Small Sacrifices III
~this chapter contains adapted lyrics from "You Don't Have To Be Alone" written
by JC Chasez for the Grinch Soundtrack~
JC sat in the limo. His head hung between his legs as he mulled over his
relationship with Justin. He hands reached inside his pants pocket, feeling for
the platinum band he had carried with him for nearly a year waiting for the
perfect moment to ask Justin to marry him. But when would the moment come?
Never. JC sighed deeply. He didn't know when they fell apart. The love that
they had was like a work of art. He used to see heaven in Justin's eyes. Now
angels were falling from his sky. Since when did he stop loving Justin? Since
when did Justin become second to his career, second to his music? JC Chasez
always had two passions in life. One was music. The other the curly haired blond
boy he had befriended seven years ago. He had always thought Justin would be
first in his heart, but now he came to the confounding realization that music
had taken precedence in his heart. If the time called for him to leave Justin
to pursue his career, JC was mortified he'd leave Justin weeping on the cold
tiles of his bathroom floor. He couldn't live without singing for music was his
life. Justin was just an added bonus in life. The cherry on top.
The limo ride ended abruptly in front of the Chinese Mann theatre. As he
stepped into the night behind Johnny, cameras flashed in every direction,
blinding him completely to the point that he was unaware of Lance and Joey
waving at him on the red carpet. He joined his bandmates in the midst of the
media frenzy. They shook hands, but couldn't resist embracing in a group hug.
The media went crazy, snapping shots of the three members of the hottest pop
ensemble since the Beattles. They flirted briefly with the media, basking in
their rekindled glory. Lance was a successful CEO of his management firm. And
he was only 21. Joey went on to own one of the busiest night spots in Miami,
Fl. And JC was well on his way to be the among the greatest musical artists the
world would know. If he so chose to. He had the world in the palm of his hand
because when it came down to it, JC had the God-given talent to soar past the
stars.
After several minutes on the red carpet, the three former members of 'Nsync
filed into the packed theatre where they united with yet another one of their
bandmates.
"JC!"
"Chris!" JC stumbled past the tables to hug Chris tightly. "I missed you,
buddy."
"I missed you, too." Chris said, breaking away from JC.
JC's eyes brightened as he saw the pregnant Dani sitting at the table. She held
onto the table, positioning herself to get up when JC stopped her.
"Don't move an inch. I'll go there." JC said, rushing to Dani to give her a hug.
"How far?"
"Six months." Dani answered, a smile so wide it stretched from ear to ear.
"This is the best 'Nsync reunion ever!" Joey clapped his hands cheerfully.
"Too bad Justin couldn't be here with us." Lance added, disappointingly.
"Way to be a party pooper, Scoop." Chris joked as he slapped Lance in his
behind.
The four members of 'Nsync broke in a fit of laughter as they relished their
moment together.
Justin was all alone, cowered in the filthy corner of the van. He wrapped his
arms around his knees, burying his face in his knees. He did not wish for any
of these ruthless men to see him weak. As expected, the van stopped abruptly.
The door slid open. And the men half dragged him into a dark warehouse.
Several guns pointed at him in case he was foolish enough to try to escape. The
warehouse closed its doors and darkness consumed the drafty building. The
lights suddenly turned on and the leader of the operations approached him.
"What do you want?" Justin asked, struggling still in their strong hold.
"First off, shut up so I can make a phone call!" The man he would learn as Jake
answered back with a slap across his face.
Justin began to sob quietly as the grip on his arms tightened. He slumped to
the floor between the two men as the others looked on.
"What is it boy?!" Jake asked, again. "Didn't you want to know for sure if he
still loves you? Well, this is your chance. Now shut up or I'll fuckin' cut off
your tongue."
Justin's sobs reduced to mere sniffles as Jake made his all important phone
call.
"We got the boy, boss." Jake informed the caller on the other line.
"Good. Now you know what to do next, right, Jake?"
"It depends. Will we see the money?" Jake asked.
"Of course. Kevin Richardson never swallows his words. You'll see all of the
money as promised. I have no desire for the money."
"Okay. Then I guess we do know what to do next."
Jake laughed and soon their sinister laughter drowned out the sobs from Justin.
Noticing the weeping boy still on the floor, Jake tossed his phone aside and
approached the boy. He grabbed him by his crown of golden curls. He peered into
those misty blues and licked his lips hungrily. He moved his hand to his crotch
and groped himself.
"You're so damn pretty. I can't wait to get my hands on you."
Again, the laughter echoed throughout the warehouse as Justin whimpered. At
Jake's cue, the men pulled Justin to his feet. They held onto him tightly as
Jake stepped forward. Justin coiled away only to be stopped by Jake's forceful
grip around his neck.
"What's the number?"
Justin shook his head. Tears threatened to fall. What number?
"I said what's the number?" Jake asked, again, releasing his grip on Justin.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Justin answered, tending his sore
neck.
"You know exactly what I'm talking about. What's the number to that fuckin' pop
star?"
Josh. Jake was referring to Josh. What did they want from him? A thousand
thoughts flooded his obscure mind as Jake bent his knee and struck him in the
groin. A loud scream echoed painfully and Jake grabbed him by the hair. He
posed his question one more time.
"What's the number to his fuckin' cell?"
"I don't know. I don't know. JC's only my best friend." Justin rambled quickly.
"Do you take me for a fool, boy?!" Jake shot back. "I know you're his fuckin'
whore. Now tell me what's his number?"
"No." Justin shook his head, wildly. "I won't."
Jake released Justin, letting the soft curls fall unceremoniously onto the dirty
matted floor. He raised his hand and soon the other four men joined them.
"Boys. Be gentle with our Hollywood Golden boy here and share."
Tears slid down his face as the men closed in on him. He was surrounded by all
the men as Jake watched from beyond. They were reaching for him. He could hear
them arguing as to who would get his dick. As to who would take his left ball.
His right ball. As to who would be the first to rape him. Silently he prayed
for a miracle. Anything to just stop this from happening to him. As the first
hand reached for his shirt, the phone in his jacket rang.
(c) 2001 Aphrodite
11/04/02 at 8pm ET on ABC: 20/20 Interview with Barbara Walters
11/05/02: 'Justified' goes on sale
