CHAPTER 6

2 had a very bad feeling. He quickly finished up his work and picked up his lance off the floor, heading out of his work room and toward the stairs. He saw 8 walk by and hid himself. It would be best if he didn't run into the bigger stitchpunk If he did he would have to explain himself and he didn't have time.

Once 8 had walked past 2 bolted toward the stairs and slid down the banister to the first floor. He then jumped to the ground and dashed to the door. He didn't have much time. The older stitchpunk had to get this done and be back before...

Once he was outside instead of heading toward where 7 and 5 had gone he went in a different direction. Back to the first room. Hopefully the scientist was still alive, he really needed to talk to him.

As he ran he remembered back to earlier in the day when 6 had come into his work room. The seer barely ever left his little corner in 1's throne room so this was a surprise. 2 looked at him curiously.

6 nervously came over to him and showed him a picture he'd drawn that morning. The second 2 laid his eyes on it he'd nearly panicked. This wasn't good. The image depicted something very bad happening, not only to 1 but to the ones who'd gone to rescue him.

"I hope 6 is wrong about this," 2 said as he ran. "If he's right we're in a lot more danger than I imagined.

000

7 and 5 sneaked carefully through the bunker, stopping when they heard anyone getting close and ducking out of sight before the person could see them. 5 saw a mean looking red stitchpunk that was about the same size as 8 pass by and swallowed nervously. This was going to be harder than they thought.

"Where can we even start?" 5 asked, grasping her shoulder in an iron grip. he was scared but he didn't want to admit it.. "1 could be anywhere."

7 was already thinking. She knew her friend was right. If they had to search the entire place it would take them forever to do so and increase their chances at getting caught. "We'll have to capture one of them and make them tell us where 1 is." she stated.

"But how?" he asked. "They all look-"

"What other choice do we have?" she cut him off. She spotted a light brown stitchpunk walking toward them. Quickly she yanked 5 into a room before the doll spotted them. 5 started to ask her what that was about but she put her hand over his mouth and shushed him.

He fell silent.

7 waited for the stitchpunk to walk past before making her move. She charged out of their hiding place and snuck up behind the stitchpunk, grabbing him. The other doll yelped in surprise and immediately began struggling. She covered his mouth with her hand and put her spear up to his throat. "One wrong move and you'll be a pincushion," she growled.

Instantly the stitchpunk went still.

7 smiled. "Good." then she yanked him into the room she and 5 had hid in.

"5," she said, looking over at the one eyed stitchpunk. "Give me some thread so I can tie him up.

Her friend complied, reaching into his pack and taking out a spool of tan colored thread. He'd chosen that specific color in case they found 1 and he needed to be repaired.. In a matter of seconds their captive was tied up and immobilized.

7 glared at him, pointing her spear at his neck. "All right, you," she growled. "I have questions and you have answers. If you cooperate I won't hurt you but if you try anything funny it will be the last thing you ever do, understand?"

The stitchpunk nodded, his optics wide in fear.

"All right," she said, lowering the spear. "Where is 1?"

"1?" the stitchpunk asked in a whiny voice.

"You know who I'm talking about," she growled. "1. The sttichpunk you and your buddies took from the sanctuary. Where is he and what have you done to him?"

"I-I-I," he stammered.

"I'm sure you know what 1 looks like," she replied. "an older looking doll with a heavy canvas body and a big mouth. He's not that hard to forget. Now tell me where he is."

"Okay! okay!" the stitpunk shouted. "I'll show you just don't hurt me."

7 smiled. "Now they were getting somewhere." She yanked him off the floor and shoved him into the hall. "Lead the way and if you try anything funny it will be the last thing you ever do."

00000

1 lay half conscious on the cold metal floor of the elevator shaft serving as his cell. He hurt everywhere now. Outside and inside. Why had 10 left him alone with 16? That female was crazy. He tried to black out that portion of the interrogation but the images were printed into his mind. It was very likely he'd have to live with that period of time for the rest of his life, most likely in nightmares.

The stitchpunk moaned, curling up into a fetal position. It wasn't over. He knew it wasn't over. They'd come back and force him to answer more questions. Questions he had no way of replying to..

"I can't," he whimpered, shivering. "I can't do this."

Maybe he should just lie. Yes, that's what he would do. Make up a story and hope they believed it. If he did they'd let him go and he could go home and this whole thing would end.

The more he thought about it the more convinced he was that that was what he could do. That was exactly what he would do.

Now that he thought of it... he should have done so from the very beginning then...

He didn't want to think about it.

A cramp in his shoulder made him shift. When he did the razor's dug into his fabric making him moan in pain. How he wished he was free! He knew if he tried using the sharp metal to cut the wires this time it wouldn't do any good. If he did manage to free himself how was he going to get out? He didn't know the way and would probably get lost then get caught and dumped back in the cell after being punished.

No, it would be best if he just stuck to plan A.

He coughed and tasted oil.

Oh great.

The door behind him open. Oh no. They were back already?

"No..." he mumbled. "Not now. I don't want to go back."

A hand rested on his shoulder. It was gentle. "No, I'm not going to take you back." spoke a soft voice.

The female form before. She was back. He loosened up. She wasn't going to hurt him.

"That's better," the female said, removing her hand. "Now hold still. I want to do something. Don't worry, it won't hurt"

He obeyed, wondering what she was going to do next. He felt her hand move slowly over his body. A strange vibrating feeling course through him, making him jump. It didn't hurt but he hadn't been expecting it. How was she doing that? He didn't know but it made some of the pain go away, though it also made him feel light headed.

He sighed. At least the pain in his chest had gone away. The girl patted his cheek. "Rest. It will help you feel better."

"Who are you?" he asked, feeling groggy.

She put a finger to his lips. "Shhhhh... that doesn't matter. You just get some sleep."

He nodded, already half asleep. "Ok..."

The female got back up and headed for the door. Before he fell into a recharge state he heard the door open then close behind her.

0000

The brown stitchpunk, who 7 and 5 discovered was named 12, led them through a maze of rooms and hallways. 7 was beginning to suspect this guy was leading them into a trap and this feeling grew stronger the longer it took to reach their destination.

She grabbed him by the shoulder and slammed him against the wall. "What are yo trying to pull?" she growled.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he whined. "I'm just doing what you told me."

"Why is it taking so long?" she demanded.

"Please be patient," 12 whined. "It's a long way there from here. We're almost there, I promise you!"

"You'd better not be lying," she growled.

"I'm not!" he whined.

"Then get going."

12 headed down the hall once more, aware of the spear point between his shoulder blades. He took them down another hall then stopped in front of an elevator. "He's in there." he told her.

7 shoved 12 aside and slammed her hand on the button that opened the door. It opened with a loud metal creek. The second 7's optics fell on 1 she gasped in shock and horror.

"1!" she yelled, running over to him. She knelt down beside him, taking in all the damage to his body. He was covered in tears and his fabric was stained dirt and oil. She spotted an ugly black burn on his right arm. She rested his hand on his torn cheek. "What did they do to you?"

The stitchpunk didn't answer.

"1?" she shook him. "1! Answer me!"

Nothing. She put her hand on his chest and felt a faint thrumming from inside. He wasn't dead, just unconscious.

"7?" 5 called from out in the hall. "Is he there?"

"Yes," she replied. She stared at the razor wire binding his wrists and ankles together. That looked painful. She wondered how he'd been able to stand it. "Come in here quick! I need you!"

5 obeyed. Once he was inside the cell he stopped in his tracks and stared at 1's ruined body. "What happened?" he exclaimed, rushing forward and kneeling down beside her. "Who did this to him? Is he alive?"

"He's alive," she confirmed, nodding. "Just unconscious."

"That might be best," 5 said, already searching his pack for tools. "If he's out he can't feel anything." He glanced at the razor wire, immobilizing the older stitchpunk. "That looks nasty."
"Yes." 7 angrily stood to her feet and ran over to 12. "Why did you do that to him?" she demanded. "You didn't have to! He's just an old man! You had no right!"

"I didn't do anything to him," 12 whined. "It was the boss who did that. I don't hurt people."

"You better not be lying for your sake," she growled.

"I'm not!" he wailed.

7 let him go. She turned and returned to 5 who was busy untying 1's ankles.

"This isn't good," he commented when she was kneeling down beside him. "I don't know who could have done such a thing but it was a bad idea using razor wire. I have to be real careful otherwise I might accidentally cut something important." he got the wire off 1's ankles and began working on his wrists. "I think you should try waking him. We should be sure he's actually able to come back online."

7 nodded and turned her attention to 1. She rested her hand on his shoulder and shook him. "1," she said. "Wake up, 1!"

000

1 thought he heard 7's voice speaking to him. No, he couldn't be. She wasn't really there. He was dreaming. He had to be dreaming. If he was in was a good dream...

A slap to his cheek. "1! Wake up this instant, you coward!"

Instantly his optics flew open. He found himself staring into 7's intense white face. "S-Seven?" he stammered, not believing what he was seeing. "How-"

"We had a little help," 7 said. She smiled slightly, as if she was happy to see him awake. ".Just hold still. 5 will have you free in a moment."

1 did so but he could still feel all the pain in his body. It didn't feel as bad as before, maybe that female with the strange ability had numbed it. He felt 5 trying to cut the razor wire on his wrists.

7 was talking to him, forcing him to focus fully on her. "What happened to you?" she asked him. "Who did this and why?"

He groaned when 5 pulled on the wire a little too hard. 5 let it go. "Sorry."

7 looked back at 1. "So?"

He looked at her. "A stitchpunk named 10," he explained, noticing his voice sounded more gravely than usual. "He did this to me. Kept asking me questions I couldn't answer."

"What kind of questions?" she pressed.

"About blue prints."

"Blueprints?"

They both heard a snap. The razor wire broke off and fell onto the floor. "Got it!" 5 explained.

1 tried to move but both 5 and 7 prevented him from doing so. "Hold still," 7 ordered, putting a hand on his arm. "Let 5 try to fix some of the damage."

1 held still, seeing the wisdom in her words.

5 rummaged through his pack and took out a needle and thread. "Okay, I think I have enough to close some of the smaller holes." He went to work.

While he worked 7 focused on 1. "1, what did you mean by blueprints?"

He sighed. "They think I know where the scientist hid the blue prints for us and the machine."

"Well do you?"

"No!" he yelled so loud he made them both jump. "You think if I did I'd look like this?"

7 looked startled by how intensely he glared at her. "I'm sorry."

1 looked angry. "I've been beaten, burned, and violated," he went on. "I might be stubborn but I'm not a fan of pain. If I had known where they were I would have told him by now. But I don't so..."

"So they did this to you," she finished.

He nodded, looking away. He wished he hadn't said anything it would have been best if they didn't know.

7 looked at 5. He shook his head and finished repairing a large tear in 1's side. "Okay," he said, putting the needle away. "That's about all I can do for now. 1, are you able to stand?"

"I think so." 1 tried to get up. His feet were unsteady but he managed to stay up without any help.

7 grabbed his arm to help steady him. It was the burned one. He cried out and jerked away.

"What?" then she noticed the burn and let go right away. "Oh. I'm so sorry."

1 looked at her. "Just.. just don't touch me." he told her. "Both of you, ok?"

1 started to leave the room. 5 and 7 looked at each other. Something told them that there was more to his torture than just a few tears and burns but neither said a word. Instead they got thier weapons and followed him out of the room.

When they entered the hall 12 started whining. "You found him," he began. "Can you untie me now? I showed you where the old guy is."

7 glared at him. "And I'll reward you." she grabbed his arms and shoved him into the elevator shaft then pressed the button. The door closed, muting his whining looked at 5 and 1. "Let's get out of here.

000000

2 reached the scientists's house as the sun was going down. He glanced around, his optics searching for any signs of the beast. He saw nothing so far. The journey had been rather uneventful. He sighed in relief and began to climb the stairs.

He wasn't sure if the scientist was still around or even alive but if he was maybe he could give the old stitchpunk some answers.

He reached the top and headed inside the house. He looked around the ruined building. "Hello?" he called out. "Sir! Are you home?"

He heard a movement on the second floor and froze. A beast?

A door opened. He looked up and saw a tall human figure standing in the doorway. "Sir!" he called.

The figure stepped out of the room and looked down at him. "Hello, 2," said a tired voice.

"Hello, sir," 2 said. he stared at the scientists's face, startled by how old and drawn it looked.

The man headed to the stairs and walked down them. When he reached 2 he put out his hand. The stitchpunk climbed onto it.

"Sir," 2 said when he was at eye level with the man. "There's something important I came here to talk to you about."

"Yes, 2?" he asked. "What would that be?"

2 unrolled the picture 6 had made and showed it to him. "This..."

The scientist looked at the picture then sighed. He looked at 2 and then carried him to the stairs into lab. "2, there is something I want to show you..."

00000

It took less time to get back to the basement window than it took to to find 1's prison cell, even with them walking at a slower pace thanks to 1's damaged condition. Whenever he was offered help he would shrug them off and keep going. He didn't want anyone touching him which only made the other two worry more. What had all happened to him during his time there? The younger stitchpunks got the feeling he hadn't told them everything.

Of course 1 hated being touched to begin with but now it seemed his little pet peeve had gotten worse. He also seemed to have developed a back problem. 7 resisted the urge to offer her shoulder. He would refuse it anyway, especually now.

When they reached the window 7 said. "Okay, 5'll climb out first and then help you out next," she looked at 1 when she said this. "I'll be the last one out and act as our rear guard in case anyone tries to attack us."

5 nodded and looked at 1. "Come on."

1 nodded slowly, though he looked unsure.

The young stitchpunk climbed out first then offered his hand to 1. "Okay, I'll let you up."

As the older sttichpunk reached for his hand a horrible image of what happened with 16 flashed in his mind. He gasped and pulled back. 5 looked at him confused. "1?"

1 blinked the image away and reached up, grabbing 5's wrist. 5 helped him climb out. 7 pushed him up from behind and came out with him. Once he was outside the older stitchpunk collapsed, falling on the ground on his back. He took a deep breath, feeling relieved.

He'd finally made it out of that place.

7 looked down at him. "Up, 1, we're not out of the woods yet." she said.

1 didn't move. He was too worn out. He didn't want to do anything anymore except rest.

"Come on, 1," 7 said. "We can't stay here. They're bound to figure out what happened and come looking for us." she looked him in the eyes. "Do you want to go back?"

No, he didn't.

Moaning the older stitchpunk got to his feet and followed them up the hill and into the forest. Once they reached the safety of the trees 1 once more flopped onto the ground and this time he instantly fell into a recharge state.

5 and 7 looked worriedly at the sleeping elder.

"Why would someone do such a thing to 1?" 5 finally asked after a moment had gone by.

7 shook her head. "I don't know," she replied. "I mean that seems a little over kill just for a pile of blue prints."

"I know." 5 went over to 1 and knelt beside him. He touched the burn on the older stitchpunks arm. 1 winced but didn't stir. 5 looked back at her. "I am worried. In this condition he might not make it home."

7 looked startled. "Are you saying he could die?"

5 shook his head and shrugged. "The only way he'd be able to make it is if we went real slow and easy. He's so damaged I'm surprised he's still functioning properly." he sighed. "I wish 2 was here."

7 didn't reply. She just stared worriedly at 1. In the moonlight the damage looked more excessive. She walked over and knelt down beside him. She touched his torn cheek and sighed. "Well we're not going to be going anywhere tonight. I don't want to wake him." she looked at 5. "Let's rest here for the night and tomorrow we can decide what to do."

5 nodded.

"I'll take first watch," she said, picking up her spear. "You get some sleep."

'Okay," 5 consented. He lay down a few inches away from 1's sleeping form.

7 climbed onto a rock and sat down. She knocked her skullmet down and stared back down toward the bunker. Anger began to well up inside her. She would make them pay for what they did to 1. She would make sure of it.