The tangled lanes of amity
Disclaimer—First of all I do not own in any way One Tree Hill and its characters. If I did, my ideas would be on screen and not here :P.
Second of all, I finally decided to post an OTH fic, just to see how my ideas fit into your minds and hearts. So… read, have fun [or not:)) it's up to you] and tell me what you think.
(This is a complete AU…)
Chapter I- Escaping the confinement
The unknown scares the majority of people, those who make themselves sick with worry and about what's to come. If you think that you can be above all that you're wrong. No matter how many times you said "nothing is going to beat me now, I've seen it all", guess again. Fear lies in the unknown, and fear makes people act in the most various ways. We are all hostages of fate, and the next years, months or seconds cannot be predicted. All that remains for you to do is wait, pray and fight…
The ghostly pace of the world seems to be moving forward without looking back. It feels no remorse, it has already passed and left you standing helpless, without anything to hang on to. The future is still unwritten and the opportunities may lay ahead, but only a sheer strength of will can make you worthy again. If you fail, you pick yourself up and try again…
She didn't know what went wrong, everything was calculated in its smallest details. It was supposed to work, and yet here they were, trapped , at the mercy of the very people they were trying to bring down. The only thing she could think of was a way out and fast, because otherwise all the hard work that was put into this plan was for nothing and Peyton couldn't allow that. The person they were protecting was too valuable for them to give up now, so she made herself a promise. They were going to get out of here and they were going to finish what they started, even if it was the last thing they'll do.
She looked over at her best friend, who looked so peaceful, she had a nasty cut under her right eye. She knew how that felt she had one of those too.
A damn cliché. Every bad guy had some massive ring on their finger, and of course they will take advantage of it only to increase the level of pain.
That ring left its palpable marks all over her body, so everything she was thinking was valid. God, she should really find another topic to stay awake. The way in which their attackers used their rings to inflict pain was not a happy thought. She chuckled even though this situation was far from laughable.
They were tied down with their backs against the wall. It was a dark room, just a few rays of sun were managing to make their way through. It was a sickening silence, and it drove Peyton mad, she tried to break free from her restraints but it was hopeless. Then she moved over to her best friend and tried the same. Not a frickin' chance, the chains were too much for a normal human being to escape from them. They needed the key, and on that note, she returned to her position and supported her head against the cold wall.
"Well…this sucks". Peyton heard the low voice of her best friend, who opened her eyes and squinted.
"Tell me about it". Peyton responded "How are you feeling?"
"Question of the year." Brooke sighted. "Not so good. You?"
"Let's just assume it's not pretty ".
"I hate this silence. It's like the perfect atmosphere for an unexpected and I would say, rather painful moment in the near future". Brooke tried to smile, but failed, very aware of the truthfulness of her statement.
"Yeah…been there, done that" Peyton shifted so that her injured side wasn't feeling any additional pressure.
"What do you mean? Peyton, did something happen after I blacked out?" She could tell she didn't need to ask from the uneven breaths and small whimpers of her best friend.
"Let's just say I didn't go down without a fight. You would be surprised at what a 120 pounds girl can do". She laughed slightly, obviously in pain. She didn't want to worry Brooke any further, so she kept her pain to herself, at least for now.
"This is not funny, Peyton. I know you better than anyone, and I know when you're closing off. Don't be like that, especially not now, when we have to stick together." Brooke pleaded, but she knew how her friend's stubbornness was a main flaw, and although she learned over the years how to maneuver her way around that, there were times when Peyton added even more walls, it was never ending …
"You think I don't know that, Brooke? I am well aware of the gravity of our situation. Damn it, I felt the gravity of our situation. Is it so wrong of me to try and shield you from all these? You have no idea how helpless I feel right now." Peyton let out a frustrated rant, while shifting again.
"This is not your fault, you didn't put us here. I feel just as powerless as you." Brooke sighted "All I'm saying is that under these circumstances the worst thing we can do is feel guilty, because that feeling will be the barrier between us and finding a way out of here." She closed her eyes and hoped she got through her best friend.
"When did you get so elevated?"Peyton smiled and her guard was slowly starting to come down, one layer at a time.
"What can I say, being tied up, beaten and dehydrated sure has a mode of getting out the best in people" She laughed. "Seriously, P. what happened?"It was now or never, she had to know what these bastards have done.
"After you fainted, I couldn't get my eyes to shut. I kept staying awake and watching over you, but then they walked in and planned on continuing the job on us. In that that moment I thanked God that you weren't awake. They pulled me outside, and that ugly leader of them, Mitch, I guess it's his name, proved to himself what a fine man he could be, by beating a tied up girl. I think he is really proud of him right now". She tried to be sarcastic, but in a way it felt good to let everything out.
"I can't believe this, I am so sorry Peyton. I should have fought harder or at least stay awake. I swear to God we'll make them pay. They hurt too many people already, and seeing you like this is only enraging me even more." In fact Brooke was scared, she was scared for herself, she was scared for her best friend and she was scared for the people they were trying to protect, but she was going to fight until the very end for their cause.
"Don't you dare apologies for anything, I'm glad that at least one of us is lucid enough to think clear." Peyton assured her friend, while coughing a few times."Brooke, I only saw 6, I don't know how much more there are…"
"This is just perfect" Brooke closed her eyes and dared to ask a question, even though she felt bad for it. "P, did you say anything?" Peyton looked at her questionably "I mean did you tell them about…"
"How can you ask me that Brooke, I would never let anything slip my mouth, not after everything we promised ourselves until now. I would rather die than do that and you know it, you would do the same!" Peyton felt herself without breath.
"Easy buddy, try and calm down, please. I didn't mean it like that, it's just there only so much a person can withstand 'til she reaches a breaking point. Next time I will stick a foot up my mouth". Brooke closed her eyes silently apologizing.
After gaining her breath Peyton crawled next to Brooke and rested her head on her shoulder. Brooke was surprised by that action, but she knew that was her friend's way of telling her there was no harm done by the previous conversation. Brooke's head shot up when she heard footsteps approaching the door. She braced herself for what was about to come.
The massive steel door opened to reveal 3 men, the first one was bald and had an eagle tattoo'ed on his neck and also some pretty painful marks on his face. She smiled 'yeah a 120 pounds girl can really do some damage'. The other 2 were few inches smaller, dressed in leather jackets, each carrying a gun.
"I'd say it's about time you woke up, you wouldn't want your friend to have all the fun now would you?" He grinned and made his way towards the girls. "I'll be frank with you, you're starting to piss me off a lot. I mean how hard can it be to respond to my questions?" He pulled his gun and aimed it between Brooke's eyes. She swallowed hard, but she kept her eyes on the gun. If he was going to shoot her than so be it. There was nothing much she could do right now.
"You're not going to kill us." Peyton spoke softly for the first time, keeping her eyes closed.
"Listen, honey, I can kill you and I am going to do that unless you give some fucking answers" He growled, while pushing the gun further into Brooke's forehead. She let out a small whimper. Peyton opened her eyes and tried to sit herself straight.
"I you want answers I'll give you answers, but first you have to let her go…" Peyton had no clue what she was doing, but it beat having her best friend killed. "I'll stay here and after I feel that she is safe I'll tell you what you want to know."
"Peyton, what the hell are you doing? Shut up!" Brooke was confused, and right now she couldn't think of a possible plan her friend had. She knew that Peyton would do everything to get her best friend out of here, but not at the expense of herself.
"No, Brooke this has gone too far, we can't keep risking everything for a lost cause" Peyton was bluffing the best way she could, hopefully she would be believed. "This is the best for everyone. Look, just let her go and I'll stay here. I promise there are no tricks, I'm not in any position to do that right now" She stopped for a second to catch her breath, her broken ribs made this communication thingy they had going on pretty difficult. "I know you're worried that she will tell the police where we are, you can blindfold her and escort her out of here. You will leave her next to some sort of civilization and then your men can leave. You will give her a phone, after she tells me she's safe, you will find out what you're seeking."
"What can I say, sweetheart, I am not a very patient man and neither are my bosses, so if this deal means we'll get what we want then so be it. I can make this work if you make it work too. Is not you we're after." He got up are dragged Peyton along with him, the sudden movement made some pain grimaces appear on her face. She breathed hard and tried to keep her eyes open. "Take the other one" He instructed one of the other two to get Brooke.
They made their way into the backyard, where he released the chains around their hands. Brooke couldn't figure out what was Peyton's plan, and she kept her gaze on her. Her friend was obviously thinking at the next move. She looked around, besides the 3 who came in earlier there was no one in sight. It was now or never. Peyton pulled out a small knife she managed to snatch during her early fight from Mitch, from her back pocket and stabbed him near the heart, but nor killing him. In the spur of the moment, Peyton launched herself forward, took his gun and shot the other one in the stomach. Brooke was stunned but took the gun from the dying man and hurried herself to her best friend.
"Brooke kill him!" Peyton shout. Brooke was at a loss, but she knew she had to do this. Mitch was dead within the second. She saw Peyton from the ground shot again at someone behind her. She turned and saw the third man going down. She broke from her astonishment and helped Peyton to her feet. They knew there were more but right now nobody came, that meant they weren't around at the time. They took the car keys from Mitch and jumped into the jeep.
After a few unsuccessful attempts to start the engine, they realized that time was not on their side and they couldn't risk a second capture. They grabbed 2 bottles of water from the car and started to run into the forest, without looking back. The guns were a small protection in a looming ambush, but they were better than nothing.
After 15 minutes of a constant running pace, Brooke suddenly stopped.
"What, what's wrong?"Peyton said barely breathing and looking at her friend.
"You are in no condition of continuing this, Peyton!"Brooke said concerned.
"Brooke we don't have time for this, we don't know if the reinforcements haven't already come."Peyton warned.
" you know I love you but we have to take a break. And if you don't want to do it for yourself, please do it for me."
"Brooke..."
"Five minutes. That's all I'm asking" Brooke pleaded. Peyton was being stubborn again, but she admitted defeat and nodded, collapsing on the ground, her back pinned to a huge oak tree. After taking a well deserved breather they continued their advancement into the forest. They were both exhausted and hungry and in an hour or so the remains of daylight were about to slowly leave the horizon.
"Brooke, we got to stop" Peyton managed to say "It's beginning to get really cold, we can't go on like this". Brooke knew she was right so she nodded and guided Peyton towards a couple of weird looking trees that could provide a small covering from the cold wind. Peyton's injuries were aggravating and she collapsed rather abruptly on the ground leaning on the tree. In a few moments she lost her battle with consciousness. Brooke was really worried, but at least her friend could rest for a while she tried to make a fire.
Yeah, easier said than done!
She didn't have anything to make a spark with. She collected a few dry branches and leaves and ripped one of her sleeves to create a bundle. She than created a fireboard from a piece of wood and after she tried rubbing a damn stick to create ember for a while now, she gave up. It was pointless.
"Very Bear Grylls of you" Brooke was startled and looked towards her friend.
"I think he would laugh his ass off seeing me like this" Brooke chuckled "How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine…" Peyton closed her eyes.
"You're always fine. How about some truth for a change..." Brooke helped Peyton straighten herself as best as she could.
"I feel like crap" Peyton tried to smile, but it even that hurt.
"And I have no idea how to make you feel better..." Brooke whispered and lowered her head.
Suddenly, Peyton's tired hand lifted her chin and made her look directly into her eyes.
"Don't you dare say things like that. I won't allow you to. How long have you been trying to lit that fire?"
"About 30 minutes or so..."Brooke admitted "I'm not so good at rubbing stuff" She tried to laugh, and succeeded in making Peyton chuckle slightly.
"Who would have thought?" Peyton went along.
Suddenly, Brooke's eyes sparkled and a smile formed at the corner of the mouth."Peyton, I got it!"
"Well, I'm glad you did" She smiled "What did you get?"Brooke already started looking for something in the grass.
"Brooke?" She was clearly confused.
Brooke proudly lifted the gun and grinned widely.
"You're scaring me" Peyton admitted deadpanned.
"If we can take the gun powder out of the bullets we can have a better chance at starting a fire." She was already fidgeting with the gun, but was unsuccessful in locating something to release the bullets.
"Peyton, would you mind taking as look at it?" She asked with caution.
"There's a button somewhere on the handle. Give it" Peyton asked for the gun and after pressing the release button the charge came out with only 2 bullets in it.
" Great, thanks Peyt!" Brooke was beaming, but tried to hurry because the last rays of daylight were rapidly going away.
"You're full of surprises, aren't you?" Peyton question was followed by a violent cough.
"Okay, now what?" Brooke looked questionably at Peyton.
"Don't ask me, it was your idea"
"Right." She surveyed the area and got up.
"Now, what are you doing?" She was feeling a bit out of the picture,, but she was anxious to see what her best friend was trying to do.
"I need 2 rocks, to make a spark" she said casually.
"I'm sure you do" Peyton smiled.
"Aha , almost there" Brooke said while hitting the 2 rocks a few times.
20 minutes later…
"This is getting ridiculous". Brooke sighted frustrated.
"I think you might be getting there" Peyton tried to stop smiling but she was failing miserably. She watched her best friend fiddle with two rocks in a desperate attempt to create a small spark.
"Don't mock me". Brooke shot her a look.
"You know, I think it will be better if we just exchange body heat this night" Peyton smiled apologetically to her very pissed off friend.
"I got this, Peyton" Brooke said angrily.
"Honey, you've already disintegrated 5 rocks" She smiled softly.
"Don't tell me what I can and can't do". She yelled at her best friend.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean upset you" Peyton said apologetically "I only meant that we're both tired and we need some rest, honey. It will be morning in no time…"
"I'm an idiot, you don't have to apologies for anything, I didn't mean to snap like that…it's just, I need to do something, I feel like I'm letting you down". Tears were forming in her eyes as she let she stones slip from her hands.
"Come here…" Peyton patted the spot next to her. Brooke did what she was told and sat next to her best friend. "You help me so much just by being here, you don't have to do anything. This is not a situation that requires some equal participation from both parties". Peyton laughed. "If you know what I mean. We will get through this, just like we did so many times before. Just try to close your eyes and sleep for a while, I'll stand guard first".
"Are you up for that?"Futile question, but she asked anyway.
"I'm fine, B" Peyton reassured her.
"I'm starting to hate that word" Brooke spoke softly and smiled. "Ok, but make sure you wake me for my turn, got it?" Brooke looked serious.
"Yeah yeah…just sleep you knucklehead". Peyton kissed Brooke's hand and pulled her closer, careful not to injure her ribs any further.
She tried to organize her thoughts and plan their next move but the human mind is a very tricky place, ideas flow in so many directions. You just have to put them into a certain order so it can work in your advantage. It was hard for Peyton to fully concentrate right now, but one thing she knew for sure. They were motivated like hell, and they would continue protecting their friend until the outcome will be in favour of the good guys…
That was it guys, first chapter. If anybody wants me to continue I will do so.
Take care;)