Brian takes a plane ride home, taking his stuff and Matt’s with him. After getting back to the u.s. and making a short visit to his own home, he immediately went to Jimmy’s house.

Jimmy heard an encore of thunderous knock on his front door. Once he opened it, he saw Brian standing there as a tear-filled and snotty mess. “Brian? I thought you were on your honeymoon. What happened?” Jimmy asked, panic swirling in his voice. “Matt’s gone!” Brian sniffled. “He’s gone! All he left is his ring and this.” Brian pulled the note from his windbreaker and gave it to Jimmy. Jimmy took the note and read it. Then, a melancholy look appeared on Jimmy’s face. “What?…What is it Jimmy?” Brian asked. “A few days ago we were told Val broke out,” Jimmy explained, “Everyone was notified, but we figured since you and Matt were out of the country… that you didn’t have to worry until after your honeymoon… I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”
Brian sniffled and took a deep breath, “No… it’s okay. I understand what you mean…” Brian sniffled a couple more times, “We gotta find him Jimmy… please.” Jimmy placed his hands on Brian’s arms and pulled him in for a hug. “We’ll find him Brian… we’ll find him,” Jimmy promised before he pulled away, “But we can’t do it alone.”

---x---

The boys were sitting at the kitchen table of Jimmy’s house, along with Zacky and Johnny. The guys weren’t exactly sure about Zacky being there, but he insisted that he help. “Do you think Val is still in Italy?” Johnny asked. “I don’t know,” Brian murmured. “I called Michelle,” said Jimmy, “She said she’ll be on her way. She might have something.” Brian nodded. “What all do you remember on that day?” Zacky asked.
Brian took a deep breath, “Come back from the hospital around eleven at night, their time, after we had something to eat. Then, we went to bed, woke up around noon-ish, took a shower, and fall back asleep.” “You guys fell asleep after a shower?” Johnny asked. Brian bit his bottom lip as his cheeks turned pink. A light bulb went on in Johnny’s head, “Ooooooooh…… never mind.” Jimmy and Zacky began to snicker. Brian cleared his throat, “Anyway… when I fell asleep he was right by my side and when I woke up… he was gone. I didn’t hear anything at all.” Tears formed at the side of Brian’s eyes as the horrible experience replayed in his head.
The doorbell rang. Jimmy stood up and walked to the door. Zacky pulled Brian into a hug, “He’ll find him Brian. We all care about him which means we’re going to do everything we can to find him and bring him home.” Brian hugged back, “Thanks Zacky.” Michelle appeared into the kitchen. She sat down at the table next to the others. “I thought my sister was a bit crazy,” said Michelle, “but apparently crazy doesn’t cover it.” “What do you mean?” Zacky asked. Michelle pulled a small book from her purse, “Well first of all, from what’s in her journal, she was diagnosed with schizophrenia.” Shock filled the room. Michelle continued, “She thought Matt was an abomination when he confessed that he also liked men, but after a while she found out that there’s a lot of money to the Sanders’s name.” “Matt’s family is loaded?” Johnny asked. “I guess,” answered Michelle, “The journal doesn’t explain how, there’s a lot of numbers and lines connecting the numbers. There’s a lot of addition as well. I assume that’s the big reason Val took Matt. It doesn’t say anything else more about Matt.”
“All she wants is money?” Jimmy asked. “I’m not sure,” answered Michelle, “It may say that in her journal but who knows what is going on in her head.” “Is there anything else that could lead us to Matt?” asked Zacky. “This was the only thing I found from her place,” answered Michelle, “I didn’t fully search her place. I just saw this on her dresser. I thought it might help. Plus, I don’t know if she had anything in her jail cell while on death row.” “Well then,” said Jimmy, “I guess we’ll have to poke around some more.”

---x---

*Meanwhile*

Matt sat at a square table with a plate of food before him… but not taking a single bite of it. On the opposite side sits Val eating her plate of food. “I promise you it’s not poisoned,” said Val. “I’m not hungry,” Matt muttered. “You harm yourself and I’ll harm Brian,” Val warned. Matt scrunched his face… the saying made him not want to eat even more, but he lifted his fork and took small bites. Val smirked. “Why don’t you have me tied up?” Matt asked. “I’m pretty sure you won’t run…,” said Val, “…in sake of that faggot.” Matt pointed his fork at Val, “If you really want me to cooperate, you watch your fucken tongue.” Val huffed and rolled her eyes, “Fine.” After a few moments of silence, Matt broke it. “What are you gonna do to me?” he asked. Val smirked again, “Nothing… yet.”

Notes