So here's chapter 5! I hope you all enjoy this chapter - it's a little longer than before, thankfully!

baao xo

Chapter 5:

Footsteps echoing through the corridors of the eerily empty power station cracked through the still air like whip. The station appeared to have been deserted; no one was occupying any of the workstations, nor was there anyone in the corridors. There weren't even any alarms blaring to alert anyone of the so-called meltdown. What was more concerning was the state of the building. Whilst Alan had reported that the last health and safety inspection stated that the area was safe and in good condition, within that time things had certainly changed. Whether it had been from the 'meltdown' or before, it was safe to say that the building was in a dire need of repair. Rubble was strewn across the floor; the walls had cracked and collapsed leaving gaping holes in some places.

The three brothers crept through the building, desperately searching for the control room to finish the 'rescue' as fast as possible. An outstretched hand from the Field Commander stopped the other two members of International Rescue in their tracks, and their elder brother silently pointed down a corridor to their right which signposted the control room. Walking down the corridor as fast as their dared, they approached the surprisingly intact metal door to the control room. Gordon strode up to the door and tried to push it open. It remained firmly closed and he turned to his brothers:

"Locked," he stated.

"Congratulations Einstein," replied John with a roll of his eyes and his voice dripping with sarcasm "we're so lucky to have you and your breathtaking intelligence here with us today."

Gordon scowled, suddenly baring a striking resemblance to his younger self on the verge of throwing a temper tantrum.

"How do you suggest we get in, then?" Gordon shot back to his older brother.

"The keypad, obviously?" said John, gesturing to the right hand side of the door. He approached it cautiously, examining it carefully. Within minutes he had managed to override the system and the door slid open silently.

Scott and Gordon stared at him in a mixture of awe and amazement and John rolled his eyes.

"Honestly, how would you two have gotten in without me?"

"By breaking the door down?" replied Scott with a shrug, gesturing the now open doorway to his younger brothers.

"All brawn and no brain..." muttered John absently and he entered the control room, not noticing the scowls coming from Scott and Gordon. Gordon stomped through the doorway after, whispering grumpily which sounded along the lines of: "Honestly, so rude... as if we didn't have ears... at least I actually have eyebrows so I don't resemble a startled owl ninety percent of the time..."

Scott shook his head tiredly before following the other two into the room. John had already sat down in front of the computers, and was starting to clear the error messages flashing on the screens. Gordon was skulking at the back, no doubt sulking after John's arguably harsh comments. Scott clamped a hand down on the red-head's shoulder before leaning against a computer-free wall and watched his immediate younger brother work.

After what felt like hours, John finally relaxed back in seat, indicating that the systems were clear once more.

"All done?" asked Scott stepping forward, closely followed by Gordon.

"Yeah, just got to see what the problem is at the reactor core. I'm not sure why a meltdown was reported but-"

"Shut up, John." interrupted Gordon, "Is there anything Scott or I can do because I am so bored already."

John sighed, but indicated the screens to his right: "See what you can find on the security cameras then, Gords; any clues as to where everyone is and why everyone seems to have disappeared."

Gordon nodded and settled down in front of the computer and began running through the security feed whilst Scott decided it was probably a good time to check in with Virgil back in New York.

"How's the power station, Sasquatch?" asked Virgil as the communication line crackled into life.

Scott glared darkly at his grinning sibling through the small screen on his watch, unhappy over the success of Gordon's nickname and ignoring the snort of laughter from said-sibling, but replied all the same: "Creepy, dark, dangerous - what more could we ask for? We're in the control room now; Johnny's working his magic on the computers and Gordon's being almost helpful."

Virgil laughed, "So nothing new then?"

"Not even slightly. How's New York treating you?"

"Wonderfully - I've got coffee, I've got WiFi, and I've got a perfect people-watching spot," Virgil grinned before continuing: "but, what's more exciting is some information I've just found for you about the station."

"Why? What's happened?" queried Scott curiously.

"Well, from what I've read, the station was built a good fifteen or twenty years ago, and up until recently, was a perfectly working and busy power station. However, workers in the last couple of months have been reporting a feeling of unease in the building, as well as in the surrounding area. Nothing supernatural, don't worry, but there's been sightings of men walking through the woods who definitely aren't employed at the power station, nor are they employed in the nearby town. Loads of workers have been saying that they'd felt unsafe commuting to work as well as feeling unsafe whilst in the station. There's no evidence of a lack of safety here, though. Well, not until Alan received a distress call earlier today."

"Weird... well, there's definitely a lack of safety now - the station looks like it's been abandoned, as well as half-destroyed."

Virgil frowned, clearly thinking hard about the situation his brothers were now in.

"What are you thinking then, Scotty?" he finally asked.

"Why don't you check in with Al? See if he's found anything else? We'll shut everything down here and see if we can find anyone around - Alan's still saying there are heat signals floating around."

"F.A.B., I'll call Sprout now then let you know anything else." replied Virgil with a thoughtful nod. Scott's screen went blank as his younger brother closed the connection and he turned back to his two present brothers.

"Found anything?" he asked, stepping forward to stand directly behind both.

Whilst John shook his head, clearly still working, Gordon audibly swallowed.

"Maybe you should take a look at this," he said, pointing at one of the many screens.

Scott peered at the fuzzy image his younger brother was presenting him with, before stepping back with a gasp.

"Oh my god..."

Let me know what you thought!