He started shaking, because the water was so cold! Shivers were going through his whole body and he felt completely humiliated. Tried to protect himself from any further invigilation or whatever they were planning! He clenched his teeth in anger and tried to see anything from behind his glued eyelids. But it was so impossible. He felt almost blind!
And she was here, just next to him! What the hell was she thinking!
Gordon crossed arms on his chest in a desperate attempt to keep himself warm and turned his head to where he had a glimpse of Alyx.
"What the hell are you doing? I respected you… " Teeth trembling forced him to pause. The cold was becoming too much to bare. "I even trusted you… But this is too much!"
He thought he heard some suppressed weeping. So he felt kinda sad, not really knowing what's going on… "It's alright Alyx… Whatever I've done… I'm so sorry. I'm sorry." He said and had no clue what he could be sorry for. The past was pretty much muffled. What bad things could be happening because of him, except him insulting someone again?
Was Alyx real? Maybe they were playing real so good, he would never tell? How long they've been cheating him? How long?
"How long?" He suddenly stood up making this big splash of icy water. The woman looked at him helplessly, while the alien was forced to stop the chant. "How long have you been misleading me?" He erupted again and rushed out of the bath tub. His face winced when awareness of horrible feet pain came back. Barely seeing anything, but he kept on walking.
"No…" Alyx voice was gentle and sad.
The Vortignaut was quick and grabbed his arm. Freeman just turned and hit the alien's biggest eye. The creature faltered and moaned with a very strange, low noise. It didn't stop totally wet, young man.
They weren't ready for that this time. Everyone in the room outside just stared at Gordon who stopped their conversations, not sure what they should expect. There were a few of Resistance members.
He stood there for a few mute seconds, swept the situation with his squinted eyes and then jumped, pushing the closest guy to the ground. The man shouted and was completely stunned for a moment. A moment which Gordon used to jerk the gun out of his holster.
"Now everyone drop your guns and faces down to the floor!" He unlocked his gun and pointed it to one of the other men.
Someone started speaking in a language that Gordon could not recognize, so he aimed at that foreigner.
"You! Shut up!" He waved with the pistol. "Do what I said!"
Poor guy replied something very nervously, while putting his machine gun gently to the floor. Together with other people.
The alien stayed in the bathroom door, slowly gesticulating all his appendages in a gesture of surrendering. Calmly tracking the aggressive man with his minor eyes.
Gordon was making big and a bit awkward steps, leaving diluted bloody trace on the floor.
He kept on feeling pain but that was just too much. He's getting away from here! They won't deceive him any longer!
"I'm getting outta here…I'm running away! Just go along this corridor… I remember, pass the radio room, down the stairs. Keep the gun in emergency close to the body!"
He went through the corridor unnoticed.
"Apparently everybody are busy with something else… Like conspiring against me!"
He clenched his teeth, breathing heavily from fury and pain.
"Why they're making it so easy to escape now? Where is everybody?" His mind was approaching full emergency state combined with "I can barely stand on my feet" state.
He heard a noise, so he moved quickly and touched the wall with his back. Gun kept in the right position, like he was praying to it. He sighted and noticed that it was getting hard to keep his hands steady. He was an emotional wreck…
"Gordon…" That was that woman again! He couldn't trust anyone here. Even Alyx!
"Gordon! Please… At least let's talk. We don't want anything from you, except you to feel safe. I know you don't trust us… Just give me a chance." How could she sound so authentic? He felt sorry for a split second but pulled himself together.
He limped to the stairs and started painful way down. He cursed on how slow he was and wet underwear didn't help!
Finally, when he was almost by the exit, he reminded himself , that this ugly building had a back entrance. Probably less guarded.
These aliens are everywhere… Was there any sense in running away?
He looked at his gun with a new glimpse in his eyes and smiled weak. If they weren't chasing him now, they must had been sure he wouldn't get away. What was the point of all this?
"Gordon…"
A voice behind his back. He turned around and slowly pointed his gun into approaching woman. She stopped, trying to hide panic on her face. He looked up the stairs but no one else was there. So she was the queen of the aliens!
"Don't! Don't come any closer!" He growled.
She raised her hands, showing that she had no guns whatsoever… "Gordon…Please… I wouldn't trust anyone too! I came unarmed, just want to talk!"
"Stop that! I know what's my name! And you've been using it much too much!" He lost his balance and almost slipped . Alyx rushed to help him, but froze when he aimed at her, supporting gun on his knee. "I told you to stay away…." His voice was clearly weaker and breaking.
He staggered slightly while getting up but got awaken by the bloody stains on the wooden floor. There was no time to loose! He run awkwardly.
"You have to let it go." Said voice in his brain. Gordon touched sides of his head.
"Stop that! Now you're in my mind?"
I have to get out of here! Where is that damn exit!
"Gordon! You'll hurt yourself even more!"
This woman is just impossible! I don't know what they want form me, but they won't get it!
"…just don't shoot him!"
What? She's giving orders not to shoot? Why?
He turned right, almost being sure he got lost in this huge building! There was the inconspicuous back entrance!
Just a few steps and I'll be free! Maybe Combine will take me to their troops if I sell them some information? Why did they wound my feet so badly? Was I tortured? This is why I'm so shaken up!
Just five steps and I'll reach the damn door handle!
"Hey, Doc, stop!" Another familiar voice behind his back.
I won't even turn around this time…
"Watch out Gordon!"
The world whirled suddenly and he felt hard wood under his arms. Faint hand dropped the pistol.
Shit! I'm getting weaker! But still strong enough to get up!
"Gordon, that was enough." That was Barney, touching his arm! He was just over his back.
Terrified doctor spotted the gun and reached for it desperately. And grabbed it. And put the barrel in his mouth with a glimpse of sudden realization. That was the only way…
"No!" Shouted Barney. Losing all his self-confidence he stepped back with fear, expecting Gordon to take a shot in any moment. "You don't really wanna do this doc. You know it… Isn't everything too crazy to be real?"
That is the only way. I'm just a pawn in someone's hands… And no one knows, except me and him… I could've had a great scientific career and all I did was killing hundreds of creatures… Only me and him. I'll have my revenge!
"No!" Shouted Barney again, almost certain that Gordon was closing his eyes for the last time.
Then a sudden burst of light came out of nowhere and covered kneeling Freeman, still willing to pull the trigger. That was the last thing Barney could spot and then he heard a close gun fire.