Title: Time's Up
Chapter 5 - On the Trail of a Madman
A/N: okay so sorry for not updating this sooner. I had to update my other stories first. Hopefully you are still enjoying this wild adventure, just a few chapters to go with this one!
However an hour into their sleep, it was Stella's turn to wake Mac. Being a light sleeper, Mac was quickly forced awake by Stella's soft mumbling.
'Mac please don't hurt me...' she whisperes in sorrow.
Mac feels his heart break instantly. He knew it was due to the actions of his other self; and despite the fact that he knows that she knows that man wasn't him, hearing her tormented words about his actions toward her was killing him inside.
'Mac...please stop...' she murmures again.
Mac feels his own eyes water at the thought that Stella's mind only offers her images of her own personal torment at his other self's hands. Her body temperature was warm but despite her lightly thrashing about, she didn't fully awaken. But it didn't matter, he wouldn't sleep for the rest of the night; his other self ensuring his night was just as miserable as hers. Damn him! Mac curses inside.
His mind still showed him haunting images but it was more of Stella dressed sexy and taunting him with something he'd never have just before she killed him. And while he tried to fool himself into thinking things would progress beyond friendship when they finally got back to their own reality, he wasn't going to assure himself of a future with her at his side as anything more than his best friend.
With that sad thought and hearing Stella's voice finally stop her angry mutterings, he closes his eyes once more and tries to force himself to sleep. It doesn't work; at least for a few hours until darkness finally consumes him.
However, just as the sun was starting to peek through the curtains, Stella slowly opens her eyes and looks up at Mac. He was finally asleep but his forehead was showing tiny beads of sweat on it; a sure sign of his restless night and panicked thoughts. Oh Mac, she sighs; knowing that even though he didn't wake her he had another sleepless night with nightmares probably just as tormented as hers.
Finally, he too starts to awaken and looks down at Stella who was watching him with a warm smile.
"I could get used to this," he states warmly. "Waking up with you at my side."
"Mac...I..." she starts in a panic.
"Stella I'm sorry I was um..." he starts in a nervous panic. "I was only jok..." he frowns, only to have her place a warm finger on his lips to stop him.
"You really need to stop jumping to conclusions," she gently corrects him. "I was going to say, I agree."
Mac looks at her with a suspicious expression but then offers a soft smile. "I have a lot to learn don't I? Know any good teachers?" He asks softly.
"Depends," she replies. "Do you like leather, thigh high boots?"
"Oh funny," Mac huffs, shaking his head, poking her in the side, making her laugh. "Just for that..."
"S-stop that," Stella laughs as she tries to twist herself around to attack him back. She finally succeeds and is rewarded with his own warm laughter filling her ears.
"H-hey not fa-fair..." Mac laughs as she grabs either side of his rib cage and then starts her own attack; gently digging in her fingers and making him laugh. Mac tries to grab her hands but she keeps them moving and he is unable. Finally he manages to get the upper hand by gently grabbing her by the side and twists himself around so that he is on top; gently holdiner her hands with his own. He looks down at her with a flushed face; his heart racing, keeping time with hers.
Stella looks up at him; her hands still firmly caught by his, just offering a smile, her rate now matching his.
"You are beautiful in the morning," Mac whispers making her beam.
"You're pretty handsome yourself," she whispers in return, warming him further.
He leans close in and offers her a soft kiss, before wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close, deepening the kiss. Stella wraps her arms around his back and neck, holding him close, tasting his mouth and then going back for more.
But as they hear a noise outside, Mac quickly pulls away and lies beside her, much to their regret. They lay in silence for a few minutes, only their heart beats filling the room with soft sounds, beating in tandem; until Mac finally breaks their awkward silence.
"I guess we should get ready to go," he lightly frowns; his body still warm from being that close to hers. "We have a busy day ahead."
"I guess so," she mentions, looking at him sideways.
"With any luck we'll be back home tonight were we belong."
"Sounds good to me," she agrees.
"You go and..."
"Mac..."
"Stella, this is hard enough on me," he manages.
"What are you still afraid of? Mac if I wasn't attracted to you..."
"It's this moment...us caught here in...in New York from hell...it's not real and therefore..." he starts, making her lightly laugh. "What's so funny?"
"You, trying to rationalize your feelings all the time," she tells him. "Why can't you just admit what you feel for me?"
"Because it hurts," he finally confesses with a heavy sigh. "And I don't want either of us getting hurt."
"But you take that chance everyday," she offers in a gentle tone. "Why not take it on someone who actually is willing to take that same chance with you back?"
Mac looks at her with an amused expression. "I'll never be able to win with you will I?"
"Nope," she smiles in triumph.
"So I guess there is no hope for me," he sighs
"None at all," she retorts, making him lightly laugh. "Come on...before you turn to complete mush in my hands and I have my way with you and we are stuck here forever."
Stella pushes herself out of the bed and hurries into the bathroom to get ready, leaving Mac in the warm bed with an amused smile on his flushed face.
"Doesn't she know what she does to me?" He moans as he slowly pushes himself out of bed to get dressed. I can't make this awkward, he tells himself. She said she wanted to take a chance back, I'll just go with that for now. So with a determined mind he finally finishes dressing and then when she exits the bathroom, dressed and ready to go is thankful the awkward situation that he feared could develop didn't.
"Ready to go?"
"Ready to get back to reality," Mac quips and Stella is more than ready to agree. "Hungry?"
"Actually I could use a little something more besides coffee. I noticed a small diner just next door. Shall we chance it?"
"Well we have thrown everything else to the wind, why not breakfast? Lead the way."
In no time they were back on the street and sitting in a small diner eating breakfast. The conversation over their modest breakfast was thankfully light and non-committal; neither wanting to broach the subject of their encounter this morning.
"Think he'll be there?" Stella ponders as they get into another cab and head for the address they are hoping Gavin Seven will be found. Little did they know they were being watched by him; ready to walk right into the trap he already had waiting.
"I hope so," Mac answers her with some nervous anxiety, as they near the property. "I really do want to get home and I don't know what to expect from this reality any more and that frustrates the hell out of me."
They get out of the cab and stand before a gate that reads 'No Trespassing'.
"Comforting," Mac grumbles.
"Looks deserted," Stella notes as they look in the distance to some small dwellings with no lights or any sign of life in them. "Doesn't look like anyone has been here for some time Mac. Could be another dead end."
"We need to find this guy," Mac reaffirms. "If this fails then we track down Prince and hope he can help us. I was going to suggest we split up but seeing as either of us has any backup we can count on; we're stuck with each other."
"And that's a bad thing?" She retorts.
"Wouldn't have it any other way."
"Well then lead the way Captain Kirk," Stella teases.
"Funny," Mac says dryly.
Mac slowly pushes the gate open and they start to walk toward the first building; both of them on high alert. Mac draws his gun, but was sure his pounding heart had already given them away. Stella does the same, her eyes always watching behind them to ensure they weren't trapped or ambushed.
"Can't these guys have places that aren't creepy?" Stella notes as they near the first house.
"Trust me this whole things weirds me out," Mac mentions as he walks up the steps. He takes another step onto the first plank that leads to the landing and his leg goes right through, taking him to his knees in rotten wood.
"Mac!" Stella exclaims in horror as she rushes to help him. "Are you okay?"
"Just a few scrapes," he huffs in anger, mostly at himself; as he uses Stella's arm to steady himself and get onto the front porch. He feels a small throbbing starting to develop in his leg but knows he had to push through the pain and keep going; their future depending on it. He looks at her with a frown and then very slowly pushes the door open.
All that the eerie house has to offer them is haunted whispers and hushed warnings of bad things that await.
"Mac I don't like this," Stella whispers.
"Just stay close," he whispers back.
"Yeah no worries there," she replies, her eyes once again darting around for what seems out of place.
They stand in the main area and look around. "This place is empty," Stella notes. "Are you sure th..." she starts as they hear a noise out back.
"Careful," Mac warns as they hurry toward the back door. Mac pushes the door open and they look at two small buildings before them. One on each side. "Okay so we are within shouting distance. But we are running out of time and...only take five minutes and we'll meet back here."
"Right," she says firmly.
Mac watches Stella approach the small building to the right before taking his own steps toward the building on the left. He pushes the door open and stops once again to listen; Stella doing the same with her small building. It wasn't even a building, just some boarding up around a grassy middle with some loose wooden boards underneath that had a hidden trap beneath it.
Stella opens the door and notices the grass before her that nothing seems out of place. She steps inside and notices there is a small object on the far wall. She slowly heads for it and then takes another step to reach for it when...
Mac pushes his door open and squints into the darkness before him. His eyes carefully study every inch of the interior and grassy floor until they rest on a small object on the far wall. He too takes a few fateful steps toward it but when he tries to reach for it...
CRASH!
Both Mac and Stella fall into the traps that were just waiting for them. Stella lets out a cry as she tumbles into the darkness beneath her, hitting her side but missing her head.
Mac on the other hand, hits his head on a small stone and is immediatly taken into light slumber.
Then it was quiet for a few seconds.
"MAC!" Stella shouts as she tries to get up. Dust and debris still continue to fall down upon and around her and she lightly coughs into the stale air. She covers her eyes and face until everything has fallen and then pushes herself to a sitting position. She quickly scans the area she is in and she notices, much to her horror, there is no way up, she is trapped.
"MAC!" She tries yelling again as she reaches for her phone.
"Sorry but he's out right now," the low voice of Gavin Seven taunts her from above.
"Who the hell are you?" Stella growls, squinting to see the man a few feet up. "Move where I can see you!" She demands in anger.
"You two blew the operation in our world and I won't let you screw this one."
"Gavin Seven!" Stella barks in anger.
"Very perceptive."
"Where is Mac?" She demands
"He's in the other pit and he's not dead...at least I don't think he's dead," Gavin frowns. "Could be dead. Sorry."
"Why are you doing this? Did you attack me?" Stella questions.
"I have to figure out how to get this fixed and..."
"We'll help. Trust me we want to go bac..."
"What makes you think I want to go back?" He asks smugly.
"What?" Stella demands. "You seriously can't like it here. Please at least help us to get back. We don't belong here and you know it!"
"No way....with you two here that means Prince takes the fall and I walk away into the sunset a very rich man," he laughs.
"Mac was right," she says in dread. "He knew Prince was innocent!"
"Well goody for him!" Gavin spat down at her. "If I were you I'd look..."
"Why did you whisper sorry when you attacked me?"
"Because it wasn't your time to die yet..."
"I don't buy it!" Stella counters.
Gavin looks at her and lightly curses. "Why the hell are you as stubborn as he is?"
"Practise," she retorts. "Please...what is going on?"
"The person who attacked you...was me...the other me, the good me and I want him and you two out of the picture permanently! I just can't find him!"
"But..."
"As there is no way out and this place is officially set to be cleared tomorrow and all the holes filled in...well I guess you two will become permanent residents of this time. Hope you said goodbye to family," he laughs.
"Someone will..."
"Funny thing about money," he continues. "It buys a lot of things even silence. Like silence from the men who will bury the two of you tomorrow. Bye now."
"Don't do this!"
"Sorry but I am going to."
"GAVIN!" Stella shouts in vain as she hears him turn and walk the other way, laughing. She quickly pulls out her phone and dials Mac, still no answer as Mac lies dazed in the other pit, fresh blood coming from his forehead. Stella wastes no time in trying to find a way out of the pit but true to his words, there was nothing, the walls were smooth compact mud, she was trapped; they both were. Her panic at the thought that Mac was dead and she'd be buried alive was keeping her from seeing a hidden escape route.
Feeling a twinge in her side, Stella slumps down in the dirt, her body now starting to feel the effects of the fall and her adrenaline wearing off. Night would be coming soon, and she feared they would have more than darkness to contend with. This area of town wasn't exactly known for its upstanding population and both of them were alone and now trapped. So with those chilling thoughts she pushes herself back up and tries to look for a way out. Gavin had removed the boarding so that in the morning the holes would be open and ready to be filled. It was just the night sky filling the void now.
Finally Mac slowly feels his world coming back to him. "Ste..." he whispers hoarsely, coughing from the dust and debris that was still lingering in the air. He squints into the darkness before him and frowns; panic starting to seize him as he remembers what happened.
They were both going into separate buildings, the floor gave way and then he heard Stella scream and disappear before his world went black.
"Stella!" He tries again, his head still pounding. He touches it once more and feels fresh blood; his blood.
Stella stops her climbing, thinking she heard Mac's voice calling her name. "MAC!" She tries again.
"STELLA!" Mac calls a bit louder when he finally hears her voice, calling his name. He quickly pulls out his phone and dials her number.
"Mac...thank goodness," she breathes as she answers in haste. "Are you okay?"
"I hit my head but I'm okay otherwise," he lightly coughs. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"
"Just a few scrapes and bumps but nothing major...my side hurts but I think it was from the fall. We have to get out of here."
"We need to know..."
"Mac it was Seven, he told me...well he said it was his other self that attacked me but he is going to stop us from trying to go back. As of tomorrow this place is scheduled for a fill and he doesn't care if we are still alive," she informs him.
"Stella this place after dark is dangerous, much less us hurt and trapped...we need..." he says looking around.
"Mac, there is no way out," she says frantically. "I have been trying to look for an escape route can't. I tried to climb but the earth is too compact and I just fell back down each time. We need a ladder or something."
"I'll find a way, just hold on. I will get to you," he promises as he quickly hangs up.
The sun was almost gone and it was getting harder to see in the dark, but he had to get to her; he wasn't about to let them be killed but certainly wasn't about to leave her alone in that pit. He puts his phone away and gets to work. He examines the edges of the hole and finds them to be smooth but still dirt. "There has to be" he mumbles with a slight frown. He spies a few pieces of wood that came down with him and an idea starts to formulate in his tired brain. No caring about getting splinters in his hands he grabs the pieces of wood and then calls Stella.
"Did any wood fall with you?"
"A few pieces, not much. What are you thinking?"
"Ever been rock climbing?"
"Ah good idea," she replies. "Got it." She quickly puts her phone away and then starts to look for pieces that she can use to help herself climb out of the pit.
Mac hears faint voices and laughter in the distance and knows he has to work fast. He wasn't about to leave Stella to the mercy of men with dark thoughts. He feels some of the wood start to splinter as he drives the first piece into the harsh earth but pushes through the pain. After what seems like a small eternity has passed, he finally reaches the top and as he looks around, he spies a few flashlights coming their way. He knows he could just wait them out but fears they'll find Stella and has to continue.
Mac pushes himself onto the earth, digs his fingers into the dirt and pulls his body onto the even ground. He lays for a few seconds breathing hard until he hears the voices getting closer.
"Stella, I'm coming," he calls out as he pushes himself up and rushes for the other building. He spies her about halfway up and smiles. "That's my girl...here," he tells her, extending his hands. But just as hers are about to reach his, Mac is grabbed from behind, his arms being trapped at his sides.
"Hey!"
"Mac!" Stella yells out as she watches him being dragged away.
Mac struggles in the grasp of the large man holding him and watch as two others approach from the other side and look down at Stella with evil smiles.
"Ohh now that is definitely worth pulling up."
"Stella, stay down!" Mac calls out in anger.
Usually, she wouldn't listen and be on her feet to help him, despite his protests. But if there were three men up top waiting for her, she could help Mac the most by not getting herself caught. So just as the two try to pull her up she ducks back into the darkness, mindful not to ruin her hard work of escape as she knows she'll need it soon.
"You took away our fun mister," the one who was going for Stella sneers at Mac as he lunges at him.
Although his arms were now behind him, Mac manages to get his feet into the air just as the other man rushes toward him, kicking him in the face and the gut, sending him backward. By doing that it helps Mac by freeing him from his captor's grasp. Mac twists himself around and jerks the arm of the first man behind just as the third man joins; making the third man hit the first instead of Mac.
"You're gonna pay for that!" The first growls at Mac as he readies his fist.
Stella hears the commotion and figures with the ensuing fight it would now be safe to try to venture another climb to the top, not wanting to leave Mac alone with three possibly more men, trying to take him out. As she still has her gun she has some protection and so starts her slow climb to the top once again.
Mac, however, punches the first man in the face before he can move, but as he gets back up is hit from behind from the second.
"Get him!" The first yells as the second and third jump on him, each taking an arm. Mac tries to pull himself free but when the first hits him in the back with a piece of heavy wood, it sends him to his knees in a dazed heap.
"Get his gun!" The second shouts.
Mac tries to yank himself free but only succeeds in bringing the two men down on top of him once again. He tries to twist himself around but only ends up being kicked in the side, making his eyes water. He lies breathing hard as he is finally hauled to his feet before the first man, who now has his gun trained on him.
"What do you want?" Mac demands in anger.
"Some fun with your lady friend," the first man sneers. "And since you didn't offer, I think we'll take her."
"Not going to happen," Mac promises.
"Oh really? And who is going to stop me?" The first man sneers as he cocks the trigger.
"I am," Stella states firmly.
The first man turns to fire off a shot but her shot meets its mark first, hitting the man in the leg and causing him to fall to the ground in agony. This allows Mac to use the distraction to jump onto the first man, grab his gun and roll out of the way before the first two could take him again. He rolls onto his back and fires off another warning shot; missing the second by a few inches.
"Next one won't miss, I promise," he growls. "Now take him and get the hell out of here before I really get mad!"
The two men rush to their fallen friend and start to drag him away in haste. Only when they were out of sight did Mac finally take his eyes and gun off them and hurry back to Stella who was waiting by the edge of the pit. "Here," he says offering his hands and pulling her all the way up to join him. Once at the top they both sit by the edge of the hole, breathing hard.
Mac looks at Stella in concern. "Are you okay?"
"I am now that I am out of there. Mac this is like something you only see on TV."
"Don't start," he lightly grimaces.
"Are you okay?" She asks in concern, gently dabbing his forehead with her sleeve, wiping the blood away.
"My head hurts, but I'm okay otherwise. We need to get out of here before we have more uninvited guests," he suggests as he slowly pushes himself upright. Mac hears loud music coming from the entrance they came through and knows they can't return that way.
"We need..." he says slowly scanning the dark horizon in the opposite direction. "Think there are any more traps?"
"Could be...this guy is nuts," Stella huffs, making him lightly smile.
"Nuts?"
"Mac, this guy is beyond nuts. I mean who plans this?"
"Someone who knew we'd come here because this is where he wanted us."
"So if he knows our every move..."
"We need Prince before he kills him and our only means of escaping this nightmare," Mac states. "Come on let's go."
"But if we..."
"We either take our chances with those guys or..." he stops. "I have an idea," he said taking her hand and leading her back the way they came. "Don't worry...they won't see us."
"Mac..." Stella starts in light protest as he takes off his jacket and drapes it around her slightly shivering body.
"I'll be okay," he lies; knowing inside he is also cold and his body starting to lightly shiver. "We just need to get back to the hotel room."
"Where do you think he went?" Stella wonders.
"I wonder where his other self is?" Mac counters.
"And what about Prince?"
"We have too many questions and not enough answers," Mac frowns. "Damn I hate this. Each clue we find just leads us down another false path."
"Think the other me is up and around?" Stella wonders.
"If she is then the other me is going to be in for quite the royal treatment," Mac states with a slight wince. "Deserves it."
"Ah a little vindictive are you Mac Taylor?" She lightly teases.
"For the way he treated you? Yes," Mac answers firmly. They near the lights and music but Mac sees it is just a gathering of teenagers and knows they would be okay; the other three rowdies were nowhere to be seen. They head toward the group, Mac's arm now around Stella's waist and a few look up at them in wonder, noting their slightly dirty and dishelved apperance.
"Hey mister...what's going on?" One of them asks. "What happened to you two?"
"Good make out spot," Mac winks as he and Stella hurry past. They hear a few cat calls and whistles, a few way to go's and alrights.
"I'll have to remember that," Stella smiles.
"Trust me it's what they were all thinking," he replies in haste, as they near one of the local streets. Mac calls for a cab and then wraps his arms around Stella to keep her warm. "Are you okay? You're still trembling."
"I think the adrenaline is finally wearing off," she tells him, looking at his face in concern. "That cut on your forehead looks pretty nasty. How do you feel?"
"Tired, but glad you are okay," he smiles down at her.
"I was really worried...Gavin told me you could be dead..." her voice trails off in sorrow.
Mac gently brushes some dirt off her face and frowns. "How on earth did I ever end up with an amazing woman like you in my life?"
"Just lucky I guess," she winks.
Mac places a warm kiss on her cheek and just holds her close; keeping their body warmth between them until the cab finally arrives. When it does, they were both very thankful to be getting inside the warm vehicle and taken back to their hotel, instead of spending the night in the cold. But as they near their hotel they spy the door open and know Gavin has already been there.
"Damn it!" Mac curses. "If he's there then we need to avoid him."
"We need a place to sleep tonight," Stella mentions. "And we need a first aid kit."
"We have Prince's address...we are going there," Mac tells her. "Maybe we can end this all tonight."
"Mac you are in no condition..." she starts.
"We need to get home," he states. "Prince might be the only one who can help us. Obviously we won't be able to find the other Gavin unless he makes himself known to us. We are running out of options and out of time. If Gavin intends to destroy whatever machines are in this reality then we need to ensure we are back in our world before he can do that."
"Where does he live?" She asks, knowing he is right and not wanting to argue.
Mac gives the address to the cab driver and they both settle back into the seat and sit in silence on the ride over. Mac touches his forehead and frowns. The blood was dry but his head was still sore and slightly throbbing.
"Are you still dizzy?" She asks in concern.
"Just a bit, but I'm just sore...it's no big deal," he replies in haste.
"You are so lying."
"How do you know that?" Mac asks in frustration.
"I know you," she counters. "And that scares you right?"
"Yes," he tells her. "Doesn't it scare you?"
"To know you? No way," she smiles warmly. "You know me...does that scare you?"
"No. But you are so much..." he starts only to have her touch his lips, stopping him.
"You were going to say how wonderful I am?" She smiles as she gently pulls his head to hers and tenderly kisses his lips.
"I was...going to say how lucky I am to have you in my life," he adds.
"And when we get back will I still be in your life?"
"Without you I have no life," he confesses.
Mac wraps his arm around her and pulls her close as the cab driver carries them towards another part of the city that normal people dare not venture; a part of the city that holds the key to the safe return to their own reality, a world they desperately need to return to before time runs out. However, little do they know but someone they would normally trust is on their way to add to their misery and delay.
A/N: okay so not sure about this chapter but hope you all liked it. It's going to be an action packed ride until the end so stay tuned and please review and let me know what you thought. THANKS!