s face. I knew, as soon as I did, I was dead. Reluctantly, I turned, keeping my eyes trained to the floor as I did. 33

I noticed the his boots were quite expensive, pitch black, and rather lethal looking. I also noticed the floor was whitewashed cement, the kind you would find in a parking garage, or a basement. A basement, I thought, I’m stuck in some lunatics basement. 34

His fingertips caught to my chin, and jerked my gaze upward so suddenly that I didn’t have time to close my eyes. I was gazing into the deep green spheres, of a man I had never seen before. His dark brown hair was carefully combed back from his eyes, and his smooth pale skin made me think of ivory. Out of habit I mentally noted his beauty, the delicacy of his features, in contrast with the violence in his gaze, was.. Well, alluring. Reminding myself that I was in grave danger, not a romance novel, I closed my eyes quickly. 35

“I didn’t see you,” I stammered. “You could still let me go.” 36

“No one’s going anywhere.” He replied, still holding my chin rather roughly. He leaned close to my face, and I could smell the smoke emanating from his breath as it traced the path of my skin. Knowing that he was not intending to set me free, I let my lashes part just slightly. As I did, I could see now that he was probably only a few years older than me, if that. Though his eyes were cruel as they surveyed me, his expression did not seem particularly maniacal, but more curious than anything, even a little disappointed. 37

“..you don’t seem so great..” He murmured so quietly that I wasn’t sure if I heard him correctly. 38

From the darkness beyond the glaring light, a voice spoke sharply. 39

“You wouldn’t know greatness if it smacked you in the face. Leave us.” 40

The man before me, stepped backward into the shadows, and I was left again wondering just how many people were in this room. 41

“Jarod.” The phantom voice called. “This is the beginning of a journey you have been destined for, all of your life.” 42

I shifted uncomfortably, reaching up to rub my forehead, noting that the lump there was a lot smaller than I expected. 43

“The beginning of what?” I muttered, so confused now, that I couldn’t even trust what I was hearing. 44

As I squinted against the light, a figure stepped forward, seeming to materialize. It took only a second for me to recognize him. 45

“Dad..?” My throat closed, stealing my breath, my head spun, and this time the darkness came with no violence. 46