Is it too late?

Part 12

Warning: there will be violence in this chapter.

John's POV

''Ladies and gentleman, our time is up.'' Finally, it felt like ages sitting there and answering questions. Luckily after Pete sat down, there were no more questions about Ringo. I really missed him, his comments made these interviews doable. Now the three of us had no energy for anything really. And Pete just sat next to us awkwardly. I found that kind of sad, sure we kicked him out of the band, but he should have a fun time while drumming for us.

The four of us walked of the stage and into our changing room. Just as we sat down Brian walked in. ''I know it is difficult to lie about this, but I'm proud of you lads.''

''Thank you, that really makes my day.'' George was on the edge of crying and Paul was comforting him.

''Sorry, what did we lie about?'' Pete asked innocently.

''We... ehm.... Ehm.'' The four of us looked at each other.

''Ringo is held hostage and we don't know where it is.'' George said softly. Brian, Paul and George looked at the floor as an awkward silence fell. I looked at Pete's reaction, which I expected to be sad. But instead of sadness I saw a smirk, it was only for a second, but I saw it.

''I can't believe it, I have no words really.'' If I hadn't seen that smirk I would have believed him, but I know he got something to do with Ringo's disappearance. Paul and George were silent, tears silently escaping their eyes. But Brian had a look in his eyes, there was something going on and I didn't like it.

After a few silent minutes Brian got up and walked with Pete out of the room to explain some things to him.

''Pete knew it.'' I began silently.

''What do you mean, he knew it?''

''When I said Ringo was being held hostage, I saw him smirking.''

''What?''

''Listen Paul, it was only for a slight second, but he smirked. He has to do something with Ringo.''

''John! You're just confused, I'm su-''

''No Paul, Pete knows thing and Brian too.''

''Don't start about Brian again. I know you're upset, but Brian has nothing to do with it.''

''Those two are not telling the truth. AND I WILL PROVE IT!'' With that I stamped out of the room.

Brian's POV

I was a nervous wrack as I walked out of the room with Pete.

''They don't hate you enough.'' Pete had a monotone voice, but I knew he was angry.

''I- I ehm... What did I do wrong?''

''You apologized for the idea of going back to England.''

''I couldn't say it, I'm sorry.''

''Just take care that they hate you, you wouldn't want the plan failed now, would you?''

''Of course not.''

''The sooner they hate you, the sooner that drummer boy won't be suffering.''

''Okay Pete.''

''I will be going home, but don't think this won't have any consequences.'' With that he walked away.

This is a disaster, Pete has eyes everywhere. I just had to make the boys hate me, for Ringo. No, no I won't listen to Pete anymore. I had to tell the boys he was in the set-up. Even if that means Pete would beat me up. I had to tell them, I was going to tell them tomorrow.

Ringo's POV

It was a few hours after the press ended, enough time to clear my head. If people didn't know where I was, than the police is keeping it a secret. Which means they had to lie about me. I think Pete and Flint knew they were going to say this, which means Pete probably has Brian in his power. Brian is doing everything Pete tells him, probably to help me. I hope the lads will understand that too. I heard the front door open and Pete's voice. Then the door to the basement opened and there he stood, with Flint behind him.

''Well, well, well, did our drummer boy behave while I was gone?'' He was holding a camera.

''I noticed you say that a lot, that 'well, well, well'.'' I snapped back, I wasn't allowing him to do something without any resistance.

''Very funny.'' He said while opening my cage. ''You know, your manager is helping me.''

''I already thought so, but he is just protecting me. Oh and you are not going to break me with my friends lying about me. I know them too well for that.''

''Clever boy I see. Perhaps we have to do something different to break you.'' He chuckled. ''Maybe we have to take it literally.'' I gulped, they were going to beat me up.

''That manager of yours didn't do his part of the plan that good. I told him there were consequences for that, but not which.''

''What are you going to do with Brian?'' I was worried for him, who knows what Pete would do.

''Oh nothing is gonna happen to Brian. Don't worry about that.'' he smiled sweetly, but his eyes where dark and evil. ''But... I'm not so sure about you.''

''Wh- what do you mean.'' I suddenly realised that the cage was locked with me, Pete and Flint in it.

''We will make sure Brian will do as we say, after you have suffered his consequences.'' With that I felt a hard kick in my stomach. Flint roughly pulled me up my legs and they both started to hit me. First Pete's fist in my face, then Flint his foot kicking my legs. I was trying to keep strong and to defend myself. But my wrists were hurting so much because of that rope. I was defenceless.

So they kept on hitting me. On my face, arms, legs, anywhere actually. My body was a bloody mess. Full of bruises and blood. Eventually my legs couldn't hold my weight anymore and I collapsed on the ground. After a few more kicks they decided it was enough. My whole body was hurting and I just hoped they would go away. But Pete picked up the camera and started to make pictures.

I felt so ashamed, but I couldn't do anything. Flint picked me up to make a few more pictures of my helpless self.

''That would be enough. These pictures are going to Brian, then he will understand the consequences if he doesn't do what we tell him.'' They walked away and left me behind. I thought about what Flint said, 'enjoy these last days of your life.'. I don't know how there were people living on this planet who would do this. I hoped I didn't have to go through this ever again.

But something inside me said that this wasn't going to be the last time.

I don't know what to say here so ehmm, Till the next part guys :>