Thank you for all of the follows and reviews, they are very appreciated! And as always the disclaimer for the previous chapters still apply.
Tony POV- After Jeff punched me everyone left except for a single goon who took me back to my original room, or a room that looked very similar. They didn't bother to lock me up in anyway, and I praised this. I could work with this. When I had first woken up I had noticed that they had taken my gun, badge, or anything on me that might even be able to be classified as a weapon or something that could help me escape. It was obvious they had been thorough but I had not had enough alone time and brainpower to check to see if they had taken my knife. It was hidden well, in my belt buckle the way Gibbs had showed me. With slow and shaky movements my hands made their way to my belt. It took much more effort to unbuckle it then it should have but my effort was rewarded, because there lay my knife glistening in the dim light. I let a smile make its way across my face and I was overcome with joy. Sadly I was brought back to reality when I realized I was yet to have any type of plan. I was not in any condition to attack anyone one, and I was sure I could not walk at a normal pace. I might be able to attempt a painful hobble but that was depending on the fact I could find my way out of this place. Not place, maze, I corrected myself. I sighed at my limited options but I decided I had to try something because I would not be found just sitting around if Gibbs came to get me. When Gibbs comes to get you, I corrected myself again to think positively.
Ok, so first I should attempt to open the door that was now closed since the relaxant had worn off. That would require movement, so I had to decide which injuries I could jar and it hurt the least. I tried to crawl forward on my more or less uninjured arm and scraped up leg. The motion was awkward at best and extremely inefficient. After a couple of minutes I had crossed the distance to the door and I sat down heavily, taking deep breaths that smelled of fish. When I mustered up the strength I wiggled the knob of the door to get a feel of how many pins I should expect in the lock. It sounded sturdy but not fancy so I guessed there to be around six, and even without my current condition it could take me up to ten minutes to crack it. Adding in my state, lack of tools, and hard circumstances to my estimate bumped it up to around twenty minutes. I could only hope I had that much time before anyone disturbed me.
I got started and the grueling work and fatigue soon passed over me. My movements were getting slower and my breathing quicker and shallower. The minutes seem to blur together and slow down at the same time, and I faintly wondered if I had finally lost it. But even with my doubts of sanity I continued on pure determination and stubbornness.
Finally, after I heard the sixth click, the door swung open revealing the never ending hallways. I hadn't thought far ahead enough to wonder how I was going to find my way out. I decided my best choice was to wander until I found something that could help me, which definitely sounded like a foolproof plan to me. I memorized the turns I was taking, a right, then a left, right, right, left. my pace was agonizingly slow and even the slightest movement hurt me. My uninjured arm forearm was pressed against the dirty wall for support, and I did a little half jump to substitute for a step.
I don't know how long I continued on with my plan, for there was no windows or clocks. There wasn't anything really at all for that matter. There was no doors I had stumbled upon yet, and there was no furnishing anywhere. I reminded myself that it was a warehouse, and it wasn't strange for it to be barren, but the emptiness still sent a shiver down my spine.
I felt like I had been scrambling for months when I found my first door. My heart immediately raised in me chest, full of hope. I pressed my ear to the sea green peeling paint praying I would hear no noise. My miracle was granted when the same unsettling silence came through the thin wood. I got to work on the lock, and I was thankful to find this one was only five pins. Stimulating my mind had rid of some of the shakiness in my hands, and it only took me approximately ten minutes for the door to open. I entered tentatively; despite the fact there had been no sounds emanating from the room I was still cautious of anyone inside.
My heart dropped to the bottom of my stomach when I saw the contents of the room, or rather the lack of. Just as everything else I had seen so far, the room was empty. It looked like it could pass for a living room with its brown oak floors, and grey walls that, for once, did not seem to be repainted for a refreshing change. There was even a small window in the top right hand corner. It was much too tiny to fit much more than my head, but it allowed me to discern that it was in fact evening. The room had a couple corners and could be considered irregularly shaped, and it was rather small, only six feet by six. I scoped out all of the crannies making sure there was nothing to miss and I was surprised at what I found in my last one. There leaned a ancient flip phone covered in a few layers of dust, and I immediately bent down to pick it up. I flipped it over in my hands a few times in order to examine it, but it looked perfectly normal. I opened it and was surprised to see it was not dead, though it had a dangerously low percentage. I dialed Gibbs, and my fingers pressed the buttons quickly from the numerous times I had punched them in. The phone ringed several times and I prayed Gibbs would pick up. Come on Boss! I was persistent and allowed the cell to continue on. Finally, my determination paid off when Gibbs answered.
"Gibbs." I nearly cheered aloud as relief flooded through me like a dam breaking. I had never associated so much joy with Gibbs before.
"Boss, can you pick me up on Oak street in five?" After I asked I noticed how scratchy and pathetic my voice sounded, as I was currently unable to prevent my state from leaking into my voice.
"DiNozzo?" Gibbs asked with so much shock that I almost couldn't contain laughter.
"No, I'm an unicorn from outer space." I replied with my voice dripping with sarcasm.
"I can pick you up in eight minutes, I think." I noted that he had ignored my comment which meant he had been more worried about me that I had originally thought. "You ok?"
I debated between the many answers I could give. Was I ok? No, not really. But lying to Gibbs was a dangerous thing, and I definitely did not want to anger the beast.
"Ok, I'll try and be out there in eight minutes." Avoidance was always a good route.
"Didn't answer me question, Tony."
"You should bring back-up."
"I ain't stupid, DiNozzo."
"Please tell SWAT not to shoot me. And I have to go." I was only half kidding about SWAT not killing me, 'cause boy those guys are trigger happy.
"Someone there?"
"No, but this place is sort of a maze. I'll need the time to find my way out. I might need more time than that, so if I'm not out go into the third warehouse to your left."
"Tony, can you stay on the line?"
"Uh, sure, but I have to put the phone in my pocket. I need both hands to walk. And the phone has low battery so I doubt this will last more than three minutes, tops."
"Ok," Gibbs confirmed my plan.
"Here goes nothing," I ended our conversation with a grunt