Before They Were Fabulous

Mikey looked up, his eyes at first unfocused. Frankie placed a mug of coffee on the table in front of the older boy, holding another with his hands wrapped around it as if for warmth.

“You okay?” He asked as Mikey said nothing but merely stared.
“What?” He answered, shaking his head as if noticing his friend for the first time.

Frankie offered a warm smile, his eyes crinkling with delight, eliciting a broad smile in return. There was something about his smile that almost forced people to reply in kind. Infectious and joyful, Frankie’s smile could touch even the coldest of hearts.

“You are alive!” He cried as if both surprised and relieved. “I don’t need to ask you what you were thinking about, I guess.”
“You’d be wrong,” Mikey replied, leaning forward to pick up the mug, raising it gratefully to his lips.
“Your student?” Frankie cocked his head and raised an eyebrow.

Mikey turned a suspicious glance towards the younger boy. There were only two things on Mikey’s mind at the moment and if it wasn’t Gerard it was almost certainly his student. It hadn’t taken a genius to work it out, but Mikey was grateful that he had cared enough to remember.

“How is she?” Frankie continued, perching on the arm of the couch, finding himself at roughly eye-level with his friend.
“Broke her arm,” Mikey shook his head worriedly.
“Was that ever in doubt?” Frankie queried, surprised by the reply. “I thought you said the bone came through the skin?”

Mikey scratched his neck absently; he had forgotten what he had told the younger boy. He had been quite upset the previous night when, after the incident, she had been rushed to the hospital and he had been driven home. Despite his distress and being immediately removed from the dojo, he had managed to insist that she be taken to the finest hospital in Battery City, rather than the Orphanage Clinic - he dreaded to think how she would fare with such a bad break without an operation by a skilled surgeon. Insisting that all expenses would be covered by the Way account, he ordered that only the best surgeon and facilities would be acceptable. Although it had been undeniably her own fault, Mikey felt guilty for not being able to prevent it.

“Sorry, I forgot what I’d said,” Mikey replied leaning forward, his elbows on his knees and staring aimlessly into the dark brown liquid in his hands. “I should have stopped her.”

There was a short pause as Mikey continued to stare at the mug, eventually turning expectant eyes towards Frankie.

“If you believed that, you wouldn’t be expecting me to contradict you,” Frankie replied flatly, sliding off the arm of the couch, flopping heavily next to Mikey, somehow managing not to spill even a single drop of his coffee.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Mikey frowned, slightly aggrieved to have been called out on his need for confirmation.
“You told me already,” Frankie’s expression morphed to one of concern and seriousness. “She wanted to try a new move that she saw you doing, you told her she hadn’t been trained and it was too dangerous. Then she just did it anyway,” Frankie shrugged. “And crack!” He added with a smirk, infusing sound effects to the final word.

Mikey turned his head and frowned deeply at his friend, almost surprised by his insensitivity.

“It’s not funny!” He insisted.

Frankie turned an expression of disbelief towards his friend and broke into a grin.

“Yes it is!” He chuckled, leaning back in the couch raising the mug to his lips while still giggling as he tried to drink.
“What’s funny about being hurt?” Mikey snapped. “I feel really bad about this! I’m worried about her.”
“No you’re not,” Frankie looked up, pointing a finger at the older boy. “You’re worried the Sensei’s gonna be mad at you.”
“That too,” Mikey’s shoulders slumped forward. “What if I can’t teach anymore? What if he throws me out?”
“Not gonna happen,” Frankie shook his head with absolute certainty.
“How do you know?” Mikey mumbled, unconvinced.
“Seriously?” Frankie raised his eyebrows at what he considered a ridiculous suggestion. “Can you really see anyone throwing a Way out of anywhere? Never gonna happen.”
“Oh, so the only reason I’d get to stay is because of who I am?” Mikey replied indignantly. “I told her not to do it!”

Frankie took another mouthful of coffee before looking up at Mikey with an amused smirk on his face.

“What?” Mikey pressed, receiving no other response.
“See, I told you it wasn’t your fault.”

Mikey narrowed his eyes as he considered the boy’s words. By arguing his case against needing to use his position in the city to prevent himself being dismissed, he had effectively confirmed Frankie’s original point.

“Whatever,” he grumbled sulkily. “It could happen,” he added.
“Nah,” Frankie shook his head again. “She might get thrown out, but not you.”

Mikey thought about this latest statement; he didn’t want either of them to be dismissed.

“She’s my best student,” he mused. “I’ll speak to the Sensei.”
“There you go,” Frankie beamed a smile. “Problem solved. How was she this morning?”
“Mostly out of it,” Mikey shrugged. “She’s still recovering from the operation but she’s going to... hang on! How did you know I went to see her?”
“Told you, Mikeyway,” Frankie placed the mug on the table and grinned as he tapped Mikey’s forehead. “I’m in your head!”

Mikey batted Frankie’s hand away irritably, frowning at the confident and annoying smirk beamed at him.

“Someone’s coming,” Frankie frowned as he looked beyond Mikey towards the elevator. “Are you expecting anyone?”
“No,” Mikey turned; a puzzled expression forming on his face, the previous conversation now forgotten. “No one’s announced themselves either.”
“Could it be Gee?” Frankie gasped hopefully.

Mikey turned a happy smile towards his friend, which almost immediately crumbled to confusion.

“Wouldn’t we have been told if he was coming back?”

Both boys stood, Mikey returning his mug to the table as he turned to face to the elevator. It was only a matter of seconds before it glided to a halt and the doors slid open. They had both grown accustomed to a stepped-up security regime, including a draculoid as a seemingly permanent fixture inside the elevator, but on the doors opening they could see four of them. Three stepped out and without a word walked swiftly over to the boys.

“What’s going on?” Mikey asked, glancing past them, confused that they were not accompanied.

Ignoring Mikey’s question, the lead draculoid pulled a set of restraints from a pouch on his belt. Mikey’s eyes widened as he pulled Frankie‘s arm, the pair backing away, confused and frightened.

“What’s going on!” Mikey repeated, louder this time, alarmed as the trio closed in on them.
“Frankie Iero,” the lead man began. “I have orders to arrest you. Do not resist.”
“What!” Frankie gasped as Mikey pushed the younger boy protectively behind him.
“On whose orders?” Mikey demanded, standing firm. “What for? What’s he supposed to have done?”
“My orders are to arrest him,” the draculoid replied without further explanation.

Almost pushing Mikey out of the way, the draculoid reached behind him and grabbed Frankie’s arm roughly, pulling him forward.

“Who ordered this?” Mikey demanded, now following the draculoid as he dragged the panic-stricken and struggling boy back toward the elevator.
“Mikey!” Frankie cried, terrified as he was pushed against the back of the couch and his hands locked behind him.
“Let him go!” Mikey pulled desperately on the draculoid’s arm with one hand and trying to pull Frankie out of the man’s grip with the other.

The draculoid gripped Mikey’s wrist tightly, squeezing until he was forced to let go and immediately pushed him backwards, not roughly enough to make him fall but enough to show he wasn’t intimidated by the Way brother.

“Who ordered this?” Mikey demanded again, this time conjuring his most commanding tone. “Where are you taking him?”
“Have a better day,” the man replied, refusing to answer any of his questions.

Turning Frankie quickly and pushing him towards the elevator, the quartet were almost at the doors when Frankie managed to twist in the man’s grip enough to face his friend once more.

“Mikey!” He called; the uncertainty of his fate terrifying him. “Do something! Please!”

Mikey, only able to stare helplessly back, nodded quickly as he gathered his wits.

“I’ll call Korse. I’ll find out what’s happening. I’ll fix this, Frankie, I promise!”

There was no more time as the terrified boy was forced into the elevator and the doors closed. Momentarily stunned, Mikey turned sharply and headed for the phone. Someone would be in big trouble for this! Now, if ever there was a time to use his influence, this was it.

*

Gerard looked up as the bolt was pushed back on the door to his room. Leaping to his feet, he hid quickly behind the door as it opened, holding his breath in an attempt to make absolutely no sound.

“He’s gone!” Jet cried in alarm as he scanned the room.

Gerard paused; was he talking to someone or just to himself? His question was answered almost immediately as another man spoke.

“All right, Gerard,” Flex almost laughed. “Come out from behind the door.”

Gerard heard the poorly concealed chuckle and fumed; how dare they laugh at him?

“Out!” Flex ordered. “We have something for you to eat.”

Gerard exhaled; he was hungry and thirsty. He could only hope the food was better than the water but somehow he doubted it. Reluctantly, he moved slowly from his hiding place, glaring at Flex as he moved into the centre of the room. His posture and body language suggested that he may attack or try to run at any moment and Flex automatically readied himself likewise.

“Gerard, where do you plan to go?” Flex asked with a slight shake of his head.

Gerard glared at Flex, almost ignoring Jet entirely, his eyes narrowed and his mouth fixed in a position that almost suggested a snarl.

“What do you mean?” He snapped, maintaining a steely glare.
“Blink. This is not a contest,” Flex replied with a sigh; he almost sounded bored, which only served to infuriate Gerard more.
“I said what do you mean?” Gerard repeated with increasing anger.
“Say you escape? Where do you plan to go?”

Gerard took a deep breath and in that moment suddenly appeared small and afraid. So much so that Flex’s expression and even his stance softened slightly. Gerard lowered his eyes; he didn’t even remember his way around Battery City, it had been so long since he had actually walked anywhere. The Zones, however, were a complete mystery to him. He didn’t even know how far out he was or which way to head. Added to that, of course, were the twin terrors of the desert and the Zonerats - some of them rebels who would take great pleasure in hurting or even killing him, and some with no particular political cause but willing to kill a stranger just for the sheer amusement value.

“There’s nowhere I can go,” he sighed, looking away. “So, yeah, you’re right, you don’t need that lock on the door, do you?”
“All the same, we like to know where we can find you.” Flex smiled, offering a metal plate and cup to Gerard.

Gerard stepped forward, hesitantly at first then extended his arms from as far back as he could stand but still reach the food. Flex frowned at the gesture.

“I’m not going to hurt you, you know?” He asked concerned that Gerard need not be afraid.
“I know,” Gerard nodded. “I’m confused about what’s been happening to me, but I do believe you don’t intend to hurt me.”
“Then why keep so much distance?”
“I...” Gerard looked down. “I wanted to show you that I’m not trying to fight you or escape or anything.”
“Thank you,” Flex replied in a surprised but kind voice. “You’re doing well, Gerard. We’re hopeful that you’ll be able to eat now. You’ve...”
“I know,” he nodded in reply. “I’ve spent the last five days throwing up. The other guy told me.”
“You don’t remember?” Flex tilted his head.
“No,” he shook his head. “I didn’t even know I’d been here for five days.”
“Seven days,” Jet corrected drawing a pained glance from Gerard.
“Today’s the first day I remember,” he whispered, lowering his eyes.
“That’s good, Gerard, that means you’re getting better,” Flex smiled.
“Was I really being given Kanslokal?” He asked, his voice wavering with an audible shake.
“Yeah, you were,” Flex sighed, his face taking on an angry expression at the idea that he could have been treated so badly. “In fact, so much so, it could have killed you.”
“Who brought me here?” Gerard asked. “I have to thank them, then.”

Flex’s lips curled in a half smile, half smirk. It could have been a genuine request but he was not about to risk Edward’s life if it were a trick. Gerard had been angry and defiant only moments before; it was too sudden a change to be entirely convincing.

“Eat your food while it’s still got a flavour of sorts.”
“Can...” Jet looked up. “Can I stay with him for a bit? If...” he turned to face Gerard. “If you don’t mind?”

Gerard’s expression morphed into one of incredulity. He couldn’t understand why these rebels where being so kind to him and so considerate of his feelings. It didn’t make any sense.

“Yeah... I... I’d like that.”

Flex stared at Gerard for a moment, narrowing his eyes with suspicion. He weighed up the options, considering Gerard’s health and strength for the likelihood that he could overpower Jet and use him to make them let him go. It was good that Jet would spend some time with someone his own age, but he couldn’t risk it. It was then that Gerard suggested something truly surprising.

“I understand you doubt me and... you could tie my hands if that would help. I really would like some company.”

Flex smiled thinly. It was moments like this that he was reminded that Gerard, far from being the face of BLI and a symbol of everything he hated, was just a boy. A thirteen year old boy who, in all probability, was very scared and doing his best to hide it. Flex nodded, it seemed like a good compromise.

*

It was over an hour before Korse returned Mikey’s call and by then he was exhausted from pacing and had bitten down all of his nails, two of them almost to the point of bleeding. When the phone finally rang, Mikey pounced on it. Snatching up the receiver, his voice was higher in pitch and the words almost garbled.

“Hello? Exterminator Korse, is that you?”
“Mikey?” Korse began slowly. “I’ve been interrogating a prisoner and I’ve just received your message. What’s happened? Have you heard from Gerard?”
“No,” Mikey’s voice almost cracked under the weight of his anxiety. “Frankie’s been arrested. I don’t know why or where he’s been taken.”
“Arrested” Korse seemed to ponder over the word. “Who by?”
“It... it wasn’t you?” Mikey stammered.
“Why would I arrest your friend? Especially as he’s helping you cope with Gerard’s abduction.”

Mikey pushed his hand through his hair at the denial. If not Korse, who would be so self-assured to invade the Way brothers’ penthouse and arrest their friend? Who even knew he was there? Another Exterminator? Chief Exterminator Vitkovski? It all seemed so unlikely.

“You... you mean you don’t know where he is?” Mikey replied, both bewildered and scared.
“I don’t,” Korse replied firmly. “But I will find out. Don’t allow this to distress you another second.”
“Please,” Mikey took in a long ragged breath. “Please find him!” He added, not afraid to show his deep concern. “I’m really worried.“
“I’ll call back within an hour with, hopefully, good news.”
“Thank you,”

Mikey replaced the handset on the charging unit, his shoulders sagging deeply as he realised that he felt no additional comfort from having made the call.

*

In his office, Korse replaced the handset on the phone cradle and looked up. A few feet from the desk, seated in a chair, Frankie stared, wide-eyed and alarmed. His wrists and ankles strapped firmly to the chair preventing any movement and an electrical device fixed around his neck that rendered his vocal cords temporarily useless and ensured he was unable to cry for help while Mikey was on the phone.

“So, Frankie,” Korse chuckled unpleasantly, moving forward to remove the silencing device from Frankie’s neck. “Now that we’re not going to be disturbed, let us discuss your involvement in Gerard’s disappearance and perhaps one or two other small details. You have less than an hour to convince me of your innocence, but be aware you start from a position of an assumption of guilt, complicity, treachery and treason.”

Notes

Hello lovely readers. I hope you’re still enjoying this. Korse is doing an excellent job of scaring everyone, but will it work for him or against him (or both)??
I hope you’re all well and there will be a bit of a gap for the next one as I have some uni deadlines approaching rapidly :(

Take care
Sas xx