So sorry for the delay. its been manic and this chapter required my full attention. Just a word of warning this chapter contains mentions and descriptions of torture but no more than your average young adult fiction these days.
Chapter 12
Her legs were ravaged with cramp as she sat in the mud, the cold seeping through her skirt. She could smell the wet earth on her, adding to her discomfort. In the time she'd been staking out her own house she'd ripped a strip off the hem of to wrap her damaged ankle. Knotting the ends, she took a breath and cautiously got to her feet, trying not to yelp as the blood rushed back to her lower extremities.
Initially upon inspection the house looked normal, the doors closed with the screens open. The flowers she'd placed on the kitchen windowsill a few days ago, provided a shot of colour in the otherwise green landscape, that was when she saw the shadow slip across the window.
The shadow passed the window at intervals, without her watch it was hard to determine but according to her count it was every 15 minutes in the last hour, and they seemed to be in no hurry to leave. It wasn't Gordon because the figure was too tall, but he could still be in there. Maybe as a hostage?
After an hour of observation (Lady Penelope had honed the upmost importance of thorough surveillance) Tin-Tin had developed a plan of action. Gordon would have objected fiercely, and Alan would have told her she was crazy, Jeff would have probably told her to stand down, but they weren't here.
With her jaw set in determination she waited for a break in the watch. As the figure retreated from the kitchen she set off across the couple of yards of muddied ground at the back of the house. She stole up the side of the potting shed and onto the roof as she'd done many a time as a girl. She winced as she dragged her bad ankle up. Carefully, she crouched along the apex before stealing onto the edge of the veranda. She hoisted herself over the banister and slunk under the window till she came alongside her own. She took a deep breath, shakily placing both hands on the glass. Tin-Tin pushed up the window slowly, wincing at the creaks. She'd always kept it well oiled when living at home so she could sneak in off a night out with Kai unimpeded but that had been many moons ago.
She prized it open enough to scrabble through barefoot so as to not alert the intruders to her presence. Once in her room she set to work quickly. She snatched up her compact mirror off the bedside table. An exact sister to Lady Penelope's, except Her's was inlaid with turquoise opal instead of pink pearl. She grabbed a tote bag of the back of the door slipping in some fresh leggings, a shirt and shawl. A creak resounded from the corridor outside, Tin-Tin paused in fear, listening intently. Shadows crept under the door, till they paused.
She dropped to her knees and dove under the bed. The doorknob clicked as it was released. Heavy boots with a patina slowly prowled around the bottom of the door frame with Navy trousers with a central crease. Tin-tin wished she could see more so that she might understand what or who the threat was. Dust motes swirled around her; she could feel the impending sneeze. In a panic she pinched her nose together, eyes watering.
The boots conducted one more turn of the room before the door closed. Tin-Tin breathed a sigh of relief at having been able to supress the sneeze. She waited a few more minutes before scooting out. She padded up to the door and pressed her ear to it, holding her breath.
Muffled footsteps faded into the distance; it sounded like just one person. She strained for the sound of voices but all she could hear was the radio. It didn't seem Gordon was here which was a worry. Knowing she couldn't risk anymore time, she retreated to the window and climbed back down into the damp jungle undergrowth. Once she was safely away from the house she found a small clearing around a lake. She cautiously checked around her before lifting open the compact in her palm. "Calling International Rescue" She called softly. "Calling International Rescue."
"International Rescue receiving you. Tin are you alright? You never call on this line." Alan's brow creased with worry as he stared at her blocked visual.
"It's a bit of an emergency can you put me through to your father please?"
"Sure, patching you through now."
The short wait was agony, her stomach somersaulting with the knowledge that Gordon was still missing. She was praying he'd called in to the family and her mind could finally be put at ease.
"Tin-Tin. Alan said you had an emergency what's wrong?"
"Has Gordon been in contact with any of you in the last twelve hours or so?"
"No Why?"
Tin-Tin stifled a gasp, pain tugging at her heart. He must be in serious trouble. She bit her lip. "Gordon's missing, I think he's been taken."
"Taken!" Jeff barked.
"Yes. Last night I went to see a friend but, on my way, I was car jacked by a man who was the spitting image of Gordon, but he was an imposter! I escaped but when I returned home just now there is a man guarding it and Gordon isn't there." Off Camera Jeff had gestured for Virgil to locate Kyrano.
"Tin-Tin are you hurt?"
"I just twisted an ankle but I'm fine, the man didn't hurt me. I jumped from the vehicle and drove it into a ditch."
Jeff's fingers tightened around the edge of the desk. He was about to make it his personal mission to hunt this man down. Kyrano having been briefed by Virgil slipped into view. Tin-Tin tried not to cry as her father looked at her with worry. God knows what she must look like. She reassured him quickly. "I'm alright father honestly. Just a swollen ankle I'm more worried about Gordon and I wanted to warn you all that if he contacts you or you see him, it could be the imposter."
"Please be careful daughter."
"Don't worry I will."
"Thank you for warning us so quickly. Tin-Tin, I suggest you go to the police to report the incident. We will arrange for Scott to collect you shortly."
"I can't leave without Gordon!"
"I'll send Lady Penelope and Parker to look for him."
"That would be welcome, but with respect Mr Tracy, they will stick out like a sore thumb here. Let me make some enquires first, I know the locals and the area well. I have a few ideas as to where I can find information.
Jeff turned and raised an eyebrow at Kryano. They quietly conferred with each other before turning back to the screen. "Very well but you have twenty -four hours. Penelope and Parker will be in touch.
Tin-Tin breathed a sigh of relief not a lot of time but better than nothing.
"Thank you."
"I want to hear from you every hour or we move up the timeframe."
"Understood."
"Be careful Tin-Tin, no risks."
"I hope you find him." Kyrano added.
Tin-Tin gave a weak smile. "I'll let you know if I do."
She signed off, tucking the compact back into her bag. She needed to change. She undressed quickly, carefully folding her skirt and blouse into the tote bag. She adjusted the collar on her shirt and tucked the compact into her front trouser pocket. She tightened up her walking boots which she had also grabbed, her ankle felt much better for the additional support, but she would need to pick up some pain relief in town. Finally, she stood and wrapped the shawl over her hair and lower half of her face.
She headed into the village marvelling at the daily hum drum of the market, the steady flow of traffic and pedestrians going about their daily business while her anxiety and despair thrummed within her. Tears threatened to fall as she wiped her eyes furiously, she had to keep it together, she would find him, she simply had to.
She walked the familiar path to a ramshackle house that her father's cousin called home. She watched carefully from across the road for a few moments before promptly crossing and pushing her way through the corrugated iron strip that led to the rear of the property. She carefully negotiated the steps one at a time before knocking and entering the house. She shut the door firmly before lowering her shawl. She made straight for the living space where Liu Mei was sat on the floor with a teacup raised to her lips. Lui Mei had aged gracefully, A few wrinkles seemly enhancing her ethereal beauty, her cheekbones still well defined. Her hair was a dark grey, tastefully rolled into the nape of her neck and pinned with an ornate grip.
Her daughter Li sat across from her. She was a tad older than Tin-Tin in her mid-thirties, but they had been close as children, Tin-Tin used to copy her fashion and had loved to sift through her cousins hand me downs.
Tin-Tin bent down to clasp Lui Mei's hand. "Makcik" She greeted her with a warm hug which Lui Mei returned.
"Tanusha. Lovely to see you. Please take a seat, have some tea."
"Thank you." She gave a short bow before greeting Li.
"Tin-Tin. I'm glad I caught you. I will be leaving shortly; I need to get the shopping done before I collect Laki from nursery."
Tin-Tin tried to sit awkwardly. "What's wrong?" Lui Mei looked concerned.
"Oh, nothing Makcik I merely twisted my ankle down the steps last night. I would welcome some pain relief though."
"You poor thing, Li, go and fetch the salve and some tablets please."
"Yes mother."
A few minutes later Tin-Tin was settled with a cold compress and salve, bringing immediate relief. Her shirt sleeve slipped up her arm, she quickly smoothed it over to conceal the grazes that ran from forearm to elbow. She hoped it wouldn't bleed through.
She painfully passed pleasantries for what seemed like an eternity but was mere minutes. Politely as ever she managed to deftly steer the conversation onto more important matters. "I was out of town last night visiting some friends on my own. Gordon was at the house last night but when I returned this morning he wasn't there. I was wondering if you may have heard or seen anything? Its unlike him not to leave a note or message me but not unlike him to take a morning swim or dive. He could still return." She didn't want to alarm her family, skipping over some truths, she just needed to know what the gossip was, and her father's elderly cousin had many sparrows that reported to her.
Lui Mei took a sip of her tea surveying Tin-Tin carefully. "The village was surprisingly quiet last night, as a result a lot of businesses shut up early. Asar noticed that Gordon didn't turn up for his usual after swim coffee this morning and Basir mentioned he missed him at the dockside. Mr Tracy has apparently been showing him a clever method of sustainable fishing that has improved his catch by fifty percent. He wanted to thank him."
Tin-Tin tried to smile but she just wanted to weep. She tightened her features, schooling her face. Gordon was such a sweet soul and would talk to anyone, but she never realised he had been befriending so many of the villagers.
Li added. "Old Harry saw him last night, he mentioned "The boy was training again". Li quoted him in a grizzly gruff tone. "He's convinced Gordon has been running drills every night like he's training for active service."
Old Harry was a British expat who was posted here many moons ago and liked the way of life so much he settled and retired here. He was a bit eccentric but astute in his observations for the most part. Tin-Tin made a note to visit him next, it seemed he was the last one to see Gordon.
"You haven't finished your tea." Lui Mei nodded towards Tin-Tin.
"Oh" Tin-Tin quickly gulped the rest down.
Lui Mei lent across and placed a hand over Tin-Tin's. "Try not to worry Tin-Tin I am sure he will be well; he seems like a very capable young man."
"Yes, he is." Yet the sickening feeling in her stomach wouldn't yield.
Gordon was on his knees, his head resting on his chest as he tried to block out the pain that coursed through every limb, his abdomen, his head. He'd knocked these guys down countless times, till they eventually had his arms chained behind his back to his legs. He literally couldn't move now but he couldn't afford to drop his guard. He kept focusing on his breathing, imagining the pain washing away with every release.
He was currently caught in a momentary lull; he suspected they were all holed up somewhere conferring as to what tactics to try next. They'd done beating the living daylights out of him, broken a few fingers, stabbed him through the forearm. He grunted as the wave of pain crashed through him again as he tried to move his arm to loosen his restraints. Once the blinding light across his eyes receded, he focused on the floor once more, picking out each grain of colour in the concrete from sandblasted cream to grainy grey. If he looked closely enough, he could see faint specs of black around the crimson drips of his own blood. He spat more out on the floor. He would not give in. He shifted and swore, this position was agony on his back, he just wanted to curl into a ball. He tried to focus on the colours on the floor.
The door slapped open once more reverberating against the wall. He saw large boots clack across the floor before he was swept up and dragged backwards under his arms. He was unceremoniously dumped in a heap before two hands forced his head back. He bit one of the fingers hard enough to draw blood, earning him a clap around the head. Two sets of hands now forced his head back before putting a sack over it. Gordon blanched. Sacks over heads never boded well, would it be execution or additional torture?
He listened carefully as he heard a barrel being rolled in. He heard the clink of a hose over the rim before the spray of water. Oh god they were going to waterboard him, one of the worst methods of torture. The one he feared the most. His stomach dropped through the floor. He cast his mind back to training, it had been so long, but he could survive this. He'd survived it before in training. He knew what he needed to do to survive and conquer.
He waited for what seemed like forever, the gushing of the water getting higher and higher. The frothing and bubbling against the metal. Suddenly the hose cut off and he was lifted, the chains loosened on his feet so he could be moved. He remained calm, fighting would only make it worse as much as his mind screamed at him to flee. He shook with exhaustion as they bent him in half and forced him over the edge. Water assaulted his eyes, his nostrils. The rough hemp fabric, chafed against his neck and stuck to his mouth and nose, he couldn't breathe, his vision went white at the edges as he desperately attempted to push through the oxygen starvation, carefully using the last precious breath he'd taken. The fringes of panic threatened to overwhelm him, he wasn't going to survive this, his limbs were going slack, his lungs screamed in protest, his chest tight all while water was forcing itself into every orifice, his throat was alight.
Just as he let go, he was hauled back in a flurry of water, spitting and coughing he heaved for air like it would never be enough, it burned. He hung limply.
"Where are the machines kept?" Tin-Tin's uncle yelled at him.
Tiredly Gordon mustered a feeble croak. "Go and find them yourself, asshole."
He sucked in a breath as he was bent over once more. Again, his mind screamed at him that he was dying, precious air escaping in bubbles as someone hit him in the side. He tampered down his mouth, his chest constricting until he began to shake uncontrollably, he was hauled out, water cascading down his chest, the fabric clinging to him as he heaved and heaved.
"Where?" Came the demand.
"Go F"-
He got dunked again.
A bell sounded in the station; a furious muffled growl escaped the Hood as he held up a hand for them to stop. He gestured for one of the policemen covered in the least water to go to the desk and see what the commotion was.
He waited as he heard the officer talking, then he heard a familiar voice. He stood stock still. He couldn't believe his luck. Strolling out of the cell, he made his way down the long corridor his ears pricked.
"Yes, I would like to report a missing person and a carjacking."
"Right Ma'am."
The Hood made his way around the desk.
"Uncle!"
"Tin-Tin, my dear niece what has happened? You look terribly concerned."
"I'm looking for a man who was staying with me, Mr Gordon Tracy. I was involved in a carjacking last night; I think someone has stolen his identity and now he is missing!" Her tote bag was wrapped around her hands so tightly the skin was white.
"It's alright, he has been found. I was contacted as they weren't able to get hold of you. I went to the house, but you were not there."
"Really? Where is he?" She looked so hopeful it repulsed him. No Niece of his should ever have been defiled by a Tracy. He would see to it; it would never occur again. His brother could no longer be trusted to provide for or care for his daughter. She needed to re-integrate with her culture and marry a man of stature, one who held power that could be leveraged to his advantage.
"He is here, I was just visiting him. He had been taken unwell after his ordeal."
"Ordeal?" She almost cried out.
"Come."
With a quick glance at the officer who nodded, Tin-Tin proceeded to follow her uncle who stood aside to let her go first. Her uneasiness grew as they passed the interview rooms and continued further down the dull corridor. She glanced back at him nervously.
"He's just around the corner, he needed to lie down." Her uncle indicated she should continue. Her uncle was her elder and she respected him, she nodded and continued despite the unease building within her.
They rounded the corner, and she gasped at the open cell door. A man was on the floor, rocked back on his haunches in dirty black shorts and a bright orange running shirt saturated with water. There were nasty wounds to his arms, deep bruising to his legs and a filthy hemp sack on his face.
Her breath hissed out of her as she whipped around to her uncle. "What's the meaning of this?" she made to run towards Gordon, but her uncle restrained her by the upper arm.
"He is no good for you Tanusha, you should be settled with someone of standing in this community, not some outsider with no faith." He spat angrily.
Tanusha…..Tin-Tin's ears rang as her mind flashed back to the night before the moonlight streaking through the car as her terror had threatened to overwhelm her, the barrel of a gun in her side. "Drive Tanusha." She'd forgotten the man had known her name, only her older relatives referred to her by her full name, she'd always preferred Tin-Tin and introduced herself as such.
"It was you!" She rounded on him in a mixture of fear and shock. She tried to pull away from her uncle, but he held her close.
He chuckled. "Ahh poor sheltered girl, your father was always weak. So easy to manipulate but I see your mother's fire in you. That was quite the risk to take last night."
"I don't know what your game is Uncle, but you need to release Gordon. Then you can explain to me who you really are."
"Gordon is going nowhere till he tells me what I need to know, and I think he will now. I think I've found the right leverage." The glee was barely concealed in his voice as he stepped on the ankle, he noticed his niece was weak on. She let out a strangled cry.
Gordon thrashed against his captors, kicking one in the leg and felling him to his knees before they got him under control again. "Don't you touch her!" He yelled, straining against his restraints. Not being able to see if she was mortally hurt was killing him. What had that monster done to her! His chest heaved, struggling for air. He'd never heard her cry out like that before, it made him wild.
"It's alright Gordon, he just stepped on my bad ankle, took me by surprise." She gasped as tears streaked her eyes; she remained composed.
"Gordon is going to tell me where I can find the Thunderbirds like a good little solider or he'll realise just how many ways I can wound him without laying a finger on him." The implications were clear.
"But that's preposterous! How does Gordon know?"
The Hood circled her. "What a fantastic actress you have become - do not lie to me! Gordon here carries many secrets as well as being in International Rescue, like how he stole my weapons and tried to kill me." The Hood indicated to his lacky's to remove the bag over Gordon's head. It was time he schooled his niece.
Tin-Tin eyed her uncle shrewdly. She wasn't one to disrespect anyone, but she was starting to realise her uncle was an awful man who didn't deserve her esteem. "How can that be true? You haven't even met Gordon before."
The Hood smiled coldly, it not reaching his eyes. "Ah but you see we have; he was but a boy then. He thought he was a match for me and found out the hard way."
Gordon had been slumped in his captors' arms, but he stiffened. Tin-Tin didn't need to know this. He didn't want her knowing. He closed his eyes; he could barely stay on his feet, like when he staggered over that listing deck when his best friend died and now his girlfriend…. She could…he closed his eyes willing this to end.
"What do you mean?" Tin-Tin looked to Gordon for reassurance, but he was swaying dangerously. She tried to shake her uncle off, but he held firm, she looked up at him, her gazing brimming with pain and bitter disappointment. Most men would have caved, if they had a heart. This one did not.
"Gordon and I met when he was in active service. It took me a long time to work out where he was from, it wasn't until many years later I heard the rumours of an elite W.A.S.P unit. Then I put the pieces together. Gordon ruined a very lucrative weapons deal for me that night he decided to relive me of my bounty. I dispatched his companion in minutes but Gordon here, to his credit gave me some trouble alas, that didn't stop me tossing him overboard in the end. He should have died that day, but it seems he's quite the survivor. His training has proven problematic for torturing him this time round too."
Tin-Tin watched Gordon slump forwards; his shoulders drooped. He couldn't or wouldn't look at her, his gaze on the floor. Gordon said he'd been a marine biologist, a scientist attached to the W.A.S.P submarine service. Mind you her uncle was meant to be a benevolent village healer not this despicable rotten excuse for a human. Everything she had known appeared to be false, her eyes had been opened against her will. How much had she been shielded from in her life?
"What training?"
"All EFO's are supposedly taught to withstand capture, including torture. They are honed killers despatched as a last resort under the secrecy of the United States military. Not even their citizens that they supposedly protect know about their dirty work. They are like ghosts discreetly murdering and stealing their way across the seas, ruining perfectly good business deals - people's lively hoods." The Hood spat out.
Gordon's head snapped up, his eyes burning with fury they almost seemed alight. It wasn't his secret to reveal, and he had no right talking about his unit that way. They wouldn't have to exist if it wasn't for threats such as this man.
The Hood suddenly dragged Tin across the floor towards Gordon. He shook her in front of him roughly. "So now you see why I tried to capture you the other night. Gordon is a ridiculously hard man to break, I ultimately would eventually but I don't have the time." The Hood leered at Gordon nastily. "Take a good look at his face niece because yours will shortly look the same unless Gordon here starts to sing like a canary. Now where are those Thunderbirds?" He threw Tin-Tin to her knees; she yelped as they scuffed against the rough floor. He slapped her hard across the face causing her to gasp.
Gordon wrestled against his restraints, getting one leg under him. He roared in anger, jumping forwards.
Tin-Tin cried out, holding up a hand. "Don't Gordon." She turned to plead with her uncle. "He can't tell you what he doesn't know. Let him go uncle. Please!"
"Oh, but he does know." He grabbed a fistful of her hair, dragging her backwards, she screamed, thrashing out with her legs. She held onto her hair as she desperately tried to relieve the pressure on her scalp. She could feel hair rip.
Gordon was already in a world of pain, but he couldn't let this continue. He yelled as his thumb dislocated. His wrists bloody, he managed to slip one hand out of the cuffs. That was all he needed. He had restrained himself long enough, now he had no choice. He couldn't let her get hurt, couldn't let her die like Glenn. He grabbed the knife hilt from his captor's boot and jammed it into the man's foot before yanking it out and slashing his Achillies tendon. The man let out a blood curdling scream. The other assailant tried to shoot at him as he rolled unsteadily to his feet. He swayed before charging and slamming the guy into the wall. Gordon stabbed the knife into the guy's shoulder. Wide eyes wild with fear reflected in Gordon's determined gaze. It was at that point Gordon realised how juvenile this poor teen was. He realised the young lad was pleading with him. Gordon removed the knife and kicked the gun away. The guy slid down the wall with a wail.
Gordon staggered around to see Tin-Tin grappling with her uncle. She had somehow managed to separate herself and had landed a slap across his cheek. He rounded on her in blind fury. She took a defensive stance looking determined. The brothers had all taught her a few things over the years. The Hood made to grab her again, but she blocked him. She saw Gordon out of the corner of her eye. She side stepped towards the door, turning her back to it. She was rewarded with her uncle mirroring her, his back to Gordon. Gordon crept behind him, knife out and advancing. His vision was blurred, the edges of the room indistinct. It took everything to keep pushing his feet one in front of the other, his muscles, limbs, head were all protesting. He just needed to buy her time.
He forced his eyes back open and lunged. Knife straight to her uncle's throat. The man was taller than him and Gordon had to grapple hard. "Go, Go, Go!" He shouted at her.
"Not without you!" She'd managed to pick up a discarded baton and smacked her uncle straight across the head as hard as she could. He went slack as Gordon dropped him, the knife nicking his neck on the way down. The Hood slumped onto his hands and knees blindsided. "Run!" She cried holding out her hand for him.
Gordon lurched forward the warmth of her touch flooding him. He gulped as he staggered under her arm. She guided them out down the corridor as a furious yell erupted from behind them. She looked back in fear before continuing to limp forwards. She slammed a gate home behind them, it clicked into place just as she felt hands rip at her shirt. He roared at her "Tanusha! You cannot escape me! I will find you both! Just as soon as I have those Thunderbirds. If I find your father, he is a dead man! He swore and turned on his heel to find the rear exit.
Gordon slumped against her, her warmth flooding him with the knowledge that she was here. She'd found him. He tripped over, she was constantly talking to him, reassuring him. "It' not far, you can do it Gordon, we're going to be ok…. I've got you."
They stumbled out into the bright light of the foyer, Gordon's eyes squinted against the assault, the light hurting him, he moaned.
Tin-Tin scanned around the foyer, leaving Gordon leaning on the counter she went around the back fumbling through cubby holes and tearing racks off the walls till she found what looked like a key card for a car.
She grabbed a couple of them and bolted around the desk stooping under Gordon once more. They hobbled down the steps and around to the car park to the side. Tin-Tin activated the cards till she saw two vehicles flash. She left Gordon against the wall rushing to the nearest SUV. She got in an started the engine before swinging round to pick up Gordon. She got out and quickly half lifted, half dragged in desperation forcing him into the front seat.
She slammed the door shut just as her uncle burst through back door of the precinct. They locked eyes before she ran round the rear of the car, scrabbling against the body work and jumped in. He started sprinting towards her, a flurry of dirt kicked up in his face and she flattened the accelerator, till he was a speck in her rear-view mirror. His roar of fury continued to echo within her long after he was out of sight.