The dim lights of a Millbrock bar flickered, casting long shadows across the sticky wooden floor. The faint buzz of conversation and the clinking of glasses filled the air, but Dan was oblivious to it all. His head was heavy from the night's alcohol, and his eyes were bloodshot, half-lidded in a stupor.
"Bill," he slurred, reaching out toward the bartender. "Gimme another one."
Bill, a grizzled old man with a permanent frown etched into his weathered face, glanced up from cleaning a glass. He shook his head, clearly unimpressed. "Dan, you ain't paid your tab in three weeks." His voice was as rough as gravel. "No more drinks 'til you settle up."
Dan chuckled lazily, waving his hand like he was dismissing a child. "Ah, c'mon, Bill. You know me. I'll pay it tomorrow. Tomorrow's payday."
"Tomorrow's always payday for you," Bill snapped, slamming the glass down harder than necessary. "I've had enough of your shit, Dan. Get the hell out of here! Now!"
Dan blinked, momentarily thrown off by the sudden outburst, but he quickly recovered. With a grunt, he pushed himself off the barstool, his body swaying. "Yeah, yeah, yeah," he mumbled, waving his hand dismissively as he stumbled toward the exit.
Bill followed him to the door, glaring daggers into Dan's back. "And don't come back here, you hear me? You're scum!"
Dan turned around briefly, only to give Bill the finger before pushing through the door into the chilly Millbrock night.
The cold air hit Dan like a slap in the face, sobering him up just enough to realize how unsteady his legs were. The sidewalks were slick from earlier rain, the dampness clinging to everything. Dan's worn boots slapped against the wet pavement as he staggered down the street, grumbling curses under his breath. "Stupid bastard... kicking me out... just like everyone else..."
As he walked, his foot suddenly squelched into something soft and foul-smelling. He looked down and groaned, realizing he had stepped into a fresh pile of dog shit. "Ah, fuck! dog shit." he cursed loudly, dragging his boot along the curb, trying to scrape it off. "Could this night get any worse?"
But before he could even finish his thought, the sound of a car engine roaring to life drew his attention. He looked up just in time to see a black van speed down the street, coming to a screeching halt right in front of him.
"What the—" Dan started, but he didn't have time to react. The doors of the van flew open, and two masked men jumped out. One of them grabbed Dan by the arm, yanking him forward with brutal force, while the other pressed a cloth to his face.
Dan struggled, thrashing weakly, but the smell of chemicals hit him like a wave. His vision blurred, and the world spun around him. "No... wait... wha..." His words slurred into nothing as his body went limp, and everything went black.
The two figures threw Dan's unconscious body into the backseat of the car and sped off into the night.
---
Several blocks away, Agent Delgado sat in his old, beat-up car, the windows opened just enough for the smoke from his cigarette to escape. He watched the black van peel out from the curb, his eyes narrowing as he exhaled slowly.
"Finally, some action," Delgado muttered, a smirk playing at the corners of his lips. He flicked the cigarette butt out the window, crushing it under his heel as he turned the key in the ignition. His engine sputtered to life, and he carefully pulled out of his parking spot, keeping a safe distance from the black car ahead.
Just as he was about to accelerate and close the gap, the glare of headlights in his rearview mirror caught his attention. Another car, a sleek, unmarked vehicle, sped into view, lights flashing briefly before fading into the night.
"Shit," Delgado cursed under his breath, instantly recognizing the car. FBI. "These fuckers again," he muttered, gripping the steering wheel tighter. "I thought Reeves settled things with them."
Delgado quickly killed his lights and pulled off to the side, letting the FBI vehicle roar past him. He watched them speed after the black sedan with grim satisfaction. "Better tread lightly." he whispered to himself before slowly pulling back onto the road, maintaining his distance.
---
Dan woke with a start, his head throbbing like it had been smashed with a brick. His eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, all he saw was darkness. But as his vision cleared, the dim light from a single flickering bulb overhead illuminated the scene around him.
He was in some kind of warehouse, the walls covered in peeling paint, the windows boarded up. The cold, metallic scent of rust and decay hung in the air. Dan's arms were tied behind him, his wrists raw from the ropes cutting into his skin. He shifted in the chair, but the ropes were too tight.
"Where the fuck am I?" Dan croaked, his throat dry and his voice hoarse. Panic surged through him as he tugged at the ropes, but it was no use. "What is this place?" He tried to calm his racing heart, but his mind was spinning. Could this be those agents? Damn it, Peter. Even when you're gone, you still manage to drag me into your messes. Just like your mother..."
Suddenly, two figures stepped out of the shadows. Both were wearing masks—one a man, the other a woman. The woman pulled up a chair in front of him, sitting down slowly, while the man stood back, watching.
Dan's breathing quickened. "You....you've got the wrong guy," he stammered, trying to sound calm. "I swear, I don't know even have a penny—"
Before he could finish, the woman's boot came crashing into his face. The impact was sharp, sending pain radiating through his skull. "Fuck... that hurt..."
"Listen, I don't—" Dan started, but the woman interrupted him with another swift kick, this time to his groin. Dan gasped, doubling over in pain, but the ropes held him upright. He moaned, his vision swimming.
"That's enough," the masked man finally spoke, stepping forward and pulling the woman back. "We'll get nothing out of him if you break his jaw." He crouched down, leveling his eyes with Dan's. "Answer our questions truthfully, and we'll let you go."
Dan panted heavily, struggling to catch his breath. His heart was racing, and sweat dripped down his face. "Jesus Christ... is this about my son?" Look i don't know where the Peter is. And even if I did, you think I'm a fucking rat?"
The masked man sighed, standing up straight. "I was hoping you'd be more cooperative." He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small leather pouch, rolling it open to reveal a set of sharp, gleaming tools. "But it looks like we're going to be here for a while."
Dan's eyes widened in fear as the man knelt down in front of him, reaching for his boots. "What the hell are you doing?!" Dan shouted, jerking his legs.
The man began to untie Dan's shoes. As the boots came off, a foul, rotten stench filled the room. The masked man recoiled, gagging. "What... what is that smell?" He turned away, pulling off his mask and vomiting onto the floor.
The woman hurried over, patting him on the back. "Honey, are you okay?"
Dan's heart skipped a beat at the sound of her voice and the man's familiar structure.He knew that voice. "Wait... no, it can't be..." His heart sank. "Robert! You bastard!" He shouted, recognition dawning on him. "And your whore of a wife! So this is revenge, huh?!"
The man—Robert—whipped off his mask, his face twisted in rage. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, storming over to Dan. "Say that again about my wife, and I'll—" He didn't finish the sentence before his fist smashed into Dan's face.
The blows came fast, one after another, each punch landing with brutal force. Dan's head snapped back, blood spraying from his mouth as Robert pounded him relentlessly.
"Enough!" the woman screamed, pulling Robert back. Dan wheezed, his face swollen and bloody, but he laughed through the pain. "Is....that all you got? Everybody in town knows your wife is a slut hahah..."
Robert lunged forward again, but the woman held him back. "We need him alive!" she shouted, her voice trembling.
Dan rasped, spitting teeth with blood onto the floor. Then he laughed bitterly. "I know where Peter is..."
The woman's eyes flared with fury, and she grabbed Dan by the collar, shaking him. "Tell me where he is!"
Dan smirked, blood staining his teeth. "Com....closer... I'll tell you."