Slowly she approached the cave, the dim light not making it easier for her to find her way to it. She could hear the chanting getting louder when she came closer to the opening. Fear gripped her heart, afraid of what scene might greet her and fear she was too late. It had taken her time to search for caves, coming up with three possibilities in the end. This was the last one, and luckily, the right one. She gripped the gun she was carrying tighter, and made her way in, feeling she was entering the web of a giant black widow, ready to consume her, or trap her. Surprisingly nothing happened, the entrance was abandoned. All the followers must be with the ritual, not sure if that was a good thing or not. The entry was long and dark, she was afraid something would attack her sooner or later. Ever so slowly she made her way in, hiding as much as possible in the large cave. She had to get closer, see what they were all looking at, what they were all hiding behind that sea of robes. But how could she get closer? Was there a way to get closer? Think, Alex, think. What would Nick do if he was in your position? And with that thought she knew what to do. Silently she approached one of the followers who stood a little further away from the others. Okay, now I have to do this right. With one silent and swift punch she knocked the guy out, and quickly dragged him behind a pile of rocks, forming a small wall, just enough to hide herself and the unconscious man behind it. She grabbed the robe, pulling it over her head and hid her features behind the large hood. There, that should do it. And so she made her way through the crowd, trying to get a better view point. The thing she saw when she finally made her way to the front, made her stop short. It was not Nick, being held by three men, high against the cross; it was Philip, holding the first nail, ready to pierce it through Nick's limp left hand. She gasped, terror reflected in her eyes. She had been right; she came here to take out a friend, but not the one she had thought of. Philip turned when he heard the gasp of shock, and eyed the follower who had done so. He started to smile.

"Welcome, Alex, I'm glad you could find the time to join us. I'm sure this is something you won't likely forget any time soon."

With that he turned around and raised his hammer, ready to strike. She wanted to stop him, she wanted to do something but it was like she was frozen in time, unable to do anything, just witness the event. Nick saw the hesitation in her eyes, and knew he was doomed; he struggled against the hands holding him, but was just too weak to make a difference. Agonizing flaming pain shot through his left hand, the burning sensation of flesh being pierced reaching his brain. The sickening crack of broken bone made him nauseous, and finally he gave in to the urge to scream out his pain. The cry of pain brought her out of her slumber, and she felt she could move again. With the first drops of blood flowing, reaching the ground in large drips, the ground started to shook, the followers chanting harder and harder. The sound vibrating against the wall, making it almost impossible to understand it at all. Alex knew this was bad, it was already starting. She raised her gun, aiming it to Philip, who was ready to slam another nail into his friend.

"I don't think so Philip, leave him alone, he didn't do anything to deserve this."

He directed his attention to Alex, again the smile that used to be friendly but now only cold and without meaning. "Alex, c'mon, you know this has to be done, and there isn't anything you can do about it. You won't shoot me, now do you?"

Her hands were shaking, sweat trickling down her forehead. Could she do it? Could she kill him? He knew she couldn't, she was weak, and she wouldn't dare. So he ever so slowly, took a knife out of his belt, showing it to her.

"Now, be a good girl and lower the gun, then I won't have to hurt you."

The men holding Nick were a little pre occupied with was happening behind them, then with the person they were holding. Nick didn't need hesitation or time to think about it, Alex was in danger and that was all that mattered right now. With a swift kick he knocked one of them out and the other two away from him. He whimpered, suppressing a scream of pain when all of his weight went to the hand nailed to the cross, ripping at his skin. Philip heard it and turned, seeing Nick hanging there with one hand, trying to fight the pain. Alex saw it to, and she winched, knowing he had to be in tremendous pain.

"Alex, " He said in a voice filled with pain. "Shoot at the wood next to my hand, quickly free me."

She looked at him, before looking at the wood. It was a close call, if she missed, the bullet would go straight in his head. What if she missed?

"Do it Alex!"

And she did, she aimed and fired, closing her eyes when she felt the impact of the gun. There was a small gasp and a cry of pain, without mistake that of Nick. Did she hit him? Slowly she opened her eyes, taking in the scene in front of her, crying out in fear and agony.