10: And the Clock Ticks On…
Slowly and surely it does. You can hear it. Tick, tick, tick, like a bomb… forget I said that.
Disclaimer: Oh, that's right, the disclaimer is to say I don't own the characters, not drool over Kai and Ray. Sorry. Well, I still don't own them.
"What time you got?"
Kenny checked his watch. "We've still got about three-and-a-half hours."
Tyson growled. "What's taking them so long! I'm hungry!"
"Me too," Gary agreed.
Max searched his pockets and pulled out a pack of gum. "Here, chew this and make believe it's food, but try not to swallow."
Mariah sighed and rested her head on Ray's shoulder. "Why is he doing this? We're barely more then children."
Kevin crossed his arms over his chest and frowned. "What I want to know is who he thinks the worlds second best is."
"It could be any of us," Lee replied. "Excluding you and Kenny."
Kevin snarled. "Why I-"
"Think of it this way," Max cut in. "You're not the next target."
"Unless the BBA takes too long…" Kenny said softly.
"That won't happen," Ray said smoothly, raising his chin.
Tyson leant forward. "So who do you think is the second best?"
Ray shot him a glare. "That's not important."
"I at least need to know if I should duck!"
"We should all duck," Mariah replied, opening her eyes. "He may go against his word and take out the worst of us, or maybe even a member of the crowd. So it really doesn't matter who we think is the best, does it."
Tyson sulked. "No."
"Good, now stop bellyaching."
"Ray-"
"I said stop it."
Lee chuckled. "I see practicing on Kevin has come in handy."
Ray winked at him, then looked up as Winton stood from where he had been sitting and moved toward the cameras.
"The time is going quickly, Dickenson. I would have expected at least a phone call by now to tell me that you got my message." He reached into his pocket, several of the crowd cowering but relaxing as he pulled out a mobile phone. "You've got my number. All you have to do is ring, or else another one is wounded. Not killed, but they will die from blood loss if you don't ring."
Brad: Is he looking up at us?
A.J.: I think he is.
Jazzman: I have a bad feeling about this.
A.J.: Now as if that isn't original.
Jazzman: I call it as I see it. It's my job.
Brad: He has a point, A.J.
A.J.: Shut up, Brad.
Winton glanced down at his watch, then smiled up at the camera. "The clocks ticking…"
Kenny opened his laptop and looked down at the interface. "Any signal yet Dizzi?"
"Oh sure, they decided to stop blocking us so we can get a message out."
Lee frowned and looked toward Kenny. "Wait, did you say no signal?"
Kenny nodded.
"If there is no signal, then how can he expect them to be able to reach his mobile?"
"That's right!" Kenny shot a look toward where Winton stood. "Surely he must realise that."
Kevin growled. "He probably is just looking for another excuse to fire his gun. He enjoys it so much."
Tyson wrapped his arms around his knees and sighed. "We're in over our heads, aren't we. The BBA is never going to be able to reach him-"
The sound of a distant phone ringing brought their heads up. Winton looked around, glancing quickly at his mobile, then up at the commentator's box.
Brad: You get it.
Jazzman: It's not my phone, so it's only fair if one of you get it.
A.J.: Hello… yeah, you've got A.J. Topper here… oh, hey boss! Sure, just hold on a minute… HEY MR WINTON! IT'S FOR YOU! LINE TWO.
Everyone watched as Winton crossed to the phone by the player's entrance to the stadium floor, holding their breaths as they watched him talk. He finally hung up, moving to address the gathered.
"I'm sure you will all be relieved to hear that that was the BBA. They're considering my proposal as we speak, but couldn't get through on my mobile. Seems the roof is too thick for them to get a proper signal." He turned toward the cameras. "You've bought yourself more time, Dickenson. There will be no gunfire this time. But remember, the clock is still ticking…"
Got lucky there, didn't they. And in case you're wondering, Winton really was going to shoot one of the commentators. Which one is really up to you.