A/N: This story is officially restarted! Writers block was one of the main reasons I put it on hiatus, as well as lack of reviews. However, now I can say with complete confidence and faith…I'm back baby.
" Stay with me my dear…we wouldn't want you nodding off in the middle of my fun now would we?"
A small whimper came from the lips of am extremely tired looking blonde girl. Her chin quivered and her eyes fluttered open, only to droop down again to half lid. Ever since she had awoken in this strange, black, sullen room she had not been able to keep her body awake. Small shoulders began to fall and her fair-haired head lolled to the right as another wave of nausea and the incredible temptation to sleep washed over. The man clad in black walked slowly up to her, seemingly drawing out every step, as if the idea of prolonging something appealed to him. Another whimper echoed throughout the room and her head as the small girl tried to move her arms out of the rusty, copper shackles weakly. Her half black gaze fell over her wrists, which has taken by the looks of them, more abuse than necessary. Two large red bands encircled them, the first of which had begun to turn into two thick purple and yellow bracelets.
" Please…please don't…"
The tall man chuckled at her words and advanced three extra steps, eventually kneeling down to her eye level. His large hand engulfed the top of her white gold tresses as he stroked the top of her skull gently, teasing her.
" Shhh…it will all be over soon…"
" Neil behind you!"
A loud gasp came from the blonde's mouth as a large axe just missed the top of his shiny, fair head. He let out a grunt as he rolled off to the side of the battle. Two of Cronus hench ogres had ambushed them the first minute they had walked in the large cavern of the mountain. It seemed to be hollow; the enormous black rocks just a shell, covering something, something big. The red skinned monster lifted its heavy weapon again, directly above the patch of ground were Neil lay. A sudden shout from Atlanta seemed to bring the blonde boy down to earth as he grabbed the tip of the large wooden handle of the axe, throwing it down roughly. It pierced the ground as his left foot replaced his hands position on the handle, running up to meet the ogres bewildered face with a hard kick to the cheek. It fell, just like the other that the rest of the team had been pre occupied with. Neil stood, walking forward, trying to brush of the terribly obvious limp the kick had brought on. The others ran forward, Archie helping him sit on the ground, away from the ogre and the blood that had begun to pool around it. Theresa grabbed his foot, pushing up his black pants and rolling down his sock.
" Neil…this bruise is ridiculous!"
The red head was meet with a grimace and then a frown.
" I'm fine"
"You can't be serious…were going back to the boat for banda-"
Her motherly words were cut short.
" I'm fine!"
The harshness of his tone made her gasp, along with Atlanta, the others faces stretching with disbelief. His pant leg dropped, covering the yellow brown bruise as he stood again, pushing Archie away and continuing forward. He looked back, his teeth clenched in pain, wanting them to follow. Jay sighed, running after his injured friend, grabbing his shoulder.
"I'm sorry Neil…but I'm going to have to call you on this one. Were not going anywhere with your foot like tha-"
" No Jay"
He turned, looking at Theresa. The dark brown in her eyes seemed to speak to him, pleading. His hand left the blonde's shoulder, looking at his friend's injuries. The large scrape on his cheek as well as the thick line of stitches on his forearm, both beginning to crust over with dry brown blood, and the multiple bruises upon his body, some rivalling the one on his ankle. Anyway he looked at it, Neil was a liability. He hated to see things with a strategic eye, but in battle he would slow them down, jeopardizing the completion of their mission. Neil was beyond repair at this point; he knew his body couldn't take much more. Respect his friends wishes and not leave anyone behind…or ensure that the team was ready to the best of their ability with no set backs, making the ultimate goal that much more of a reality. Failure was definitely not an option in this situation. His fingers massaged his temples and he let his arms fall to his sides, bringing one up again.
" Jay?"
A questioning glance from Theresa and the rest of the team snapped him back into the real world. He nodded softly, confirming his decision. They had to move on, time was a key factor.
A/N: Ooh…a cliffie. I think you guys will be surprised with the outcome.
