DISCLAIMER: Just borrowing them for a short time...

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NOTE: Thank you to everyone for your support with this story.

Not sure how I managed to finish this chapter so quickly - The ideas for this and the previous chapter were stuck in my head. (Literally been typing it up on my phone when I've been travelling to work and before going to sleep) So, yeah - I have managed to get it completed and checked - so, here's another early update.

I have no medical training and very little knowledge - Any medical stuff (Not too much in this chapter) mentioned is the result of research on internet search engines - So, if there are any mistakes I blame those or the fact that it's set in the future. :)

Reviews/Feedback welcome.

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Chapter 22: Lost and Found.

They all stopped, their legs frozen in shock as each one of them tried to process the image in front of them. There was Virgil, on his knees, his feet chained, and his hands still raised above his head. His body was covered in cuts, bruises and so much blood. His head was flopped forwards and his eyes were tightly shut.

Scott felt like his whole body was traveling in slow motion as he urged his legs to move forwards. He reached out with his now shaking hand and pressed his fingers against his brother's neck, desperately searching for a pulse. Tears of relief began forming in Scott's eyes, when he felt the weak but beating rhythm of Virgil's pulse. He turned to his other brothers who were standing closely behind him. "He's alive." He reassured them. They nodded their heads, the relief on their faces evident to how much their brother truly meant to each of them. Scott wiped his eyes. "Okay, we need to treat any immediate injuries and then we can get him out of here!"

John fixed a brace around Virgil's neck and placed an oxygen mask over his mouth. He then placed his hand on Virgil's forehead and chest. "He's clammy, he feels really cold and his trousers are soaked through from the water that was thrown over him... We need to get him warm and dry as soon as possible!"

"Looking at the bruises to his chest, he most likely has a few cracked ribs. There may also be some internal bleeding." Gordon said, as he moved around to check Virgil's back. Gordon winced when he saw his brother's injuries. "Geez!"

"That bad?" Alan asked.

"Yes... It's bad!" Gordon stated.

John, Scott and Alan peered around and looked at Virgil's back, each one of them gasped in shock when they saw the damage that had been caused.

Scott closed his eyes and breathed in and out to calm himself down. "Right I'm going to help Gordon stop any of these deeper lacerations from bleeding. John, could you patch any up on his front and Alan can you please check for any breaks."

"Okay." They both responded.

Alan started by checking Virgil's arms. "He's dislocated his right shoulder. His right hand, which the Hood stamped on, is badly bruised... It doesn't look broken, but we'll be able to tell better once his arms are loose." Alan knelt on the floor and began checking his brother's legs.

"Alan, any broken bones?" John inquired.

Alan nodded.

"What's broken?" Scott asked with concern.

Alan looked up at Scott, unable to get his words out as he began to cry."

Gordon went to Alan's side and put his arm around him. "It's okay."

Alan sniffed and wiped his face. "Sorry."

Gordon squeezed Alan's shoulder. "No need to be sorry, what's broken?"

"They... They've forced him onto his knees and... And his legs... I think they've broken them."

Gordon bent down and double-checked Virgil's legs. "Yes, they're broken… John, Al, can you start cutting through the chains?"

"Yes, sure," They both responded.

"Scott, if me and you support his weight, we can lower him down, and then we can cut the chains on his ankles," Gordon suggested.

Scott moved around to Virgil's front and helped Gordon hold on to Virgil, as Alan and John began to cut through the chains.

Virgil, could feel that he was being firmly held as he began to awake from the unconscious haze. He knew that his body couldn't take anymore punishment from the Hoods men, but he also knew that he needed to hold on until his brothers arrived. Virgil did the only thing he could and began struggling against the hands that held him.

Scott, Gordon, Alan and John stopped working and gripped onto Virgil when they saw he was trying to fight against their help.

"Wow, Virg... It's okay. It's us, we're not going to hurt you." Scott assured him. Virgil stopped moving when he heard his brothers voice. Scott stroked his hand gently over Virgil's head. "Virgil, can you hear me?" Virgil remained quiet and still, believing his ears were betraying him. "Come on Virg. I know you can hear us. Why don't you open your eyes, hey?" Scott pleaded.

Virgil slowly opened his eyes and tried to focus on what he was seeing. "Ss... Scotty?" He muttered.

"Yes, it's me... We're all here."

Virgil glanced over at all his brothers. Gordon, John, Alan and Scott were all now beaming at him, as fresh tears flowed down their faces. "H... Home?" Virgil stuttered.

"Not quite yet... We'll need to get you checked out at a hospital first... But soon, okay?" Scott reassured him.

"The chains are off," Alan told them.

John held Virgil's arms in the air. "Can we give him something for the pain? Otherwise this is really going to hurt."

Gordon shook his head. "Unfortunately, no… When Brains sent across the information he said he was worried about the sedative we saw them inject into Virgil's neck. Without knowing what's already in his system, anything we do give him could have a severe reaction."

John sighed. "Okay... I'm going to attempt to reduce the dislocation as well... Gordon, Scott, have you got him!"

"Yes." They replied.

John began to gently lower Virgil's arms, causing Virgil to release a whimper. "Nearly done now." John reassured him as he realigned Virgil's right shoulder, causing Virgil to cry out in pain. "I'm so sorry... I know it hurts... We're going to have you free soon, then we can get you out of here, okay?"

"Mm." Virgil whispered.

John strapped Virgil's arm, while Alan began quickly cutting through the chains that were binding Virgil's feet and ankles. "Okay, he is loose." Alan said.

All four boys lowered Virgil off his knees and lay him flat, while his head rested on Scott's lap.

"How is he?" John asked.

Scott looked at Virgil's closed eyes and stroked his face. "Come on Virgie, stay awake for me." Virgil's grimaced as his eyes opened once more. "I thought me calling you Virgie would do it." Scott gently teased. "Al, can you pass me one of the thermal blankets." Alan grabbed a small bag from the med kit, which had a small folded blanket inside, he then opened it out and placed it carefully over Virgil. "We need to get him out of here… Gordon, dad said the Hood had given a two-hour countdown until he would be in contact again… How long do we have before it's up?"

Gordon checked his watch. "Twenty minutes."

"Right, me and Alan will stay here with Virg, Gordon, you know the way better than any of us... I want you and John to go and get the stretcher, and be as quick as you can."

Both Gordon and John knelt next to Virgil. "We'll be back soon." Gordon said as he squeezed Virgil's left hand. John stroked his hand through Virgil's hair and wiped a tear on Virgil's cheek away. Gordon glanced at John. "Are you ready?" John nodded his response, as they stood, picked up the thermal imager, and left the room.

Gordon and John raced up the stairs, along the hallway, out of the building, and made their way to where the stretcher was hidden. They grabbed everything they needed and turned back to the clearing. As they neared the doorway John seized Gordon around his waist and pulled him behind a bush. "It's the Hood." John warned.