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Howie just stretched in pleasure and then laid back against the wall as he listened to AJ's complaints. Somehow management had tricked the media and the fans in believing the guys wouldn't be arriving at this hotel until the next morning. Sure, there were some people camped out already in the side alleys, as there always were hours in advance to their arrival anywhere they went. However, the major crowds wouldn't start until the morning, so they had a free night ahead of them. The things they could do: relax in the different areas of the hotel, see some of the sites, go out clubbing maybe, and of course AJ would pull him into making some time for shopping.
"Howie? Man, are you listenin' ta me?"
"Yes, AJ. I'm listening! You want to shop! I gotcha! Give me a little more time in here, though?"
"Dude, we've been in this sauna for almost the maximum amount of time the sign says we should be! I think it's time to go..." Howie sighed annoyedly, "I don't even know how ya managed ta sidetrack me to begin with. I should be out there gettin' some new shades now!"
Howie finally gave up. Standing up with his towel wrapped firmly around his waist, he gestured for AJ to open the door. Howie hissed as the heat left him to be replaced by the average temperature outside that felt freezing to his skin. The two grabbed their clothes and proceeded to dress before anyone found them. More specifically, before a fan found them. As soon as both were satisfied to their appearance, they left the pool area of the hotel to enter a long hallway of guestrooms.
"Where to, AJ?"
"I wanna change into something else before we go out anywhere, so I guess back to the rooms. I have no idea where the stairs or elevators are. Let's follow the hallway and see where it leads." They headed off down the hall until they saw a sign that said "Stairs to the left." An elevator would have been nicer, but at the same time it was more likely that they'd be caught by girls on one of those.
"Race ya, D! You up to it?" AJ asked as he slipped out of the hallway and started up to their floor. Howie's answer came in the form of him leaping up the steps two at a time past AJ. "Howie, you little shit!" he called as he hurried to catch up to his friend. They ran at the same pace for several floors, neither of them gaining or falling back. Then all of a sudden AJ shot off going even faster, cackling wildly as Howie protested. "You're gonna lose!" AJ taunted.
In the next moment, AJ was violently shoved into a corner on the fifth floor's landing. A man dressed in a simple black outfit held a gun pointed straight at his head, while keeping his eye on Howie a few feet away. "Too late. You just did."
Howie couldn't believe what he saw in front of his eyes. Moments ago AJ was gloating about what would be his victory, and now he was crouching into a ball of pain as a stranger threatened them both. As much as he didn't want to, Howie knew he had to look at their attacker. He needed to know what he was up against. Turning his head slightly as to not bring attention to himself, he looked the man up and down, dreading what he saw.
He was taller than both of them, most men were, though he didn't look quite as tall as Nick or Kevin. That didn't make a bit of difference, however. He had wide shoulders and what looked to be well-muscled arms, giving him a very stocky appearance. He carried himself well, with a very balanced stance, and from what Howie had seen from just a minute ago, he had very swift movements. The shade of brown in his eyes would have been very beautiful, except they were so hard and cold, leaving them ugly with hatred. His mouth was a tight line, revealing his commanding manner and determination. This man looked dangerous and ready to fight anytime, anywhere. Judging from his tousled blonde hair and sweaty face, he had already been pretty busy being up to something.
Any hope of outnumbering and trying to use their wits to get out of the situation left Howie then and there. With a gun pointed at AJ's head by a man such as this, he wasn't going to take chances on AJ's life, or his own. Howie held up his hands slightly to make sure it was clear he wasn't going to pull anything, and to get the stranger's attention. When the man turned his harsh glare to Howie, he couldn't think of anything to say to him. Any words that came to mind would sound stupid and possibly put them in more danger. Howie could only give a helpless look and hope the stranger would speak first.
"You, Tattoo Freak. What are you two doing in here?" The man never took his eyes off Howie as he spoke to AJ on the floor. Howie could tell how badly AJ wanted to shout back, but prayed to God that he wouldn't say anything to hurt them. Fighting hard to control his rage, AJ took a few breaths and waited another moment before speaking. When he did finally open his mouth, his words came out through a clenched jaw.
"We were on our way up to our rooms from the pool area."
"Were there any other pe-"
"I don't have to answer your stupid questions! Why don't you at least look at me, you fucked up piece of shit!" AJ screamed, unable to stop his rising anger.
The man's head snapped back to look at AJ, danger radiating off of him. "WERE THERE ANY OTHER PEOPLE DOWN THERE!?" As much as he wanted to scream at the stranger again, AJ once again realized how pointless and stupid resistance would be. He went on to answer as pure loathing reflected in his eyes.
"We did not notice anyone else down by the pool area as we left."
"What about anywhere else?"
"No, we saw no one."
"God damnit!" the man muttered to himself. "Well, you both come this way, and don't give me any hassle!" He opened the door that lead into the hallway on the fifth floor and waved his gun as a signal for them to go ahead of him. As they stepped forward, Howie and AJ couldn't help but notice the huddled group of terrified people in the middle of the hall several rooms down. The majority were what looked to be unlucky souls like themselves, while there were four other men dressed the same as Howie and AJ's captor. Those men all held guns of there own, and were keeping them ready for use. Out of the hostages, there was an older couple and two younger couples looking to be about in their twenties. A man in his mid-twenties wearing a red polo shirt was crouching down trying to comfort some people. He was obviously someone who worked at the hotel. What worried Howie was the family with three little girls. They were in enough trouble as it was, but if one of those girls recognized them and started making a fuss, she could be putting them, herself, or anyone else in jeopardy.
As soon as AJ saw that him and Howie weren't the only people being held captive, he was tired of wondering and waiting to know what was going on. "What is all this?!"
"Hey! You don't talk to me that way! Shut your face and get over there, got it?"
"Fuck you! I just want to know why you are threatening and scaring all of us! I can't do anything about it, so I might as well at least understand why!"
With that, the man punched AJ hard in the stomach, causing him to double over in pain. He then pointed his weapon down at AJ's forehead, appreciating the cringe he got from his victim. "You don't need to know why! You don't matter at all! If I choose, I can just pull this trigger and you're gone! Imagine your blood and brains splattered all over your little friend here. How ya like that picture? I suggest you learn to keep whatever you have to say to yourself, and learn it fast!"
Howie was paralyzed by the sight of his friend and bandmate curled up on the floor. He barely even heard the horrified shrieks coming from the group of people further down the hall, or the shouts for silence coming from all five of the armed men. All he could register in his mind was that AJ needed help. Discovering that he could move, Howie rushed to AJ's side to help him up. Once they were both standing, reality returned to Howie and he was thankful that no one was trying to stop him as he aided AJ over to the rest of the hostages. He didn't dare to look up at any of their captors, too afraid they would see the raw disgust and hatred in his eyes.
Unlikely Allies