Morph.

Chapter 9.5

Chris's POV

I continued sitting there, long after Stephanie had left. The sun was almost setting and I had to make my way back soon.

Not exactly the kind of conversation one wished to be having with a crush. In fact, not exactly a normal crush, this one.

I pack up the rest of my gear and begin to make my way to the bus stop. I could still catch the 6.10pm if I hurry.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

As the bus stop looms into view, I spot a bus pulling in. Great, just in time. It begins to indicate and shrink away from view. Wait, it's pulling out and away.

"Stop! Stop! Wait!", I yell as I sprint as fast as possible towards the quickly vanishing vessel. Before I know it, it turns a corner and disappears completely from view.

Bugger.

I sat back down at the bus stop, not before checking the next bus, 6.50pm. Oh well. Out comes the iPod and a book, 'The Flamethrowers: A Novel' by Rachel Kushner.

As the first song ends, I notice a black sedan pull up right in front of me and out comes two guys, one of them is dressed in a suit and the other in a black jacket and jeans. They walk right up to me.

"Excuse me. You wouldn't happen to know where is the nearest hospital, would you?", the one in the suit asks.

"Yeah, it's just straight down from here. At the junction, you turn right and head down Blackburn Street until you come to another set of lights-"

"ARGH! What the fuck?!", I manage to yell as one of them takes a swing at my face, knocking me off the bench and straight onto the ground.

That's the last thing I saw before blacking out.

___________________________________________________________________________________

It smells like sawdust and wet dogs in here. Light floods my vision as the stench gets even more heady. I think I see one guy standing by the door.

The door to what?

"Sir, he's awake. Bring him in.".

Bring who in? Awake? Wait. Where the fuck am I?

I start to struggle only to realize I've been strapped into a chair inside a cellar. Or some dungeon. Or a cell. This scene looks eerily alike to the one in Casino Royale where Bond gets his privates whipped. Wait.

"Payne, Christopher. Before you scream, just note two things. One, we are not here to hurt you. Two, even if you were to scream, no one within a four kilometre radius can hear you. Now, do you understand?", says the silhoutte that's standing in the doorway.

I nod. He steps forward. A man, probably in his 40s, late 40s. Dressed in a dark blue shirt, black slacks and leather shoes. Hair, slightly grey and slicked back. Height, probably 6 feet. Doesn't look like he's been working out for years and yet, not exactly fat. Just bulky. Dark eyes. He pulls up a chair and sits across the room from me.

"Christoper, believe me when I say I want you out of here as much as you do. For you to go back to your everyday routine, university, the shelter, everything. It'll be like we never met. Easy enough to understand?".

I nod again.

"Good. I just need some help from you. Not much.". He holds up a picture of Stephanie. She's outside her father's diner, about to get on her bike. Smiling to the others who are leaving and completely oblivious to the fact that she's being watched.

I open my mouth to speak. It's dry and I choke on the initial syllables.

"Get this boy some water, please?", the man says. In a matter of moments, another man appears with a glass of water and a blade. He cuts the rope binding my hands. Free. I empty the entire glass.

"Another?", he looks at me.

"No. Thanks.", I reply, voice trembling. Enough for anyone to pick out the fear welling inside me.

"Right, Christopher. Will you?", he leans in. "Help me?".

"Depends. What....what do you want...from...Steph-her?".

"I just need you to gain her trust. She's a pretty girl, isn't she? Perhaps take her out on a few dates. Get close to her. Any boy your age will be somewhat keen on that, right?", he smiles.

"OK....and?". I know this isn't what he wants, no point playing dumb.

"Get evidence. Photos. Videos. Doesn't matter. Just solid evidence.". He replies, his smile widening.

"Of what?". Really, Chris? This is your idea of NOT playing dumb?

His smile vanishes. He gets off his chair and walks towards me, stopping uncomfortably close.

"Just a warning, Mr. Payne. I may seem nice but don't ever take me for a fool. I get upset, pretty upset. Do I have to repeat my request?".

I know exactly what he's talking about.

"No. Never. Why don't you just kidnap her instead? Why me? How did you even-"

The words literally flew right outta' my mouth as I feel what it's like to be an amateur MMA fighter who's got his guard down and just caught a right hook. I taste blood.

"I've warned you."

I spit what feels like thick saliva. Thick, red saliva onto the ground.

"You know my parents will be looking for me. My friends will notice I'm missing. The police will be looking for me.".

"Oh, yes. Definitely. No question about that. Just let us worry about that. You enjoy your stay here in the mean time. Feel free to knock on the door if you need anything. Food. Drinks. Toilets down the other end, on your left.", he begins to leave.

I try to rush to the door before it closes with a solid, metallic thunk but I can't even seem to stand properly after that punch. I collapse onto the ground and decide to take an involuntary nap.

___________________________________________________________________________________