A/N: I know, it's shorter. Sorry guys. But I'm having a bit of a writer's block.

Struggles

Chapter 7: Wired Up

The cell is about the same size as my last one, but somehow, I find this one even more suffocating. Maybe it's the lack of window that let me see out into the entire base, maybe it's that I don't get to leave very often. Whatever it is, I'm still going crazy over it.

I'm crawling up the walls now, searching. After all, for me to hear General Monger over the PA system, there has to be /some/ sort of wiring in here. I slide my hands along the edge where the ceiling meet the wall, feeling for anything unusual.

And there it is. Painted the exact color so that it's near impossible to see, but I can feel it. It's the speaker for the PA system. It goes into the wall, along with several wires, I can safely assume. I peer around the room, trying to find something, anything that can help me. Nothing.

Groaning, I realize I'll have to do this the hard way. Crawling down the wall, I grab the blanket on my bed, beginning to tear it into strips. I tie the strips securely around my ankle, hoping it will provide support so I don't break or sprain something. Crawling back up, I secure myself and kick as hard as my strength will allow.

There's a loud clank as my foot hits the speaker and it vibrates violently, but it doesn't give in. I try again. And again. And again. What I'd give to have those quantonium gloves right now. It's starting to become painful, but finally the speaker gives in and cracks away from the wall. I grin, kicking it two more times until I can finally move it away with my hands, pulling it from the wall.

As I pull it out, I find the wires and immediately set to work rearranging them. If I can get it just right-

"Get me a helicopter in 3 hours, Lieutenant."

The voices are static-y, probably because I just smashed the speaker in a little, but I can still make out the words. And I can tell it's Monger's voice… Hadn't he left only a few hours ago?

"What for sir?"

"Is it your job to ask questions, boy?"

"I, uh- N-no sir, it's just…"

"Don't let it happen again."

I smirk wryly. It's Monger all right. I know that, even if he snapped at the poor kid, he's going to answer him anyways.

"I have a meeting with the President and some other officials." There's a silence on the line and for a moment, I wonder if I lost connection. But, "If you want to ask a question, boy, do it."

"Uh…" Poor thing. Even through the static I can hear his confusion and uncertainty. It's a little difficult sometimes, talking to the General. "Just… about the monsters, sir? The ones still in the city?"

"That's right."

I tense up, realizing it must be about the weapons. I have to get out of here. I glance at the hole I'd made in the wall. I don't think I'll be able to fit through it…

"Oh, and Lieutenant."

"Yes sir?"

"Keep an eye on Ms. Murphy. They're trying to get the gloves now, but the last thing you want to do is try and take something from a super-strong woman."

"Yes sir."

I freeze. Susan? She's here? Narrowing my eyes, I rearrange the wires again and carefully set the speaker back into place. Not perfect, but hopefully, no one will look close enough to notice. Crawling back down the wall, I take a seat on the edge of the bed.

I have to make a plan.

If I can get out of here and get to Susan then maybe… maybe we can work something out. I just have to patient… patient while at the same time figuring this out by the time Monger gets ready to go.