A/N – Thanks for the comments! I hope everyone is still healthy! This is pretty much the worst of it.

Chapter 14

Eva had been doused with water and is shivering. Her body is already breaking down since she has only had a few sips of water since she had been in there. They had tortured her all night, making her think there were bugs all over her and then had played screeching music so she wouldn't fall asleep. She had scratched at the skin on her arms and they sting. Her head nods, her body wanting to sleep but her mind is telling her to stay awake because the rats and bugs will eat her alive. The men kept telling her things like that, scaring her beyond belief. At one point they made her think the hole was full of bees. It seemed so real. Her mind is slipping. She swears that she sees things in the dark. Rocking, she starts talking to Johnny like he's there, begging him to get her out as James listens.

"Let her sleep for a few hours. She's breaking down to fast."

The man turned off the audio feed and they listen as she continues to mutter until she passes out.

James leaves. Tomorrow will be a big day. Sonny Corinthos is finally going to get the call he is waiting for.

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Helena watched Alexis draw her last breath. Her head is shaved—her face disfigured and her body is one bloodstain. "Burn her." It had been a pleasure torturing her beyond reason, especially since she was defiant until almost the end. Hearing her beg for her life pleased Helena greatly.

Now, it's time to find James Craig. This is her town. There isn't enough room for two villains. Of course, she won't kill him because Jason and Johnny will probably want that honor and they did let her kill Alexis, one of the sweetest kills of her life.

"Madam?"

Her attention went to Helmet. "Yes."

"We fed some more leads to the WSB."

"Good."

"We've narrowed it down to a handful of buildings. By tomorrow evening, we should know which one."

Helena slightly smiled. "What about that nurse?"

His eyes danced wickedly. "She thinks she is so slick. We found her fake identity." There aren't many forgers in the area. "She had another made. We have the name, but she hasn't surfaced yet."

"She will. Depending on the condition of Evangeline and Liz, I'm sure either man will want her head on a platter. For now, we'll keep this to ourselves."

"As you wish…"

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Frisco watched some more information pop up on the computer as Johnny frowned.

"Who is feeding us this information?"

"It's hard to tell. Hopefully, it will pan out." Frisco stood. "Let's go search some buildings."

"Okay."

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Eva groaned as she jerked awake. She doesn't even feel like she slept. A nightmare had roused her and she wishes that she could purge everything that has occurred so she can get some peace. It seems darker than usual. Something brushed against her side and she yelped.

"Please stop," she cried.

The hole is suddenly lit up to an extent and a picture of a mutilated and mangled Johnny appears. A man started speaking, explaining what they did to him and then they kept saying, "Johnny is dead," over and over, getting louder and she couldn't take. A scream left her lips as she sobbed.

They taped her and then sent the video to Sonny.

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Sonny is shocked at Evangeline's appearance. Not only does she look like she has had a mental breakdown, but her hair is wild and he'll never forget her tortured sobs.

"Turn it off," Johnny said slowly getting to his feet.

Francis jumped up and did so.

The men stare at Johnny who is shaking with ire.

"Did you see what they did to my girl?"

They nod.

Johnny hurled a stapler across the room. "I'm going to fucking annihilate him."

"We'll help you," Sonny said.

"No one else sees that. They exposed her and are mentally torturing her. Now, she thinks I'm dead. Did you see her eyes?"

"Yeah," Francis said, unable to get the image out of his head.

"She might not come back from this. I may have already lost her."

"You can't think like that," Sonny said.

"I have to get out of here," he said before throwing open the door.

"Maybe you should go after him."

Francis shook his head. "He's going to Frisco. I know how he thinks." Johnny won't do anything stupid. There is too much at stake.

Sonny sighed. "Do you think they are doing the same thing to Liz?"

"Maybe…"

"Do we keep this from Jason?"

"I think that's up to Johnny."

Sonny nodded. "Did you move Kristina?"

"Yes. He won't find her." She is with his mother.

"Thank you, Francis."

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James opens Elizabeth's door. "Let's go."

She's shocked, but jumps to her feet and follows him. All sorts of scenarios are running through her mind. Does this mean Sonny signed the paperwork?

They head downstairs and into a room.

"Sit."

She plops onto a chair that is positioned in the center of the otherwise empty room.

Several men enter and her stomach does a flip flop.

"We have your boys."

Her eyes widen. "How?"

James smirked. "I told you that I have eyes everywhere."

Fear turns to anger and Elizabeth has had enough. "You're bluffing."

"Do you want to take that chance?"

"God, I hate you."

He grinned. "Now, now, Elizabeth, hate is such a strong word."

Another man moved into the room holding a camera.

"It's time to contact Sonny. I've already delivered the video of Evangeline looking very distraught. I'm sure he is ready to play hardball, especially if he thinks your life is at stake too."

"What do you want from me?"

"I need you to beg him to do what I want. Tell him I have the kids."

She scowled. "I need proof that you have them."

James squeezed her face hard. "You will get no such thing. Do this or you're going to end up in the hole too."

He shoved her head before retreating. "Let's do this."

The man focused on James and waited until Sonny joined the conference.

"Sonny, it's so nice of you to join me. Tell me, how is Kristina?"

"That's none of your business."

"Oh, I beg to differ. You took something from me and I don't mean Alexis's life."

"I didn't kill her."

James laughed. "You expect me to believe that?"

"Do you think that Alexis had no other enemies? You underestimate the power of family."

His eyes narrowed. "So interesting, after all these years, I'm surprised that Helena would still go there."

"What do you want?"

"I think you know that. I want your business. The waterfront properties are worth a lot of cash, not to mention your warehouses. I'm looking to plant some roots and your business will be a lucrative adventure."

Sonny stared him down as Johnny, Francis and Frisco looked on. "No."

James moved towards Elizabeth and then yanked her to her feet and choked her with one hand and used the other to move up her body, stopping at her breast. "I could snap her neck right now. How is Jason, by the way?"

"Don't you already know? I thought you have eyes everywhere."

James chuckled. "My eyes have left town, but you already know that. Tell me, Mr. O'Brien, how does it feel to know that your girl is suffering because you are such a lothario? I love the irony."

"Is she still alive?"

"Barely, but I think you know how that ends. Even if she comes back to you, she'll never be the same."

Johnny's jaw clenched as he wished he could reach through the screen and rip James apart.

Elizabeth stared into the camera and slightly shook her head.

"Elizabeth, you do that again and I will break your neck off your body. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Good girl. Beg him."

Elizabeth grimaced. "Please do the right thing."

James rolled his eyes. "That was pathetic. Now, be a good girl and say the other part."

"He has the kids. Please…"

"That is much better. You have until noon tomorrow to decide. A man will show up at your business and you will sign the papers and let him walk out of there or Elizabeth and Evangeline die. Jason will be next and then those sweet twins. You don't think I know where they are?"

Johnny cleared his throat. "I know that you don't know. I'm coming for you."

"Tisk, tisk, Mr. O'Brien, one more word and I will torture Evangeline so thoroughly that you will hear her screams from there. Goodbye, gentleman. The game has been nice, but it's time for this to end."

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As the session was ended, Frisco stepped into the hallway to take a call.

"I want to squeeze the life out of him—smug bastard."

"They aren't in a warehouse," Francis said.

Frisco turned to face them. "We have it narrowed down to two farmhouses. You game?"

Francis and Johnny nodded.

"I'm coming too," Sonny said.

"No, you go to Jason and triple the presence there," Frisco said.

Sonny nodded and followed them out.

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Evangeline sips the rest of the water and sits there with her head hung low. She is dying. She can feel it.

James starts to talk.

"Enjoy your last night. Tomorrow afternoon, you die."

Her head lifted. "Why wait?"

"I won't give you what you want. And here I thought you were so much stronger, but you're weak just like Johnny was before he died."

Fresh tears rolled down her face.

"You know my offer, Ms. Williamson. Do you accept?"

"No."

"So be it then…" He dramatically paused. "The twins are dead."

Her eyes widen as the sound of crying babies fills the air. She grips her head, willing it to go away and then she cries right along with them. Death can't come soon enough.

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Elizabeth is thrown back into the room. She paces as she tries to come up with a plan. They didn't let her have utensils and the room has a camera. That means she'll have to try to take them down and that would work if it was just one man. Jason had taught her a lot. She won't go down without a fight. If tomorrow is the end, then she at least hopes she can do some damage to whoever he sends to kill her.

"I love you, babies," she whispered hoping that he was lying about knowing their whereabouts.

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Jason watched as Sonny entered the room. "What's going on?"

"They think they know where they are?

"That's good."

"I saw Elizabeth."

Jason's eyes are locked on him. "Was it bad?"

"No. He manhandled her a little, but she looked fine."

"And Evangeline?"

Sonny averted his gaze and shook his head.

"Is she alive?"

"They are mentally torturing her. She might not come out of it."

Jason closed his eyes. As thankful as he is that Liz was spared, he loves Eva and knows Johnny is probably going mad.

"How are you feeling?"

"Not like myself, but I'm alive. The protocol is taking longer than I thought. It's helping, but Monica thinks it will take a few weeks before I can walk since I had been out for so long. She wants me to come home with her afterward."

"Really?"

Jason nodded. "I think she is assuming the worst and thinks I'll need them."

Sonny understands. If Liz dies, Jason will be a wreck. The boys will need someone to help take care of them.

"Johnny will do everything he can."

"I know, but he's a little distracted."

"Not really. He's pissed, no doubt, but I've never seen him so focused. It was like looking at you."

"He's going to be a mess too."

"I know."

"I don't think my mom would mind if they stayed too. It might be for the best."

"Evangeline is going to need professional help."

Jason sighed. "You think she'll have to go to Shadybrook?"

"Maybe…"

"I just—I can't imagine her in that condition."

"It was horrible. They told her that Johnny was dead. That might have put her over the top. They had her half-naked too. I just pray she wasn't raped."

Jason is so pissed that his blood pressure rises.

"You need to calm down," Epiphany said entering the room. "Now!"

Jason glared at her.

"Don't you look at me like that. Calm down or I will sedate you." Liz will kill her if anything happens to her man under Piph's watch.

He slammed his eyes shut and worked on slowing his breathing.

Sonny is amazed that he listened. "You know, while Jason is recovering, I'll need an enforcer."

Piph smirked. "You couldn't handle this. Not only do I have your number, but your dimples won't work on me."

Jason's eyes snapped open as he watched Sonny slowly flashes them. When Piph rolled her eyes he almost laughed.

"You can put them away now."

"But what if I don't want to?"

She rolled her eyes. "Don't make me put you in hospital jail." She noticed that Jason's numbers were dropping, so she kept it going.

"You would do that? Do I need a lawyer?"

"Diane can't save you. She'd probably tell me to throw away the key. The poor woman probably needs a vacation after dealing with you two."

Sonny smirked. "I pay her well."

"There is not enough money in the world to compensate her for what you put her through."

"Have you seen her shoes? I bought all of them."

Amusement fills Piph's eyes. "Tell me something?"

"That depends."

"Did you ever try to hit on Diane?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because she has his number too," Jason offered.

"Thanks," Sonny said.

Piph chuckled. "Maybe I need to get her down here."

Sonny groaned.

"So, Diane is your kryptonite. That is good to know. Step out of line, and I'll have her on speed dial."

He watched her leave.

"I guess she told you," Jason said before shutting his eyes again.

Sonny smiled when he realized that Jason fell asleep. He knew exactly what Piph was doing. Jason needs the rest.

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The hole started to fill with water, making Eva stand.

"Stop!"

Something gripped her ankles and she realizes that she is handcuffed.

James had installed some openings which is what they had used to put a rat in the cell with her before.

When it got to her knees, she realized what they were going to do and she began to panic and struggle.

James grinned. "That's right, Evangeline. Tire yourself out." He turned to look at the guard. "Stop it up to her neck.

He nodded.

"If Corinthos doesn't sign, drown her."

"Yes, sir."

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Johnny, Francis, and a bunch of WSB agents swarmed a farmhouse almost scaring an older couple to death.

"How far is the other one?"

"It's a half-hour away. I have a helicopter on standby in case Evangeline is in bad shape. We can't tip our hands, so we have to drive," Frisco said.

Johnny nodded. "Let's go." He has a dire feeling that Eva needs him.

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When the water stopped at her neck, Eva sobbed with relief. She is cold and shivering. Her legs are weak and she knows she can't stand for much longer. About a half-hour later, she went under.

The guard stood and is relieved when she popped back up moments later. The cuffs make it so she can't tread water.

Eva tried to lean against the wall, but it's slick, so she goes under again. When she breaks the surface, she closes her eyes wondering if she should take the deal or just let go.