Disclaimer: Inception does not belong to me. Apologies for the hiatus, but thank you to those of you who have this as a favourite story and alert!
"Robert!" Dom got out of the car, and hurried over to the group of boys. Eames turned his head, and raised an eyebrow. Nash blinked, but Robert, he noticed, looked almost relieved to see him.
"So glad I caught up with you!" Dom kept his voice steady as he took in the younger boy. "Listen, you have to come with me."
Eames took a step forward, effectively blocking contact between them. "Why?" he asked, his tone laced with aggression. Dom swallowed, and smiled, placatingly.
"Well, I have some bad news," he said, thinking quickly, hoping his voice sounded convincing. "Bad news, which I don't really want to share with too many people." He looked at Robert, and nodded, hoping to keep his attention. "It concerns your father."
Robert blinked, and looked taken aback. "My father?" A flicker of concern appeared on his face. "What about him?"
"Well, he's very anxious to see you," Dom said, aware he was beginning to speak too quickly, "and-"
Eames glared at him, then turned to Robert. "Ignore him!" He threw Dom a slightly contemptuous look. "He's lying!"
Robert looked at Dom. "Well, are you?" There was a questioning tone in his voice, mirrored by doubt. He swallowed. "Are you-"
Suddenly, a gun shot ripped through the air. All of the group blinked, and turned. Arthur had got out, holding one of the shotguns. He looked at Eames, and pointed the gun.
"Don't move," he snapped, and nodded to Dom. "Now!" The older boy found a sackcloth bag in his hand, which he immediately threw over Robert's head. Grabbing his shoulders, he pushed him into the backseat, next to the startled looking Ariadne.
"What are you-" she exclaimed, but was silenced after a sharp look from Arthur. As the doors on the car banged shut, Dom nodded at the younger boy. "Drive."
Arthur put his foot down, and the car swung into reverse. Fischer tried to grab the bag, but Dom turned. "Ari! Pull it down!"
Ariadne swallowed. Trying to appear calmer than she felt, she took hold of the edges of the bag, and pulled on it gently. "It'll be ok," she whispered to the restless figure, who seemed to settle after her words to him.
"So what do we do now?" There was a harsh edge to Arthur's voice, and he was staring ahead at the road.
"What we do is we find a quiet place," Dom said, trying to remain calm. He turned his head. "They're not coming after us."
Arthur swallowed. "So where do you think is safe?"
Dom blinked. "We go to my house."
"Your parents?" Arthur looked appalled.
"No," Dom shook his head. "To Miles'."
"We can't create the dream from memories," Arthur snapped. "You know that."
Ariadne bit her lip, anxiously. The conversation was becoming more heated, and Robert was becoming more restless. She put her hand on his arm. "It'll be ok," she said, trying to sound soothing.
He shifted, and she began to feel more anxious. "Dom!"
"In a minute!" He snapped, his anger with Arthur beginning to grow. "Look, there's a house up there. Just pull into it, we can deal with this!"
Arthur turned the wheel, and the car almost spun into the driveway. Dom got out first, and practically wrenched open the back door. As Arthur joined him, he grabbed Robert, and pulled him out. "Get him inside!" He said, leaving the door open for Ariadne to follow.
She took his arm. "Come on," she said gently, and began to lead him round the back of the house. Swallowing, she tried the door, and found it open.
You're in a dream. You're building. Exploring. Taking Robert's arm, she led him into the back door, noticing how they had entered a spacious, beautifully decorated kitchen. Carefully, she removed the bag.
"Here," she said, and looked at him anxiously. His expression, which had been fearful, was slowly becoming hostile. "What do you want?" his voice was cold, and tight.
Ariadne swallowed. "We-"
"We just want to help you." Dom appeared, followed by Arthur. "We believe that you're under the influence of some very powerful, corrupt people Robert, and we want to help you."
"Help me? How?"
"These people want you to stop believing in your father," Dom practically whispered. "They want to use you, to take control of his empire. They want to use you to find out information, and they will do this, by making you believe, that you are not his son."
Robert's eyes widened, and his anger melted. "How-" he paused. "How can I-"
Dom swallowed, and looked at Arthur. "Come with us," he said gently. Nodding, Robert allowed himself to be led into the lounge by the two boys. Ariadne paused, not sure whether she should follow or not. Shrugging, she decided to stay.
"I'm in a dream?" Robert blinked, looking astonished. "But I was in a clinic, and then-"
"The clinic was part of the plan," Dom said, his voice growing in confidence. "They thought they could lock us all away, and-"
Suddenly, a scream ripped through the air. Shocked, Dom and Arthur rushed into the kitchen. Eames was behind Ariadne, holding her arms behind her back. Nash was holding a knife to her throat.
Arthur felt himself grow hot with anger. "Put that down. Let her go." His tone was authorative. Eames smirked.
"We will," he said, smoothly. "But first, you give Robert to us."
Reviews are always welcome and appreciated, thank you!
