Fallen Pt 8

"Ungh!" I grunted as the Karate instructor's foot slammed into my padded head. The blow stunned me slightly and I stumbled.
"What's wrong with you?" the Sensei screamed at me, "Why didn't you duck? why didn't you block that?! You are being much slower than usual! Now take a moment and drink some water." We bowed to each other and I got a drink of water.
It had been two days since my beating.
How long had I been here? Eight days? Seven? What would my family be doing? How worried were they? I couldn't think about that. If I though about my family and how long I had been here I would just get angry. Anger can make you do stupid things that can kill you. I didn't really want to die, so I would wait.
I would act as harmless as a dove on the outside but on the inside I was like a coiled snake ready to strike.

Sergeant Mike Duncan sighed as he prepared himself for the meeting. He hated meeting with the family of a missing person. They were always sad, and or angry. If they didn't think that the police were doing enough (and they usually did) then most times they let him know in no uncertain terms what they thought of him and his methods and the whole force to boot.  This family had actually been different so far. It had only been a few days since the first report, and there were possibly many to go, but so far they had been cooperative as could be.
"Mr. Greene, Mrs. Greene have a seat." He offered. "Now we don't usually do handwriting analysis
on a missing persons case but on a hunch I had the note your son left along with a sample of his handwriting sent to the techs downstairs. As it turns out they were not written by the same person. The note is very definitely a forgery. A good one, but still not his. I am afraid we are re-designating his case as an abduction. In the light of this new evidence there are going to be several changes to the way we are handling the case. First we think it may have been a gang or Crime syndicate that kidnapped your son. The forgery seems to point to this as well as the MO, and the incident he was involved in last year. In light of this fact we are detailing a round the clock patrol of your neighborhood as well as a plainclothes watch on your house. We will be sending pictures to all police stations and we have several other angles we are working on as well. we would like Hunters Laptop, thumb drives and anything else that may have info on any cases past or present he was working on.
I also just want to say that I have read the reports of what he has done in the past and I think that your son is a very capable young man. If anyone could escape from and abductor he is the most likely candidate I can think of."
A few formalities later and the meeting was over.
Mike sat back in his chair and heaved a long sigh. Several other angles! He wished! Fact was the boy had definitely been abducted by professionals. The note was an amazingly close forgery and the fact that there was no evidence was evidence on its own to the skill of the captors. The lack of a ransom note so far was perplexing. Mike hoped to goodness that it wasn't a revenge kidnapping. He didn't even want to think about what Hunter was going through if it was.

Fallen Pt 7

I was lying asleep in my cot when the door to my cell was flung open and several masked guards flooded in.
"Stand up." one of them ordered.
I was forcibly dragged from bed, handcuffed, and made to stand in the middle of the room while they conducted a thorough search.
They ripped the sheets and mattress off my cot. My books and writing things were ripped and gone through and then dumped in a pile on the floor. I was searched for any kind of weapon.
Then someone removed the mirror from the wall. My heart sunk as the map was discovered. The guard that had spoken before said something into his Walkie-Talkie. A few seconds later Mr Diablos strode into the room looking wickedly pleased.
"Hunter" he said patronizingly. "is this the best you have? A map drawn on the back of the mirror. Really? It is good that you figured out how to do it but there must have been a better place to put it."
Motioning one of the men to hold up the mirror he inspected the map. Looking slightly impressed he glanced at me and grinned.
"Finish searching the room." he commanded. "Then beat him." He turned to leave but suddenly spun around and smashed the mirror with his cane. "I hope there is more to find because then I will have a reason to punish you more! Though come to think of it... I don't need one."
I swallowed. Doing my best not to think about the map on the bottom of the table.
Diablos stood there watching me for a minute then he smiled wide and said, "When a person doesn't want someone else to find something they look everywhere but where they don't want the other person to look!" My heart started to sink. He grinned wider. "Look under the table!" he said.
The guard stooped and glanced at the floor then got down on his knees to look at the underside of the table. When he stood back up he nodded at Diablos.
"Good!" Diablos exclaimed. "Burn all that can and don't replace it. Dispose of that table and don't replace it either. You may finish this up with out me."
Whack!



Later that night as I shivered on the bare slats of my bunk, I grimaced through the pain. They had beat me, good. Karate and Fencing, if they were to be continued, would be extremely painful.
I planned. I thought about all the different ways I could try to escape. I didn't think Diablos would kill me, but after tonight... would he?
It didn't matter. I had to escape.

Fallen Pt 6

Two foils flashed and flickered in the wavering florescent light, the blades cleaving tails of silver through the air. Whistling and whispering the slithered against each other, spun, and wobbled. then the tip of one darted forward and struck its wielders opponent in center mass.

the duel was over. For the moment. I took off my mask, saluted and trudged over to the water bench rubbing my chest.

Every single time I had been hit in the same spot and it was getting sore.

I took a sip of water and turned to Mr Diablos. What a name, right? Jacob Diablos. The Deceiver Devil. Wow. The guy was totally twisted. 

"You are progressing Hunter!" He said as I approached. 

 "I have only taken two lessons." I replied incredulous.

"You should have seen yourself in your first duel!" He countered jestingly.

I often had the feeling as we talked that we were in a verbal duel and that I was being bested.

It was my third day in captivity I was still sore from yesterdays workout. Next on the schedule was Boxing.

I hadn't figured out yet why he was training me. Was it so that he could then beat me in each of those area's he was training me in?

I f that was the case then I needed to learn as much as I could. Fast.

That evening I was in my room reading a book. I had gone around every part of the room looking for bug's. I hadn't seen any.  After waiting a bit I put down the book grabbed a pencil and slid under the table. I was drawing a map of the bunker or basement I was in. Whatever it was and wherever it was I was getting to know my way down it. I closed my eyes and counted steps. I was using a simple way of getting to know my way around blindfolded. I was counting my steps and for every five steps I would mark and inch. Five inches right turn. three inches. Left turn. That was the gym. I would be able to find my way out. I hoped. 

I could at least know where not to go. I also counted the guards I could see in those few short seconds before the blindfold was placed over my eyes, and where they were.

When I was finished I slid out from under the table and moved over to the wall. I removed the mirror on the back of the mirror I was drawing a second map. If Diablos ever found the one he wouldn't look for the other.

When I was done drawing my maps, I walked over to my cot. It was simply a platform attached to the wall by a hinge and two chains. It was the chains I was interested in. they were attached to the wall and the bed with eye bolts.

Mistake number one. the eye bolts were welded to the bed and embedded in the cement wall. the first and last links of the two chains actually like carabiners that had been welded shut. the eye bolts hadn't been welded to the chains themselves. I took the mattress off the bed and tested the metal slats until I found one that was loose. I sat down and started wiggling the bar, twisting back and forth.
When I had it out I would try and make a pair of nun-chucks. Or something.
The lights clicked off.
Looked like it was bed time.
But as I like to say, There's no rest for the Hunter.

Fallen Pt 5, Flashback

I tossed a couple of paperbacks to the side of the big blue bin.
I was perusing one of the Goodwill Outlet book bins.
I loved digging through the book's, tossing aside the junk in search of a hidden treasure.
I had found several antique books this way.
Setting a 1944 edition of Captain Horatio Hornblower into my cart, I shoved a pile of paperback westerns out of the way, briefly considered a Clive Cussler, decided no and was about to leave when when I glimpsed the corner of a very old looking book.
Digging it out carefully I turned it over in my hands.
It looked very old and the title was worn off. The title page seemed to have been ripped out at some time as well.

The first thing I read was this familiar poem;

To the hesitating Purchaser,

If sailor tales to sailor tunes,

Storm and Adventure, heat and cold,

If schooners, Islands, and maroons,

And buccaneers and buried gold,

And all the old romance retold,

Exactly in the ancient way,

Can please as me they pleased of old,

The wiser youths of today:

-Then so be it, and fall on! If not,

If studious youth no longer crave, 

His ancient apatite forgot,

Kingston or Ballantyne the brave,

Or cooper of the wind and wave:

So be it also! And may I 

And all my pirates share the grave 

Where these and their creations lie.

It was the introduction poem to Robert Louis Stevenson's masterpiece, Treasure Island. 

I flipped through the pages debating if I should get it. I already had one copy.

I almost put it back.

Eight numbers jumped out at me from the middle of a page. Four numbers to be exact each two digits long. I stared at it. 

'No Way!' I thought, 'This must be uber rare!' I put it into my cart and walked up to the checkout.

As I pulled out of the Parking lot a few minutes later on my way to Winco, I kept thinking about it.

What had caught my eye was the place in the story where Captain Smollett tells Dr Livesy and the Squire that he has heard rumors that they were going on a treasure hunting trip and that the island was at a certain longitude and latitude. 

In the copy I had just purchased it included the latitude and longitude of Treasure Island!

Fallen Pt 4

"Whew!  It sure is nice to be home again! HUNTER, WE'RE HOME!"  Edith Greene called as the family spilled through the front door.

"I think he probably knows that already, as loud as YOU ALL are!" said Tony Green, tickling the two littlest boys.

"I bet he's hiding!" Middle brother exclaimed.

"Let's go find him!" Other brother said, in a loud whisper.

Soon the boys were searching through all their favorite hiding places.

"Well, it is good to be home again, although I really enjoyed our trip!"  Edith sighed as she set her purse and bags down on the kitchen table.  "Oh, look!  Hunter left a note."

"Ah!  Is he bringing home pizza?"  Dad asked.

"No, he says he's on a new case.  Tony, he says he's on a stakeout.  I don't think I like this.  This note seems... weird somehow.  It doesn't seem right."  Mom handed Dad the note, a slight frown marring her brow.

"Seems o.k. to me.  I'm glad he has a new case!  I understand your unease, though.  I don't want him going on stakeouts without having a contact procedure in place first.  I'm sure he is alright though.  Tomorrow I'll talk with deputy Ludlow.  He can keep an eye out for Hunter and I am sure he will have some great suggestions for dealing with stakeouts.  Hunter probably already talked to him.   Right now, let's get the kids together and do devotions.  We'll pray for Hunter's case as well as his safety!"

Fallen Part 3

"Bring that in and set it here!"
The speaker turned on the light in the room, further blinding me.
I blinked for a few second letting my eyes adjust to the bright light. All the while I could hear a clinking sound. After a while the sounds stopped and the door closed again. I saw a table that had been set for a nice dinner, with china plates, glasses, and two forks. There was a man seated at the table.
"Please," he said with a grin, "Come and sit down. Eat! it is just time for supper!"
I recognized the man as the one I had bumped into the other day , or was it just this morning?
I sat down warily, eyeing the man.
He was about mid forties, slender, blond and had aquiline features. He was wearing a very expensive looking suit, and there was a cane, gloves and panama hat resting against a leg of the table.
I bowed my head and prayed, then started in on a delicious looking Caesar salad. The instant before I started eating I realized it might be poisoned. Sanity banished that thought.
'Why would they bring me here just to poison me?'
We eat in silence until we were done with the salad.
"Would you like some wine or a soft drink?" my 'host' asked.
"Just water thanks." I answered.
He poured a glass of water for me and opened a bottle of wine for himself.
"I think you will like the T-bone steak. I have an excellent chef. Sometimes he uses the strangest ingredients but always produces the Best dishes." My host chatted nonchalantly throughout the rest of the dinner. I couldn't stop thinking me sitting there eating an amazing dinner with a man who either kidnapped me or was a fellow prisoner. His next word settled that.
"I was surprised you have not attacked me yet. From your performance a year ago I would have thought you would have escaped my now!"
"I probably couldn't." I replied. "Besides, that cane is loaded."
"My cane?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yup. Sword cane if I am not mistaken."
The man chuckled and nodded.
"Now," He said as he stood up. "Down to business. We don't want your education to suffer while your here, so---"
"Wait!" I interjected, "Before that I have some questions."
"Well all right, what is on your mind?"
"One, Who are you? Two, Why am I here? And three, Where is here? Like you said we wouldn't want to let my education suffer! Educate me!"
He laughed at this.
"Educate you! Fine! Who am I? Well I am like all the villains in every novel written summed up into one! I am like Moriarty to Sherlock Holmes, Long John Silver to Jim Hawkins, and Sauron to Middle earth! I am the Arch Nemesis of All hero's ever. I am the Antagonist ! I have fun being to bad guy! I am the greatest antagonist ever! However that wouldn't do for a name, so you'll just have to call me, oh, Mr Jacob Diablos. As for your second question, Mr Greene, I have but one thing to say, Be Patient! Now as to you educa-"
"You don't wish to answer the third?"
 Diablos Grinned cruelly.
"Why you are in a stone cell under the surface of the earth! Moving on, you will have fencing lessons, lessons in any form of martial arts you wish, a math tutor, one also for English, French and Latin. I can have almost any book you want brought down here. I will supply virtually anything you need for many different activities."
He turned to leave then paused and slightly turning he added, "do hope you don't tire of our hospitality and try to escape!" The door opened and I glimpsed several men in black combat gear carrying large assault rifles in the corridor. A second later the door closed and ended the strangest meal and conversations I had ever had.

Fallen Part 2

Nick crouched in the shadows waiting for the right moment. The guard yawned, turned, and started to walk toward Nicks hiding place. Nick gripped his club. He tensed as the guard drew abreast of him and then struck. The guard collapsed with a slight groan. The detective raced across the small patch of moon light and ducked under the wing of the airplane. "Lets see how much I remember from that flight book I read once' he thought as he slipped into the cockpit and buckled his seat belt '

'Yeah right!' I thought, that would never happen! I however continued to read as the hero of the book found a checklist and proceeded to fly the enemies airplane away, successfully escaping from a torturous death.

At the end of the chapter I marked my spot and set the book down. The whole house was REALLY quiet. My parents were gone on a short vacation, and my siblings were visiting our cousins. I was all alone in the house. I made a cup of tea and grabbed some cheese crackers and continued to read. I couldn't help thinking about the man in the store earlier. Something about him was strange. I couldn't really put a finger on it but he was...

It was then that I heard a noise. It was a very small kind of creak. Like someone stepping on a loose step or something. The hairs on the back of my neck prickled and I realized how creepy being in an empty house at night is. Then my world turned upside down... again.

In the space of about ten seconds three men blasted around the corner into our front room, two of them subdued me, the third pressed a wet cloth to my face. I tried to hold my breath but one of the men kicked me in the stomach driving it from my lungs. I gasped for a second and then as all went soft and warm. I realized that I hadn't fed our pet beta fish.

When you are drugged it is very much like fainting. The world constricts into a warm fuzzy tube, and then goes black. It isn't all that uncomfortable. Waking up however in a dark room with a headache is a different matter. There were no windows and it was so dark I couldn't see anything. I was laying on my back so I rolled over onto my stomach and waited for the pounding in my cranium to go back to a more tolerable level. I could feel stone flags and the air was damp and cold so I figured I was in a basement or something. Very slowly I crawled forward until my fingers touched a wall. I rested for a bit, straining my ears to hear the slightest noise that might give me a hint to where I was. My headache was subsiding a little, and I could hear slight noises. I listened for a while trying to make sense of them. questions circulated in my thoughts. Why am I here? Where is here? Is there a light switch? Is my family OK? Am I OK? are my kidnappers going to kill me? why did they bring me here? where is here? Over and over these questions and a hundred more whirled around until my headache started to come back again. "God I need peace! Help my thoughts to slow down, Help me not to panic. Thank you for keeping my safe so far! I have not been hurt beyond being drugged and dragged from my home. Please keep my Family safe!'

I started running through scriptures I had memorized, mostly from psalms.

Psalm 140:1, Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men; PROTECT ME FROM MEN OF VIOLENCE.

118:5-6, in my anguish I cried to the LORD, and He answered by setting me free. The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?

Instantly I thought of about twenty things man could do to me to harm my body.

I sat in the dark and prayed and remembered scriptures for an indefinite amount of time before I heard approaching footsteps, and then the door to my cell cracked open, blinding me with the light that spilled in.