Chapter 15

Bloody Mary: I saw you updated and I have read it. Just didn't have the time to review. Must do that.

Acey1: Yay! You know Switchblade!! [[huggles]] I've got it on audio cd so now I can play it whenever and wherever I want. Love that song.

MyHeartBleeds: Small update on WTC. I'm working a little on v3.0 at the moment. Just fiddling. Got the top banners done and working on the background now. And Mariah/Tala? I'm intrigued...

Ramen II: I put the money thing in because I myself wanted to know. :p And Switchblade is the Demo Boys song in G-Rev apparently. I just downloaded it off the net. That's how I know it since there is still no sign of G-Rev in Aus.

Kappy Locks: The 'Out of the Darkness/Into the Light' duo and the Honesty Series are completely different timelines. Only thing in common is cameo appearances by characters. Look out for Panas in Ketsuron, the final instalment of the Honesty series. ;P

DranzerGirl: It's perfect for them indeed. So dark, so perfect. A little bit of everything, just like the boys. I've had a panic attack but not an anxiety attack. I reckon it must be hard having one.

KuronekoHikage: Download it. Good song. You won't regret it.

Chaco and Lily: Tyson doesn't have that big a part in this fic. Sorry. Your search shalt be in vain.

Ashla: Unfair to the characters? I don't know. We have the ability to make characters live out their fantasies.

Reiven: I wouldn't say Tala's okay. And you like your vodo doll, do you? Want another? I've got plenty. [[throws open cupboard to reveal vodo dolls of every single character in Beyblade plus OCs]]

Werewolf of Fire: You like Spencer with a newspaper? Might I ask - why?

lilmatchgirl007: Ian aims to piss of Bryan in my fics, and therefore in most cases pisses off Tala as well. And finish that line? What line? I don't see no line. [[halo appears]]

Jay Kamiya: For Tala's sake? So you don't care about Bryan... :p

Back to hell.

Disclaimer: See first page

He jolted awake, instantly regretting it as pain played through him. He kept his eyes closed, forcing himself to keep his breaths even though each one felt as if someone were sawing at his throat. His body ached worse than anything he had ever felt before, and he swore he could feel his bones.

"Bryan?"

He shuddered, lavender eyes cracking open as he looked up toward the other, blinking as his eyes burned.

"Jeez, man, you look like shit." Panas ran his gaze over him, eyes filled with concern. "He worked you over good."

Bryan closed his eyes again, sighing. "How long was I out?"

"A while, that's all I can say. I haven't exactly got a watch I can time you with, after all."

Bryan nodded, rolling onto his side and hissing through his teeth as pain tore through him. It would seem that Boris's little experiment had a side effect, one that would probably stay with him until it was all over.

"So how high did he get the volts up for you?"

Bryan looked toward him. "All the way up."

"All the…" Panas's eyes widened. "No wonder you look like shit. How can you not be dead?"

"Don't count it out yet." Bryan managed to bring himself to his knees, stretching his back and hearing it crack unpleasantly, though he felt better for it.

"Sounds like something just went back in."

"Mm." Bryan looked down at the other. "How about you? How high?"

"Halfway, I think, or just above." Panas sighed, averting his eyes. "I'm weak. It didn't take much before I broke."

"Don't be too hard on yourself, Panny. Boris almost had me screamin' there. Don't know how I didn't."

"You're strong. You have better control over yourself and your emotions."

Bryan shrugged, slouching back against the wall and gazing across the small room as he tugged reflexively at his bonds. "Boris come while I was out?"

"Yes. He came in to see if we were alive, I think. He checked your pulse and gave you some kind of injection. That wasn't too long ago. I'd say whatever he gave you was what made you wake up."

Bryan frowned. Boris had given him something to wake up? A stimulant? And Panas had said that Boris had checked his pulse first. Was it, then, some kind of first aid treatment to combat the effects of the torture and tests?

Bryan sighed, closing his eyes and wondering what Tala was up too just then. By now they would have discovered Bryan was gone and no doubt moved in on the Abbey, finding the boys Boris had promised to set free. The boys would be in good hands now, the BBA looking after them and returning them to their families.

Bryan knew he should have felt good knowing that he had been the one that had brought about their freedom, but a sense of foreboding washed away all over thoughts. Something was wrong, he knew that. Something was wrong with Tala.

Bryan sighed heavily, squeezing his eyes closed. The fear he had felt when he had first left returned, stronger than what he had originally felt. He wanted to be there, helping Tala with whatever it was that was wrong…

No, he knew what was wrong. Bryan set his jaw. He was what was wrong. Tala would have been pissed when he had discovered that Bryan was gone, but by now he had a feeling Tala was worried sick. Either that or…

Bryan shuddered. Tala would be upset and the others would comfort him, and it was possible that one of those Tala leant on for support Tala would fall for. Bryan knew about guys on the rebound, he had seen it happen before. They would turn to someone new, easily being coaxed into sleeping with that person, using them to forget their old love.

Tala would probably give Bryan up for dead once he discovered that Bryan was not at the Abbey. True Tala might search for a while, but he would give up. Tala wasn't committed to anything long term with Bryan anyway, he had admitted that. Just as Bryan had admitted that he could not love Tala.

Why would Tala stick around for a guy that couldn't love him when he could so easily find someone that could? A shiver played through Bryan, his stomach twisting as the fear returned, Bryan trying to quash it before it could overwhelm him.

Tala, be strong. Don't give up on me, Wolf. Not yet. Do not give up.

Anyone else get the impression Boris wants Bryan alive? And Bryan's certainly got a one-track mind, no matter how pessimistic.

I'm off the Manifest this upcoming weekend. The Melbourne Anime Festival. I'm looking forward to it. :D