Ch 7
Francis bit his finger as he stood pacing back and forth across the cement floor. Each step slightly echoed filling up the space as everything else remained still. It had been nearly four minutes since he started, but he felt like he hadn't come any closer to a solution. Another minute went by before he finally came to a stop and walked back to the center.
There in the middle of the large cell sat a bunk bed. The top bunk lay exposed to the sunlight that entered through a skylight window located 100 ft above, while he bottom bunk, on the other hand, offered protection from the sun's rays and see-through curtains that were set up around the bed.
Next to the bunk was a small table. It contained a pitcher of water and two metal mugs and a large bowl of fruit and bread. Francis grabbed one of the fruits in front of him and started eating it. He turn slowly turned to look at the lower bunk.
On it lay Arthur, his eyes closed and his hands folded across his chest. Francis watched Arthur's chest rise up and down as the time passed, observing the peaceful look on his face. He frowned slightly as he realized Arthur reminded him of how people were poised at wakes.
He wandered up to the sleeping country and brought his hands down to his sides. As soon as he was about to release his grip, he felt Arthur's hand move. He watched as his green eyes slowly fluttered open and focused on him.
"Francis..." Arthur said hoarsely, almost in the form of a question.
Francis tried to hide his relief by grabbing a cup and filling it with water. He brought it to Arthur who sat up and took a long sip.
He waited patiently for Arthur to speak, tired of speaking himself.
Arthur's eyes looked around the room as he drank with visible confusion. "I hope this isn't some weird take on couple therapy," he said in a monotone voice.
Francis cracked a small smile. "Nope, it's worse."
It seemed Arthur understood the simple fact that neither of them wanted to be here.
"Are you hungry?" Francis handed the cup back.
Arthur cocked his head as he took the cup. "Strangely, very." He downed it quickly.
Francis refilled the cup for him. "Good. You've been out for a whole day."
Arthur raised his eyebrows in disbelief. He finished the water as Francis spoke next to him. "They've been giving us good food and water. They need us for some reason. I think it's so United Nations will pay whatever to get up back."
Arthur grabbed a pear and ate it on the mattress He observed the bars that confined them and the strange room that lay outside of the large cage they were in. It was large enough for small aircrafts, even with the tall shelves near the door filled with strange items.
"Have you talked to them?" Arthur asked, taking another bite of his pear.
Francis scoffed. "I tried. However they don't trust me-not that they should. Therefore I'm not allowed to move freely when they pay us a visit. Or else." He rubbed his neck where a faint scar was. Arthur stared up at him, concerned, before taking another bit of his pear.
Francis took a step forward. He eased his way around the bunk bed, dragging his finger across the metal frame. "You know, I think whatever they put into my system to bring me here might still be affecting because.. ohh.."
He suddenly fell on top of the lower mattress next to Arthur.
Arthur, who had drowned out the conversation, raised his head in surprise. He set the pear down. "Francis?" he whispered. He leaned forward on the firm mattress and gently patted his face, turning it from side to side. He practically yelled into the blonde's ear. "Francis!"
Suddenly, he felt something warm and wet brush his cheek. It was a tongue. He jumped back and saw two blue eyes staring at him, and a smirk forming on his face.
Arthur realized Francis had been playing him the whole time,however he was a bit too sick to accept the joke as a humorous one. He sighed, and returned back to his seated position to eat his pear.
"I thought it was funny" said Francis, the smirk still on his face. "It's nice to see you concerned about me. Especially since you like to pretend you don't."
Arthur sat on the bed ignoring him. He took another bite of the pear.
Francis chuckled as he stood up. "You should have seen your face-"
CLANG!
Arthur looked up. Francis rubbed his head where he hit it. "Stupid metal bed.." he muttered among other things.
Arthur put a hand over mouth to cover his laugh.
"I guess I deserved that," he said after a few moments, not bothering to turn around. "Sorry, I'm just going a little stir crazy with everything that's happened in the past 30 hours."
Arthur looked down. He was glad to hear Francis' honesty, but wasn't sure what to say next. He set his finished pear core into the fruit bowl.
Francis took a deep breath before turning to face Arthur. "In order to get out of here, we're going to have to cooperate. I have conjured up a few plans while you've been out. But each one is going to involve steady progress and lots of work."
Arthur nodded. "What's your first plan?"
Francis smiled. "My first plan..," he said, turning towards the bars several feet in front of them, "..is pretty simple. One of us will climb up the cage and on the top is another door. It's locked with four master locks. I need a can, pair of scissors, marker, ruler, and pair of pliers in order to open each one. This will take some time, so while I'm doing that, you keep watch until I have all of them open."
"And you plan on doing that from all the way up there?" Arthur asked sounding doubtful.
"Hey. The ladder is removable. If I wedge it into the cage's bars, I can rest on top of it." Francis said shrugging.
Arthur could think of a million reasons the plan could fail already. However, he didn't have any better solutions so he would have to go along for now. "How would you get the supplies?"
"Well, someone usually comes to bring up a meal or escort us to a bathroom-"
"-We're not bribing them" Arthur interrupted.
Francis glared at him. "I was thinking that wouldn't be a good idea, so I thought what if I pickpocketed him for a pen for starters and go from there."
Arthur crossed his arms thinking it through. "What time do they bring meals?"
"800, noon, and 1900 hours. As far as I know they don't have guards standing watch. So we would have privacy." Francis stared at the metal bars that contained them.
"... how do you know the times?" Arthur raised an eyebrow.
Francis pointed up. "The sun. It hits certain areas on the floor and makes it easier to track."
Arthur looked a little impressed. "Okay. So what time did you want to start?"
"In... two hours they will bring dinner. Before that, you need to keep acting sick so they don't suspect anything. Part of me thinks we would be separated if they found out you were doing okay. Once they're gone we should be good for the rest of the day. "
Arthur raised an eyebrow. "I guess I'll keep pretending ," Arthur said sarcastically, shrugging with his arms still crossed. He met Francis concerned gaze, now completely serious. "If you need a break, let me know. I'm not expecting you to make some big, miraculous recovery.
Arthur looked a little taken back, but nodded once.
"So, until then..." Francis eased towards Arthur on the bed. slid back as Francis' rough fingers made contact with a scar under his right eye. "Until then, let's take a look at this.."
Arthur tried to relax as Francis examined his face. more to get a closer look at his injury. After sitting completely still for several seconds, Francis finally leaned back.
"Yeah, you got pretty beat up." He sat across Arthur on the mattress. "What sort of prick would do something like that?"
Arthur thought back to that night. It was blurry. He recalled something hitting him in the face. Not once but several times. He winced at the memory. He tried to recall a face... but all he could think of was the pain.
Before long, more time had passed and all was quiet again until suddenly-
The sound of a door being unlocked echoed through the building.
They whipped their heads towards the source.
A heavy door creaked open and footsteps traveled across the concrete floor.
Francis ushered Arthur to lie down as he walked up to the metal bars.
Arthur laid down on his back but kept one eye open. He watched as a small group of men appeared behind of the the shelves.
A young man in his early 30's appeared from behind a tall shelf dressed in camouflage clothing carrying a large tray. Another man behind him, dressed almost exactly alike followed suit, carrying a tray as well. Trailing behind but with much more personality, a third man with jet-black hair appeared, wearing casual clothes and a smile.
"Francis," the black-haired man said in a luscious tone, " I hope you're doing well."
Arthur watched as Francis kept still as the men approached the giant lock on the door and unlocked it with a large key.
After it was open, the two guards rushed through with two trays of food and set them on the table. They quickly cleaned up any remaining mess and refilled the water pitcher before returning to their commanders side.
The black-haired man slowly walked up until he stood directly in front of Francis. He almost looked like a carbon cut out of Francis, except with dark hair and skin. Something told Arthur the man was unstable. Unpredictable. Never knowing where the line was drawn.
The man turned his head towards Arthur.
Arthur closed his eye, hoping the man didn't see.
The man spoke in a disappointed tone. "Kirkland's still under I see. That's not good..." He made his way to the bunk bed before Francis could think of anything else to say.
"Wait-" Francis moved toward the man.
Suddenly a blunt force hit him on the back of his neck. He dropped to the ground.
The man turned back towards Francis. Arthur's one eye shot open. He spotted the strange man standing near him.
The black haired man sighed. "Have you already forgotten your one rule Bonnefoy? ." He walked back over.
Arthur found Francis. He was keeling on the floor holding a hand over the back of his neck. The two men stood over him with their weapons. The man had crouched down to they were face to face. Francis glared at the man in pain. The man stared at him speaking in a slightly playful tone, but with a face that played no games. "I know what you two are capable of. Don't mistake me as naive."
The man stood up and walked back towards the bunk bed.
Francis glared at the man's back. "Don't touch him," he growled.
The man turned around and smirked. "No promises."
Francis watched as the man pulled back the thin drapes and stood in silence for several seconds. Francis could feel the fear grab hold of him like rope around his neck.
The man walked back and with a motion of his hand, a guard kicked Francis to the floor. As Francis fell forward, the three exited the cage, locking the door. Francis slowly turned around as the man stood outside of the cage with his eyes locked on him. "I'll find him some medicine. On the meantime, consider my offer."
Francis glared at him. His eyes full of rage.
The man smirked as they made their to the exit. "Until next time Bonnefoy" he called. Then the doors closed and they were alone again.