The gun was still pointing at Tenenbaum. She wasn't dead – not yet. The air around them was so tense, Jack had the feeling he could grab it. Despite Fontaine's outburst against Tenenbaum, he somehow managed to suppress his anger. He knew it was useless to lower himself to Fontaine's level. He was better than that. Jack knew that he still had a saying in this. He was stronger – stronger than this man. He was an active player in this game, and he would play it.
"You won't shoot her." He said calmly. Fontaine put on a wicked smile.
"Oh, and why do you think that?" He replied in a challenging tone. Jack reciprocated his smile, then he looked serious again.
"Because if you do," he made a dramatic pause, "you're next!" Jack did expect a lot of reactions but not this. Fontaine laughed. Loud and clear. It sounded scary. He arched his back and rode on his wave of amusement before he eventually focused on him again.
"Oh, this is delicious. Did you finally grow a spine, kid?"
"Drop the gun, Frank. Now!" Jack said determinedly. Fontaine was obviously not impressed by him.
"I won't, kid. Do you really think I'm that stupid?" He made a pause and looked at Jack with a questioning look. Then he continued. "Seriously, I knew that this bitch got into your head, but this is just ridiculous. You really want to risk everything for this woman? I'm deeply disappointed, Jack."
Now, it was Jack's turn to laugh. "Disappointed? Do you really think I'll believe another word you say? As Atlas you might be able to trick me, but not as yourself."
Jack took a deep breath. His mind was clear as ice. Tenenbaum's outbursts had definitely helped him to see through the façade of Atlas again. Fontaine had dug his own grave by treating her like he did. The other's voice interrupted his train of thought.
"You're pathetic, kid. Without her we wouldn't have this conversation and you would be back at my side. I'm curious. Why do you hate me so much, Jack? C'mon let me know, you little brat!" He spat the last words at him.
"You're a bad person and I know what you're capable of. I saw you torturing a woman." Jack simply stated. Fontaine laughed once again.
"That's it? Are you fucking kidding me? We're in Rapture! Everyone here's a bad person!" Laughter. Jack waited patiently before Fontaine went on with his little speech.
"Jack." He stated. "Be honest. Did you enjoy my company these last few weeks? I think we can agree that the time of lying is finally over."
Jack smiled. It was absurd but Fontaine suggesting being honest was something he had wished for a long time. Maybe things would have gone differently than they were going now if they had done this at an earlier stage. However, Jack already knew that now there was no turning back. For a few minutes he had been weak again, but that time was over. Fontaine had sealed his fate when he had given Jack his last and ultimate choice.
"I know what you're trying to do or better what you want to prove." Jack began slowly. He knew that despite his words the situation was far from his control, but at least he himself as a person was finally putting the last pieces together to become the man he wanted to be.
"I won't lie to you. These last few weeks…with you… I enjoyed it. I thought that it was the best someone like me could ever hope for. I could be content even happy with what we had, but…" Jack took a deep breath, surprised that Fontaine hadn't interrupted him yet.
"But that's not important. It doesn't matter how I feel. This is about who I want to be. And I don't want to be with a man who is as twisted as you are. You can't take this choice away from me. Not this time." He took a step forward. "Let her go and we can go our separate ways without anyone getting hurt. You can stop playing your little game. Atlas can't help you anymore."
Finally, Fontaine reacted to him. Surprisingly enough, he had been listening to Jack's little speech quietly and patiently.
"Wow. So, this is it? Cannot believe you threw yourself at me only minutes ago." He chuckled. "Brave words, kid. And you know what. You're right. The game is over. I don't care. I gave you everything you asked for. I gave your life a purpose and how to you repay me?! You think you can just walk out here, and I let you go just like this!?" With every word he spoke his voice became louder and more aggressive. Jack's body tensed, trying to be ready for everything that was about to happen.
"You unthankful brat! I had you built! I sent you topside! I called you back, showed you what you were and what you were capable of. Even the life you thought you had? That was something I dreamed up and had tattooed inside your head! You want me to be the bad guy here. Fine! Then live with the consequences."
Jack almost hypnotized from every word Fontaine threw at him, didn't even had the chance to realize what happened as he heard the deafening sound of the gun being fired. Like in slow motion he saw the bullet drilling its way into the Tenenbaum's skull, taking away every bit of life left within this very moment.
His eyes switched between the lifeless body of his only friend and the man who had caused it all. Fontaine's expression was a mixture of amusement and craziness and Jack just wanted one thing: to beat the shit out of that smug bastard's face. Every bit of compassion he had felt for this man had left his body. He could feel the tingling sensation from his blocked plasmids. Jack knew he didn't need them to win this fight.
His reaction was instant and fast. With one jump he was with Fontaine and carried him off his feet. They crashed on the hard floor and Jack grabbed for the other's hand and smashed it brutally against the firm ground. Fontaine let go of the gun and in the heat of the moment the weapon slid away from them.
Jack straddled the man and captured him on the ground. "You're going to die for this!" He growled with a voice he didn't know he had in him. To Jack's surprise, Fontaine was still grinning. With a slightly hoarse voice he replied: "I want you to try, kid." And then with a strength stronger than a human being, Jack felt his body being lifted into the air. Before he knew what was happening, he found himself back in a standing position and a fist was quickly making an acquaintance with his face.
He stumbled a few steps backwards but luckily didn't lose his balance. Blood was dripping from his lips. He swiped it away and looked at his opponent. There was no doubt that Fontaine had finally spliced his body.
"What you're waiting for, kid. Come and get me!" Fontaine mocked him. Jack needed no second invitation. He lunged forward, dodged Fontaine's first strike and paid him back for the bloody lip. As Jack's fist met his face, he felt a wave of intoxicating adrenaline rushing through his veins. It felt so good to do that. All the hate which he had hidden deep inside of him was finally free.
Before the older man had any chance to regain his senses and react Jack grabbed him and shoved him brutally against the nearest wall. A loud grunt was heard when Fontaine's back crashed against the bookshelf which was the only object between him and the wall now.
Dozens of books rained down on them due the convulsion the two bodies had caused. The scene froze for a second and as Jack was going to take another swing at his enemy his fist was stopped midway. With enormous strength his whole arm was pushed back, and the insane laughter of Fontaine rang in his ears. Then he let go and two hands grabbed his shoulders and their positions were reversed.
Now it was Jack who was being pressed against the bookshelf and his first attempt to break free failed miserably. The strength which was used again him was far from human.
"Don't know what I was thinkin'. Never spliced up once the whole time I was down here in this aquarium. Figured it was bad to mix business with pleasure, but whooo! Forget all the nose-candy and floor polish I been wastin' time with! This stuff is the mother's milk!"
Jack didn't waste any energy by answering this sick bastard. His thoughts raced through his head. He had to admit that he was surprised by Fontaine's newfound strength. But he was not the first splicer he fought. He would not lose!
With all he had in him he smashed his head against Fontaine's. It hurt like hell, but it served its purpose. The other loosened his grip and Jack was able to break away. He ran to get some distance to the other. He needed to get some space to come up without another plan. But his try was in vain. Jack had no idea how this was even possible but only a few seconds, his back was still turned to Fontaine, he felt something hit the back of his head.
Green shards - probably from a bottle – were pouring down in front of his eyes. His reflexes spurred to action and he fell down on his knees and raised his hands to shield his head from another hit.
He is right behind you! Move Jack! Now!
His inner voice screamed but Jack was like petrified. The moment his body and brain regained their connection it was already too late. Fontaine was at him and kicked him in the back. Jack's face met the filthy floor. A long and nasty wooden splinter bored into his cheek. The pain numbed everything else and so he did nothing to prevent Fontaine from rolling him over on his back.
The moment he looked into the other's eyes he faced another blow. The pain was getting stronger and his vision was already blurred.
"Well I guess it's really over now, kid!"
Two strong hands clutched his throat tightly. The moment the air was cut off from him, he was about to give up. Why even bother now? What was the point of fighting back again? It was as if Fontaine was reading his mind as he said out loud what Jack was thinking.
"That's right. Don't fight it. Where you gonna go anyway? Your life? Your family? They're a fairy tale, kid. No more real than something you read about in the Saturday Evening Post. Poor bastard. A motherless freak whipped up in a half-baked science experiment. But I'll free you from the pain."
The evil laughter echoed through the room and for a second Jack thought that this was the last he would ever hear. But Fontaine was not finished yet. "Say hi to Tenenbaum in hell. And don't worry. You won't be lonely there. I'll send you her little freak children right after!"
That was it! Jack's sense came back to him. There was still something he could do! And now that Tenenbaum was dead he was the only one who could help those poor children. It had been his first free decision to rescue the little sisters. He had a mission and he couldn't fail it. Not now. He had made a promise to himself to be a better man. He couldn't give up. Not now!
With the last of strength left in him he grabbed Fontaine's arms with his hands and managed to loosen the grip on his throat. The sudden flow of air back into his brain changed the game once again. With his recovered purpose he had all he needed. He managed to get Fontaine off his body and make them switch positions. A new wave of energy flooded his whole body. In this moment he felt like the most powerful entity in the world. It was intoxicating!
Now, it was Jack who sat on top and he didn't waste any second. He let his fists rain down on the other man, so he didn't even have the chance to fight back. It was brutal. Blood was splashing all around him and colored his face and clothes red. Like a wild animal he screamed whenever his fists met Fontaine's face.
Only when Jack couldn't sense any more resistance from the other, he stopped and looked at what he had done. Fontaine's face was almost unrecognizable. He seemed to have struggles breathing. Blood was all over his now swollen face.
"How about a stupid comment now!" Jack spat at him.
Fontaine tried to chuckle but stopped as he only choked blood as he did so. Instead he spoke once again, but it was not mocking in any way.
"I remember when me and the Kraut put you in that sub." He coughed and Jack stared at him, mesmerized by his last words. "You were no more than two. You were my ace in the hole, but you were also the closest thing I ever had to family." He made another pause. Jack could clearly see that speaking was almost not possible anymore. "And that's why this hurts. Betrayal, kid. Life ain't strictly business. C'mon get it over with. I know when I've lost! Kill me, would you kindly."
And so, Jack obeyed Fontaine one last time.
Escaping Rapture came close to a miracle and until today it still seemed like a dream to him that he could have left this hellhole behind. He had saved more little sisters than he had hoped for, but still he had also left more behind than he wished he had. All things considered, Jack couldn't believe how well everything had turned out for him, despite the circumstances how he had gotten into this world.
He lived somewhere in the middle of nowhere on a big and beautiful farm. It was the quaintest place in the world. He knew that this was due to the fact that in his mind he still believed that this was somehow a place he had already called his home before – because it was a home he could remember even though this memory was a lie. But it didn't matter to him anymore. It made him feel comfortable and that was all that mattered. Being here filled him with endless joy and luck. Sometimes he thought that he didn't deserve it.
Having the little girls around was a blessing. They had developed so quickly and adapted to this new life so beautifully that whenever he was about to fall back into this deep pit of sorrow, they always managed to bring him back to the light. After he had lost Brigid Tenenbaum - a fact that would probably haunt him forever – the little girls had been the very reason why he had eventually managed to overcome his last moment of weakness and stop Fontaine for good, and they had proven that to him every day that saving them had been the right choice.
And still, not one day passed without him thinking about Fontaine – the man he had loved and despised. On good days he remembered their time together as Atlas and Jack and with enough time Jack had learned to look back at these days and be happy to have experienced some kind of affection no matter how fake it might have been. He had felt happy and desired in these moments and he would never forget that feeling.
However, his nightmares were the worst for him. More than once he saw Atlas torturing Elizabeth and he sometimes even imagined the same happening to him or to one of his little girls. And then he also saw himself beating the crap out of Fontaine – a man lying on the ground not fighting him in the slightest – feeling like a monster. Jack hated seeing himself like this. Seeing himself as the killer Fontaine wanted him to be.
Maybe one day he would be able to overcome all these fears inside of him. Maybe he would be able to accept this part of him and welcome it. At least, he knew that everything he had done in Rapture had made him into the man he was today – even his deal with Fontaine. Everything belonged to him – every decision. He had gained his own experiences. Good ones and bad ones and he had learned from his mistakes.
His life was not perfect. Jack knew that he still had a long road ahead of him until he would accept himself completely. However, every person he had met in Rapture, be it Brigid Tenenbaum or Frank Fontaine had shaped him into the man he was today. And it was a fact that he liked himself now much more than he used to do back in Rapture. Therefore, he was grateful for his past and as long as he wouldn't succumb to his nightmares it was Jack alone who could forge his own destiny.
The End