Take Back The Image of the Invisible, chapter 9

* * *
Tré found himself frozen to the spot, despite his every instinct screaming for him to run. He slowly raised his eyes from the gun to the gunman. He was dressed all in black bagging clothing and the hood of his jacket was pulled up, obscuring their face. He jerked his head over his shoulder, indicating the ladder.

"Go. Don't try anything either, or I'll take you down so fast your head will spin."
Tré obeyed, moving carefully toward the ladder, his heart in his throat. He descended quickly and the gunman followed, his weapon on the drummer even as he climbed down. No sooner had his feet touched the pavement than he signaled back the way Tré had come.

"Move."

The drummer obeyed yet again and they made their way back down the alley and through the side door of the building he'd come out of.

The gunman shut the door behind him and pointed down the hall.

"I'll meet you back in the main room in a few minutes. Oh, and just to make sure you don't get any ideas of leaving again... "

He turned to the dog that had followed them quietly back to the building.
"Rocko, guard."

Immediately the big dog stiffened, the fur on his neck bristling as he paced toward Tré, his eyes glowing with malice he let out a low growl.

"What's with all the hostility? I didn't do anything!" Tré pleaded as he took a couple steps back. The gunman ignored his comment.

"Go to the other room and stay there or you'll start loosing fingers." As if to further his master's point, Rocko snapped his jaws shut a hair's breadth from Tré's hand.

The drummer move quickly down the hall and back to the large room he'd awoke in. Rocko sat down a couple feet away with another low growl as Tré sank down on the old couch. All he could do now was sit and wait for what was coming for better... or worse.
* * *

Billie paced back and forth across the living room. It had been four days now since Tré's disappearance and Jason and Mike had just left to head home after yet another unsuccessful day of searching for their lost friend. Adrienne had put the boys to bed shortly afterwards, and now sat on the couch watching worriedly as her husband paced.

The front man had become increasingly frustrated and stressed as the days passed, and he was now at his breaking point. He hit the wall with his fist as he came to it and then continued passing, gritting his teeth as his mind seethed with unanswered questions.

"Billie, please calm down," Adrienne pleaded.

Billie stopped, turning on her, "How am I supposed to calm down, Adrienne? We haven't found one damn clue as to where Tré was taken, not to mention Frankito and Ramona are no closer to being found!"

He waved his arms as he continued venting what had been on his mind for so long "Claudia and Lisa are going to be back soon! What am I supposed to tell them!? 'Oh I'm sorry but your kids got napped while you where gone and the kidnappers came around a second time to try and take my kids but took Tré instead when we wouldn't let them... we have no idea where they are I hope that's okay with you two.' That's bullshit Adie, fucking bullshit. All we've got left of the three of them is a little blood stain on the hall carpet and a couple of stuffed animals... that's just shit."

He trailed off sinking down onto the floor in front of the coffee table and lowering his head in defeat sighing heavily.

"I'm sorry Adie, I've got no right to be yelling at you... It's not your fault and I know your just trying to help... "

He cradled his head in his hands, closing his eyes tightly.
"I just don't know what to do anymore... "

Adrienne sighed lightly, give her husband a piteous look before standing up and coming around the coffee table to sit beside him. She wrapped her arms around Billie's shoulders.

"It's all right... I know you're frustrated Billie, but you've got to keep faith. Claudia and Lisa aren't due back for another few weeks and I have a feeling that we'll see Tré, Frankito, and Ramona again... "
Billie lifted his head looking at Adrienne with sadness apparent in his green eyes.
"How can you be so sure?"

Adrienne rested her forehead against his, looking him in the eyes.
"Blind faith, Billie. You know as well as I do that Tré probably gave those thugs hell when they dragged him from here, and he's doing everything in his power to find his kids. We've just got to have faith Billie. You, Mike, and Jason have been doing everything you can to find him and your efforts won't be in vain, despite what you might think. You are and never have been in this alone. Your friends will support you and I'll be by your side no matter what. Nothing will change that. Keep faith."

Billie managed a weak smile and gave Adrienne a hug. They sat there with each for a minute before Billie pulled away, giving his wife a kiss.

"Thank you so much Adie... I couldn't get through this life without you... I love you so much."

Adrienne smiled gently, "I love you too Billie."

She breathed relieved that her husband had calmed down and seemed to be feeling a little less overwhelmed, despite all that had happened. The two sat there together in silence for a few minutes, enjoying the quiet moment. But it was broken all two soon when Billie's cell phone went off. He dug in his pocket and pulled it out, opening it and putting it to his ear.

"Hello?"

"Good Evening Mr. Armstrong," an unfamiliar voice replied on the other side.

Billie stood up, and Adrienne looked up at him questioningly. He shrugged.
"Who is this?" he asked.

"I am known as Red Dragon and I have information concerning your missing friend. Now listen to my carefully and do not speak."

Billie obeyed, listening quietly as the stranger told him where they were to meet.

"I'll meet you tomorrow at sun down. Don't be late." The person stated simply and the line went dead.