Reid was dreaming. Or, at least he thought he was.
In the darkness, he loomed restlessly. He had no idea where he was – nor, at this point, did he want to – but this type of darkness had some sort of vague familiarity in it. And because of this, he could tell this dream was like no other. In a sense, it truly seemed like reality. He could feel his head moving as his eyes gazed, trying to adjust to the darkness. He could feel his hands groping for any object within reach. Heck, he could even feel his full bladder begin to tell him it was about time to go.
No, he decided at last, this could definitely not be a dream.
So where the hell was he?
Something light suddenly brushed against his wrist, and he jumped with surprise. Scrambling backwards, he called out, "W-Who's there!"
"Shh…" The enchanting voice was so close to his ear that Reid once again jumped, and ran back to his original place.
Gathering his bearings, Reid made his voice, this time, sound more confident. "Who's there?"
"My child, who else do you think?"
Reid stared. He stared so hard into the darkness, that he felt himself going cross-eyed. He knew that voice. And knowing that he was actually hearing that voice only meant one thing.
Her voice was close to his ear once more. "Don't tell me you don't recognize me, dear."
"…Grandma?"
The lady laughed.
Yep, he must be in Hell.
--
Tyler eyed the huge abandoned building as the car pulled up next to the sidewalk. Without a moment's hesitation, he, Pogue, and Caleb jumped out of the car, taking only a second to pause and look at the old and gated entrance. They ran in.
Besides the look of the crumbling brick outside, it was easy to tell the place was deserted. It was dark, dust filled their nostrils, and the sound of rats nails scuttled across the wooden floor.
"Caleb, you think this is really it?" Tyler asked hesitantly.
"Yeah, I think so."
"Where should we start looking?" Pogue eyed the hall in front of him and the stairwell to the right.
"We're going to have to split up. Tyler, you go with Pogue and check the first floor and the basement. I'll check the second and third – "
"Wait, Caleb," Tyler interrupted hastily, "I can go by myself. We'll be able to get more done if I – "
"No, Ty."
"But Caleb – "
"Tyler, no."
Tyler forced out a laugh, even without seeing humor in the situation. He could feel Pogue's gaze on him. "Why not?"
"Did you see the way Reid reacted to you being around Chase?"
"He's just being over-protective! You know how he is!"
"Yes, I know how he is. And he's right, Ty. This could very well be a trap for us, and the last thing we need is to lose you."
"And what about you?"
"What about me?"
"Caleb – "
"Tyler, we need to get searching. You both take this floor and the basement. You know where I'll be. Meet back here if you don't find anything. If Chase happens to confront you, call me with your Power. Got it?"
Pogue responded with a "Yeah", and Tyler nodded, albeit feeling frustrated and reluctant. Caleb headed towards the stairwell, and then called over his shoulder,
"Stay out of trouble, boys."
--
Deatine's hand slowly stroked the side of Reid's face, brushing the stray locks of white-blonde hair off of his forehead. Infatuated, he gazed over the boy's features, wanting to memorize every color, every curve of his son before he died. His fingertips brushed over Reid's blue-ish tinged lips, wincing at the wheezing sound that escaped them. His hand traveled slowly downward to his neck, and he paused, feeling the slow, unstable pulse beneath.
"Deatine, you aren't getting too attached now, are you?" Chase drawled suddenly as he leaned against the doorframe. He laughed quietly, "I'd hate to see you cry when he dies."
The hand against the boy's neck was immediately removed, and the servant stepped back a foot from the table.
"No, Master."
"Good, good." Chase stepped into the room, his steps slow and deliberate. "This is all for the greater good, you know. Once I receive his power, we will finally have enough strength to defeat the Covenant. And then, well, we can do whatever we please. Don't you want that, Deatine?"
Deatine lowered his gaze from the floor, not daring to meet Chase's eyes. "Yes, Master."
Chase stepped farther into the room, eyeing the body on the metal table, "I take it you've administered the final dosage?"
"I – I…I was just about to – "
"Shh!" Chase's harsh voice cut through the room. Distantly, footsteps could be heard approaching. He smiled ruthlessly and turned to his servant. "It seems we have some guests."
And within a blink of an eye, Chase had disappeared.
--
Five minutes had passed of searching and Tyler was getting antsy with unease. Slowly opening another door to the first floor, he peeked in and found only a piano and a fireplace. He sighed, knowing without a doubt that, if anywhere, Chase would not make his hideout on the ground floor of a three story building (not including the basement). He turned to Pogue, who was across the hallway.
"I'm going to go check some rooms over there." Tyler pointed down the hallway, where the walls suddenly veered to the left, out of sight.
Pogue nodded. "Don't go too far." He returned and began checking more rooms.
On the verge of running, Tyler made his way down the hallway (checking one last time to see if Pogue wasn't watching), and opened the stairwell door that led to the basement.
--
The basement was dark, and Tyler coughed from the sudden attack of dust that filled his lungs. Peering around with unease, Tyler walked steadily forward, keeping his peripherals wide and alert in case of attack. But then, like a light at the end of a tunnel, he spotted a small room off to the side, a soft glow emitting from the doorway. He quickened his pace, footsteps becoming heavier, knowing that if Reid was anywhere, it would be there. He entered the room at a run, and stopped immediately in his tracks.
There was Reid.
There was Reid, his best friend, his brother, lying nearly naked, ghostly pale and inert.
For a second, he didn't know what to do, didn't know what to think, but looked instead at the hunched man standing over the blonde.
His heart pounded furiously, "What the fuck did you do?"
"I – " The man began.
"Get away from him!" Tyler yelled, his voice tight and unnatural sounding. He sprinted to the prone figure, eyes now obsidian, glowering at Deatine.
"I – I…"
"Reid!" Tyler shook him gently, "Reid, wake up!" Tyler's head snapped up to the servant and begged, "Do something! Untie him!"
"Get out of here," Deatine suddenly found his voice, and regained his composure, "You don't know who you're up against."
"No!" Tyler shouted, "No! You need to help me get him out of here! He's hurt!"
"Get out!"
"Please – "
"Ah, enough trying, Deatine," The sly voice was abruptly behind Tyler. He jumped with surprise. "He had his chance to get away."
Tyler backed up, only now realizing Chase blocked the only exit out of the room, "C-Chase."
"Where are your brothers, Ty-Ty? They finally let you leave the house alone?"
Tyler's hands trembled as he glanced from Chase to Deatine to Reid, back finally back. He knew what he had to do, and with what was left of his courage, Tyler closed his eyes and called out to his brothers with his Power. A quick shock traveled through the room and upstairs. Opening his eyes, a small amount of relief came to him, "They're upstairs. And they're coming down here right now," Tyler took a breath as Chase's face broke out into a grin. Bewildered at the response, he continued, "This was a bad move, Chase. It's going to be three against one."
Chase took another step towards Tyler, the smirk never leaving his face, "Oh, I wouldn't count on that."
With a flick of his fingers, the metal door slammed shut. Another wave, and a desk and two filing cabinets crashed against the doorway. Tyler flinched.
"I think that will keep them occupied for awhile. Deatine, administer the final dose," Chase laughed and looked back at Tyler, "Say good-bye to blondie-bear over there."
Tyler's eyes grew wide, "Don't! Please, Deatine, you don't know what you're doing!"
"Ha, I wouldn't necessarily count on that. He knows very well what he's doing, don't you, Deatine?"
Deatine's gaze dropped to the floor.
Tyler stared at him, "What are you talking about?"
Striding over to the servant's side, Chase placed a mocking hand on his shoulder, "Oh, don't be afraid to tell him. I'm sure he'd love to listen to you."
Again, Tyler shook his head. He tried to swallow, but his throat constricted and he coughed on the saliva. He shivered with fear, "I don't know what you mean."
Chase grinned, "Admit it, Deatine. Admit that Reid is your son, and you have been the only one torturing him while he's been here. You see, Tyler, I'm not always the bad guy."
"You kidnapped him!"
"Don't let me take all the credit. It was Deatine's idea in the first place."
"Why?" Tyler's voice cracked, and the one-syllable question seemed to suck all the air out of the room. He turned to Deatine, "Why would you kidnap your own son?"
Chase's smile grew wider, "Let me ask you this question: How long did it take for you to realize Reid was really gone?"
Tyler didn't respond. The question sunk in, and a sudden wave of realization and shame washed over him.
"Exactly. By the time you began your search, I was already half done with the procedure. I must admit, you would have been an excellent prospect, but your brothers would have noticed your absence in seconds."
This couldn't be happening. Truly, this must have been a dream. Bu then, he saw Reid. The white-blonde took a shuddering breath, as if able to hear their whole conversation, and the chains clinked softly as his head jerked to the right, facing Tyler.
Tyler shook his head, "You're wrong."
"Oh, don't bother denying the facts. If you truly cared about this kid, he wouldn't be lying near-dead on this table – "
"Stop it."
" – And I would already be dead. You would have rescued him hours ago, and he – "
"Stop it!"
"…would be fine," Chase patted the blonde's cheek before stepping away, "Deatine, administer the final dose."
"Don't do it," Tyler was pleading now. Tears brimmed on the tips of his eyelashes, "He's your son. Reid is your son."
A loud banging suddenly came from across the room. The desk and filing cabinets shuddered.
"Tyler! You in here?"
Tyler let out a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding.
Chase growled at Deatine, "Do it!"
The door banged again, and Caleb's voice sounded distressed, "Tyler?"
"Caleb! I'm in here!" Tyler called back, and he turned to the servant, "Deatine, please. Look at your son. He needs you."
"Deatine if you don't – "
The cabinets shuddered again, "Tyler!"
" – I swear I will – "
"No."
Chase froze. Tyler froze. The servant had actually spoken. The only sound came from the pounding on the other side of the wall.
Chase blinked and stared hard at him, "What?"
"I said 'no'," The servant drew back the syringe, which had been hovering too closely above Reid's neck. Deatine took a step away from the table, towards Tyler, eyes never leaving Chase.
"You don't know what you've done," Chase's voice was dark, and dripping with venom. He held out his hand, "Give me the syringe."
"No, Chase. You've used me far too long," Deatine held out the syringe to Tyler, who grasped it with trembling hands. He took a step forward, hatred and animosity finally surfacing as he realized how Chase had used him as a pawn.
Before Chase even had the time to react and conjure a ball of magic, Deatine was on him, fists pounding mercilessly at every angle.
Tyler stood rooted to the spot, watching in a detached fascination as Deatine sent a ground-shaking shockwave into Chase's chest. Muscles tore, ribs shattered, and Chase was left gurgling up blood, heaving for breath.
"Tyler, the syringe! Bring it here!"
It took a moment to realize he had been called, but then was stumbling over, eyes not able to tear from the broken body. Deatine held Chase by his throat, and with only a moment's hesitation, Tyler plunged the tip of the needle into Chase's vein.
Seconds passed, and Chase's convulsing body slowed.
He lay deadly still. The deed had been done.
