@good-day-cat said: If it inspires you, could you write something about Des being forced to work for Targent ? Or maybe a sequel to Under the mask ? I hope you're okay and I wish you a good day

I'm doing great (except I'm getting so darn nervous for my surgery on Monday…. 5 days left ack)

Hmhmhm Under the Mask Part 2, then?

Tbh if Des was forced to work for Targent then he'd probably look for escape at every given point and probably get himself killed trying to escape (and tbh I could write that but yeah FeelsTM)

Under the Mask Part 2

Desmond came to again on what he assumed was the way to Targent's headquarters, as he was in the backseat of what appeared to be an armored truck, a panel of metal keeping him from the front seat. His head pounded, and when he reached to assess the damage he realized his hands were bound by rope. He grunted, pulling at the rope with all his might, even tried using his teeth to undo the knot, but the restraints had been done so well he couldn't loosen them. He kicked the wall in front of him hard, his frustration mounting and causing tears to spring into his eyes.

He had been caught by Targent. And there was no way out. He was going to have to count on Raymond to --

Desmond's heart stopped. Raymond was dead, he had been shot, he was dead, he had been there when he had collapsed to the sandy ground, blood pooling around his head. He was dead. The red-eyed man let out a string of curse words, his voice cracking with emotion. If he hadn't have let the anger, the frustration, control him, Raymond would still be alive. The butler had even asked him if they should go quietly, the concern in his voice should have been a big indicator that Raymond knew what would happen if he ran straight into the army of men in front of him. Desmond grit his teeth. Raymond knew that someone would not come out of this encounter alive if he engaged, and the butler had always promised to protect Desmond with his life. The man felt tears beginning to form in his eyes, and they stung as the warm liquid trailed down his cheeks.

The vehicle stopped, and Desmond stiffened, quickly wiping his eyes as the doors opened. Hands were on him then, and he let out a growl as he was dragged out of the vehicle. He struggled and kicked before a low laugh reached his ears.

"If you didn't fight, it would be a lot easier for the both of us." Desmond clenched his teeth together so hard they ground against each other as he glared at Bronev. The older man was looking at him with a smug grin; he knew he had won.

"You have already taken everything from me." Desmond spit at the ground, and Bronev's grin fell. "You can't hurt me anymore. I will never join you." The red-eyed man smirked at his so-called father, feeling confident in his words.

That is, until Bronev started laughing. Des felt his stomach pooling with dread.

"You are a stupid, stupid boy." Bronev motioned to behind him, and Desmond gave a gasp at what -- or rather, who -- he saw. "I use every one of your weaknesses to my advantage. You shouldn't have been so emotional at Akbadain."

Desmond could only stare in wonder and horror as Bronev stepped to the side to allow the person behind him to be seen. He was strapped to a gurney, a breathing mask on his face as an IV was placed into his arm. The mask fogged up with each shaky breath.

"How --?" Desmond struggled, and to his surprise, the men holding him let him go as he rushed to Raymond's side, grasping a limp hand into his tied ones. "How is he alive?" He had seen the bullet pierce his chest, had seen the way Raymond had collapsed. He should -- in every sense -- be dead. But he was here, alive. He was critically injured, but he was alive. He could see where the bullet had hit, the clothes torn and bloody around where the man's heart was. Desmond felt relief surging through him as he realized that the bullet must have barely missed the organ, and then the panic returned as he realized what this meant. He looked at Bronev, and the man was grinning.

"You cannot be serious, Bronev." The man didn't answer. "You leave him alone!"

"He is getting the treatment he needs, Desmond. You don't want our help?" Desmond was fuming at this point, the anger from Akbadain suddenly returning.

"You are going to use him against me!" The panic returned. "Just leave me and my father alone!" He didn't realize what he had said until Bronev cocked his head, a facsimile of confusion spreading across his features.

"But Desmond, aren't I your father?" The question set Desmond off more than any other part of this question. He narrowed his eyes, his vision going slightly red.

"You are no father." Bronev tsked.

"Pity. Then I guess I can show you no mercy?" He snapped his fingers, and there was a gun (how did that get there so fast?) against Raymond's head. Des's blood turned cold. "If I get rid of him fully, I'm sure you will be a little bit more willing."

"You wouldn't." Des was starting to shake, knowing his statement was only fuel to the fire.

"I wouldn't?" Bronev gave a smirk. "I believe that you need to think over that statement again."

"Don't hurt him." Desmond was close to completely giving in to his panic, his fear, and he was not above begging now, the emotion swirling around him and making a whirlwind. "Please… don't hurt him. He's all I have left." Bronev just grinned, and nodded to the man holding the gun. Desmond saw the slight movement, and tensed.

"Don't --"

He stepped back as the man pulled the trigger. Bronev watched as the man in front of him went completely still, the blood from Raymond's body spraying onto Desmond's face, his suit. He watched as Desmond collapsed to his knees, his arms wrapping around his body as his breathing became labored.

"You… you actually did it." Desmond's voice was weak, shaky. "You killed him."

"I am not beyond killing, Desmond, and you know that." Desmond gave a quiet sob, and Bronev felt a strange sort of satisfaction from the sound. Bronev's smile dropped into a confused frown as Desmond stood up, and a sharp laugh escaped the red-eyed man's lips. Those laughs quickly turned into maniacal laughter, the sound actually producing a shudder from Bronev.

"You actually did it." Desmond's voice was high pitched, laced with a sort of morbid glee. "You actually fucking did it." Bronev took a step back as Desmond spun around to face him, a wide grin stretched across his face. "Was this your plan the whole time? To…." A laughing fit broke his sentence, and Desmond doubled over, tears streaming from his eyes and his mouth open wide. "To break me?" Bronev actually felt a pang of worry as Desmond's laughing turned into angry sobs. Bronev couldn't react fast enough as Desmond suddenly lunged at him, knocking him to the ground. He couldn't fathom why Desmond had changed from sad to happy to angry in the span of a few minutes. Desmond growled, his teeth clenched as he wrapped his hands around Bronev's throat.

"You killed him! He was the only one I had left!" Desmond's voice was nothing more than a growl. His eyes flashed dangerously as Targent men surrounded him, trying to pry him off. "Get your hands off me! Raymond was the only one! He was the only one, you motherfuckers!" His voice had risen to hysterical screams and laughter as Bronev gasped for air.

"Sedate him!" Bronev gasped. "Sedate him now!"

"You coward!" Desmond shrieked as they finally pulled him away from Bronev. As he gasped for air, they pinned the red-eyed man to the ground as he flailed and tried to land a hit on something, anything, as they jabbed a needle into his neck. "You've killed everyone! Everyone, Bronev!" His struggles became weaker as the drug began to kick in. "You are the reason everyone I care about is dead!" He spat as Bronev sat up. "I just need to return the favor, shouldn't I?!" His mouth was twisted into a feral grin as his eyes grew glazed. Bronev frowned at him as he rubbed his neck.

"I only am doing what I have to." Desmond let out a set of giggles before his eyes slipped closed. One of his men stepped up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Are you okay, Boss?" Bronev's frown deepened as his men dragged Desmond away.

"If I am… I won't be once he wakes up."

~~~~~