Chapter 6

Gordon wasn't sure what was real and what wasn't but this was the clearest his head had felt for a while. The room was dark, but it was comfortable. He was warm and he felt safe. Though he couldn't see the presence he knew was there, he knew they weren't threatening. In fact, several times he swore he could smell those awful burned cookies. That aroma, though unpleasant, it was the same smell of his grandmother every time she came out of the kitchen. That smell was home. The embrace that came with it was a comfort. He was just starting to feel a little better when the bedside lamp came back into focus. The beeping sounds became clearer as he noticed the tube attached to his hand. He was in a hospital. That was a good sign. Gordon was so relieved... Maybe his brothers hadn't died? Maybe he wasn't in Hell! The small window of hope was increased when the aquanaut looked over to the side and saw his brother asleep in the armchair beside him in patient scrubs.

"Virgil?" He whispered with a genuinely relieved smile.

He went to reach out for his hand when Virgil's eyes opened and... They were bright yellow! Burning like fire. "No!" he gasped, suddenly recoiling. Virgil sat up. Then he stood. Then he jumped onto his bed, landing on top of him, pinning him to it! Only halfway through the movement, Virgil morphed into the Hood! A much bigger and even more terrifying version of the Hood. Gordon went to cry out, pushing him off when he felt the large hands lock around his throat. He tried to prise the fingers, but they instantly crushed his windpipe.

"One Tracy down. Only five left to go!" The Hood laughed cruelly. Gordon's eyes widened when he felt the air completely cut off and his limbs became heavy and limp. Cold touches of darkness crept up his back. "And then there was four." The Hood sneered, before releasing him. But as he let go, Gordon literally felt himself suddenly just fall away. It was as though the floor under his bed suddenly just vanished. Before he could even gasp, Gordon felt his body and bed drop for what felt like miles straight down. He could still see the Hood with his dark smirk watching him as he fell deeper into the darkness. His hands becoming cut and bloody, mixing with the mud that was quickly brushing past him as he fell. His fingers turning black as he clawed at the earth in an attempt to slow his descent.

The wind rushing up his back and his screams echoing before his bed came to a crashing halt at the bottom of the narrow pit. Gordon screams grew louder when he saw the Hood still standing at the top of his grave, only now he held a shovel in his hands. Gordon was drowning in the mud and dirt that was poured on him, filling in his grave and still he could hear the Hood laughing as he buried him alive.

"Gordy! It's alright. It's not real." Virgil yelled, trying to pin him to the bed. Watching Gordon's tears and desperate screams, it was heart-shattering. He couldn't take it. "Please Gordy wake up. Why can't you hear me?!" The medic pleaded as several nurses came charging into the room to take over restraining him. Virgil moved out of the way, placing his hands to the back of his head when he actually wanted to just cover his ears. All he could do was watch his little brother thrashing in terror before the sedative started to slowly kick in. He didn't even know if the sedative was sparing Gordon from these nightmares, or just locking him in with them. He couldn't do this! He couldn't just stand here and watch his brother suffer. Something had to be done!

….

"He said my name, Scott. I heard him. He was reaching out for me, but by the time I sat up, I had lost him again." Virgil explained sitting on his own hospital bed with his eldest brother. He and Scott were going to be discharged today. But neither of them were going to leave without Gordon, which meant they had to start looking for a hotel close by. But they didn't even know how long this was going to last for? Scott listened intently reflecting on his brother's pain as he talked about his night with Gordon. He had been asleep since their Grandmother had arrived. Both John and Alan had come and gone twice. "It's been 4 days Scott and he's not getting any better. What if he just gets worse? I don't think even Gordon's heart could stand this forever. What are we suppose to do, keep him sedated for the rest of his life -?"

"I don't know Virgil!" Scott finally snapped. "I don't know! Brains is on this. He'll come up with something."

"And if he doesn't?"

Scott brushed a hand down his face. He wasn't used to being at such a loss of what to do. But something else was bothering him. It felt like he was missing something... Something obvious but became distracted when their doctor appeared carrying their discharge papers. She also wanted to talk about Gordon's long term arrangement. Gordon couldn't remain in the ICU. The fact was they weren't equipped to deal with Gordon's condition long term while they tried to figure out how to treat him or even if they could. The only realistic option was to have him moved to the psychiatric hospital. The ICU was critical but ultimately a quiet place for patients. In psychiatric they were used to the screams.

Virgil and Scott however wouldn't hear of it. They weren't about to have their little brother shipped off alone, locked in a padded room with just his nightmares for company. But what option did that leave them?

"Will take him home with us. We can take care of him ourselves." Scott informed her. This was going to make things more difficult and stressful for everyone, but they had an infirmary and Brains could look closer at the condition as it developed... Which meant International Rescue was going to have to be placed on the back-bench for a while.

…..

"Why can't I see him?" Alan asked resembling a kicked puppy as he sat with his feet in the pool. The scene before him looked so empty, missing its usual semi-permanent occupant.

"You can see him kiddo, just not when he's awake. Not until we can figure out how to help him." Ruth patted his shoulder sympathetically. Alan had been volunteering every shift to sit with his water-loving brother after the sedatives wore off. But every time he had been denied and ordered out of the room. Alan's best friend was just a floor below him and yet he felt he had lost him. He had barely seen Gordon since the incident at the ocean facility and now his own brothers were keeping them apart. It didn't make sense to the teen. Both Scott and Virgil and even their grandmother appeared exhausted watching over him. Why could he not help? Ruth sympathised but how could she explain to the youngest that they were trying to spare him from seeing his brother in such pain? "Gordon..." She started. "He wouldn't want you to see him like this."

"This is so unfair... This shouldn't have happened to him." The young blond looked so sad it broke Ruth's heart. Gordon had been sedated almost all the time he had been at home, and that was almost a week ago... Though he wasn't tied down, the soundproof infirmary had to be locked. But someone was with him around the clock. What bothered Alan the most was that they wouldn't talk about the aquanaut's condition in front of him, just that he was experiencing hallucinations. But he knew it was bad. At night he had heard someone, he was sure it was Virgil crying when he thought no one was around. He had seen their Grandmother openly sobbing in the sitting room the day they had been discharged, but had quickly brushed it off when she had seen him. Scott would never dare cry in earshot of anyone. So much pressure on him to walk in Dad's shoes. To him crying was a sign of weakness. John was the same but even he hadn't hung around. He had taken some time watching over Gordon while Scott and Virgil rested. But after a few days, he was practically running for his space-bound elevator. No one could hear you cry up in space. Alan had seen the pain in his eyes before he had left So he knew this was really bad.

"Don't worry sweetheart. Your brother is tough, and your older brothers won't rest until they have found a way to get him back."Alan felt her hand brush through his hair before she left him beside the pool. Get him back? But he was right here. Why was none of this making any sense?

A little while later Alan heard raised voices coming from inside. They didn't sound happy. The teen made his way back up to the house but was careful to stay just outside the door so they wouldn't see him. It was Brains talking to Scott, and Virgil and Grandma were there too. Brains appeared to be pointing to some 3D hologram image of the human brain. This had to be about Gordon.

"What do you mean there's no treatment!?" Scott yelled outraged.

"I'm not s-saying there i-isn't one... I j-just I can't find one a-as of yet. I h-have studied every substance against the H3o6 that w-wouldn't be deadly to h-humans too. W-wouldn't be much g-good to G-Gordon if the t-treatment was worse than the compound. There is s-still so m-much about it we don't un-understand. "

"And we appreciate everything you have done so far Brains." Ruth butted in before Scott's temper got the better of him. "I bet there is still a lot of things you haven't tried yet that could still be a possible antidote right?"

"Of c-course." The uncomfortable look that followed wasn't a reassuring one. "It's more j-just time... and a long t-time isn't something we w-want Gordon e-exposed to... We don't know what the l-long term effects on his mind will be."

"Are you saying Gordon may never fully recover from this?" Scott asked straight out but he didn't want to hear the answer.

"No!" Virgil butted in before Brain's could reply. "There's still a chance that this stuff could burn it's self out eventually. Gordon's had a fever, his antibodies are trying to fight it." He said, trying to sound positive, but his tone didn't have much optimism.

Brains looked down not able to meet any of their eyes. He didn't want to say it. "Possible...b-but his blood test indicates t-that his blood cells are still s-saturated. There isn't l-looking to be any s-sign of improvement before l-long term damaged is d-done. Eventually the m-mind just starts t-to... deteriorate." Everyone in the room flinched at the word.

"He's been like this for 12 days already. How much longer could someone cope mentally in this state?" Ruth asked feeling her heart clench.

"It's hard t-to say..." Brains just wanted to stop but Scott and Virgil burning eyes were not going to let him. "Its individual for everyone, but the l-longer, it can just be a matter of weeks before the mind starts to accept there reality... Physical health would e-eventually suffer after m-mental health has s-started to break down..." Brains couldn't continue.

Alan continue to listen to Brain explain even if this toxin wasn't permanent, the long term damage of it could be. Gordon would be looking at heavy medication for the rest of his life and that would be the best-case scenario. He wouldn't be able to be part of International Rescue any more." Alan put a hand over his mouth to stop the sob from escaping. He heard a sob that sounded like his grandma before she left the room. Everything else had gone deathly silent.

…...

John was sitting on the space station trying to keep himself busy. That was proving to be difficult since they were taking fewer calls. Only catastrophic disasters made the grade right now. Where was an earthquake when you really needed one? Which just left him unwanted time to relive the horror he had witnessed his little brother was living through. The terrified screaming like he was on fire was more than the astronaut could bear. What the hell could his little brother be experiencing that could cause him to look at him like that!?

The quiet time was also not helping John to soothe his guilt for being back up in space so soon instead of helping with the one to one care. Seeing Gordon like that made him feel so useless. Now he felt like a coward. The intelligent redhead brushed a hand down his face trying to analyse his own self-loathing. Truthfully, after seeing the most irritatingly cheerful brother reduced to this, he just needed a moment... or a week to compose himself. He had to get a grip, go back home. Though he wasn't used to being in the field, per say, He would willingly volunteer to be in any direct firing line if it meant saving his little brother from any further torment.

The redhead had been so distracted, he hadn't noticed he had been getting a call. He frowned curiously. He couldn't get a trace on the location. Strange. Hiding your location from a rescue crew when you needed help wasn't the smartest way to handle things.

"This is International Rescue. What is your emergency?"

"Hello, John."

The astronaut froze, which was hard to do in 0 gravity. It was a further 10 long seconds before the young redhead found his voice again. "What the HELL do you want?" He spat away any professionalism and replaced it with dripping hatred.

"Oh dear... Do you greet all the callers like that?" The cold voice replied not losing its smugness. "Anyone would think you weren't happy to hear from me?"

"Gee, what gave me away?" John replied, hoping the caller wouldn't notices his hands multi-tasking. He was trying to override his cloak.

"Well, you will be very happy that I called." He smiled darkly. "And I even did it the polite way. Now are you going to put me through to your base or am I going to have to hack you?"

"Why should I?" John said this time not hiding his anger. What was he after?

"Because I am not the one who needs rescuing right now... Oh and don't bother trying to locate me. Not if you want to save your little brother?"

…..

The family was still in discussion with Brains for Gordon's treatment when John's hologram came. With the face he had, Scott was expecting him to report a disaster that was the equivalent of a nuclear holocaust. "What's the situation, John?"

"Not a good one Scott," John said gravely. They didn't miss the apologetic tone in his voice when his image vanished and was replaced with the Hood!

Everyone jumped to their feet. "What a standing ovation. I'm flattered." He smiled.

"What the hell do you want?" Scott clenched his fists with a tone that wasn't dissimilar to Johns'. Alan had become frozen, like the island would blow up if he moved. Virgil's teeth started grinding. Their grandmother stood reserved with a look that could freeze the devil himself. Even Brains had adopted a very dark un-Brains like look. The tension in the room had been like that of a bitter frost as a pose to a tropical paradise. But the Hood simply ignored the tension as he was on his own mission.

"How's the family?" He said like this was a normal friendly conversation. Scott didn't reply.

"There are only four of you here, so I am going to assume that young Gordon isn't doing so well?"

"No, thanks to you!" He snapped.

"This one wasn't all on me. If you remember correctly I was poison too."

"Yeah, and you seemed to be doing just fine," Virgil added with a large amount of bitterness.

"I wasn't. Though I wasn't exposed to the toxin for nearly as long, I have had a very unpleasant few days, of which I am still recovering."

"Well if you give us your location, we'll have the GDF send you our 'Get Well' card," Alan said sarcastically, but without a trace of humour. The villain looked at the teen that even gave him the chills.

"What a sassy young man." He smirked, before turning back to the eldest. "I did also want to say thank you for letting me go.

Scott sneered. "Don't bother thanking me. Believe me, that wasn't for you! Next time I will take great pleasure in handing you over to the GDF!" Scott couldn't believe he was rubbing that in his face. How low would this man go?

"Well, I thank you all the same. But that isn't the reason I called." He began again. "As I said, I was exposed to the dreadful toxin... I've seen things and suffered more in the first few days than I ever have in my life. I wouldn't wish that on anyone, not even young Gordon. But as you can see, I am on the mend now, because I had my contacts create an antidote within the first 72 hours."

Everyone looked at one another. "How is that p-possible?" Brains stepped forward with a suspicious expression.

"Have you not had much luck Brains?" The Hood couldn't hide a pinch of smugness. "I'm not surprised. But don't feel bad. Not casting any doubt on you, but I think you won't find an antidote against the H3o6 with any substances that are... 'legal' should we say. I feel fortunate to have so many resources."

"And what? You came to gloat about it?" Virgil snapped.

"No my dear boy, I came to offer it to you. Trust me when I say young Gordon will be in need of it right now."

"You expect us to believe that?" Scott almost laughed. "You want to offer us a supposed antidote that is chock full of God knows what off the black market and just give it to us out of the goodness of your heart? And you seriously expect us to trust you?!"

"If you don't trust what's in it, even if I am the living proof, I am sure Brains can test it first.

In regards to my motive, don't be ridiculous Scott, I am a businessman, not a saint."

Well, that was the damn truth at least! They all thought. "I would do this because I want something in return."

"Oh, here it comes. Let me guess. You want access to our technology?" Scott asked, mentally preparing himself for this merry-go-round ride they were forever stuck on with the Hood.

They were actually surprised when the Hood shook his head.

"That was my first thought, and it is very tempting but that will all be in good time. I am in need of something greater at this particular moment and I feel you are the people to get it for me."

His interest peeked "And what is that?" Scott asked, getting a bad feeling in his stomach.

"The Mechanic." He said it so simply like it was nothing and yet everyone had fallen into a shocked silence. "As I am sure you were informed, I had some control over him, but after my little brush with death, he seemed to have slipped away from me. If I have an idea for his location, it will be easier to take control of him again." He said, like this was the most normal thing in the world.

"You can't be serious?!" Virgil spat without breaking the Hood's stride.

"Deadly serious. I require the use of the Mechanic for most of my plans to work and frankly I am sure the man will be coming after me before long, so I would much rather get him back on my team before he has a chance to act on all the advantages he has over me. You have the resources to find him and he wouldn't suspect you leading him into my trap."

"You cruel manipulative bastard!" Virgil shouted, not able to hide his outrage even in front of his grandmother. He even had to remind himself that it was just the Hood's hologram present. Punching just an image wouldn't bring much satisfaction. He was blackmailing them to commit a crime, sacrificing a man's free will and leaving him to the likes of this sadistic psycho's mercy. To top it all off, if the Hood succeeded at taking back the Mechanic, that would ultimately help him destroy them at a later date. But then they remembered what it was the Hood was offering in return. Gordon's mind for the Mechanic. Scott hadn't said a word. Or blinked. As the eldest, this ultimately fell on him.

"I would just like to point out that the Mechanic isn't some innocent man here. He is a dangerous criminal whose ideas are even more radical than mine and I am not a fan of competition. At least I kept him under control. Would you really sacrifice your brother sanity for him, Scott?" The Hood addressed only him. "Have you been listening to your brother screaming?" His smirk was gone and replaced with a much more uncharacteristic haunted look. "You couldn't begin to imagine the terror he is living. This compound somehow gets in your head and makes you see and even feel your worse fears. You and any of your family are blocked out. He's all alone. The darkness I saw was a lifetime of Hell until it got to the point I was wishing for death. You should be more worried when the screaming stops. It means he's stopped fighting. At some point, the mind just becomes too traumatised. How long will it be before he can't recover? Even now, I don't think he will ever be the same. Are you really going to condemn him for someone who helped kill your father?"

Scott felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked around to see the eyes of his grandmother looking terribly worried at the way the wheels were turning in his head. But the Hood was right. Gordon may never recover. What the hell was he supposed to do?!

"How about I give you a day to think about it?" The Hood nodded. Scott looked at him with absolute loathing. "But I wouldn't wait too long." He said before the image was shut off and the room was left in a shocked and still silence.

"Is that true? Is that what's happening to Gordon right now?" Alan asked, looking like he was about to burst into tears.

"What are you thinking Scott?" It was Virgil who spoke, but he sounded far away. Scott's throat had gone dry and his palms were sweating. Before he could think any more on this, he had to be somewhere else.

"John contact Penny, tell her the situation and that I will talk to her soon." Scott ordered before leaving the room without looking back. They all called after him but he ignored them. If he had to make this choice, he needed to remind himself why he would be doing it. Before he knew it, he was entering the infirmary.

"Scott?" Kayo quickly came to greet him from her place besides Gordon. He was sat in an armchair today, facing the window, looking out over the ocean. "He's been quiet. He seems at peace today." She smiled hopefully which wasn't returned. "What's wrong?" She asked picking up on the atmosphere that had enter the room along with the commander.

"The Hood contacted us," Scott said simply. He didn't miss how pale Kayo suddenly was.

"What...what did he say?"

"Virgil will fill you in. But I need a minute with Gordon please." He said making his way over towards him. When he heard the infirmary door close, he kneeled down so he was level with him. Gordon's eyes were glazed over, but still red and sore like he hadn't slept in a year. He just looked ahead out at the beautiful scene that Scott was sure he couldn't even see. Gordon hadn't acknowledged or even flinched at him.

"Gordy?" He took his hand. "It's me. I need you to keep fighting ok." He pleaded. "Just hang in there a bit longer kiddo." He said not even sure the aquanaut could hear him. The Hood words still ringing in his ears, he waited, hoping for any sign that any part of his little brother was still in there. Just a squeeze of the hand would be something, but nothing came. The look of terror still present was now dominated with something worse. Acceptance. As though his spirit had been crushed.

Gordon was alive, sitting here, breathing, but he, Gordon, the prankster, the sunshine, the joker, the quick wit was completely void, leaving behind just this shell. At this Scott couldn't stop his eyes from stinging. He pushed a lock of the blond hair behind his ear. "Don't worry Gordy I'm going to fix this." He whispered. Gordon's expression was so heartbreaking, Scott couldn't hold it in any more. He placed his head down on Gordon's lap and sobbed.

Yes I know... I'm evil.

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