Complex

The room was quiet as Gage ate his modest lunch consisting of one peanut butter sandwich, four slices of apples and a handful of stale, plain potato chips. At least whoever took him and the other men didn't starve them. On instinct he tried to reach for his water, but as he did so he quickly remembered his left wrist was cuffed to the table by an eyelet.

Frustrated he yanked at it once more then glanced up at Aiden who sat in front of him. Aiden's right wrist was secured in the same eyelet as Gage's. In fact, everybody at the table, three in total were staggered as such to share the same metal ring. This made eating an interesting experience since one of the men's arms were always outstretched and not allowed to move freely.

Everybody in the room looked up as Zadok came into the room with a bruise forming on his left cheek. He was violently pushed to the other table then forced to sit down.

"Remember, talk back to us one more time and the punishment will be much more severe!" Shouted Laurence, one of the guards as he snapped his head around to look at all the men in the room. "Get back to eating! All of you!"

Gage quickly picked up his sandwich and bit into it knowing if he was to say anything he may not see his family again. Wonder what had happened to Zadok? Maybe Zadok will talk later on when all of them were back inside the room.

After Gage finished the chips and drank all his water he flipped his plate over, a signal that he was finished. Once all the men did this they were escorted back to the room where the cuffs came off and they were again locked inside. He went to his bunk, climbed up then sat down with his back resting against the brick wall.

"What the hell happened to you, Z?" Asked Aiden as he sat down at the table. "You never talk back. Why did they beat you?"

Zadok shook his head. "They use me as example. This is what happens when line is crossed." He slowly made his way to Gage's bunk and sat down on the bottom bed. "We are prisoners. We have no rights."

Aiden shook his head. "That's bull!" He quickly stood, went to his bunk then grabbed the gym bag laying on top of it. "Mouth guards, fighting gloves, and shorts. What are we to them? What is this all about!?"

Gage looked the young man right in the eyes and shook his head. "They expect us to fight." He brought his knees to his chest as his eyes drifted to the bag next to him. "Be thankful though, many illegal rings like this don't provide any protection at all."

Eric Payne, a twenty-four year old farmer from Nebraska stepped up to Gage's bed. "You finally talk and it's to tell us that we should be thankful!"

He reached up, grabbed hold of Gage's legs then yanked backwards sending both crashing to the ground. Gage's head snapped back and hit the concrete hard with a loud crack. His world began to fade as voices shouted over him. The last image Gage saw before blackness took over was of a red ski mask man leaning over him with Nathan next to him.

Dallas, Texas Later That Night

The nights have been long for Jaxon Trivette since he found it difficult to sleep without his father being home. So, he did what he was told not to do. He went on his laptop and began hacking, a hobby of his he had picked up only a few years ago. Though he was still rather young, he easily picked up on the ends and outs on how computer programming works. His father was very proud of him, but didn't like Jaxon on the web. He was worried that Jaxon may come across something too mature for his young mind. Well, since he wasn't here right now Jaxon wanted to see what he could dig up on his missing Uncles.

Jaxon began searching through various websites, hoping he might find something that even the FBI couldn't. Sure it was a huge pipe dream, but he had to do something.

"What do you think you're doing, Jaxon?" Tavon, Jaxon's twin brother slumped into a chair next to him. "You know dad will kill you if he found out that you're hacking."

"Well, he won't find out, now will he." Snapped Jaxon as he typed away on the keyboard. "I thought you were asleep?"

"I can't sleep with all the keyboard clicking." Tavon yawned then popped his back. "How did you learn how to do this?"

"Not sure, I got bored one day and just figured it out." Jaxon rubbed his face as he started to get frustrated. "For the last two days I've been trying to figure out what had happened to Uncle Walker and Uncle Gage, but I haven't found anything."

Tavon laughed. "What makes you think you'll be able to find something the FBI hasn't?"

Jaxon shook his head. "I have to try something." The door to their room opened and both boys stood in surprise. "Dad!"

Their father took one look at the glowing computer screen then snapped towards Jaxon. "How many times have I told you, Jaxon? No more internet!" He went to the computer to turn it off when his eyes got really wide. "Jaxon, were you hacking!?"

Tavon slowly began to creep backwards as their mother came into the room. "I didn't do anything! It was Jaxon, he's been doing it for awhile now." With those words he ran out of the room to probably hide in the den.

"Jaxon, sit down." Jaxon did as his father said with no hesitation. "How long have you been hacking?"

"Since I was eight." Jaxon looked up with pleading eyes. "But I've done nothing wrong. I'm just learning code right now…."

"You're ten!" His father's voice showed his frustration, but also his pride. "How did you learn how to do it? Who taught you?"

Jaxon shook his head. "Nobody did. I just learned it on my own." His shoulders slumped forward. "I was hoping to help find Uncle Gage and Uncle Walker."

Mother patted dad in the shoulder. "I'm going to check up on Tavon."

When she left dad knelt in front of Jaxon with a fatherly smile on his face. "Jaxon, I'm trying my hardest to find your Uncles. The FBI has set up a special unit to find all the missing men from that day. What makes you think you'll find something they can't?"

"I don't know." Jaxon shrugged, his attention focused on a knot in the hardwood floor. "I just want to help out…."

"Jaxon, you're only ten years old." His father took hold of Jaxon's hands and gave them a good squeeze. "Let me do the work…."

"But you're never home." Jaxon shook his head. "I thought, maybe if I helped you, then you don't have to stay out real late."

His father took a deep breath then nodded. "I promise, Jaxon that I will come home at night as long as you don't hack again."

"Promise?"

"I promise." His father gave him a big hug. "So, is that why you're bored in school? Are assignments too easy for you?" Jaxon nodded his head. "Well, why didn't you say something? You want me to look into special schools where you won't get bored?"

Jaxon smiled. "You mean there's school like that?"

"Sure. Tomorrow, we can start looking. But for right now, you and Tavon need to get to bed." He patted Jaxon's shoulder. "Let's go, I'll tuck ya in."

Compound

The first thing that greeted Gage as he came to was a pounding headache which seemed to make his temples throb. He let out a low groan then tried to lift his hand up, but found it secured tightly to his side. What had happened to him? Where the hell was he? Slowly he opened his eyes and after his vision cleared he could see white ceiling tiles above him. This helped his mind clear up and he remembered what had happened to him. He started to fight against his restraints, wishing he could move his hands and arms.

"Don't fight." Came a voice from Gage's right. "You hit your head pretty hard. You've been out for several hours." A face appeared above him, one with no ski mask on. "How you feeling right now?"

Gage pulled at his arm restraints once again then huffed. "Got a headache."

The doctor shone a light into Gage's eyes. "You have a concussion. I want you to stay here overnight." He began to undo the straps securing Gage to the hospital bed. "We have a specific room that you will sleep in. Don't fight and follow me."

Ever so slowly Gage got to his feet, his head swimming as he did so. "Why take care of me?"

"Because, you may be one of our best fighters. Need you healthy for next week." The doctor walked a few yards till he reached a steal door. "There's a two way mirror, so I'll be able to keep an eye on you. Need to use the restroom before you're locked in?"

"Yeah, actually I do."

Gage followed the doctor to a very small bathroom with no mirror. Here he locked the door, thankful to finally get some time alone. Ever since he was taken here, everything was a group effort. All the men in the room had to use the restroom at the same time, brush their teeth in the same sink. Thankfully, the group restroom was large with ten stalls and one large, circular sink in the middle which helped give a little bit of privacy, albeit not a lot.

A loud pound on the door woke him up from his thoughts. "Hurry up in there!"

He quickly went to the restroom, washed his hands then splashed cool water on his face. After taking a few more minutes to collect himself he opened the door to head for his little cell for the night. Once inside, Gage went directly to the bed then sat down. His head still ached and it might for awhile, but at least his captors were actually taking care of him. However, the doctor did say something that got him real worried. Apparently fights start next week, which meant whoever took him and the other men planned for a very long extended stay in one place. Not good.

"Lights out!" Shouted the doctor. "Wake up calls will come every two hours. Breakfast here is served at nine and lunch at one. Have a nice sleep."

Seven Days Later

The room was a bit chillier than normal as Walker awoke from a decent night's rest. He rubbed his arms then reached for his hoody which he kept balled up by his pillow. Being in the middle bunk didn't give him a lot of room to maneuver, however in the ten days he has been here he has learned how to cope with the little personal space he had. Once he had his hoody on, he grabbed his flip flops which sat at the end of his bed then slowly crawled out from his place on the bunk. The cool cement floor chilled his feet and he shivered ever so slightly as he slipped on his flip flops.

He made his way to the table where a darker spot told him that somebody else was up. Because there wasn't any light in the room it was hard to make out who that person really was. Walker reached out, felt a chair then slowly inched his way down till he was sitting.

"Walker, you're up once again." Whispered Patrick. "Couldn't sleep either?"

"Nah, I actually slept pretty good, considering." Walker leaned back and stretched. "How about you? Sleeping any better?"

"No, I keep thinking of my little girl." His hushed voice showed deep, emotional pain. "Just wish I could hold her again, you know?"

Walker nodded knowing the feeling all too well. "You will again, don't you worry."

"Do you have any kids, Walker?"

"Yeah, just one." He didn't want to say anymore, but knew if he didn't he may not gain the trust of the men in this room. "A girl, she's fourteen."

Patrick let out a low whistle. "As old as my youngest sister." The lights flickered on, a signal to everybody that it was nearing time for breakfast. "Well, I wonder what's on the menu today?"

Walker chuckled. "Probably more powdered eggs and toast." He leaned backwards and popped his spine against the chair. "The ski mask men should be in here any moment."

"What are you two doing up?" Hector slumped down in a chair next to Walker then let out a very loud yawn. "Just wish I could sleep, you know?" He said in Spanish.

Patrick rolled his eyes. "You know we don't speak Spanish, Hector."

"Why not? Who can I talk to if none of you speak Spanish?" He said once again in his native tongue.

"You should respect those around you, Hector." Walker said in Spanish getting him several surprised looks. "English, really isn't that bad of a language. Maybe you and I can teach the others how to speak Spanish." He continued in Spanish.

John shook his head as he sat down next to Walker. "Look at you go. Didn't know you could speak Spanish so well. Why didn't you tell us?"

"Didn't see a reason to." Walker quickly stood to his feet as the door opened. "Let's just hope today will be like any other day."

Somewhere else in the complex, Gage allowed the men to lead him down the hall to what he knew all too well to be Doctor Galloway's office. Here, he was escorted to a small examination room where he was told to sit down on the only available seat. The cuffs were quickly off his wrists, but he didn't fight back. There was no need to, his life currently was not at risk. And until it was, he would follow his captors orders to the letter.

Doctor Galloway came into the room, closed the door after him then gave Gage a warm smile. "Okay, I need to do blood work and see how much weight you lost since you've gotten here." He sat down on the stool and put on a pair of rubber gloves. "Okay, 0221 step on the scale." Gage got up and did so. "All right, you've lost five pounds. Not too bad. Feeling lightheaded or weakness in the limbs?"

"No. none of the following." Gage was ordered to sit back down. "Why do they care so much about us?"

"Because if you're not healthy, we don't get any money." He wrapped a tourniquet around Gage's right arm till he got a vein. "Okay, I'm going to get some blood then you'll be able to have breakfast with your team."

Once Gage's blood was taken he was escorted to the eating hall where he was made to sit at the table with Aiden. A man put a plate before him and in front of Aiden. However, Aiden's meal seemed a bit more than his. What did that mean? Gage's meal was the same as usual. A scoopful of powder eggs, a few slices of apple and half a slice of toast.

They ate in silence, neither muttering a word to each other. Once both were finished, the ski mask men cuffed their wrists together and escorted them back to the room. Here, they saw that Truman was missing which meant he must be with Doctor Galloway. Strange how their captors were really taking good care of them.

Aiden slumped down into a chair, his hand resting on his stomach. "Man, I haven't had a breakfast like that in days."

Gage shook his head. "Something isn't right. Why would they feed you more than me?"

"Well, you keep telling us that we might be here for illegal fighting, Gage." Nathan went and picked up his bag which sat at the foot of his bed. "Every fighter knows, a good breakfast helps out with a fight."

"Fight?" Aiden shook his head. "You still believe that, don't ya?"

Eric quickly jumped down from his bunk bed and stood next to Gage. His face still showed the healing injuries from when he was brutally beaten by the captors for trying to harm Gage. Ever since that day, Eric has changed his tune. Now, he stood by Gage and in fact has asked him numerous times to train him to fight. Maybe Gage should. It will be nice to have another fighter in the ranks.

"Aiden, they gave us fighting gear." Eric shook his head. "Let's face it, we are here to fight. And, I learned the hard way these guys don't play around."

"But I don't know how to fight!" Aiden's voice told of his fear. "Why pick me first!"

"Don't know. But let's try to stay calm about this." Eric turned to see every man in the room now had their attention on him. "If they didn't care about us, then they wouldn't be giving us fighting gear or regular checkups. Aiden, you lived on the streets, right?"

Aiden nodded. "Yeah, so."

"Then you know how to fight differently then normal fighters."

"Okay, I see where you might be going with this." A smile spread across Aiden's young face. "So, pretend it's a street brawl?"

Gage nodded. "Something like that, yeah."

In a room, far from the cells Joseph Case sat in front of a set of monitors watching and keeping notes on all thirty men under his care. So far, out of five rooms, only three men have stepped up to become true leaders. Out of those three, two of them were the Texas Rangers. Amazing, so even in this situation what made them perfect for law enforcement applied here as well. Both the Texas Rangers have been the calmest out of the fighters so far, not once arguing or disobeying orders.

Mason Banes stepped up to him with a cup of coffee and a doughnut. "Here ya go, Case."

"Thanks." Joseph took a sip of the coffee then pointed to screen number three. "Ranger Gage appears to have taken up the leader position." He glanced at screen five. "And so has Ranger Walker. When are they scheduled to fight?

Banes flipped open a three ring binder and started to look through it's pages. "Walker, will fight in four days and Gage will have his turn in six." He took a deep breath as he closed the binder shut. "Will we have them fight each other?"

Joseph took another sip of his coffee and rocked back into his chair. "That could bring in a lot of money." He pulled the binder closer to him then flipped it to the last page. "If they're still here by the end of the year, lets have them as the big New Years Eve fight." He smiled. "I know, we can have them fight in the courtyard. There should be snow on the ground and it could prove rather interesting."

"See, that's why you're in charge." Banes patted him on the shoulder. "That should bring us a lot of money."

"That it will." He laced his hands and placed his fingertips under his chin. "Start passing the word around a fight will be on tonight. Make sure you take every precaution you can to prevent law enforcement to track the signal."