“Nick, wait!” Howie called behind him as he too climbed out of the car. He didn’t want Nick going in alone for a couple reasons. Number one, if Nick did indeed find AJ…he might do something. And number two, there was no telling who was in that house, he didn’t want Nick to be alone and walk in on something.
But like he figured, Nick didn’t wait and Howie had to race after him.
Nick was able to push the door open, the alarm not on. That worried him…but at that moment he didn’t care. He barged into the living room to find it empty, everything the way he’d left it.
“Mrs. Hallwell!” He called out, halting and glancing around. The eerie silence of the house sent chills down his spine. “Mrs. Hallwell?” He called again.
“Nick, wait!” Howie exclaimed as he burst through the door. He stopped suddenly, seeing Nick standing there. “What?”
Nick shook his head. Slowly he took a step towards the kitchen. “Something’s not right.”
Howie nodded. “We should call the police.” He began to pull his phone out.
“NO!” Nick turned his head and glared at him.
“Okay.” Howie spoke as he slowly pocketed his phone again.
“You go check the downstairs, I’ve got the upstairs.” Nick ordered as he spun around the banister and raced up the stairs. “Holler if you find anything.” He reached the top of the stairs and paused, listening for any sound. But he heard nothing.
Slowly Nick headed down the hall, the fear of what he might find growing in his stomach. He made it to Celeste’s room and stopped. Taking a deep breath, he turned the knob and pushed the door open.
The room was empty. No Celeste. The bed was vacant, the blankets tossed aside and hanging off the bed. Nick’s heart beat faster and he backed out of the room.
“HOWIE!” He screamed, turning and racing for the stairs. She was gone. He knew it. AJ had come and taken her. God knows what he was doing. “HOWIE!” He yelled again, running down the step, skipping some as he went.
He reached the bottom and turned the corner to the living room when he collided with a body. The collision sent him reeling backwards and he fell with a thud to the floor, smacking his head on the table behind him.
With a start he pulled himself up and glared at the person also lying on the floor in front of him. “YOU!” He roared, lunging forward and going straight for the throat.
AJ rolled to the side and evaded Nick’s outstretched hands. “Nick…wait, let me….” But he didn’t get time to finish his sentence before Nick was lunging again. This time grabbing AJ’s arm and jerking him to a stop.
“Bastard!” He yelled out. He drew his fist back and pummeled it into the side of AJ’s head. “Where is she? You fucking prick!” He pulled his fist back again and sent it once more smashing into AJ’s head.
AJ’s body flew back from the force and he smashed his head into the ground. He let out a groan and rolled onto his side, grabbing his head between his hands. “Nick…don’t, no, it’s not….”
“Where is she, you freak!” Nick bellowed, standing up and moving above the hurting Boy. “Where?” His fists were clenched at his sides. “I knew you set this whole thing up…how brilliant AJ!” He sneered his name, then suddenly jumped on him, his fists flying. “Where is Celeste?!” His voice echoed with a roar through the house.
“NICK!” Howie yelled as he came flying into the room. He stopped and stared in shock at the sight before him. “NICK!” But he was moving again, jumping right in-between the two rolling Backstreet Boys. Nick, who was punching with all his might, and AJ who was trying his best to avoid what blows he could.
The three of them rolled for a minute, all shouting at the other. Finally, Howie managed to drag AJ away and behind him. AJ collapsed to the floor, blood dripping out of his mouth and nose. He rested his head on the carpet, staining it bright red.
“Move!” Nick demanded, wiping the back of his hand across his mouth. He stared in anger at Howie.
Howie shook his head. “Nick, no.” He held up a hand.
Nick nodded. “Don’t get involved D. Just step out of the way. He has Celeste.”
Howie shook his head. “Nick, no. We need to call the cops. Mrs. Hallwell is hurt, I think she broke her arm.” He was talking fast now, just trying to bide time.
Suddenly a movement out the large, bay window caught his attention. He turned to see a figure dart from behind a tree and around the corner of the house. It looked like they’d been carrying something. “There’s someone out there.” He pointed outside.
Nick turned, then looked back to Howie. “D, move. He has Celeste.”
Howie moved forward and grabbed Nick’s arm. “Nick, I just saw someone outside….” But a loud roar cut him off.
Nick jerked out of Howie’s grasp and moved to the window. He stared in horror as a black Ford Ranger rounded the corner from the back of the house and skidded around the Durango. The truck…the same one that the intruder had escaped in at Celeste’s apartment.
“I…It’s Rod…” AJ choked out from his spot on the floor. He pushed himself up and turned to Nick, wiping his hand across his face, smearing the blood.
Nick glared at him. “Rod? Fuck!” He started for the door. “Celeste’s in there, isn’t she?”
AJ nodded, but Nick didn’t give him time to reply. He turned back and grabbed him by the collar. “Hell, he probably helped you…come on!” He jerked him roughly to his feet and pulled him towards the door.
“Nick…wait!” Howie called out, starting after him.
Nick didn’t stop. “Come on D. That fucker has her. We have to get her back. And this fucker,” he shook AJ, “knows what’s going on. They’re in it together. Come on!” He pulled the front door open.
Howie sighed and raced after him. This was not good. Not good at all. Well, at least he would be there to keep Nick under control. If he could. And hopefully they’d get this all figured out. In the meantime…maybe he’d call the police, and an ambulance. After all, someone had to help Mrs. Hallwell, since it seemed Nick had forgotten about her.