Mike was roughly dragged down a narrow path to where an unmarked military truck was waiting. He caught a glimpse of Sara and Seth through the rear doors, before being thrown onto the front seat, between two burly soldiers. He was frisked and his pockets emptied. To Mike's dismay, they found his Glock 17.

"Well well well, carrying a pistol on government property! You've got a death wish."

The truck drove down the bumpy track until they reached the main gate. The driver briefly conversed with a guard and they were waved through.

Mike was hauled out of the cab and pulled into a large entrance cut in the side of the mountain, closely followed by two pairs of guards carrying the still unconscious teenagers. They were taken to a windowless holding cell and bundled inside.

The door slammed shut, leaving them alone. One by one, Mike lifted the siblings onto a small pallet in the centre of the room and made them as comfortable as possible. He noticed small darts in their necks, which he removed as carefully as possible. They moaned in their sleep as he did so.

Better get that out the way.

After a while, the teens started to wake up. Mike got up from the floor where he had been sitting and went over to them. It was Sara who woke first, sitting up sharply.

"Hey. How're you feeling?" Asked Mike.

"Where am I?" She questioned, confused.

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but you're locked in a holding cell with me and your brother, inside Witch Mountain."

"Where are the others?"

"Gone." Replied Mike simply. He saw Sara's shoulders droop, and tried to cheer her up. "But I'm sure they'll come back for us."

Mike was nowhere near as confident as he sounded. He had seen how heavily guarded this place was. The only things that could get in and out were mice, insects and birds.

Birds. That's an idea.

"What's an idea?" Inquired Sara. Mike had forgotten she had the ability to read his mind.

"Well…" He started, but was interrupted by Seth waking up, coughing.

"Welcome back to the land of the living."

"Uuugh…" He spoke woozily. "What happened?"

"We got caught. Some guy in a suit turned up with a squad of machine-gun-toting apes and shot you guys down."

"Burke." Spat Seth, rubbing his neck.

There was a rattle outside the door, making them jump simultaneously. In trooped a squad of eight armed guards, closing the door behind them.

"All of you, up against the wall now! Hands where I can see 'em!" Shouted one. The trio obliged.

Uh-oh. I know what happens next.

Two soldiers stepped forward and grasped Sara by the shoulders.

"SARA!" Seth yelled, making a lunge for his sister's captors. He grabbed the nearest one and, demonstrating impressive strength, threw him to the ground.

"Seth, no!" Shouted Sara, but it was too late. One of the other guards hurled himself at Seth, catching the boy in the midriff. The impact knocked him to the floor and Mike could hear the air escaping from Seth's battered lungs. The other soldiers started kicking him, laughing and mocking, while Mike and Sara watched helplessly, having been pinned to the wall by two other guards.

Eventually the guards tired of their sick sport and the leader crouched down beside the spread-eagled boy, placing a knee on his head. Seth gritted his teeth against the pain, determined not to give the soldiers the satisfaction of him crying out.

"Tough little nut to crack ain't ya." Snarled the guard, ruffling Seth's hair. After giving the teenager a parting kick in the ribs, the soldier led his men out.

The moment the door slammed shut, Sara rushed to her brother, closely followed by Mike. She was crying, and Mike realised she could feel the pain inside her brother's mind. He didn't feel too well either.

Seth was drifting in and out of consciousness and his body was just one dull throbbing pain. Mike placed a hand on the back of the boy's head.

"It's ok bud, it's ok. You're gonna be fine." He said soothingly, and motioned to Sara that they needed to turn him over.

"On 3… 2… 1… Roll."

Mike inspected the extent of Seth's injuries. He was badly bruised, bleeding in several places and had a nasty lump on his forehead. However, the most worrying thing was his left arm, which was badly out of position.

"Ok, looks like you've got a dislocated shoulder. We're gonna need to pop that back in for you matey."

Seth had drifted off again and Sara attempted to wake him. Mike lifted his hand. "Don't. Trust me, this'll wake him up. Shall I do the honours?"

Sara nodded, and Mike indicated where to brace.

"Let's go." Murmured Mike, and took a firm hold of the offending arm, moving it as gently as he could until he heard a click. Seth screamed, the sound echoing around the chamber.

"Yeah, not nice. It's all over now, we've got you." Mike reassured him.

Sara and Mike each placed a supporting arm around Seth, helping him to stand. They walked him over to the pallet and let him sit. Sara hugged her brother.

"Thank you." She said to Mike, who smiled and turned away.

This has gone far enough.

There was another rattle at the door and Sara clutched at her brother in fright. Mike took up a position between them and the door, his fists clenched and his jaw set.

Maybe I can take a few with me.

But the guard who opened the door wasn't one of the gang who had set upon Seth.

"You're off to the interrogation room." He said, sneering and pointing at Mike. "Better get your story straight."

For a split second Mike considered taking the soldier on, but this thought was instantly quashed by three other guards brandishing automatic weapons in his direction. Mike obediently walked through the door and allowed himself to be marched away.

I'll be back. He thought hard, hoping Sara could sense him through the rock.

"Get him in the truck."

Mike was pushed into the back of another covered truck, accompanied by a single guard, who sat opposite him. The truck drove off – back up the side of the mountain, Mike noticed.

As they were driving along a hair-raisingly narrow ledge, Mike spoke quietly.

"I… I feel sick."

The guard knew what this meant. He'd have to spend his time off-duty cleaning out the back of this truck. He quickly hauled Mike to his feet and unceremoniously stuck Mike's head out the back of the still-moving vehicle. Mike allowed himself a thin smile.

Like a charm.

Striking suddenly, he kicked the guard between the legs with all his might. The guard doubled over, loosening his grip on Mike's shoulders for a split second. This was all Mike needed, and he somersaulted out of the truck, rolling over and over and over the edge of the cliff.