Wow, I'm updating! I know, it's AMAZING! I'm really sorry but I had Finals and now I have a foreign exchange student staying for a month so my time has been limited.
Thank you 32-Star, ReillyScarecrowRocks, ALBANY, hollyblue2, MonssterUnderYourBed and Se7enFreaker for reviewing and everyone who alerted/favorited.
A special thanks to fanfictionaddict1 who always manages to guilt me into getting my butt in gear and posting a new chapter.
Warning: Some bad language (really only one word) and HUGE Scorpia Rising spoilers.
"I missed you too, Jackie."
Jack POV
"Mom?" Jack questioned hesitantly, afraid no answer would come.
"Jackie." She repeated, lifting her hand to lightly stroke his face.
"Mom! Thank God!" he exclaimed while burying her in a hug.
"I really don't think God has anything to do with it Jack." Came his father's familiar and relieved-sounding voice from behind him.
Before Jack could retort he was interrupted by the voice of their captor, "You're quite right Mr. Rider," he said in his thick accent. "In here I am the only controlling power and I think it's time we had a nice long, chat."
"I'm not one for long conversations so I think I'll have to pass on what I'm sure would have otherwise been a very intellectually engaging chat," Jack's father answered sarcastically.
Kurst obviously did not deem this worthy of an answer as he grabbed Alex's arm and forcefully pulled him away from his wife. Alex shot them a glance before complying and was led to a pair of rusted handcuffs hanging from the ceiling.
"Well, you obviously need more of a personal touch Mr. Rider and I'm the one to give it to you."
Despite the fact that he was now being held off the floor by his own arms Alex managed to smirk, "Sorry but I already have a wife, better luck next time."
Jack could only watch in awe as his father angered his torturer further.
Kurst sneered at Alex and walked towards a familiar wooden table, containing all of the sharp objects Jack would rather not think about.
Jack winced as he picked up a pointed silver rod and heated the end with a blowtorch until the rod radiated its own light.
He looked down at his mother who was still dripping wet and attempting to sit up.
Jack reached down to help her and saw her eyes grow wide at Kurst's actions, "What the hell do you think you're doing?" she growled, her voice hoarse and Jack remembered that this would be her first time watching his dad get tortured.
Personally Jack just wanted to curl up in a corner with his eyes shut, not having to see the blank look on his father's face as he was burnt or hear the slow breaths that were his only sign of feeling pain.
He looked around the room, searching for anything that would help him save his dad from this fate.
Seemingly reading Jack's mind Kurst called to the guards posted outside the room, "Restrain these two, we don't want to have any accidents."
"Excuse me but we are perfectly well potty trained. Could the same be said for you?" Came his mom's retort as she was dragged into a chair and strapped in.
Alex snorted loudly, "By the looks of him, I'd say no."
For Jack their sarcasm had a calming affect; his parents weren't going to be intimidated so why should he?
He glared defiantly at Kurst as he too was strapped into his chair.
"Well, you are all very entertaining but its now time for the real show to begin." Kurst said in a tone that made Jack want to punch him. Well, even more than he did before anyway.
He held up the still burning rod and made a show of walking around Alex, leaving a distinct mark wherever it touched the skin. He came to face Alex again, giving Jack and Sarah a view of their side profiles.
Kurst reached for the rod and pushed it into a specific spot on Alex's chest, right above the heart.
Alex couldn't contain his pained gasp and Kurst smiled, looking at the small stream of blood flowing from the wound.
Jack tore his eyes away and looked at his mother who seemed ready to burst, "Get off him you sick, perverted, bastard!" she screeched.
Kurst's only reaction was to widen his smile, with one last malevolent dig he pulled the bloody instrument from Alex's chest. He looked at him thoughtfully, "Hmm, still no scream. I'm starting to think a different type of torture may be more effective."
Alex just glared at him, panting heavily and seeming unable to speak.
"You," he said, pointing at one of the blank-faced guards. "Go get the materials for our next exercise."
His dad, finally finding his voice, remarked, "Wow, I didn't even think you knew the word exercise." He said, staring pointedly at the flab around Kurst's midsection. "You might want to think about combining that with a diet. What are your thoughts on Nutrisystem?"
Kurst walked away from Alex and towards Jack, pulling out his fist at an alarming speed and whamming him in the nose.
Jack gasped in shock at the sudden pain as his nose made a sickening crunch.
"Unless you want me to continue this I would keep your mouth shut."
The room was silent but Jack could almost feel the heat radiating from the glares of his parents.
Jack tried not to swallow as he felt blood drip over his lips. A dull ache seemed to have set in not only in his nose but head also.
He felt Kurst walk away and heard his mom ask if he was all right.
"Yeah mom, its okay. I'm fine."
He looked over at Kurst to glare and saw that the materials Kurst had asked for were being wheeled in.
Jack stared at him, confused, as a guard wheeled in a TV set complete with a DVD player. What? Were they going to torture them by forcing them to watch educational films?
Jack glanced over at his dad whose eyes were narrowed suspiciously, he could almost imagine the gears whirring in his brain as he attempted to understand Kursts' latest move.
Kurst himself was smiling jovially as he took a DVD from his pocket and slipped it in the player.
At first glance Jack thought it was himself standing on the screen with a serious expression and gun in hand. And then he looked closer and saw that the boy in the video was a couple years older, maybe 15, and his eyes were a deep brown not blue. Then it hit him, this was his dad, as a teenager, pulling a gun on some man!
He turned to stare at his father whose eyes were transfixed on the TV as though drawn by a magnetic pull.
Jack turned back to the screen as it changed to show a woman with bright red hair loosening a bar from a window with a small knife. She heaved herself up and through the window after sticking the loose metal bar in her belt. She snuck into a courtyard filled with cars and seeing a guard snuck back into a small kitchen. She then proceeded to put an egg in the microwave, which Jack knew from experience was a bad idea, and hid behind some boxes as it exploded. The guard came running at the sound and she hit him on the head with the metal bar, sending him into unconsciousness. She took this opportunity to run for the car and begin to drive away.
A loud bang that certainly did not come from the TV echoed throughout the compound just as the screen showed a burst of flames and debris raining from the car.
The guards ran from the room, towards the source of the noise and Kurst, standing near Alex, took out his gun and aimed it at Jack, "Don't-"
Alex grabbed onto his chains and pulled himself up swinging his legs, and knocking Kurst to the ground, but not before Kurst pulled the trigger.
Jack cried out as the bullet pierced his skin and then the world faded to black.
Ok, a bit of a cliffhanger, I think. It was worth a shot. Anyway, please review! I'm not sure when the next chapter will be up but I'll try to update much faster. Thanks for reading!
