Disclaimer: Luke and Noah do not belong to me. If they did we would see a lot more kissing. This story is not for profit. No copyright infringement is intended.
A/N: Sorry it's been a while. Classes are starting to get ugly - my first exams are next week :( Let me know what you think.
“’Lo” Noah mumbles into the phone, rubbing his eyes and glancing at the clock. Who on earth would be calling him at 6 AM?
“Noah? It’s Jack Snyder. I’m sorry to call so early, but I’ve just gotten some news. Apparently they were moving your father to a new facility yesterday morning and he escaped. The police are looking for him, but watch yourself, okay?”
“Luke” Noah whispers, sitting straight up in bed. “Have you called to warn Luke?” he asks, panic edging his voice.
“Not yet” Jack answers. “We just got the notice a few minutes ago. I was going to call Holden next.”
“I’ll do it. Thanks” Noah says and hangs up abruptly. Hands shaking he dials the number for Snyder Farm. “Come on, pick up, pick up” he shouts after several rings.
“Hello” someone finally answers.
“Mr. Snyder?” Noah asks. “It’s Noah. Look, I’m sorry to be calling so early but the police just called. My Dad has escaped and they haven’t been able to find him. Could you-” he pauses and swallows hard, praying his suspicions are incorrect. “Could you check on Luke for me?” he asks, his heart pounding.
“Hold on” Holden answers, and Noah can hear the sudden tension in his voice. Noah rushes to get dressed while he waits for Holden to get back to him, fighting back the sheer terror threatening to incapacitate him. He is waiting at the door, keys in hand when Holden finally comes back on the line sounding completely terrified. “He’s not there.”
Noah gasps for breath, feeling like he has just been hit in the stomach. “I’m coming over” he says, and hangs up without waiting for a response. The drive to the farm feels like it takes hours. He jumps out and runs inside, opening the door with shaking hands. Holden, Lily, and Emma are in the kitchen. Lily is crying into her husband’s shoulder and Holden looks ashen. Emma stands and pulls Noah into a hug.
“Jack is on the way” Holden tells him.
Noah just nods and heads up to Luke’s room. He looks at the unmade bed, praying that nothing has happened, that Luke has just gone out for an early morning jog and they are all panicking for nothing. He sees the picture on the floor and in that moment he knows that his father has Luke. He bites back a sob, but he is unable to stop the silent tears streaking down his face. He picks up the photograph with trembling hands, and sits on the edge of Luke’s bed.
The photo had been taken on Valentine’s Day. Luke had convinced Noah to go to the carnival with him, and he had asked someone to take their picture in front of the Ferris wheel. They are both beaming with happiness in the photo, Noah standing behind Luke with his arms around his waist, Luke holding an enormous cotton candy. It had been one of the best days of Noah’s life, and all he can do now is pray for Luke to make it back to him safely so they can do it again one day.
When Noah hears the door slam and murmured voices coming downstairs he wipes the tears from his face and hurries down to find Jack talking to Luke’s parents. “Noah” he says, sounding surprised.
“He’s got Luke” Noah whispers, hands tightening on the frame he’s still holding. “This was on the floor” he says, holding it out. “It’s always on the bedside table. We have to find him.”
“Don’t worry, we will. Is there anywhere you know of where your father might be keeping Luke?” Jack asks.
Noah racks his memory for any clue his father might have given him in the past, but he comes up with nothing and just shakes his head.
“Okay” Jack says. “Since the Colonel kidnapped Luke instead of trying to kill him again there’s a good chance he wants something. We’re going to tap your phone lines Holden, yours too Noah, and wait for him to call. If he tries to contact you in any other way let us know immediately.”
Several policemen come into the house and they take Noah’s cell phone. He sits with the Snyder’s for the next hour waiting to hear anything. Finally Noah’s cell phone starts to ring, and the man who has been working on it silently hands it back to Noah.
“Hello” Noah answers, trying to keep his voice steady.
“Noah” his father says warmly.
“Where is he? What did you do to him?” Noah whispers, trying to keep the desperation out of his voice.
“I have your – friend – someplace safe” his father answers. “He’ll be fine as long as you cooperate.” When Noah remains silent his father says “Noah, son, you must see how wrong this – this dalliance is. You’re a good boy, deep down, and once you get back to normal I’ll let him go.”
“Please dad, just let him go” Noah begs. “I’ll do anything you want.”
“You will do what I want” his father says, a dangerous edge creeping into his voice. “If you don’t he’ll pay for it. Now listen carefully. Meet me at Elkridge Park at 6:00 tonight. Luke” he says as if it’s a dirty word “Is locked up with limited food and water, so if you bring the police your friend will be dead inside of a week,” and he hangs up without another word.
“Did you get a trace?” Jack asks one of his men, cursing when the man says no. “Okay. Noah, you need to meet with him and do exactly what he says. I’ll have some men in plainclothes follow you. Hopefully if we keep a tail on him we can find out where he’s keeping Luke.”
The rest of the day is like torture for Noah. Luke’s parents have cancelled their honeymoon, so he waits with them for any news, but they don’t hear anything. At 5:30 he gets into his truck and drives to the park to meet his father.