Hey there, I'm still here! :) And I hope you're too, sound and safe! I won't try to excuse my incredibly long break, just let me say: My life wasn't easy lately, but I suppose that's the case for many people right now . And besides, I have to admit I had trouble writing the current chapter. I have a clear picture in my head what comes NEXT, but this part wasn't easy at all. I tried my best! I know, it's not really realistic in some points. Actually I doubt Peter wouldn't allow what he did in my story. But well... he did in my story ;). I'm really looking forward to writing the next part, so I doubt that one will take as much time as the current one. Stay safe and healthy and thank you SO SO much for all your reviews and feedback! It's such a bright spot in dark times!
Neal felt his heart pounding hard in his chest. He tried to look as confident as possible while walking in Keller's direction who, as directed, waited in front of a little forest, flanked by two bodyguards Neal didn't know.
The older man's eyes watched him coldly, his face expressionless. Neal came closer and with a hint of his head Keller commanded the guard to his right to search him. Neal raised his hands and stood still, while the giant man took out an electric device and lead it close to the boy's body. After that he went on scanning his whole body rudely with his giant hands. It took a lot of willpower for Neal to stand perfectly still and return Keller's look during the whole procedure. They both remained quiet.
The guard nodded in Keller's direction, who clicked his tongue disparagingly.
"Well, well, Caffrey. Let me admit, I'm not pleased. Not at all. You created a fuckin mess, you know that? I had to deal with a bunch of FBI agents after your magical disappearance, and, as you can imagine, I'm not a big fan of these suits, especially not in this particular time. And now you finally got to terms and contacted me – a wise action by the way, I would have found you and your freaky little friend anyway and you wouldn't have liked the outcome – and now you think you can boss me around?", his gaze reflected pure hatred.
Neal tried to appear as unimpressed as possible. After all Mozzie still was sound and safe and he would make sure that it stayed that way. He kept his chin a little higher.
"You've had no choice, Keller. You know that. Whatever it is you want so much, I know where it is and you don't. So, you need me. You would never be able to find it on your own. Never, I promise."
While talking, Neal unobtrusively pushed a button on his brand-new watch. A much-appreciated gift from Peter. Keller obviously didn't notice and grinned condescendingly.
"What a tough little fellow you are.", he spit out mockingly. "What you have to understand is, kid, in the end I'll still be on the longer lever. No matter what you do, you won't ever be able to protect you and that little friend of yours. So you better be cooperative. There are worse things than dying, lad. You're too young to know. But I'm more than willing to teach you!".
Neal clenched his teeth.
"Isn't there a spark of humanity in you at all? I promise you, I know what so called human beings are capable of. But I'm not afraid of you, if any. I feel sorry for you. You'll always be a lonely man full of hatred and resentment. No matter how much wealth and power you'll gain. Or better steal." The grin vanished from Keller's face and the expressionless stare reappeared.
"Stop talking you little brat. I'm tired of listening to your nonsense. You know what I'm here for, do what you're supposed to do and show me where to find it."
Neal shook his head. "Whatever "it" is…", he murmured annoyed and moved in Keller's direction, towards the little forest. "Follow me."
With a hint of Keller, the guard stopped Neal after a few steps. "Do you think I'm stupid, kid? I won't let you go this time. Under no circumstances."
The guard took out cable ties and turned Neal's arms behind his back with too much force. Neal couldn't stop himself from groaning.
"You want me to guide you through the forest with my hands tied up? Are you nuts?", he shouted angrily and tried to free himself, but could already feel the tight plastic loops around his wrists.
"Stop complaining, kid. We all want this to be over as soon as possible. So go an.", Keller kicked him in his back, forcing him to walk in the former direction.
Neal stumbled and fell, face-forward, with a cry of pain in the dirt. His upper body still felt sore and he had difficulties breathing. The guard grabbed his jacket and pulled him on his feed.
"Leave me alone. I'm all right.", he proclaimed loudly.
Hopefully Peter would listen and wouldn't intervene. Not yet. He went forward, guiding his entourage through the dense forest.
Without turning around, he asked innocuously: "Where's David`".
Keller laughed out loud. "Where do you think he is, kid? Helping you did him no good."
Neal clenched his fists and took a deep breath. "Isn't it tiring being you from time to time?", he spit out, still not looking back.
Keller laughed again. "It's actually not that bad to be the one with all the power. You know, you and me, we could be great together. You could be my tool, my wingman. You could get a bit of the cake."
Neal snorted. "I'd rather be dead."
"Well, couldn't trust you anymore anyway. Such a shame. A waste of talent.", Keller sighted theatrically.
They reached a clearing now. Perfectly round. Neal stopped and turned around. "This is it.", he stated, pointing towards the middle of the clearing with his chin.
Keller stared at him, puzzled. "This is what kid? There's nothing. Is this a joke or something? You better stop…", he shouted.
Neal interrupted him while observing the clearing with his eyes. "I'm absolutely certain. See the perfectly round shape of this clearing? And the grass in the middle looks slightly different. So stop complaining and let your gorillas take a look at that spot."
Keller stared at him, his gaze full of pure rage. Neal prepared himself for a blow, but Keller seemed more interested in getting whatever he wanted to find and made his guards do what Neal said with a hint of his head. Neal and Keller followed them. When they reached the odd-looking spot, the bigger bodyguard tramped on the ground. A hollow sound followed. The guard questioningly looked in Keller's direction.
"What now boss? I guess there's something buried down here. But we have no shovel…"
Keller snorted and rolled his eyes. "So what, bonehead? Use your hands! They are big enough, aren't they?"
Both bodyguards stood there, undecidedly, their faces blank.
Keller's face turned red. "What are you waiting for? Start digging, you to imbeciles. Or I'll make you do it.", he yelled and drew his weapon. He shot half a metre next to the taller guard into the ground. Small chunks of dirt flew through the air.
Neal stumbled aside in shock. He hated guns, he really did. And he feared Keller's rage. This man was no longer master of his senses.
Keller started laughing frantically. "See? You better start digging. Otherwise you'll end up like David, each of you."
Both guards immediately fell on their knees and started working with their bare hands, their faces full of fear. Neal watched them intensely, his hands still tied up uncomfortably behind his back. Soon the two men on the ground uncovered a huge metal plate with an iron handle. Keller couldn't hide his excitement.
"Go away, both of you.", he scared away his guards and began to pull the handle. The plate opened with a squeak and revealed a dark hole in the ground with a silver ladder.
"Finally!", Keller gasped. "Hope you don't mind a little Indiana-Jones-gameplay in the dark, kiddo!", he grinned and pushed Neal to the ground to cut his ties and forced him to climb the ladder first afterwards. "You'll go ahead, lad. Better safe than sorry."
Neal felt the cold air rising up from the dark under his feet. He felt pure fear while immersing into the pitch black unknown. Suddenly his gaze fell on his wrist and his heart missed a beat. The watch. It wasn't there anymore. He stopped moving for a moment, his pulse racing.
"What are you waiting for? Or do you want to make acquaintance with my little friend, you son of a bitch?", Keller looked down at him, waving around his weapon. Neal forced himself to go on climbing down the ladder. I'm so sorry Peter, I messed up again!
About two hundred meters apart, Peter was sitting next to Jones inside the white van.
"Fuck!", he groaned and got rid of the headphones in a hurry. "We lost them! I can't hear him anymore.", he shouted desperately.
His thoughts went back to yesterday, when he had Neal sitting on the sofa, right next to him.
"Peter, please, let me do this! I'm absolutely capable of it. It's the only way! You have nothing in hand against Keller and he won't EVER leave me alone. I'm the only one who knows where to find what he's looking for. You know that! And he needs me, he won't harm me or something. Please Peter!", he begged, his bright blue eyes looking at him pleadingly and desperate.
"Why can't you just tell me where that spot is you're talking about and we'll check it out? Without Keller and especially without YOU in any danger."
"That won't work, Peter! He won't leave me alone. You have to catch him red handed.", he yelled, upset.
Peter tried to touch the boy's shoulder to calm him down, as always shocked when the boy violently flinched and backed away. Neal obviously did his best to calm himself down and hesitantly moved back in Peter's direction, pain in his eyes.
"I'm sorry", he mumbled quiet, watching every move the agent made. Peter shook his head and lowered his hands soothingly.
"Oh dear, don't be sorry kid. It's not your fault! But what are you thinking? After all these people did to you, you want ME to send you WILLINGLY back into the lion's den? No! That won't happen.".
But Neal didn't give up. He even threatened to do it on his own.
"Well kid, don't seduce me to use these again to chain you to the table.", Peter sighted frustrated, pointing to his handcuffs.
Neal watched his gestures nervously. "They won't stop me, Peter. You know that.", he replied reluctantly.
Peter remained quiet and just watched him. He felt utterly exhausted.
"You've spent enough time chained up for a lifetime anyway, don't you?", he sighted.
Neal lowered his gaze. "I suppose. Doesn't matter, though.", replied his young counterpart dismissively.
Peter stretched his neck, once more feeling helpless in the current situation. Something he wasn't used to, as an experienced agent. The conversation turned in circles for what felt like forever. Finally, Peter grabbed his mobile to talk to his boss. He was expecting a firm "no" from him anyway, so asking him wouldn't hurt, would it?
Well, it did. Surprisingly, Hughes wasn't as averse as he expected him to be, not at all. He discussed a few possibilities with him to keep his young charge safe, but apart from that he had no objections.
Peter felt trapped. What now? He had to give in. Just like that, even though it felt like letting the boy down once more.
When Neal was lying in the guest rooms bad, soundly asleep after all he went through during the day, Peter sat down next to the boy's bed and just watched him sleeping in peace. How on earth could he do what he was about to do?
Peter shook his head lightly to return to the present. Dianna was watching the monitors behind both men.
"The signal isn't moving anymore, boss. I guess we should intervene immediately."
Peter nodded, grabbed his jacket and left the van. "How could I ever agree to this stupid plan? He is still a kid, not a grown-up agent.", cold fear flooded his whole body.
He directed half a dozen agents, all waiting for them in front of the van, to follow them and they entered the forest together. They were alle equipped with bulletproof vests, their weapons, ready to fire if necessary, in front of them.
"Don't worry, boss. He's a brave kid. He knows what he's doing.", Diana whispered next to him. Peter snorted.
"You really think so? He did a lot of stupid things lately. He may be a talented, very intelligent lad, but in other aspects he's nothing but a stupid teenager." Diana remained quiet after that.
They followed the latest GPS signal reached the clearing and the dark hole in the ground. Jones went a few steps further and bent down to lift up the silver watch, which was lying in the grass a few meters apart from the hatch. He passed it over to Peter.
"Do you think he got rid of it on purpose, boss?", he carefully asked. Peter vehemently shook his head.
"Never! Not this time. I'm absolutely certain! He knows that there's no way out of this mess without helping us.".
Diana threw him a doubtfull glance and regarded the tunnels entry.
"So, what next?". Peter hesitated for a moment. "Jones, Barrington, Jameson and McGregor, you come with me. The rest of you: Stay here and watch out. It's absolutely essential that no one is able to get away, understood?", he demanded in a firm voice.
All the agents nodded. Peter took a deep breath and then headed down first in the unknown dark, followed by his team.
Neal stumbled over something hard and slippery and fell down, face forward, into the muddy, smelly water. He felt a kick in his back and soon afterwards, one of Keller's guards grabbed his collar and pulled him on his feet again.
"Watch your steps, kid. And hurry up a bit, I don't want to spend more time than necessary in this filthy hole.", Keller snarled behind him.
Neal couldn't help but laugh. He wasn't able to see his own hand in front of his eyes and the beam of the little light Keller had turned on behind him didn't get through to him. How could he possibly watch his steps?
After they had reached the ground, they found themselves inside a narrow damp tunnel, possibly an old sewer. It definitely smelled like one, even though it seemed to be out of order for several years.
They had followed the tunnel for over 20 Minutes now, which felt like an eternity to Neal. Several sharp objects, that he couldn't see properly, had left nasty scratches all over his body. Now, after so much time down here, he even began to doubt his own abilities. What if this wasn't the right place? Maybe he got the message wrong? But no, he knew that wasn't the case.
He nervously tried to listen to the noises behind them, but could hear nothing but the steps of Keller and his guards. Surely Peter would already be on his way. They reached another corner and Neal violently bumped his head, but managed to stay upright this time.
He turned right and could see a pale light in front of him. Finally.
They went on and entered a huge bulge with a heavy iron door on the left side. Above them, some light fell through a small hatch. Keller pushed Neal aside to reach the door and frantically tried the handle, but the door didn't gave way.
"Fuck!", he shouted and turned around to face Neal. "What now, you little genius? Any ideas?"
Neal took a deep breath and stepped forward. He touched the wall around the door.
"Come on you stupid brat, you better…", Keller began, when Neals fingertips touched something cold and smooth.
Keller excitedly came closer. Neal used his fingernails to remove a plastic cover and revealed a small touchpad with digits.
Keller groaned. "Any ideas left? Prove your worth, Caffrey!". Keller pushed him hard against the wall, so that he couldn't breath for a few seconds.
"Do…you… really think… that this… somehow helps?", Neal let out angrily and turned to in blind rage to push Keller back himself.
The man's face in front of him turned an ugly shade of red. Keller draw his gun in a split second and pressed the barrel of the weapon to Neal's head.
"You better stop moaning, kid. Believe me, I won't hasitate to kill you. If necessary I can do the rest of the way by myself."
Neal tried to stay as calm as possible and just stared back in Keller's cold eyes.
"You think so? Well, maybe you should try.", he managed to reply.
He could sense the cold metal on his temple and tried his best not to shiver and show how afraid he was. One twitch with Keller's finger and Neal would be dead. And he had no doubt that the man in front of him would be able to kill him, without any hesitation or remorse afterwards.
Keller continued staring at him, then suddenly grabbed him by his shoulders and turned him around, then aimed the gun at the back of Neal's head.
"Just do your magic, kid! Or you will regret it. Well… if you will still be ABLE to regret anything." He once more pushed his fist hard into the boys back.
Neal clenched his left fist and started to enter various digits. He tried parts of the coordinates, important dates like the date of origin of The Agony in the Garden (1504) or Raphaels date of birth. Nothing.
He slowly turned around, the gun aiming directly between his eyes.
"This is pointless without having a hint or something.", he admitted calmly. "I don't even know where to start. It could be four, five or even more digit. I need technical devises to open this door."
Keller shook his head. "No way. Come on, open it, right now! What kind of genius can't open a stupid door?", he demanded rudely.
Neal turned again. Maybe… „I could try to cause a short circuit. But…", he said hesitantly.
"But WHAT, kid?"
Neal carefully removed the cover of the plastic box and revealed a bunch of cables underneath.
„If there's a security system behind it, this won't work. I don't really think there is one. It's far to easy to remove that cover. It seems to be a K120 system, which is outdated and easy to pick."
Keller groaned again. „So just try it! I want to get inside of this room as soon as possible!".
Neal took the little lamp out of Kellers hand without asking, which earned him a little blow with the gun against his head. He cracked the flashlight open and removed a red wire. After that he pulled out two other wires behind the touchpad and connected them with the flashlights cable.
A few sparks appeared and thin smoke surrounded them. Contemporaneous, there was a soft click and Neal knew immediately that his little trick worked.
Keller did, too. He once more pushed him aside and opened the door in a rush. As soon as they entered the surprisingly big room, a dim light went on. Neal considered running back inside the dark tunnel, well aware that he floated in mortal danger as soon as he was no longer valuable for Keller. But his curiosity won out, so he followed Keller and his two watchdogs.
The room was equipped with several rows of rusty looking shelves, which contained hermetically sealed boxes in all different shapes and sizes, covered in dust as thick as a finger. On that boxes there where labels written in French, Neal couldn't decipher the lettering properly through all the dust. But it took him only seconds to understand that he was surrounded by long lost treasures.
He could read names like Monet and Da Vinci on some of these boxes and just couldn't believe it. While Neal still tried to understand what was around him, Keller steered purposefully towards a specially decorated box.
"Finally! After all these struggles!", he yelled and grabbed the box and shoved it inside of the bigger guards arms, before turning around to face Neal.
"Well, time to say goodbye now, kid! You were a pain in the ass and I can't risk having you around any longer. And I certainly don't want you to be around when I open this box. You'll understand that for sure! So… thanks for your help kid!", he said, grinning and raised his gun. He pulled the trigger and Neals eyes widened.
He let himself fall down. The bullet hit the tip of his ear and Neal could feel hot blood running down his neck. He rolled under a shelve, while Keller cursed and fired the next bullet in his direction.
Neal could feel a sharp pain from behind in his shoulder, but tried to ignore it and crawled on, to reach the next row of shelves to hide as best as he could. Keller followed him and bullet after bullet hammered into the wall and the floor around Neal.
He reached the farthest corner oft he room and curled up, awaiting his own death, when suddenly he could hear well-known voices.
"FBI! Drop your weapons and freeze!". Peter! Thank god.
But Keller did not think of giving up and started the fire and all hell broke loose. Neal tried to hide as best as he could and covered his ears with his hands.
A red puddle spread out below him, caused by the wound in his shoulder. But he couldn't feel any pain. It just felt unreal. His consciousness began to cloud, and he began to shiver.
Keller crouched in his field of vision barking orders to his guards while he was still shooting. Suddenly a bullet hit Keller's hand and his gun slipped across the floor in Neals direction. Keller cursed and turned to reach it, while Peter managed to enter the room and approached Keller.
In a split second, Neal realised that it would be too late. Keller would reach his weapon before Peter would reach a clear line of fire.
"No!", Neal screamed and pushed himself forward and covered the weapon with his body.
Keller cursed again and kicked Neal hard against his chest, to push him away, but wasn't able to. Peter took the chance and aimed at Keller. His eyes, full of concerns, flickered in Neal's direction.
"It's over Keller! Just give up, before more people get hurt.", the agent bellowed.
Keller looked at him grimly, but then his smeary grin reappeared, when one of his guards approached him from the side.
"Watch out Peter!", Neal screamed frantically, but it was too late.
The guard pulled the trigger and the bullet hit the agent in his chest. Peter lowered his arm and looked down at his upper body in amazement. Then, like in slow motion, he sank to the ground. Neal grabbed Keller's weapon and crawled in Peter's direction.
„Noo, Peter!", he yelled, over and over again. He awaited to feel the impact of a bullet himself, but he didn't care. When he reached the agents body, Peter smiled warmly at him.
"Peter", Neal whispered, his eyes full of fear.
„It's all right kid, I'm fine!", Peter tried to reassure him weakly and closed his eyes.
"No, Peter, stay with me. Please, stay with me!", Neal cried in panic. He placed the agent's head in his lap and tried to shook him, but wasn't able to wake him up.
Suddenly, he realised how quiet it was around him. When he slowly looked up, Jones was standing two Meters apart, his gun pointed at him. No signs of Keller and his watchdogs.
"Drop your weapon, Neal!", Jones ordered calmly.
Neal looked at him, bewildered. His breathing was difficult and he couldn't think straight. He followed Jones gaze and finally realized, that he still had Keller's gun in his hand, placed on Peter's chest now.
He shook his head, horrified, his eyes went tot he weapon and back to Jones a few times. „I… It's not… I wasn't…", he stuttered weakly.
„It's all right, kiddo. Just drop it.", Jones said in a firm and reassuring voice.
Neal felt unable to move his hand. It took him all his willpower to remove his shaking fingers, one by one, from the gun.
"Good!", said Jones. "Now push it away from you."
Neal looked him in the eyes and did it as best as he could. The weapon slipped off Peter's body and crashed loudly on the stone floor.
Jones used his foot to kick it away and lunged at Neal, who made no move to fight back. The young agent turned Neal's arms behind his back and handcuffed him, while shouting out for the other agents to come in. Neal felt a sharp pain in his shoulder. Jones tried to pull him up, but before he could react or say something, Neal felt his vision blurring again and he passed out on Peter's chest.
