Chapter Eight: Alone
Carly was given some good news; the information she had retrieved from Stockman had done some real good; the FBI felt as though they knew how daily life on campus worked, and how to strike if it came to it. And she desperately hoped that it would not have come to it.
Freddie sat in the sweat box. This was a time of renewal, of re-education. He meditated on his life. Tomorrow he would be up and out. Griffin would beat him senseless. Red Dog would beat him senseless. Then Kennedy would ask him what he was doing- a tall feat for a boy twice divulged of senses.
Carly lay on her bed, upset that she had a fight with Freddie before he left. It was so stupid; he was on the run, and going back into the Institute would likely save his life. But what was the cost?
Freddie was furious at himself for fighting with Carly. He would do anything to let her know he was sorry .He wanted to know that she was okay, that she was not angry, or sad, just okay The worst part of this was the time it took to think. Twenty-four hours in the box was a long, long time to spend with oneself. Freddie had to get back into the mindset of the Good Wolf.
Carly was upset with the whole situation. Freddie was alone, angry, and lost. There was no way he could break out under his own strength. He needed her. Carly thumped her pillow angrily. This just was not fair. She had to save him.
Freddie pounded the stone wall- the pain helped him focus. He could not break through the rock with his bare hands, but the effort reminded him of his plan; keep Carly safe. He just had to stay alive long enough to convince Kennedy his girlfriend was of no importance. It would be difficult; anyone who knew her could see how amazing she was. He had to try and break out if anyone made a move towards her.
Carly rolled on her back, there was no way she could sleep tonight. She could call Nevel; but what would he tell her? It's not like the government would suddenly grant a warrant because her boyfriend turned up at the school. The young woman swore on the Groovy Smoothie her eternal hatred of guardianship laws. With the passing of Mrs. Benson (R.I.P.) it turns out that she had granted guardianship to the Institute. That meant he was supposed to be at the school. Once he arrived, the people there took over his legal problems, and managed to deflect FBI concerns. The dirty finks.
He was not supposed to be here. That's what he learned after six hours in the box. Another six taught him he was woefully out of shape. When he left the previous semester, he could do fist-ups until his knuckles bled, he could do flips until he hurled, and could bend over backwards in an instant. The problem was simple; Freddie. Freddie was the problem, a lonely, pathetic weak disgusting tech nerd who loved a girl way, way, way out of his league. And that weak boy had discovered true softness. That was what he wanted- to leave this place, and return to her bed. Return to that area of immense comfort and warmth. Feel her gentle arms around him, pulling him to the bed, into her...
Carly got out of bed- she was tired of bending over backwards for boys. It was time to do what she always do when some guy left her; eat ice cream. The cool minty chocolate tasted amazing. Stress relief on her idle tongue. She swallowed sweet spoonful after spoonful, taking in the luxury of freedom.
Freddie groaned hitting the floor. The heat was getting to him. Slowly, the temperature rose with the sun, cooking him. The box was designed to sweat out a dog. He wanted Carly. But to get her he had to endure. He was weak, and pathetic. They would consume him if he forgot the wolf. He needed to be better, tougher.
He probably was not even thinking of her. Carly stabbed the ice cream bitterly. Maybe he had already found another girl. She slapped her head, driving the foolish thoughts from it. Freddie had always loved her, even when dating other girls, he always thought of her. Now she felt guilty for doubting him.
They had to bring down the Institute.
A.N. Thanks for the reviews!