Disclaimer: I don't own the boys if I did I would share them.

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NOTES:

Thank you to everyone who has read my story so far. I really hope you are enjoying it.

Reviews are welcome.

CREDIT HAS TO GO TO Stormyskies89 FOR A COMMENT SHE MADE IN ONE OF HER LOVELY REVIEWS, WHICH GAVE ME THE IDEA FOR ONE OF THE SPEECHES MADE IN THIS CHAPTER.

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Chapter 5: Awake.

Throughout the past few days Virgil had felt himself drifting out of his unconscious state, many times, too many to mention, only to be plunged back into it by a sharp needle being stabbed into his arm, which delivered a warm sedative into his system. Each time he had woken, even for those briefest of moments, he had felt the tightness and the burning from the ropes holding him down, he could feel the coldness from the table that he was lying on and although he couldn't see anything or take stock of his surroundings, due to the blindfold wrapped tightly over his eyes, he knew that the Hood was always close by.

Virgil felt himself drifting out of his forced sleep once more. However, this time he found the light from the room warming his eyes and face. He blinked his eyes and was relieved to find that the blindfold had finally been removed. Looking around, Virgil could instantly see that he was now on his own in a large room and there was no natural light coming from anywhere. The only light that he could see was from the one spotlight that was above him and was focussed on where he lay. Seeing if he could free himself, Virgil tried to pull against the ropes but felt them tighten every time he struggled. Virgil breathed in and out, as he desperately tried to focus himself, so he could form some sort of escape plan.

'Okay,' he thought to himself; 'I need to get out of here. So first, injuries, how bad are they?' Virgil looked towards his chest. 'Right, I can feel obvious bruising to my ribs and abdomen. Maybe cracked a few ribs? But hopefully not.' Virgil looked at his arms 'Ligature Marks to my wrists and arms from the ropes, most likely to my legs as well. Also, a twisted wrist, doesn't feel broken… That's good!' Virgil sighed to himself, 'pain in legs… No fracture... Hopefully…' He breathed in and out once more and then continued. 'The pain from my legs is shooting into my back, which hurts like hell, and that could mean severe bruising to my back, plus ligament damage in my legs or nerve damage in my legs and in my back or, or …' Virgil breathed in deeply. 'Calm down, breathe in, breathe out. Keep calm. Just keep calm.' He kept saying to himself over and over. 'You can feel your legs, it's just bruising, nothing too serious.' Virgil breathed out, finally feeling himself calm down.

'Okay, what else? Lips feel dry but I don't feel dehydrated, which is weird because god knows how long I've been here, I know it's defiantly been a while because I am defiantly hungry. Man, I would love a home cooked meal right about now, followed by some of grandma's apple pie' Virgil suddenly felt his stomach growl. 'Damn it, Virgil. Stop thinking about food.' Once he felt his stomach stop rumbling, Virgil continued to try and figure a way out of his current predicament. 'Right, now think. I'm obviously not going to get very far with these injuries, so I need to work out some way to contact my family and let them know I'm alive... Think... Think Virgil think… Wait, my edible transmitter! Which is inside my chain, which I still have on… But I can't reach because I'm tied down.' Virgil could feel himself becoming frustrated and tried to calm himself once more.

At that moment, Virgil heard a key turning and a door screech as it was opened. He could hear two men entering the room, as they came closer, he could see that they had their backs to him, and they had not noticed that he was awake. They had brought in a large table and had placed it next to him. They then left the room, returning after a short time with various items, clearly meant for torture, which they then proceeded to lay out on the table. Virgil let out a dry laugh. "Trying to taunt me?"

The two men turned towards him in surprise. The one man shouted at him in a language that was unknown to Virgil, while the other man stormed out of the room, and quickly re-entered with something in his hands. Followed closely behind him was the Hood! "So, you're awake Mr Tracy. Ahead of schedule, you caught my men here unawares. "

"Oops. Sorry if I'm messing up your plans." Virgil replied sarcastically.

"Never mind Mr Tracy, we can always be adaptable." The Hood nodded towards the man who had come back in the room with him. The man then turned towards Virgil and stuck a needle into his arm. Virgil felt himself flinch and gasp with the sudden shock. "Now Mr Tracy, my men here are giving you another saline IV, it's for your own good Mr Tracy, you see we really don't want you dying from dehydration now do we?"

"What, so now you want me to live? Geez, make up your mind." Virgil answered back.

"As I told you earlier Mr Tracy, I have big plans for you. I really don't want you dying before your appointment tomorrow with some of my wonderful torture devices here. Like this Mr Tracy." The Hood picked up one of the items from the table and held it softly in his hands. "Do you know what this is?" The Hood looked towards Virgil and continued mockingly. "This is a Cat O' Nine Tails. It has nine knotted thongs which are made with just simple cotton cord, but the damage this can do to a man's skin is simply amazing." The Hood glared at Virgil. "Yes, I believe I will enjoy using this on you Mr Tracy, I will enjoy hearing your screams and your pitiful cries, begging for me to stop."

Virgil looked at the Hood and rolled his eyes. "You know, I really think you need a hobby."

"Excuse me?" The Hood asked, unsure if he had heard correctly.

"A hobby," Virgil continued, "it's quite sad really! All you ever seem to do with your life is hunt down International Rescue, I mean it can't be good for your health focussing on just one thing all the time. You really should try becoming more social, get out more, try and make some friends. You should try a new activity, like, like running." Virgil paused and looked the Hood up and down. "Actually, let's scrap running! From the looks of you I don't think you would manage any decent sort of distance and it would definitely be a bit too physical for you." Virgil pondered to himself. "Oh, wait, I've got it." Virgil continued with a dry laugh. What about a nice indoor board game like scrabble or checkers?"

The Hood stared at Virgil, unsure on how to answer the unexpected mocking he had just received. After a few moments of silence, the Hood stepped closer towards Virgil and looked at him with contempt. "So, Mr Tracy, you think you are funny! Well don't worry, once we are finished with you, you certainly won't be laughing, or making anymore sarcastic comments." The Hood, paused and then sneered towards Virgil. "In fact, I believe I know something that will stop that humour instantly." The Hood leaned in closer to him. "Have you ever wondered Mr Tracy, why it is I hate International Rescue and your father so much?"