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Chapter 2

"Gordon?"

The voice brought Gordon back to reality; he quickly put the headset on. "Alan?" he asked.

"Gordon! What's going on? What was that? Gordon?"

"It was the Hood Alan…" he trailed off, staring at the image of his brother. There was a sudden beeping; he looked around wildly before his eyes lit upon a clock. 23 hours and 59 minutes. "It seems the game's on. Hold tight Alan. I'll get you out of there."

He quickly felt in his sash for his lock picks-nothing. He cursed softly and dropped to the ground in search of something he could use.

"Gordon?" Alan's voice wavered. "What's wrong?"

"I'm locked in a cage is what's wrong and my lock picks are gone." Gordon muttered, his eyes narrowed as he strained to see anything.

"You'll be able to get out though? Right?"

Gordon could hear the beginnings of fear creep into Alan's voice. "I'll get out Alan, then I'll get you and we'll blow this joint. The Hood doesn't know who he's dealing with." He kept his tone confident and cheery, fighting the anxiety creeping through him as he began to think he couldn't get out of here… he looked up at the grainy image of Alan and his determination resolved itself firmly. He would get out of here. He would get to Alan. He wouldn't let anything happen to his little brother.

Five minutes later he found a piece of wire, left by the Hood no doubt and he scrambled over to the door. "I'm coming Alan." He murmured as he inserted the wire into the lock.

Vv

"Damn, damn, damn, damn, damn, damn!" he cursed as another beep told him another minute was up and his hand slipped.

"You nearly through yet Gordo?"

"Nearly." Gordon said, reinserting the wire.

"You said that ages ago." Alan complained.

"Give me a second Alan, this is a delicate procedure!" he shot back, becoming frustrated with the lock. He had been working at it for forty five minutes straight. His hand slipping with every beep that told him his brother was one minute closer to death. And he couldn't to a damn thing about it! He gave a growl of frustration, stood up and aimed a blind kick at the lock.

"Gordon?"

Another kick.

"Gordon, what are you doing?"

Another kick.

"Gordon!"

Gordon gave an angry cry and kicked the door a last time, and was very surprised to have the door swing open. "I'm out." He said in disbelief. He heard Alan's relieved sigh.

Now free he glanced at the clock as another beep sounded. 23 hours and 8 minutes left. He went to the dimly lit door and wrenched it open.

"Fuck!" he cursed.

"Gordon? Gordon what is it? What's wrong? Gordon!" Alan called, panicked when he got no response from the horror-struck Gordon, who stood staring down at the huge maze below him. He didn't even know where Alan was. He could be anywhere in that maze.

Gordon swallowed thickly. "Nothing wrong here Alan-hang tight. I'm on my way." He forced the laugh at the end as his heart constricted painfully as he hurried down the steps and to the entrance to the maze.

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