Chapter 4: Is it the End?
Dino and Rex Chapter 4: Is it the End?
Rex turned into stone as the door to the police station swung open with a loud creak and closed with a sudden slam. He didn't want to turn around and see Dino gone, his arms were still extended in a welcoming fashion and for another moment there was complete silence. It was broken by the police officer who requested Rex's statement next. Rex looked to Barry who was making to leave to try and catch up to Dino and Barry nodded as if to say "I'll take care of it" before he left as well. Did Dino really want to forget about him? Rex had gotten over other boyfriends before but this was different. All the others had just been for fun, with Dino he felt something more. In the end it would be Dino's choice to have him back or to leave him behind and things weren't looking good for them now.
Rex gave his statement to the police officer, about how he and Dino had met, how they had bonded both emotionally and physically. Rex was finding it hard to believe that it actually could be over between them, all because of some bastard without a single bloody moral. Rex had never hated anyone, not the people who would mock him for being gay, not his parents for the way they had reacted, no one, until now. The Driver costing him Dino would be something he could never forgive, he wasn't sure what he would do if it came to that. The violent thoughts that entered his head scared him, he vowed never to lay a hand on the driver no matter what happened, though he knew he'd want to. If he did, he would be no worse than the Driver himself. Rex looked to the roof and tried to see Dino, the smiles as they danced, the way he had called his name when they had made love... Did it all mean nothing to Dino now?
Barry stepped out the door into the late afternoon sun and looked around frantically for Dino, he had to tell him this was a mistake, that this wouldn't solve anything. He caught a glimpse of a Fox's tail going around a corner a few blocks away and then it disappeared. Barry ran, Dodging past other people on the footpath, hoping he had seen Dino, praying he wasn't going the wrong way. As he ran around the corner he saw the same Fox again, it was Dino and Barry breathed a sigh of relief. Barry followed Dino as he entered a park and sat down on a bench, and watched as Dino took off Rex's gloves and throw them away. Dino was seriously going to never see Rex again? It was crazy. Barry walked towards Dino with confidence he never knew he had, Dino snapped his head towards him and glared. The way Dino looked at him made him take a step back but he wasn't going to let Dino do this to himself and Rex.
"What are you doing Dino? How will this help?" Barry asked
"What does it look like? I'm running, from the Driver, from you, from Rex... From what happened last night. You can't know how it feels, you could never understand. Now I just want to forget about it all."
Barry shook his head, all they had done was care for him and here he was being selfish and only caring about himself. Dino hadn't see the way Rex had frozen, the few seconds he had just stood their expecting it to be some kind of joke. The way Rex had realised that Dino had actually left him like that.
"Rex loves you, I'm sure you know that." Barry said but it was Dino's turn to shake his head.
"He got what he wanted when he fucked me last night, he just wants more thats all. It's what he is, it's what I am, we're queer and all we want is pleasure. Love is some cheap name we give to someone who we decide we want a little more of."
"So you're saying when he came over when he heard you were depressed that he was just looking to score? You should have heard the way he reacted when I told him over the phone, you should have seen how worried he looked."
"Hmpf, Yeah sure, I'm sure he was devastated to hear his fucktoy was broken." Dino said in a mocking tone.
Dino was sorry he was even born. After all, his parents wouldn't get any grandchildren, his family had been shamed the day he'd come out. It had just been persecution after persecution and for what? So some guy can kiss it better for him? that wouldn't be enough, there had to be something more to it than that but that would never happen, it was lust not love that drove others and that would never change. Dino was sure Rex had had a number of boyfriends in the past, and that like them he would mean nothing to him, that what they had would never satisfy either of them.
"Rex isn't the goddamn Driver you moron! The Driver is the only kind of person who thinks of you as that, Rex hasn't even mentioned the word sex since he's been worried, wake up and see that he actually does care about you!" Barry yelled.
Barry had never said anything remotely resembling a curse or even raised his voice, it was enough to make Dino hear what Barry was saying. Dino didn't know what to think, he had seen what it was to be gay from both extremes which had given him too much perspective. He knew Barry was right but deep down he felt like everyone had the Driver inside them, that he could never fully trust anyone again. His thoughts were a mess, he couldn't help but think of that stereotypical scene with the Angel on one shoulder and the Devil on the other, only it was Rex and the Driver. He compared the experiences, the time he had spent with Rex and the time he had spent with the Driver. Both ended in sex but Dino hoped that there was a difference between them.
"Was Rex really that worried about me?" Dino asked, Barry nodded
"He almost looked like he was in pain when he tried to talk to you through the closed door." Barry said
Dino imagined the scene, Rex and Barry calling through the door and not getting any reply at all. It didn't sound like a lie, it sounded like Rex only had good intentions. The Driver had deceived him with less though, though his heart was telling him that Rex was real but he still couldn't be sure.
"How can I ever be sure... Does he really value me as much as you say?" Dino asked
"Dino... You'll never know if you just wait here forever." Barry said
"As usual you're right, but I just left him like that, he's probably hurting"
"It's not you're fault, you had a horrible thing happen to you and you're just trying to cope, he'll understand and he'll definitely take you back." Barry said with confidence
"How can you be so sure?" Dino asked
"I watch lots of TV, that's how things always work out in the end" Barry joked
"Barry you tosser" Dino groaned and hit him on the arm in an affectionate manner, Barry always had terrible taste in jokes.
"Come on, lets go back and you can apologize, it'll be fine" Barry said and Dino nodded in reply as he picked up Rex's gloves and put them back on before the two made their way back to the police station.
Rex had just finished recounting the events of last night and the morning to the police officer. He was trying to keep his emotions in check, the anger at the driver and the sadness at Dino were threatening to overwhelm him. Rex didn't know if Dino was coming back or if he would ever see him again. The way Dino had walked out, Dino had just dropped everything and ran. Would Dino keep running forever? Would he ever come back? Or would Dino actually be better off without him? Would Dino just keep running? The police officer was taking down the last of his notes and Rex out of desperation asked
"Do you think Dino will ever love me again?" The police officer was taken off guard
"I'm sure he just needs some time to get over something like this." He said but it did not sound reassuring
"But what if seeing me only reminds him of what happened?"
"From what you've told me about how you comforted him that sounds pretty absurd" The police officer said, with more confidence this time. Rex nodded
"You're probably right I guess" Rex said as he made his way back to the reception office
Rex sighed as he sat down in the chair where he had been sitting next to Dino before. He closed his eyes and imagined he was holding Dino's hand again, he even moved his own to the exact same position as it had been. He didn't feel Dino's hand though, no matter how hard he imagined the feeling. He wanted Dino back, even if he had only known him for less then a day Rex was felt more with him than any other guy he had ever met. Dino had shown him a new part of himself, he had shown him how to love. No one could match Dino, he was so unique and despite his initial awkwardness they had made love. Rex thought it had meant something, the way Dino had told him that he wanted his first time to be with him. That it was something more than just sex like all the others... Suddenly his ears perked up and his eyes snapped open, someone was at the door, was it him? The door creaked open and Rex recognised the Red fur and blue eyes in an instant.
"Dino..." Rex said and the two stood and stared at each other for one tense moment before Dino spoke.
"Rex, I'm sorry I walked out like that, I really am, I have a lot on my mind and I'm just trying to find a way to figure it all out. I, thought leaving everything that happened last night behind was the way but... I love you Rex, I could never do that" Dino said. Another silence
Ever cell in Rex's body heard those words, "I love you". Sure he had heard them before but not like this. Until now no-one had actually meant it the way that Dino had. Rex looked into Dino's eyes, they were awaiting a reply. The silence seemed infinite until Rex Spoke...
"You don't have to worry, we'll work it out together." Rex said with a smile "I love you too baby, come here" Rex said as he extended his arms and then they embraced each other for the longest time.
Barry gave his statement and the clothes, the police officer was certain they had a good case and with the added evidence of the anonymous phone calls the Driver would be getting a hefty sentence, life. The police officer checked the records for who was driving Taxi's at the time that Dino had told him, a name stood out, one Driver had a record of such attacks in the past and also matched the description Dino had gave him. The officer put out an arrest warrant for the Driver, it was only a matter of time now before he got caught and sentenced. The trio would need to testify but the officer knew that wouldn't be a problem.
Dino and Rex held hands as they left the police station, now all that was left to do was move on. Dino looked to Rex and Rex looked to Dino as they mirrored each other's smile, something told Dino that it was going to be easy with Rex by his side. The way Rex was smiling at him told him that it was real and his heart agreed, despite the fact is was too good to be true. Barry acted like a Limo driver and opened the back door to his car and bowed slightly, Dino laughed as he and Rex climbed in. Barry got in the driver's seat and turned the radio, the first chords of under the bridge played. Dino sang along
"I don't ever wanna feel, Like I did that day, take me to the place I love! Take me all the way!" the other two joined in. Dino was smiling, he might think about what happened again someday but as long as he had his friends it wouldn't be for long. He had learned another lesson "Life shouldn't be remembering the bad things that happen but enjoying all the good things"
"A call from the club again?" The Driver said to himself "Perfect."
His success with that Fox kid had only increased his desire, he wanted to do it again, and why not? He would never be caught if they were always too scared to talk. He pulled up outside the club where his fare was waiting. This time it was a calico cat in his early 20's, the Driver nodded absent absentmindedly as the feline told him his address. The driver used the same trick as last time, drive for a few minutes in the direction of the cat's home then take the detour. There were no problems, the cat had no objections to his "Short cut" and they would be arriving at the make-out spot soon. The driver's eyes widened as a flash of blue and red light appeared in the rear-view mirror, the Driver cursed, it was the cops. As the officer walked up beside the car the Driver had already rolled down the window.
"What seems to be the problem officer? I don't think I was speeding?" The Driver asked, trying to play it cool.
"You weren't sir, I'm investigating an incident involving Taxi's of this make, could I see some I.D.?" The cop asked, The Driver nodded politely, though he would have to be careful to avoid suspicion
"Of course officer, here" The Driver said handing him his Taxi license. The cop compared the pictures for a moment before his expression turned stern.
"Sir, Step out of the vehicle." The Driver flinched before he opened the door and stepped out, the cop then turned him around abruptly and attached handcuffs
"You are under arrest for rape and abduction with intention to rape, you have the right to remain silent, anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law, you have the right to an attorney if you cannot afford one one will be provided for you." The cop continued reading the Driver his rights
So Dino HAD squealed, the Driver couldn't believe it, his blood ran hot, he would make that Fox pay if it was the last thing he did. He probably didn't have to worry, Dino wouldn't testify, they probably didn't have enough evidence to support a conviction either. That little bitch thought he had won, as soon as he was proven not guilty he would show his fucktoy the meaning of double-fucking-jeopardy. The Driver cooperated with the cop as he was placed in the backseat of a squad car. He was thinking of a completely legal round with Dino when he would be proven not guilty, Dino had sealed his own fate.
The police officer who had taken the trio's statements had requested to interview the Driver himself. He was waiting in the interview room as the Driver was bought in and sat in a chair opposite. The cat that was to be the Driver's next victim's statement matched Dino's almost perfectly, even the use of the word shortcut. It looked like all they needed now was a confession. The police officer began the interrogation
"Where were you on the night of the 29th?"
"I was in my cab working the night shift like I always do on a Saturday. The Taxi company will vouch for me" The Driver replied with a shrug
"According to the company your radio was off between the hours of 2:30 and 4:30 Pm, why is that?" The policeman asked
"It tends to distract me from driving, not to mention it gives me one heck of a headache if it's blaring at me all night." The Driver said, he had thought of this excuse ahead of time and he knew the cop would buy it.
"Very well, do you recognise the Fox in these pictures?" The police officer said as he slid the photos of Dino across the table.
The Driver picked up the photo and looked at it. It was Dino... He kept his composure and pretended to try and remember, before he put the photo back down on the table and shrugged.
"Never seen him, looks like someone roughed him up a bit." The Driver said, Feigning disgust.
"The cat that was in your cab said he lived about a mile from where you were when you were arrested, care to explain that?" The cop asked, The driver hesitated before he answered.
"Traffic would have taken to long, the route I was on was a shortcut." The Driver said, hopefully the officer was as gullible as he looked, they obviously didn't have any real evidence they were just waiting for him to say something incriminating.
"A shortcut you say?" The police officer asked "That is exactly what the victim said. You've been pulled in for this sort of thing before, sure you don't want to confess now? You know it would make it easier for you." The cop said, the Driver shook his head.
"You've got nothing to show I was there, just some kids crying wolf" The Driver said, he was going to get off, the charges would be dropped, witness testimony wasn't enough to support a conviction. The case had more holes than a slice of swiss cheese .
"If that's the case then you won't mind if I take a DNA sample from you." The policeman said, he was backing the Driver into a corner and he could tell he would snap any second now.
"I don't have to give you anything, I've got my rights pal." The driver replied.
"The tyre tracks we found at the scene our witness described matched your vehicle, you also fit the witness' description perfectly. You were also heading to the same scene weren't you"
"You gotta be kidding, is that all you have? You must be desperate" The driver said, all the cops had was circumstantial evidence.
"That's enough for a warrant for your DNA" The cop replied as he showed the legal document to the Driver before a officer walked into the room with a DNA swab.
"Open your mouth please" The new officer asked.
The Driver swore under his breath, this cop had just been playing him like some kind of game. The prick must be enjoying this, the Driver opened his mouth and was swabbed. If they had any of his DNA anywhere near the fox he was gone, he could feel his rage building up inside him. The original officers smug look as the other one left was starting to get under his skin.
"You know, if you are proven guilty you'll get a longer sentence, we know it was you, you might as well confess and save yourself some trouble." The cop said in an equally smug tone.
Then it became clear, The cop had nothing. It was all a big bluff to try and get him to confess. The Driver smirked, he had nearly been fooled by that bullshit about tyre tracks and matching descriptions but now he knew it was all they had. They just wanted him to confess, but he'd be damned if he was going to be fooled by that crap.
"Uh-huh, tyre tracks and witnesses, far from evidence, we even rotate the cars that we use so that anyone else could have used that car last night." The driver said
The Driver leaned back and took a relaxed pose in the chair. But the cop didn't even flinch, must think this DNA bluff was going to work. It would be a few hours but that was hardly worth confessing and making it into years of his life. In less time then he though the officer who had taken the swab walked in with a nod to the other officer before he looked at the driver.
"The DNA on the victim's clothing is a match"
~End chapter 4
I think I only need one more to tie up everything. I will probably write more Rex Dino and Barry after chapter 5 but it won't have much of a storyline. Anyway the next chapter is going to be called Chapter 5: Ride into the Sunset