Banner by chris_745

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Death Master paced the room, his anguish increasing with every passing moment. Anthony
could almost see the smoke coming out of his ears.

He twirled a knife between his fingers, a sign indicating that he was indeed very angry.

"What was that son of a bitch thinking when he approached the police?" He barked.

Joshua squealed, causing Death Master to notice him. "A son should pay for his father's betrayal, right Bloody?" He asked.

Anthony panicked, "Hurting the boy was not part of the plan." He reminded him.

"Plans can change." Death Master stated, "We are not nice people. Being bad is what we do best."

Joshua was tied up to a chair placed in the center of the abandoned storage room. Death Master kneeled before him, "Your father was always a rebel," He told the boy, "he never followed my instructions."

Joshua looked at Anthony for support, his eyes were wide with terror. Death Master turned the boy's face, by his hair, back to himself, "You gotta look at me when I'm talking to you." He shouted.

He brought the knife in his hand to Joshua's neck, "Oh how I long to get Paul under my blade." He uttered a short evil laugh.

Suddenly the room filled with a pungent smell.

"Oh man! Couldn't he even potty train his kid?" Death Master exclaimed as the realization of Joshua pooping his pants hit him. "What a looser The Nightmare has turned into."

Joshua's eyes welled with tears and a suppressed sob escaped his mouth.

"The kid's getting on my nerves." Death Master declared. "Call that bastard," He ordered Anthony, "let's get over with this."

He left the room crinkling his nose.

*********************

Eric woke up to the sound of his cell phone ringing by his ear.

"Hello." He said groggily.

"Give the phone to Paulie." Anthony demanded from the other side.

Eric became alert all of a sudden. Evangeline stirred beside him on the bed, "Who's calling at this time of the night darling?" She asked in her half sleep, "Is it the kidnappers?"

Eric placed his hand over the phone. "Uh...no!" He lied, "It's a patient, nothing serious. You go back to sleep."

He tip toed his way out of the room, careful not to disturb Eve. She was sleeping after a long time.

"Gimme a minute," He said into the phone, "I'll pass the phone to Paul."

Anthony just grunted in response.

Eric found Paul seated on the kitchen counter, massaging his throbbing temples. An untouched mug of steaming coffee was placed before him.

"It's your friend." He handed the phone to Paul.

Paul almost snatched the phone from Eric and put it on speaker. "Anthony! Where's Joshua? You didn't hurt him, did you?" He asked.

"That's too many questions." Anthony replied. "I forgot what I called for." His words were slurred and he sounded drunk.

"At least tell me how's Joshua doing." Paul pleaded.

"Oh I remember!" Anthony claimed indifferent to what Paul was saying, "I didn't call on your home phone cuz it's tapped, you betrayed us for the second time buddy." There was hurt in his voice. "Death Master is very unhappy with you, he even tried killing Joshua but I didn't let him." He boasted.

Paul and Eric shared a look.

"Before I forget again," Anthony continued, "your boy is detained where your heart changed. Be there on..." He became silent for a moment, "Hey! Which day was it?" He asked someone behind him.

"Thursday after midnight." Came a kid's voice from far off.

"Is that Joshua?" Paul asked exhilarated , "Let me talk with him."

"Yes and no." Anthony replied.

He cut the call.