Fake Fan Fiction ❯ Austin ❯ Austin Part II: Hazard ( Chapter 2 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Austin Part II Hazard


Okay, so last chapter was angst. This one's more angst, and a little violence.

Salmon



Austin Part II

I think about my life gone by

And how it's done me wrong.

There's no escape for me this time

All of my rescues are gone,

Long gone.



3 months later...

"This guy is seriously twisted." JJ dropped the forensic report on Drake's desk. "Some of the wounds had up to two weeks healing before they died."

Drake grimaced. "I thought torture went out with the medieval age."

"If only that were true." JJ sat down. "All of the bodies were found in the same area...but is it just a dump site or is he there?" He looked throught several reports.

"You wanna give Taicho the update?"

"No, that honor's all yours."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."




Outside the factory there was the normal hustle and bustle of New York City, but nothing else. Inside there was screaming that suddenly fell silent...




JJ was typing on a computer casually. Drake's desk across from him was empty. A dozen or so files were on his desk. He finished typing info down from a final file he held and sat back, frowning thoughtfully as he dropped the file on top of the others.

"JJ!" Someone called.

"Yes!" JJ shouted back.

A man emerged from the crowd. "Drake said to tell you he's checking something in the file room and he'll be a few minutes."

"Okay." JJ shrugged.

"Your search is finished." The man replied, nodding at the computer before leaving.

JJ looked up, and froze. A map of an area, with red dots circling a four block square was on the screen. He printed the map out, then typed something. The four blocks were closed in on, info alongside. "Two full warehouses and two empty." He printed out a copy, paused, then printed out another. Writing down a quick note he put two of the printouts and the note on Drake's desk, grabbing up his jacket as he headed for the door.




Drake caught someone in the hallway. "Tell JJ someone asked me to help look for something and I'll be a few hours, unless he cares to join me."

"Not a problem."




Two of the warehouses were full, and one was empty just like the print-out had read. The final warehouse looked in worse shape than the otherthree. JJ shook his head. 'Looks like another dead end.' He peered into the window. There was a post that blocked the view. With a sigh he tried another. A board was leaning against the window. JJ frowned, growing suspicious. Moving to another side he climbed up a precarious set of metal stairs he tried again. He nearly fell off. A chair with straps was set in the middle of the room. Shelves with various sharp objects stood around. There was blood on the floor. JJ's lips pursed. Making his way down the steps. 'How far behing is Drake?' He wondered. 'Would I miss him if I left?...Probably...I'd better wait for him......Hide out in a side short...or just wait on one of the main ones. He hates when I go off on my own like this...' That was the last thought in JJ's mind before darkness descended.




"Hey! Wakey-wakey!" Someone hit him.

JJ opened his eyes eyes, looking around. There was a bright light in his face. He winced, trying to see past the light. A shadow walked around behind it. Masculine. He glanced down. He was strapped to the chair in the factory...his heart sped up. 'Have to get out...There's no way...' He swallowed back the wave of fear and concentrated on the figure. "Who are you?"

"Someone you don't want to be here with." Came the reply.

"You're the serial killer."

"You're a cop...I never killed a cop before."

JJ bit his lip. 'He never kills his victims the day he kidnaps them...he tortures them first...' Another wave of fear swept through him. He shook it off. 'Gotta stay focused.' "Why did you kill them?"

"Who?" The shadow asked.

"All those people."

"Why not?"

"Why?"

"You're nosy. Are all cops nosy?"

"You killed those people here?"

"Over a dozen." The shadow replied.

"And noone heard them scream?"

"It's sound proof...didn't you see? All the windows are perfect. I replace them before I started so they couldn't give me away."

"Really?" JJ asked him.

"Uh-huh."

"That must have been expensive."

"Almost as expensive as the chair and my equipment." The shadow confessed.

'So he's rich...' "Where'd you get the money?"

"It's MINE!" The shadow answered angrily. "It's mine! It's mine!"

JJ closed his eyes. The guy was definately psychotic. 'No way of talking him out of this. Have to keep him talking until Drake gets here. I don't know how long I've been unconscious...but he's gotta be checking the factories or...is only a few minutes away...maybe he'll check this one first..' "Why did you kill them?" He repeated.

"They didn't play nicely." The shadow replied.

"Play?"

"Yah, they didn't like playing with me..."

JJ swallowed, and against his better judgement asked, "What were you playing?"

"Doctor...my daddy was a doctor...he was fired because his patients complained...I know all their names by heart - the ones who complained. Six of them. Terry Johnson. Thomas Woods. Brenda Moore..."

'The first six victims.' "What about the others?"

"What others?" The shadow asked.

"The others who you killed."

"Wandered into my area, just like you..."

"Your area?"

"The four factories..."

"They belong to you? All of them?"

"Why are you so nosy?!" The shadow shouted. "Asking questions all the time! Why! Why!! WHY!!!"

"I'm curious." JJ answered calmly. 'Have to stay calm...have to keep him calm.'

"You're stalling!" Suddenly the shadow was a face, inched from his. Wild blue eyes and brown hair. Young...early 20s. "You're clever...and cute..." JJ shivered as the shadow pulled back. "I can change that...if I choose to..I can do anything I want..."

JJ closed his eyes, one thought comforting him as he heard the young man pick something off one of the shelves. Drake would be there soon.




3 hours later...

Drake approached JJ's desk, a smart remark on his lips since his partner hadn't come to help him. He froze when he saw it was empty, and a note with his message lay untouched. He looked at his own desk - grabbing up the print-outs and note. He grabbed the arm of the first person who walked by. "When did you last see JJ?"

"Several hours ago."

Looking at the map again he shoved it into the other man's hand. "Tell Taicho, or Berkeley, or whoever you come across first I need back-up. Here. And I need it ASAP."

"Drake, this is a four block area."

"Just do it!" Drake told him. "If I'm right that's where our psycho is. And he's got JJ." Drake ran out the door.




The one warehouse was empty. Drake ran to the other, trying to see in. He climbed the same steps JJ had as he pulled jout his radio. "This is Drake. Southwest warehouse is a bust. I'm at the Northeast..." Drake trailed off.

"...Drake? Is he there, Drake?"

"Killer's got JJ." Drake replied, pulling out his gun. "I'm going in."

"Negative, Drake. Wait for back-up. They'll be there any minute."

"You wait." Drake retorted icily, shutting off the radio. He ran to the door, debating what to do. He shot the lock and kicked it open. "NYPD freeze!"

The man whirled. "How dare you!" He threw something at Drake. Drake dodged behind a shelf, then came back out. The man was nowhere in sight.

JJ, bleeding from several wounds, looked up weakly. "To your left!" He manage to shout a warning.

Drake turned, but the knife plunged into his shoulder. Crying out in pain he kicked the attacker away. The boy stumbled back into one of the shelves - knocking it over and spilling its contents onto the floor. Grabbing up another knife the boy held it up. Drake held up his gun. "You can't stop me! You can't shoot me!"

Police sirens were heard through the open door. Drake walked slowly toward the man. "You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be held against you in the court of law-"

"I am the law!" The man ran further into the warehouse. Drake fired a warning shot as another door was thrown open, and three more cops burst in. Drake watched long enough to see them get ahold of the killer, then he ran to JJ's side and began to unbuckle the straps.

"Killer?"

"They got him, don't worry." Drake told him. "We gotta get you to a hospital."

"Should we call an ambulance?" Ryo ran up.

"I don't know." Drake told him as he continued to unbuckle the straps.

"I'm not dying, McClane. I'm just sliced up." JJ told him as Dee approached.

"Are you okay?" Dee asked.

JJ laughed humorlessly as Drake finally finished freeing him from the chair. "Not the word I'd put to it." He replied.

"I'll take him to the hospital." Drake promised, reaching to pick JJ up.

"I can walk." JJ swatted his hands away as he shakily rose to his feet. Drake put a restraining hand on his shoulder.

"You can also rip the wounds on your legs by trying." He told him, and picked him up. JJ winced, pursing his lips so not to cry out. "I'll see you two later." He promised Dee and Ryo as he carried him out the door.

"Hey, Dee!" One of the cops called him from the door.

"Rope this place off - it's a crime scene!" Dee ordered, turning to Ryo. As was normal, his partner looked worried. Dee took Ryo's hand in his own, giving it a reassuring squeeze. Ryo looked up at him, managing a smile that was supposed to be reassuring. It wasn't. Dee leaned down to kiss him on the cheek. "Come on, we've got work."




Drake placed JJ in the passenger seat of his car. Running over to the driver's side, he started it up and drove out of the area. He glanced over at his partner, and paused - almost forgetting to watch the road. JJ was crying. "JJ?"

"I'll be alright in a few minutes." JJ promised him.

"Is the pain that bad?"

JJ gave a short laugh. "It's not the pain." He replied.




I would have loved you anyway.

I'd do it all the same.

Not a second I would change.

Not a touch that I would trade.

Had I known my heart would break.

I would have loved you anyway...




3 weeks later...

The apartment was almost completely packed. Boxes were the only thing in some rooms. Dresser drawers and cabinets were taped shut. Drake entered through the open door slowly. He found JJ in the bedroom - packing the last of his clothes in a suitcase. "You really going through with it?"

JJ jumped, turning to Drake. "You scared me." He told him.

"Drake Parker - we were partners once." Drake held out his hand.

"Not amusing." JJ turned back to his work.

"No second thought?"

"None. I've got a new precinct. New position. New life..."

"New city." Drake added. "Austin...that's pretty far away."

"It is that..." JJ admitted.

"And you aren't going to miss anything?...Anyone?" Drake wanted to know.

"I'll probably miss everything...everyone..." JJ told him. "But that's part of leaving...part of starting over again...it's the way it goes...the way it is."

"It's not the way it has to be..."

JJ closed his eyes. "No, it's my choice. I chose this. Months ago, remember?"

"I guess I thought you might change your mind."

"...I need this, Drake." JJ told him, his voice quiet.

"I know your upset over what you went through, JJ...but people here need you...I need you..."

"No." JJ replied.

"Yes..I do...I need you. I'm in love with you, JJ. Have been for years. Before we were partners even. Or atleast I was attracted to you before. When we became partners...I fell head over heels. I learned so much more about you...Everyday I learned things that made me love you more."

"No."

"Yes."

"Drake, please!" JJ turned, tears in his eyes. "I can't, not now. After everything...I can't...I just can't..."

"JJ..." Drake stepped close to him, wiping away his partner's tears. JJ stepped back.

"Everything is so messed up now. In my life..in my head. Any answer I give you would probably be wrong. I need time. I have to get everything straight in my head first. And then I can listen. I can answer."

Drake's eyes had sunken slowly to the floor, and stayed their for several moments. When he looked up there was both understanding and disappointment in them. "Then I'll wait. I'll wait as long as you need. I'll wait forever." With that said Drake leaned down, his lips brushing JJ's gently. Then he turned, and left. Closing the door behind him.

JJ's hand rose to touch his lips, his eyes locked on the door as new tears sprung into them. A minute passed, then he ran to the door, throwing it open, and ran to look over the banister at Drake walking slowly down the stairs. He opened his mouth to call to him, but didn't. He just watched as Drake walked down the last flight of stairs, and out the apartment building's main door. Once again a minute passed. Then JJ returned to his apartment, and closed the door. He walked slowly back to the room, continuing his interrupted work as though he were sleepwalking. He finished, closing up the suitcase and setting it on the floor. He turned, punching the wall as new tears sprung into his eyes and he began to cry...



Salmon 2001