Cammie POV
'Do you remember much about what happened last time you were here?'
'Not quite. But I take it that you sent me the polaroids, so they give me a little hint at what happened' I snared.
'I was thinking about recreating them' He dug his knife into my forearm. I sucked in a breath. The heat began to radiate through my body. 'Do you want to co-operate now?'
'Do you want to keep wasting time?' I asked. Max narrowed his eyes at me.
'Cam…' Zach's voice pulled me out of everything for a moment. I looked at him, his eyes big with worry. Worry for me and the game I was planning.
A little bit of my anger subsided. Why was he suddenly caring about me? Is this part of his plan? Don't fall for it, Cammie.
'That's it' Max whispered. I snapped my head back to him just in time to see a glint of excitement twinkling in his eyes. 'Zachary, come here'
'Don't' I found myself whispering to Max. Almost pleading him to not do what I knew he was going to do.
'I think it's time for the next step in your training' Max stood up. 'Time for you to learn how to interrogate. The Blackthorne way'
God, no-no-no.
He offered Zach the knife.
'Zach…' My voice croaked. He looked up at me. Fear across his face.
'Zachary' He faced Max 'Take the knife'
No. No. No. Please don't, please don't-
He took the knife.
My heart shattered instantly.
I closed my eyes trying to steady my breathing and compartmentalise my thoughts. I needed to distance myself from reality. I needed to protect myself.
I heard the swoosh of a blade. I opened my eyes to see Max holding another knife an inch from my eyeball.
'Wow, great theatrics' I quipped, if this was the only way to protect myself, then so be it.
'When dealing with an enemy agent, the first 3 minutes of an interrogation are the most important.' Max said 'You need to work out how they operate'
'Three minutes?' I arched an eyebrow 'Pfff. I can do it in one. And I've already got you figured out'
A muscle in his jaw twitched. Clearly unimpressed. Max walked around the back of my chair, using his knife to pick up my hair. The tip of the blade skimmed across my neck.
'Cameron uses her words to protect herself. But it is her body that betrays her'
Suddenly, he jammed the knife into my shoulder blade. I screamed out in agony.
Zach stood against the wall like a deer in headlights.
Max removed the knife in one swift motion.
He returned to stand in front of me. Droplets of blood landing on the ground. Drip. Drip. Drip.
'Zachary, on the table there is a document. Read the beginning of it aloud'
I narrowed my eyes at Max wondering what other tricks he had up his sleeve.
'I suppose a lot of teenage girls feel invisible sometimes like they just disappear-'
'My report from my sophomore year' I looked up at Max 'How did you get it and why?'
'You gave it to us, along with your dad's journal. Remember?' He taunted. I remained silent, which spoke volumes to Max. 'In your very interesting report, you wrote about going to the fair with your father. You saw something that day. We need to know what you saw'
'I didn't see anything' I said. But my words were soon drowned out by my screams as Max pressed the button once again.
'I didn't see anything' I repeated. More volts were shot through my system.
'I need a name, Cameron' Max said
'I don't know anything!' I cried, more volts came, stronger and harder this time.
'Enough!' Zach shouted. 'Please' He added quieter.
The volts stopped but the pain didn't. It lingered in every muscle, every fibre of my being, dragging me into a sleepy state.
'Now that we have Miss Morgan right where we need her' Max said 'Give her this'
I tilted my heavy head up to see Max holding a syringe up for Zach to take. The clear liquid glistening in the light.
'This is-'
'Truth serum' Zach finished. Max nodded.
'A very powerful truth serum' Max said gleefully. 'Give her some'
Zach once again looked uncomfortable.
'Do it' Max pressured.
'I don't need to' Zach replied, glancing at me 'She won't lie to me.' He turned back to Max 'Let me have a go'
Max hesitated for a moment but eventually stood to the side, allowing Zach to make his way towards me.
Zach moved slowly, cautiously. My head became too heavy to hold up, so I gave up trying and let it hang down.
His shadow fell over me.
'Gallagher Girl…' He said softly. I bit my lip, hating the nickname I had come to somewhat love.
When I didn't answer, Zach crouched down in front of me. His rough fingers caressed my cheek. Part of me wanted to melt into the embrace, take comfort in the warmth radiating from his fingertips, but the other half of me wanted to bite his fingers off and cause him as much pain as he's caused me.
'Cammie…' He said, lifting my head up slightly to look into his big emerald eyes.
'Don't do this' I whispered, hating the vulnerability and pleading that was laced throughout my voice.
'Tell me the names on the list'
'Zach-'
'Tell me just one. And all of this will stop' He whispered. His eyes big and pleading, genuine fear across his face. I swallowed, my mouth beginning to feel strange.
'The man in this room is called Max Edwards, he is a liar and-'
'Cammie…'
'-He was a friend and he betrayed my family and-'
'Cam…'
'-Don't join that list too' I begged. Zach sighed.
'I need a name. And I know that you know them'
I bit back tears. I was too weak to hide anything, especially from Zach.
'I don't know any names' I cast my eyes away from Zach looking down at the floor and the blood spats on the white tiles.
Zach's fingers were still cupping my cheek and I could feel his gaze burning into me.
He sighed, withdrawing his hands slowly.
'She doesn't know any names' Zach said, his tone unreadable.
'Do you believe her?' Max asked.
'I do' Zach said. Max chuckled a dark and hollow laugh.
'You have much to learn, Zachary' I heard Max's footsteps against the tiles. Echoing around the room. 'Cameron has a very natural gift. And one particular skill is that she can lie through her teeth' My hair was yanked back and Max leered over me 'Even when she's staring death in the face'
'That's because I'm not scared of you' I hissed back. Max smiled, a big sly smile.
'My dear, you should be'
The syringe needle was jabbed into my neck
'No!' Zach exclaimed, but it was too late. The needle was sunk into my very bloodstream and the liquid seeped it's way in, warming every inch of me, numbing everything further.
'Now, let's get down to business. Tell me a name on the list'
I tried to fight it, I tried to bite down the words with everything I had in me. But even that wasn't enough
'Charles Dubois' The words tumbled out.
'Dubois…' Max pondered the name 'There's a Charlene Dubois with the European Union, if I recall correctly. Half the defence spending on that continent goes through her' He seemed pleased with himself, and me.
'Another name' He ordered
'She's told you a name, leave it for tonight' Zach stepped forward.
'Cameron, could you remind Zach what rule 38 is?'
'Once you have your target in sight...don't stop' I spat. Max smiled at me.
'Good girl. Now, another name'
'Samuel P. Winters' I hissed 'But you already knew that. I told you last time'
My mouth stayed open. My own words shocked me. I've told them names before.
I looked up at Zach, he too seemed surprised by my answer. The only one not surprised was Max.
'Indeed you did' He sighed 'And that's why your friend Preston is dead'
'You killed him' I whispered, fresh tears forming in my eyes, blurring my vision slightly. Max smirked.
'Do you know where his father is?'
'No' I answered. Max nodded, satisfied.
'Are you done?' Zach asked.
'One more. I just want one more name and then we'll be finished.' He continued to smile at me 'Tell me one more name Cameron'
'Gideon Maxwell' I answered. As the words left my mouth, the smile was wiped from Max's face. Interesting.
'What did you say?' He hissed
'Gideon. Maxwell.' I repeated, saying the names slowly, playfully.
Max's whole demeanour changed, he seemed to be on edge, frantic. His thumb absentmindedly touched his left ring finger where his wedding ring once sat.
'What's the matter, Max? Too close to home?'
He pressed the button, sending volts through my system that hurt more now that everything was numb. I didn't hide my pain. It was too much effort. He let go of the button as I gasped for breath.
'Stay here' He hissed at Zach before exiting the room. The door slamming was the only sound filling the void of silence between Zach and I.
I eventually found myself laughing, chuckling to myself.
'This isn't a laughing matter, Gallagher Girl' Zach snapped.
'Oh but it is' I said, tilting my head to the side to look at him 'Our roles are reversed. I have truth serum in my system.' A smile played on my lips 'Aren't you going to ask me any burning questions? This is your only chance to get the truth out of me, Zachary'
'Don't call me that'
'Why? It's your name, isn't it? Or are you pretending to be someone else like dear old undead Max'
'Is that his real name?' He asked. I nodded.
'Maxwell Edwards. Or it could be Maxamillian Edwards. I never really asked. My family just knew him as good old reliable Max'
I looked back at Zach, conflicting feelings in his eyes.
'He lied to you' I said 'This whole time he's been lying to you'
'Stop'
'All your training, everything you know, was a lie'
'Cam...'
'You're not a Blackthorne Boy, you're a fool'
'Enough!' Zach lost his temper and threw his knife at me. Unlike last time when the knife skimmed just above my head; this time, the knife landed in my leg.
I cried out in pain as Zach hurried over.
'Cammie, I'm so sorry'
'Pull. It. Out' I hissed through gritted teeth. Zach braced himself, planting one hand on my right leg whilst gripping the knife in the other.
'Okay. Three...two...one…' Zach pulled out the knife. I cried out once more.
'Son of a bitch' I exclaimed. Zach chuckled.
'That might be the truest thing you've ever said' He muttered, turning back to me, his emerald eyes staring back into mine.
'You look like her' I found myself saying. Zach froze, staring at me like I'd just slapped him across the face.
'What did you say?' He whispered.
'Your mother. You look like her. You have her eyes'
'My mother is dead' Zach spat. I shook my head.
'That's what she wants you to think'
Author's Note: Hello lovelies! Hope you like this chapter! So Zach took the knife and Cammie was tortured. Truth serum was used and the roles were reversed; when Zach had truth serum in his system, Cammie didn't ask him any questions, but when the serum is in the other body, Zach asks away. Should he keep asking? Should he stop? Can he still be trusted? Will he help Cammie now that he knows the truth about Max? He's already hurt her (albeit accidentally) but now that Cammie has mentioned Zach's mother...how far will be go to get the truth? If you've read the books, you'll know the significance of Gideon Maxwell...and might be able to work out what could happen...Stay tuned for an update on SATURDAY! I'm not going back to 2 days a week just yet, but my schedule has been messed up so it'll be Saturday uploads from now on. See you all soon xxx
Blue: Thank you! Sorry! Cliff hangers are my bread and butter! xxx
Alecks454: I haven't decided about Townsend being Zach's dad or not. It's a possibility but I haven't tugged on that storyline thread yet. Cammie will not forgive Zach easily, that's for sure, especially after what's about to happen...xxx
gymnast1150: Surprise! I thought it would a cool little add on to tie Nick & Amelia properly into the story - Max Edwards is the father! I knew that Joe's reaction to Matthew's death would be heartbreaking and I knew that Cammie had to be the person to break it to him. Joe is going through a lot but he's strong, he'll mask all of his pain for Cammie's sake. I feel betrayed too...I think Zach is caught between a rock and a hard place at the moment - his loyalties lie with Max/Joe but also he feels protective over Cammie. But will that all change? He took the knife...It pained me to write that moment in, but he took it and there's nothing I can do now. Hold onto your faith, you're going to need it. Thank you so much! I wish that I could dump the whole story (it's not written but just my plans) and let you all have some peace. I'm trying to write as much as possible to *hopefully* go back to two uploads a week, but that won't be for a while (this story is going to be a long one so hold onto your hat!). Thank you again xxx
Guest: Thank you so much! I'm so sorry but Cam's going to get hurt (emotionally and physically) for a while. Zammie might end here but it won't be the end of them xxx
GallagherGirlzRule: Oh no 3 months! Bless you for still finding a way to read this story, I hope that I can make it worth it! Of course I know you're just being passionate! I'm the exact same, I'm addicted to writing & reading stories - I just want to know what happens next! Bless ya heart so much, I've said this before but I think this will be the best story I've ever written on this site, there's been so much thought and planning going into this and I just can't wait to share where this is going to go! Zach now knows that Max has been lying to him, and he's not happy about it, but will he help Cammie? And will she forgive him? I try to be as consistent as I can when writing (I know some of my other stories have sort of been put on hold which I hate to do, but this story has got my creative brain singing and I just can't ignore it!) Thank you once again xxx
