Chapter Four:

Neal breathed heavily in and out, adrenaline rushing through his veins and panic blurring his mind. He had been in some pretty tight situations before, but never had he felt so completely and utterly helpless! There was no room for him to twist his wrists around in the restraints latching him to the table. He knew the leather probably had blood on them by now; he imagined he could feel it running down his wrists.

He clenched his teeth, straining his muscles in the futile effort to escape. He didn't want to be sliced open, used for harvesting an organ for a desperate psychotic criminal! He didn't sign up for this when he became a Bureau consultant!

"Peter, of all the times to find me, now would be a really good time!" Neal hissed out through clenched teeth.

A door creaked open and a lovely orderly walked in, wearing a white uniform with squeaky clean white shoes as well. She looked out of place, with her cheeky smile, blonde hair, and merry brown eyes. "Hello there Mister Caffery!" The woman said, "Anything I can help you with today?" She took sight of his wrists, eyes widening and gasping a bit.

Neal watched as she tutted and quickly pulled out a med kit, prepared to help his bandages. She paused momentarily before unlatching the restraints and meticulously bandaging his wrists.

"There!" She tightened the restraints once more and pulled back, hands on her hips in a proud manner. "All better."

"Actually, could I go to the bathroom, miss?" Neal pleaded, turning his wide doe brown eyes onto her. She melted like butter on a hot day. Neal felt a brief flicker of hope spark in his chest.

"Alright sugar." Joy toothily smiled, "Let's get you to the restroom. I'm sure you want some last couple of moments to compose yourself. Such a brave young man, willing to donate some of your kidney!"

Caffery felt fear rush into him once more upon her words. Surgery. Donate. Kidney. He was barely able to suppress a shudder running down his spine. He gave her a tight smile, "Yeah." So that was the lie Powell told the doctors and attending staff?

The nurse escourted him to the restroom and he chamed his way into her heart. Of course it didn't hurt that she assumed he was here willingly out of the kindness of his heart. "Even though you have such an anxious condition! Why, if I had to deal with such a fear of hospitals then I doubt I would ever volunteer for such a thing! I'm sure it helps a bit that we're a smaller place of operation than a public hospital, but—still! You're handling this like such a trooper!"

Joy was certainly a joy to be around. However, Neal couldn't help but predict he would rarely set foot anywhere near a doctor or hospital if he could after this situation was… resolved.

"Here we are, hun." Joy pushed open the door for him. "Mind those wrists dear. Just think wide-open spaces. Or at least that's what Gail says on up there in therapy for some of her patients."

"Thanks, Joy, you've been a great help!" Neal made his way into the restroom.

She winked at him, "Not a problem darling. I'll wait for you out here. I figured the staff bathroom would appear less… institutional than our regular bathrooms." Honestly, the woman had a heart of gold. He almost felt bad tricking her and using her like this. But, when the Bureau came—if they come, a small voice whispered in the back of his mind—at least he could put in a good word for her. Unlike the other greedy bastards who were a part of this scheme.

"Hey, do you…uh think that I could use your cell phone really quick? Just to buzz my mom and let her know how I'm doing. She always gets nervous when I'm off by myself—or when I'm nervous." He chuckled, hands shaking slightly, sheepishly looking at the kind woman. Outwardly, he portrayed the act as only a professional conman was able.

"Of course." She said, after only a few moments of hesitation. "Just be quick. I'm sure the doctors won't want you up and about for much longer. Mr. Powell is going to be coming in in about an hour, so there's a lot of prep work to be done!" She passed him her sleek mobile.

"Thanks!" He shut the door behind him, fingers rapidly dialing Peter's number. He closed his eyes briefly, thanking whatever being was watching over him at that moment. Things were finally looking on his side! He had a phone, an hour time limit, and memorized Peter's cell phone number.

His heart plummeted when all he got was Peter's voicemail. Of all the times to not have his phone on! A rage coiled inside of him as well as overwhelming desperation. He quickly rattled off a desperate voicemail.

"Peter! Please! You've got to help me! Powell has got me somewhere in a private facility! He said something about me being a match and taking my kidney! I've got less than an hour. This is Joy's cell phone—the number is 555-432-1689! If you call it, you can trace it, right? I heard the intercom paging doctor Shulevitz and Urbanovix! I don't think we've left the city—Powell is out somewhere and is going to be here soon. Peter—please hurry." A female voice then notified him that he had reached his limit. The message was sent express.

Joy knocked on the door. "Neal, are you okay?"

Neal looked at the mirror and his sunken eyes. Terror was in them. The clock was ticking.

He took a deep breath and turned on the faucet. "Just a minute Joy." He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the mirror. The glass was cool against his flushed forehead. His eyes snapped open as he inspected the mirror once more.

It was a medicine cabinet.

Fear and desperation drove him. He had to buy himself some time. He quickly but quietly unlatched the cabinet, finding a plethora of pills. His eyes landed on one bottle and he popped it open. He poured pills into his hand and shoved them rapidly into his mouth, cupping his hands under the faucet and gulping water down.

He flicked the lock closed, ignoring Joy's worried dulcet tones. As much as he hoped he would survive this ordeal, he would rather die than be used to harvest organs like they did in some creepy sci-fi movie he had once seen with Kate.

He stumbled back, falling backwards. His head crashed against the toilet seat and everything went black.

TBC