Built for Espionage: Chapter Twelve
'Good morning dear Alexander' greeted Sasha as he entered their cell, Alex having been restrained to the chair for six days, only being released to go to the bathroom twice a day, while Ben sat on the floor hands still locked behind his back. Both prisoners were only out of their restraints three times a day, twice for the bathroom- once in the morning and again in the evening, and once for food at midday. If nothing else it let them estimate how long they'd been here and at least what time it was, not that the information helped them much.
Alex of course ignored the morning greeting from their imprisoner, and even went as far as to defiantly make eye contact solely so he could glare directly at the man.
'Such a feisty spirit you have Alexander, it'll make our time together so much more enjoyable' Ben flinched violently at what Sasha was implying, his eyes instantly searching Alex for even a tig of concern.
'You're sick and perverted' Alex growled as he spoke and in that moment Ben wanted nothing more than to tell Alex to shut up, the boy was asking for another injury and Ben couldn't protect him.
'No, no, dear Alexander, I'm stubborn and a self-indulgent, it's one of my charms' bragged Sasha, the man taking to walking casually around Alex's chair while the guard stood holding a small folded pile of clothes near the now closed door, clearly awaiting orders.
'I don't think you know what the words means, or how to count' Alex retorted glaring at the man as they met eyes and suddenly Sasha's were hardening.
'Colad show Alex what happens today if he says or does something I don't like' Instantly the guard, who Alex and Ben now knew as Colad, moved from the door and with one hand holding onto the clothes while the other reached for a gun on his belt. Quicker than either Ben or Alex could react the gun was carefully aimed and fired. Alex screamed as the shot went off, begging Sasha to stop, as Ben's own cry was also made- his in a reaction to the profusely bleeding wound on his thigh.
'Now Alexander, that was a warning because you didn't know the rules, and don't you worry your pretty little head- the bullet didn't go into your friend, simple nipped a bit of Ben' Sasha turned to Colad for confirmation that the bullet hadn't gone through Ben and was in fact never completely in Ben, before turning back to the distressed fourteen year old.
'Now would you like to hear the rules Alexander?' Alex finally tore his glaze from Ben who silently nodded to him, and met Sasha's eyes with a slow nod, a clear expression of surrender. Sasha frowned and Alex's heart leapt, believing the man would have Colad shoot Ben properly this time.
'I'll require a verbal answer Alexander' Sasha's frown was hardened more by his eyes, and physically reinforced as he began to thread his fingers through Alex's hair. Alex refrained from flinching and opened his mouth; he was terrified that his voice would fail him.
'Y-yes' He managed, however, as Sasha's hand tightened in his hair he continued. 'I-I'd like to know the r-rules' Sasha's grip loosened and his hardened expression return to the fake smile he often held, and yet no matter with the man so close and his hands still going through Alex's hair, he couldn't relax.
'Good boy Alexander, now I'm expecting some guest today and I would ever-so-much love it if you would accompany me, of course you don't have a choice but while we're upstairs with the guest there are the rules- just for your friends safety' Sasha released his hair and moved to block his view of Ben as he spoke.
'You'll act like a good boy Alexander, you won't tell anyone that you're unhappy or being held here against you're will. You won't try to find or use any technology, computers, phones, anything. You'll stay by my side every second, don't speak out of term and never question what I say. Oh and of course, you'll only answer to Alexander, if you fail to follow through on any of these terms Alexander you'll return to your room to find a very dead Ben' Alex desperately wanted to see Ben right now, he wanted to know that- and as silly as it was, he was okay. That the recent wound wasn't going to kill him, that he was still here with Alex and that he'd be okay. Alex met Sasha's eyes again when the man begun to trace the 'x' cuts on his cheek.
'If you disobey me Alexander Ben will be first shot in the knees, following his shoulders each get a bullet, a foot or hand may also be shot before one will be lodged into his head- much like your dear Jack received' Alex froze, his body went still his breath catching in his throat as he heard Sasha's words.
A chill covered him, he no longer felt the burning of his brand, or the fingers on his face, or the cold of the room. He felt tears well in his eyes as if they were unstoppable. He had confirmed it, Alex had believed that Sasha was involved with Jack's murder, but for the man to have confirmed it so casually, to say it with no remorse or even a tone of guilt. He was heartless.
'Now Alexander, when I tell you something you say 'yes sir' and a thank you for my kindness is also expected' Sasha is a heartless murderer, he's an assassin and one that planned to hold Alex for a month as his prisoner before killing him. Alex would rather drop dead than bow down to this murderer. But he knew an opportunely when he saw it, he held back his tears and ignored the guilt of both Jack's death and Ben's injuries, and met Sasha's watchful eyes.
Adopting a fearful and broken voice, something that wasn't difficult, he responded.
'Yes sir, thank you'
Mr Blunt ran MI6 because he was heartless enough to day in and day out to send men and women to their deaths- whether they knew it or not. Often Mr Blunt would try to avoid such assignments where their operative was likely to die, it wasn't a good use of time having to deal with the family- if there was one, the pay outs- to witnesses or to clean up the mess, and of course the paper work- which Blunt never did, but it did take valuable time away from still alive and active agents.
Honestly if an agent died out in the field it was more of a bother or annoyance that Mr Blunt avoided at all costs. And such his disassociation towards regularly emotional situations and his ability to be incorruptible were two key traits that made him perfect as the head of MI6.
However, something that was strongly disliked about Blunt by a large amount of his employees and his own employers, was his habit of throwing a single fourteen year old school boy to solve the missions and assignments that meant death for normal operatives.
Assignments such as Point Blanc Academy and people like Damian Cray, Desmond McCain and Julia Rothman all were cases that were deemed a death sentence, and yet on each and every said mission that Alex Rider went on- he returned alive, something that filled agents, employees and employers with both relief and shock each time.
And yet still, this was reason that fuelled a gathering of people to discuss the continued employment of Mr Alan Blunt. Such discussion spread and rumour found its way to most every person who knew of Alex Rider's situation and held a distaste for it. And said rumours gathered more and more people to go against Blunt and finally the rumours found their way to one collective of people who were more than happy to have found a reason to replace Alan Blunt.
This collection of people held many powers individually, and together, much more. A head of SAS, an advisor to the Prime Minster, three influential politicians to name a few.
'How are you feeling?' Alex posed, they'd been sitting in silence for no longer than five minutes after Sasha had left, however, COlad had been told to stay- which had understandably unnerved both prisoners.
'It's missed everything Cub, I'm fine, just bleeding a lot I guess' Commented Ben, taking his eyes off Colad for a few second so he could watch his bleeding thigh for a second before looking back at the guard who stood to high alert, and still holding the small folded pile of clothes.
'Better your thigh than your head' Colad suddenly spoke up, causing Alex to flinch as he hadn't been watching the man like Ben had.
How do you respond to something like that Alex wondered, catching Ben's attention and lifting an eyebrow towards their estranged guard. No one spoke for another few seconds before Alex spoke again.
'What's with the clothes?' He asked, deciding that it was a green zone question, maybe just maybe this man could be turned to their side. But then again, Alex didn't want to work with any of these men, the were working for a monster, surely they'd realised that- and yet here Colad was, showing up for work every day.
Colad didn't respond, instead choosing to intensely watch Alex, completely ignoring the question and disregarding Ben's continuous stare.
Sasha returned half-an-hour later, now dressed in a fitted dark suit and carrying a palm sized boxed. He entered with an excited smile and yet it was easy to see the cruelty in his grin none the less. He nodded to Colad before started to talk, the guard began walking towards Alex.
'Now Alexander you'll of course have to change into something… more appropriate, I do so hope I got your size correct' The man said as Colad undid the straps around Alex's legs then chest and finally his hands.
Instantly Alex wanted to make a run for it, escape and never come back to this man's hellhole prison. But not only was the door shut- and locked from the outside by the guards, but Ben was still chained to the wall, still freshly injured and bleeding. He couldn't bolt and as he met Sasha's eyes- the madman knew it
'Now, strip Alexander' Sasha's eyes brightened at his words.
Alex froze, his body went tense and he realised what was happening, Alex had accused the man of being a paedophile, but he hadn't believed the man would actually go that far. Not until he remembered their first meeting, "But what I really get off on, is the pain someone young and innocent goes through, how a pretty little blonde screams when I cut into her arms, or a young boy's tears as I take away that innocence. There's something about that power that drives me more than ridding the world of the bad" "Oh, darling little Alexander, I've not touched a hair on her[Sabina's] head- you however I plan to"
It hadn't clicked that this man was perverse, that he had done this before and that o him, Alex was just another kid. God he felt sick.
'No' He hissed; Alex nearly felt the desire to have the restraints back, at least then he knew Sasha couldn't force him to strip. He heard Ben's swearing to his left, and quickly he saw that he was shouting at Sasha, telling the man the very thoughts he had in his own mind about Sasha's intentions.
'Colad, shoot Daniels' left knee' Alex cried for them to stop instantly, not again, they'd already shot Ben today- he couldn't stand to see the man injured again, especially not because of him.
'No Alex? But sweetheart you know the rules, first few steps of his slow death, unless of course you'd like to change your answer and thank me for giving you a second chance?' Sasha posed, and Alex knew the man had him exactly where he wanted him. His body was betraying him, it was unmoving as he willed it to move, even his mouth was having issues forming the words.
'Don't you dare Alex, what he's asking is wrong and perverted- I'll be okay Alex, don't do it!' Screamed Ben, but the man didn't understand the terror that had filled him when the gun was pointed at him again, Ben didn't know how much it hurt him to imagine Ben dying, just like Jack- only this time he'd be here to watch it, and it would be a painful death.
He couldn't watch that.
'I'm sorry sir, thank y-you for giving me another chance' He choked out, and when Sasha nodded in approval and again for him to stand and undress, he did just that. He tried not to think, he had lost his shirt some day or two ago, so all he had to take off was his socks, shorts and- god he hoped he didn't have to take off his boxers.
As he pulled off his socks, he met eyes with Ben, the man's expression was one of despair and desperation. He knew then and there that Ben truly cared for him, the man who had mostly ignored him when they first met, but had shown himself as a friendly face later was someone he could trust.
And suddenly that made everything worse, if he lost Ben here, if he lost Ben ever- it would hurt just as much as Jack's death did and still does. It would haunt him every night and if it happened here, where it would be his direct fault- he imagined he'd never stop seeing the man's face. Oh god it made everything so much worse.
He unbuttoned his shorts and guided them down to the floor before picking them up and placing them on his chair behind him. He froze once more, he wouldn't met Ben's eyes again- not when they held such helplessness, and he didn't want to meet Sasha's glaze, one which he knew would be brimmed out pleasure and he feared, lust.
''Very good Alexander, Colad give him his shirt and socks' The relief that filled him was far too much especially when the words came from Sasha. Alex didn't want to feel relief as he heard those words, but he couldn't lie that he did, he still restrained himself from giving out a sigh of relief, but nonetheless he heard the one Ben gave.
Colad handed him each article of his new clothing, white mid-calf socks that Sasha ordered him to pull up when he tucked them down. The button-up shirt was also white however, it was short sleeved, which as much as it should have, didn't ring any warning bells in his mind.
Those bells rang loudly in his mind when he was handed his pants, and that was the issue, they weren't full-length gentlemen's pants, they were black boys formal shorts. He pulled them on no matter, and was still filled with a strange fear when they only reach just above him knees. He accepted the black formal vest and buttoned it up, fumbling with a few of the buttons this time as he went.
Colad grabbed his other clothes before pushing him down to sit in the chair and for a brief moment Alex believed they were going to strap him in again. However, instead Sasha filled his view, crouching down the smallest bit so they could to eye to eye as he worked.
Alex flinched as his hands reached around his throat with a roll of fabric before coming forward again and begun to tie a bowtie. Then Sasha pulled a pocket square out of his own packet in his suit before tucking it into his vest pocket. The shorts, the pocket square, everything about what he was wearing was a threat, it was a message- one Ben would die for if he didn't agree.
Sasha owned him. And only as he was forced back to his feet did, he remember the painful permanent brand just above his hip bone. The wound was still too red and angry for him to read what the brand was, but now more than ever did he believe it was something like Sasha's initials or worst name.
'You look stunning Alexander, now, say goodbye to Daniels, we have a lunch upstairs' Sasha forcefully took Alex's hand into his own and pulled him towards the now open door where Colad stood. Only as they were about to walk out did Sasha stop and turn back to Alex, looking at him as though Alex had already done something wrong.
Sasha's expression hardened and Alex's mind raced to try and imagine what the man could possibly think he'd done wrong already. Oh god. Alex turned away from Sasha, his hand though still being held in an ever-tightening grip. He met Ben's helpless and defeated eyes.
'Bye Ben' He called, hoping the man would catch on the reassurance in his voice, I'm going to be fine- for you Ben, I'll survive this and we'll get out of here and we'll both see K-unit again. I'll get us out of here he promised.
'Good bye Cub'