Lara's heart began pound when the news sank in. Both Bryce and Kurtis were missing. Lara's thoughts were going into overdrive; she began to think that Coyle's men must have taken them. Alex however wasn't worrying about them; he was worrying about Lara's fragile state of mind. Not only had she collapsed earlier in the day, but she had been unresponsive when they tried to wake her up.

Kurtis struggled against the strong grip of one of his capturers. They had his wrists bound behind his back and had taken away his chirugai and his Boran X. He was concerned that they hadn't killed him yet. It was only then that he realized that they Bryce too.

"Bryce" Kurtis whispered, trying to get Bryce's attention. "Bryce"
"Kurtis, what do you want?" Bryce said groggily.
"Well personally I want to be out of here" Kurtis began but his sentence was cut off by his capturer putting more pressure on his wrists. Kurtis held back a wince.
"Hey, hold back lads" Bryce said timidly.
"Ha, who do you think you are, ordering us about?" The capturer said, getting angry.
"Someone who doesn't appreciate being held captive by a bunch of brutes" Bryce clarified.

Bryce, cool it!
Why? They're holding us captive whilst they could be doing God-knows-what to the others.
The only way we'll get out of here is if we keep calm and find a way out.
Are you seriously asking me to keep calm whilst my friends are out there?
Look Bryce, I will do anything I can to help and protect Lara, even if it means dying.
You really do love her don't you?
As much as I hate to admit it, yes, I love Lara Croft and I'll do anything to keep her safe.
Very well then. How do you suggest we get out of here?
I don't know, give me a minute.
Okay.

Lara began pacing the room. She didn't know how else she could do other then vent her anger on her friends; something she didn't particularly want to do. Alex was silently watching her pace, making himself feel dizzy in the process. Hillary was sitting in one of the chairs, also watching Lara pace. However, Hillary wasn't making himself feel dizzy; he was thinking of ways to get Bryce and Kurtis back, without brute force.

Lara began feeling dizzy herself. She began to feel the darkness seeping its way into her vision and her legs become like jelly. Her world began spinning until she heard something – or someone in her mind.

Lara? Lara, are you there?

Lara then decided to get a little cocky...

Jesus can't a woman get some peace from people stalking her mind.
Nope, I guess not. Look I need you to get Alex to...
Hey, what about me?
Lara, I need you safe, I couldn't deal with it if something were to happen to you because of me.

Lara felt the anger rising within her.

I don't care what you need; I need you here where I can keep an eye one you.
Awww I'm touched.

Even in her mind, Lara could hear the sarcasm in Kurtis' voice; she could practically see the cocky grin on his face. Even she smiled at that. She felt his mental connection waver as she began to feel light headed and her legs give in.

Alex had been watching Lara for quite some time; he didn't know what was going on. She had just been stood still in the centre of the room, staring into space. He stood up slowly when she put a hand up to her head. Her legs gave way as she crumpled to the ground. Alex caught her just before her head hit the cold, hard floor. He cradled her head in his lap whilst he checked for a pulse. He found one, but it was faint. Alex carefully lifted Lara; bridal style and carried her over to a sofa and gently set her down. Hillary came back in with a bottle of water and a clean cloth.

"These should help keep her temperature down" Hillary said, handing the items to Alex.
"What's wrong with her?" Alex asked rhetorically. Hillary sighed as he watched Alex stroke Lara's hair soothingly. Hillary picked up the bottle of water and wet the cloth; he screwed the cap back onto the water and folded the cloth. He dabbed the cloth on Lara's face and then placed it on Lara's forehead. She let out a whimper and then laid still.

"She may have contracted malaria" Hillary said gravely. Alex looked up at him with worry in his expression. "I'm not saying she has, I'm just saying it's a possibility."
"We need to find out. Can you keep an eye on her for me?" Alex asked, determination in his features.
"Of course Mr West, but where exactly are you going?" Hillary asked, his curiosity peaked.
"I'm going to go and pay Coyle a little visit" Alex said, looking angry.

With that; Alex went out of the hut and left Hillary in charge. He looked at Lara's pale, limp form before grabbing a blanket and draping it over her. 'She looks so vulnerable' Hillary thought before he heard something behind him and turned to a see a mercenary. The mercenary had his gun pointed firmly at Hillary's chest.

"If you let us take her in peace, we won't kill you" the mercenary stated. Hillary gave him an evil look before starting to speak.
"Well you can try to take her in peace but I'm not going to let you take her without a fight" Hillary said, his head held high.
"Then I guess we'll have to kill you" the mercenary said, lifting the gun to point it at Hillary's throat. "Take her". The other mercenaries complied and one took Lara's arms and the other took her legs. Hillary looked stricken as they took his charge away. The mercenary took slow, cautious steps back as he neared the door. Hillary heard someone in his mind and knew for a fact it was Kurtis.

Hillary, what's happening?
They've taken her...

It began to sink in that they had taken Lara and he had put up no fight to prevent it.

Who? Who's taken her?
The mercenaries
Oh god. Where's Alex? Does he know?
He went to see Coyle, and no he doesn't know.
Hang on. They're bringing someone in. It's Lara...
Is she okay? Have they hurt her?
She doesn't look so good. Ohgod, she's bleeding.
Is it serious?!

Kurtis' capturers were taunting him. To be honest, he couldn't bear seeing Lara in such a state. He tried to break free but they had bound him to a steel chair, his wrists were tied to the armrests and his ankles to the legs. He had only got a glimpse of Lara when they had brought her in. She was pale and there was blood dripping from her mid section. Kurtis had kicked up a fuss and it led to him being knocked unconscious by the butt of a rifle.

When Kurtis awoke he was in a dimly lit room, draped over the same steel chair he had been bound to previously. He was free to move around but chose not to. He closed his eyes as he heard footsteps and then someone unlocking the door. The silhouette stepped in and turned the single-bulb light on, Kurtis decided to ask about Lara.

"What have you done with Lara?" Kurtis asked snappily.
"Do you not see Ms Croft?" the stranger said sarcastically. The stranger crossed the room and turned on another light. It illuminated the room more than it was. Kurtis was concerned and angry at what he saw, Lara was sat huddled in the corner of the room; her body leaning on the wall, her face was tear-stained, her braid was falling apart, her shirt was covered in blood; which Kurtis knew was hers. She was, with what Kurtis heard, not breathing steadily.
"What did you do to her?" Kurtis demanded angrily. He glared at the stranger.
"You can find out for yourself Mr Trent, but heed my warning. This was only a warning, we could have done much worse to Ms Croft" the stranger said, his face expressionless. The stranger left and locked the door.

Kurtis crawled over to Lara. She flinched when he placed a hand on her arm.

"Hey, it's me, it's Kurtis" Kurtis said soothingly. Upon hearing his voice, Lara turned and leaned into him instead of on the wall. He placed his arms around her. He could feel the sheer cold that came off her. "It's okay, we're okay" he whispered in her ear. She was shaking uncontrollably and couldn't stop the tears from falling. Kurtis propped himself up on the wall with Lara in his arms. She began to settle and began to drift off to sleep.

"I swear I'll get us out of here, I promise you I'll get us out of here" he whispered before the darkness overtook him.