A/N: Chapter Seven is here! Yay!


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Chapter Seven

Frank awoke to a fierce pounding in his head. His mind felt like it was full of fog, he couldn't seem to be able to think quickly. He opened his eyes and the world spun; he quickly closed them and took a deep breath. When his eyelids fluttered open once more, he had calmed down quite a bit. His the rhythmic pulsing in his head dulled slightly and his vision came into focus. Of course, what he saw wasn't exactly pleasurable.

He was lying on his side in a small, dim room, with walls and ceilings made of clay. His hands were bound behind his back and ankles tied together. Speech was made impossible by the gag that was in his mouth.

Oh, great, he thought. Just what I needed. To be kidnapped. But who did it and why?

His memory quickly went back to his capture-Bos'n, the giant Joe had mentioned, and the frizzy-haired man! And as to why, he wasn't sure what motive was behind his abduction, but one thing was for sure-they thought he was Joe.

Frank took another look around his prison. The clay walls were dingy and slime clung to them. A small window let in the only light in the room. A staircase in the right corner led to a wooden door. So I'm in a basement.

Well, it could be worse, Frank mused. Still, he had to admit that his situation was pretty bad. Joe had been right-it wasn't pleasant. Using all of his strength, Frank forced himself into a sitting position. The boy began struggling with all his might; after several tedious hours, he had released his hands. Slumping against the nearest muck-covered wall, he gave a exhausted sigh of relief.

Realizing that he must escape as soon as possible, Frank pulled the gag from his mouth, and taking his pocket knife from his pocket, somewhat surprised at finding it still there, cut through the bonds on his ankles. Then, using the slippery wall for support, stood up.

See, that wasn't so hard, Frank thought. Sure, it took some time, but it proves things weren't as bad as Joe made them out to be. If he hadn't been lazy, and had actually tried to get free, maybe he could've escaped by himself, and not put me through the torture of not knowing where he was.

The latter thought was instantly replaced with a sense of guilt. Frank realized that Joe must be feeling that same sickening feeling right now. Ah, well, he shook off his guilt, maybe he'll see how I feel. But in his heart, he knew it wasn't fair.

Deciding not to risk lingering any longer, in case his captors decided to show up, Frank pushed himself from the wall and began his silent journey to the stairs. Treading lightly, Frank ascended the stairs without any noise, and, reaching for the door handle, was amazed that it was unlocked.

But upon opening the door, he saw something that made his heart drop.

"Why, hello," said the frizzy-haired man, "we've been waiting for you."

"Oh, really?" Frank snapped, glancing about desperately for a route of escape. His hope vanished, however, as the giant, Bos'n, came into view, and grasped both of the youth's arms in a vise grip.

Smiling unpleasantly, the man, who introduced himself as Lawrence, clasped his hands behind his back and turned his eyes on Frank. Willing himself to appear unnerved, the boy stared straight back at the man, whose menacing smile only brightened.

"Well, Blondie," he said, "I suppose you thought you were going to escape, did you not?"

Frank remained silent. "I asked you a question," Lawrence said, looking coldly at the blonde youth before him. "When I ask you something, you answer."

When Frank pressed Joe's lips together in refusal, the villain looked up at Bos'n. "Persuade him."

Frank winced in pain as the large man twisted his left arm painfully; just when he started to see black spots because of pain, Lawrence held up a hand and Bos'n let up, although Frank's arm still throbbed in agony. Taking a shallow breath, he looked down, angered at this injustice and still in pain. Lawrence reached forward and grabbed a handful of blonde hair, yanking the boy's head up so that his cold, spectacle rimmed eyes met pain-filled blue ones.

"I asked you a question," he hissed. "Are you going to answer?"

Frank, in desperation, did his best to nod.

"Good. Did you think you were going to escape?" he inquired once more, not releasing his grip on Frank's blonde hair.

Once again, Frank did his best to nod. "Yes," he whispered.

"Of course you did. We knew you would try. I bet you were wondering why it was so easy for you to escape this time, but impossible the last." He finally released the youth's hair as Frank's mind went back to Joe. I'm sorry I doubted you, little brother. I guess you were telling the truth.

"As you could probably fathom, since you were rescued so quickly, we weren't in the safest or secure spot last time. But this time," he chuckled, "we are in a very safe place and thought it might be entertaining to see you your hopes of escaping crushed..."

He nodded at Bos'n, who immediately began tying Frank up again, this time, so tight that it hurt. As a gag was stuffed once more into his mouth, and a blindfold around his eyes, Frank heard a menacing voice in his ear. "And now, Blondie, time for the real fun to begin..."


A/N: Sooo...how was it? I know, I know. Poor Frank...or Joe...or...hm. I'm confusaled. Oh well. Anywho...next chappie we'll check in w/Joe, see how he's doing in Frank's shoes...so til next time, please review and may the swartz be with you!

~Emachinescat ^..^