Vanished

By Gemini-M

Chapter 3

Disclaimer: See Chapter One

Author's Note: Thanks for the wonderful reviews to pretender fan, phi4858, Elisa, Nans, Joel-Gomes and leochick. Hope that you will like this chapter. Enjoy. Also thanks to my Beta reader, Jacionne for all her help.

Author's Note II: To Nans. I'm sorry that I was not able to update in time for your birthday, but I hope you had a Wonderful day.

"Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds." Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Vibrations and the continuous humming of an engine slowly brought Sydney out of his troubled slumber. He felt as if he was floating but he had no sensation in his arms or legs. Desperately, he wanted to open his eyes to make some sense of what was happening, but the shooting pain in the back of his head prevented him from doing just that. Finally, he took a deep breath and ignoring the pain, forced himself to open his eyes. The blackness that greeted him only hurled him into further disorientation and panic. When he moved his head trying to clear his vision, his face came in contact with the dark material covering his head. Realization assaulted him like bucket of ice water. He was wearing some kind of hood. Instinctively, Sydney tried to raise his numbed hands to remove the dark cloth but he quickly realized that his hands were bound behind his back.

"Well, well, it looks like our good doctor is awake." A mocking voice startled Sydney.

"Where are you taking me?" Sydney voice was trembling and hoarse. "Who are you people?"

His captors completely ignored his question and continued to talk among themselves. His fogged mind tried to recognize the voices, but they were all unfamiliar and masked by the surrounding sounds.

He was so thirsty that the simple effort to speak was painful. His throat felt as if it was on fire, his mouth felt like sandpaper and he could feel the cracks on his lips from the lack of fluids. He thought of asking for some water, but he knew his abductors would not remove the blindfold until they reached their destination. He wondered how long he had been unconscious and what they were planning to do with him.

In an instant, a flood of emotions and questions ravaged his mind. 'Why are they doing this to me?' He felt confused and lost. 'Who were these people? And who had ordered his abduction?' The whole ordeal was unbearable; he could feel the panic creeping from within. All his years of psychological studies and knowledge on survival techniques had failed to prepare him to deal with this unpredictable and terrifying situation. Suddenly, a new emotion struck him with pain a deep regret. He was overwhelmed with a feeling of Guilt. The image of a little boy sitting behind a desk crying while hiding his face behind his hands assaulted him. "Jarod", he murmured softly. That little boy had been submitted to this same horrifying experience when he was only a child. "My God, why didn't I help him when I had the chance?" Sydney asked himself with remorse. Maybe this was his punishment for allowing that evil to flourish for so many years. Others like Catherine, Fenigor and even Jacob had tried to save the children, but he never did. He always refused to see the truth and instead he hid behind his scientific studies, his logic and his pristine view of the world. He was a coward and if this was some kind of payback, he deserved it. Consumed with guilt and sadness, Sydney curled up in a fetal position and wept for the lost children, the lost years and loss of innocence. He had betrayed them all and he didn't deserve their forgiveness. He had become a Monster and it was time for him to pay for his sins.

"Sorry Doc, time to take a little nap. Boss' orders." The voice said teasingly.

Sydney didn't hear the footsteps of the approaching man nor did he try to resist when he felt the prick of a needle penetrate the skin of his forearm. He didn't care anymore and unconsciousness was a welcome state to rest his troubled and weary mind.

The Centre

Broots' fingers tapped frantically over his keyboard searching the mainframe for any sign of the missing doctor. His search of the surveillance tapes had come up empty. Whoever was behind this operation knew how to cover their tracks. The idea of telling Miss Parker he had nothing made him feel sick to his stomach. He ran his shaky hand over the few strands of hair for the hundredth time. At this rate he was going to be as bald as Mr. Raines in no time. The unexpected ringing of Sydney's phone in his pocket nearly sent him flying off his chair.

"He...llo" Broots whispered into the device.

"Mr. Broots?" The deep voice of the pretender came on the other end. "Where is Sydney?"

"I...I don't know." Broots answered while glancing over his shoulder nervously. "He's...missing."

"What do you mean he's missing?" The pretender sounded annoyed.

Trying to make himself as small as possible in his cubicle space he continued, "This morning, Sydney passed out in the Sim Lab and was rushed to the Infirmary. When Miss Parker and I went to see him, he was gone. He never made it to the Infirmary.

There was only silence on the line and for a moment Broots thought that the pretender had just hung up. "Jarod, are you still there?"

"I'll call you later Mr. Broots." He said dryly.

"Jarod wait!" Broots' voice shrieked with panic. "What about Sydney?"

"I don't know where he is Mr. Broots." His voice was detached.

"Should I... tell Miss Parker about your call?" Broots asked with apprehension.

"NO." Jarod growled. "I'll be in touch."

"Wait!...What if you...call me when she...she's around?" Broots was now shaking like a leaf. "I...I won't be able to answer your call."

"Have you ever heard of vibrate mode Mr. Broots?" With that said, the line went dead.

Broots dropped the phone on his desk and covered his face with his shaking hands. He could swear he was getting an ulcer already. If Miss Parker found out he was in contact with Jarod secretly, she was going to have him skinned alive. On the other hand, maybe Jarod would uncover something about Sydney's disappearance. After all, Jarod was the genius and an expert when it came to digging up secrets and ghosts at the Centre.

Broots picked up the cell phone and switched it to vibrate as instructed by the pretender. As he played with the device in his hand, a thought kept nagging at the back of his mind. Something was different about the pretender. His reaction to Sydney's disappearance was very strange, almost cold. Even though he didn't know Jarod very well, he knew that his relationship with his mentor was unique. Sydney had always protected Jarod the best he could during his years of captivity at the Centre and in more than one occasion Jarod had returned the favor by helping Sydney. Something was definitely wrong. "Maybe Jarod knows something we don't." Broots said to himself with suspicion, but that feeling was quickly pushed aside by one of frustration. "Great, and now I can't even discuss this with Miss Parker."

Again, Broots scanned the Tech room nervously to make sure no one was watching him. Already he felt like a basket case and now he had to lie to Miss Parker about his contact with Jarod. "Things can't get any worse or could they?" He thought out loud and then shook his head trying to erase that feeling of doom. He returned the small phone to his pant's pocket and quickly gathered the limited files he had found on the mysterious doctor and nurse. Miss Parker was waiting for this information and making her angry on top of everything could be extremely hazardous to his health.

Mr. Lyle's office

Lyle could hear the familiar commotion just outside the glass panel doors. He had been expecting her arrival for the last hour; his dear sister was so predictable. He picked up a file and sat back in his executive chair. He slowly swiveled the chair around, turning his back on her entrance in order to whip up her fury and hide the wicked smile that was pasted on his face. He just loved to play with her emotions.

"LYLE, WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?" Parker growled as she stormed into his office.

"Sorry Mr. Lyle, I tried to stop her but... she just..." The small woman behind Miss Parker trembled in fear as she tried to explain. "I'm so sorry Mr. Lyle, she would not listen to..."

Leisurely, Lyle turned his chair around and faced the two women before him.

"It's alright Lucy." Lyle raised a hand to stop the secretary's hysterical pleas. "Please leave us."

"Yes Mr. Lyle." Lucy answered softly with her head lowered and swiftly exited the office.

When Lyle's eyes finally met Parker's, he was greeted with a look filled with hatred. 'God, she truly is beautiful when she gets angry.' Lyle thought to himself as his predatory instinct started to surface. 'It's too bad that we might be related, but then again that fact really doesn't bother me.' He continued to stare mesmerized by her beauty and power.

"Lyle, what is going on at the Infirmary?" Parker's question shook Lyle back to reality. "Sydney was taken to the infirmary a few hours ago and now he is missing."

"I don't know what you're talking about Sis."

Parker moved forward aggressively and slammed both hands on Lyle's desk. "I swear Lyle, if I find out that you are behind this little plot, you're going to be missing more parts and they are not going to be your remaining digits."

"Why should I know Dr. Frankenstein's whereabouts?" Lyle remarked calmly as he moved around the desk and stood by his sister. "And why every time someone goes missing, you pull out the conspiracy card and vote me the main suspect?"

"Because I'm usually RIGHT." Parker's eyes bored into Lyle's.

"Well Sis, this time you are WRONG. I have no idea where the good Doctor is." Lyle shot back at Parker; turned his back on her venomous glare and walked back to his chair. At that precise moment his phone rang saving him from a counterattack. Lyle picked up the receiver and stared at Parker impatiently.

"If you don't mind Miss Parker, I would like to answer this call." Lyle uttered with a sneer.

"This discussion is not over Lyle." Parker hissed.

Smiling at Parker's threatening words, he waited until she was at the door and then added, "Oh Miss Parker, please keep me inform on the search for Sydney will you?"

Parker ignored his remark and stalked off in a huff. She reminded herself that she had to remain in control for Sydney's sake. Lyle knew something and sooner or later he would lead her to the answers. Furthermore, if she stayed there another minute she was going to put a bullet in that psychotic brain of his.

"This is Lyle." He answered and then listened to the voice attentively.

"You created HIM, so find a way to stop HIM." Lyle spat back.

"If it was up to me, he would have been dead a long time ago. You and Mr. Parker are responsible for his escape and attacks." Lyle growled. "This time I will deal with him swiftly and permanently."

"I have a meeting with him in two hours." Lyle looked at his watch. It was 2:00p.m.

"Yes, he promised to give me the files and DSA's." Lyle stood from his desk and walked to the window.

"I have no other choice. If that information falls into the WRONG HANDS..."Lyle shouted into the small device and then listened as the person on the other end spoke. Lyle eyes became dark with repulsion.

"Just remember this; if I go down I'm taking YOU down with ME." Lyle replied with hatred.

"Meet me at my apartment at 6:00p.m. We will discuss the next step to put an end to this problem." Lyle growled and disconnected the call slamming the receiver down.

Lyle's eyes reflected the madness and fury burning within. He opened his desk drawer and retrieved his gun. He checked the clip and then placed the weapon back in his holster. "It's time to go meet with the Lab Rat and put an end to his little game." Lyle thought aloud as the desire for revenge boiled in his veins.

Completely unaware of the curious eyes watching him from the air vent, Lyle bolted from his chair and exited his office like an enraged animal. Meanwhile, the shadowy figure hidden in the vents typed furiously on his laptop. With unmatched skills, the sheltered prodigy proceeded to transmit the conversation between Lyle and his caller. His friend needed this information immediately. Lives were in danger.

Miss Parker's office

Miss Parker arrived at her office with fire in her eyes. To her surprise and annoyance, she found Broots sitting at her desk and working on her computer.

"Well, well, it is true. When the cat's away the mice will play." She replied angrily and gave Broots a stern look that nearly made him jump out of his skin.

"OH...No...No...Miss Parker...uh...I was looking for some...something that...that might help us find...Syd...Sydney." Broots stuttered uncontrollably.

"Okay Broots, never mind. What do you have on Dr. Frankenstein and the old ogress?"

"OH yeah, right away."

Broots jumped from the chair and walked towards Miss Parker while searching through the files in his hand. "Here it is. It says that Dr. Warren and Nurse Anderson were transferred here from Africa one week ago." Broots looked at Parker carefully and then continued. "Their transfer was requested by...Mr. Lyle."

"That bastard. I knew he was behind this." Parker growled and began to pace the room angrily. "Was there anything else?"

"I also checked all the surveillance tapes and found Nothing. It's like Sydney just vanished. It's really strange." Broots said nervously.

"Broots by now you should know that disappearances have never been strange at the Centre." Parker replied with a grim smile.

"OH yeah, I almost forgot. Just before you came in, I found a memo that was send to Mr. Raines, but I didn't have the chance to read it."

"Well, don't just stand there. Show me this memo." Parker said frustrated.

Broots hurried back to the computer and started typing commands to access the document. Miss Parker stood behind him and leant over his shoulder to look at the screen. Her close proximity made it even harder for him to focus on the task and the scent of her perfume was driving him crazy. 'Wow, she smells like spring flowers.' Broots thought to himself mesmerized by the fragrance. 'She's is so stunning and yet so strong.'

"COME ON BROOTS, WHERE IS THE MEMO?" Her remark jolted him from his daydream.

"OH...yes, M...Miss Parker." Broots fumble for words and after a few minutes of silence he almost jumped out of his chair. "I FOUND IT!" Broots exclaimed and began reading. "The survival of the Centre is in your hands. Exchange will take place tomorrow evening at previously agreed location."

Parker and Broots stared at each other in silence for a few seconds, trying to decipher the meaning behind the cryptic message.

"Who sent the message?" Parker broke the silence suddenly.

"It doesn't say, but the memo is dated May 15th, yesterday. That means they are meeting...Tonight." Broots whispered.

"Who is meeting Raines tonight? And where?" Parker asked herself.

"Miss Parker do you think this exchange have something to do with...Sydney?" Broots asked trembling.

"Lets hope not, but I think is time to have a little talk with that oxygenated bag of bones." Parker stated with repugnance. Before Broots had a chance to refuse, he was jerked from his chair and dragged out of the office by Miss Parker.

Jarod's latest lair

Being so close to that hideous place again made him feel edgy and vindictive but now it was time to make things right one last time before disappearing. Jarod was just settling in after his rushed trip from Florida, when his laptop signaled the incoming message. He quickly dropped his duffle bag on the floor, sat at his desk and began to access the two messages awaiting him.

As Jarod read the first message, a smile began to appear on his lips, "Good Job Angelo." His laughter echoed through the empty room, but his spirit was quickly darkened by the next anonymous message. He needed to contact Broots immediately and warn him. Time was running out.

Jarod retrieved his cell phone from his jacket and pushed the pre-recorded number. After ringing continuously for a few minutes, a shaky voice finally answered.

"He...llo?" Broots' spooked voice came across the line. "Ja...Jarod?"

"Mr. Broots, listen carefully." Jarod was serious and direct. "You and Miss Parker need to leave The Centre NOW."

"Jarod, what about Sydney?" Broots objected. "Have you found anything?"

"Mr. Broots, You and Miss Parker are in grave danger." Jarod continued ignoring the techie's questions. "Leave NOW and don't TRUST anyone."

"But...but Miss Parker is on her way to talk to... Mr. Raines." Broots stopped for a moment and stuck his head out of the bathroom stall he was hiding in to make sure no one was listening before continuing. "We found a memo that was send to Mr. Raines. It talks about a meeting and an exchange taking place tonight."

There was no reply from the pretender. Broots just hated when Jarod played his little disappearing game. "Jarod are you still there?" Broots shouted as frustration and panic took control.

"Yes Mr. Broots I'm here." There was silence again but Broots could hear the tapping of a keyboard in the background. "Mr. Raines and Mr. Lyle are gone. DO NOT FOLLOW THEM, if you do you'll endanger Sydney's life as well as your own." Saying that, Jarod terminated the call.

"Jarod wait!" Broots called out, but all he heard was the dial tone.

TBC