Run and Hide
Disclaimer: Nope, I still own nothing to do with the show.
A/N: Thanks for reading! I'm glad you're still hanging onto the story. :) Anyway, it's all starting to come together now... but I think I watch too much Criminal Minds with their psychopaths... O_O
I'm just going to stay over here, hiding from the masses...
Chapter 7
Frank looked up as Danny walked in through the door, looking clean shaven yet haggard. There were dark circles under his eyes. He nodded tiredly at his father.
"Morning, Dad."
"Morning, Danny. Do you want something to eat before work?"
Danny shook his head. "No, I already ate before I left the house. Where's Grandpa?"
Frank sighed. "Neither of us slept well. He was still asleep when I got up an hour ago."
"Not anymore, Francis." Henry grumbled, entering the living room with a cup of coffee in his hand. "Morning, Danny."
"Morning, Grandpa."
"You don't look like you've slept much either, Danny." Henry said, looking pointedly at his grandson. Danny shook his head, running a hand through his hair.
"No, I didn't. I woke up about four-thirty this morning with a nightmare… what?" he asked, shooting a funny look at his father and grandfather, who were staring at him with a mixture of horror and confusion on their faces. They glanced at each other, their heartbeats nearly audible.
"So did we, Danny." Frank answered his son. Danny looked at him oddly.
"You did what?"
"We woke up with nightmares, too." Henry supplied helpfully.
"At four-thirty in the morning." Frank continued. It was Danny's turn to stare with horror and confusion.
"What… does that mean that… what the hell?" Danny choked out incoherently, sitting down on the couch.
Frank nodded in agreement. "That's about what we came up with too, son." Danny stared at him, fear boiling in his stomach.
"Dad… I dreamed that Jamie… Jamie was running away from something. He was terrified. There was a shot and…" Danny choked off, his throat too tight to continue. He looked tearfully at his father. "Dad… he was nearly dead when I got to him… he was pleading for me to help him…"
Frank cleared his throat. "I could only hear him in the darkness, there was nothing to see. He sounded panicked, asking me to help him… there was a bunch of noise, and I tripped over something… it was his body… I could only hold him…"
Danny stared in horror at his father, who was staring at his shoes. He turned to his grandfather, whose eyes were watering. He almost didn't want to hear what horror story he would come up with.
Henry glanced at his grandson, then his son. He sighed. "Jamie stood before me in the dark, looking healthy, normal even. Then… he was on his knees, tears streaming down his face." Henry paused, a lone tear making his way out of the corner of his eye. "He told me that I was running out of time… that he loved me… and that was it. There was a shot and I… I caught my youngest grandson in my arms as he lay dying…"
The three men stared at their feet, lumps in their throats, unable to speak. Finally Danny cleared his throat.
"Okay, so we all have nightmares of Jamie. That's not unexpected. They're all of him dying. Considering that's something we're worried about anyway, it's not really unexpected either." Danny paused, waiting for them to respond. They nodded at him to continue. "They're all at four-thirty in the morning. I know this sounds weird, but… maybe something happened at four-thirty in the morning?"
Frank sighed. "I just don't know, son. I know it's odd, but maybe it's just a coincidence. I don't even want to think…"
Danny nodded, agreeing with his father's unspoken words. "Look, I've got to get into work. I'm hoping the results from the retreat will be in by now. I'll keep you posted, okay?"
"Thank you, Danny." Frank replied, standing to give his son a hug. "Pop, my car will be arriving soon. Will you be okay here?"
"Yeah, Francis. Go." Henry nodded at him. "Find Jamie."
Frank nodded sadly as he followed his oldest to the door. "I sure hope so, Pop. I sure hope so."
~~BB~~
"Baker, are you sure about this?"
"Yes, Sir. I just got word."
Frank nodded, feeling a bubble of hope expand in his chest. He nodded to dismiss Baker as he grabbed his phone, quickly punching in his son's cellphone number.
"Danny Reagan."
"Danny, I think I've found something!"
"Dad?"
"Something that might keep your brother alive!"
~~BB~~
"Are you sure, Dad? This is big if it's true…"
"I'm only going by Baker's word, but she's sure it's true."
Danny felt hope starting to push back the constant fear that resided in his chest. "Keep me posted on this, would you? I'm just getting the results of the evidence in now."
"Will do, Danny. Let me know what happens on your end."
"Of course. Talk to you soon."
Danny hung up, watching Jackie stride over to him with a folder in her hands. She plopped it down on the desk before him as she sat down in the chair across from him. Danny quickly opened it, scanning the contents.
"The blood was indeed Jamie's, but we had already guessed that." Jackie supplied, not willing to wait for her partner to finish reading. He gave her a look, but she bustled on anyway. "The body we found had cocaine and meth in his system, though it was weak. He'd probably taken a combination of the two the night before. My guess is that the men who shot him were settling a debt."
"But why the execution style shooting?"
"Danny, you already know that Jamie was involved in a shooting on Thursday night, don't you?"
"Yes, my father told me that. Why?"
"The report is inside that folder."
Danny glanced down again, skimming quickly through the first half of the report. Dread filled his stomach as he continued. Slowly he finished reading, glancing up at his partner who gave him a look of sympathy.
"Jackie… if these men killed the man we found at the retreat out of revenge, and if they have Jamie… we need to get to him now!"
Jackie nodded. "Except that we have no idea where he is."
~~BB~~
"Danny, did you find anything out?" Frank asked, clutching the phone in his fist.
"The blood was definitely his, Dad. The body we found had remnants of cocaine and meth in his system, likely taken the night before. Dad, it sounds like a debt was settled… I read the report of what Jamie was involved in… his description of the shooter is the same as the body we found."
"So you know how serious this is."
Danny sighed. "Yeah... but we don't even know where he is…"
Frank sighed heavily. "I know son. We're working on it but…"
"We might still be too late…"
Frank swallowed heavily as Danny's words hung in the air.
~~BB~~
Jamie stood stock still, cursing his timing. He was just outside of Chinatown after having stopped at a market to buy his niece a necklace for her birthday. He listened to the commotion just a few feet away; drug gang members heckling someone seemingly random, a buyer from the sounds of it. He knew he should reach for his radio and call it in, but he felt paralyzed. His feet were made of stone.
He peered around the wall he was standing against, debating on whether he should break up the argument. He knew he should just leave, walk down the alley and leave the situation to the police who were supposed to be in the area in the first place. This wasn't his area. Why didn't he just wait until morning when he was off duty to buy the necklace?
His heart constricted as a boy of about twelve rounded the corner at the end of the street. He watched as the kid's face lit up, recognizing one or all of the men. He called out someone's name…
Their attention diverted, no one noticed the buyer pull his gun. Jamie's heart thumped painfully as the man pointed it. Without thinking, Jamie jumped out onto the sidewalk reaching for his own gun.
The kid's face turned from excitement to horror as the man pointed the gun in his general direction. The four gang members scattered, a redheaded man running for the boy, telling him to run away.
"Freeze! Police!" Jamie yelled, yanking his gun from its holster. A shot rang out as the men scattered.
The gunman took off into the nearest alley, Jamie torn between chasing him and checking on the fallen…
His fear won out as he raced over to the body on the ground… he was only twelve…
The redheaded man screamed at him to help his brother… Jamie was fumbling, shaking hands trying to put pressure on the wound, blood leaking around his fingers. He grabbed at his radio.
"This is Officer Reagan. I need a bus…" he rushed, rattling off the street corner, already hearing sirens in the distance.
"Do something!" the irate man screamed.
"I'm trying!" Jamie yelled back, panic clear in his voice. There was too much blood, there was no way this kid would make it…
"Damn it!" the man shouted as police cars screamed ever closer. "You're a dead man!" he yelled as he took off towards the alley, the very same one Jamie had stood in moments before. Jamie stared after him, feeling the child's life force bleed out of him at an alarming rate.
"Reagan, step away!" a voice barked, a hand roughly pulling on his arm. He looked into the face of a vaguely familiar looking Sergeant, his brain going numb. "I said, step away!"
Jamie stood shakily, letting himself be yanked off to the side. His hands felt cool… he stared at the shining coat of red on his hands…
"I should have your badge for this, Reagan!" the Sergeant barked angrily. "What the hell were you thinking? This isn't your area! You're out of bounds, and you're involved in another shooting… you're a magnet for trouble, Reagan!"
Jamie swallowed past the lump in his throat. "I don't… I wasn't thinking, Sir…"
"No, you definitely weren't." The Sergeant's voice had softened, a concerned look replacing the look of fury that had been there seconds before. "You're a good person, Jamie. You're a good cop. But you need to learn your boundaries. What were you doing down here?"
Jamie swallowed again. This was it. He was fired for sure! "I… I was on break and used it to buy my niece a necklace for her birthday… I knew I'd forget if I didn't get it now… I should have just waited until tomorrow…" he trailed off, his breath hitching.
The Sergeant gave him an incredulous look before shaking his head. "Look, Reagan… I need to write up a report, your statement needs to be in it… your father is going to see it."
Jamie nodded, sure that final blow was about to hit. He prepared himself to march into the Commissioner's Office to hand over his gun and badge…
"You were on break. It happens. You were nowhere near the initial incident, you just saw the gun being pulled and ran over to help the victim. The shooter took off before you could catch him."
Jamie looked stunned. "You're not going to… I'm not fired?"
The Sergeant smirked. "No. But if I see you around here again while on duty… if you get into another situation and you don't call it in immediately..."
Jamie nodded, grateful. "Thank you, Sir. I'll stay away."
"Good." the Sergeant responded, giving Jamie a small smile. "One last thing. Did you talk to any of the men?"
"Only one… he was the boy's brother… he was screaming at me to help him but he took off when the cruisers started arriving."
"Did he say anything before he ran?"
Jamie thought about it, but stopped himself. He shook his head. "No, Sir."
"Alright. Did you get a look at the shooter?"
"Dark hair, tall but stocky. He only turned my way once, but I think he had a cut above his right eye, as there was a bandage over it."
"Okay, good. Thank you, Reagan. Despite everything, you did just fine."
"Thanks, Sir." Jamie said, still feeling nervous sweat running down his back. "Hey, Sarge? How's the boy?"
A sad look flitted over the man's face. He shook his head. "I'm sorry, Reagan… he didn't even make it into the ambulance. He was probably dead by the time you got to him."
Jamie woke slowly, his eyes already filled with tears. He rolled over, holding his sore ribs. If only he'd done something differently… if only he hadn't been there at the time. If something had changed, he wouldn't be in this mess…
~~BB~~
Jake thumped around, muttering angrily to himself. Andy sighed, annoyed.
"Jake, just sit down already. You're making me nervous." He yawned, then ducked as a glass shattered over his head.
"Shut up, you useless thug! I don't want to hear your voice!" Jake screamed.
Andy shrunk back, shooting a look towards Kevin who shrugged in response. Their self-proclaimed leader had become wilder and more terrifying as the hours grew. They both had tried to warn him on several occasions that because they had kidnapped a cop, the rest of the police force would be on them in no time. It was like Jake didn't even care, he was so hell-bent on getting his own revenge – revenge that he had plotted the moment he overheard that other officer talking to the brat as he crouched down in the alleyway like a sewer rat, straining to hear the verdict on his kid brother.
Cole watched silently from the chair he was sitting in. He knew Jake wouldn't stop until Jamie was dead, and it didn't matter if Jamie went mute. In fact, he was starting to think that the longer Jamie stayed silent, the worse Jake would become. He suppressed a shudder that tried to run down his spine.
"Kevin, go into the garage. Go get the gift we made for little Reagan, won't you? Take Cole with you."
Kevin stared warily at him, but quickly got up and hustled out the back door. Cole sighed and followed at a slower pace.
~~BB~~
Jamie stumbled from the bathroom, his muscles still aching, nerves twitching occasionally. He sunk down the wall to a sitting position on the floor. He didn't know how long he'd been there. He didn't know what time it was, or even what day it was. He slept off and on at all hours. The longer he was there, the more he doubted anyone would be able to find him. Or maybe they weren't even looking… he buried his face in his hands, trying to push that thought away.
'Of course they're looking for you!' he thought angrily to himself. 'They have to be…'
The door swung open. Jamie stood up as quickly as his body would allow, panic surging through him. Jake entered, smirking. This time, the other three hovered out in the hall. Jamie stumbled backwards as Jake shoved him roughly against the wall.
"What do you have to say, Reagan?" Jake snarled.
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Jamie spat back. "Why can't you just leave me alone?"
"Stop playing dumb, Reagan!" Jake shouted, his eyes wild. "You know exactly what you need say!"
"No!" Jamie shouted back, trying to push Jake away from him as Jake gripped his shirt. "It wasn't my fault!"
Jake growled, shoving him one more time. "You will talk, Reagan… you will break eventually, and then you will talk!"
Jamie glared at the insane man before him. Jake whipped around, stalking towards the door. Jamie let out the breath he didn't know he had been holding and started to relax…
Jake turned suddenly, running towards him, an inhuman scream tearing from his throat. Jamie stiffened, trying to dodge him, but he wasn't fast enough. Jake grabbed him, slamming him against the wall, the impact forcing the air out of his lungs. As he choked, gasping, Jamie twisted, trying to free himself. He kicked out with his foot, catching Jake on the shin. Jake snarled, jumping on him and forcing him to the ground. Jamie struggled, trying to throw his elbow into any part of Jake that he could reach. Jake just laughed.
"Reagan, you have so much to learn!" Jake mocked. Jamie growled, trying to twist out from under him. "Hold still, Jamie, you wouldn't want this breaking!"
Jamie stilled, confused. He clenched his teeth as something sharp jammed into his neck. Something cool seem to slide through his veins, chilling him. His muscles refused to work. Jake got off of him, rolling him over with his foot. Jamie's vision swam.
"What… what did you… do to… me?" Jamie mumbled, his voice weak. Jake just sneered.
"Come get our guest, boys."
Jamie wanted to struggle as three sets of hands lifted him, but he couldn't get his body to cooperate. He lost focus as his eyes threatened to close, but he forced them to stay open. They took him out of his small dungeon into another room. He squinted, taking in a box-shaped object on the far side of the new room they had dragged him into. His heart sped up.
"No…" he mumbled, trying to pull his limbs free with no success. "Please… no… I don't want to… go in there!"
The lid of the box lifted. He saw Jake's sneering face as Andy and Kevin heaved him into his tiny living space. Tears leaked unbidden from the corner of his eyes. He caught a glimpse of Cole's face as the blond started to close the lid.
"Please…" he begged him. "Don't… don't do it…"
He caught a tiny flash of regret in Cole's eyes before the lid closed, encasing him in darkness. He heard a clicking sound, knowing it was a lock. He fought against his body, but his body refused to move. He was already finding it harder to breathe…
~~BB~~
Cole stared at the hand-built box that sat on the other side of the room. He had been forced to sit there and wait. The muscle relaxant would wear off eventually; it was his job to listen, to determine when Reagan was ready to break. Then he had to go let Jake know.
He sighed to himself. He'd always hated this part, having to harden his own heart just so Jake could get what he wanted. This time, though, he was hoping to get a little something out of it as well.
~~BB~~
Jamie had tried to sleep, but every time he closed his eyes, he'd see the walls surrounding him close in on him. His eyes shot open, seeing the lid of his box just inches from his face. He hated being closed in. Hot tears kept leaking from his eyes.
It felt like he'd been in there for hours. Why weren't they coming back? He clenched his fists.
Surprise hit him as soon as he felt his fingers move. He tried moving his hands. Hope flared as his muscles started responding. He reached up, still weak, pressing against the lid. It didn't budge. He tried pressing against the wall to his right, but not even a cracking sound could be heard. He tried kicking…
"Let me out…" he mumbled. "Please… let me out…"
He could hear scuffling outside. He waited for the lid to lift, but there was nothing.
"Let me out, you bastard!" he shouted at whoever was standing out there. He heard snickering.
"Really, Reagan, you've got to ask nicely!"
Panic was flaring in his chest as he felt the air thicken. He shoved at the wall, hoping the wood would start cracking. He wanted out so badly. "Please… let me out…"
"There, wasn't that better? Are you ready to talk?"
Jamie stayed silent, tears running down his face.
"Then perhaps you need a little more time in there…"
Jamie's heart thumped painfully. "No! Please, I'll say whatever you want… just let me out!"
Jamie squinted as light hit his eyes. He gulped in a lungful of air greedily, springing out of the box. He landed on his knees on the cement. He stood shakily, attempting to push through the men surrounding him. Jake grabbed him as Jamie tried to throw a punch.
"I thought you were going to talk, Reagan!" Jake snarled, attempting to subdue the struggling man. He waved over Andy and Kevin, who grabbed Jamie, pulling him roughly out of the room. They yanked him down the hall, shoving him roughly into his dungeon. Jamie landed hard on his knees.
"I can't tell you what you want to hear!" Jamie screamed at him. "It wasn't my fault! I didn't kill your brother!"
"You had a hand in it, Reagan! You could have shot the man before he got to my brother!"
"There was no time! Why can't you understand that? I ran out of time!"
"And so did my brother!" Jake screamed, slamming into Jamie. Jamie tried to block the fist flying at his face, only to receive the other in his stomach, injuring his already bruised ribs. The wind slammed out of him as he tried to curl up, prevented by the fact that Jake was straddling him. He tried to twist sideways, not noticing Jake's fist until it slammed into the side of his face. Lights burst in front of his eyes as he raised his arms to protect himself. He jerked as another punch landed on his lower back followed by another to his ribs. He was sure he felt something crack that time.
"Stop…" he wheezed.
The pressure eased off of his legs as Jake got up. Jamie curled painfully into a ball, his body shaking. He cried out, clenching his jaw as he was forced up onto his feet and shoved roughly into a chair. Andy tied his ankles to the legs of the chair while Kevin forced his arms behind him, tying his wrists together. Jamie grimaced, biting back a yelp as the movement jarred his ribs.
Jake leaned over him, gripping his face. "Fine, I don't care anymore… you're a stubborn little bastard who can't admit when he failed… you are going to beg me for death when I'm through with you." He jabbed his knuckles into the bruised flesh around Jamie's ribs, pressing hard. Jamie's eyes watered, but he refused to make a sound as he glared back. Jake's face twisted into a mask of hatred.
"You just sit here and think for a little while. I'll be back for you, you can count on it." He jabbed the bruises one more time before stalking out of the room, his three thugs following him. The door slammed, the lock clicking into place.
Jamie took a shaky breath, letting his head fall back as he tried to keep the tears at bay.
~~BB~~
"We've got a name, Dad."
Frank's hand clenched around his phone. "Tell me, Danny."
"Jake Caulfield. He slipped up and left some of his own blood at the murder scene."
Frank frowned. "Danny, why does that name seem so familiar?"
Danny hesitated. "I put his father away a year ago for drug trafficking and the rape and murder of four women."
"So this might be a little more personal than just his young brother on Thursday night…" Frank sighed heavily. "Did you happen to get an address?"
"No. It's like he's gone off the face of the earth. His last known address burnt down three months ago, and there's no other record of him anywhere. There's also no connection to any of the men that are working for him… it's like they don't exist. We have no idea who they are. Dad, have you heard anything yet?"
"No, son. Nothing. I'm still waiting for word." Frank swallowed thickly, fear for his youngest returning full force. "Keep trying, Danny. Keep me posted."
"I will, Dad."
Frank stared at the wall for a long time after he hung up the phone.
~~BB~~
Jamie cracked open his eyes as he heard the door opening, his head pounding and his ribs throbbing in time with his heartbeat. He followed Jake's path as he sauntered over, his eyes fearfully staring at the large fishing knife in his hand. Jake stopped in front of him, a look of interest on his face as he examined the blade, testing it with his thumb. Jamie's breathing picked up pace as Jake walked lazily around his chair, stopping behind him. He closed his eyes as he felt the flat part of the blade rest against the side of his neck.
"You know, Reagan… I've been wondering something. You've been here nearly a week already, did you know that?"
Jamie's eyes snapped open. "No… you're lying, it hasn't been that long…"
"You have no way of knowing that though, do you? It's been nearly a week, just believe me on this."
"I don't believe a word that comes out of your mouth." Jamie snapped. He regretted his tone as soon as he felt the sharpened edge prick the skin just under his jaw. He closed his eyes, praying the knife wouldn't move.
"Then you haven't wondered why you're still here? Why your precious family hasn't rescued you yet?" Jamie remained silent. Jake sneered, removing the knife. "What if I told you we got to them first?"
Jamie's eyes snapped open. "No… you're just saying that. You haven't done anything to them…"
"Oh, but what if we did? I mean, that was a pretty nice explosion, wasn't it Andy?" Jake smirked at his partner standing by the door. Andy gave a laugh in response.
"One of your best, Jake." he approved.
Jamie's eyes stung. It couldn't be true… his family couldn't be dead…
The knife flashed as Jake ripped open Jamie's shirt, exposing his bruised flesh. Jake's eyes lit up at the blue and purple bruises around Jamie's ribs. He caressed them with the knife point.
"I do a good job, don't I?" Jake applauded himself, earning another laugh from his cohorts. Jamie's jaw clenched. The edge of the blade rested on his skin just above his bellybutton. Jake leaned closer to him. "Would you beg to die if you knew you had no one to go home to?"
"I still don't believe you!" Jamie ground out, hissing as the blade nicked his skin. The mask of hatred was back on Jake's face.
"You're a tough one to crack, Reagan, I'll give you that." Jake muttered, glaring at his prisoner. Jamie wanted to shy away from the cold, calculating look in his eyes. Jake smiled coldly as he ran the point of the blade over Jamie's chest. Jamie could feel little droplets of blood oozing out of the tiny cuts. He tried to squirm out of the way. Jake let out a laugh.
"Where are you going to go, Reagan? And you might want to be careful, one little slip could mean one great big disaster!"
Jamie stopped his movements, knowing that Jake was right. His chest and stomach were stinging, little droplets of blood running thin rivers to soak into the waistband of his jeans. Jake sneered at the look of pain in his eyes, taking the knife away. He leaned forwards, resting his hand on Jamie's chest. He wiped away some of the blood, his hand almost gentle.
Jamie couldn't stop the muffled cry as Jake pressed his hand roughly onto one of the deeper cuts. "You will regret the day you crossed me, Reagan." he whispered, leaning close to his ear. "You're going to wish that you'd never been born." Pressing on the cut one more time, he pushed away from Jamie, sneering as he sauntered towards the door, ushering his cohorts out ahead of him. Jamie sighed, clenching his tied fists as the door slammed shut.
"Help me…" he muttered tearfully. "Someone, please help me… I can't do this alone…"
~~BB~~
"Cole."
Cole jumped as Jake snuck up behind him. "What?"
Jake leered at him. "He's almost about to break. I can tell."
Cole stared at him wearily. He could almost sense what was coming next. He shook his head. "No, Jake. He's not ready yet."
"Trying to protect your toy, Cole?" Jake sneered. "He's about to break. I need you to finish him."
"Jake, I don't…"
"So you've said a million times. Just get in there."
Cole swallowed at the snarl in Jake's voice. "Fine." he agreed, grabbing the key to the basement room. Shooting a hard look at Jake, he stalked down the basement steps. Unlocking the door, he pushed it open, stepping inside. He slowly leaned against it, snapping it shut behind him. Jamie's head shot up at the sound. Cole walked over to him, staring down at him, arms crossed. Jamie tried glaring, but the pain in his eyes made it look more like a pleading glance. Cole's heart thumped in sympathy, but he hardened his face as he glared back. He was afraid that Jake was right.
~~BB~~
Jamie stared at Cole, feeling a bit nervous with the way Cole stared at him, like he was trying to see through him. "What do you want?" he croaked out, his voice thick.
Cole smirked as he circled the chair. "You ever thought about being touched by another man, Reagan?"
Jamie's eyes widened. He tried to lean away from him. Cole snorted.
"Relax, Reagan. I like women, just like you do."
"Then why are you here?" Jamie wheezed, trying to get his heart to stop jumping around as he relaxed his muscles.
Cole sat on the floor a few feet away from Jamie. "Because, no matter how often I try to tell Jake that I don't fall that way, he's got it in his head that that's what I do." Cole shrugged. "To tell you the truth," he smirked, "I think he's got his own latent feelings that he's too afraid to admit to." Jamie just looked at him incredulously. "Whatever, Reagan. I'm not going to do anything to you."
"So, why are you here?" Jamie repeated.
Cole sighed. "He thinks you're close to breaking. He thinks I can finish the job."
Jamie tried to swallow the lump in his throat. Jake might actually be right. "Does…that… usually finish the job?"
"I wouldn't know. I've only done it once, back when I first joined Jake's group. I was scared of him, and just… I hated myself afterwards and vowed never to do it again. I fake it, tell him the job's done. It's not hard to pull off… he's usually tortured them enough that they've either retreated into their own minds, or they're already begging for death. You're tough, Reagan, but he's not finished with you yet. He doesn't need me to do this, and he knows it. He's just trying to give himself time to think."
"I still don't understand why you're here, then. Why do you care?"
Cole regarded him seriously. "I'm not a killer, Jamie. I fell into the group because of the drugs, and once you're in, that's it. He's insane, but I can't leave… I can only hope that one day someone takes him out. That's why I stand back, let the others do the dirty work. I observe, but I just can't get involved… I don't feel the way they do."
"Why don't you do it? Why don't you take him out?"
Cole smirked. "I would, but Dumb and Dumber are just as insane as Jake is. I wouldn't stand a chance."
Jamie sighed, tears threatening to fall. "I'm screwed…" Cole was suddenly in his face, gripping his chin in a vise-like grip. "Hey… that hurts… back off!"
"Don't you give up, Reagan! I'm trying to keep you alive, here!"
"Fine job you're doing, then!" Jamie snapped.
"I do my best to stall him. I can't keep him off forever, but if you would just stay quiet…"
"What good does that do?" Jamie snapped again. "No matter what I do, he attacks me. I can't hold out forever… I don't want to…"
"Don't. Don't say that. I know you don't want to give up."
"I can't keep going… and if it came down to it… you'd kill me, too."
Cole let go of Jamie's face, stepping back. A thoughtful look crossed his features. "Yes, you're right. If it meant my own life, I probably would take yours."
Jamie looked at him with a renewed sense of fear. "Get out." he snapped, his voice like ice.
Cole glanced at his own watch. "Fine. I've been in here long enough anyway to put on a good show. Keep your mouth shut, Reagan." Cole reached behind Jamie, untying his wrists, then working on his feet. "It wouldn't look real if you were still in the chair when they get back, Reagan." he smirked, answering Jamie's silent question. He stood, turning on his heel and hurrying towards the door, his fingers playing with a small rectangular object in his jacket pocket.
Jamie glared at his retreating back. The door slammed shut. Jamie squeezed his eyes shut as a sobs threatened to break loose.
~~BB~~
"It is done." Cole snapped as he stalked towards the front door, slamming it open as he stepped outside into the sunshine. Jake grinned after him. It was time the Reagan's fell and Jamie would be the one to do it. Take out the bottom block, and watch the rest tumble.
~~TBC~~