Disclaimer: Still doing this without permission

1 month ago - Renewal Wing

Dr. Cox nursed his sore jaw, cradling it tenderly.

"I see she's still got some spirit," Lyle remarked dryly, his eyes going to the window and feasting on the sight of his sister still strapped to the table.

"Indeed," Dr. Cox's tone was even drier than Lyle's. "If I were a doctor who truly cared for his patient's welfare, I would advise her family to seek psychological counseling for her. She has a lot of pent-up hostility."

Lyle scoffed, sounding remarkably like his sibling. "Considering her family tree and where she works, is that a real surprise?"

Dr. Cox smiled but the pain forced him to quickly settle his face into a neutral expression. "Perhaps not," he agreed.

"Other than the hostility, how is she doing?"

"She is responding extremely well. So much so that part of me resents having to use Jarod's imagery, but," he hastened to stop Lyle's comment, "I have been doing so with success."

"Well, I tell you what, Doc," Lyle jovially responded. "I'll let you watch the DSA of when Jarod figures it out. Should be rewarding."

"Indeed."

1 month ago - Sydney's Office

"I'm sorry Sydney, I can't find anything else on Control," Broots admitted in a tone of defeat. His shoulders slumped even further forward as he contemplated his failure.

"I'm sure you did your best, Broots. In fact, I know you did. Doesn't this rather confirm that Lyle is involved?"

"How do you mean?"

"Well, haven't you told me that he doesn't trust computers? That he never uses them unless he has to?"

Broots brightened, sitting up straighter. "That's true," he agreed but then slumped again. "I suppose this means I'll have to go to his office?" he offered, timidly.

Sydney smiled gently, knowing the courage it took for Broots to make the offer and proud of him for doing so. "I don't think that will be possible. Without Miss Parker here to tender her protection, we, you and I, have to walk a very thin line. Also, I believe you remarked that Mr. Lyle had recently increased the security around and in his office, did you not?"

"True."

"Maybe Jarod can figure out what is happening?"

"If he ever gets a minute. I think he is spending most of his time anymore running, isn't he?"

"Hmm, it does seem that Lyle has been leading us on quite a merry round of chasing, that's true."

2 Weeks ago

"Well, she's as ready as she is ever going to be. Even so, I'll have to set up a system of daily maintenance. She has a very high threshold for persuasion. In fact, I'd like to study her overdeveloped . . ."

Lyle cut off the doctor's desires. "Not now, Doc. Maybe later."

"Can you bring him in?"

"Yes, I have a scenario in place waiting to be triggered. Just family oriented enough to lure Jarod into the trap. The really great thing is that it will be a real tragedy," Lyle gleefully explained. "Jarod will fall for it."

Present day

Jarod roused to the feeling of fingers on his neck. He shook his head trying to free it from the strained position it was in and in an attempt to both wake up and to dislodge those intrusive fingers. He heard a sharp 'click' from behind him and became aware that his throat was slightly constricted. As he breathed in to determine how constricted, he became cognizant of more details. Including the fact that he could clearly smell the expensive cologne that Lyle favored and that, while he could swallow, he was definitely wearing a collar. It also became apparent to his rapidly waking senses that he was flat against a cold surface with his arms and legs held at unnatural angles.

With a sense of dread and resignation, Jarod opened his eyes. Lyle's sparkling blue eyes twinkled at him as Jarod instinctively reached for him and ended up rattling the chains pinning him to the wall. He recognized the all-too-familiar raspy, blowing sound of air being pressed downward to ventilate the Centre's sub-levels that was pervading his hearing. In fact, he glanced around, he probably recognized this particular cell. Lyle could be very predictable.

"Ah, Prince Charming is awake at last," Lyle cackled.

Jarod glared at him, refusing to respond. The last thing he could remember was running. Lyle, not Miss Parker, had been on his tail for several months, relentlessly pursuing him from pretend to pretend, coming closer and closer. While Lyle lacked the brilliance and deductive reasoning of his more attractive and worthy sibling, he did have one quality Miss Parker did not. Utter ruthlessness. Jarod had started to learn of Lyle's pursuit by reports of the torture of the innocents that he had left behind on his pretends. Apparently, Lyle did not believe in the term 'innocent bystander.' Also apparently, he was unconcerned about the publicity such activity would generate. Jarod could only wonder what had changed.

"Now, now, wipe that sour look off your face," Lyle chided, grinning with way too much pleasure. It was all he could do to keep from rubbing his hands together in glee. "I've thought about your situation, Jarod. I want you to know that I've studied it," he paused to see what kind of response that innocuous statement would provoke.

Jarod pulled away from him, flat against the wall, erasing all visual response from his face. As disgusting as Lyle was, he was not stupid.

"See, I know why you ran, or," he paused to rub his chin and winked at Jarod. "At least part of why you ran. Oh, sure, you were appalled to discover how your work was being used, yada, yada, yada," Lyle dismissed the horror that Jarod had felt when he learned that information, casually. "But, part of it was our, or rather the Centre's, fault as well. You see, Jarod, they failed to appreciate that you were no longer a little boy but a man. They didn't make accommodations for a man's needs," Lyle leered. "From what I can tell, they kept two vital, extremely vital, basic needs from you," he paused to place a hand on Jarod's chin, making sure Jarod was looking at him. "They kept food and sex from you. Believe me," he emphasized with a toothy grin. "I know how important those things are."

Jarod shuddered at the implication.