Author's Note: Initially, this was intended to be the last chapter. However, there may be one more chapter and definitely an Epilouge. : ]
Disclaimer: I do not own Saw or any aspect of the franchise.
Constructive Critcism Encouraged!
Seven - Saving Me.
Detective Hoffman was in the neighborhood when Jigsaw called and asked him for a favor. It was no doubt pure luck that he was, because if he had been across the city Adam would have surely died. Amanda was nowhere to be found when the pig-masked Hoffman marched down the stairs to the basement, and headed to the bathroom carefully choosing a path that wouldn't cross John's test subject's.
He reached the bathroom only half an hour before Konstantine was scheduled to arrive there, and only five minutes after Amanda had completed her attempt to smother Adam. As far as Hoffman could tell, Adam had stopped breathing. He started CPR and after only two compressions on his heart and three mouth-to-mouths, Adam rushed in a breath of air. The pig-masked savior stayed for a few more minutes, making sure that Adam was going to stay alive.
He walked out of the room, sliding the door shut as quietly as possible before heading back out to his car where he called John.
"Hello."
"Do you have good news for me, Detective?"
"I managed to revive him. It's lucky for you that the basement is cold, otherwise it might not have been a happy ending for him or your test subject."
"Thank you, Detective," Jigsaw replied simply before hanging up.
Konstantine had finally reached her final test; a test that would prove to Jigsaw that she not only appreciated her and Adam's life, but their life together as well. With slightly numb finger tips, she pushed the triangle button.
"You've come a long way Konstantine, and if you're listening to this, you're only one hallway away from Adam and your freedom." The voice told her calmly, "This test is one of appreciation, and of memory. Get the questions right, and you will receive the tools needed to start your new life with Adam. Get the questions wrong, and they will be locked away forever.
"In this room, you may have noticed several clear boxes imbedded in the wall. The locks are all digital, all connected to one answer pad. You possess the correct answers to each of the questions taped to the box.
"Think hard, but hurry as well. In ten minutes, all of them will lock forever and you will never see Adam or the light of day ever again."
The tape ended, and Konstantine turned her attention to the first box. Each box had a button next to it, which you pushed before inputting the answer on the keypad to her right. The question on the first box read:
When is Adam's birthday?
Even in her blood-deprived state, Konstantine rolled her eyes. She pushed the button to the left of the box and went to the input box.
01171977
The box clicked open, exposing a key. She picked it up and stuffed it into her pocket carefully. She looked at the next box's question.
What year was it when you decided to leave your father's house?
That was a slightly harder question. She would have to think about it for a moment. Was it 1991 or 1992? She was pretty sure she was fifteen when she left, so it couldn't have been 1992. She thought back. She was thirteen. 1990? That sounded right. She pushed the button and stumbled to the keypad.
Again, the box popped open and another key was inside. She stuffed this one into the opposite pocket with some difficulty. She walked to the third box and looked at the question.
How many days has Adam been a 'missing person'?
"That's not fair! I have no idea what day Adam disappeared!" Konstantine complained. She was quite loopy when she punched in a random number and the box locked forever. Her shoulders slumped as she looked to the next question. She read the words slowly, carefully. She was attempting to concentrate, hoping that she would live long enough to survive this test. She just wanted to find Adam. If she had to die to see him again, she would.
When did you lose Adam's baby?
She thought carefully as the tears fell from her eyes, down her dirtied cheeks. She groaned in annoyance as she pushed in a date, apparently the correct date, as the box popped open. She glanced up at the clock - two more minutes and two more questions. She grabbed the pistol from the box and didn't bother to check the chamber as she stuffed it between her arm and body. She was determined to get the last two questions right.
What day did your mother die?
"December 28th, 1993." She murmured and pushed in the numbers carefully. The next box popped open, exposing another key. She grabbed that one as well and looked to the final box. She breathed in heavily, exhausted from the tests, from the memories. She grimaced as she read the last question.
How many years have you spent, living someone else's life?
She didn't know the answer to that. She could only guess that it had been around a decade. She pushed in the number 7 and prayed silently as she tapped the enter key. The box popped open, exposing a cell phone. She was barely able to focus as she took the last key she had received and attempted to unlock the door. To her own amazement, the door unlocked and she pushed it open as she stumbled into the long, narrow hallway. All she could see was the heavy metal door that stood between her and Adam. She rushed to it, slid it open, and almost cried as she saw the man she had come to love sitting useless in the corner.
She ran over to him, tripping over herself and then a body as she landed next to him. She shook him with her sore wrists, hoping perhaps in vain that he would wake up. She wanted to see him open his chocolately eyes and smile. She wanted to hear him say her name. She pressed two fingers to his neck, and felt a shallow pulse. She fumbled with the phone, and dialed 911.
"911 what is your emergency?"
"I… Jigsaw. I need help, I'm bleeding and--"
"Is this a prank, lady?" The man on the other end questioned, annoyed.
"No! I need help, now." She cried, convincingly.
"I'll send a paramedic right away... is there anyone besides you there?"
She nodded, "Adam..."
She dropped the phone as he opened his eyes, staring at her in a state of confusion and shock. She brought each of her hands to the sides of his face and kissed his head. She had never been more grateful to see someone.
"Key's...gone," He said in a hoarse voice. She fumbled around in her pockets and tried both. The second one worked, and for the first time in months, Adam was a free man again.
"You don't know what I've been through," She told him, holding on to him for dear life, "To get here."
He kissed her head with his dry, cracked lips as she let her body relax next to his with her head on his shoulder. It hurt, but he didn't care. She had come, and somehow she had managed to save him.