It was cold in the basement, jamie had gotten to the point where he just couldn't stop shivering. He knew it was late, his body was crying for sleep. His arms were agony being above his head for so long. He had persuaded Nicki back to the small bed in the corner to sleep, she was exhausted and frightened. Truth be told he was pretty damned frightened himself. He winced as any movement caused his body to protest. The cattle prod had done him plenty of damage, his head still hurt from the fall in the van.
He looked up to the sound of the door being unlocked. The blonde from earlier walked in followed by Santino and his men. "Nicki" justine whispered gently shaking Nicki from her sleep. Nicki opened her eyes sleepily, realising who was in the room she jumped out of bed and made to run in front of her uncle. She knew she couldn't protect him but she couldn't leave him. "Nicki no" justine shouted, trying to make a grab for her as she dived past her.
Facing Santino Nicki raised her chin in defiance, trying to look brave she knew the shaking gave her away. Justine came up to her, working very hard not to make eye contact with jamie "Please come with me" jamie leant in to Nicki and told her to go with justine. The last thing he wanted was Nicki seeing whatever was about to happen next.
Santino smiled at the brave girl infront of him. "Stay if you want kid, in your shoes I'd want to protect my uncle too" Santino nodded to Marlon who approached Jamie, Nicki stood her ground and Marlon just grinned and pushed her to the ground "LEAVE HER ALONE" jamie yelled as his neice sprawled on the floor. Justine ran to Nicki and pulled her back towards the door. Just as Marlon stepped in and punched jamie hard in the gut, the urge to want to double over and catch his breath was overwhelming but the shackles stopped him from being able. Before he had a chance to recover more blows rained down on him. His head, his already sore body, one after another. Blood poured from his nose and mouth. Jamie didn't know where the next strike was coming. It was then he looked up, and saw the light of the camera switch on again and Santino's voice
"Detective Reagen, watch your brother die"
"NO, no no no no" Nicki screamed. She was trying to reach her uncle but justine had hold of her. Another nod from Santino and Marlon approahed jamie again. This time he reached for the shackles on the wall and using a key opened them. Jamie collapsed to the floor, his breath coming in ragged bursts. His brain was yet again fighting against the darkness threatening but he knew he had to stay awake as he didn't know what would happen to Nicki if he didn't. More blows rained down on him, it felt like a freight train was pummelling him. He couldn't tell if he was being kicked or punched. He had no chance to attempt to get to his still chained feet. He was choking on blood, the coppery sludge sliding down his throat. He tried to cough it up, gagging as it hit the back of his throat. The next instance he felt something wrap around his neck and he was pulled to his knees, hands grappeling at the strap trying to end his life. He could feel his brain screaming for oxygen. His blood was loud in his ears, he clawed out at any which way, just trying to get the strap looser. But he was loosing, his vision was gone. Everything went black, the last thing he heard was shouting, and commotion. His last thought was for Nicki before the darkness took him.