Chapter 12
Tails had buried his head into his straw bed and had his twin tails wrapped around him. The shed was not insulated and as a result, the fall temperatures made it cold. On top of that, the recent rain had lowered temperatures even further. Tails shivered as a breeze reached him through the wooden boards that made up the walls. The only good that came from the miserable cold was the fact it numbed Tails' injuries, especially the gash on his back. Tails turned onto his side and stared out ward into the tool shed. His corner was relatively boxed in by large shelves full of car parts, boxes, and building materials. Through gaps on the shelf, Tails could see what looked like a work desk and a chair near it. Tails wasn't exactly sure how far the chains on his limbs would let him go. He had half a mind to try and get his hands on one of the many tools around the shed and either try to free himself or fight back against the Apex Killer. The problem was, he hadn't eaten or drank in over a day and Tails knew that if the Killer came after him with a vengeance, he would need all his strength to pull through the ordeal. Almost as if on cue, the shed door swung open and the Apex Killer stomped inside and slammed the door behind him. He came up to Tails who had already put on, as he called it in his thoughts, his Shadow-face. The Apex Killer appeared to be dressed in what seemed to be a mechanic's uniform with a big red toolbox in one hand and a plastic shopping bag in the other.
The Killer set the toolbox on the ground and dumped the contents of the shopping bag. A large bottle of water and two store-bought sandwiches fell on the ground next to the toolbox. The Killer turned to Tails with the shopping bag still clutched in his hands, "Listen you. I have to go to work. If I come back and find that you've been screwing around in here, you're a dead fox. Got it?"
Utilizing his Sonic-attitude, Tails replied, "You say that like you think I'm scared of you. I'm not. You don't scare me." Tails could see the Killer's eye begin to angrily twitch and his fists clenching. Without warning, he kicked Tails onto his back and planted a boot on his chest. The Killer took the shopping bag and thrust it down over Tails' head. The panicked fox began to struggle, kick, and fail. Tails could feel himself beginning to suffocate as every breath became harder and harder.
The Killer shouted, "You're not afraid of me huh? How bout now?! Are you afraid now?!" The Killer held the bag over Tails' head until he could feel the fox's struggles becoming weak. He whipped the bag off. Tails coughed and gasped for air, coming back from the brink of unconsciousness. The Killer shoved his face into Tails', "Do you want make that little wise crack again?" Tails did not answer and continued to try and get his breath back. The Killer shoved Tails away, "I thought not. Thanks to you, I'm going to be late for work. I'll think of something special to do with you when I get home." As he picked up his toolbox to leave, the Killer kicked the water and sandwiches towards Tails and left.
The Apex Killer climbed into his black van and began to drive to a small rural town a few miles from the city. The people there were a close knit religious community that believed T.V.s and radios were a source for corruption and so no one processed either. This left the Killer free to conduct his business of fixing cars in an auto shop with no problems. As he neared the entrance to the town, the Killer smiled, This isn't a half bad little town. It almost reminds me of home. Everyone knows their neighbors, bonded by religion, and stupid as hell. How many people have I killed from this town? I think it's been at least 5. You think they would have put two and two together when word came from the city about disappearances. The police couldn't detect a murder if it came and bit them on the ass. The Apex Killer had just entered the town and was driving down the main street. The smile vanished from his face as another thought came to his mind. This kid I have now… he's a tough one. That first night I thought he was going to another sniffling, pleading wimp. But somehow, he's become a tough nut to crack. Nothing I do seems to faze him. He doesn't cry, he doesn't beg for mercy, hell, he even makes smart ass remarks! Well, it doesn't matter. One way or another, I'm going reduce that brat into a begging, pathetic baby. Sometimes you have to tenderize a particularly piece tough piece of meat. The Apex Killer pulled into a car garage. He got out, punched his time card, and went about his work, discarding all thoughts of his double life.
After eating one of the sandwiches and most of the other, Tails wrapped up and hid the remains of the second sandwich beneath the straw. He took several gulps of water before capping the bottle and setting it aside. Tails was sitting up right with his legs stretched in front of him. He was only slightly leaning against the back wall of the shed to avoid irritating his back wound. Now that he had food and water in his system, Tails had the energy to take full stock of his injuries and take care of what he could. He started with his un-naturally bent leg. At first Tails had feared it had been broken but as he probed further, he found that it was only dislocated and if anything had a hairline fracture. Tails knew that he would have to pop it back into place. After taking a deep breath, Tails grasped his dislocated leg and twisted it as hard as he could. His scream drowned out the popping sound of the bones going back into place. After the pain had died down, Tails took another swig of water before looking over his various bruises and bumps, "I hope I never see another baseball bat in my life." Tails wished that he could do something about the gash on his back. That last thing he wanted was for it to become infected and ruin his chances of survival. Tails decided that now was the time to see how much movement he had in his corner.
Tails attempted to stand upright and was able to do so with only having to stoop slightly. He then got down on his hands and knees and tried to crawl to each of the walls to the left and right. He got about halfway to the right and was able to touch the left. Tails than tried to get to the shelves that formed almost like a doorway to his area. He was able to reach the ones directly in front of him. He sifted through a box that was easiest to reach. Nothing in the box stood out to Tails as he moved around papers, loose screws, and odd parts. Tails was about to put the box back when his hands brushed against something that felt familiar. He pulled it out to discover it was a screwdriver. At first he thought of the practical uses of the tool, but darker things came to mind as Tails than thought about what he might need to do in order to survive. His face grim, Tails crawled back to his bed and hid the screwdriver as deep as possible in the straw. Tails prayed he wouldn't have to use it.
Tails had been gently dozing when the shed door banged opened once more. Time for the Shadow-face again. thought Tails as he steeled himself for whatever twisted activities the Apex Killer had in mind. The Killer approached Tails in his usual arrogant manner but there was something different as well. He seemed too excited.
The Killer smiled wickedly as he looked down at Tails and said, "You know, I was driving here from work while trying to find a suitable punishment for a smart ass like you and do know what I realized?"
Cue the Sonic-attitude. "That you have major issues and need to check yourself into a mental hospital?" replied Tails as he acted disinterested.
The Killer growled and used his boot to squash Tail's face against the ground, "No. I realized that today is Friday. That means we have all weekend to get to know each other. I hope you like tools because I have loads of them to show you." The Killer removed his boot and sneered, "Don't go anywhere, I'll be right back."
Tails remarked, "Ha ha, the serial killer has a sense of humor." and received a kick in the gut as the Killer turned and briefly left the shed. He came back with his big toolbox and slammed it on the ground. He flipped open the lid and rummaged about inside.
He pulled out a hammer and said, "Funny story about this hammer, I used it crucify one of the guys I brought here. It was rather boring to watch him die." Tails was unable to stop his fur from standing on end and his eyes from widening. A sinister smile tugged at the Killer's lips as he continued to root through the toolbox. After a second or two, he closed it and said, "Have you ever used a vice? Cause let me tell you, I have the best vice you're going to find anywhere." The Killer produced a key from his pocket and swung one of his awful boots at Tails' face. Tails struggled to stay awake, fearing if he passed out, he would never wake up. While he attempted to keep his eyes open, the Killer unlocked the shackles binding Tails to the floor and dragged him to the work desk on the other side of the shelves.
Everything was in twos and spinning as Tails was vaguely aware that the chains were no longer attached to him. His head was aching severely as he felt his left arm slide between two pieces of metal. Tails kept blinking in an attempt to clear his vision and thoughts as a slight pressure was applied to his arm. All at once everything came into focus as pain surged through his arm. A simple glance supplied the reason. From wrist to elbow, his arm was being squeezed in a large vice with the Killer at the crank. Tails felt his wrist crack and began to wail but quickly cut himself off by biting down on his lip. No! Don't give him an inch! The moment you start screaming is the moment he wins. Think like Knuckles. No matter how bad the pain is, he never cries or screams. You can do this, you have to do this! A gruesome snap sounded as Tails' elbow gave. Tails bit down so hard blood drops began to form on his lips but he didn't even whimper. Frustrated at the lack of response, the Killer spun the crank like he was making a hard turn on a steering wheel. Blood was now trickling in tiny streams down Tails' chin as his skin was squashed and his bones cracked, and practically shattered. The Killer kicked Tails' legs out from under him so that he was hanging from the arm clamped in the vice. All he got was a startled gasp. All patience lost, the Killer released Tails' arm from the vice and he dropped to the floor. The Killer picked Tails up by the scruff of his neck, an action Tails, up until now, associated with playfulness, and threw him into his corner. Tails hit the wall with so much force, the boards of the wall splintered and bended outward. He hit the ground with a thud and did not move.
The Apex Killer stood for a moment, waiting to see if Tails would make some sort movement that would hint at life. It appeared that the young victim was dead. The Killer rolled his eyes with annoyance as he stepped toward Tails. He bent down and rolled Tails onto his back. The fox had his eyes closed and he didn't seem to be breathing. The Killer wrapped his huge hands around Tails' ankles and prepared to drag him from the shed. Suddenly, Tails sat up and stabbed the Apex Killer in the shoulder with the screwdriver. The Killer roared loud enough to make the little shed rattle to it's foundation. Tails scrambled out of the shed and slammed the door shut. He looked around frantically for something to block the door with when he spotted the padlock on the door. Just as he heard angry footsteps rushing at the door, Tails slapped the padlock closed. Seconds later a thunderous bang sounded and the door almost broke in half. Tails ran from the shed and towards the nearby house.
Tails tried to get into the house but it was locked. Another thud sounded from the shed and pieces of wood flew from the door. In a panic, Tails ran to one of the windows and punched it out with his good arm. Just then, the Apex Killer tore through the tool shed door with an enraged roar. Tails jumped through the window and looked about the room he was in. It appeared to be a living room. Tails ran across the room to the kitchen, in search of a phone. He came up empty handed and ran through the house looking for one. He came across a bedroom and a phone on a bed stand. He snatched it up and dialed 911. "911, what's your emergency?"
Tails quickly replied, "I'm being held and tortured against my will by the Apex Killer. My name is Miles Prower. Please you have to help me!"
The operator responded, "Where are you Miles?"
"I don't know. I was knocked out when I was brought here but I think it's a fairly secluded area. I was being confined in a toolshed. Please, start tracing this call or something cause-" here Tails was cut off by another roar but this time, it came from inside the house.
Author's Note: Tails found and took the best opportunity for escape but will it backfire? His bid for freedom could cost him his life or earn him a chance of rescue. If they can get to him in time. Please read, review, and stay on the edge of your seats.