10.
~ The huntsman told the queen that snow white was dead and delivered a pig's heart to her as proof. But the queen, with her evil magic, knew the fair maiden was really alive. ~
~ Ariadne spent the next two days up in the air. Arthur's diversion route transferred her from one plane to another as she bounced all over the globe.
She slept on the longer flights and never bothered with hotels. Finally, she landed in Japan. A bustling metropolis that was teaming with people.
~ She immediately felt lost in the sea of faces and massive crowds. All of them moving quickly out of the airport terminals. All of them knowing right away where they were going and leaving the confused Architect to fend for herself.
"You certainly stick out." came a friendly, teasing voice.
Ariadne jumped as the man's voice was closer then she would have liked. He spoke in a charming English accent and when she turned to see him, was met with a smiling, playful face.
"I'm Eames." He said taking her bag. "Arthur has you meeting me."
"I've been on and off planes for two days." Ariadne sighed. Grateful for someone to complain to.
"I know. It makes it harder to lock onto you if you're up in the air. Trust me, not even Arthur knew where you were most of the time. It's safer this way." Eames explained as he took her hand and they walked out of the airport.
"You've done this before?" She asked as he hailed a cab and spoke coarsely to the driver.
"I worked in counter intelligence for years." Eames said with a shrug. "I know how to make you disappear."
"Alright. So what now?" She asked as she climbed into the cab next to the enigmatic Mr. Eames.
"Now, we take you to our safe house. Then, we have something serious to talk about." Eames said sadly.
~ Ariadne reveled in the hot shower in the elegant pent house. Eames had brought her to an apartment that looked more like a bunker. It had a bank of closed circuit security cameras and monitors. A steel door and bullet proof glass.
She didn't question her good fortune as all she wanted to do was take a long, hot shower and eat real food.
~ Eames made her something to eat as he kept an eye on the security monitors.
"When will Arthur be coming?" Ariadne asked as she took a hesitant bite of vegetable stew.
Her new friend sighed and didn't look at her. His eyes transfixed on the tv screens.
"I'm afraid Arthur will not be joining us." he said casually.
"Why not?" Ariadne asked.
It was odd someone as fastidious as Arthur would have a friend like Eames, but she knew he could be trusted.
Eames turned to her and said nothing.
"What is it?" She asked. Her brow wrinkling.
"We got a video from Mal a few hours ago. Mal is the woman who sent Arthur to kill you." Eames explained slowly.
"What... what did she want?" Ariadne asked.
"Arthur brought a dead body to Mal. Tried to pass it off as you. Mal didn't buy it." Eames explained.
Ariadne felt her breathing speed up.
"It seems she is holding Arthur until you come in." he told her.
"Let me see the video." Ariadne demanded.
"Ariadne, I don't think that's a good idea." Eames protested.
"Let me see it!" Ariadne streaked.
~ It was impossible to tell where the video was shot. The wall surrounding Arthur was gray and nameless. No windows provided any light and his surroundings were more like a dungeon.
Ariadne gasped as the sight of her protector.
Blood covered his face and had trickled down his once fine clothing. He had been severely beaten to the point that his left eye had swollen up.
"Mr. Eames."
A woman's voice drifted cat like into the video and a stunning creature emerged from behind the camera. She was tall and slim, yet had enticing, womanly curves. She could be called nothing short of beautiful, yet, something in her eyes warned she was dangerous.
"I trust you understand that your comrade had failed in his attempt to fool me. I know my Bishop is still alive. I know that you most likely have her. You and Arthur were always close and I know he trusts you." the woman said.
"Who is that?" Ariadne whispered.
"That's Mal." Eames said sadly.
"The Bishop?" Ariadne asked.
"It's the code name for you."
Mal spoke again.
"I have no problem killing one of my own men if it will mean getting the Bishop, turn her over to me and I won't sent my forces in to collect you. I know you're hiding her as well as Cobb. I just want what belongs to me. I want my Bishop."
Mal looked smug for a second as two guards forced a bleeding, wounded Point Man to stand up.
"Oh no." Ariadne cried as she tired to touch the screen.
Arthur looked angry and defiant against those who held him. His mouth was harshly gagged but he stared daggers at Mal.
"Otherwise, I'll kill Arthur, and come after the both of you anyways. Tell my Bishop if she turns herself in, I'll let Arthur go." Mal said.
The video feed cut off abruptly and left Eames and Ariadne in silence.
"She has the ability to do what she says. Arthur wouldn't be the first of her own hit men she's personally killed." Eames explained.
"I have to turn myself in." Ariadne whispered. The image of Arthur beaten and bloody still clinging to her mind.
"No." Eames said. "Arthur had prepared for this contingency."
"I can't let him die because of me!" Ariadne shouted.
"Arthur specifically said for you not to come after him. Even if he was captured, those are his standing orders and I intend to follow them. I'm taking you to China, where you'll be holding up until we decide what we're going to do." Eames explained.
"Mal is going to kill him." Ariadne whispered.
"This is a trap; he might already be dead." Eames said coldly.
"I have to turn myself in." Ariadne said shaking her head.
"Listen to me." Eames said. "Arthur sacrificed everything to get you to safely. We need to respect that and not have you go back into the belly of the beast."
Ariadne fought with an overwhelming desire to run back to the airport and take the first flight to America.
"Mal, will not let Arthur go. Not even if you turn yourself in." Eames said.
"Do you think he's still alive?" She asked.
"I'm not sure." Eames told her. "But if you turn yourself in, you'll both be dead."
I'm sorry it took so long to update. I've been sick and out of commission. I got out of the habit of writing for a few days. You have to write everyday and on a routine; other wises, it won't get done. You can't take a few days off.
Instead, I've been hold up in bed with my Netflix library. Watching four seasons of "Breaking Bad" and "The Office".
But I also saw "Memento" which was pretty good. Very "Inception" vibe to it. Classic Nolan. I'm actually kinda surprised JGL wasn't in it. It's his kind of movie.
It's given me a new idea for an A&A story, so we shall see.