Taken (Dark Desires 1)

“I don’t know where he went wrong, Ray. It’s just something that happened to him. Something he invited in and let whatever it is take up residence in his heart.” I shrugged my shoulders. It was all I could say after he had told me what he found.

Diamond had a concussion that made the injuries in the NFL look like schoolyard scrapes and bruises. Her brain was filling up with blood and if she didn’t get moving, get some relief and care at a hospital she was going to die. Plus she had been tied up so tightly her hands were a dark, stormy purple. The worst part was that she had had a pair of her own panties crammed so far down her throat that Diamond was at risk of swallowing them while she waited for someone, anyone to arrive.

Quickly, ray yanked them from her mouth, and carefully helped her to sit with her back, leaning against the wall as she gasped for air.

“It was Joshua!” she panted in between gasps for air and the choking out of tears. “He’s after Natasha!” It was like that was all she wanted to say. Just name names and let the pieces fall where they might because she hadn’t had any energy left.

“It’s alright, Diamond. Natasha will be just fine.” Ray had said it mostly to himself since she was drifting in and out of consciousness. “Right now it’s you that matters. Let’s get you to a hospital.”

Ray wondered if that little punk at the door had actually called the police. He had listened for a moment to see if any sirens could be heard but he didn’t hear anything. Reaching onto his pocket, Ray pulled out his cell phone and called 9-1-1.

The paramedics were there within two minutes. Ray had barely moved Diamond and when the EMT’s checked her, over their faces were grave.

“She’s got a concussion. I’m almost positive of that.” One of the EMT’s who sported a short mustache had said while the other guy, tall with thinning blond hair, fussed over Diamond, snapping a plastic cast around her neck and pinching her wrist between his thumb and forefinger to count her pulse.

“Is she on any drugs?” the blond asked.

“Not that I know of. I have reason to believe someone who entered her apartment did this to her.” Ray had said.

“Was it you?” The mustached EMT asked seriously. “Make it easy on yourself if it was, pal.”

“No, sir.” Ray said confidently. “No I didn’t do this but I know who did.”

“Who are you?”

“A friend of a friend.”

“The police will want to talk to you.”

“I want to talk to them.” Ray said nodding his head. If they were trying to embarrass or intimidate Ray, it didn’t work. The EMT’s raised Diamond in a stretcher and carefully wheeled her outside and into a truck. Ray went with her. He held her hand the entire way, saying nothing. Once in the hospital he stayed at her side offering as much information as he could, making sure the nurses took good care of this woman who he thought was so pretty, even with swollen eyes and a fat lip. He also didn’t hesitate to mention the name of Joshua Hewitt.

In times of crisis everyone should have their own Ray Peppers around. I don’t care what the situation might be; a level head is hard to come by. I couldn’t say I would have stayed in such control had it been me who found Diamond in the shape she was in.

“I’ll tell you what, Marty.” He chuckled a little, rubbing the back of his neck. “When that girl got her wits about her I was sure she was going to start spitting nails. Concussion or not, she was not going to just sit back and play the victim. I don’t think your brother realized who he had tried to mess with.”

“My brother rarely thinks. You know that, Ray.”

Ray went on to describe Diamond’s chilling narration of what had happened to her. The set-up in the alley, the blow to her head, the alcohol and humiliation and then leaving her to choke to death, bound and gagged. My heart broke as Ray told me and I felt responsible for the whole thing. Sure it wasn’t really my fault. Joshua was a grown man who had chosen this path of depravity and narcissism. But somewhere deep down I couldn’t help but feel the nagging truth that we were related. How come he ended up this way? And was there even the slightest chance that that beast inside him was also lying dormant inside of me? Could I just wake up one day and feel the need to conquer whatever and whoever is in front of me? Was it in our blood? Was it in our DNA? Was it inevitable?

“It isn’t your fault, Marty.” Ray said putting his hand on my shoulder. I had mentioned before that Ray had the uncanny gift of reading my mind.

“Common sense tells me it’s not. But there are two beautiful women in the hospital right now who might not be there had I taken the action I did sooner.”

“You know what the authorities would have said to you if you tried to do anything without proof of some kind? They would have said sorry, pal. With all your money you’re still not happy and want to lock up your brother in the loony-bin? You cold hearted bastard. That is exactly what they would say. And then they’d run to the tabloids.”

“I suppose.” I said, still feeling the guilt.

“Well, you’re not going to get that pretty mama to accept that ring if you show up with a face like that. Come on, Marty. This is an exciting day.”

Ray was right. I could look at the situation around me like things were coming to an end or I could see it all as a new beginning.

“How do I look?” I said, turning to Ray.

“Like a million bucks.”

“221.4 million To be exact.” I said, smiling.

Ray rolled his eyes.