Date: Sat, 29 Jul 2000 22:10:51 CDT
From: D Man <d_man116@hotmail.com>
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.