Date: Sat, 23 Dec 2006 11:31:33 +1000
From: thehaydster@yahoo.com.au
Subject: College Mates - Chapter 12

G'day. Sorry about taking so long to put up this chapter, but I've had
writer's block and caught a nasty bug. College Mates will wrap up in the
next few chapters and I will start my next story, Network Notes, which I've
had ideas for. THANKS goes to Roger who has read all my chapters and found
my mistakes. I'd really like to hear from everyone. Please email me at
thehaydster@yahoo.com.au


ON WITH THE STORY

Chapter 12

Bob started off by saying "It was about 9 o'clock and my martial arts class
had just ended and I was on my way back to college. I took the short cut
between the science and chemistry buildings and then heard something to my
left. I was curious so I looked over the railing (the campus is on a
terraced hill side) and saw Alex and Ryan being attacked by six guys all in
black, even black balaclavas. I saw a flash of metal, and knew there was at
least one knife about.

Pretty much I let out a yell and hit the nearest call point, which was
luckily only a few metres away, and jumped down to the lower terrace. The
bastards that attacked them had run off, but not before stabbing Ryan in
the chest and both Ryan and Alex in the side. I called campus security's
emergency line and they got an ambulance on the way. You know the rest."

We sat there, shocked by the belief that people could be so cruel to Ryan
and Alex. It made no sense. "There is more", Bob said, "but I can't tell
you about it yet" I noticed that Tim had wrapped his arms around me while
Bob was talking. Evidently Bob noticed too, as he asked "So you two are..?"
"Yep, we're together too" said Tim.  "I see" Bob replied thoughtfully as
Officer Andersen exited Alex's room.

"Mr. and Mrs. Tanner, you may visit him now, but please do not discuss the
crime with him and I must ask you to restrict your visit to ten
minutes. I'm sorry, but I can only allow immediate family to visit until
tomorrow." Dr. Webb said after Officer Andersen gave him a nod. Officer
Andersen gave Tim and I an appraising look and asked us for a private
word. We followed him into a small room and once the three of us were
seated he began.

"Gentlemen, I apologise for this rather personal line of questioning, but I
overheard the conversation between yourself and Mr. Creek and I believe
that you may be able to assist in the apprehension of the culprits of the
attack on your two friends."  "Go on" I urged him Directing his question at
me, he asked "Are you and Mr. Carter boyfriends?"  Tim gave me a nod, so I
replied in the affirmative.  "I see, are you two not `out'?"  "No, not yet
at least" Tim replied.  "Ah" Officer Andersen said. "Gentlemen, I am
willing to lay my cards on the table here, but I must swear you to
secrecy. Do I have your solemn word that none of the information I reveal
will go beyond this room, except in court of law?"  "You have my solemn
word" Tim replied.  "I swear" I said.  Officer Andersen took a deep breath
and began to speak.  "Mr. Carter, Mr. O'Toole, the situation is far more
complex than a simple assault, even with the hate crime factor. Mr. Mathers
tore a badge off one of his attackers, and was still holding it when
Mr. Creek alerted campus security. Showing remarkable presence of mind, he
hid the badge and gave it to me when he was questioned. Here it is" He
placed a small plastic bag on the table

The badge inside was a simple iron-on badge, there was nothing unusual
about that. The shocking aspect was the insignia on the badge. It was the
insignia of campus security.  Both our jaws dropped at this new
revelation. "We are unable to confirm that one of the attackers was from
campus security until Mr. Mathers wakes up, as Mr. Tanner was unsure as to
this fact. However, if this is the case, and we believe that it is, I will
have to call in the tactical response team and organize a sting operation."
"And you intend to use us as bait" Tim interjected, going white.  "I
completely understand if you want nothing to do with this" Officer Andersen
told us, in a soothing voice. "I know that it would involve you `coming
out' and put you in danger" "I'm all right, but I couldn't stand anything
happening to Danny" Tim replied.  "I'm all for it, Tim, we owe it to Ryan
and Alex" I told him. Turning to Officer Andersen I said "We agree to help
in this if it is necessary to catch the bastards who tried to kill Ryan and
Alex."

The next second the PA system crackled to life with the announcement "Code
Black, Intensive Care Unit. Code Black, Intensive Care Unit" Officer
Andersen was out of the door before the announcement was finished.  We
rushed after him. Tim asked me what was going on and I told him what a Code
Black was. A Code Black meant a personal threat, like someone pulling a
knife or gun or attacking someone.

Once we reached ICU it was obvious what the problem was. Mr. Mathers was
fighting with hospital security while yelling "I'll kill my faggot son for
letting this happen to him!" amongst other obscenities. As soon as Officer
Andersen arrived on the scene Ryan's father drew a knife and rushed at
him. Officer Andersen didn't waste any time and hit him with capsicum
spray. Capsicum spray is like pepper spray, but not quite as strong. Pepper
spray is illegal in Australia, even for police. As soon as he hit the
ground he was handcuffed and Officer Andersen arrested him for assault and
battery, attempted assault of a police officer with a deadly weapon and
threat to murder. He radioed for a paddy wagon and then let hospital
security take care of him, giving them his capsicum spray "just in case".

We were stunned by the viciousness of Ryan's dad, as was all the ICU
staff. Apparently, no guard had been placed on Ryan as the ICU doors are
locked, but Officer Andersen radioed for an officer to guard Ryan and got a
security guard to take guard until a police officer relieved him.

Officer Andersen suggested that we go home, but keep a close eye out, as
even though we were in the closet, someone may know, and be wishing us harm
too. We were also told to watch out for campus security and especially not
to go out at night. Evidently this didn't apply right now, as it was about
midnight now, however he said that it might be best if Bob went with us. We
decided to ask him, and found him still waiting outside Alex's room.

"Bob?" I said tentatively as we approached him.  "Dan, what happened in
ICU? Ryan wasn't hurt, was he?" He asked in a worried tone.  "No, he wasn't
but his father tried to get in, saying he was going to kill Ryan."  "What!
The bastard! He'd better keep out of reach or I'll..." His angry shouting
was cut off as Tim clamped a hand over his mouth then reminded him that
shouting in a hospital is not good manners, and it is not very smart to
make death threats when a police officer guarding someone who was a victim
of attempted murder is within ten metres (death threats are punishable by
imprisonment in Australia). With that he quietened down.  "Ryan's dad
didn't get in, but he was fighting hospital security and when Officer
Andersen turned up he pulled a knife and ran at him." I continued.  "What
did he do?"  "Officer Andersen got him in the face with capsicum spray, and
Mr. Mathers is now on the way to prison and Ryan has a police guard."
"Good on him for nailing the bastard! I hope Ryan's dad rots!"  "Bob, I
think I just reminded you that shouting in a hospital is not good
practice." Tim said in a mock angry voice, rolling his eyes. Then all our
heads snapped round as a voice called out from the nearby room "Bob, is
that you out there?"

"Alex!" Bob cried out, rushing to the room door, only to find his way
blocked by the policeman, who insisted that only family members were
allowed. Alex spoke up and told the officer that he was over 18 (and
pointing out that it was technically "tomorrow" so he was following doctors
orders) we were eventually allowed in, while the officer kept a close eye
on us (he wasn't too happy about letting us in).

"Hey Alex" Bob said, sitting down in a chair next to his hospital bed, "how
are you doing?"  "Pretty well, still sore in the side, obviously, but
OK. Thanks so much for dropping in when you did; you probably saved Ryan
and me."  "You guy's would have done the same. Gay or not, you're still
good guys."  "I hope everyone else at college sees it that way", turning to
Tim and I he continued with: "Hi guys. Thanks for coming along. Can you
three fill me in on what's been happening? The cops around wouldn't tell me
anything, and Mum and Dad didn't know anything."

After getting the nod from the cop guarding the door, Bob gave him the
whole story (excluding the stuff about the badge, if he knew about
it). Alex was shocked to hear about Ryan's father, but was pleased to hear
that he got hauled away. His parents had told him that Ryan would live and
be OK, but wasn't conscious yet.

After generally chatting about stuff the policeman eventually got us out of
the room, as Alex was tiring and needed rest. Bob agreed to accompany us
home, and acted like a guard dog, always keeping a very good eye on the
area around and on us at the same time. He drove home ahead of us and
checked the carpark at college before he would let us unlock the doors of
our car and checked every corridor on the way to our rooms (and insisted on
going into both our rooms first to check them too). We eventually assured
him that we were fine (both of us were in my room). I was a bit worried
about him standing guard all night or something. Bob also promised to talk
to the sportos around college tomorrow and try to get their support. He had
a task and a half ahead of him, but between him and Tim they should be able
to get the majority on their side, we just needed not to be outed before we
had their solid support. Tim and I slept together, needing the contact. We
slept late the next day, but neither of us slept very well at all.


Write if you want to hear more. Actually, please email me anyway.
thehaydster@yahoo.com.au