Warning: Torture
Well this chapter didn't go quite the way I had originally intended. But relief is almost here. Thank you for the reviews and follows, they are all really, really, really appreciated.
Lisbon winces as the whip lashes out once more bringing a tribal groan from it's victim.
"Stop! Leave him alone."
As Red John pulls her head back by her hair, she feels his warm breath on her ear:
"You invited yourself to our party, isn't this what you wanted to see? Look at your precious consultant Agent Lisbon, Learn from him, don't carry on the hunt after I have had my fill and I suggest you remain quiet unless you want to add to Patrick suffering."
Red John finally moves in to Lisbon's view, of course he's masked. He stands before Jane, reaches out his hand and caresses his face and body.
"It will soon be over Patrick. Soon your heart won't be able to take any more."
He moves behind him and bends towards Jane's ear.
"Now shall we get on with the show for our guest."
All Jane is aware of is agony. His body feels numb and on fire at the same time. His mind seem unable to process any other information. In the far distance he can hear noises but is cannot distinguish their source. He believes his eyes are open but he sees no images just flashing light that pulsates with his pain. There is a white flash and the pain intensifies he groans in to the gag. He is desperately trying to concentrate his mind away from the pain, deep within he knows there is something important but it floats away like a leaf in a summer breeze. How he wishes he could feel the sun just one more time, it's warmth, it's energy. it's light. To think is exhausting. He feels hands on him, the noise is closer, it is a voice, probably him! The words seem a jumble, a cool breeze lightly touches his neck.
Cho, Rigsby and Van Pelt are in a police van looking at a thermal imaging report. It shows three images in the main warehouse space with five more in the rooms above. A technician is explaining what they are seeing:
"Two of the images in the warehouse are on chairs and look like they could be strapped down."
He points to the screen:
"Look you can just make out binding of some sort. This image definitely is, as no one would sit in a chair in that position by choice. You see how the image is lighter, this would indicate that this person is badly injured."
The team look at each other. They are certain they are looking at Jane, Lisbon and Red John. Van Pelt whispers what they are all thinking:
"At least he's alive."
"I'm not sure for how much longer."
The technician looks up ruefully, when he realises his faux pas.
The team step away. "
We can't risk rushing in while Red John is in the same room as Jane and Lisbon There is nowhere for us to sneak in, it's just an empty space, We try to go in while Red John is in there and one of them is dead before we make it through the door, we might be able to save one but not both."
"But if we delay too long Jane may die anyway."
Cho looks at them both:
"I think we need to wait, it is too big a risk, we have to wait for Red John to leave."
They all nod in agreement.
Cho turns to the technician
"Keep us apprised of Jane's condition."
Lisbon can hardly watch the scene before her. Red John has been systematically cutting Jane. Small cuts on the arms, legs and torso. His blood is dripping slowly to the floor, not enough to cause death but to increase the suffering. Jane has stared at the ceiling, not reacting in any way, she doubts that his mind is with them. Tears fall from her eyes, she wonders where Cho and the team are. She is panicking that maybe something has gone wrong and they will not save him. Red John stands up from cutting in to Jane's leg and turns to Lisbon.
"I hope our show has delighted you. Jane has never lost his talent despite his absence from the stage. I will leave you for a little while so you can say your goodbye. He doesn't have very long."
Red John removes Jane's gag as he leaves. Lisbon see's Jane eyelids flutter, tears fall on to his cheeks, hope surges within her.
"Jane?"
Somewhere in his fog Jane can feel the knife cutting in to his skin, but it is the feel of his blood dripping that captures his fascination. Each drop is bringing him closer to death, closer to relief. Red John would probably be tormented to know that he is welcoming every cut, he really should tell him - a final victory. With this purpose Jane fights against his weariness to regain awareness of his surroundings. He wills himself to remember what the ceiling looks like and concentrates his mind to producing that image from the signals it should be receiving from his pupils. Finally he has success. With it comes back the pain but to cry out is beyond his capabilities, he begins to regret his decision. He feels a slight tug and the gag slips out of his mouth, his jaw feels stiff, stuck in the gaped position. His eyes water with the effort and pain, he blinks it away, it feels cool on his cheeks. A sound catches in his ears, beautiful, angelic, it fills his body with warmth and energy, he wished for the sun and sometimes wishes come true. He closes his eyes and speaks, he doubts if anyone hears, the sound is there for one small moment then is like an old dandelion that when blown on, breaks in to many dancing pieces that take their own path in the wind, taking away his hope, his comfort, his salvation.
"Teresa"
