Chapter 11
The hood was on the run, he had managed to break out of prison after his arrest in London and was never caught. After a harrowing escape, he had finally found refuge in his temple nestled deep within the untamed wilderness of the Malaysian jungle. In his temporary sanctuary, he lay still, his eyes tightly closed, as he harnessed the full force of his powers to infiltrate John's mind with an iron determination. His ultimate goal was nothing short of breaking John Tracy, and in doing so, gaining control over the most formidable rescue organisation in the world.
"You will suffer, John Tracy," he whispered menacingly in his thoughts, his psychic grip tightening. With each passing moment, he forged through the depths of John's psyche, extracting the knowledge he desired.
"Tell me everything you know," he commanded, his demand laced with a chilling blend of dominance and hostility. John knew the stakes were high, aware that the fate of his brothers rested squarely on his ability to withstand this onslaught.
"I know the island is empty," The Hood continued, "Your brothers are on their way to rescue you."
Meanwhile, Jeff Tracy, filled with a mix of exhaustion and worry, found himself confined to a seemingly mundane hotel room. Having been forced to leave the hospital due to his lack of sleep, he sought refuge in this temporary lodging, wishing for respite from the burden that weighed heavily on his heart. Mike, mindful of his own responsibilities, refrained from taking an additional patient under his care. Therefore, Jeff had no choice but to seek sanctuary in the confines of his hotel room. Lying on the bed, fatigued but unable to surrender to much-needed rest, Jeff's mind was consumed by thoughts of the sinister man who sought to harm his beloved sons. The emotional toll weighed heavily on him, threatening to consume his every waking thought. With the weariness finally seeping into his consciousness, Jeff started to fall asleep, when an unexpected interruption jolted him back to reality. His watch emitted a sudden and insistent beep, cutting through the hazy daze of exhaustion. Startled, Jeff instinctively reached for his watch, bringing it closer to his face. It was Brains, the ever-reliable scientific genius and a trusted member of the organisation. As he activated the communication device, a flicker of hope ignited within Jeff's weary heart.
"Come in, Brains. What's the situation?" he inquired eagerly, grasping onto this glimmer of possibility like a lifeline. In this moment, even the smallest ounce of hope could quell the overwhelming anxiety that permeated his being.
Jeff listened intently as his friend Brains delivered the long-awaited update. Anxiety gripped him as he struggled to catch every word that flowed from Brains' lips. Finally, the news he had been desperately hoping for had arrived - his sons were on their way. Alan and Gordon, two brave Tracy brothers, were en route to join their family at John's side. Jeff let out an audible sigh of relief, grateful that his sons would soon be together to face the dire situation that had befallen John. Following his celebration, Jeff turned his attention back to Brains, eager to learn more about the ongoing rescue efforts. Brains shared that he had executed every conceivable check on the rescue site, leaving no stone unturned in his quest for answers. Jeff leaned in, his anticipation growing, waiting for Brains to divulge any significant findings.
"There was no evidence of a gas leak," Brains relayed, drawing Jeff's attention. But there was more to the story. Brains went on to explain that Lady Penelope had taken the initiative to reach out to the local authorities, seeking additional information. Jeff's face creased into a frown as his mind processed this new piece of information. What had prompted Penelope to take such action? What had she uncovered? Brains wasted no time in revealing the shocking truth. He disclosed that the earthquake itself had been a mere act of nature. However, what truly sent shivers down Jeff's spine was Brains' revelation that the subsequent rescue mission had been intentionally sabotaged. The collapse of the cave that had endangered John's life had been no accident. Someone, with malice in their heart, had orchestrated this sinister plot. The gravity of the situation sank in as Jeff absorbed this distressing information. The safety and well-being of his sons, his family, had been deliberately endangered. Anger surged within him, his determination to protect his loved ones growing fierce. Whoever was behind this would be brought to justice, no matter the cost. Acknowledging Brains' invaluable contribution, Jeff expressed his gratitude with a curt, "OK, Brains, thank you." Ending the call abruptly, he wasted no time, hastily exiting the hotel room. With every stride, his mind raced, formulating a plan of action. Determined and resolute, Jeff Tracy was ready to confront the enemy head-on and safeguard his loved ones at all costs.
Jeff hurried through the labyrinthine corridors of the bustling hospital, his heart pounding with urgency. The weight of Brains' unearthed revelation bore heavily on his mind, propelling him forward in a desperate race against time. Finally, he came to a halt outside the entrance of the intensive care unit, a threshold that marked both hope and despair. Perched on a delicate precipice between determination and anguish, Jeff hesitated for an agonising moment. His eyes fell upon John, lying motionless within the unit, surrounded by an intricate network of medical machinery and tubes. The mere sight of his second oldest son evoked a sharp pang of sorrow that reverberated through Jeff's soul. Yet, he knew that the gravity of the situation necessitated his presence within those sterile walls. Summoning a deep reservoir of fortitude, Jeff drew in a steadying breath before gingerly stepping into the room.
The reality remained unchanged. John's condition remained precariously stable, sustained by the ceaseless vigilance of the monitors and the artificial respiration provided by the intubation. He appeared to be a mere shadow of his former self, an embodiment of vulnerability and fragility. At John's side stood Mike, a stalwart pillar of strength, dutifully inputting the vital data emitted from the array of machines into his datapad. Uncertainty loomed in the air, intertwined with a flicker of hope for a brighter prognosis. Meanwhile, Scott, exhaustion etched across his face, was slumped in a chair, gripping John's hand with unwavering determination. Across the room, Virgil lay fast asleep, his visage serene and untroubled. Jeff's eyes met Mike's, and an unspoken understanding ignited between them. With a subtle gesture, he implored Mike to join him outside, away from the solemn confines of the room. A wave of concern etched across Mike's face as he finally found his voice.
"What troubles you, Jeff?" he inquired, the lines of worry etching themselves deeper into his features. Gathering his thoughts, Jeff mustered the courage to confide in his friend.
"It's regarding the rescue operation," he began, his voice tinged with trepidation. The weight of the impending revelation hung heavy in the air, lending an added sense of urgency to their conversation. Mike carefully listened, sensing that this would be no ordinary account. The gravity of the words about to be uttered seemed to mirror the seismic force of the very earthquake they were discussing.
"It wasn't an accident, my boys were set up," his voice trembled as he confessed. The shocking statement reverberated within Mike's mind. The supposed act of nature that had devastated their surroundings was now accompanied by the sinister element of human intent. Workers were targeted deliberately amidst the chaos, bringing an unforeseen dimension to the aftermath of the disaster. Mike's eyes widened in disbelief; his thoughts scattered like shards of broken glass littering the ground. He instinctively knew that immediate action was necessary to safeguard the hospital and those within its walls. Security needed to be heightened before further harm could be inflicted upon John. Despite the urgency of their conversation, their attention was abruptly interrupted by a jarring sound of alarms. Instinctively, they sprang into action, rushing towards the source of the commotion. As they entered the room, their eyes fell upon Scott, who stood tall, composed amidst the chaos. His voice filled the air, attempting to pacify John, who appeared to be in a state of distress. Suddenly, John's eyes flew open, but something was horribly amiss. The once-familiar eyes of John now bore an unsettling transformation, their colour morphed into a deep shade of red. Panic gripped the room, a chilling realisation dawning upon them.