The Hostage and the Wanted

Isabella woke up sometime later. She wasn’t sure how long she had been asleep but she certainly remembered the events leading up to her forced slumber.

“Killian, why?” She murmured, a slight pounding in her head but her heart rate was calm and surprisingly she felt as though she finally caught enough sleep to rejuvenate her body.

“Welcome back, Sunshine.” Ethan smiled from beside her, his hand running down her cheek.

Isabella opened her eyes and found she had been placed back on a gurney, her body back in four point restraints. She moaned, realizing she was once again stripped naked. Beside her, Killian laid, still unconscious on the chair Louis had been strapped into earlier. His head buckled firmly to the headrest and his body strapped down in eight point restraints. She did a double take at his neck, a silence collar had been placed around him, secured with an additional padlock.

He looked delicate and helpless, his eyes closed peacefully and she had wondered while she was asleep if Ethan had done more to him.

Noticing Isabella’s stare Ethan simple snorted.

“I wouldn’t worry so much about him as I would you, darling. Glen is pissed to say the least, he was able to counteract the system – anything you tried from Killian’s phone was blocked and a false signal was sent out, so, really, the only thing you screwed yourself out of was a shower. Those boys in the basement– they’re never getting out of there. Killian? He has to be punished for what he tried to do but Glen still wants him working and as for you, your fate remains the same.” Ethan shrugged, his eyes glancing down her body. “Although, it seems a waste to dispose of such a delectable body but that isn’t up to me.”

“Leave her alone!” Killian growled, his muscles flexing against his restraints.

His voice was filled with sleep but he forced his eyes open to look at Ethan hatefully.

“You excite far too easy, Killian, relax or you’re going to get wrinkles.” Ethan chastised sarcastically, walking to the chair and kneeling down to meet Killian’s stare.

“Stay AWAY from her.” Killian repeated through gritted teeth, trying to lunge at the blonde doctor.

“Shhhhh.” Ethan soothed, his hand going to the buckle on Killian’s chest and tightening it a little more before reaching into his pocket and producing the small key to the silence collar. “Glen asked me to turn the collar on as soon as you awoke. I must apologize for spraying you in the face with the knockout gas, I admit, it wasn’t much of a fair fight but I got two black eyes from Zayn that are now just lightening, I don’t need a towel rod in my skull. So, I suppose I’m not really sorry but if it means anything what so ever, I didn’t want it to be like this between us. Not that it’ll matter a few minutes from now.”

Killian just stared at Ethan as he watched the small key being placed in the top of the collar.

“Anything last words? Because they will assuredly be your last. Glen wants you unscathed enough to be able to still work but he wants to make sure to leave a permanent reminder. I figure I would offer you the opportunity.” Ethan gestured toward Isabella, thinking Killian would want to address her. Instead though, he spoke to Ethan.

“In my left back pocket, my phone is in there. I need you to smash it – if you don’t, the dynamite charge I have set will flatten this whole building and everyone inside. Check if you’re skeptical.” Killian growled which caught Ethan’s attention and he immediately searched Killian’s pocket.

Killian smirked, watching Ethan’s eyes. He knew it was their only sure shot. If his phone lost signal, his brother would know and come looking. Kellie knew his orders and that gave Killian some comfort in knowing when his brother got involved, war was not far behind.

Ethan dropped the phone on the floor and quickly brought his foot down on it, making sure the phone smashed in a million different pieces.

Killian smiled and closed his eyes before opening them and looking at Isabella,, feeling Ethan’s hands on the key again.

“I’m sorry I failed you but it’s not over, you just have to know that–“His sentiment was cut off when he heard the key turn.

“That’s enough pep talk. Let’s get this over with.” Ethan said, clicking the collar’s intensity level all the way up to the maximum.

The collar was set at such a high level that Isabella could hear it hum from where she was.

“You’re going to kill him! That’s too high!” Isabella exclaimed, struggling in her restraints before Ethan headed back to her side, hauling back and slapping her across the face.

“The collar doesn’t have the lethality to cause death. It does however, have more than enough potential to permanently stun their vocal cords. With the frequency of the electricity set so close to where the voice box is, it can vaporize them. At the max level set, it’s a guarantee. Glen warned him about getting involved and he obviously didn’t listen. He trusted you when he should have ran for the fucking hills. Death and misery follows you, Ana and yet, all these people keep getting caught in your web. Maybe your death would be a kind mercy to the rest of humanity. The boys in the basement, Killian, me – tell me Ana, how does it feel? Just knowing that the people you meet, get to know and trust all end up dead. You’re a disease that I would gladly rub out of existence if I could, if it were up to me.” Ethan glowered, forcing their eyes to meet.

“Why won’t you then? Why don’t you? If I’m such a disease, exterminate me. Show me mercy you would a dog and just put me to sleep. You’re never getting out of Glen’s grasp, you’re always going to be his little monkey – show him that you have the power to think for yourself, end me! Go on, do it!” Isabella screamed, which earned her a vicious slap across the face.

“I’ll only get such pleasure when Glen tells me I can. Until then, you will remain in the condition he so wishes.” Ethan ended the tension, kissing her forehead. “Besides, who else am I going to look at?? Emancipated or not, you are still beautiful – in the bride of Frankenstein kind of way. I admit, the scars are a bit hideous to look at.” Ethan observed, trailing his finger down one and stopped when it got to a still open wound.

“So is your face but you don’t see me making judgments, do you?” Isabella growled, her neck slapping back with force this time, making her cry out.

“Keep going, it’s just another nail in your coffin. Maybe Glen will order a slow death for you – put you in an isolation container and encase you in a cement block, drop you in the river. I’ve been told suffocation is a slow and painful process. With no air, you’d be dead in minutes – unable to breathe, unable to scream for help – trapped. Does that scare you, Ana?” Ethan smirked, grabbing her chin and forced her to look at him.

“Death doesn’t scare me, the end result is still all the same.” Isabella whispered, tears falling from her eyes.

Ethan grunted in disgust, throwing her face away from him and glanced at Killian who looked on hatefully, his own tears of anger falling.

“Aw, I upset your boyfriend.” Ethan mocked, going back toward him and patting his cheek. Chuckling when Killian turned his face away to avoid his touch..

“We’re friends.” Isabella replied, her voice worn and tired.

“Friends? Is that what the kids call it now a days?” Ethan snorted, disbelief clearly in his tone. “No offence but I see the way he looks at you – treats you. He cares far more than a friend. I know because I saw the same spark, the same way he looks at you, the same way I use to look at you.” Ethan’s eyes displayed something unreadable but he pushed it from his mind quickly.

“Letting go of the past might do you some good, Bright. They call them ex’s for a reason I believe.” Glen said, catching the last of the conversation as he entered into the room, a whip in his hand.

Killian tensed against his restraints, knowing exactly what Ethan meant.

“Killy! Just the Irish rodent I wanted to see. Ethan told me you let little Ana play on your phone. Luckily I was already aware of the trust issues you had with this company. Can’t say I blame you, considering Anastasia has a pretty face and even lovelier body. You were in charge of taking care of her and she slipped her tentacles into you and played you like a puppet. She tends to do that to all of her male suitors before biting their heads off. A female praying mantis type if you know what I mean,” Glen winked, walking over to Isabella and planting a kiss on the forming handprint on her cheek. “I see Ethan’s been getting a workout.”

Ethan rolled his eyes.

“She wants to die, I was just explaining to her what she could do to achieve that.”

Glen laughed.

“The codes and then you can do whatever you want. Although I’d suggest fucking her brains out, no use letting a perfectly good corpse go to waste.”

Killian struggled against his restraints, his eyes a burning passion of rage, his tears never slowing.

Glen noticed and let a smile slip wider over his beautiful face.

“Aw, it’s almost touching that you have such strong feelings for the girl. She tends to have that effect on people. However, you did betray my trust and went against my wishes. I can forgive you of your trespasses as I am a merciful God but I will see to it that you always have a reminder. So I’m taking away something that won’t permanently scar you. At least not physically – though it depends. I might not even have to do that if you’re willing to prove to me that I can still trust you.”

Ethan laughed when Killian’s brown eyes grew darker.

“I’d take his glare as a fuck you. Really now, Killian, is that any way to treat your boss?” Ethan retorted with sarcasm.

“Alright, well, I guess we’ll have to do it the fun way then.” Glen smirked, uncoiling the whip and showing it to Isabella. “You remember this, don’t you angel eyes? It was responsible for a lot of your reminders.”

Isabella whimpered, recoiling from Glen as far as she could.

“Sadly, angel face, my star attraction today is not you.” Glen chuckled, looking over at Killian before walking around the stretcher and to the chair.

All Killian could do was watch, his head immobile from doing anything else.

Ethan walked back to Isabella, grabbing a hold of her hair and forcing the girl to watch.

“This proves nothing! You can punish us and it won’t do anything –it won’t fix the situation. All it will be is another reminder, another scar. Please, Glen, if I don’t beg you for anything, I am begging you now. Don’t do this, don’t do this to him. I’ll take the punishment in his place. Take my voice, take anything you please, you’ve done it before; this wouldn’t be any different. Just please, don’t hurt him. Hurt me, kill me. I more than deserve it for what I’ve done.” Isabella sobbed, struggling to sit forward, stopped by the straps on her wrists.

Glen paused, seeming almost touched by her little speech.

“Oh darling, you have not even begun to feel sorry but I promise you, you will and if hurting the ones you care about is the only way to accomplish that, so be it.” He shrugged before swinging the whip up and bringing it down on Killian’s stomach.

Killian’s body reacted harshly but he kept his voice silenced. Jerking back against the chair and trying to brace himself for the next hit.

“Self-control? Although given your position, I shouldn’t be surprised.” Glen chuckled and let the whip snap violently downward again.

Killian breathed out through his nose harshly, concentrating on not crying out. He knew the moment he did, he would lose all control to talk and he wanted to live long enough to help Isabella escape this hell.

“I admit, even I’d be screaming after the second hit, you’re tearing his flesh too by the looks.” Ethan observed.

Isabella saw the long red pelts forming on his skin, blood rushing to the top and out his wounds, leaving cleanup much to be desired.

“Killian?” Isabella called out, her voice reduced to a mere whimper.

Killian forced his eyes to her, a ghost of a forced smile on his face, his brown orbs sparkling despite the pain.

“I’m sorry. I am so sorry.” Isabella begged for his forgiveness, flinching as her hair was pulled again and Ethan’s hand covered her mouth.

“Nope, time for Ana to be quiet. This punishment will serve as a reminder to you and him both.” Ethan said as Glen didn’t hold back, using his strength to hit him again, this time in the chest.

Isabella moaned into Ethan’s hand, physically feeling the agony radiating from Killian’s body.

“How many hits, Killian? A hundred? A thousand? How many times do I have to hit you before you break? Or will you break at all?” Glen asked thoughtfully, noticing the two prisoners hadn’t looked away from one another. They were feeding each other strength and it was at that point where Glen got his idea.

“I’ve gone about this all wrong. Maybe Anastasia should be my focus. Remove your hand from her mouth, I want to hear her scream to the heavens and beg her God for forgiveness.” Glen growled, walking a step to the gurney and raising the whip.

Killian watched on with wide fearful eyes.

The crack of the whip being brought down hard on her naked body, opening up an old scar and making Isabella scream out.

Ethan laughed, taking his hand and wiping the blood away.

“One down and nine hundred and ninety-nine to go.” Glen smirked.

Isabella let out a cry of agony, wishing for death more in that moment than she ever did before.

“You get to count, Ana, otherwise it will continue back to one every time. Since you didn’t count, I will begin again. So I suggest you count.” Glen ordered her calmly.

The whip went up, going down and hitting her leg.

Isabella screamed but didn’t count. Her voice was lost to everything but screaming, her mind moved too fast to comprehend anything but the pain.

Ethan sneered but enjoyed her suffering.

“Tsk, tsk, Ana.” Glen shook his head, bringing the sharp leather down on her again.

“O-one.” Isabella screamed out, sobbing for all she was worth, her chest heaving and sweat beginning to glisten on her skin.

“Good girl! You do know how to listen!” Glen praised sarcastically before letting the whip snap against the sensitive section of her vulva.

Isabella screamed, unable to speak words. Instead she tried to slam her head back but Ethan kept a firm grip on her head.

“Ok, start over. This time I think we’ll add some pretty marks to that face.” Glen decided, stepping back to aim the whip, glancing at Killian who was struggling to get out of his restraints, tears of agony playing in his beautiful browns.

“End her pain, Killian. All you have to do is beg for me to stop hurting her, beg for her wish of death and I might just grant it.” Glen antagonized, seeing Killian give in and scream out to them.

It was at that point, the vibration in his throat sent a shockwave up his vocal cords, frying them with intense heat; the fire surging throughout his body and it was no more than fifteen seconds after that he felt all consciousness leave him. The time felt like an eternity, his body unable to handle the current and another moment after, the aftershocks claimed his body.

Isabella screamed out to Killian in absolute panic. Lunging against her straps, only to be pushed back again violently and her throat gripped tightly.

“Shhhhh.” Ethan shushed gently, moving pieces of her stray hair before clamping his hand over her mouth again.

“That was fun.” Glen smiled, kneeling down to check Killian’s pulse, finding it was still strong – despite the uncontrolled shaking.

Isabella moaned, tears running down her face, her eyes watery and all the life gone from them. Glen noticed and went over, kissing the top of her forehead.

“Your time will come, darling. All I need are those files.” He promised, making Ethan release her throat and wipe the tears from her face.

“Fuck you! Fuck you! FUCK YOU!” Isabella screamed out, all her anger and pain coming to the surface. “I’ll fucking DIE before I tell you anything! Kill me! Just fucking kill me already, please.” She begged, wishing she could cover her face and cry herself into unconsciousness.

Glen grew angry but that was about all he had time for before the panic sirens above them started to blare, which caught his attention.

“There seems to be an unwanted guest in my building. I take you wouldn’t know anything about that, precious?” Glen asked Isabella sarcastically before motioning to Ethan. “Come on, let’s go check the monitors, see what’s going on.”

Ethan stepped away, glancing back one last time before following Glen to the elevator.

Isabella’s agonizing sobs broke into soft despair, her head glancing over to Killian.

“I am so sorry Heartbeat, on my grave, I am so, so sorry. I should be stronger, I wish I was stronger – for you I wish I was.” Isabella sobbed to her defenseless friend.

It seemed like a long time but she heard the door to the office open and the elevator greeting Ethan. She braced herself, hearing footsteps but what greeted her was the last thing she expected to see.

Standing in the threshold of the door incognito, was Killian –only not Killian.

She was still sobbing and had no idea what to say.

The stranger rushed forward and grabbed the spare white coat from its spot on the counter and throwing it over Isabella, wrapping it around her injured body before he undid her straps.

“You’re alright lovely, see? No one’s going to hurt you.” Kellie whispered soothingly before facing his twin brother, shock and anger registering in his eyes.

“His voice is gone, they took his voice! They electrocuted –he, I –” Isabella sobbed.

“That’s enough, sapling. We need to get him and you out of here. We’ll worry about damage control later.” Kellie told her sternly, pulling himself together and going toward his brother, a hint of worry in his blue eyes. As He unstrapped his brother from the chair.

Harry saw Isabella reach out for him, her eyes wet and she was still crying but he didn’t move, glancing at Niall who nodded in understanding, approaching the broken girl.

“I missed you, Dove.” He smiled warmly, feeling her body press against his.

He didn’t wait and picked her up bridal style, listening to Kellie calling for help. Harry obliged and once they were together, they headed out toward the door – stopping down the hallway.

Glen’s banner quickly gave way to threats and before any of them knew what was going on, the whole room erupted in violence.

Notes