Help! I Need Somebody!, Ro-doll-face.

[William Freeman]

William Freeman had been panicking for three days now. Annie didn't come home from work the other day. And then he received a letter from her boss questioning where she was. She had not showed up to work that day. Which only made him worry more. But, according to Annie's former partner, the woman responsible for his beloved's capture was Nancy Harding. Who was already wanted for so many killings as it was. But if that woman was s so easily able to kill people that she didn't know, what fate would befall Annie? High and low he searched, from his apartment near the outskirts of London to the suburbs. He knew there were others searching for her as well, but he didn't trust them. Not when it came to his love. He had tried combing outwards, into the country, but it was no use. Wherever Annie was, it wouldn't be out in the open, as much as he wished it were. He was coming through Diagon Alley, quickly. There was a lead from one of the men in Flourish & Blotts. Harding had been spotted in Scotland, and it seemed that she was moving northward, closer towards Hogwarts. So, he was making his way out of there quickly as possible, trying to get back to the Leaky Cauldron to grab the few things he left there. Surprisingly, none of which included a bar tab. He was within a hundred feet of the entrance to the bar whenever he saw someone ahead. A face that he thought was rather ugly. The dark hair. The muscular build not so unlike his own.

His one match in the world. Rodolphus Lestrange. William stopped, his wand gripped and ready to strike should his rival decide to make a move. He hated being anywhere within a mile radius of the man, much less twenty feet. "Lestrange," he said through gritted teeth. "Get out of my way."

[Rodolphus Lestrange]

It had been an interesting two days since taking Freeman’s wife into custody. The defiant little look in her eyes had been replaced by terror. A terror that brought Rodolphus immense joy. But she was a constant reminder. A reminder that Freeman was still here, still in his city. Still challenging him. He was the only man he never TRULY bested. And he took it out on Annie every day. He had just gotten a little ‘surprise’ for the little woman in Knockturn before taking it back and using it. Usually he waited for a few weeks to use toys… but he felt that he would be inventing NEW forms of torture on this little pet of his.

It wasn’t until he saw William marching through the crowd that the triumphant smirk crossed his face. If only he knew… oh, he’d LOVE to see the look on his face. But he wasn’t quite done with the job yet. So he didn’t want to blow his cover. “And if I don’t? You should walk around important people.” He said, confidently. His grip on his wand tightened. “I actually wanted to show you something, Freeman.” He spat out the man’s surname like a disease.

Pulling his little toy out of his cloak he showed it in the light, Diagon Alley was all but taken over by the Dark forces anyway. It couldn’t do much harm. Not while he was second in command. It was a neck manacle. Like the kind that go around disobedient dogs. Only there were thousands of needle sharp spikes on the inside, and a thick iron chain attached. Collar of pain… that’s what Rod liked to think of it as, anyway. “Interesting, isn’t it? It can make even the most… insubordinate women servile.” He said, putting it back gently as he shoved the man’s shoulder.

“You should leave England, I’m getting dangerously sick of seeing your face.” He sneered at the man, feeling empowered by his hidden knowledge. He loved seeing the frantic, panic stricken look in the man’s eyes. It was satisfying. To know, once and for all, that he had gotten the last laugh.

[William Freeman]

William's nostrils flared. If he were a dragon, like the ones he kept, this man would be burnt to a crisp right then and there. Funny, how he resembled a dragon when he was angry. But, if he had to be compared to anything, he was honored that it was the mighty dragon. He wanted to curse Lestrange right then and there. Sure, their rivalry from school was what caused his current hatred. But he was even angrier because he wanted to seek out the new location that Harding was moving to. He had a mission, and he never let anything stop him from achieving his ultimate goal. But then again, when he was off in South America, or even North America, Rodolphus Lestrange had not been there. So, he never had to worry about that rat getting in the middle of his way. "I see no one of importance," Will spat. "Only vermin that needs to realize his time is running short." The threat was there. And he probably shouldn't have said that to such a highly ranked death eater. But he didn't give two shits. He needed to get Annie. And he needed to get to her now. No matter how much danger he put his life in in the process.

William gripped his wand a little tighter. His knuckles were turning white. But he felt no pain whatsoever as his wand lifted a little higher at each passing moment. He didn't understand why this man was so concerned with showing him what looked to be a very torturous device. "I don't care to know your sex games with little wifey," he said. Rodolphus had entered into Will's comfort zone. Big time. He was trying to avoid getting into a duel here, amongst the people. They were either flocking away or flocking nearer. Wizards were definitely busy bodies. He remained still, even as his shoulder was shoved and Lestrange got into his face. "Yeah? Well, you should crawl back into that little hole and then you won't see my face." He snorted. "Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot. That hole is called your wife's vagina. Bet that collar is for you, huh? I remember that Bellatrix likes to be in charge in bed." He cocked an eyebrow. Okay, so he was resorting back to their days in school. Even though he would never in his life have touched a member of the Black family.

[Rodolphus Lestrange]

Rodolphus clenched his jaw so tight he thought the muscles that kept it there were going to burst. But he had an ace up his sleeve. "I don't care to know your sex games with little wifey," . At that small uttered statement Rodolphus' furious exterior calmed, he listened to the rest of the crass comments with a triumphant air.

Casually he twirled his wand in his hand. "Are you finished?" He asked in a bored tone. "I'm gonna let you in on a little secret. That collar i showed you... it's not for sex games with my wife." He said, gripping his wand tighter as he looked up, his eyes peircing Will's own. "They're for sex games with yours."

A slow smirk crossed his features and he started to walk away, knowing the man wouldn't curse him. Not with the threat of information hanging in the air. Oh no. He had to be able to talk. And Rodolphus was tensed for an attack anyway. "By the way, nice taste, red heads are always more fun in the sack. On first glance, she looks so innocent... but in bed... she moans like a whxre." He said turning to face off with Will one more time, knowing he wouldn't be able to resist that goad.

[William Freeman]

William and Rodolphus were equals. Neither greater. Neither lesser. One had a sharp tongue and a quick wit. The other was his match. That's what irked both of the men. Neither greater. Neither lesser. But it wasn't until Rodolphus's next comment that William felt inferior to the man. His mission was clear. To get Annie back and to make her his wife as soon as humanly possible. Speaking of wives... The color drained from William's face and very quickly at that. The insinuation was clear. And William knew instantly who held the key to his love. It wasn't some scary looking woman. It was his rival. His rival who was now greater. Because he held one of the two things that William cherished the most. His anger grew very quickly as Rodolphus continued to speak of Annie and in such a demeaning way. Then, the man turned and walked away. Oh no. This was not the end. He refused to allow it to be the end. He focused his energy for about a half of a second before sending a spell to the man. A simple jinx, one that kids used. But hopefully with enough power to freeze his feet for only a moment. He flicked his wand once more. The slashing spell. He wouldn't kill Rodolphus. But he wouldn't let him go scott free. "Where. Is. She." he demanded.

[Bellatrix Lestrange]

"Darling," Bellatrix said as she made her way out of a nearby shop and towards her husband. "They've got some very nice pickled dragons tongues. Those give just the right amount of flavor to my grandmother's recipe for stew. I was considering making a purchase, but I wanted to get your opinion on it first." Bella did not realize the feud that was taking place on the street. She saw a man with a wand raised at her husband. And she reached for hers quickly. But it was knocked out of her hand within a moment.

[William Freeman]

William was ready for whatever blow would come his way and then... JACKPOT! The little wifey herself stepped out of a shop and she just so happened to be closer to Will than her husband. He immediately disarmed her, anticipating her move, and then rushed over, grabbing her swiftly around the abdomen, just above the bulging, about to pop belly. His wand was pressed into the side of her neck. "Well, well, what have we here," he said, smirking over at his rival. "Oh Ro-Doll-Face. Seems like your little wifey wanted to play some games with me as well."

[Rodolphus Lestrange]

Rodolphus turned, nearly breaking his damn ankle in the process. His wand raised and ready to utter two little words to rid him of this nuisance once and for all. Until Bella showed up. That woman had NO sense of timing! The sight of Freeman holding his wife and unborn child in his arms, smirking up at him triumphantly, nearly sent him over the edge. Sparks spit from the end of his wand. He narrowed his eyes menacingly at the man.

“Let. Her. Go.” He said through clenched teeth. He knew they were at a stalemate. He couldn’t kill him while he held his wife and unborn son hostage. And he couldn’t kill Rodolphus while Annie was HIS hostage. It really was a no win situation. “Just let her go, and I’ll let your wife live. How about that? You kill me, you hurt my wife or my son, and she’ll starve to death. Let them go, and I’ll keep her alive. I’m not quite sure in what condition… but alive. “ He said, trying to strike a deal in his favor.

[William Freeman]

William lifted his eyebrows slowly. He wasn't going to let Bellatrix go until he had Annie back in his arms. He shook his head slowly back and forth. "I apologize, Mrs. Lestrange, but your husband seems to be slightly mistaken," he said to Bella, his wand firm. "It seems as though he thinks that I will give you and your child, congratulations, by the way, up without getting what is mine back." He glanced up at Rodolphus. "You will take your wife and I to her. Once she is set free, I will release your wife." That's all he had to say.

[Rodolphus Lestrange]

Rodolphus refused to show this man how terrified he really was. Right to his very bones. "She can't make that trip, asshole!" He hissed through his teeth, his frantic tone a slight indication of his concern for his wife. "I'll take you to her, but leave Bella. It's in the middle of the woods for fuck's sake!" He said when he noticed that Will's stance on the situation wasn't changing.

His wand was trained on him at all times. After a long, pregnant (no pun intended) pause, Rodolphus stepped tentatively closer to Will. "No funny business, Freeman." He hissed out from between his pursed lips, his eyes shooting Bella an apologetic stare.

[William Freeman]

William watched Rodolphus's reaction. He showed no sympathy to the fact that Bellatrix couldn't make the trip to wherever Annie was. Was Mr. Lestrange getting a bit worried about his little wifey? He wanted to ask. But the taunting was over. The threat had been placed. He was going to fight to get his love back if it took his life. Whenever Rodolphus seemed to place the white flag and stepped forward, Will loosened his grip on Bellatrix. "You don't have to tell me that," he said. "I swear, Lestrange, if you pull anything, I will do something that you don't want me to do." His voice was low. He was not playing.


Not long thereafter, they arrived in a dark wood. Ahead of them, a shack. "Is that it?" He asked, glancing over at Rodolphus. His wand was still carefully trained on him, making sure that the death eater didn't do anything stupid.

[Rodolphus Lestrange]

Rodolphus wanted to punch that smug bastard in his face with every step that Bella was forced to take. "Yes that's it, asshole. I didn't drag my pregnant wife all the way out here for you to enjoy the fucking scenery." He growled out, opening the door and hearing a satisfying whimper from inside.

"Honey, i'm home." He taunted as he heard her scuffle in the dark to the opposite side of the cage. "See for yourself." He said gesturing inside as he glared at Will, hoping the bastard liked seeing his women scared and helpless. It was a Death Eaters dream girl.

He was scared. Shitless, and he really didn't know what that meant. But he knew that it was because Freeman looked ruthless enough right now to kill a pregnant woman and... without Bella... the thoughts made his chest ache in a strange way. He wasn't really accustomed to being this... concerned for another individual.

He tried to tell himself it was because she was carrying his heir. The next to inherit the Lestrange name. But he knew that he was worried for HER as well as the baby, and he didn't really know where to store those feelings. So they floated... lost somewhere inside his head. Unable to escape. He was usually able to compartmentalize his life so well... he didn't know what was wrong with him lately.

"Well, Freeman, this was your brilliant idea... let my wife go. My part of the deal is finished." He said, spitting the words out.

[William Freeman]

William followed, Bella in tow. He felt bad because oft he woman's condition. But he was not going to let Lestrange have the upper hand. Had he let Bellatrix go, there was no telling where Lestrange may have taken him, what he may have done. They entered the shack, and hhe just about wanted to kill Rodolphus for his smart ass comments. He glanced over, seeing a dimly lit cage and a figure laying there. He wanted to rush right over, and he almost completely let go of Bella because he wanted to come to Annie's rescue. "Open the goddamn cage," he growled. "Then I'll let wifey go."

[Anne Sanderson]

Annie felt as though she’d been gone for years, instead of days. She lived in constant fear ever since that… that… monster parading around as a man showed up! She didn’t remember what it was like not to know pain. She could barely remember her own name sometimes. She was beaten, starved, and kept in the dark. Like an animal. She felt as if she were slowly becoming one. As if her humanity was being stripped away from her.. along with her dignity.

The only thing that had kept her alive so far, was the hope that she would see Rosy again. Kiss Will one more time. Touch her daughter’s face. And as beaten, starved, and deprived of light as she was. Nothing could kill that hope insideof her chest. Nothing could break her that completely. When the light poured in, and his awful laughing voice resonated in her ears… she immediately slunk into a corner. She curled in on herself, trying to make as small a target as possible.

She heard someone whimpering, she didn’t recognize it as her own voice. Her clothes were torn and tattered, her face dirty. But there was something still… wild in her expression. The look of a caged animal, just bating their time… waiting for the moment to strike. She heard a voice, it wasn’t her captor. But it was male. The light streaming in through the door blinded her, and she couldn’t make out the faces of the people who had stepped in.

That was when she realized what must have been going on. They had finally come. The Italians. And after they were gone, she’d be killed. But she wasn’t going to be killed cowering in a corner. No. She was going to stay defiant, she was going to make her family proud. Grasping heavily on the bars of her cage she struggled to her knees, and with a sharp intake of breath, the rose to her feet. She favored one leg over the other and she clutched heavily at her side. But she stood proud and tall. Like the Sanderson she was.

There were dark blothces all over her skin, some dirt, some bloodstains, some were sickly bruises. She suspected a few fractured or bruised ribs, and her knuckles were all split open. She may have been afraid, but it didn’t mean she didn’t attempt to get the upper hand. “Well?” She croaked out, her throat raw from screaming, and disuse. The impudent, impatient set of her lips should have been enough to set him off. If only she knew that it was Will whose face was hidden in shadow. If only she could touch him. Just once.

[Rodolphus Lestrange]

Rodolphus had felt something dark stirring inside of him since he was a child. Something in his chest, maybe it was a lack of compassion for anything. Or his ability to be completely unsympathetic and apathetic towards anyone he came in contact with. It took a man like that to do the things he was ordered to do. It took a man like that, with very simple goals and an overabundance of determination, to kill as ruthlessly as he did.

When he was in the midst of torture, hearing the agonized screams of great men, watching them cower before him… that was when he brushed against the darkness inside of his chest. He could feel it stir, feel it linger. It was almost as intense, sometimes, as the powerful sexual attraction he’d always harbored for his wife. He knew that if he could tap into that… dark need inside of him, he would accomplish great things. And he’d tried. Unsuccessfully, but he had tried. He’d committed some of the most horrendous crimes known to man, and yet… he only barely tapped the surface.

But seeing William Freeman’s grip on his wife, and the dangerous glint in the man’s eyes, he felt that place within him being unlocked. He felt as if all the cruelty and malice in the world had sought out residence in his chest. It was a wild, frantic emotion that he wasn’t sure if he could control. But the urge for retribution was so overwhelming that he shook from the force it took to hold himself back. Maybe, if he stopped for a moment to analyze what had caused such a reaction, he could have logically determined the emotion he was feeling.

As it was, he didn’t realize that he was acting out of pure unmitigated terror.

Sure, he’d been scared. He’d been frightened. But this time it was different, he wasn’t acting out of any sense of self-preservation. He wasn’t scared for himself. He was completely panicked for his wife. He couldn’t imagine, any longer, a world without her fire. Her dedication. And it filled his chest with a feeling that… to equate it with anger, would be a crime. His wand whipped out in the direction of the cage, focused on the defiant slip of a woman there.

“Let her go, or I’ll kill her right in front of you.” He said in almost a whisper. But it was so quiet in the room, he was sure that everyone could hear. “She’s not the first woman I’ve killed, and she won’t be the last. I’ve played your little game, Freeman. I’m serious, get your filthy hands off of my wife.” He said, his voice gaining strength and his eyes dark and unreadable. Unreadable in a murderous type of way. There was nothing deadlier than an enemy that you couldn’t read, an enemy you couldn’t predict.

[Bellatrix Lestrange]

Bellatrix Lestrange was livid. From the moment her wand magically jumped from her hand, she knew that she was in the middle of something she ought never to have been. It wasn't her fault that Rodolphus decided he wanted to go to Diagon Alley and she tagged along because she was massively bored in the house. Her pregnant belly was getting bigger and bigger pretty much every day. Nero was going strong, kicking her and letting her know that he was ready to come out. Well, not yet. Her mood swings were not getting any better. And quite often she wanted to rip her husband's head off for something he said or did. But, deep down, she felt a growing adoration for him. Even more than before. He was actually being kind to her. Not that he wasn't kind before the pregnancy. But, when she knew she was being psychotic, he would take the time to help her calm down. No matter how stubborn she behaved.

So, needless to say, whenever she was grabbed around the abdomen by a man much taller than she, Bellatrix wanted to gouge his eyes out. She had been pleasantly shopping along, minding her own business, for once. She wasn't trying to get into any trouble. The child growing in her stomach was far too important to forsake. While they were on the street before heading to wherever this guy's wife was, she would struggle against him, trying to break free of his hold. But, obviously, he'd been experienced with containing a person. Otherwise, she would have been long gone by now. And then, he refused to let her go free so she didn't have to make a trip to this place. Wherever it was.

But she remained quiet, knowing that if she said anything, she put herself and her son at risk. She knew how men could be whenever the one thing that they loved was being held. They didn't think rationally. They wanted to make their point. But damnit, she was pissed and tired and wanted to go home. Her feet were swollen slightly as they arrived at the shack. She struggled a bit more with William, but her strength was nearly gone as they made their way into the little room with a cage. And a body stirring in it. She looked over at her husband, panicking as Will demanded he open the cage for him. She was worried for her own safety. She had something precious inside of her and she would make sure this man paid should anything happen to that life. It wasn't until the woman in the cage came forward that Bella stopped struggling. She felt her eyes widen, her jaw was slightly agape. "You son of a bxtch!" She screamed aloud. It was for her husband, but of course, that wasn't quite discernable. "Let me go. Right now!"

[William Freeman]

They were at a stand still. At any moment, either man could kill the other's wife. But his concern was not that. It was the state of Annie as she stood in the cage. Her voice was coarse. Her clothes were tattered. Her blood was everywhere. He loosened his grip on Bella slightly, but not enough to let her go as he just looked at Annie. This was all his fault. He should have been able to protect her better. He heart the threat placed on the table by Rodolphus. If he didn't let Bella go, he would kill Annie. And, in return, Will would kill Bella. He wasn't above the unforgivable curses when it came to matters such as these. But, he was not going to put Annie in that type of danger. He felt the woman struggling against him. Then she called him a son of a bxtch. And demanded that he let her go. So, he basically pushed her away from him, and towards Rodolphus, then darted towards the cage. "Annie, it's Will, I'm going to get you out of here, I promise." He held his wand up and turned to Rodolphus, placing himself between the death eater and his love. "Now, leave. You've got your wife. Go."

[Bellatrix Lestrange]

Mrs. Lestrange was pushed forward towards her husband. The one she did not want to even speak to right now. She nearly tripped as she tried to stop herself from moving forward and grasped for anything that would keep her from falling and hurting herself. Which just so happened to be the neck of her husband's robes. She righted herself, grabbing her wand back, which Will had thrown to the floor, and then looked at her husband. "You sick, son of a bxtch," she spat, then turned and stomped out of the shack. Sure, she was tired. But if she didn't get away from him right then, she was probably going to kill him. That was her only friend in there. The one locked up in the cage. She was stomping through the woods, determined that she would make it home on her own. And from there, she was not going to speak to Rodolphus for at least a week. She was very tired, and, before long, her fast pace slowed to a dull walk. A snail would have beaten her if he wanted to.

[Anne Sanderson]

Annie felt a bit dizzy, but remained standing. She wasn’t comprehending much of the confrontation that was going on around her. Her normally acute auror’s mind was muddled and foggy. Probably from the malnutrition. She did realize when she was being threatened, however, and straightened her back defiantly. Somehow as she was trying to regain her senses, and the light stopped blinding her eyes as much as before. She started to recognize voices, and shapes. Her captor, the wild-eyed man, Bella (who was swollen past the point of comfort by now), and someone she was SURE she was hallucinating.

William Freeman had been in her dreams for so long, that it would make sense that she had fallen unconscious and saw him behind her eyelids. But why she would re-visit this horrific place, even with Will there, was beyond her. “Don’t!” She half-croaked, half-shouted, jerking forward in the cage and nearly losing her balance. The protest was for Will, however, not the man that had become the epitome of her worst nightmare.

She was shocked when he’d pushed Bella away from him, if she had fallen wrong…

No, the thought was too gruesome. She shoved it out of her mind. She didn’t know how Bella was involved. But she knew… she just KNEW that Bella wouldn’t hurt her. Not on purpose. Not like this. I’m going to get you out of here, I promise. Even though her limbs were still shaky with weakness, Annie’s pride managed to get in the way. As she heard the hasty retreat of everyone except for Will, she let out a relieved sigh. It soon turned into a coughing fit. “Don’t just… stand there. Get me out of this thing.” She said in a lightly sarcastic tone.

She just wanted to make sure it was finally over, the nightmare had finally ended. She just wanted to go home. “Rosy?” She asked in a hoarse but frantic whisper. She had to know that Rosy was okay, that she was safe. The threats from the awful woman she was with still rang clearly in her ears and turned her insides cold.

[William Freeman]

William waited until the room was clear of the Lestranges before turning back to the cage. As Annie requested it, he flicked his wand and unlocked the door. It took some major effort, but he got it open and then rushed to her, his arms wrapping around her as though he never wanted to let her go. And he didn't. He just wanted her to be with him. He wanted her to be safe. "Rosy's fine. My brother is watching her," he muttered into her hair, which had a slight odor, but it didn't bother Will. She looked terrible, and he was probably squeezing her a bit too tightly, but Rodolphus had planned on killing her. He needed to get her to St. Mungo's before anywhere else. She was injured, and she looked like she hadn't eaten in days. "Everything's going to be okay now." He wanted to hear her sweet voice say anything to him. But he knew that she needed a healer, and fast. "I was worried sick," he muttered, just gripping onto her for a long moment.

[Shxtty. Sorry.]