Picture This

Warnings and disclaimers: See chapter 1
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Lucas was glad to see Derek. Nathan had been running late and Lucas hated getting to class late during a test. Since everyone seemed worried about him traveling alone, Lucas decided Derek’s arrival served two purposes. First, it would get him to school on time and second, Nathan and his mom could relax knowing he was safe and in good hands.
“I got us coffee,” Derek smiled.

“Dude, you’re lucky my mom didn’t see this,” he joked as he took the cup. “Buying from the competition is no way to score brownie points with my mom.”

Lucas took a big swig and swallowed. His mouth turned down at the bitterness.

“This coffee sucks man. I guess my mom’s business will be safe,” he joked again.

Derek watched him. “It’s not polite to insult something that was given to you.”

Lucas missed the edge in his voice and took another sip, thinking Derek was joking.

“I’m sorry man, I don’t mean to insult you but this coffee is pure swill. Have you tasted it?” Lucas held his cup up for Derek to drink.

“I don’t drink coffee,” he said, flinching away from the cup.

“That explains it,” Lucas smiled. He took a few more sips before giving up on the bitter beverage.

Since Derek wasn’t very talkative, Lucas decided to get some last minute studying in. He became so engrossed going over his notes that he barely noticed when Derek missed the turn off that led to Tree Hill High. It was only when he realized that they’d been driving a bit longer than normal that Lucas looked up and took in his surroundings.

“Dude, you missed the turnoff for the school.” Lucas was more agitated than worried. He had less than ten minutes to get to class. Derek’s silence caused Lucas to look over at his driver. “Derek...”

Something in the older blonde’s eyes terrified him. Derek had a manic look in his eyes as he turned briefly and flashed Lucas a deranged smile.

“I’m leaving Tree Hill today,” Derek said calmly. “I thought we’d hang out before I go.”

“I have an exam. Maybe we can hang out later.” Lucas said evenly.

“Forget the exam. After today, it won’t matter.” Derek sped the car up and Lucas was already hoping that a squad car was parked up somewhere setting up a speed trap.

“What do you mean after today? Derek, what’s going on?”

Lucas was about to say something else but his mouth was beginning to feel like cotton and his head was spinning.

“I think your coffee is making me sick,” Lucas slurred. “You can turn the car around right there.” He pointed to a patch of road worn out from the constant abuse of tires doing U-turns. When the car flew past the turn off Lucas indicated, his annoyance turned to full fledged panic.

“Derek,” he slurred again. “What are you doing? I have to get to school.”

Lucas looked over at the slightly older teen and this time what he saw more than frightened him.

“You’re not going to school today,” Derek said calmly.

Lucas looked around. Everything was swimming. He heard his cell ringing and tried to fish it out of his pocket. He felt the car swerve off the road and onto the shoulder. Derek reached over and dug into Lucas’s pocket. His hand lingered inside his pocket longer than Lucas felt comfortable with. He wanted to fight for the phone but his hands felt like jello. Derek leaned in, fishing out the cell and pocketing it. Lucas could feel the other man’s warm breath dangerously close to his lips. He tried to cry out but his lips were as useless as his hands.

“Whatd’ya do to me?” He slurred.

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Peyton gave a description of the car her brother was driving and allowed the police to search her place. It had been over an hour now and still no word from Lucas. To top it off his absence only spurred the belief that he indeed was the kid found brutally murdered despite the release of the name of the victim. Karen’s phone rang off the hook. The police had tapped the line in case there should be a ransom demand. Nathan knew there wouldn’t be.

He felt helpless sitting around waiting for word on Lucas’s whereabouts, the problem was he didn’t know where to begin looking. His dad had the police department scouring the area by the club, the warehouse district and every nook and cranny in between Tree Hill and the next county line. When the radio call came in that the red Chevy was spotted on Cromley Road close to the county line, Nathan followed on his bike as police cars scattered across Karen’s yard took off. Karen held vigil by her home phone. She was too mortified to follow in her car.

The car was abandoned which meant Derek and Lucas were on foot. Nathan was hopeful that that meant he was still alive and safe. Dan arrived on the scene barking orders and a search of the wooded area surrounding the road began. Though his father begged him not to go, Nathan drove his bike over the rugged terrain, weaving around trees. He knew he could cover more ground than the men on foot could. Some yards away, he spotted an old shed hidden by some tall trees and overgrown grass. He abandoned his bike and approached the shack cautiously. He ducked down when he spotted Derek leaving the shack and taking off further into the woods. As much as he wanted to give chase to the bastard and beat him to a pulp, his first concern was for Lucas.

He sprinted to the door of the shed, keeping low in case Derek should double back. He crept into the wooden edifice that was dark save for the streaks of sunlight that managed to find their way through the old tattered shades that still hung in the busted out windows. Nathan heard the sound of someone gasping for air.

“Lucas?” He called out, following the sound of the labored breathing.

He heard the rustle of cloth and looked over to a small closet within the tiny space.

“Oh my god, Lucas!”

Nathan rushed to his brother’s side. His brother was bound and gagged with duct tape. Nathan pulled the piece from across Lucas’s face and the boy gasped out his name.

“Nate, my chest...it hurts,” he slurred.

Nathan reached in his pocket and dialed 911 and gave the best directions off of Cromley Road he knew how. He was well aware there were police in the area so it wouldn’t be long before help arrived. He still had the old Swiss army pocket knife his father had given him as a kid on one of their camping trips. He opened the blade and attempted to cut Lucas free.

It was then that a barrage of police entered the building shouting orders, yelling at him to put his hands up and drop the weapon. Nathan wanted to yell at the idiots that he wasn’t the deranged psycho they were looking for but adrenalin was high so he complied with their request. He realized the quicker he cooperated, the quicker Lucas could get help.

Det. Wilcox was on the scene and quickly straightened out the misunderstanding. Nathan hurriedly told the detective about Lucas’s heart condition and rode with him in the ambulance to Tree Hill General Hospital.

“Call his mom,” were the last words Nathan shouted to the detective as the ambulance doors closed behind him.

The paramedics worked hard to stabilize Lucas. It was concluded that Lucas had been given some sort of drug to render him immobile. A date rape drug was what it was being called. Nathan felt his whole world shift at that word. Lucas had been fully clothed when he found him but that didn’t mean a thing and right now he was so out of it, it would be a while before they could clearly determine what was done to him.

Of course Nathan new an examination would be done but and he dreaded hearing the news that his brother, his lover had been violated.

Karen arrived at the hospital shortly after the ambulance. Nathan had to commend his dad for not being a prick and making sure Karen and Lucas had some privacy. He was examined in a private area of the ER. They gotten his heart rate under control and Karen was with him giving the doctors a list of the medications Lucas was on.

They stepped out of the room to allow the nurses to do a rape kit. Nathan and Karen were standing in the hall when they wheeled Derek in with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Nathan felt his fists tighten and Karen’s hand on his shoulder gripping him tight as the semiconscious man was rolled past them crying out in agony, police flanking the doctors at his side. The look in her eyes told him she knew more than she’d ever let on. Nathan relaxed, turning to her and let the weight of all that had transpired pass from his shoulders to hers. He sobbed into her neck, unable to say the words that flooded his brain. He wanted to apologize for the lies, he wanted to thank her for being there for him, and he wanted to hide his face in the crook of her neck until all the bad just melted away.

He felt Karen’s hands stroke his short locks and whisper, “its okay,” and “I know.” Nathan felt selfish for allowing himself this moment of weakness. It was he who should be consoling Karen. He pulled himself together and stood up straight. She wiped his tears away with her thumb and produced a handkerchief from her purse and dabbed his eyes with it before squeezing it into his hand.

“Go clean up a bit,” she whispered.

Nathan looked reluctantly back at the double doors not willing to leave lest there be news of Lucas.

“Go,” she ordered and smiled sadly at him.

Nathan found the nearest restroom and splashed cold water on his face. He grabbed a paper towel and dried himself off. Staring in the mirror he whispered a short plea.

“Let him be okay.”

When Nathan returned, the doctors were just coming out to speak to Karen. Nathan hurried over and Karen reached out for Nathan’s hand; both of them bracing themselves for the worst.

“There was no sign physical signs of sexual assault,” the doctor reported. “He’s still out of it due to the drugs but his heart has stabilized. He’ll be admitted to the cardiac unit as a precaution for a few days.”

“Can we see him,” Nathan pleaded.

“Just for a few minutes. Mrs. Scott, we’ll need you to stop by the front desk and fill out some paperwork.

“It’s Ms. Roe.” Karen corrected.

“I’ll handle that,” Dan spoke from over her shoulder.

“Yes Mr. Mayor,” the doctor said, slightly intimidated.

Dan disappeared down the hall while Karen and Nathan made their way to Lucas’s bedside. He was still slightly groggy. The police had attempted to ascertain all that had happened and get a statement from him but once again Dan did the right thing and insisted they talk to his son in the morning.

Lucas could barely keep his eyes open. He smiled slightly upon seeing Karen and Nathan but then lapsed back into sleep. Nathan excused himself pretending to give Karen some time alone with her son. He walked around the ER until he found who he was looking for. Nathan seethed, seeing the man who had harmed his brother getting full medical attention. It was his desire to wait for the opportune time and take the bastards life for nearly destroying Lucas’s and Karen’s. He felt a pull on his elbow and turned to find Det. Wilcox standing behind him.

“Leave him to us son. He’s already made a full if not rambling confession. Go look after your brother.”

Nathan nodded and walked away. Derek was caught. That was the important thing. Now he could focus his attention on Lucas. He was already thinking about asking his father for one more favor; arranging for both he and Karen to spend the night at the hospital.