A Broken Gate
Summary: What would happen if Bartimaeus had missed that shot at Faquarl at the end of Ptolemy's Gate? How different would things have been?
This is how things might have been?
How long? Bartimaeus kept his eyes closed, concentrated on shielding Nathaniel from the pain. How long would it last this time? That depended on how long Faquarl felt like it, it lasted hours usually. When Faquarl was in an especially evil mood sometimes it felt like days.
Nathaniel was breaking.
Finally, after what seemed like hours or even days it stopped. He had as little sense of time here in this building as he did in The Other Place. He nearly groaned, missing the maelstrom of chaos more and more each day. But he couldn't leave. He was trapped here, trapped in this body with Nathaniel. So, he did what he could to protect his only ally.
The chains were released and he was dropped to the floor, panting as Faquarl stood above him, leering. If only he hadn't missed striking Faquarl when he had the chance, back in the dome. Things wouldn't be as they were if they had just managed to shoot him down. But now… now they had no future but pain.
Their weakened body was dragged back to their cell, to curl up and leave Bartimaeus to once again use his power to block off their nerve endings from the pain.
Is it over?
He'd woken up, good, Bartimaeus needed to rest.
Yes, now can you take over? I need rest if we're to last through tomorrow.
Alright…How bad is it?
He got enthusiastic and the damage is bad, but I have the nerve endings blocked for now.
Thanks… Rest up.
With that, they traded consciousness, hoping to be able to muster the strength to last through the next day. if they couldn't, they'd both be dead.
Sorry if that was short, hopefully it impresses at least one person. Gyu...