Loving the reviews! I'm off school sick today and for some reason resolved to dispel my pounding headache by continuing the story so if I make more mistakes than normal, please be a little lenient. I was however allowed to watch like four episodes of H50 from my new first season box set that my best friend bought me for my recent birthday.
"Enjoy Detective Williams. This is only Day Two."
Steve's breathing was raspy and laboured, his head rolling limply on his chest as the men around him turned off the camera and packed up for a few hours. Wo Fat had left as soon as they were done and Steve was too weak to be particularly smart assed to his helpers in true McGarrett style so he resolved to just rest quietly and try to clear his burning lungs. Sure, Steve had been water boarded before-it was a typical exercise for SEAL's when they learnt about torture-but it didn't make it any less uncomfortable and though Steve would never admit it, frightening. He was recovering faster than most would because of his ability to hold his breath for a long period of time and his extreme level of fitness but the ache still was discomforting as he struggled to suck in precious air.
The two goons were just cleaning up the pool of water glinting at Steve's feet and he lifted his head slightly to observe them but saw no opportunity to escape and resigned back into his restraints, trying to bury the pain in his limbs. Being an active person the restricted movement meant that he was in increasing discomfort and his muscles were stiffening and protesting at the stillness. One of the men nodded to the other and briskly left the room while the other tugged the 'torture tool' cart past Steve's head and wheeled it beside him, watching Steve warily as he organised the utensils in an obvious order. As he wiped down a thin scalpel, it fumbled in his fingers and clattered onto the floor. The man bent down, so he disappeared behind the cart and Steve stretched his fingers out, clutching at another knife and hiding it underneath his arm as the man rose again. The fool didn't notice anything missing and instead pushed the handcart back into the shadows and smirked smugly at Steve, before turning away and walking out the room with a definitive slam of the door.
Steve held his breath for a few seconds as he listened for movement or any sign that someone was about to enter then uncovered the blade and rubbed it against the thinnest part of the leather manacles. He lay there cutting for what seemed like hours till finally he deemed it as weak enough and tugged in the fraying fabric. It broke with a soft snap and Steve had to bite on his tongue not to laugh out loud so just grinned in satisfaction. Testing his muscles and wincing at the pressure of the bolt in his arm he reached over and undid the latch on the other restraint before reaching down to both ankles. The heavy metal embedded in his wrists weighed them done and the unnatural sluggish feeling was both excruciating and disconcerting as Steve tried to swallow the pain and continue with his improvised escape plan.
Finally free, Steve took a minute to test his taut muscles and then scampered silently over to the door, resting his ear against it and listening to every acute sound. There was at least one guard outside but by the quietness of the sounds, he was facing away from the door and Steve decided he had very little time. Mustering up his last reserves of strength and slowing his breathing, Steve tentatively opened the door, careful not to alert the man to his wakefulness. Fortunately the door opened without a sound despite its size and Steve edged closer to his enemy. With a swift, fluid movement, he managed to grasp the other man around the neck with his forearm in a powerful choke hold and squeezed with his remaining might. The man flailed and tried to kick away but somehow Steve held on and eventually the man fell limp in Steve's grasp. Ignoring the flares of hot agony across his entire body, Steve dragged the limb figure back into the room and searched him thoroughly but only discovered a small cell phone in his trouser pocket. Steve took it, leaning out of the doorway and checking for any other danger before quickly hobbling down the empty concrete hallway.
Finding a corner, Steve ducked into the small alcove and praised the heavens when he saw the bars of signal on the mobile's screen. Dialling his partner's number as fast as possible, Steve steadied his breathing and peered down the hallway as a number of loud voices erupted from back the way he had come and Steve was now certain they had discovered he was missing. There wasn't much time. After what felt like an eternity a tired, stressed voice that was blissfully familiar crackled down the line.
"Williams."
"Danny, its Steve, look I haven't got much time…I escaped from the room but I doubt I'll be able to make it out of here, you need to trace this number!" Steve whispered hurriedly as heavy footsteps made the air vibrate along with the sound of loading guns.
"Oh my God… Steve! I-I saw…and I thought…I'm tracing the call now, just hang in there buddy!" Danny's voice was emotional and flustered and for some reason it made Steve smile for the first time in two days.
A sudden thought triggered in Steve's mind and he sighed sadly "Danno…if I don't make it-"
"No Steven!" Danny interrupted incredulously "We are going to find you and we are going to save you! You hear me babe? Even if it kills me, I am going to walk in there-put a bullet in Wo Fat's brain-and drag you out…no way you're giving up on me now!"
Steve chuckled at the familiar 'rant' tone as his knees buckled and he slowly slid down the wall behind him; settling in an upright seated position with his legs straight in front of him. Steve plucked at the white gauze wrapped around his chest and grimaced as the pain sprang at him again.
"I know Danno, I know…"Steve uttered breathlessly "But if I don't, tell Gracie that I'm sorry and I wish I could have been there to see her grow up and that she had a brilliant Dad. Catherine needs to know that I love her, and I wish it didn't have to end like this. Please tell Kono and Chin that they've been the greatest friends a guy could wish for…and Danny?"
"Yeah Steve?"
"Thanks. For everything. I couldn't have wished for a better partner; it's been an honour serving with you."
Steve saluted, despite the fact that Danny couldn't see the heartfelt gesture and looked up gingerly as a group of heavily-armed men rounded the corner and approached menacingly. The last thing Steve could hear as he was dragged away -back towards his personal Hell- were Danny's frantic cries down the phone as the men smashed the device on the floor and severed the connection.
