The King by Rick Soper

screaming – the shot in his arm–
    –red stars, and night  – the leather straps – the white, rubber walls of the room–
    –the rage – the screaming – the pain–
    –the fall into darkness…

Chapter 32
     
    The first article that had come up when Sarah searched for London Scott was titled, FAMILY TRAGEDY STRIKES GREAT FALLS. It gave the details of London Scott’s suicide and what happened to her father, afterwards. The paper quoted a local psychologist, saying that Russell Scott had experienced a “psychotic break.” He had attacked the ambulance drivers that had tried to pry London’s body out of his arms. One paramedic got his arm broken, the other had had his larynx crushed and nearly died. When the cops rushed him, Russell snapped one’s finger, and broke another’s ribs before they were finally able to subdue him. Russell was moved to the Virginia State Mental Rehabilitation Hospital, where he was eventually institutionalized.
    A quick call by Stevens to the Hospital revealed that he had been released after nine months of intensive therapy, and after he had provided restitution to the paramedics and cops hurt in his arrest. According to the attending psychologist, Russell had a long-term problem with obsessive-compulsive behavior related to London, dating back to the tragedy of her birth and the death of her mother. After months of intensive therapy and a long list of medications, he had come to accept his daughter’s death and moved on, the details of which were included in the court summary given to the judge at the time of his release. Tax records showed that Russell went back to his job as a CPA in Great Falls, Virginia, twenty minutes outside of Washington, DC.
    Stevens looked down at his watch. Russell Scott, the obsessive-compulsive father whose daughter had died in his arms, had had Billy Stone, the man he thought was at fault, in his clutches for eight, long hours.
    As he watched the cars flying by, Stevens thought darkly that no matter how fast they got there, they were going to be too late.

Chapter 33
     
    Russell Scott was breathing hard as he finished up the wall, took a step back, and looked at his watch. It had been three hours since he’d kidnapped Billy Stone. Forty-five minutes to stuff him in a laundry basket, roll him into a service elevator, and get him out of the hotel. After loading him into the trunk and driving him here, it had taken another fifteen minutes to prepare him, and two hour to build and secure the wall.
    Billy’s head was strapped back against the metal chair, and he was still tranquilized. Billy was naked. Laid bare, he looked scrawny and small. By taking away the trappings of The Internet King, Russell had revealed the worm, hidden underneath.
    The worm that had destroyed his daughter’s life. The worm that had taken away everything he had to live for. The worm that was going to suffer.
    Russell took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He had a plan. He’d calculated it all out, down to the last detail. It had been the focus of his every thought since he’d been released from the hospital. Now, he needed to remain calm, and make it last as long as he could. He needed Billy to understand the pain he’d felt. He needed to see Billy’s face as he realized that his hope was gone. He needed to see Billy draw his last breath in agony.
    Then, and only then, would Russell finally be free.

Chapter 34
     
    Billy Stone woke up screaming as the adrenaline ripped through his body like an electric shock. He found himself in a nightmare, strapped naked to a cold, metal chair. He tried to move, but every joint had a leather strap affixed to it, from his ankles, to his knees, waist, neck, head, upper arms, elbows, wrists, and every one of his fingers. He tried to scream, but his voice just reverberated against the cement walls.
    He tried looking around, but all he could see were the cement walls and floor, which had been painted in such a bright white that it