Is it too late?

Part 11

Ringo's POV

''Come on you lazy shit.'' I decided to not show much resistance, but I could show a little bit.

''I don't know, I kinda like this trunk.'' But this guy didn't like that response. He grabbed me by my collar and looked me straight in the eye.

''Well, well, well, looks like you're trying to be a funny one, ey?'' I was getting kind of scared now. ''You know what we do with people who thinks they are funny.'' I slowly shook my head, then BAM. He punched me in the face and let go of me. I fell to the ground and he landed a kick on me. He grabbed me by the collar again and said, ''No funny business anymore okay?'' And I nodded.

''Flint just bring him inside, maybe he can watch the press.''

''Th... the press?'' I stammered.

''Your friends have a live press in a few hours, I thought you maybe would like it to watch them.'' I didn't understand why he would say that, but hearing my friends talking about that everything is going to be okay is what I need right now.

''I'm going away to get some stuff Flint. Kim is inside. You know what to do.''

''Yeah, yeah okay Pete.'' That voice of Pete I somehow recognized it, but my mind didn't have enough time to think, because that Flint guy pushed me towards the door

After that he brought me inside of the house. I learned to always see the positive things in life, even in this situation. So I looked around, the house looked quite nice actually. But that didn't last long, Flint opened a door to a very dark room. He pushed me down the stairs just laughing. I tried not to cry, but I almost couldn't hold it. I was just laying at the bottom of the stairs waiting. Flint walked down and gave me a kick to the stomach. That made tears come out my eyes. He grabbed me by the collar and he forced me to look in those devilish eyes again.

''You crying little boy. Nobody is gonna see ya and nobody is gonna help ya.'' He threw my in a sort of cage in the basement, walked upstairs and slammed the door. I shuffled to a wall and waited. Soon after I heard shouting from upstairs.

''KIM, check on the TV while I'm gone. And bring that piece of shit upstairs if the press start.''

''O... of course Flint.''

Then the front door was opened and slammed shut. I think I'm alone with that Kim. Hearing how she is being treated, she will probably be the only person I can talk normally with.

After a few minutes my eyes could see a bit more of this room. My cage was just some bars in the corner of the room, I was guessing that my space was around 3 by 3 meters. I saw a very old dirty blanket, but nothing more. The adrenaline started to go away and that's when I felt it. Of course they tied my wrists together with a rope. It was really hurting and even though the dark I saw my skin turning very red. I decided to try and get some sleep just to get the time get by faster. I just had to wait and see.

George's POV

''Brian we can't lie about this.''

''Please, you lads have to understand that it is important for Ringo's safety that the world doesn't know about all of this.''

''It just hurts to lie about this.''

''I know George, but please, please do it for Ringo's sake.''

''We will Brian.''

''You know, I rented a studio. This way you can keep your mind of off this whole situation until the police found something.''

''Maybe it is good for us to play some music again.''

''But we don't have Ringo.''

''I know, let's just go to the press okay.''

The more I was away from Ringo, the more depressed I got. We were getting ready before we got on TV, when Brian walked in looking scared.

''Okay, please don't be mad.''

''What now. Do we just have to forget Ringo now?''

''No, but I will go on stage with you to introduce our new drummer.''

''WHAT?'' I couldn't believe this.

''HOW DARE YOU TO SAY 'our new drummer', NO ONE CAN REPLACE RINGO.''

Someone came walking in our room. ''Ehm, we are going live now, can you follow me?''

''Of course, give us a few seconds.''

''Okay.''

''Don't look angry or mad if the drummer walks and takes his seat. Just act normal.'' I almost shouted again, but we had to get on stage. I looked behind me and saw that Paul and John did not like this at all.

Ringo's POV

I wasn't able to sleep, so I just sat there and waited until the door opened. I hoped it was this Kim person to come and get me, but it was Flint. He opened my cage and dragged me out of it.

''Unbelievable that you are in one of the greatest bands ever. You don't deserve that.'' I knew it was true, I didn't deserve to be in the Beatles. Although some voice said to me I did deserve it, but it had no time to overpower the other voice. Flint forced me on the couch and turned on the TV, watching me closely. On the TV the press was waiting until my friends came.

My eyes lit up when they finally were on the screen. Brian was with them too, I guess to sit in my place. I felt tears in my eyes when I saw George face, both of happiness and sadness, but I forced myself to hold them back. He looked so sad. All four of them looked sad. Paul, John and George took there seat, while Brian just stood awkwardly behind them.

''Dear ladies and gentleman,'' Brian began. ''Because of the circumstances someone other than Ringo will take his seat.''

What? Some other lad was going to sit in my seat? And the lads just look like it is the most normal thing ever.

''May I introduce to you, our old drummer and friend, Pete Best.'' Pete was walking past my best mates and sat on my seat, like he was their normal drummer.

''You may now ask your questions.''

''A question to all of you, and I think everyone wants to know, where is Ringo Starr now?''

''A very good question,'' Paul had to say the news about me, I wondered how the public would react to it. ''an old illness from Ringo his childhood came up again.'' I... I couldn't believe it. He was lying, THEY were lying about what happened to me. They didn't even look sad.

''I'm very sad to hear this news about Ringo, he always was a big inspiration and I'm honoured to take his place, even though it isn't for long.'' No way, I... No this can't be, that voice was the same as the Pete here.

''Well that's enough Television for you, looks like Pete made it on TV.'' Flint said in a devilish tone.

''Why are you guys doing this.''

''Pete had to be in The Beatles, not you. So when Paul, John and George lost you, they were too sad to think straight. Pete is an old friend and the only other one they trust to be their drummer. Thereby taking your place temporary, until the police the police finds your dead body. Then is the moment he is so close to them that they will ask him to be their permanent drummer.''

I had no words. Tears were forming, but I hold them back, while I just sat there.

''I know, evil right? A slow process of taking advantage of the sadness from your friends, to wipe you out of their band, without them noticing anything. Soon Pete will be rich and because I helped him I will get some of that money.''

He grabbed me and dragged me to the basement. He put me in my prison locked it and went upstairs. Before he walked away he turned around to look at me.

''If I were you, I would enjoy every single bit of life these next few weeks, because it will be your last.'' With that he slammed the door shut, leaving me behind in the dark.

For the first time in these hours I finally allowed myself to cry.

Poor Ringo, I'm kinda sad writing this. But Pete replaced Ringo aaaahhhh. Till the next part guys :>