The Killer and his hostages all turned their attention to the lift. The neon coloured numbers continued to count up as the lift came ever closer to the floor level. The killer sneered a little and moved quickly towards the lift. "So stupid of you my girl." He chuckled and waited by the lift. Ian glanced over to Kai and Tala whoes own faces contained confusion. It was clear what the trio was thinking.

What the hell do they think they're doing?

--

Johnny looked over the stair-rail and sighed. Looking up he tried to count how more stairs there were but he ended up losing count. "How many more steps?" The Scottish boy called up. Jemma paused in her role of leader and lent against the wall. Because Team Dark-Water often took the lift, they had forgotten how many stairs there were. Elizabeta began to muse over how unfit the team had suddenly become. It was almost laughable. Johnny groaned and sat down. "We could be here all night." he complained.

"We're not that far." May-lin began and pointed to a light. "Look. We're by the flicking light." she chuckled. Brooklyn raised an eyebrow but said nothing. May-lin already guessed he was confused. "That light always flickers. We've put in over a dozen different lights in but nothing seems to work." she explained. Nathan glanced up as Elizabeta slumped against the wall.

"Do you think the lift idea worked?" She called from her spot on the stairs. Jemma chewed the inside of her mouth ad Nathan shrugged.

"Who knows. I hope so."

--

The air on the floor level was tense as the lift continued to climb. Kai eyed the neon numbers closely. Ian shook his head, wondering why the group had taken the most stupid route. They'll get killed. Then we'll be killed. Ian moaned in his head. Tala kept his eyes on the killer who muttered to himself. The knife he held was raised high over his head as the lift got closer. The loud ding echoed round the silent corridor and the doors opened.

The killer let out a loud screamed and lept into the lift. He came to a halt when he found no-one inside. Tala glanced at Kai and Ian who both sighed. At least they're not that stupid. Tala mused. The killer turned round in circles as if to find a hiding spot. His wild eyes finally fell on the key that was in the key hole. Yanking it out, the killer growled lowly in his throat before hurling the key down the corridor.

"You won't get away that easily! You hear me!" The killer screached. The key bounced on the carpet before landing at Kai's feet. The crimson eyed russian eyed the piece of metal carefully, noticing it was a lot sharper looking that any normal key. Slowly he dragged the key across the carpet using his foot. Tala raised his eyebrow, watching Kai drag the key further to the back of him. Kai's eyes shot up to look at the killer and sat on the key to hid them. "Think they're so clever! Just like Sean thought when he locked me away. I will have her. She will be mine." The killer kicked Ian swiftly in the side before stalking off to his own musing. Ian groaned in pain.

--

Sean set his shovel down and rubbed his cold hands. Night was starting to set in and Sean knew it would do him no good to work in the dark. Not was his failing eye-dight any way. The hotel manager opened the glass doors and stepped inside the warmth. Once he was sure the doors were shut and locked, Sean pulled off his coat and lay it across the desk. Firs things first... Sean smiled to himself. ...Coffee and lots of it.

The english man frowned a little as he stopped outside the gym doors. He knew Jemma and her team were inside but he had a gut feelings she wasn't there anymore. The cheering from inside should have calmed him down but Sean just couldn't shake off the dread. Sean heaved a sighed and shook his head. You're trying to hard. She doesn't need to be protected...too bloody head-strong. Like her mother. Sean muttered and continued on to his office. He had barely gotten to the door when Winnie tore down the corridor.

"Mister Scott! Thank goodness I found you!" The older woman shook. She tried to get her wits about her but it proved to be differcult. Sean put his office key back in his pocket and turned to look at the head cook.

"Winnie? What's a matter? If it's about the kitchen, I already..." Sean trailed off when Winnie shook her head. Sean felt panic rise in his throat. It was something worst then the kitchen episode.

"I called the Dumb-Waiter down and I found a head in there." Sean tried hard not to retch as Winnie told him of her horrible find. Still Sean could tell that Winnie was not over with. She waited till Sean regained himself. "And your daughter's gone missing."

Sean slammed the side of his fist into the wall and cursed his daughter for being so head-strong.

--

The small group came to a stop again, their fourth break on their little journey. Jemma rested her baseball bat on her shoulder and peered through the glass window on the door. She rocked on the balls of her feet and she tried to find any sign of the hostages or the killer. Swaying to the left slightly, Jemma let out a cheer before slapping her hand over her mouth. She remained still hoping the killer hadn't heard her. "What is it?" Brooklyn questioned.

"I can see Tala. Hard not to miss him with that hair colour." Jemma grinned as Nathan coughed to cover his laugh. May-lin and Elizabeta scrambled to their feet. "I think I can see...Kai. Hang on..." Everyone fell silent, watching Jemma closely. Another smile was on her face. "Ian's there too. He hasn't killed them yet." Jemma concluded. Johnny appeared at Elizabeta's side.

"So how are we going to get in there and get them out without the killer finding us?" he inquried. Nathan laughed louder this time causing Johnny to glare at him.

"Haven't you worked it out Mcgregor? Jemma wants the Killer to find her. This is all part of the plan." The half-japanese male explained. Johnny turned to Jemma who nodded her head quickly. Everything so far was going according to plan.

--

Tala's ears wiggled slightly.

He heard something. He was sure of it. The taller red head glanced down to the killer who was lying in front of The Room. He looked as though he was sleeping which was a good sign for Tala. He however was not the only one who heard something. Kai stopped in mid attempt to reach for the keys and looked down the corridor; the same action followed by Ian. The trio glanced down towards the lift.

A door had opened. The three of them were sure of it.

Nothing stirred for sometime. Then a face peeked round the wall that blocked the trio's view of the door. Brooklyn smiled a little and glanced back towards someone else. Silently Brooklyn and Johnny led May-lin and Elizabeta to the trio. Ian squeaked in surprise. Johnny held a finger to his lips. "Shh. We're getting you out of here." he whispered. Pulling a pocket knife into view, The Scottish boy quickly tore through the duck-tape.

"Guys! Watch out!"

It had all happened in slow motion. The group in the corridor had no time to move as The Killer raised his weapon high above his head. May-lin screamed in terror and closed her eyes as Nathan and Jemma ran into view. The blow to the chinese girl never came and May-lin opened her eyes. The first thing she was Jemma staring at something in pure shock and horror. As everyone turned to look behind them, May-lin screamed again and Elizabeta shook her head.

Nathan had taken the hit for his friends and was lying on the floor motionless. A deep gash to his side leaked out crimson blood which stuck out again the pale blue carpet. Jemma shook her head, tears welling in her eyes.

"You...You...YOU MONSTER!"

Thank you to Schoolboredom for her review.