Date: Sat, 29 Jul 2000 22:10:51 CDT From: D Man Subject: Re: That's Life- Chapter 7 That's Life Author's Note: This is my first attempt at writing this type of story. I bet you have heard this line many times. Well, that's life. I just wanted to give you a little on my style of writing this story. It will be third person omniscient. All sentences that are in parenthesis will only be see in conversation and that is only to point out the thoughts the character has that moment. Any sentences in brackets will only be seen in conversation. It will explain the actions that the narrator sees. That's about it. Have fun reading and email me at d_man116@hotmail.com if you like or don't. Previously: Kyle- We have to find him. He doesn't know this place. Justin- I'm not. I could give a shit about him. Chris- Me too. Tyler- Fine. Stay here. The guys took off to look for Darryl. Justin and Chris could give a care about him. It was time to come up with a plan to end Darryl. He caused so many problems that day for all of them. Who would have known somebody could come between this close- knit group? Chapter 7: The Search The guys divided into three groups to cover more ground. It was Lance and JC, Kyle and Tyler, and Joey. They got into their own cars and were off. In the meantime, Chris and Justin sat there. They were too tired to come up with a plan after all. They would have all month to take care of the boy. Perhaps this disappearance would be the end of their worries. Lance and JC headed to the mall. They had no clue where he could have gone. He could have taken a cab or gone to take a walk. They had to look at every location that a college student would go, so they had the mall. They parked the car and ran inside. This was going to be a long search. So many shops but which one had Darryl. "I'll take the second floor and you have the bottom." "Alright, Lance." Joey had no clue where to look. He didn't even know the boy. He didn't know what was going in his mind. The best thing was to just drive around. Darryl couldn't have gotten far. He should have stopped him earlier, but the fighting was so amusing. How could anyone give up a free show? In the other car, only concern could be felt. Kyle knew the perfect place that Darryl could have gone to. It was the park. Darryl enjoyed the park. He liked just sitting at the bench and absorbing all that could be seen. "Can I ask you a question, Kyle?" "What?" "Why did you tell me to come with you? I mean you are going out with Josh now. Why didn't you go with him?" "I don't think Josh can be any help if we find Darryl. He trusts you. I hope at least." "I hope he does." The guys got to the park. Kyle took the playground, while Tyler walked around on the path. They had to find him and talk some sense. "Where are you Darryl? This is nothing like you." While the search was going, Darryl was walking around on the streets. He didn't want to go to the park. He knew they would find him there. Kyle may have known a lot about him, but you don't know this if you meet someone over the internet. It was his sacred place. It gave him time to dispense all emotions and time to think. He finally got there, but first he had to sign up. Darryl hoped it wouldn't take too long. He had a lot to think about. Joey continued to drive around. This drive too gave him some time to think. The fight may have been amusing, but some good points were brought up. First, maybe Chris was right. N Sync has been together for more than four years. Perhaps it was time for them to break up. Maybe it was the best. Each person had their own thing going on. Maybe it was the lack of solo's that was speaking. What was he thinking about? They are his friends. He shouldn't be seeing the demise of N Sync but instead a new beginning. Who would have known one person could bring out so much from a person? JC and Lance ran around the mall searching for Darryl. People that weren't fans of N Sync thought they were insane, while the fans chased after them. There were times when they enjoyed being mobbed by fans, but now was the time. They had to stop multiple times because they didn't want to look bad in the public eye. In other words, job before life. They tried to stray from the idea, but they could never. Chris and Justin sat there and watched television while the whole ordeal was occurring. "So do you think they will find him?" "Knowing that bastard, yes. He is just trying to look for attention. I bet when he comes out from hiding, he is gonna get it too." "Is someone jealous? Afraid to lose your spot as center attention. "No! Why would I be jealous of him?" "I don't know. That is why I am asking you." "I just don't like him." "Why?" "I thought you were on my side." "I am." "Then why do you keep making me justify the reason I hate the kid?" "For one he isn't a kid. He is the same age as you. "So. I still got five months over him." "Whatever. Second, there is always an answer for everything even if it can't be seen." "Let's not get philosophical on me, Chris." "Someone has to." "Anyways, I hope they find him." "Why? You were over here saying that you wished they wouldn't." "I did, but how else am I going to be able to destroy his life." "You're cruel." "And you're helping." "I know." Kyle and Tyler searched throughout the whole park. No trace of Darryl could be found. Not even a hint if he was even there, but they didn't give up. "Maybe we didn't think this through." "You sure he likes the park." "I'm positive. He likes to sit there and absorb the emotions of the people." "Alright, but you didn't say anything about his own emotions." "True, but I think we should keep looking here." "Ok." And with that last remark, they continued to look in the wrong spot. If only they can actually think where Darryl could be because they weren't going to find him there. After ten minutes of waiting in line, he was able to talk to one of the workers. "Hello, sir. How may I help you?" "I would like to sign up." "Yes sir. You have to pay monthly." "Is it possible to just get a month membership? I will only be here for a month." "Let me check with the manager, sir." "Thanks." Darryl would have to wait once again. It sure was busy today. He hoped there was enough to go around. He wanted to get really sweaty. Afterwards, he would feel a lot better. Joey kept driving around. He was on the verge of giving up, but he had to find him. He felt it was partially his fault for the missing of Darryl. If he only stopped him or at least tried, he wouldn't be here right now. He could be having fun. Dancing, partying, and flirting, all that can be done in club, was all he needed. How much he wanted to go to a club, but he couldn't. They wouldn't let him. Too many temptations that would destroy him. Back to the search. "Sir, you can sign up for a month. It will cost you $49.95. If you would like later on, you can renew your membership." "Thanks but I don't think I will." "Alright. All I need you to do is fill in this form. Then we'll take your picture for a card." "Thanks. Just give me a second." Darryl filled out the form as fast as he could. He wanted to hit the water first. It was one of the best things to relax him. "I'm done. Here is my credit card." "Thank you sir." "Let's take your picture." "Alright." The picture was taken and he was off. "Sir, here is a towel and a lock. Have fun in all the facilities that we provide." "Thanks. Now to go change." Kyle and Tyler gave up at the park. They were not going to find him there, but where could he be. It was time to drive around again. He had to be around. He couldn't have gotten far by car or walking. "Kyle, do you think we are going to find him? I mean he is twenty. He could have gone home. We all have gone through a lot today." "We have, but I don't think he has. He doesn't run away from a fight." "But there isn't a fight against him. It's between Justin and me." "I'm pretty sure there is going to be a fight that involves Darryl." "Whatever you say. JC and Lance had no luck finding Darryl at the mall. There was nothing left to do now, but give up. It was time to head back home and wait for the other guys. Kyle and Tyler covered all the hangouts, but had no luck finding Darryl. They had to give up too. If only they knew Darryl was ok, they would feel better. They didn't want to give up, but they had to. Darryl spent three hours thinking things through. He didn't really come up with a true conclusion because he wasn't sure how this could truly affect him, but he felt better. He had a good swim and felt stronger, but at the same time tired. He had to exert a lot of energy. It was time to increase his weight. It was worth it though. He would be sleeping like a baby tonight. Now it was time to checkout and pick up his ID card. At the same time, Joey drove by Darryl's haven. Joey saw a person that looked exactly like Darryl standing there, but it couldn't be him. This place looked like nothing that Darryl would go to. He was so small and thin. Why would he go there? Joey dropped the idea and drove home. There was no way he was going to find the kid now. He'll probably find his way home. Lance dropped JC off at Justin's house. "I'll call you when we find Darryl." "Thanks JC." Kyle and Tyler headed back to Justin's place to see if Darryl returned or not. "I don't think Darryl will comeback here." "Why not?" "Justin was pushing Darryl around today." "What! That bastard. What did he say?" "I think he was trying to dig into Darryl's past, but I'm pretty sure it didn't bug him until Justin said that one word." "What word?" "Slut. I'm not sure why it hit him, but it did." "I think I know. We should head back to my place instead. I don't think Darryl will be returning anytime soon at that place." "Alright." "But first, we have to drop you off at Justin's." "I'm not going back there." "You have to." "No I don't" "What about your car? Don't you want to go home?" "If you don't mind, can I chill at your place and wait?" "And your car?" "I'll pick it up later." "Ok." "Let's go then." JC entered the house. It was six o clock and the other guys had not returned. He looked around and there was no trace of Justin and Chris. "Where could have those guys gone?" JC "JC, we're in the kitchen." Justin "What are you guys doing in here?" JC "We were waiting for you guys to return. Joey called. He said he couldn't find Darryl and that he went home." Chris "At least he tried. How about Kyle and Tyler?" JC "We haven't heard anything from them." Chris "I guess we have to wait." JC "Not we, just you. Chris and I are going to head to a club or something." Justin "What! Don't you even care!" "Not really." Justin "Fine, go then." JC With those last words, Chris and Justin left the house. As the front door shut, the phone rang." "Hello." "I know something." "Who is this?" "I know something." "That's nice. Who is this?" "It's about you too." "You don't even know who this is." "Actually I do. How can you not be able to recognize the voice of a famous pop star?" "True, but this isn't my house." "I know, but I still know who I am talking to. I can see you." "Ah really. So is this going to turn out and be a Scream thing. This is where you ask me What my favorite scary movie?" "I would if this was Scream four, but it is not. I just want to tell you that I know." "Know what?" "That your gay JC. Could you be any stupider?" JC dropped the phone after hearing those last words. This had to be the guy that Joey met in the movie theater. JC picked up the telephone again. "I sure surprised you." "So you're really looking at me." "Not really. I'm not really a stalker." "So what do you want?" "Nothing right now. You'll know when I get what I want." "What is that?" "It has something to do with your boyfriend." "My boyfriend?" The man on the phone hung up. He had to get to Kyle. He couldn't let anything happen to him, but he didn't have his car here. The phone began to ring again. "Hello." "Hey JC. We are heading back to my apartment." "Are you ok, Kyle?" "I'm fine. Are you ok?" "Not really." "Are you going to tell me what's wrong?" "Not over the phone." "Then tell me when you get here." "How?" "Take Tyler's car. His key is in the glove compartment." "Ok. I'll see you there." "Bye." "Bye." JC ran to the car and took out the key. He had to get to the apartment to make sure Kyle was ok. As he was driving, he saw Darryl walking along the sidewalk. "Darryl, where have you been? We've been looking for you forever." "Sorry. I had to do some thinking." "Well come on. I'm heading back to Kyle's." "Do you mind if I walk home?" "Yes I do. Kyle is worried sick about you." "I still need to do some thinking." "You can do it back at the apartment." "I can't think back there." "Please. I don't need you to baby-sit me." "Fine." (I guess I have to make it up to him for before.) "But get back to Kyle's apartment soon. Here's his address just in case you have forgotten." "Thanks. It means a lot. Josh, you have redeemed yourself." "Don't make me regret it." "You won't." Josh was about to drive off when took one final look at Josh's face. He noticed something that he hadn't noticed before. His eyes. He had the bluest eyes that he had ever seen. Actually they were close to the ones that he saw ten years ago. Again they pierced his soul, and again Darryl sensed Josh was the person that would whisk him from all his problems, but he was Kyle's. He couldn't do that to his friend. Darryl continued walking when out of nowhere somebody grabbed him from behind. Darryl tried to struggle. He was getting stronger, but he couldn't fight this guy off. He heard the guy's voice. It sounded so familiar. "It's me, kid. Time to finish some unfinished business." Time to bring in the drama again. I know these haven't been really good chapter, but I am going to work on it. Please email me with anything on your mind at d_man116@hotmail.com.