Hello everyone! I must say this chapter took me a lot of time. In fact I had to play the game often enough to get images of the places where I'm going to take the characters in mind to try to provide descriptions that are as close of the reality as possible. So today, we're going to quite an important place, some will perhaps have guessed, anyway I'll let you see that!

Thank you to Manganounette, Hachiiko and BloodyDemon666 for their review.

And thank you to let toshirosangel Hachiiko for and follow favorite.

Enjoy!

Stockholm syndrome

Chapter 26

-What? She asked, surprised.

Emilie frowned. Why did he ask her this question?

-Do you like cinema? He asked again more distinctly, certainly thinking she had not heard.

-Uh... yeah, I guess... She replied, still confused. But why do you ask? She said as he started to smile.

He did not answer immediately and walked away from her first. She stayed where she was, waiting for an answer. He walked to the closet and opened it. He pulled out a knife and holster belt. He handed the objects to Emilie. She looked at him a few seconds, doubtful. Then she finally took it.

-Put that on, we're going out. He said with a smile on his face.

Emilie complied. He still did not answer, he was keeping the suspense until the end, didn't he? Once her weapon was hung to her belt, she looked at her in the mirror. She felt weird with that around the waist. She put her hand on the weapon, she had never used a knife... at least not to hurt...

Still, he had to trust her to let a weapon like this in her hands. And why had he given it to her, by the way? Are they going to have to fight against someone? Emilie began to worry.

-You coming?

She was snapped out of her thoughts when Vaas called her out. She turned to him. He was already about to go out. Emilie wasted no time and followed him. They began to walk, following the camp's alleys. But questions still remained in her mind. She had to ask him:

-Where are we going? Why have I to carry a knife? Are we going to fight against someone?

Vaas slowed down. He was assaulted in question, and he hated that.

-Calm down. He said with a slight growl.

-But you never answer my questions! You're always there, playing the mysterious men! I hate when you do not answer my questions!

He sighed and raised his eyes to heaven and stopped before turning to state:

-And I hate when you make your bitch! Shut up and keep walking.

She was surprised.

-My what? My "bitch"? She almost cried putting her hands on her hips.

-Yeah, bitch, perfectly. He replied, crossing his arms. His lips curled in a sign of provocation.

She let out a nervous sigh. By what right did he insult her? She just asked him a question! He had made her really angry in a split second.

-Well guess what... She passed Vaas jostling him with the shoulder voluntarily. Fuck you. She finished before continuing the way they started. He followed a few steps behind her, she refused to look at him.

-And where are you going like that? He asked, laughing.

-To the place you do not want to tell me about. She replied immediately.

-And how do you plan on going there if you don't even know where it is? He continued his provocation.

Emilie stopped. He was right. This dick was right! She turned to him, she opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. What could she say? She looked like an idiot again, she hated that! She began to walk back to the shack. But Vaas held her, laughing.

-Hold on! Ok, that's fine, you've the right to ask one question. He said, stretching his index finger.

She paused and thought. Only one?

-Where are you taking me? She asked.

-We going to PC. He simply replied before continuing their way, dragging her by the arm.

Fuck! He was mocking her again! Argh, she wanted to strangle him, take his little asshole head and smash it on the ground! But she did nothing. She followed him like a little well-trained animal. Actually, she wanted to go there, "PC". Even if she was afraid of what she was going to find there, she wanted to check it out. She sighed, he had won this time.

-I hate you. She said coldly as they continued to walk.

Vaas did not answer, he smiled. If she knew how many times a girl had told him that... He loved it.

They continued to walk. As they approached the camp entrance, a hacker looked at them intently. He looked specifically at Emilie, with an accusing look. As soon as she noticed him, he looked away. Emilie looked down and took Vaas's arm of to squeeze it in her hand. He glanced briefly, then looked forward again, saying nothing.

The silence was almost total in the camp. The air was heavy and humid. The light was dark, thick clouds still covered the blue sky. A thunderstorm seemed to prepare. Emilie continued to follow Vaas. They went out of the camp to get on the beach where they had already come.

Emilie was surprised when she realized they would go afoot. After a moment, Emilie let go off Vaas's arm. She was a little more relaxed. They were alone walking along the beach, the silence was total, except for a few animal noises. Emilie looked at the landscape around them. The jungle on one side, the sea on the other.

Suddenly, a heavy growl sounded. The jungle birds flew all at once in a hubbub of squawking. Deer and doe rushed out of the thick forest. Emilie jumped and stuck to Vaas grasping him tight again. Other grunts followed, accompanied by another animal's desperate cries. And suddenly, nothing. Everything got calm and quiet again, but the atmosphere was terrifying.

Vaas took Emilie's hand off of him, it was becoming too insistent. She turned her head towards him, sighing a little "sorry".

-The jungle is not very welcoming, is it? He said, laughing.

She let out a small approving laugh. It's the least we could say.

-We'll be there soon. He added.

Already? They've walked for only a few minutes... They kept walking. At one point, they passed under a big arch-shaped rock. Emilie looked up, impressed. A few more steps and they found themselves in front of a small body of water surrounded by rocks.

Vaas stopped. Emilie did the same. She observed what was before her. In the background, she could see a small entrance piercing a thick dark wall that seemed to close a cave. In the water, a few inches below the surface, she could distinguish large concrete blocks arranged randomly, as if they had collapsed.

Vaas stepped on one of these blocks, motioning for Emilie to follow him. She complied. The surface was extremely slippery, Emilie was careful with every step and held her arms out not to lose her balance. Vaas was more at ease, he almost jumped from block to block. And when they had almost reached the entrance, the inevitable happened, Emilie slipped and fell forward. Vaas caught her just in time.

-'careful! He said.

She stood up quickly. No harm done. She thanked the pirate with a nod. They kept walking until they arrived in front of the opening of what seemed like a cave. They stepped inside. Emilie shivered when she heard screams. They continued, they were walking slowly. Emilie explored every corner of the place with her frightened eyes.

Her heart was pounding. Every sound you could hear was reflected by the walls of the cave, creating loud noises. Candles were placed on the ground, the moving flames projected strange glow on the walls. The atmosphere was frightening, even terrifying.

Then, they came into a room. Again, the same anguish. There were rusted iron cages stacked on each other, surrounded by barbed wire. Inside were wild animals or hostages. The grunts and whimpering filled the space.

They passed a chair around which were installed a lamp and a camera. Behind the chair was a large white cloth, pierced in some places. Emilie looked back at the room they had just crossed. Vines covered the stone walls that were made shiny by water that oozed from it. The floor was wet as well, some stagnant puddles were forming in places where the ground was hollow.

Before moving into another room, Emilie brought her gaze to the hostages in the cages. Terrified, as usual. They passed a kind of wall made with white cloths to enter a larger room. Here, a large cloth was hung in front projector that lit it with bright light. There were several tables on which were put various objects that were not necessarily linked to each other. You can say it's a mess.

The voices of the pirates were increasingly strong and sharp as they moved forward. They passed through a narrow corridor lit by small candles. They then went through a door that led them to a crossroads. Emilie saw some pirates in a sort of small recess on the left. She looked down but they barely noticed her they were too busy playing poker or watching TV.

Emilie followed Vaas who went to the right. They entered a large room. Pirates were many here, all busy. Huge pallets carrying kilos of drugs were scattered everywhere. In the back of the room, Emilie saw a small installation that was surely used to manufacture the drug. She raised her eyes a little, there was a kind of half floor which was accessible by a staircase on the right. There, a pirate was talking to another, he looked pretty authoritarian, he was probably the leader here.

When Vaas and Emilie approached, he noticed them and saluted his subordinate before walking down stairs to meet them. Emilie was staring at him. He was a black man in his thirty years, he had approximately the same stature as Vaas, his hair was cut short. He had a playful step and a jovial look on his face.

When the two pirates were close enough, they greeted each other friendly by shaking hands and giving themselves a pat on the back.

-Vaas! It's been a while. He said moving away slightly. To what do I owe this honor? He said with a mocking tone, which made Emilie laugh, actually.

-The work, hermano... Vaas replied with a shrug.

The pirate then looked at Emilie. His smile widened and he looked back at Vaas before starting:

-Well, from what I can see you enjoy yourself!

Emilie frowned. Now he was becoming boring.

-Yeah, this is Emilie, she works with me. He answered by showing Emilie. Querida, this is Ray, the worst son of a bitch I know. He said, laughing.

The other laughed in turn before responding sarcastically:

-Thanks, that's too much honor to receive such a compliment from you.

Emilie smiled a little again. He turned to her to take her hand, bending slightly to give her a very respectful kiss on the hand. He added, looking into her eyes:

-Raynard Smith, at your beck and call, Madame.

His mocking tone managed to make her smile. He let go off her hand and stood up. Vaas slightly stepped forward as if to interpose between them. Emilie thought she discerned a hint of jealousy in his gesture, just a hint. Ray raised his hands in innocence.

-Chillax, Man, I'm not gonna steal her from you. He stated.

-'Think your balls would appreciate. Vaas said in a slight threatening tone.

He took Emilie's hand before talking back to Ray.

-Tell me, don't you have one or two newcomers, I'm bored.

-I think two just arrived, some filthy rich Americans as you like them. He replied, rubbing his hands. I'm bringing you one right away. He finished before getting upstairs to disappear behind the wall.

-Perfect. Vaas said to himself, a big smile on the lips.

Emilie's eyes remained stuck on his hand holding hers. He had never taken her hand like that, it was a kind and gentle gesture, unknown to Vaas, according to her. But there it was, his burning hand holding hers firmly with his powerful muscles.

She was taken out of her trance when Vaas walked, leading her towards where they came from. She followed him without saying anything. Vaas was smiling. Then they came back in the first room. They posted themselves in front of the chair and the camera Emilie had seen before.

Vaas began to move the chair to prop it up so that it was not wobbly and went behind the camera to turn it on and adjust it. Emilie watched him curiously.

-What are you going to do? She asked.

He smiled more beautiful before answering:

-'See, Querida, that's my favorite activity. He turned to her before continuing. We're gonna film our guests' ransom videos. You know, filming these motherfuckers is an art, it's actually quite complex. He said with a slight irony, Emilie laughed. Fortunately, you have before you the best in this domain. He finished by showing himself.

-Vaas, I brought your actress.

Ray appeared in the room, holding a girl in tears by the arm. Emilie gulped at the sight. Vaas took her in turn to make her sit on the chair and Ray tied her hands to the armrests.

-Gracias Hermano. Vaas said by standing behind the camera.

-See ya. Ray replied by leaving.

Emilie was still staring at the hostage who was trying to struggle, sobbing. She did not remember having been filmed when she was a hostage, but she remembered the fear, anxiety and anger you felt when you were in front of Vaas. When she was a hostage...? Was not she still a hostage? Given her condition, she must believe not. But if she was not a prisoner, what kept her from leaving?

Fear, perhaps... The fear of leaving, cross the ocean to go home. Or just go home. The fear of other people's look, her family's look when she would return alone.

Or... attachment. After all, she was quite used to live here with him. She was used to him, to his presence. She dared hardly imagine living without him now. She was so attached to him that actually... she loved being with him, she loved the way he spoke, she liked his nature, she loved his look, she loved his warmth. And even if she would never dare to say it, well maybe she lov-

-Please, do not hurt me... The young sobbing woman's complaints broke her thoughts.

She quickly came back to reality. Vaas had turned the camera on it already was filming the hostage. She kept repeating these words Emilie herself had once spoken.

-Please, Do not hurt me...

Vaas approached her, crouched in front of her to be at the height of her eyes and took her chin between his fingers to raise it gently.

-Shhhh... nothing bad will happen to you, chica. He tried to calm her, she cried more. Tell me your name. He continued softly.

She shook her head. She would not say anything. Vaas sighed and stood up. He forced her to look up at him and pulled her hair from her face.

-I need to know your name chica. He said in the same tone, keeping his patience.

-Why? She retorted.

-To tell your dad and your mom and dad where you are. You want to go home, right?

The look of the hostage seemed to light up with hope for a few seconds. She nodded.

-Well, then what is your pretty name, chica? He asked again, stroking her cheek.

-Rose. She replied though still reluctant. Rose Taylor. She completed trying to get away from his hand.

He walked away from her and went to the camera. He then took it off the tripod on which it was put to take it in his hand and bring it closer to the girl. He turned to Emilie to state:

-Watch and learn.

Before turning to the hostage once again. He cleared his throat and began:

-So, chica... Rose, right? You're going to repeat after me, okay? I want you to say: "Mom, Dad..."...

Emilie watched all his doings. He walked around his hostage slowly. He spoke softly, almost whispering. The hostage refused to do what he said.

-Why...? She said.

Vaas sighed again but he kept patience.

-Do what I tell you to do, Rose, and everything will be fine, okay?

-Tell me what you want! She screamed as a tear ran down her cheek.

This time, Vaas's patience flew away. He violently grabbed her neck and she began to cry even more.

-I'm the one who gives the orders here, pera! So you do what I tell you, and nothing else! Comprendes?!

She nodded weakly. More tears followed. Vaas Got his calm back again and let go. The hostage then looked at Emilie. A look full of fear, hatred, but also incomprehension. Emilie looked away. Vaas continued.

-Look at me, Rose. He said sharply.

She complied.

-Your parents will see this video, OK? So tell them everything I tell you to say. Got it?

She nodded again. He smiled.

-Fine. He took a deep breath and continued. And... action.

The hostage gulped and began to speak, sobbing.

-Mom... Dad...

-That's good. Vaas whispered. More tears. Say: "I was taken hostage, they ask for 500,000 dollars. ยป

The hostage's eyes widened hearing that. She was ready to protest, but Vaas called her to order with a threatening look. She swallowed again before continuing.

-I- I was taken hostage...

Vaas nodded encouragingly.

-They ask for 500,000 dollars.

-"Before three weeks."

-Before three weeks.

-Otherwise... Vaas ran his thumb under his throat as if to imitate a slaughter.

The hostage sobbed louder.

-Please, get me out of here... I wanna go home... I love you...

Vaas's smile widened, it was perfect. He turned off the camera and laid it on the tripod. He called Ray, who immediately came and untied hostage to take her to another place. Emilie was motionless, staring at the hostage. Vaas turned to her by spreading his arms victoriously.

-So? He said.

She came out of her trance and looked at him. He had a big smile. He seemed in a good mood. She smiled at him in turn.

-Impressive. She replied simply.

He then approached her to put his arm around her shoulders. Emilie put her arm around his waist and let her head rest on his shoulder. Her gestures surprised Vaas. But they made him smile.

-Well, 'don't know about you, but I'm fucking starving! He stated starting to walk, leading Emilie in the next room.

-Same. She said, smiling.

I grant you, it stops abruptly but I just could not put everything I had planned in this chapter, otherwise it would have been much too long. Otherwise, you have been a few to say "yes" to the lemon, so I think it will be for the next chapter. In the meantime, thank you for reading and bye!

Badi-otaku.