Run, Run, Run, as Fast as You can, you can’t catch me, I am the Gingerbread man
“Unit 420, what is your status?” A women spoke through the officer’s walkie.
“We are at the University, investigating a possible 207A, over.” Responded the officer.
“Copy 420, do you need back up on your sitch?” asked dispatch.
“Negative dispatch, we are investigating now.” Replied the officer.
“10-4. Good Luck.” Dispatch ended the call.
The two officers entered the campus building and made their way to the Professor’s office. They knocked on his door.
“Yes, please come in.” Called the professor.
“Hello, are you Professor Nicholas Blackwood?” asked the officer. “Ah, yes, how may I help you today officer?” Answered Blackwood. “We are investigating the possible missing person’s report on Gerald Hoffman and Michael Knight. We were hoping that you could shed some light and answer a few questions.” asked the officer. “Oh my, yes I heard about them but I didn’t know they were missing. Please sit down and close the door. I am happy to help.” Our investigation had them seen by you the day before they went missing. What did you all talk about?” asked the officer. “Mhm, on that day we were discussing Gerald’s lack of commitment to his class as he was missing weeks of assignments. Michael was one of my prized students and asked him to assist with his homework. They were roommates so I was hoping that he was able to help.” Answered Blackwood. “Did they seem weird, or did they say anything of concern?” asked the officer. “From what I can recall, no, they were both very normal. We even shared a laugh. When Michael stopped showing up for class I began to worry. I didn’t imagine that this would happen.” Just then the dean walked in. “Ah, there you are, sorry to interrupt but we found some items that I think you two should look at.” He handed the officers 2 letters addressed to their parents.
Hey mom and dad, not sure how to say this but I love Michael and we are going to run away together. I know that you guys will never accept our love so this is the best for us all. I still love you guys. Best Gerald.
The other note said the same thing but from Michael, confessing his love for Gerald. The officer’s places the letters in a plastic bag and sealed them. He removed his latex gloves. “Did you find anything else in their dorm?” asked the officer. “No, it was cleaned out they took everything with them. When we got the calls from their parents worried, we had our RA and myself examined the room and found these.” Answered the dean. The lead officer turned to the professor. “If you can remember anything else of importance, please give me call.” He handed him a card with his info. The officer noticed a ring on his hand. “Damn, that’s a big rock you got there.” “Oh this? Yes, it was an anniversary gift.” He smiled. The officer noticed a large ruby stone with an insignia and the letters SSS. He nodded as they left the room and left the campus.
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Mick was out of breath as he ran down the road, the Sun was almost down as the road darkened. He was tired, his feet had blisters and bled from the rough road. There were no streetlights, the road stretched for miles with a thick forest in every direction. “Come on just a bit more, Mick, you can’t give up.” He encouraged himself. He fell, scraping his hands and knees. “FUCK!” he yelled. He wanted to cry but was too exhausted. His lips were chapped, and his throat was parched. He stood back up and walked down the road. As he looked up, he saw headlights approaching him. “Oh, thank god.” He spoke out of breath. Lifting his hands he waved the car down. “HEY! HEY! PLEASE HELP ME!” He yelled at the top of his lungs. As the car approached it slowed down turning slowing away from the naked man on the side of road to avoid hitting him. The driver rolled down his window on the passenger side.
“Hey man, you ok? What happened to you?” asked the driver. He was a young Italian man with stubble on his face and slicked back hair. “Please you need to call the cops, I need help, m-my friend is being held hostage. We were kidnapped and I was able to escape. Please help me.” Mick begged the driver as he tried to catch his breath. “Woah take it easy; you guys were kidnapped?!” the driver asked. He had a thick New Jersey accent. “Yes, now please call the COPS.” Begged Mick. The driver pulled out his phone and started to dial. “Yes, Hello? I have this naked guy on the side of the road who said that he was kidnapped and that his friend is still being held.” The driver spoke on the phone. Mick felt a wave of relief. His legs started to shake from running. He was sweating like crazy as he leaned on the car catching his breath. “Yeah, ok, I am on the road but there no address for it and it stretches for miles. You can meet me at my place.” The driver gave his address and hung up the phone. “Hey kid, the police are on the way. Hop in and I will take you back to my place we will meet them there.” He spoke unlocking the doors. Mick grabbed the handle and stopped for a moment. His paranoid mind wondered if this was safe. The driver sat facing him with the car engine running. He opened the door and sat inside. The driver made a U-turn and started to drive in the direction he came from.
They drove in silence, Mick’s body slumped in his seat as the exhaustion caught up to him. “My name is Marcus by the way, what’s yours?” “My name is Mick” he answered. “Nice to meet you Mick, you look pretty banged up.” He reached for the glove compartment. Mick instinctively back away from him. “Woah there buddy, I am not going to hurt you. Take it easy.” He reached the glove compartment and pulled out a bottle of water, handing it to Mick. He grabbed it and without thinking drank the whole thing. “Thank you, Marcus. I needed that.” Mick responded. “Yeah sure, you look like hell kid. We will be back at my place in a few. Just hang tight.” Marcus assured him. Mick’s eyes drifted and he fell asleep.
“Hey, Mick you doing alright? Wake up.” Marcus shook his arm. Mick’s eyes shot open, and he panicked for a moment. “Relax my guy, we are back at my place. Take it easy no need to stress, you had me worried there for a moment. Thought you died on me.” He joked. “Come on, the police will be here soon.” Marcus exited the car and opened the door for Mick. As he got up his legs gave out on him, Marcus was quick and caught him putting his arm around his shoulder. “Damn, you are in bad shape. Come on I’ll help you inside.” Marcus carried Mick up the stairs as the front door opened.
“Ah Master Marcus, back so soon from your appointment?” Greeted the butler. “Gio help me get this kid inside and in the game room.” The butler quickly rushed over and helped them inside. As the butler took over, Marcus adjusted his suit. Gio placed Mick on a sofa inside a large room with a lit fireplace. “Gio fetch him some clean clothes and make some food and tea for our guest.” Ordered Marcus. “Right away Sir.” Gio left. “Alright you hang on tight here, Mick. I will be right back, just need to make a few phone calls.” Marcus said. “Please let me know when the police arrive.” Mick replied in a tired voice. “Sure, no problem, Mick.” Marcus flashed a smile and left the room. Mick sat alone as the fire roared and crackled in the background. He watched the fire dance as he recovered from his ordeal.
After several minutes, Gio came back in with a trolly.He laid the clean clothes on the sofa as he helped Mick up and dress him in a large white dress shirt and black dress pants. “Please forgive the size it is all we have to spare at the moment.” asked Gio. “It’s ok, these are fine.” Mick replied. Gio grabbed a hot towel and grabbed his leg. Mick kicked back and crawled away from him. “Please Sir, you are bleeding.” Gio spoke with a thick French accent. Mick looked down at his feet and his blisters were red and bled a bit from running barefoot for miles. Gio gentle grabbed each foot and wiped them down with the towel before applying first-aid. “Sorry for before, thank you.” Mick winced as he set his bandaged feet down. “Of course, it was my pleasure.” Gio laid a silver platter with finger sandwiches and other appetizers. He poured a cup of tea for Mick mixing it as he handed him the cup. Mick drank the scolding tea down. “Can I have more please? And more sugar?” asked Mick. Gio smiled. “Of course Sir, please help yourself. You must be starving.” Replied Gio. Mick stuffed his face with the sandwiches and tried every sampler he saw. He started to cry from sheer joy as he ate. “There is more where that came from. Please feel free to help yourself to seconds.” Gio smiled as he walked away. “Thank you.” Shouted Mick with a mouth full of food. Mick sat there stuffing his face with chicken and all that the platter offered for what seemed like hours.
Marcus and Gio came into the room. “Please don’t stop on my account, Enjoy.” Marcus smiled as he took a seat across from Mick. Gio poured him a cup of tea and prepared it the way he liked. Marcus watched him scarf down the food. “Good isn’t it.” He chuckled. “Oh my god yes, it’s been so long since I had solid food.” Mick answered while still chewing. “What’s that around your neck?” Mick looked down as he swallowed his food. “It’s a collar, I couldn’t take it off before I left.” Replied Mick. “Huh, may I?” Marcus asked. “Mick nodded his head. Marcus approached him and reached for the tags that hung from the collar. “Huh, so you’re name is Minni?” asked Marcus. “NO, that’s not my name. Its Mick.” He flipped the tag around and read the inscriptions on the back as his finger wiped the sweat away. He looked confused. “Do you know who he is? Duke?” asked Mick. He gave a frown and shook his head. “No, never heard of him. Is that who kidnapped you?” asked Marcus. Mick nodded his head. He let go of the tags and sat back down as Gio handed him his cup. “Do you know how much longer till the police arrive?” asked Mick. “Who knows, this area is huge and its acers of land in between each villa. I just moved here myself a few years back and I still get lost.” He laughed, taking a sip of tea. Mick noticed a gold ring and a large ruby on it. “What’s that” he asked curious. “It’s a ring from a club I belong to.” Mick’s face turned pale. “Duke…has a ring just like that.” He whispered. Marcus continued to drink his tea as he stared at Mick. “Oh, does he? That is strange.” Marcus replied. “You never called the cops, did you?” asked Mick with fear in his eyes. “Whoops! Caught me!” Marcus cracked a devilish grin. Mick got up and ran to the door limping from his sore feet. He ran as fast as he could down the long hallway as he endured the pain. About halfway down the hall his legs gave out on him. He collapsed on the floor. With every ounce of strength, he tried to crawl to the exit. His body wasn’t responding to his command. He tried to lift is arms or move his legs, but they flailed around. He couldn’t move, he couldn’t scream or talk. He laid there on the floor as he heard footsteps approach from behind.
As he looked forward, he could only move his eyes. Marcus stepped in front of Micks line of sight with his black oxford dress shoes. He shoved his shoe under Mick’s chest and flipped him on his back. He looked over at Gio. “How much did you give him?” asked Marcus. “Under the normal dosage as he was already exhausted. However, with the amount of food he ate I feared it wouldn’t have been enough.” Answered Gio. He lifted Micks face with his shoe so that they were face to face. He stared down at him with disgusted. He snapped his fingers “Almost GOT away!” He chuckled. Pulling his phone from his breast pocket and dialed, placing the phone to his ear. Mick laid there and heard someone answered.
“Hey, it’s me Marcus.” He was cut off before he could continue. “Hey Marcus, my apologies but we will need to cancel our meeting for tonight. I ran into an emergency, and I need to attend to that before things get worse.” Mick heard Duke’s voice through the speaker.
“Wait what? What emergency? WAIT! Let me guess. Did your slave run away on you?” Marcus has a large grin on his face as he held Mick’s head in place.
“How did you know? Who-.” Duke stopped. “He’s there with you, isn’t he?” Duke asked.
“Yeah, he is. Caught him on my way to you running naked on the street like a mad man talking about how he was being held captive.” Marcus snickered. “Give me a few and I can be there in about 30 minutes.” Marcus replied.
“No, wait for me there and I will pick him up. We can head back together, we can still continue our sale tonight.” Duke spoke.
“Alright, see you in a bit.” Marcus hung up the phone. “Looks like your Master will be picking you up himself. Hate to be in your shoes you dumb fuck.” Marcus moved his shoe as Micks head dropped to the floor.
“Gio take him to the front and wait for Duke to arrive. We can leave after to fetch my new toy.” Marcus ordered. “Yes Sir.” Gio replied. He picked up Mick from the ground and carried him to the front exit. In the foyer, he place Mick on the couch and comforted his head with a pillow. “No need to worry young slave. Your Master will be here shortly. You were given a strong muscle relaxer so you won’t be able to move much for the next few hours, but you can still hear and see.” Gio made sure he was in a comfortable position. “If you want to take my advice, beg your Master for forgiveness and pledge your life to him. Work on making him happy and he may go easy on you.” Gio sat next to him as he waited for Duke’s arrival. Mick laid on the couch and tears rolled down his cheek.
“I fucked up, I fucked up so bad. This was all for nothing. Now I’m going back.”
Duke arrived after some time; he rushed to the door as Gio opened it in anticipation. He looked to his left and saw Minni on the couch. “Oh, thank god, you had me so worried.” He looked over his body and saw his mangled feet and scuffed up hands. “Look at you Minni, you really are a mess.” Duke’s face was stoic as he looked him over. Marcus entered the room. “Ah, thought I heard you big dawg.” Marcus spoke. “Thank you, Marcus, I really do appreciate it. If there is anything I can do to repay you please let me know.” He shook his hand with gratitude. “Don’t mentioned it, if this little cocksucker made it to the authorities we would have been in really deep shit. I’ll be honest I didn’t know he belonged to you, but I saw the collar tag, so I called you as soon as I found out.” Marcus replied. “Gio gave him a muscle relaxer that should linger for a few more hours but it exits the body pretty quickly so let’s get this troublemaker back home.” Duke agreed. He lifted Minni into his arms and carried him to his car. He placed him in the passenger seat and buckled his seat belt. The two men drove off into the night. As they drove back to Duke’s manor, Marcus was behind him following him home. The car was dead silent as he drove. Mick looked at Duke’s hands as he gripped the steering wheel tightly. His jaw was tight, he was pissed. Minni was stuck, he couldn’t apologize or beg for forgiveness. He was frozen as he waited for the punishment that Duke would inflict on him.
Finally, Duke broke the silence. “How could you do this to me, Minni?” Duke asked as he gripped the steering wheel even tighter. “You humiliated me in front of another member and now I look incompetent. Maybe I was too leant with you, I gave you too much freedom. I thought you were accepting your place with me…but I was wrong.” Mick heard the leather creak from how tight his grip was. “I am not mad, but I am VERY disappointed with you. You will be punished severely for this. I made a promise to you, that I would take care of you, and I will keep that promise.” Duke almost sounded like he was going to cry. He pressed a button on his steering wheel. “Call Dr. Karl Gebhardt.” The phone rang for a few moments. “Hello this is Dr. Karls’s office; how may I assist you today?” answered the receptionist. “I need to speak with Dr. Gebhardt, password Lambda964.” Duke replied. “One moment please.” Hold music played in the background as they listened to it. A strong thick German voice answered the phone. “This is Doctor Karl Gebhardt, who do I have the pleasure of speaking with?” He asked. “It’s me Duke Machiavelli.” He answered. “Ah, Mr. Machiavelli so good to hear from you again. How may I help you today?” He replied. “I need an appointment for a slave of mine.” Duke asked. “Understood and what would the visit be for?” asked the Doctor. “I need your specialty to be done.” Replied Duke. The doctor paused for a moment. “My specialty…are you sure? That is a very serious and dangerous procedure.” Duke cut him off. “Yes, I am aware of the complications, and I need it done as soon as possible.” The sound of paper in the background was heard. “Typically, this procedure would require a 2-month waiting period. As you should be aware its irreversible once done.” Replied the Doctor. “The earliest I can do is for 3 months from now.” Replied the Doctor. “Damn, nothing sooner? I am willing to pay double your rates.” Duke asked. “Double you say?” Replied the doctor. “Give me one moment.” Duke continued to drive as they waited; Minni could only imagine what they were talking about. “Alright, looks like I have an opening in the morning around 10 o’clock.” Spoke the doctor. “That is perfect we will be there first thing in the morning.” Duke hung up the phone. “I will take care of you, Minni.” Duke whispered under his breath.
