The men set the briefcases down onto the table and opened them. Inside were various instruments of torture - from knives to guns and everything in between. The worst part was that I knew they weren't going to kill us. All they wanted was answers, which we didn't have.

Thompson clicked his fingers and 2 of the men made their way towards me with empty hands and emotionless expressions.

"W-what are you doing?" Phil said warily.

Ignoring him, they began to undo chains around my legs and wrists. I kept silent, cooperating as they pulled me to my feet. Standing up had made me dizzy, not to mention the fact that he was gripping my broken arm tightly, but I kept my mouth shut. They took me to the other side of the room, and let go of my arms roughly. I stumbled but managed to keep my balance. Now was my chance. If I could get out and get help, then I could come back for Phil. But 2 of the men were already standing guard at the door and Thompson was only a few feet in front of me. My heart fell.

"Now. For every wrong answer you give me, you can enjoy the sensation of having your flesh destroyed." Thompson's smile was empty, but the threat was real.

"I told you." I said, my breathing shallow. "You've got the wrong people."

In a split second, the whip was across my stomach. Phil screamed. I fell to the ground, winded. I could feel the skin burning where the whip had been.

"Wrong answer." Said Thompson. "Do you want to try that again or do I have the pleasure of continuing?"

I said nothing. I was so scared. I didn't know what to say.

"STAND UP!" He yelled. I shakily got to my feet, my good arm protecting my stomach.

"TURN AROUND." Thompson instructed. So I faced the wall and closed my eyes. I knew what was coming.

"Leave him alone!" Phil cried.

"SILENCE!" roared Thompson, making me jump.

Then the torture began.

"TELL ME!" he roared as he repeatedly lashed the whip onto my back- each blow more painful than the last. I yelled out again and again. My face was contorted with pain and my knees were weak but I couldn't give in. Suddenly, in that moment of despair, I felt hope. Hope that our parents would realise we were gone. Hope that witnesses of our kidnapping would contact the police.

I was only brought back to reality by the sound of Phil sobbing. I was numb. I wasn't even scared anymore. The only thing reminding me that this wasn't a nightmare was the pain. Thompson stopped and my knees gave way.

"Do you want to tell me something useful now, eh?" Thompson growled.

I lay unmoving, my breathing shuddering my whole body. I finally opened my eyes, squinting at the intense light.

Thompson yanked me up by my hair. I couldn't help but whimper. He tightened his grip, causing me to yelp, and pulled me up to eye level. I averted his gaze.

"LOOK AT ME WHEN I'M TALKING TO YOU!" He spat in my face and I was forced to look him straight in the eyes. His cold grey eyes searched my own. Finding nothing, he slammed my nose down onto his knee with a great force. This time I couldn't help but shriek at the blinding pain, and the unmistakable crunch of my nose. Thompson marched off, leaving me on the floor to assess the damage. My nose was definitely broken by the looks of the blood dripping down my face.

Thompson came back, dragging Phil by the ear.

"Do you see what you've done?" Thompson said through gritted teeth into Phil's ear. He had stopped crying but that didn't take away the look of sheer terror in his eyes.

I smiled through the tears, trying to show Phil it wasn't his fault, but the agony caused me to wince after a second.

Next thing, we were both being strapped back in our chairs.

"Either of you boys want to tell me anything?"

"I beg you.." Phil whispered.

"Nope?" Thompson continued pretending he hadn't heard Phil.

"Your turn." Said Thompson, turning towards him with a stun gun in his hand.

"No. Please." I croaked.

"I NEED ANSWERS, DAN. SIMPLE AS THAT." He pointed the small red dot at Phil's chest and pulled the trigger. Bright, lightening bolts shot out of the taser into Phil's chest, a static sound filling the room. Phil's eyes rolled to the back of his head as his body started to convulse and shudder.

"PLEASE STOP. YOU'RE HURTING HIM." I screamed at Thompson. Phil was now starting to make whimpering sounds as he continued to jerk and spasm in his chair.

I summoned every fibre of energy in my body. "STOP!" I yelled. And he did. Phil's head hung limp on his chest, but his body still twitched slightly every now and then. He was unconscious. Huge sobs racked through my body, fresh tears running down my face. I didn't try to hold back this time. And as I cried, the door flung open and there was a great commotion, but I barely noticed. I couldn't take my eyes off Phil. My Phil. I didn't care anymore. They hurt Phil. And that was the only thing that could hurt me. I eventually tore my eyes from Phil and paid attention to my surroundings. Thompson was being handcuffed and other men were being escorted out of the room. A young woman appeared by my side and gently touched my shoulder. I flinched at the sudden contact.

"There's no need to be scared anymore." She smiled, kindly. She didn't look much older than me, but she had this air of authority around her. She had blonde hair tied up in a smart ponytail and wore a smart business suit.

"W-what's going on?" I mused as more police men arrived.

"Haven't you guessed yet?" She smiled. "I'm Maria."