THE KIDNAPPING OF RYAN MILLSHANK

All characters contained within are entirely fictional; any similarity to any real or fictional person living or deceased is totally unintentional. Do not read this story if you do not enjoy reading about consensual sexual activities of an exhibitionist nature. Otherwise read on......

 

CHAPTER 1 - HOME ALONE BUT NOT FOR LONG

 

For the umpteenth time I got up from my chair and strode to the window at the sound of yet another bus pulling up at the stop outside my flat. From my vantage point on the first floor I could see the passengers disembarking and heading off in various directions, no doubt going home to their loved ones I thought with more than a little annoyance.

 

Where was Scott? I wondered to myself. He's never normally this late and he hasn't even bothered to call or text me today of all days. Hmmph! Scowling I glanced at my watch, 6.45pm, home alone on a Friday night, how sad - but not for much longer I decided. Giving him another five minutes to arrive I stood impatiently watching the passing traffic before turning my attention to a couple sitting on a bench at the entrance to Heaton Park. Totally oblivious to the world around them they sat kissing and cuddling before eventually disappearing hand in hand into the twilight blurred park.

 

Another bus arrived, stopped and drove off but still no sign of Scott. That's it! I'm not hanging on any longer I announced to the empty room before making my way to the bedroom to change into my favourite 'hitting Canal Street' gear. Skin tight faded jeans designed to accentuate my packet and pert derriere (my best attribute in my opinion), electric blue cashmere jumper and designer trainers. Standing in front of the bedroom mirror I admired my reflection practising what I imagined to be seductive expressions. Growing bored of this childish game I turned my attention to the all important hair style.

 

My mobile buzzed as a text message arrived, he better have a bloody good excuse or I will not be happy! Well happiness was not on the menu because it was Nigel asking where and what time we are meeting up this evening. I thought for a minute calculating the tram times and how long it would take me to get into Manchester City centre and walk from Piccadilly Gardens to Canal Street. I replied saying that I'd meet him at 9.00pm outside GeMMini 69 wine bar and asked who else was coming. He text straight back, saying that as far as he knew it was just Julian and himself. Great I thought, things gets better and better! Julian was one of those guys who is lovely sober but once he's had a few to drink becomes loud and obnoxious before getting aggressive when totally pissed out of his head. I just know that Nigel and I will be watching how many he's drunk before attempting to get him home before he starts a fight with someone (probably the guy who has just rejected his drunken advances). Ho hum, at least it will be better than going drinking on my own I concluded and replied to Nigel's text to say that's cool and will see him soon.

 

The last thing I did before locking the front door behind me was to leave a note on the kitchen side which read:

 

"Scott, have gone into town for a drink with the boys. Will be back late, don't wait up. Love Ryan xxx"

 

CHAPTER 2 - CANAL STREET & MEETING A HANDSOME STRANGER

 

At least that should make him feel guilty for standing me up I smiled to myself as I walked briskly down Old Bury Road to the nearest tram stop. I smiled cheerily to the driver as I boarded the tram to be greeted with a sullen scowl, happiness is all that keeps you going old man I thought as I stuck my nose up in the air and found a clean(ish) seat before the tram moved off again. The journey itself was uneventful, I have done this so many times I can name each stop on the journey - Bowker Vale, Crumpsall, Abraham Moss, Woodlands Road, Victoria, Shudehill, Market Street and finally Piccadilly Gardens. My stop at last and as I alight from the tram I can't help but notice a rather handsome blonde guy, perhaps in his mid-thirties, watch me through the window before looking away again.

 

Piccadilly Gardens and the surrounding roads were heaving with late night shoppers and party goers all buzzing with the energy that Friday nights in a city can create. I love the atmosphere when it's like this, it lifts my spirits and everything is alright with the world. Tracing my way through the crowds I walked briskly along Portland Street and then down Chorlton Street where there were less people before reaching my destination, Canal Street and in particular the wine bar which was already looking busy despite the fact that it was only just after 9.00pm. Waving frantically in my direction was Julian with one hand and with the other hand holding a bottle of Budweiser, ever the classy gent I thought to myself, who else would drink a bottle of beer in a wine bar? Grinning despite myself I pushed my way through the crowd and gave a heartfelt hug to Nigel and Julian.

 

Nigel I would have to say is my best mate, we came out of our closets at school together and have shared the highs and lows of being openly gay ever since. He stands out in a crowd wherever he goes but seems totally oblivious to it all, he's around six foot tall and very stocky, not particularly muscular but not flabby either. But what makes him stand out so much is his flame red hair which acts like a beacon as he has it gelled into a type of crest which was fashionable a few years ago. Like me he has his favourite outfits which are predominantly either black or dark grey in theme, he says it contrasts with his hair and reflects his view on the world. Julian is the complete opposite, in that he merges totally into the crowd because he tends to wear fashionable but conservative clothes. He too is about six foot tall, making me the shortest of the trio, but he is slim bordering on skinny, light brown hair with no particular style but his one outstanding feature are his eyes, they are a striking blue colour which many people have mistakenly assumed to be due to coloured contact lenses. Nigel and Julian were once an item for a few months before both realised they weren't compatible and it fizzled out to become a genuine deep rooted friendship which has stood the test of time.

 

With drinks in hand we made our way outside and found an empty table where we could comfortably chat and watch the world go by. Giving me a thoughtful look Nigel asked where Scott was, noting my scowl he went on to say that he thought something was up from the tone of my texts.

 

I shrugged my shoulders and replied "I neither know nor care because I haven't seen or heard from him since I left for work this morning. I will give him a piece of my mind when I do catch up with him!"

 

"Ooh, I bet you will!" Julian snorted in a rather camp imitation of me before continuing "Not that I blame you of course, but it does seem out of character considering that he is the most thoughtful guy I know."

 

"You took the words right out of my mouth" Nigel added "it's a shame he's not here to join in the celebrations but never mind; we don't want it to spoil the evening. Come on drink up, the next round is on me."

 

We didn't need second telling so we downed the remainder of our drinks while Nigel went to get more. There was a natural quiet lull in the conversation and my gaze turned to the passersby idly sizing up the guys and comparing them to Scott. To my irritation I found them wanting in one way or other and finally came to the conclusion that I was better off with the guy I had (even if I didn't know where he was at this precise moment). Just then I felt a tap on my leg, it was Julian trying to gain my attention.

 

Leaning over he whispered in my ear "I think you have an admirer, no, don't look over straight away, but sitting two tables away is a gorgeous blonde guy who has been watching you ever since we sat down here."

 

Nodding in acknowledgement I casually scanned the passersby once more before naturally bringing my gaze round to take in the other tables lined up outside the wine bar. I nearly did a double take, for the guy sitting two tables away was the same guy I had seen on the tram. Mmm small world, I thought, but then on second thoughts considering this is the main gay street in Manchester it's not all that surprising for him to choose one of the earlier opening establishments to have a drink at. Well if it's good enough for us...... I processed this thought in the time it took me to continue glancing round the place but not once did I catch blondie looking in my direction.

 

"Are you sure he's been clocking me?" I asked Julian "I don't think he's interested, not that I am of course, because he's not looked in my direction once as far as I'm aware."

 

"Here what are you two whispering about?" Nigel asked as he placed the tray of drinks down on the table being careful not to spill them.

 

I said nothing as I sipped my glass of red wine, but Julian ever the gossip held his bottle of Budweiser went to drink from it but then put it down, grinning broadly spilled the beans to Nigel.

 

Raising his eyebrows in mock surprise he said "So where's the guy with the white stick then?"

 

"Cheeky beggar!" I retorted not able to hold my tongue any longer "He's sitting behind you two tables away and got blonde hair, rather dishy I think."

 

Nigel looked over his shoulder in the direction we had indicated but quickly turned back again with a puzzled expression on his face.

 

"Well if he was there before he isn't now. You've lucked out there Ryan, no hot date for you tonight!!"

 

I peered round Nigel to see for myself, but he was right the table was empty, no sign of the guy at all.

 

"That's just so typical!" I groaned theatrically. "Missing boyfriend and now missing admirer, what else can go wrong?" I said before pretending to sob into my wine glass.

 

It had the desired effect as the three of us burst into a fit of giggles and started to discuss the good and bad points of guys we could see inside the bar. Before long our glasses (and bottle) were empty and it was my turn to buy the round. Taking the tray of empties with me I jostled my way through the throng of people standing near the bar, as I waited to be served I used the mirrors behind the optics to see if there were any faces I recognised. Only the usual ones I see from time to time in the various venues on this street. When I caught their eye I would wave back with a grin and a nod in acknowledgement. Finally the young girl behind the bar took my order with a rather harassed smile and plonked the glasses down on the tray in such a hurry that some of the wine was spilt. I was about to protest when I realised that she had already moved on and was talking to the next customer. Scowling a little to myself I picked up the tray, as I did so I felt a tingle race down my spine for I had looked up and straight into the blonde guy's eyes who had been watching me in the mirror!

 

"Sorry Sir, I didn't mean to make you jump, do forgive me please" he said in a distinctly masculine slow southern US drawl.