Desire Ch. 67 - Sleepy Time

[itztigress3]

Chapter 67 - Sleepy time
POV: Emily / Adam / Zac / Casey
Word Count: 5033


July 25, 2010
-Emily-

Velma and I were in the store, the weekend had gone very well. Velma had been my shadow all weekend, she stayed right with me Friday and I needed it, because we had a lot of people in and out all day. Stephanie provided back up, floor support and covered when I got the packages that were being picked up. We attended the listening party that night as well and she and I sat near the side and talked and watched them. Saturday was completely fucking insane. Not only did they manage to get all of the video shot in one day, Zac managed to get me into the crowd with Velma and Casey. Stephanie, Gina and Angela ran the store. Nothing weird had happened and everyone was just tired and waiting for the end of the day.

I was sitting at the counter watching the dozen or so fans mingle in the store and Velma was sitting with me also watching them.

“What is the plan for the afternoon?”

“We close shop here at 1 and I have to count and prepare deposits for tomorrow and ensure our registers are right. I’m not sure I think Casey was supposed to come get me if not then you and I walk to the MG section and you turn me over to Zac and then you’re free to run away until Tuesday as we are all taking Monday off.”

“I can handle that.”

We idly chatted about the upcoming tour, because it would be different than any others, I was taking over as the tour manager and Velma was going to be my replacement as merchandise manager, in addition we were thinking 1 bus would be plenty because the crew could double up jobs and accomplish the same thing tasks. I enjoyed Velma’s company and we got along very well. We were all looking forward to this tour.

“Wasn’t Zac’s friend supposed to meet you here?”

“No. She’s actually at the show right now to hear the new songs and then she’s heading home until dinner, when we’re meeting her somewhere tonight.”

“You don’t sound so thrilled.”

“I just want to go home and sleep honestly. I feel so tired and worn down that I’m not even sure I’m awake right now.”

She laughed. “You look very tired really. I’m kind of worried about you actually.”

“I feel tired. I think that sinus infection is coming back. I promised Zac if after sleeping for a while I still felt tired I would make an appointment.”

“I agree with him. You need to be healthy so you can put up with all of us being crammed on a bus for three or four months.”

“Amen!”

“It was nice to meet your brother’s though, there very nice.”

“That’s just two of them, my older three are in Georgia. There more reserved actually but I am sure you’ll meet them when we stop in Atlanta.”

She smiled. “Aaron is hilarious. I was glad they got to stop by some yesterday.”

“Me to and I know Zac was relieved as well.”

We continued talking about the weekend and tour and at 1:14 I locked the door and put the closed sign up. I pulled all three registers and she stayed in the store to clean up and re-stock items if needed. I took the registers up-stairs to the office where I pulled the reports and then counted them down. We ended up being 1.00 short for the day which wasn’t bad considering how busy it had been all weekend. I counted out and prepared the deposits and then got my phone and sent Casey a message.

Are you coming for me or is Velma bringing me?

Have her bring you, the show is going very well but we’ve had some minor glitches. Stay INSIDE at the MG and we’ll meet you there. Zac said something about a late lunch prior to the MG’s.

Ok – I’m almost done here but will wait until like 2:30 to head down. I don’t want to be waiting an hour on them!

Amen! See you then!

I took the deposits to Taylor’s office and put them in his safe, because he was the one taking them to the bank the next day and his safe was more secure. I then cleared some extra paperwork, closed down the computers for the day and went to the store. She was just finishing up and it looked very nice. I waited as she finished putting up the few items and then put up the cleaning items as well. We went outside to check the trash cans and I noticed that on the sidewalk was broken glass.

“Hey Velma, can you run inside and get the broom and dust pan? There are fans walking around with no shoes in support of the walk efforts and I don’t want them to get cut on this glass. I’ll stand right here and wait.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. You can run faster than I can.”

She nodded and ran back inside and while she did that I started picking up the larger pieces. It looked like one of the framed pictures that were purchased had broken right outside. I had just picked up a rather large piece when someone brushed up against me and I jumped and the glass edge sliced into my left hand when I yelped they stopped.

“Oh my god! I am so sorry. Are you ok?” She asked.

“Yeah, it’s ok. You didn’t mean too.”

She ran on down the sidewalk but looking at my hand I knew I needed to get it cleaned so I went up to the side door and went inside. I stopped by the bathroom and seeing the blood was everywhere now I took my rings off and washed them and then laid them to the side while I finished cleaning. I then wrapped it and got them, going to our office. I put the two rings in the tray on the desk and sat down to bandage my hand up. I was almost done when Casey called my name and I looked up.

“Are they done?” I asked.

“No, I had to come get a battery for the synthesizer. Are you ok?”

“Yeah, cut my hand on glass. I’m almost done.”

“Yeah, Velma looked worried but she is waiting on you by the store.”

“Shit! Can you send her a message right quick and let her know I’ll meet her in the store and that I got cut.”

“Sure.”

He then headed on down the hallway and to what I assumed was the studio. I finished putting the anti-bacterial crème on my hand and then put the bandage around it. I left my wedding bands in the tray because I couldn’t get them on for the bandages, Zac would understand I am sure. I then got my phone and put it in my pocket and came out of the office intending to head to the store.

“Hey!” She said.

I turned. “Hey, I was just coming down.”

“Are you ok?”

“Yeah, just a cut to my hand I’m fine.”

She smiled. “Zac sent me a message and said there nearly done and would meet us at the diner instead, he’s apparently starving to death or something.”

“Casey mentioned it.”

I walked down the hallway and she and I walked out of the building and turned left, taking the alley like Zac and I always do. It was quiet as we walked and I was just thinking about skipping dinner tonight, really it’s a late lunch and I won’t be hungry anyway but I just felt so exhausted. We were almost to the end of the building when I felt the arm come around my left side getting my waist and I thought for a moment it was Zac but then the right arm came around and something was pressed over my mouth and nose.

I struggled against the person trying to get free but she just stood there and watched. I was confused and unsure of what was happening really. But the heavy feeling of sleep was taking over and I finally kind of relaxed, but the last thing I saw before my eyes closed was Adam’s face looking down at me and smiling.


-Adam-

The weekend had been hectic but a prime chance arrived Sunday and my contact pulled through. I watched them round the corner of the building and opened the door quietly; she was obviously preoccupied with something because until my arms were around her, she didn’t show any signs of being afraid or wary. The contact stood and watched and after I got Emily into the white van I looked at her.

“You did very well; your payment is already waiting.”

She smiled. “No problem.”

She turned and walked away from us and I smiled at the sound of those heels clicking on the ground. I always loved that sound; I got into the back with Emily who was now completely knocked out. I noticed the bandage and then realized her wedding bands, which I wanted to smash to pieces weren’t on her hand. It was too risky to have the contact go back and get them, so I closed the door and looked at Zane.

“We’re ready and we need to be out of Tulsa before four.”

“On it, this was easy however you should keep your heads down.”

I lay down on the seat beside her, ran my fingers down her cheek as he began moving. I wouldn’t sit up until we were out of this town. Instead, I took the moment to just admire her face, features Paul loved like the plumpness of her lips, the way she looked so angel like as she slept. By 4 we were out of Tulsa so I sat up in the back and laid her head in my lap. I gently stroked her hair away from her face as she slept peacefully, she wouldn’t get this peaceful rest for a while after this time.

I remembered a lot of things that she use to do when she was younger. I’d watched her sleep many times as a child and when we were at the apartment. It was one of my favorite things to do when she was a baby, I’d watch her for hours just sleeping.  I finally called David about 5.

“Hey, where are you?” I asked.

“At home, why?”

“Don’t leave your home. Our prize is sleeping like an angel in my lap.”

“You found a way?”

“I did. She’s got a cut on her hand but otherwise she’s fine. However, her wedding rings are not on her hand and I couldn’t send the contact inside to get them.”

“That is fine really, we don’t need them. She won’t be going anywhere once she’s here.”

“That is true. Zane is driving the whole way and we’re not planning many stops so we should be at the house by 3 tomorrow.”

“That is fine; I will remain at home though because her brothers will suspect me as soon as news spreads, this way I have an alibi for it and they can’t demand me do anything.”

“There already suspicious, Zac’s been calling and texting her phone since 3:15.”

The line was quite. “You could let him know early. Her phone will allow message to his.”

“That is true, maybe later. We’ll stop for dinner soon and then I can get a few decent ones.”

“Understandable. I’ll speak to you later.”

I hung-up and picked her phone up, unlocking it was easy and I looked through the various pictures and message. There were dozens of pictures of her, Zac, Casey, and their friends and families. There were also pictures of land, open land which confused me. But moving into the text messages cleared it up, her and Zac had talked about various properties around Tulsa, they were apparently thinking of building a larger home. I was sorry for Zachary, he would not need her opinion anymore, and he could do whatever he wants.

The sexual messages however made my blood boil. Zac’s especially talking about wanting to make her scream or how he wanted to, which confused me. It was clear that they did in fact have a healthy sex life, one I was about to blow up. The messages just from Casey were not sexual, most were security or just information but the messages shared between Casey, her and Zac were laced with sexual tones. This indicated that while they played together, all three were present during those times.

“Such a shame Emily, you could have saved yourself so much pain if you’d have listened and made better choices.” I said.

About 6 she stirred some in my lap and I let her wake up a few minutes before placing the cloth back over her mouth and nose, just the look of fear in her warm grey eyes was enough for me. I got her phone and took a picture of her asleep in my lap, a few actually. I then sent them to Zachary, I was sure he’d appreciate them.

He would never see her again. By the end of August she would be too afraid to even mutter his name, let along think about him. By the end of the year she’d be my wife and we’d be moving forward with the plans she’d caused me to put on hold. I had planned at least three kids by now, but I would have to just close the age differences some. If her body was anything like her mother’s, she’d be fine with it.

We only stopped for gas and food and I remained in the vehicle each time, needing to ensure she stayed asleep for the trip. I felt relieved when we entered Georgia and Zane drove to the house. He was not getting out and would be taking the van to dump it and then getting a rental home. I carried her inside to the sofa and paid him for the trip, made sure he left. I then sent David a coded messages saying we were here.

She was sleeping so peacefully still. I picked her up off the sofa and carried her down to the basement where her home would be until I felt confident she had been trained properly. I laid her down next to the center pole and left her laying there.

“Sleep you’ll need it.” I whispered to her.


-Zac-

God I was so fucking tired, I contemplated canceling dinner with Layla but she seemed so excited to be going that I just couldn’t. I did however elect to do a late lunch and decided I’d do chili or something light because my head was beginning to hurt. The show finished at 2:45 instead of 2:30 because Casey had to get the battery for the last song, everything that could go wrong pretty much had so far. We closed the show and got off stage and after getting water and toweling off I sent Emily a message asking if she wanted to grab food or not, but she didn’t reply.

“Did you see Ems Casey?”

“I did. She was inside the building bandaging her left hand. She said she cut it on glass and Velma was sweeping glass from outside the store.”

“Did she have her phone?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t see it.”

I called her number and it went to voicemail, so I sent another six messages and the longer the time went without hearing from her the more that sinking feeling came. I finally walked away from the others and ran the four blocks to the studio. I didn’t see Velma anywhere so I went to the door and went inside.

“Emily?” I yelled.

I went to our office and sure enough the first aid kit was out, there was bloody paper towels in the trash can and her wedding rings were in the tray. Those I picked up and put in my pocket. I then went through the entire building calling her name and searching to make sure she wasn’t inside. The store was locked, lights off and no one was in the building. I went to the office and started calling everyone. Aaron, Christopher, and Craig hadn’t seen her today nor had they heard from her. Zander was at the hospital already and checked to make sure she didn’t come in but she wasn’t there anywhere. I called Nikki, Natalie, my sisters, Mackenzie, my parents, aunts, uncles and cousins, no one had seen her.

“Zac?” Casey asked.

But I was frantically calling people we knew in Tulsa, in case she went with someone she trusts because she was afraid. But, no one had seen her and she wasn’t with them.

“Zachary?” Casey asked.

“What time were you here?”

“I came in about 2:15, what is wrong?”

I turned and looked at him. “She’s not answering her phone and she’s not with anyone.”

“Did you call Velma?”

“No! I didn’t.”

I called her and she answered her phone.

“Is Emily with you?”

“No, the last time I saw her she was going around the corner of the building toward the diner. I assumed Casey was with her because he texted me that she was inside. He said she would be at the store but I saw her going around the corner and figured she changed her mind.”

“What time did you see her?”

“Um, it was about 2:30 to 2:40. Why?”

“I can’t find her…”

I then hung-up and a few minutes later Taylor and Isaac were in the room as well.

“We have the meet and greet Zac, what are you doing?” Isaac asked.

“She’s not answering, she’s not with anyone.”

“Maybe she went home Zac, she has looked very tired the last few days and we’re all exhausted.” Taylor said.

“She would answer her phone!” I shouted.

The room got very still and quiet and it was possible she had gone home, because she had been very tired the last few days. If she’d fallen asleep it was realistic to think she wouldn’t hear the phone ringing as well.

“I’ll do some meetings but I’m not staying long. Casey can you please go to the house and see if she’s there?”

“I will.” He said.

I did go to the meet and greet, but I didn’t feel into it and I was sure it showed. Casey sent a message that said she was not at home and that was more unsettling. She’d never done this and my gut feeling was that something was very wrong. I left the meeting at 4:15 and went home. Taylor and Isaac stayed for the duration of the time. When I got home I tried everyone again, to see if she’d showed up. I left her messages, left voicemails begging her to call me back, asking if she was mad about something, I tried Zander again to make sure she hadn’t come in, but she wasn’t there. Taylor and Isaac came in at 5:30. Sure, I felt bad about cutting the fans short but honestly, Emily was far more important to me.

The four of us sat in the living room and we tried more calls. But it had been three hours and that sinking feeling was now dread and regret. Taylor was to my left and Casey my right, Isaac was in the chair talking to Nikki. I laid my phone down for a moment to try and think where she could be. But nothing was coming to mind and then my phone went off and it was her ring tone! I snatched it up to see what the message was but as soon as it was open I just paused. It was a picture of her asleep and her head was in someone’s lap. It was recent because her hand was next to her head and a white bandage was around it.

I stopped breathing and I felt my heart pounding against my rib cage. The second message came in and it was the same thing, she was completely out. I moved the message up some and read the single line of words through blurry eyes.

You will never see her face again, Zachary.

“Zachary?”  Taylor asked.

I raised my head up some saw him through blurry eyes.

“He has her…” I whispered.

At this very moment all I wanted was something that would make this ache and the pain go away. Adam had her and he wouldn’t give her back, logically I knew I needed to call the detectives and her family but the overwhelming pain was all I could think of. The overwhelming dread that the last time I would ever see her face was earlier today when I had left to go play the show. I just fell into Taylor’s lap and cried. There was nothing else I could do.

-Casey-

I saw the picture the moment he opened it and I knew who had her and what had occurred. He’d whispered something to Taylor moments before he just fell apart. I’d known him since he was 14 and I had never seen him cry this way. I felt helpless so when Isaac got up I moved and let him take my place, because I’d never heard him cry this way. I watched as Zac pretty much just crawled into Taylor’s lap and cried like he was three.

His heart wrenching sobs were affecting us all. I could see Taylor’s blue eyes water up and Isaac’s warm brown eyes were swimming in water as well. I blinked back my own and watched as they tried their best to sooth him and calm him down but I noticed when Taylor moved his hair from his face it got worse. The slight crying turned to loud sobs and screams and then began to tone down some. Taylor closed his arms around his not so little brother and held him while Isaac did the same thing. I could hear them both telling him she’d be ok.

He truly needed them more than he did me right now so I got his phone from the floor where’d he’d dropped it and began calling her brothers. Aaron showed up ten minutes after I hung-up, Christopher and Craig were twenty minutes but they all looked puzzles by the sight of Zac sitting in Taylor’s lap but none of them said a word about it. I could tell that Zac’s sobs and cries were affecting even them and they looked worried and upset.

Zac cried for almost two hours before he got quite against Taylor’s neck and chest. Isaac was steadily rubbing his back his arm and Taylor was holding him tightly. Her brother’s had sat down quietly because none of us could do much but wait and we had no idea how to handle him in that state but it was clear Taylor and Isaac did know.

“Taylor? Is he ok?” I asked.

“He cried himself to sleep and I’m afraid to wake him up right this moment.”

“Has he ever done that before?” Aaron asked.

Isaac looked at him. “The last time I heard him cry like that was when your grandmother passed away. That day it was my lap he was in for hours, before that he got really scared during a big major storm and he curled up in Taylor’s lap. I know we’re all tired but someone needs to call Detective Walker and let them know. She’s been gone for several hours and they need to know so they start looking for her.”

Christopher and Aaron took that job and made several calls, we’d have to wake Zac up when they arrived but for the moment Taylor wanted to let him stay asleep and calm down. So we left him asleep until the detectives arrived. When Taylor woke him up and he realized that everyone was there he did look a bit embarrassed to be where he was, so when he moved Taylor let him. He chose the center seat but his sides were up against Taylor and Isaac.

Zac showed the detectives the message he’d received, each of us gave them both the last time we saw her and if she was with anyone else. Velma was a common denominator because she was tasked to stay with her. Employee’s names and numbers were given and we were sure they would be spoken too. Zac looked so sad as he spoke to them about the last time he saw her, which was this morning when he left her at the studio to go prepare for the show.

I could feel that deep pain as well, sure I didn’t love her to the depth that Zachary did, but I still loved her as a friend and as someone I truly trusted and cared for and my heart was breaking because as bad as I felt, I knew Zac was feeling worse. Hearing him made me want to hunt Adam down myself. The detectives were going with Isaac to the studio to view the cameras, they were inside and outside so hopefully they could see whoever or whatever happened to her. I moved beside him and rubbed his back gently.

“We’ll find her Zac, you know we will.”

He looked at me and there were still tears running down his face and I couldn’t help but wipe them away.

“We will find her.”

He looked back to his phone as Detective Walker, Duncan, and Isaac walked out to go down to the studio.

“Casey, what exactly did you see?” Aaron asked.

“I came back to get a battery, they needed it for the synthesizer to finish the last two songs I believe. She was sitting at the desk in their office, she was holding her hand and I asked what happened. She indicated she cut it on glass and I mentioned Velma sweeping glass. She asked me to send her a message and tell her to wait on her at the store and she would be down.”

“Did you not see her when you returned?”

“No. I got the battery and went out the store actually; Velma was waiting for her there. She said she planned to bring her down, hand her to Zac and then go home and sleep. I then returned to the concert.”

“She trusted Velma. We invited her on the tour to take Emily’s place. I don’t…What if…I had her watch her…”

The doorbell rang at 9:05 and Craig got it, Layla walked into the room and she looked a little peeved but then softened the moment she saw Zac sitting there looking like he’d been through the ringer.

“Zac? I called and no one answered, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

He looked up. “Emily was taken sometime around 2 or 3 today.”

“Oh my god! No! You guys had her buttoned down all weekend! Are you sure?”

“Yes. We’ve called everyone and I got images.”

She walked across the living room and kneeled in front of him, she placed a quick kiss to his forehead and I felt that was a bit strange, but how many times had I done that before?

“You’ll find her Zachary, I am sure. Is there anything I can do?”

“When did you see her last?”

She appeared thoughtful. “I was headed home just before the end of the show and I saw her with Velma outside 3CG. I didn’t stop or anything, I knew she’d be there tonight. I got worried when you didn’t answer and neither did she.”

He frowned and I felt bad because I knew Zac had asked Velma to watch her specifically. He’d trusted her and said he felt Velma was trustworthy. When he got up and went up-stairs none of us followed and Taylor stopped Layla.

“Give him a few minutes; he was pretty upset when he got the message.”
“I’ve never seen a man cry that way.” Christopher said.

Craig cracked a small smile and laughed but there was nothing in his laugh that said it was humor.

“I had doubts he loved her for a long time. But, watching him cry like that, there’s no doubt about it. He loves her to death and Taylor I believe that you or Isaac should stay with him tonight. He’s not looking very good and I’m worried that he may try something stupid.”

Taylor looked at him. “Cleared already, my mother is going to sit with Natalie; she’d been feeling pretty bad the last few weeks. I’ll be sleeping beside him tonight to make sure he’s ok.”

All of us nearly jumped out of our skin when he screamed up-stairs and I wasn’t sure but I think Taylor may have taken the steps in just two strides because he was up there before any of us were halfway, but it took Taylor and I both to get him to stop throwing things and to sit him down. Layla, Craig, Christopher and Aaron watched from the door as we held him and he again, cried like he was three. Taylor had him again in his lap and tried to calm him down as much as he could. Craig eventually walked over and kneeled down and turned his head to him.

“We’ll find her Zac, if nothing else because you’re breaking our hearts with this reaction. We will bring her home.”

Zac didn’t smile or waver from the deep set sadness and tears were still pooled in his eyes. My heart was breaking and there was nothing I could do.

“He’ll kill her before he lets her come back to me.” He said.

Taylor’s arms tightened and mine did too, it was how we spent most the night. Taylor finally got him to lay down about 2 am, but he didn’t sleep. Taylor did but his arm stayed where he could feel Zac and I laid there and cat napped, but I never remember Zac falling asleep. Instead he held his phone all night, waiting for another picture.