Behind the Red
Behind the Red is a story of strength in the face of everything that happens. It is a story that surrounds three people in their community, all of which are coming to terms with their past, their present, and their future. From a newly out drag star, to a bounty hunter pining for a lost love, and an FBI agent with a more than murky past, this tale follows what happens when these three collide in a slow burn romantic suspense duology.
Kerry Graham surprises his father by coming out as gay and cross-dresser, and possibly non-binary. Then again, when he starts performing in drag at a local Cabaret named The Red where his cousin works as a tailor. He finds himself free and able to be himself in a world that has always treated him as an outcast. He’s among people that understand him, and he can finally relax. At least, that’s what he believes. Then, a dress arrives, seemingly an apology for a bit of bigotry from a shop clerk. No one thinks a dress can cause any harm, so he wears it under the stage lights. Things go awry, though, and Kerry wonders what could possibly be happening. A bounty hunter named Martin swoops in, convinced that he can be of aid in the situation. Along with Martin, there’s an intrepid FBI agent named Zak on the trail of a pair of sadistic serial killers who target and manipulate young, attractive feminine men like Kerry.
Kerry doesn’t believe it at first. Can he be targeted by these people? Then, things start happening, and his phone and email is full of messages with horrible images of what these people plan to do to him. He’s frightened but staunch in living his life. He is adamant that he won’t let them win, no matter what they do to him. Still, as the manipulation and gaslighting continues from afar, he starts to doubt everything he’s ever known. He starts to lose purchase on reality but finds that Martin and Zak ground him. He refuses to give in to their sadistic games, but in the end, he begins to wonder if his willpower is enough to keep these people away from him.
Please Note: This ends on a cliffhanger!
Content Warning: Gaslighting, Manipulation, Stalking, Kidnapping
Frantic to find Kerry, Martin and the others start searching. The Red crew, the juniors, the FBI, and the bounty hunters all come together to try and find their missing friend. Zak remains in the hospital, his breathing still a problem, and Martin faces the thought of losing not one, but two people who are deeply important to him. Other factions are moving in the distance, and as Zak wakes up, he finds that his own past is coming back to haunt him in the worst ways. A father who wants something Zak is unwilling to give, and people who are willing to help him, stand between him and any sort of happiness he may find with Martin and Kerry by his side.
Meanwhile, Kerry suffers at the hands of the Album Killers. However, he holds onto hope that Martin and the others will find him before it is too late. Imogene and Roy take glee in their torment of their victim but find frustration at the fact that he won’t quite give in like they want. In the end, what can Kerry do to survive the encounter? And if he survives, how does he heal?