Greg, who was driving the van, seemed to take delight in making it corner sharply, causing Steve and Jesse to be tossed about like rolls of old carpet. The suspension on the vehicle was pretty dire, and as a result Steve felt thoroughly battered even after only a couple of minutes of travelling. It was impossible to find the most comfortable position and lie still; with every bump in the road he was jolted clear into the air only to land with a painful bump each time. To make things worse there were several objects that had been lying in the back: an old paint can, a car jack, and a piece of pipe among others. These clattered about and moved underneath the captives as they were shaken around, making for some painful landings back on the floor of the van.

It was noisy in the back, and Steve was unable to make out much conversation between Greg and Harley, although there didn't seem to be much except for brief discussion about directions from time to time. Cricking his neck up to the front was awkward and he soon abandoned trying to see where they were going, as all he could make out was sky and the very tops of buildings.

Steve tried to catch Jesse's eye but in the brief moments they were both facing the right way Jesse's thoughts seemed to be occupied with trying to land most softly and he wasn't looking at Steve.

Gradually the noise of heavy traffic started to fade. The journey seemed to be going on and Steve guessed that they were being taken out of the city. Suddenly, a particularly large dip in the road catapulted Steve right over. Landing on his side with a heavy crash, he felt his fingers brush against Jesse's hands. Quickly, before he was dislodged again, he reached out and gripped Jesse's fingers. Jesse reacted back and grasped Steve by the back of his shirt so that they stayed together, back to back.

Steve used touch to locate the knot that secured the bonds on Jesse's wrists. He worked to undo it, getting frustrated as each new bump in the road jerked his hands away making him lose his place. It was tight but eventually Steve's efforts were rewarded and he felt the knot loosen under his hands. He managed to get his head over near Jesse's ear and hissed, "It's undone but keep the rope wound round." Jesse nodded understanding, then started to work on Steve's ties.

It sounded as if the van was now the only vehicle on the road. Steve heard the occasional car pass them but it seemed they were well out of the city. Jesse gave him a triumphant tap to indicate that he had succeeded. Steve kept his hands wrapped round with the bonds in case Greg or Harley happened to look round, but they didn't seem to have paid them any attention so far. He bent his knees to bring his ankles up to his hands and cursed silently as he realised he wasn't that supple.

After what seemed like an hour of driving, the van turned off the road onto a rough dirt track. The vibrations in the back of the van for Jesse and Steve were intense. Steve was thrown about so much he could hardly see straight, then he banged his head hard against the van wall and felt dizzy.

Abruptly, the van came to a stop. Steve sighed with relief. Greg and Harley turned around in their seats. Steve hoped fervently that they couldn't see the loose ropes. "Worms!" Harley sneered, then they got out, slamming the doors behind them.

Steve twisted round into a sitting position and Jesse did the same beside him. Steve reached over and swiftly pulled away Jesse's bonds on his hands, and Jesse did the same for him. Steve reached down and untied the ropes on his ankles and Jesse reached down to untie his own. Steve got to his feet, although in a bent position as the van was tall enough to allow him to stand fully upright. He grabbed the car jack and kicked the pipe over towards Jesse.

"We're going to fight the whole way," he said in a low, determined voice.

"Absolutely," Jesse said, struggling with the knot on his ankles.

Steve could hear Greg and Harley move round to the rear of the van and he stood ready by the doors at the back. They hadn't had much success at fighting before but now the odds were better. One on one, he thought grimly, and frowned as he heard a car draw up and Max's voice. Okay, three against two, he conceded silently. But still better than before.

"Jess, get a move on!" he hissed.

"It's too tight," Jesse muttered.

The seconds dragged out and Steve's tension was growing. What were they planning? Unexpectedly, there was a large thud on the rear doors and the van jolted. Steve almost lost his balance. This is it, he thought. But rather than the doors opening, as he anticipated, the van rolled forwards, and then there was a sickening feeling of falling. Steve did lose his balance this time, and fell towards the seats as the front of the van tilted downwards. Jesse fell on top of Steve. The falling sensation seemed to last for minutes rather than seconds, as time seemed to slow and Steve was only aware of the van plummeting and a confusing tangle of arms and legs.

With an impact that was a turmoil of noise and reverberation the van's downward motion was stopped. Steve heard a huge splash of water and realised with horror that the van had been pushed into a river or lake. He and Jesse were tossed about and he lost track of which way was up.

X X X

On the edge of the lake, Max, Greg and Carter watched as the van bobbed on the surface for perhaps a minute or two, settling in an upright position, and gradually filled with water and sunk out of sight. "Done," Max said. "Let's get back to the warehouse and pack up."

They climbed into Max's car and drove away.