Hello my Jigsaw lovers!

I'm back with another update! Let's see what happens next :-)

Enjoy!

Chapter 6

An hour and forty five minutes left on the timer saw Ivy back in her usual spot, Adam now perching on the side of the bathtub, using the tub as a shield so that Lawrence could not see the picture of his family, while Adam could view it as often as he wanted. It was quite a smart move while poor Lawrence was busy searching the walls for his elusive X. He kept muttering to himself "X marks the spot. X marks the spot. We need to search this room again." However Ivy and Adam had both agreed through guarded hand signals not to tell Lawrence of the location of his X, both had started to play the game Jigsaw wanted them to play. Ivy was now completely focused on keeping Adam alive, getting out of this, (to quote Adam), shit hole bathroom and putting Jigsaw behind bars. Ivy was still aware of the knife hiding away in the sink above her, I never used it to try and cut through my chain, her electric shock trigger and the two big puddles of blood. Her mind had come to the conclusion that the body had either been killed some other way, cleaned up and made to look like a suicide, or that the man really had just made a nasty mess committing suicide himself. Either way the puzzle pieces were not adding up. "What are you doing over there? Excuse me?" Came Lawrence's voice, he was now looking at Adam who was once again being far too obvious at hiding things. Poor Adam wouldn't have been able to hide a clue like the knife anyway as he was probably the worst actor Ivy knew.

"Just because I'm stuck in this room with you doesn't mean I have to report to you every ten seconds. Ivy doesn't give a shit." Adam retorted childishly, stubbornly refusing to cooperate.

"Ivy is probably helping you to stay alive, just like it said on her tape. You think I didn't see you whispering over there?" Leered Lawrence and Ivy glanced at her shock button, surely one shock to shut him up wouldn't hurt? God knows she felt guilty and sick enough at herself for not helping the Doctor search every tile in this room for that mysterious X. "Speaking of which I really don't see the point in us not trying to help each other."

"I am helping someone. I am helping Adam and myself to survive. That's what he wants me to do." Bit back Ivy, rolling her eyes.

"So you're both ganging up on me? You're going to let my family die?" Lawrence's blunt words pierced at the ice Ivy had temporarily covered her heart with.

"Well what do you want me to do I'm on a leash." Said Adam and Ivy smirked a little at the backing she was receiving from Adam again.

"That's exactly why we need to talk. We need to think."

"I am thinking." Adam put extra emphasis on the consonants, his voice rising again.

"Here we go." Muttered Ivy.

"Well then don't keep me in the dark about what you're thinking." Shouted Lawrence. Adam glanced at Ivy as an awkward silence fell with Lawrence's eyes flicking between the two of them.

After a long pause Adam spoke up, "Turn off the lights." Ivy sighed a little, she couldn't pretend that she wasn't curious as to where and what this elusive X meant for them all. Maybe she was being a little cruel by keep Lawrence as he so rightly put it 'in the dark.' "Turn them off now please."

"What?" No wonder Lawrence was confused, Adam's inability to act was going to raise Lawrence's suspicions about both of them now. It wasn't as if he was intelligent enough for the idea to pop into his own mind.

"Just turn them off for a second." Came the lame excuse and Ivy rolled her eyes, her hand flexed instinctively towards the hidden knife. It felt more and more likely that she would need it. Lawrence complied looking thoroughly confused, his pupils laced with mistrust. The whole bathroom was plunged into darkness once again as Ivy stood up. Ivy had not been awake to see the bathroom in darkness before like Lawrence and Adam had. It was terrifying. All the childish nightmares of demons and ghosts leaping out of the gloom and shadows, swallowing up silenced her voice as her eyes peered into the vast expanse of blackness. She experimentally held her hand up in front of her face, it was hard to make out her fingers. It was that dark in there and the chains shuffling menacingly were like serpents ensnaring her in yet another trap.

"Jesus it's behind you." Came Adam's voice. Ivy could now see the glaring X as Lawrence wheeled round. The offending clue had been painted on a segment of the bathroom tiles behind the ignorant Doctor.

"How come we didn't see that before?" Asked Lawrence, his voice was humorous as if the bathroom had rendered them all dumb. Ivy certainly felt stupid, she was supposed to be the Detective here, not Adam of all people.

"The lights in here hadn't charged it. It must be glow in the dark paint or something." Adam replied, a lot closer than Ivy remembered, although among the rattling of the chains and the dull darkness Adam could have snuck up behind her and taken her knife and she would have been none the wiser. With this chilling thought Ivy edged closer to the sink. Don't be ridiculous. You are here to help Adam, he's not going to kill you. And if Ivy was completely honest he wasn't bad looking either. Adam was almost a complete stranger to her. All she knew was he took photos and didn't have much money at all. He was quite the contrast to her successful self. No aspirations or ambition either. But if Ivy thought back, way back to Adam's tape, he wasn't here because of his lack of ambition. He's a voyer she recalled with a frown. Ivy could sense Adam creeping closer and closer to her, perhaps seeking guidance or just protection from the inevitable moment when Lawrence would find out they know about his family. Ivy found herself becoming desperate to learn of what Adam's illicit activities were. She wanted Adam to be innocent, she didn't want him to be as rotten as the criminals whose files she poured over on a daily basis. Lawrence switched on the lights again where there was obviously a section of the wall subtly marked out in a square as to where the X had been painted. Adam was standing right next to Ivy, so close his shoulder was nearly touching hers. She could feel the intimacy, as if Adam was in her aura's bubble. Lawrence grabbed his hacksaw and went to break through the tiles.

"Wait!" Cried Ivy holding a hand out, the Doctor froze mid-swing. "Use the handle, we don't need another saw broken...if it comes to that." She finished disturbed by her own thoughts.

"It speaks." Joked Adam and Ivy shrugged back at him as Lawrence followed her instructions. He eventually broke through the tiles, shoving them onto the ground and retrieving a small box which he placed on the ground. Smiles were shared and Ivy tugged Adam's overcoat closer to her body, Adam gave her a genuine smile at her actions.

"You don't need it back do you?" She asked self consciously.

"Nah. Never really suited me anyway." Returned Adam covering the small gap of bare flesh that Ivy hadn't managed to completely cover. She felt a warmth spread through the bathroom under Adam's sparkling blue eyes. They both glanced back at Lawrence who was simply staring at the box.

"Well open it." Said Adam as if speaking to a child at christmas.

"It's locked." Came the reply and Ivy let out the air she was holding through puffed cheeks, Lawrence turned the box around to show us he wasn't lying.

"One step forward, two steps back." Moaned Ivy bending down to massage the area of her ankle in the chains. It was staring to chaff and was turning red, sending shooting pains up her leg, irritatating her and she was beginning to understand more and more why Jigsaw thought someone would cut their foot off for freedom. Then it twigged in my mind, "Your envelope. Where is it?"

Adam realising what Ivy meant searched his side of the bathroom remembering that he was the last one with the little key that came with Lawrence Gordon's envelope. On finding it he threw it over to Lawrence who fitted it perfectly in the lock and removed it, opening the lid. The atmosphere was tense as Adam and I stared at that little box that could hold our salvation. Ivy began to walk over towards Lawrence, curiosity taking the better of her. In Lawrence Gordon's hand was a cellphone. The tension snapped like a twig as we practically celebrated.

"The most beautiful invention on this planet!" Exclaimed Adam and Ivy ran her hands excitedly through her hair. They were going to get out. They were going to call for help. They were going to survive. Lawrence was now taking out what looked like a cigarette. As Ivy edged closer to the Doctor she could see another cigarette lying in the box.

Adam let out a sort of strangled cry of jubilation at our apparent stroke of good luck. "Ah hah! Make that second most beautiful invention. Gimme that." I frowned a little, judging by the claw like hand Adam was reaching for the cancer stick. It seemed Adam was quite the heavy smoker. Ivy frowned seeing a little more sense behind his kidnapping even though she knew she was making an awful stereotype.

"Are you joking? Your really going to put something you found in this room in your mouth? She asked incredulously staring at Adam.

Adam looked at Ivy like she had two heads, he was most likely going through withdrawl. "Yes I'm willing to risk it." He told her in slight disbelief. "Give me that sweet cancer." Ivy shook her head at Adam's own stupidity. "I don't care, I really don't anymore." He reassured her as Ivy rolled her eyes still not letting the matter die.

"He could have done anything to it Adam." Protested Ivy.

Adam gave a dramatic sigh before clasping his hands together as if praying, "May I please have a cigarette Ivy." He pleading looking like Oliver Twist holding it his bowl for more. Ivy was playing the part of Mr Bumble and was having none of it.

"Our aim in this game is for you to survive and you're not going to fuck it up for us because you can't handle your addiction."

"Wow your quick to judge aren't you." Adam raised an accusatory eyebrow at Ivy. "And just when I thought we were bonding Ives."

"We are bonding, I'm trying not to let you get killed."

"Awww I appreciate your concern." Adam mocked her and Ivy changed tack, switching from investigating the box with Lawrence to rounding on Adam instead as she gave him a light shove in the chest. "Hey, no need to be physical." Adam said holding his hands up in a surrendering position, Ivy's insides squirmed a little at his choice of words. "Okay so I'm an uncontrollable chain smoker. I easily get through two packs a day and when things are really shit I can finish a third. It's hardly my fault."

"No it's not." Ivy said after a moment's reflection.

"No. They're addicting and when you're young and stupid and depressed you're an easy target."

She took a deep breath wondering if again she had misjudged him. "I'm sorry Adam. Your childhood doesn't seem to have been the rosy rainbows that I had."

"No it wasn't." He didn't elaborate any further but Ivy did ironically feel a stronger bond towards the young man. As far as Ivy could tell Adam did seem to be a genuinely nice person who perhaps suffers more than others in life. Ivy glanced over at Lawrence to see him staring at the box in front of him, his eyes were scanning something. Reading something.

"What are you doing over there?" She asked and he straightened up.

"I'm going to call the police." Lawrence announced.

"Well duh." Shouted Ivy wheeling to Lawrence. "What have you been doing all this time? Staring at a cigarette?" She didn't mention the note to him, if he wanted to start playing the game that was fine with her, she wasn't against a little unfair cheating now and then.

"Well forgive me for not wanting to interrupt your little lover's tift." Sneered Lawrence as he flipped open the phone and dialled 911. Instantly the horrid sound of an engaged phone echoed across the dank bathroom. Lawrence dialled again only to wind up with the same result.

"Shit. This was meant to receive calls not make them." Revealed Lawrence, glaring at the phone in his hand. Ivy threw her hands up in the air. She should have seen that coming too. Lawrence's words from earlier rang through her head, Every possible angle has been pre-thought out.

"Marvellous." She sighed. She was at the crossroads again, stuck between her will to survive but also her morals telling her to help an innocent man save his family.

"How did you know to switch off the lights?" Lawrence asked Adam with a frown. Ivy's blood ran cold, the game was beginning to climax.

"Who cares it worked." Replied Adam offhandedly.

"Yes but how did you know?" Lawrence pressed, turning the spotlight onto Adam.

"Instinct." Adam looked to Ivy who nodded ever so slightly. Lawrence was so fixated on Adam he didn't notice.

"Instinct." Repeated Lawrence and Ivy began to walk towards the Doctor who was riddling out their little scheme now.

"Yeah."

"You know. You're a terrible liar." Accused Lawrence and Ivy smirked a little at his words. She was the closest she had been to the Doctor in ages.

"You say that like you know me." Jeered Adam stepping forwards, embracing the imminent attack.

"Back off Ivy." Shouted Lawrence, his shoulders were hunched slightly over the box obscuring the contents from view. "You're just as bad as him. You knew about the X too. It's all such a giveaway with those looks the two of you kept sharing over there."

"Yes I did know about the X." Admitted Ivy. "But Lawrence, it was for a good reason."

"Oh a good reason I'm sure." Spat the Doctor. "Such a good reason that you can't tell me."

"Not that I can't tell you. But a case of whether I should."

"Well that's really going to help us." Shouted Lawrence sarcastically flinging his arms out so Ivy caught a glimpse of a piece of paper in the box. Printed in the same font as was on her card about her electric shocks were the words SHHHH DOCTOR.

Ivy's eyes darkened. The Doctor in front of her may be accusing Adam and herself of keeping secrets but it looked like they weren't the only ones. A burning desire was building inside of Ivy, she wanted to denounce Lawrence Gordon to Adam, she wanted to read that secret note meant only for his eyes. She wanted no more secrets. But if there was one thing she knew about secrets, it was that the person who knows all secrets is the one with the most power. Ivy knew Adam was hiding nothing from her and once she got the note from Lawrence she was sure she would be the only one concealing things, leaving her in a very powerful position. A power play. She hadn't forgotten that in a physical fight Adam and Lawrence could both take her with ease, despite training.

"What else aren't you two telling me?" Questioned Lawrence again and Ivy frowned putting a hand out in an attempt to shut him up. So he's was travelling down the road to paranoia. The tender rope of trust she has somewhat built up with the Doctor had been shattered; but Ivy continued to remain right where she was.

"Well lets see." Adam seemed to have had enough and Ivy's spirits sank again at the sarcasm in his voice. "At my sixth birthday, my best friend at the time Scott Tibbs stabbed me with a rusty nail I didn't tell you about that. I didn't tell you that my last girlfriend who was a feminist vegan punk broke up with me because she thought I was too hungry. Uh I didn't tell you that one of my toenails is slightly..."

"Just stop it." Snapped Lawrence interrupting Adam's long and sort of bitchy rant. Ivy's stomach had made a funny sort of flip when Adam mentioned his ex-girlfriend. Her last boyfriend broke up with her after her first week at the academy saying she spent more time with serial killers and their files than with him. He had been right it seemed and Jigsaw had decided to be the one to show her. "You knew to turn off these lights. At least Ivy has the decency to own up to her misdeeds." Lawrence concluded and Ivy had to admit she was very surprised the Doctor wasn't accusing her too when she was the dirtiest of the three. Perhaps already have the power here?

"Whatever." Adam rolled his eyes and backed away, he had been in danger of stepping in the nauseating pool of blood with his dirty bare feet.

"We're dealing with a juvenile." Lawrence muttered to Ivy who opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by Adam.

"You wanna know?"

"Yeah."

"Adam..." Ivy tried again but her voice was lost in the testosterone as Adam reached into the bath and revealed the polaroid Ivy had worked so hard to keep secret to Lawrence.

"Here it is."

"Adam how could..." Ivy gave up trying to reason with him when he threw the photo across the room to Lawrence who looked at her in suspicion as he lay on the vile floor to grab the picture. Adam's eyes locked with Ivy's who was watching him shaking her head slowly, a look of sadness and remorse in her eyes. Adam quickly broke the contact and swallowed the lump in his throat. Ivy sat down on the floor near Lawrence knowing he would need a little comfort on seeing the photo.

The change in Lawrence was instantaneous, it was frightening seeing his reaction. The bruise on his cheek was only getting worse as the hours went by and the Doctor's pale complexion was suddenly akin to Ivy's, a whole two shades whiter than it was previously. His bottom lips began to quiver as his eyes became tortured and haunted in terror as his worst thoughts were confirmed. He found it difficult to force the words out as he turned his tortured gaze on Ivy. "Wh...W...Where did you get this?"

Ivy's eyes tried to show all the sympathy and understanding that she could but she knew it would never be enough. She felt as dirty as the bathroom she was sitting in. "It was in your wallet, Adam found it behind the photo of your daughter." She told him in a monotone sadly.

"Why didn't you show me this before?" Lawrence asked her, his voice still shaking. He was only a couple of inches away from her face.

"I couldn't." She whispered. While some of her intentions had been selfish Ivy knew that the larger part of her had wanted to protect the poor suffering Doctor from what he was currently going through. Ivy glanced at the note in the box and silently slid it into her hand before turning away on hearing Lawrence's whimpers fill the bathroom. Adam had hung his head in his corner of the bathroom and Ivy took the dastardly opportunity while Lawrence was too distraught to think to read the note Jigsaw had intended for his eyes only.

The cigarettes are harmless. I promise. Smoking is only poisonous when it ends in bloodshed. Think about this - you don't need a gun to kill Adam, or Ivy for that matter.

So tension is certainly building in the bathroom. I'd love to hear some thoughts on Ivy's character, if she's a little too dark right now or just right for the SAW world and this nasty bathroom, obviously she hasn't been rehabilitated by Jigsaw yet, if it is even possible haha!

Keep on reading and reviewing thank you so much to those who have already it means a lot to me and I read every single review!

Prying11Pandora7 xx