Chapter 23:

Many Views of One Very Bad Day

11:45am PST

I put the phone down and decided it was time to talk to AJ once and for all. I had been getting these mysterious and disturbing calls and at first I thought they were meant for Nick but when I asked him about it, he had mentioned that maybe it was AJ who was really in danger. During our last band meeting I noticed that AJ was fidgeting nervously in his seat so I thought maybe that Nick was right. I was going to confront him on the spot right after we ended our meeting but with Nick's dramatic announcement, I decided to wait until later to talk to J. That was until I received the phone call I had just gotten. It was a series of clicks then that strange guy again saying he always gets what he wants and he wants my little brother. The thing that had me terrified was he said he's mine tonight. I immediately called J and told him to come over to my house.

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12:20pm PST

"Why the hell does Kevin want to see me?" I asked while pacing the floor of my kitchen. "He only singles us out when he is ready to lecture us!"

"I have no idea J, did you do anything wrong?" I looked over at Brian and rolled my eyes.

"Bri, I am 24 years old, soon to be 25. I don't have to answer to Kevin anymore. I never listened to him when I was younger either!"

"Jeez, relax man I was just asking. Maybe it's about the album?"

"Don't you think he'd want to ask us all about that?" Brian shrugged and I decided to sit down. "Maybe it's about the calls" I looked at Brian when he said that wondering if he had told Kevin about my stalker. "Does he know?" he shrugged at me.

"Well, whatever happened with Nick, I know you thought that the guy maybe meant him, did he say anything?"

"No, he said he hasn't been getting calls but he had heard the word before."

"Mizpah?"

"Yup"

"How the hell would he even know that if he wasn't getting calls?"

"I have no idea J, we were just getting to that when Trish came in and I left. End of story"

"Well, I don't like not knowing what to expect when it comes to Kevin."

"Amen to that brother!" I laughed as Brian started to deal the cards.

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1:30 PM PST

"Hello?" Howie put his ear closer to the phone to make out the sound of clicking.

"Hello? Is anyone there?"

"I always get what I want."

"Pardon?"Howie tensed at the sound of the man's voice. He knew what was coming next and the thought of it sent chills down his spine.

"I think you heard me, but just in case I'll repeat myself. I always get what I want. You know what I want Howie?"

"No asshole why don't you tell me?"

"Oh tsk tsk my friend.."

"I'm not your damn friend"

"Why Howie, I have to say I didn't know you had it in you!"

"I'm hanging up now asshole!"

"WAIT!!!"

"What?"

"You don't know what I'm going to say."

"Oh wait, aren't you gonna say that you want my little brother? That's getting pretty old. Why don't you bypass AJ and come right for me? You son of a bitch?" Howie shuddered when he heard laughing coming from the other end of the line.

"Oh Howie, poor poor Howie, not feeling like the center of attention? Well, my friend you're wrong, very very wrong. I WAS gonna say what you just repeated and by the way I am honored that you have it memorized, but I am going to add this, I WILL have him tonight.MIZPAH"

"Hey what do you mean? This joke has gone on long enough! hello? Hello?" Howie slammed down the phone after realizing that the maniac had hung up on him. He regrouped his thoughts, took a deep breathe before running out the door to get to AJ's house.

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1:45 PM PST

I threw down my final two cards and accepted defeat yet again in the wake of AJ.

"Man why do I always say yes to you when you want to play poker. I'm lousy at it" AJ laughed at me.

"Man because you have the worst poker face ever! You actually make this weird scrunchy face when you are lying that's hysterical to look at!"

"Aw come on I do not!" AJ imitated me as he said "Ah yeah you do Rok!" I was just about to argue when my cell phone rang.

"Yello?"

"Hi Brian" I tried to make out the voice. It sounded familiar.

"Yes, speaking" Then the clicking started.

"I hope you're ready Brian." I started to feel my heart beat faster in my chest.

"Ready for what?" I knew I didn't really want an answer to the question but I had to ask it anyway.

"Ready for what's gonna happen tonight. It all happens tonight!"

"What are you talking about?" I shouted and the urgency in my voice made AJ find his way next to me.

"I always get what I want Brian and I want your little brother and I am going to have him tonight! Be prepared. MIZPAH" With that he hung up on me. I looked over at AJ with concern etching my brow.

"What? I couldn't make out what was said. Was it bad?" I nodded. "We need to call security NOW!"

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2:25 PM PST

I was rushing over to J's house but I found myself caught in a terrible traffic jam. I made sure I put in a call to security to get over there right away. This fruit loop sounded serious. Unfortunately, we all received so many of these threats that we always just let them run off our backs. Not this time. This was different. I was definetly worried about J's security as well as all of us. He knew how to contact me and how to contact Brian. J had been getting calls too now. how did he get access to us? That question kept plaguing my mind on the trip over to AJ's. I was glad that Sarah listened to us and left town, but I hoped that J wasn't alone. God please just get me there soon!

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3:15 PM PST

I looked at my watch for the fourth time in ten minutes before deciding that maybe AJ was going to pull a no show. He was supposed to be here at 2:30 and even though he tended to run late in his earlier, wild days, he was pretty good with being on time now. I decided to give him a call.

"Hello?" The hesitation in J's voice frightened me a little.

"AJ, it's Kevin, is everything all right?" At the sound of my voice I could actually here him relax.

"Oh, um yeah everything's great. Why do you ask?"

"Because it's 3:15"

"yeah and?" I heard the light bulb go off in his brain. "Oh shit, sorry Kev. Brian and I were playing poker and I lost total track of the time," even though I was pissed, the fact that he was all right calmed me down a bit.

"Well, are you coming or not?"

"Uh I didn't think I had a choice. Can't you just tell me over the phone?"

"I'd rather not."

"Okay I guess I..oh shit, can you hold on a second? My other line is ringing"

"Sure" I had said that knowing it was a rhetorical question because AJ switched lines before I could even answer. I started to whistle as I waited for J to return to the phone. I have always secretly despised call waiting and have always refused to use it. I just think it's rude to make a choice of who you'd rather speak to. Clearly it was not me. He had kept me waiting for more than 20 minutes and I was about to hang up when he returned to the line.

"Kevin, you still there?"

"Yup"

"Man I'm sorry but that was Howie." I didn't like the shakiness coming from his voice. he sounded very nervous. "Is everything all right?"

"Yeah but he is actually on his way here. Do you just want to come here? it might make things easier."

"But I kind of wanted to just talk to you. One on one." I really couldn't afford to let him weasel out of this. I would forever blame myself if something were to happen.

"Kevin, is this about threats by any chance?" Oh my God this is the real thing. "Kev..hello? are you there?"

"Yes, It's about threats." I heard him say something to Brian. They were talking for a few minutes.

"Then you should definitely come over here."

"Okay, I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Howie said the traffics bad. I know you guys live close to me but he is still stuck." Shit traffic was the last thing I needed now!

"Okay fine. I'll see ya when I see ya then. Be safe and keep your doors
locked!"

"Is security there?"

"Not yet but Howie called them. They should be here soon."

"Good I'll see you soon then." We hung up and I grabbed my keys and headed
for AJ's house.

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3:30 PM PST

I honked. I actually honked. I never honk at anyone. Actually, I barely even drive myself anywhere anymore. I was getting impatient. I had been stuck in this stupid traffic jam for a little over an hour. We hadn't even moved a mile. The worst part is that I am only about 30 minutes away from AJ's house when there is no traffic. Okay, this is ridiculous!!! I found myself saying under my breath as I started to honk my horn at the poor guy in front of me. I was totally aware that he couldn't go anywhere but I felt that somehow,
that would make me feel better. The only thing it did was completely make me panic even more. I was relieved when I called J and found out that Brian was there with him. My stomach started to do flip flops though when he said that Brian had just gotten a call that was very similar to mine. I had called security to let them know that everyone should get to J's house and then I called AJ to let him know I was coming. I also thought it would be a good idea to get the police involved but he said we should wait until we are all there before we make that decision. Suddenly my thoughts went to Nick. He was probably safe but I didn't; like the fact that he was all alone. I called security one more time to make sure that his bodyguard was with him. when Larry, the head of our security assured me that Joe was with Nicky I mentally crossed him off of my "worry" list. I was excited to see that we started to
move again. Maybe I would get to my destination before I died of old age! Hallelujah!

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3:48 PM PST

"So Kevin's getting calls too? This is getting pretty freaky Bone!" I said as I started to nervously tap my fingers along his kitchen table. A habit I had picked up from one of my band brothers during our tenure together. I felt bad for AJ, he seemed so nervous and unsettled. I can't blame him. I would feel the same way.

"Yeah, I just don't get it Brian, why?" I honestly had no answer for him so I just shrugged.

"I mean not only does the son of a bitch have it in for me, but he gets a hard on by taunting all of you! It just doesn't seem right to me."

"Well, J obviously this lunatic isn't playing with a full deck! Otherwise he wouldn't be bothering ANY of us." AJ laughed when I said that.

"Boy, thanks, you sure know how to make a boy feel better!"

"I try!" I walked over to him and gave him a hug. "Don't worry AJ, we won't
let anything happen to you."

"No offense Rok but what are you going to do to stop him? Bite his ankles?"

"Hey!"

"I mean seriously Brian if he wants me that bad he's gonna get me. That has me shitting in my pants!!!"

"That's exactly what this loser wants you to think Bone"

"Well mission accomplished I guess" We sat there in silence for a few more minutes before the door bell rang and broke the nervous tension. I heard AJ greet Howie and I was glad that the task of calming J down was soon to become a team effort.

"Hi Brian" D said as he came and gave me a quick hug. "Anything else happen since the last time we talked?"

"Did J tell you that Kevin also got a call today?" By the surprised look on Howie's face I figured the answer was no.

"Is security here yet?" He asked as he looked at the window towards the back yard.

"No not yet. Shouldn't they be here by now? I mean you called them a while ago right?" AJ asked Howie the panic evident in his voice. Howie nodded "Yes, but you know there was a heavy duty traffic jam out there so chances are they are stuck in that."

"Well, I don't like that one bit" AJ said as he started to pace around the room.

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4:21 PM PST

AJ, Brian and I sat there in J's kitchen just staring at each other. Truth is we were all nervous and could tell that whenever we opened our mouths to speak we were only making AJ feel worse. Kevin arrived around 4:30 and fortunately he calmed us down saying he had seen security pulling up the drive as he was coming into the house. We ushered security in and told them about everything that had transpired today. they thought it would be a good idea to inform the police so a few detectives made their way out to the house and asked us all a bunch of questions. By the time they left it was almost 5:30.

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8:40 PM EST

Oh man thank God I am home. The traffic from the airport was horrendous and I thought I would never make it. I threw my bag on the floor and plopped on my couch. The only thing missing were the dogs. They were staying with my parents. I would go get them later. Now it's just time to veg. I found the remote under the couch cushion just where I had left it the last time I was home and started to randomly flip through the channels. This is the life I thought when I found a game to watch.

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5:40 PM PST

Kevin looked so mentally exhausted after hearing about all the instances we had with this crazy guy. I felt bad for keeping it from him. I could tell he was hurt that we had.

"Kevin, don't feel bad. We didn't tell Nick about it either. We figured there was no reason to get you all worked up over what could potentially be nothing." I said to him as I gently put my hand on his shoulder to comfort him.

"Well it is a little more than nothing now isn't it Brian?" He definitely had that right. Howie stood up and motioned for us to move into the living room.

"So, what do we do now? Just wait?"

"I hate waiting! God I need a drink!" we all jumped all over that statement from AJ

"Alex, don't even think about it! It's easier to kidnap a drunk than someone who is completely sober!" Kevin said and than he friendly slapped J on the back of the head.

"Don't worry, security is here, the police are on it and there's safety in numbers. Nothing bad is going to happen tonight!"

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9:30 PM EST

I was tired of watching the Marlins lose so I turned off the TV and headed to my bedroom. When I saw my huge comfortable bed I took a running leap and landed on it with a thud. Nothing beats sleeping in your own bed in your own house! God it was so great to be home. I laid there for a few minutes before deciding to take a nice hot shower. I picked up my cell phone to check and see if I had any messages. None were there. So I threw it back onto the bed and ventured into the shower.

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6:45 PM PST

We were all sitting in the living room watching a stupid horror flick to get our minds off of things. They had all decided to spend the night over. Howie used the affectionate term "Sanity break" Ah those were the good old days.

"Are you sure it's a good idea to watch a horror movie?" D whispered to me.

"It's not gonna freak you out is it?" I hadn't even thought about it.

"No, horror is okay as long as it's a stupid horror movie. No damn Silence of the Lambs or anything"

"Well is Friday the Thirteenth stupid enough for you?" Kevin asked as he put it into the DVD player. I nodded. Then my cell phone rang.

"Hello?.." Silence then clicking

"Hello? is that you you prick?" Nothing was said just laughter.

"Answer me dammit!" By now the movie was turned off and my band mates were surrounding me. Kevin wanted me to hand him the phone but I wouldn't. I wanted to hear what this dickhead had to say.

"Why hello AJ, Sounds like you are having quite the party over there!" His voice sounded so empty and evil. It scared the hell out of me.

"Yeah, everyone is here, security, police everybody! So I guess your going to have to cancel your plans."

"Oh quite the opposite my friend. Things couldn't have gone any better if I had tried. You have done everything that I had hoped you would, making my life so much easier." My heart had made it's way to my throat and in that instance I knew we were in for a bumpy ride. Things were far from over.

"What do you mean by that?" I was barely able to say over the lump forming in my throat.

"I was counting on you to be as vain and self centered as I hoped you were."

"What? What the hell are you talking about?"

"Can't you see how wrong you have been. How wrong you have ALL been? As a matter of fact the only one of you that has figured it out was too stupid to tell anyone. I was also counting on that." He was confusing me and in the process I was starting to lose it!

"Why are you doing this to me?" I said, embarrassed when my voice started to break and the tears started to form in the corners of my eyes.

"Why are you doing this to me?" He repeated in a condescending tone. "Me, me, me why do you think it's about you?" Oh my God!

"What do you mean? Who are you after? What do you want?" In a panic my thoughts went to Sarah.

"Here, maybe this will help, I always get what I want and I want YOUR little brother and I WILL have him tonight! MIZPAH" I stood there paralyzed in fear. I didn't know what to do. The alarmed faces of my brothers were evident as they were waiting for me to say something to them. I couldn't will myself to speak. I dropped the phone and as it broke, I said "We were wrong!" They looked baffled.

"Oh my God" I finally snapped out of my shock and started to move. "We were wrong guys we were wrong, we need security to get to Nick NOW!!!" At the mention of his name all of the guys eyes got as big as saucers.

"Why J? What did he say?" Kevin asked near screaming

"He said he wants MY younger brother! He was after Nick this whole time! We have to get help for him he has NO idea!" We all started to move frantically around the house finding numbers that we could call. Brian flipped up his phone and dialed Nick's cell phone number.

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10:00 PM EST

"Hello?"

When Brian heard the voice, his heart went cold. "How are you answering this phone?"

The voice on the other end of the line began to laugh. Then clicking was heard. "I just called your friend AJ with this phone."

I was shaking so badly that I could barely hold the phone without dropping it.

"You stole Nick's phone?"

When the rest of the guys realized who I was talking to they just stood with their mouths opened listening to my conversation.

"No not exactly, see I'm sitting here on his bed, waiting for him to get out of the shower. This has been far too easy! You guys are not the brightest guys in the universe."

I was crying. "God, please don't hurt him, just walk out the door and leave! He would never know and we won't tell anybody please, I'm begging you leave him alone. Please."

There wasn't a sound on the other end of the line. He finally came back on.

"You know, I would do that for you but this has been a long time coming. Years of planning. So I'm gonna have to say no to that sorry." He hung up.

I frantically dialed the number again only to hear endless ringing...

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10:10 PM EST

I was having the time of my life letting the hot water run down my body but unfortunately my phone had other ideas. I ignored it at first but it kept ringing at a constant pace. Whoever it was made it seem urgent so I hoped out of the shower, got dressed in my pajamas and ventured back into my bedroom. I walked over to my bed where I was sure I had left the phone but it wasn't there. I got on my knees and checked under the bed, but again no phone. The ringing sounded like it was coming from the hall so I went out to look. Still no phone. Weird I thought but soon occupied myself with towel drying my hair. I looked up from the towel to notice a letter sitting on my bed. I walked over to it and opened it up.

Dear Nick,

I have had a great time taunting you and your friends but I'm afraid it's time to move to the next level. Since you are reading this, know that your days are now numbered. Starting today you have 364 more days to live. It may not seem like a lot to you but that is more than many people have. You at least have the luxury of knowing how long you have to live. That is a gift, like the gift that Jacob gave to his brother Laban. He gave his brother a pile of stones as a peace offering for their constant petty quarrels.Jacob took the stones and made a memorial pillar. Just like the pile of stones that Laban was talking about, Just like the pile of stones that will surround you. We must also make an agreement. That which is hard makes us stronger. It won't be long now which is too bad because I've enjoyed watching you squirm and wonder what is next well, life is going to get more interesting for you my young friend. I hope you can handle it. I always get what I want and I want you!

Mizpah, Nick

p.s. look behind you! SURPRISE!!!!!!

I was going in slow motion as I turned around to see him standing behind me. I tried to run but he was so much bigger than me that he totally empowered me. I was being dragged off of my feet the whole time hearing my phone ringing in the background...

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