Chapter 6
russle: Boris kicked in the groin... hm.... *thoughtful*
Devlinn Reiko-sama: I'll have to look into your fics then. Bryan and Kevin be my faves, and I love reading anything I can on them. ^_^
Black Jaggan: Sweet? Aw man, if they heard you say that... but yeah, it is. *^_^*
Jay Kamiya: Torture Bryan? Yeah, know the feeling. He just seems to ask for it, doesn't he. ^_^;;
Gothic-Wolf: Catch them? Never know...
Matty KakaSaku rulz: #^_^# Thank you so much!!!
And back to the torture.
Disclaimer: See first page
"It fascinates me, how much the human body can withstand." Boris studied the glowing red iron, the heat having starting to ebb away. "I had thought that this would surely be the thing to break you, to make you scream in utter agony, begging me for mercy."
"Mercy is for the weak," Bryan hissed. "You taught us that, remember?"
"Indeed I did." Boris turned back toward them, noting that Tala was slumped, barely conscious, against his chains. Bryan, on the other hand, was still fully alert. "And the strong show no pain. And you have proven yourself quite strong."
He set the rod down, moving to kneel by Tala, crooking a finger under the boy's chin and tilting his head back. "You've impressed me, Tala. For someone who has never been forced to endure such things, you are holding up rather well. I can see that you're in agony, but you have not uttered a sound. You look half dead."
Tala glared at him through slitted eyes, but did not speak.
"Stubborn til the end." Boris moved away, crossing to Bryan and crouching, studying the boy. "We've been here before, haven't we?"
"Many times," Bryan answered, glaring at him. "And don't bother asking me if I submit, cause you already know the answer."
"Indeed I do." Boris narrowed his eyes. "The boys think you're invincible. That you can withstand anything and walk away. I shall prove otherwise." He smiled faintly. "Bryan, Tala, and Kai. The invincible three. All defeated in battle. How… amusing."
"You'll get over it."
Boris reached out to touch Bryan's cheek, but the teen pulled his head away, glare hardening. "Must you always insist on fighting me? It would be easier for us both if you did not."
"I will fight you to the end, Boris. I will never stop fighting you. That is a vow I shall never break."
Boris's hand snapped out, encircling Bryan's throat and tightening as the man leant forward. "Make any vow you want, Bryan, but you remember who you belong too. You are the property of Biovolt, property of this Abbey, property of me. You are under my orders and control, and I can do with you whatever I please. And that includes killing you."
Tala's eyes widened as he watched, noting the whiteness on Bryan's neck around where Boris's fingers squeezed, indicating the pressure the man was applying. Bryan didn't flinch, glaring into Boris's eyes, a faint smirk on his lips, almost taunting the man to continue.
With a growl, Boris threw Bryan back, the teen's head slamming against the wall from the force of it. Without a word Boris stood, spinning on his heal and leaving the cell, slamming the door behind him.
Bryan sighed, resting his head back against the wall and closing his eyes, forcing his heart and breathing rates to slow. Tala watched him with concern.
"Bryan?" No answer. "Bryan, are you okay?"
"I actually thought the son-of-a-bitch was gonna do it." Bryan opened his eyes, looking to the side. "I'm fine, Tal. You?"
Tala swallowed hard, lowering his eyes. "I don't know how much more of this I can take."
"Keep telling yourself that you will not let him win."
"I'm doing that, it's just…" He sighed, hanging his head. "I feel so weak, so tired. I just want to die."
Bryan smirked. "If you die without making a sound, that would really piss him off."
Tala chuckled, looking toward him. "It would, wouldn't it?"
Bryan nodded.
Tala drew a steady breath, watching him. "He concentrates it all on you, and yet you look unscathed."
Bryan sighed. "Looks can be deceiving, Wolf. I feel like shit." He closed his eyes. "Right about now I feel like passing out."
"You don't look it when Boris is here."
"Never show any sign of weakness to an enemy." Bryan opened his eyes and looked at him. "We've had that drilled into us since we were babies."
Tala nodded, sighing. "Sometimes… it's just so hard not too."
"Agreed."
Tala looked at him, tracing his outline in the almost darkness of the cell, taking in the injuries, registering them and deciding that they were far worse than his own. "Its you he wants to break, isn't it?"
"Mm. He's been trying to break me for years." He smirked. "And he never will."
Tala sighed. "What do you think he has planned this afternoon."
Bryan frowned. "He hasn't done the electricity thing yet."
Tala blinked. "The… what?"
Bryan looked toward him. "He throws water over you, then plays a live wire over your chest. Hurts like hell, but does no real damage."
Tala swallowed hard. "What hasn't he done to you?"
Bryan smiled faintly. "Respected me for who I am."
A silence hung in the air, Tala shuddering as a cool breeze played over his bare damp skin, causing it to prickle. His entire body ached, some from the wounds, others from where he had remained in one place for too long. "Will he feed us?"
"Food comes with a price."
"What doesn't?"
"Pain."
Ice blue eyes drifted once more to his teammate. "About… last night…"
Bryan's eyebrows rose. "What about it?"
"I've… Well, I've been thinking about it and…" Tala watched him. "Were you taking advantage of me?"
Bryan's head shot around. "Hell no. I've been taken advantage of so many times I would never do it to someone else. Especially not you. Besides, it was your idea to try and get close."
"True." Tala averted his eyes. "I… just don't know what happened, that's all."
"We kissed, Tala. There's no denying that."
"No, there's not."
Bryan studied him. "You got a problem with it?"
"No, it's just…" he frowned. "Sudden."
"I'll agree with that."
Tala remained silent, looking toward the chains around his ankles. "I liked it you know."
Bryan's eyes, which had been closed, cracked open. "Liked what?"
"The kiss."
Bryan smiled faintly, closing his eyes again. "Me too."
The silence returned, thick and strong, save for the occasional drip of water somewhere outside the cell. Tala's eyelids drooped, exhaustion playing through him. He sighed, resting his head back against the wall, sleep playing at the corner of mind. Bryan was the same, settling back as best he could. As they drifted off to sleep, neither cared whether or not they would ever wake again.
They're wearing down, but neither has broken. And it is starting to drive Boris mad…