Chapter 12

Black Panther Wolf: Panas in the series would have been amusing.

HimekoSukie: Nope. So far he's escape Boris.

Kappy Locks: [[stares at the shotgun]] Um... what do you have that for? Should you really have that?

lilmatchgirl007: Now would I do horrible things to the characters? [[a halo appears over JPC's head]]

eyriess: Start writing? But I've already finished writing this story. :p

Cat in the web: Panas is an original character, yes. Creating believable characters quickly is a gift of mine. I've actually won an award for Ceneveran Rio Forwin Maganna, an original character for my Star Wars fics. Anyway, I'm glad you like Panas.

The Valkyrie: Panas knows. :p

Mizuyah: Just as I call Kai 'Kai "Phoenix" Hiwatari', I call Panas 'Panas "Pegasus" Fomin'. Hope that explains it.

DranzerGirl: Plushies! [[glomp]]

Ashla: Panas' bit beast is a winged horse, and therefore a Pegasus. Hence the nickname. And the review came through.

umi n secylia: Fomin is Panas' last name, and yes, Pegasus is his nick.

KuronekoHikage: Oh? What sort of bells was it ringing? :p

MyHeartBleeds: Lee's back? What about the restraining order? Anyway, glad to have you back with us SC. :D

Ramen II: The vocab was different? I hadn't even noticed. Strange.

Jay Kamiya: I take it you liking Bryan is a big thing then? And just what would you do if I do kill them? :p

Damn document manager was down for repairs again last night. Anyway, what do you think they'll find at the Abbey?

Disclaimer: See first page

"Gone? What do you mean 'gone'?"

The boy fidgeted, biting his lip. "They left early this morning, Tala. They packed all the equipment into the helicopters and took off, heading East. All we know is that one of the guards came and told us we were no longer needed and to wait until the BBA arrived."

"That isn't like Boris." Kai frowned, glancing at Tala. "Think Bryan cut a deal?"

"He did." The boy looked up at them. "Rumour has it Iceheart came to the Abbey by taxi before first light. He spoke to Boris for a while then they went to one of the helicopters and got in it. They say Iceheart looked like he didn't want to go but made himself. It was around then that the guards told us we were free."

"He cut a deal all right." Tala gritted his teeth. "So where's Panas?"

"They took him away by helicopter two days ago, same direction. He must be where Boris and Iceheart are now."

"We took a look in Boris's office, Captain," Ian said as he and Spencer joined them. "It's been cleaned out. There's not even a screwed up bit of paper in the rubbish bin. And the computer system seems to be wiped clean too."

"BBA got men looking for the backup," Spencer continued.

"Wherever this new location is, Boris has no intention of us finding it." Kai's gaze drifted, shuddering as he took in his surroundings and the memories that bubbled up within, once forgotten. "This place hasn't changed much."

"No more than when you were here a couple of weeks ago." Tala moved further into the room, smirking as he glanced back over his shoulder. "Feeling homesick, Kai?"

"Whatever."

They heard a soft step, glancing to the side as Ray came into view, gaze darting around trying to take in everything at once. "This place is creepy."

Ian snorted. "You should try living here for a while."

"I'll pass." Ray stopped beside Kai, leaning against him as golden eyes continued to trace their surrounding. "Just thought you might want to know that they found a wall in the lower levels that looks like it's new."

Tala raised an eyebrow. "At the other end of the passageway from Boris's office?"

"Mm-hm."

"The dungeon. I was expecting him to seal it off." Tala made his way in the direction Ray had come from. "He wouldn't want the BBA to see it."

Ian followed him. "You and Bryan hooked up in the dungeon, didn't you?"

Kai shot him a warning glare as he spotted Tala tense faintly, Ian spotting Kai's look and sobering, nodding his understanding. At the moment Tala was distracted, searching for where Boris might have disappeared too. Mentioning his and Bryan's relationship would not do anything to improve the situation, instead causing Tala to phase out again. Either that, or he would break something. Most likely Ian's head.

Not that anyone would complain.

They followed Tala through the corridors and into a smaller corridor, Tala turning left and moving toward where several BBA officials and authorities stood around. Ian glanced to the right quickly, muttering "be right back" before heading for the staircase that led up to Boris's office.

"Go ahead," Tala said as he slowed, looking toward Mr Dickenson. "Tell your men to knock it down. It's what Boris didn't want you to see."

Mr Dickenson nodded, signalling toward four of the stronger men who took up sledge hammers, pounding at the rock and mortar. At first there were only chips before the wall began to crumble, and with a crack it fell inwards, filling the corridor with dust and causing all to cover their faces so not to choke.

"Mortar wasn't properly dry," one of the men said. "This was probably sealed less than 24 hours ago."

Tala moved forward, stepping over the rock and through the hole in the wall, making his way down the passage beyond. He paused by the door, tugging at the handle and noting that it was locked. He glanced back as he heard a scrabbling, Ian appearing with keys in hand, freshly retrieved from their hiding place.

Ian unlocked the door as the others began to flock around, Tala leading the way down into the darkness. As the bottom he took up a lantern, striking a match and lighting it, the glow filling the surrounding area.

Ray shivered, moving closer to Kai as he gazed around, nose twitching at the dank smell of mould and mildew, as well as stale blood, sweat and urine. They explored the area, Kai noting that Tala looked slightly pale as he gazed toward one of the side rooms.

"Boris has cleaned up," Ian commented, poking his head in the room, holding his own lantern out so to see. "The chains and all are gone. Cleaned away all the blood too."

Michael glanced in, the All Starz, White Tigers and the rest of the Blade Breakers having accompanied them to the Abbey as well. "There's still blood in there. Stone's stained with it."

Lee joined him, nose twitching. "The bloods fresher here."

"It would be." Ian looked up at them. "This is where Boris dragged Bryan and Tala after he beat them up for losing the finals. He tortured them and left them to die, and they would have if Spencer and I hadn't rescued them."

"Panas, Aizik and the other boys helped too, remember." Spencer looked toward him as he closed one of the cupboards filled with equipment.

"Yeah, I remember. That brawl was a great distraction."

"This is outrageous." Mr Dickenson's eyes flashed as he gazed around, face darkening. "To think that man brought children down here for the sole purpose of inflicting pain upon them… he must be brought to a stop. This is evidence enough that that man should be behind bars."

"I agree with you, Mr D." Tyson shuddered. "It's just plain sick."

Ian looked up. "They say Bryan spent over half his life down here. He was Boris's favourite toy."

"He is Boris's favourite toy, not was." Kai glared at him. "He's not dead until we see the body."

"Now I know why Bryan is like what he is." Ray sighed, closing his eyes. "I understand now."

"That, and why the boys were so scared of Boris." Tyson crossed his arms over his chest. "When I see that man I'm going to-"

Kai reached out and caught Tala as the younger collapsed, skin pasty white as sweat beaded on his forehead. Kai lowered him to the ground as Tala gasped at the air, eyes squeezed closed as if in pain.

"Tala? Tala, what's wrong?"

"Can't… breath…"

"We've got to get him outside," Emily said. "Kai, carry him, quickly."

What the hell is wrong with Tala?