Post by Admin on Aug 7, 2020 18:45:26 GMT
Conflicted
(Continuation of Hospital, Luke's Fright.)
(Combined threads from former site)
COLE posted
Cole leaned up against the wall in the barracks hallway across from the traveling cabinet. He knew it was a bit of an overkill to have five of his troops standing between him and the cabinet. Hank had said only Brennan, Luke and a boy named Liam were to arrive. Cole was using this as a training exercise. His men did not get to receive someone through the cabinet very often. Most of the visitors to his Isle of Perdition arrived on the platform in the main yard of the barracks. He smiled as one of the men reached forward and pulled the door open. All weapons were trained on the door. Brennan stood there, blocking most of the view of the two boys, Cole knew he had pushed behind him.
He stood up straighter and said, "You may exit the box. Please do not make any sudden moves or my men will be forced to subdue you." Brennan's gaze shifted between the five men and then he looked at Cole. "Come on out Brennan. Bring the boys out also. I have made no plans on how I am going to handle your visit. Don't force me to start out by tying you up and separating you from your charges. I am right, when I say your charges? We will go to my office and see what is to be done." Cole signaled for the men to stand down and let the three people out of the closet. He also silently signaled to make sure they followed him to his office, as he walked down the hall to the other end.
BRENNAN posted
Brennan shook his head until he heard one of Fixer's own men. The young man said as he grabbed Liam, "Sir, This one is Clan. I think separating at least the boys would be best?" He hated the look his cousin Liam gave but at the moment Liam was too scared of his uncle and grandfather to really choose to help clear the mind of the other young boy.
Before Brennan could move Liam furiously yanked away from Jonathan. He grabbed Luke and whispered in the boy's ear as he started to pull him down the hall in the opposite direction as the man who seemed to be in charge, "We need to get away and find out something to exchange for your freedom."
Luke only nodded as he let Liam pull him down the hall. He had been here before and knew there was no way off the island. If they even let them out of the hall it would have been a miracle and most likely a trap. Luke waited for the yell and the hit to stop them.
Bren was in shock looking at the boy that seemed to be using Luke as a shield. Bren also knew there was no way off the island unless Cole said so. He stood still, knowing the man would not intentionally hurt the boys. On the other hand Bren was considered an adult, so he would be taken down hard, if he tried to move away. The only thing which could be done now was to see what Cole had in mind for them, and try and protect the boys as much as he could.
(OOC: Luke, Liam, Bren are all my characters. Jonathan is an admin character.)
COLE posted
Cole stopped in his tracks and turned around when he heard Jonathan. He had the new young boy tight in his grip. Before he could get back to them Liam got out of Jonathan's grip, grabbed Luke by the arm and took off down the hall toward the Kitchen. There was no way out that way so he signaled Brennan to follow and slowly followed the retreating boys. They took a left into the Kitchen. As Cole kept walking he heard crashing pots and pans. China and glass also hit the floor. There was yelling which Cole knew meant the men and women in the kitchen were trying to block the boys from getting out the side door or the windows. Cole was not worried they would get loose. The people in the kitchen would not hurt the young ones.
Just as Cole, Brennan, Jonathan and two other men reached the doorway. The boys bolted out, knocking Cole into the wall and went into the room across the hall from the kitchen. Cole just shook his head. There were no other doors or windows in the room. It was used for meetings and mind diving when needed. Cole walked into the room far enough the others could enter behind him and stood with his feet planted shoulder width apart and his arms crossed over his chest. "There is nowhere to run Liam. Ask Luke and he will tell you. You are here until I decide you leave." The boy looked like a trapped animal. He backed up against a wall, pulling Luke with him. Cole did not move.
(OOC: I have permission to say what Luke, Liam, Brennan and Jonathan did.)
LIAM posted
Liam shook as Luke said, “Fixer has had the Core here several times. It is an island. There is no way off, Liam.” Liam looked at the man everyone was calling Fixer and then to Jonathan he said just above a whisper, “Please Jonathan you know...I can’t be here... I can't tell them anything. He will kill me the next time he finds me.”
Jonathan glanced at Cole and then slowly walked up to the boys hoping that Fixer trusted him enough to let him talk with the boy. "Liam, I know you think I have betrayed you by revealing you as Clan. But now your own mouth has sealed your uncle’s fate.” He had always hated his cousin Damir. The man was cruel and loved being feared by those like Liam.
Liam shook his head furious, “I am no traitor like you! My gene will be activated when I get older and prove my loyalty.” He glared at the man in charge, The man had turned his favorite cousin into a traitor. He would have the puppet kill the traitor while he dealt with the island’s leader.
Luke was scared as the pain racked his body. Liam gave a sly grin as he said, “You need the med don’t you?” Luke nodded. Liam pointed to Jonathan, “Then deal with the traitor while I deal with his master.”
Brennan had watched long enough. He walked up to stand beside Jonathan as he said, “Luke, don’t even think about it. Liam, I know you are scared but you go for Fixer, he will take you down. We are guests here and I will not have students dishonoring the school and our headmistress! Now do I need to deduct house points? Or are you going to show our host the respect due him?” It was all Bren say in the hope of saving the boys from the pain he knew Fixer capable of dishing out.
The look in Luke's eyes before he collapsed to the floor, showed the shame in his behavior he felt. Liam just went into a fighting stance as he said, “You think I care about Gryffindor losing points.”
COLE posted
Cole walked quickly over to Luke, pushing Liam toward Jonathan who grabbed Liam's arm and then picked Luke up. "Bring them," he said over his shoulder as he left the room and started walking to the other end of the hall, which held his office and several interrogation rooms. He wasn't going to interrogate the boys but he needed Luke somewhere he had the supplies to take care of his craving and maybe get Liam to understand he needed to start listening. Cole didn't like scaring children but he realized he had to become scarier than the people Liam was already feared.
He reached around Luke who was staring up at him and palmed the door lock. When it swung open he walked and deposited Luke on the bed. Glancing over his shoulder he made sure Brennan, Liam, and Jonathan had entered. The rest would stay outside unless he called them in. Going to the inset cabinet at the top of the bed, he dialed the combination and opened it. What he needed was right in front. Cole grabbed the small brown vial and a syringe, walked back to Luke and filled the needle. "It will be alright Luke. I am going to give you half of a hit. Soon you won't need it boy, I promise." Cole inserted the needle into Luke's arm and rubbed the spot to get the meds in his system as fast as he could.
Then he turned back and pointed to Liam. "Sit down Liam and keep your mouth shut. Refuse to and I will have you tied in the chair. Brennan sit down in one of the other chairs. You know the drill." Cole turned back to Luke who was lying flat on his back and more relaxed. "When you feel like you can sit, then take the third chair around the table." Cole walked over to the chair, across the table from the bed, turned it around and straddled it. He motioned for Jonathan to take a place behind Liam, hoping it would give the boy a feeling of protectiveness.
BRENNAN posted
Brennan shook his head as he went to stand by Luke. “I rather he not need it now, But since I have no voice here, I will just stay near Luke as his guardian, I am responsible for his well-being.” He knew that he had just fell into Fixer’s hands should the man plan on getting Brennan to betray more intel. Bren also knew to save Luke he would in a heartbeat. Looking at Jonathan he understood the man’s position.
Jonathan just looked at Fixer and said, “I doubt that Liam wants me anywhere near him, sir. He considers me a traitor to the Clan. As you saw, Liam won’t think twice about taking either of us out. He usually is not a fighter but right now he is only thinking about the results if he does not and his uncle finds out. I advise just separate the boys. Liam needs no medicine as the medicine is used mostly on outsiders. Neo was the only time it was used on a relation of the Clan.” He had to get Liam away from the other boy. Jonathan also wanted to protect Liam as he had not been around to protect Liam from Damir. He knew what would turn Liam against the Clan but if uncle Markus learned that Liam knew the truth of how Damir became his guardian. Jonathan was torn between helping get Liam away from the Clan and insuring that Liam lived long enough to avenge the rape of his mother and murder of who Jonathan believed to be Liam’s real father.
Luke sank into the bed and shut his eyes, “I would rather stay right here.”
Liam said with fury, “I won’ t have that traitor anywhere near me! I will tell you nothing!” Inside all Liam wanted to do was hide behind Jonathan. His cousin had found a way out of the Clan’s blood lust. Liam shook his head as he remembered that Jonathan had swore to find a way for them all not just himself. He glared as he thought, “You Lied to us. You left us and never looked back.” Jonathan had gotten himself out and left those like Liam who had idolized him, to face the Alphas alone.
COLE posted
Cole steepled his fingers in front of him and looked at the people in the room, over the top of the tips. Folding his arms on the table in front of him he said first to Brennan, "Bren, either take your place at the table or I will show these boys what I am willing to do to someone to be obeyed." Turning to Jonathan he said, "You will put Liam in the chair, secure him and take your place behind him like I said. That is an order not a request."
Looking over at Luke he said, "I have given you the choice of being there or here. You will continue to get that choice. At anytime you may join us though. If the pain gets too bad again let me know. I will be weaning you off of the drug, so there will be some pain until your body decides it doesn't want it anymore. That will not take long. After that it will be your mind and your mind only which will crave to power the drug makes you feel like you have. It is going to be a tough ride, but you can do it. Luke I know exactly where you are at the moment."
Cole looked back at the others waiting for them to take their spots at the table. He didn't want to hurt Brennan in front of the boys, but they needed to learn his power soon. If he didn't teach them respect for what he could do now, then later he would have to go a lot harder on them. He had known Luke since he was a second year. He didn't want to have to hurt the boy.
BRENNAN posted
Brennan whispered in Luke’s ear, “Don’t worry Luke. I’m not going anywhere except the table. You need Will?” Bren watched as Luke shook his head. He wanted his older brother but Fixer and Will were friends.
Luke let go of his cousin’s hand as he said in barely a whisper, “Better go Bren, Liam and I already got Mr. Cole in a foul mood. I should have talked Liam out of it but I don’t know it was just I guess I wanted him to be taught a lesson. He is coming between me and Star and I guess...”
Bren stopped him as he finished, “Jealous Luke, you have no reason to be, you know? Star only wants you and in two months you two can once again request her father to reconsider you guys dating. Now I will go seat down but only because you asked.”
Brennan walked passed Fixer and only said, “If Luke needs me, I will get up and go to him. I am allowing this because Martin for some reason thinks you can help Luke. I on the other hand will never trust you. After this talk, You will take me to see Tarik. You try to use my cousin’s addiction to get him to betray the Core or be your inside man and I will forget my orders and...”
He stopped as he grabbed Fixer’s shirt. He finished, “I will take you down. Luke has been through enough without you using this to hold over Luke or his brother William. At least William now sees you for what you truly are.” Bren inwardly was unsure but his anger was getting the better of him. The Head of Security felt like he had once again failed to protect Luke and it was flashing him back to when Shadow had tortured both him and Luke in the Shrieking Shack. He was spiraling out of control and there was nothing he could do to stop it.
Bren let go and went to the chair at the table. He chose to sit where he could watch Luke,
Jonathan did as instructed, he set Liam in the chair on Cole's left and across from Brennan. Inside he had a feeling that Fixer planned on getting answers. He had been able to hide information from Fixer. Now he had a feeling Fixer knew that Liam’s stunt could be used to force Jonathan to choose between keeping Liam safe and protecting the Clan as a whole. Jonathan looked down at Liam knowing that in his mind there was no choice.
COLE posted
"Very good. Now that everyone is in their places we will begin." Cole turned to Liam and said, "You have never been to my island before boy. It is called the Isle of Perdition. I rule here. I control who comes and who goes and when they come and when they go. Until I decide I have asked you all the questions I want, you will be staying with me. If you are good you will be allowed to be with Luke. Your cousin," Cole glanced at Jonathan, "will be in charge of you. He knows what will happen to him if you mess up. I have a rule not to torture children, but I know how to teach a brat a lesson. You will be permitted to talk with Luke as long as you talk and listen to me."
Cole looked up at Jonathan. "You will keep him out of trouble, even if it means tieing him to a bed, chair or even to a post in the main yard. If he does something you will receive double the penalty for the offense." Cole held back the chuckle when the look with came over Liam's face told him the boy would purposely do something wrong in order to see his cousin punished. Jonathan was capable of teaching the boy though. It was going to be interesting to see how long it took Liam to understand he could learn and even use Cole for protection from his family and all the Clan. He received a nod from Jonathan but the man was worried. Cole ran a tight ship when it came to having his orders followed. He could be nice, generous and kind but disobey him and he made quick work of the punishment.
He let his eyes roam to Brennan. "You have been here many times before Brennan. You know how this works. Luke is your responsibility. The same goes for you. If Luke breaks the rules you will receive double the punishment which has been allotted to the error in judgment. My job is to get Luke off of the drugs and make it so there is no psychological backlash from them. Luke is not going to like what has to be done." Cole glanced at Luke when he heard an audible gasp, but chose to not acknowledge it. The boy was brave, he would do fine. "I will be questioning both boys of course. If I see fit, you and or Jonathan will be allowed in the room when they are being questioned as long as you don't interfere with them answering my questions."
Cole reached out and grabbed Brennan's shirt the same way he had his. "Never .... I repeat Brennan Dawson, never grab my shirt again or you will find yourself on the wall," he threw his thumb over his shoulder, "faster than you can blink. I hope you understand this threat." Cole then threw Brennan back hard against his chair and stared, waiting to see if the young man would call his bluff.
BRENNAN posted
Brennan’s back hit the chair hard. He said as he adjusted his position so he was sitting up straighter, “Neither of us bluff Fixer. I hope you take what I said as a bluff cause next time it won’t be your shirt I grab. I hope I am understood.” He was worried about pushing Fixer too far but felt he had to show both Fixer and more importantly himself that Fixer was not going to be able to break him. Bren shook his head as he said, "You were requested to help Luke. Not to get answers . Get Luke clean of this drug and then the boys and I are leaving. Now as I said before, I want to see Tarik now!"
Liam shook his head. He had no intention of talking or even listening to this man. He watched Jonathan and silently dared him to stop him. Liam pushed off the table and attempted to get up and out of his cousins reach. He was leaving with or without Luke.
Luke watched Bren as the head of Security stood up to Fixer. He knew Tarik was here by what Cole had said earlier. He wondered what Tarik was doing here and why Bren was being so forceful to see him. Luke wouldn't mind seeing his mentor himself.
(OOC: Brennan, Liam and Luke are all my characters.)
COLE posted
Cole leaned forward and folded his arms on the table. "I agree you don't bluff Brennan Dawson, just know that you will not get another chance. As far as getting Luke clean fast and then letting you take the boys home, it isn't going to happen on your schedule. You have never been under the influence of what was given to Luke. The physical symptoms can be erased rather easily and depending on how fast I want them gone, will depend on how much pain Luke can handle. One of the side effects of taking him off the drugs is pain. The faster I try and get him off, by reducing the amounts he gets, the more pain there will be. So do you want me to leave it up to you on how quickly he gets off?"
"One other problem is the psychological effects of the drug. His body is going to eventually get to the point where he will not physically crave the drug, but it is going to take a lot longer for his brain to not crave the feelings of strength, power and false invincibility, the chemicals create. If you want Luke to be able to think for himself, then he will be here for a while. Of course, I will gladly make arrangements for you to leave, if you would like."
Jonathan stepped closer to the back of Liam's chair, put his hands on the boys shoulders and pushed him firmly back into his chair, where he held him. He wasn't trying to be painless in his hold. The boy needed to understand the seriousness of the situation. He leaned down and said, "Stay put Liam. Cap is not done with you yet. This is not's a kids game where you will be allowed to say you are done and go home. The Captain has total say so on if you stay or if you leave, so if I were you I would sit and listen."
Cole turned to Liam. He had seen the boy trying to taunt his cousin. The kid had guts and Cole liked that in him. He was going to have to be handled carefully. He had family loyalty which under normal circumstances was a good thing, but Cole needed him to see that his family was trying to literally take over the world, one small step at a time. Liam looked like he might sit still for a little bit, but Cole knew he would try again to push the envelope.
Cole glanced at Luke still lying in the bed. The pain should be building again by now. It was going to be interesting to see how much the boy could take before he asked for more. The amount Cole would be giving him would not make the pain go away completely, but it would lessen it a bit. It was going to take a good twenty-four to forty-eight hours to get the chemical need out of Luke's system, all depending on how strong the original dose was. Cole could pick up a few of the young man's thoughts. He was still debating on whether he was going to let the boys see Tarik, at the moment it was a no.
Cole turned back to Brennan. "So what's your decision Brennan? Do we do this my way or do you want me to push? I am in charge here. At the moment we are working on my schedule." Cole added a smirk to his face. "If you can't decide, I can give you a little demonstration on what Luke is feeling. Maybe a shot of the drug will show you what needs to happen?" Cole pushed himself out of his chair as if to go and get the drug for Brennan.
BRENNAN posted
Brennan shook his head as he said, "I have orders to allow you to free Luke of this drug. But Fixer that is where I draw the line! You will not be questioning these boys! Getting Luke clean is one thing. Your underhanded tactics is another! As of now Luke and the other Core seem to trust you. You push Luke into betraying their trust and believe me, it will destroy that trust. I finally got them to trust the ones protecting them..." He glared at Fixer. He was worried that Fixer forcing Luke to be his spy would do to his cousin. Brennan continued, "If you destroy that I will make sure that you regret it! They are kids and are not ever going to be anybody especially Khalid's pawns! Understand This Fixer!"
Luke shook his head as he felt the extreme pain but if Luke had his way there would be no more shots. He still had no memory of ever being given the drugs. He looked over at Liam and was sure the fear he saw in the boy's eyes had nothing to do with being on the island and everything thing to do with the man at the Shrieking Shack.
"Why can't I remember? Liam is terrified the man will assume that Liam talked. Liam feels betrayed by Jonathan and trapped with no way out. What the heck has Liam been through and how can he still feel loyal to those that did it?" Luke thought.
Liam shook his head as he said, "I am out of here traitor! You know nothing about loyalty! The brat will tell your master nothing! As for me, I unlike you are loyal to the Clan!"
COLE Posted
Cole put one hand on the back of Brennan's chair and the other on the table and leaned in to the man's space. "I understand what you are saying Brennan. I promise you the boys will not tell me anything they don't want to tell me. I don't plan on letting Khalid anywhere near them. They are on my island and I have the say so on what happens to them here. You are here to help them understand my abilities and try and keep them from making any errors which will force me to show them what can happen to people who misjudge my intentions. Look at Luke Brennan. Can you see the pain building in his body? Can you feel the pain that is starting to make him want the drugs? Should I give him more or should I wait until he begs me for it?" Cole had to wait to give Luke more even though he knew the boy was in pain. The pain was only going to get worse. When he had gone through the process, the elves had to tie him to one of the beds. He had screamed and begged for more, but they knew they had to hold off or he would never come out the other side of the need. His mind still craved the drug once in a while. The elves helped him fight the psychological need as they would eventually help Luke, but Cole had to get the boy to that point first. He sent out a mental message to Punta his head elf, to come and bring Tom with him. Cole was going to need help restraining Luke. It looked like he had been given a strong dose or doses.
Punta could also help the memories of what happened in the Shrieking shack come to the top of Luke's memory, but the boy was not ready for that to happen yet.
Jonathan wrestled the boy back to a sitting position and held his arms behind the back of the chair with one of his large hands. With the other hand he reached in his back pocket and pulled out a set of hand-cuffs. The Captain did not allow magic on the island, so most of thoes involved even a little bit in security, carried a few Muggle items to help with someone they were trying to subdue. The items rarely needed to be used, but were always at the ready. Jonathan, fastened the cuffs on the boys wrists tight enough so he couldn't get out of them, but not tight enough to cut off circulation. "Sit still Liam. You have no choice in this so just sit still."
Cole stood up from where he was leaning over Brennan and raised an eyebrow in Jonathan's direction, silently asking if he needed help. If Jonathan couldn't get the boy under control, Cole was going to have to use other methods. The boy was still a little young for most of them, but if he kept pushing they were going to be necessary. Cole looked out the window at the back of the room. It was still dark out. There was one way to try and break the boy, but it would be dangerous and Brennan would go crazy.
Jonathan only nodded at his Captain, letting him know if he needed help he would ask for it. He was asking to be allowed to see if he could get Liam quieted down without going farther.
Cole nodded back and sat back down in his chair. He looked one more time at Luke wondering how much longer the boy could hold out... it wouldn't be much longer Turning to Brennan he asked, "So you going to stick around. You still haven't told me whether you are going to follow my lead here or fight me all the way. If you are going to fight me Brennan, I'm going to have to split you and the boys up. The boys will be able to stay together, but you will be taken to another room. So what's it going to be?"
BRENNAN
Brennan got up and walked to where Luke was lying starting to shake slightly. "You okay, Luke?" He would not admit to Fixer but he wanted answers from Liam as well so he would stick this whole situation out to the end. He knew from looking at Luke the boy was trying so hard not to get any more of the drugs.
Luke said through gritted teeth as he slowly shook his head, "I am doing okay. I want no more of any of the drugs though ever! Promise me Brennan, I get no more! You have to promise me, please! I have no memory of anybody getting me hooked on this but I want nothing to do with this."
Brennan looked at Fixer as Luke's pain tore at him. He knew that he should not promise as he was unsure he could keep it. He looked back at Luke and wondered if Luke had any idea what he was requesting. "Luke, you sure you want to go cold turkey? Fixer is right I have no idea just what that would do to you." Luke only nodded, continuing to stare at the ceiling and gripping the side lowered side bars with white knuckled hands.
Brennan watched as Tom and the elf Punta entered. He glared at Fixer as he said, "Don't you even think it, Fixer! Tom's toy goes anywhere near these boys and I will take him out before he can reach them." He was so angry and had no clue why. "Mom?" he thought hoping that his blood magic could figure it out. All he heard was "gift"
Liam fought the cuffs until he saw Bren seem to freeze. He looked at Jonathan and shook his head, "I won't tell anyone anything and the brat can't! I am loyal and uncle will see that!" He was scared inward though because he had been punished for less by his uncle and grandfather. Liam wondered how long before it got back to his grandfather of him being here. He would just stay strong and get something to show uncle that he was loyal. He just prayed his uncle would listen prior to punishment.
COLE posted
Cole used hand signals and sent Punta to the bed where Luke was in ovious pain. He said to the elf, "Let me know." knowing Punta would understand he didn't want to give Luke another shot. He needed the elf to let him know if how little he could get away with giving the boy and still not have him in extreme pain. Cole remembered the pain when it had racked his body and he didn't want the young man to go through it. The elf nodded and went to stand beside the bed.
"Brennan, please come back and take a seat at the table. Punta will watch the boy and let me know what has to be done. Let the elf work."
Cole motioned Tom to come over to the table. "Tom Luke will not be a problem in his condition, but Liam is giving us some problem. Jonathan has been able to handle the situation at the moment. Brennan may need some assistance though." Cole was telling Tom that Brennan was his problem to control but he might have to step in and assist Jonathan also. Tom nodded and made his way over to the other side of the table to stand behind the now sitting Brennan with only two feet in-between them.
"Brennan, Luke will not be allowed to go cold turkey as you put it. The pain would be too much for him to handle. Punta will tell me how much I can get away with giving him to allow him some release from the pain, but still allow me to get him off it." Cole held his hand up, fingers spread, in the air. When he saw Punta noticed it he closed his hands into a tight fist. The elf nodded and turned back to Luke. Within seconds the sides of the hospital type bed were up and Luke's hands were magically bound to them. The elves were the only ones capable of doing magic on the island unless Cole said otherwise. Tom immediately stepped closer to Brennan and put his hand on the man's shoulder.
LUKE posted
Through the pain Luke had heard what they had planned for him. When his hands flew up to the side railings and were stuck there he went into a full panic saying, "I said no more drugs! Please I can't, not if I want to prove to Star's father..." Luke knew if it got back to Star's father he had been hooked on a drug of any kind, her father would tell her she could not date him. The man might even carry through with his threat and pull Star out of Hogwarts and send her to the United States school, Southern Sorcery Institute where her brother was going to school. She would not be allowed to communicate with him or with any member of his family. They had made a promise to each other that if anything like that happened as soon as they were 18 and of legal age, they would find each other. That would be over three years away. Luke could not fathom being without his Star for that long. He thrashed on the bed. His hands would not move. His legs became stiff and were unmovable also. The pain was becoming too much. He screamed as blackness filled his vision.
Brennan tried to rush to Luke's defense only to be held in his chair by Tom. He fought but the man was too strong for him. Bren glared at Fixer as he said, "Fixer, can't we at least try? It making Luke think we don't trust that he can do this. Punta, Luke is afraid that his addiction will get back to Star's father. He loves her and is so afraid he will be found unworthy by Star's father. I am willing to understand he can't go cold turkey but can't we let him choose when?" He was still furious but right now Luke need the strength of both Bren and Fixer.
COLE posted
As soon as Luke started to trash, Cole got up shaking his head no to Brennan's request. He wasn't going to wait for Punta to tell him what he already knew. Luke needed some of the drug. Cole had given him half strength last time and he was debating on doing the same. That would never get Luke off of the effects. He unlocked the special built in cabinet and took out he bottle needed and a syringe. Filling the syringe a third of the way, he walked to the bed and pushed the needle into the main artery in Luke's neck. Then he rubbed the spot, dispersing the drug as fast as possible. Luke's body, immediately started to relax. Looking at Punta he said, "Let him stay under but I want him conscious after the drug takes full effect. The only way I can judge how bad it is getting is by seeing how he is reacting. Treat him as you treated me, my friend. He is smaller and not used to the pain but he is strong and healthy." Cole received a nod. He returned to the table and straddled his chair.
"Brennan you will remain in that seat no matter what happens. The next time you try and interfere you will either be up on the wall or you will be taken out of the room. I will not say this again. Hands on the table, please, fingers spread."
Cole glanced at Liam. "You have no choice but to tell me what I want to know, boy. I have told you before this is my island. I have been able to find many ways of making someone give me the information I want. I have not decided what methods to use on you yet, but your actions will give me an idea. We will start off slow. What is your name and how old are you?" Cole was going to try questions he knew Liam could answer and ones the boy would not see a problem in answering. The first thing Cole needed to do was get the boy actually talking to him.
BRENNAN posted
Brennan shook his head, glaring at Fixer and barely keeping his hands flat on the table. "I won't let you use them. Let Punta keep him under and clean his system of the drugs. He is not you Frank." He went to stand.
Liam shook his head as he once again tried to get up. The handcuffs were still tight but he needed to try and get away. Maybe he could dive out the window and run.
He heard Fixer but looked over his shoulder at his cousin. "It can't and won't happen! The Brat is never going to remember. Neither of us will tell you." He looked at the security guy that had come with into the room following the strange elf, before turning his eyes on the man Brennan called Fixer. Fixer of what he had no clue. "You better get us off this island. Unless you want others to end up like the Brat." Liam was playing a hunch.
Brennan broke from Tom's hold, reached across the table, grabbed Liam, pulling him across the table, "What do you mean? Who?"
Liam laughed in Brennan's face. "The Brat's friends of course! They take trips a lot. Well..."
Brennan released Liam almost throwing the boy back to the other side of the table. If Jonathan hadn't caught him, he would have gone to the floor. Shaking he looked at Fixer. "Fixer, the Clan...they are planning on targeting the Core..." He tried to get up. He had to get the Core safe.
Liam smiled as he relaxed back into his seat. Maybe he wasn't going to have to escape. Brennan was scared. If he could talk Fixer into letting them go to save the precious Core, then he could get back to his grandfather and tell him what was going on. "Get me and Luke off this island and I might be able to stop the backlash." He hoped that Jonathan would keep quiet that Liam held no voice with the Clan.
Bren realized he wasn't doing a very good job of hiding his fear for the Core, but at the moment he didn't care. He stood his ground saying, "And if I refuse to help you Liam? What then? How do I know you are just trying to get Luke away from his chance at getting off the drug?"
Liam laughed as he said, "The drug Fixer is giving is nothing but a watered down version of what The Brat was given! There is no three shots and you are hooked! He got one and was begging for another! Now force Fixer to stand down or kids disappear!" Liam knew Luke had actually received three shots, but he wanted the people in the room to think the drug was a lot more potent then it was. This would make them think if any of the others got even one shot they would be lost to its effects.
Brennan was terrified. One shot did that to Luke. He looked at Fixer as he lashed out at Tom. He had to get away. "I can't risk them!"
Liam grinned as he knew he had finally found the weak link. His uncle would be pleased.
COLE posted
Tom grabbed Brennan's wrist and wretched his arm behind him, using his other hand he pushed the man to the table, slamming the side of his face hard onto the wood. "The Captain told you to stay in your seat. Now you have agitated the man and that is not a good move to make."
Before Cole could say anything Liam decided he was going to make another move. He understood the boy was scared but it was becoming more and more apparent he had to do something with him. He was fighting the idea of keeping him tied. Maybe.... just maybe he could come up with a way of taking the fight out of the boy.
Cole shook his head. The window was open, but outside were three sentries. Then he thought of what he needed to let happen. He would let Liam run and run and run. The boy could not get off the island. If Cole kept someone on his heals at all time, not letting the boy rest, then maybe he could take him down to the point where he would be more pliable and would listen. It would be a great training exercise for some of the newer recruits also. He could send one of his specialist trackers along, but tell them, to let the recruits work out the problem of keeping tabs on the boys. The specialist would only be there to nudge the men and women in the right direction. Cole smiled as he watched Jonathan
Cole waved Tom back. He wanted to hear what the boy was saying. Liam was giving information about the plans of the Clan without realizing it.
Cole folded his arms on the table. Liam was getting desperate. There was no way the boy could have enough say so in his grandfathers plans to stop anything the Werewolf had planned for the Magical world. Cole also knew Luke had more than one shot. There were three puncture wounds on Luke's neck, before he gave him any of the diluted drugs. Granted, on shot could have given Luke the need to have more, but it would have taken repeated shots to get Luke's brain and sub-conscious to grasp the idea, more shots would help and make everything better.
Cole lowered his head and then slowly raised it. He was not going to be able to concentrate on the boys if Brennan could not control himself. Cole held up his hand and crossed his middle finger over his pointer finger, pointing to Brennan. It was the signal to hang the man by the shackles on the wall. Punta pointed his fingers at Brennan and magically gave Tom assistance in wrestling the struggling Brennan to the wall behind where Cole sat.
Cole looked at Jonathan, uncrossed the fingers and pointed toward the window. Cole was giving Jonathan the signal to take off the handcuffs from Liam and let the man jump out the window, which he was sure the boy would make a try for. The sentries outside would chase the boy, but they had been told never to hurt a child. It would give Cole time to let the small tracker troop he had in mind, follow and let the boy run himself out.
BRENNAN posted
Brennan fought as much as he dared. "You heard him. Can we really risk that the Clan can't get to the Core? I can't! I have to get back and have extra protection placed on the Core. Frank, you promised William. Are you now willing to show your true loyalty by risking all that the Core stands for and the people they fight to protect? I can't." He pulled on the chains which held him spread eagle on the wall. The Clan had gotten to Luke. Bren was furious that Fixer would not take the boy serious.
He heard his inner blood magic, "Bren, relax" The hit wizard shook his head, "How can I mom? Fixer is willing to risk the Core just so he can interrogate Liam. I can't ..."
He watched as Liam smiled as he was released. "Wise Choice Fixer!" Liam stared at his cousin as he rubbed his wrists. They were sore and bruised but they would be fine. He had suffered through worse at the hands of adults who thought they were training him to be a better part of the Clan. Preparing him for the bite when his gene would be made totally active. "Though I think you and my traitor of a cousin belong on the wall as well?" In the back of his mind he knew this was too easy, but he had to take the chance. Maybe these men were not as smart as he had originally thought they were. His uncle would be so please with him if he got away and brought him the information he had learned. He smiled as he realized he would have a better pet for his uncle. Now all Liam had to do was get his uncle to listen.
He dodged around the table and dove out the window. yelling over his shoulder, "You guys will regret making the Clan your enemy."
COLEposted
Cole watched as Brennan was placed on the wall. He slowly turned his chair, so although he was still straddling it, he was now facing more toward Brennan, his back to the window. He put his elbows on the back of the chair and steepled his fingers, looking over the tips. "I am not going back on my word, Brennan. The Core will be protected." Cole would be sending extra troops to watch the school. He knew Punta had probably already sent out a mental message for one of the other elves to notify Darik of what could happen. Tal'mac would also be notified, which would get word to all five elfin clans in Scotland and the surrounding area.
Cole lowered his head and shook it slowly. He looked at Brennan and knew the man realized he had purposely let Liam escape. Cole pushed himself up out of the seat, walked over to the table below the sixty inch monitor and pushed a couple buttons. "Team three, bird is flying. Wear him out. When he rousts bring him back here. No harm to the flyer. I repeat no harm to the flyer. Report to Tom on progress." Cole turned to Tom and nodded. He received an answering nod as his Lieutenant left the room. The boy was strong and healthy. It was going to be a while before he stopped running.
Cole signaled Punta to revive Luke. He walked to the cabinet and filled a syringe one-quarter the way full. Before the boy was completely revived, he stuck the needle in his neck and rubbed it. It would probably be another twenty-four hours before the physical effects of the drugs were gone. Luke was strong willed, like he was, so Cole was hoping he would be able to fight the psychological effects without extra pain or help. The brain could make the body think it was in pain if it thought it should be. That was going to be the hardest side effect to eradicate.
Walking over to the wall, as Punta brought Luke to the surface of consciousness, he leaned against it next to where Brennan was hanging. "I promise you Brennan, I will do everything in my power to protect the Core. At the moment, Luke is my main concern. In twenty-four hours the physical effects of the drug will be gone. This is only the beginning of the process though. Luke's brain is going to be telling him he needs the drug to make the pain go away. Luke is not going to like what happens, because I am not going to be able to give him anything. His mind is going to have to be trained to not want the drug. I will let you stay with him if and only if you can control yourself and not cause any problems. Luke is going to need someone to hold his hand, possible hold him down and talk with him. It is up to you. I was hoping maybe Liam could fill some of this need, but the boy has to learn to not run."
BRENNAN
Brennan watched as Luke tried to fight getting anymore of the drug. The boy thrashed his body and tried to keep turning his head. He knew deep down Luke would lose the fight. "Will should be here. But once again nobody seems to know where he is at," Bren whispered a little annoyed with his cousin Will's playboy attitude. He looked at Fixer as he fought the chains, "Your job is to get Luke off that drug. Not to get him hooked more. Luke did not want that last dose and yet you gave it anyways!" Bren was getting furious. "Tell me how still giving it helps get Luke off the drug? You want me to not interfere than listen to Luke! As for Liam, I don't know why he was sent here but I am pretty sure it was not to help your army learn to hunt children! I will never trust you Fixer. Now where is Tarik!" something deep down knew he had and still trusted Frank Cole. "So why is my mind says one thing but my heart and blood magic says another?", Bren thought wondering if Fixer had indeed brainwashed him.
Luke shook as he felt the drug once again take over. The dream had been bad and Luke feared sleeping, "Please no more..." He paused as he thought about the coin in his pocket. Luke looked over to where Bren was hung spread eagle on the wall. "Bren, does Lance have the Core coin?"
COLE
Cole pushed off the wall and walked over to the bed. He put his hand on Luke's shoulder. "Relax boy you have already had another dose. Let it take effect and then we will talk, I promise." Cole felt Luke relaxing. The boys eyes were boring into him. If magic could be done by anyone other than the elves, Cole would have a large hole through his head.
"Relax, we will talk about what will happen next, when the drug is in your system. Luke, I cannot take away all the pain. You are quickly reaching the point where your brain is deciding there should be pain so it makes you feel it. The drug's effects physical effects are almost totally out of your system. Now relax." Cole started back toward Brennan, when he heard a question which made him stop.
Cole had not found the coin in Luke's which could be used to notify Core members where he was, in his pocket. Cole looked to Brennan waiting for his answer. Before Brennan would have been able to give a reply, Tom walked in and handed him a note. "Does it need a reply?" he asked his lieutenant.
"Yes, Sir. I think it might," Tom stood waiting.
Cole tore the note open and read it. It was from Hank at The Hogs Head in Hogsmeade.
Note from Hank:
Received bird in earlier. We captured the bird and are holding it. The enclosed message was being delivered to Luke. Since is the last place he would magically be known to have been it came here. Please advise what you want done with the Eagle Owl."
Note delivered by Eagle Owl:
I have a coin belonging to Luke. I am willing to trade the coin for a private visit from Luke. Tell him to leave a note at the Shrieking Shack and I will find him, when I am sure he is alone. If he doesn't want to come, maybe one of the other Core would like a private audience with me. I have so much I can teach them about the real world. I will wait three days before I invite one of the other members. I think I will entice one of the young females to talk with me. Three days Fixer.
An Old Friend.
Cole crumbled the notes up in his fist. He stared out the window for a few moments determined to get his temper under control. He turned to Tom and whispered in his ear, "Tell them to hold the bird for a day then send it back with a message saying. "Try your best. No to all your demands." Tom nodded. "Oh and Tom send one of our specially trained Owls to the Hogs Head. It will be a good time to try out their special training." Cole had been working with one of the ---- to see if they could train owls to follow other owls and somehow report back where they went. The birds minds could be read by the elves, so that wasn't a problem. A couple owls were ready to try. Tom nodded again and left.
Cole ran his hand through his hair. He had his spys everywhere but he needed some other help especially when it came to the coming and goings of Hogsmeade. He looked at Brennan and hesitated for a few heart beats. Nodding he made his decision. Carefully he flattened out the note from the unknown person and held it up for Brennan to read, "Care to help me find out who this person is, Profiler?"
BRENNAN
Bren shook his head as he answered after reading the note, "Help you NO, but don't worry Fixer. When you find out who the man is ...." He paused to give a sly grin, "... the Caretakers will have a very long chat with this guy!"
Brennan had never seen a note infuriate Fixer as this note did. Bren realized two thing quickly, "The note was for Fixer and not Luke. Whoever Luke's attacker is the man can rattle Fixer."
Profiler looked at Luke and debated going instead of Luke. His cousin was being used to send a message to Fixer and that was really scaring Brennan.
Luke was thrashing as his mind was taken by the drug. "He was back in the Shrieking Shack with Shadow. Bren was badly cut and Shadow was once again demanding for the medallion. As the nightmare got to the part where he became a human yo-yo, Bren heard a voice, You still have a way to change this. You don't have to be Shadow's puppet. Luke, I can teach you to protect them. Is it so hard for you? How about Star? You want her to suffer like Tia or Ash? Luke screamed No! as the nightmare changed and Luke found himself over Shadow's body as the dark spell left his wand. Luke had killed Shadow and it felt good. He heard the voice again, I can find Ash, do you want that Luke?
Luke was nodding as once again him and Liam was chatting with a cloaked man. He wanted his twin safe. He wanted Shadow to pay. "What must I do?" He heard the voice say, "Show me!" Luke shook as he had no clue how to show the Cloaked Man.
COLE
Cole watched Brennan for any sign he could give him some information on who the maniac who wrote the note was. The man knew Cole and considered himself a friend at one time, which as far as Cole was concerned would be included on a very short list, which had gotten shorter over the years. When Luke started thrashing, at least as much as he could with his hands tied to the raised railings of the bed, Cole walked over to the bed and silently asked Punta with his eyes, if he knew what was happening.
The elf looked up and shook his head. Cole had known the elves long enough to know he was lying, something most wizards thought was impossible. Elves had their own life stories that they allowed human's only a glimpse of. Cole looked at Brennan. The only reason he could think of that Punta did not say yes was that the elf did not want Brennan to know he could find out. "Get him out of the dream then my friend." Punta nodded and placed two fingers on Luke's temple. The boy instantly relaxed.
Cole was headed back to Brennan, when one of his troops walked in, went to attention and saluted. The woman handed Cole a note and then waited at attention. Cole had to smile because even though her body was straight as a board and her head was faced forward, her eyes were darting around the room taking everything in. He would be willing to bet if he asked her later to describe what she had seen, she would be able to give the smallest detail. His men and woman were trained to observe and remember.
He opened the note and rubbed his chin. Leaning up against the small table he dismissed the trooper, and turned to Brennan. "Seems Liam is trying to climb the old volcano on the north east end of the island. I have sent Mecum to make sure he doesn't fall. The elf will only use magic if Liam missteps. He is almost at the cave. It will be interesting if he goes in and gets to the other end. Maybe then he will see there is no way off the island." The beach side of the cave opening, showed only water dropping off past the horizon. "I will let him rest there for a little bit then get him spooked to running again. He will be steered away from the worse of the marshes on the South west end. There are some dangerous bogs there. Mecum will keep an eye on him. I think by tomorrow this time he will be exhausted enough to be brought back."
Cole snickered. The boy was doing better than he thought. He would be a good addition to either his force when he was old enough or to the Core at present. The only thing which had to happen was he needed to really discover how he was being used and be given the ability to change it... not a problem .... much.
Cole's attention was brought back to Luke who was now fully awake and starting another cycle of pain. He walked over to the bed and said, "Luke I am not going to give you another shot. You know Punta. I am going to have him stay with you. Your only job now is to try and convince your body you don't need the drug. It's not going to be easy Luke, I can attest to that from personal experience. I am going to release you from being tied down. You might need to hit the bathroom quickly and I want you to be able to move. This is going to hurt Luke a lot for about the next twelve or so hours, and I won't be able to make it stop. Do you understand?
(OOC: I have permission to say what Luke did)
BRENNAN
Brennan's whole body shook as he watched Luke suffer through what only could be a horrific nightmare. He pulled hard on the chains as he tried to get to Luke. He knew that whatever happened to Luke in that shack his cousin felt lost and was having a hard time accepting it. "Hang in there Luke. It will be alright boy. I will make it all right I promise," Bren yelled pleading with Luke to not give up. He had no clue if Luke even heard and understood his words.
He had heard what Fixer said concerning Liam's run around his island and asked, "Are you trying to force me into making another deal with you? I could at this moment careless what happens to Liam!" Bren inwardly shook though as he knew that no matter the boy's role in what Luke was now going through, Bren did care enough to once again make any deal with Fixer. Liam to Bren was as much a victim as Luke, if not more, as in all likelihood he probably had been treated worse for a lot longer by those who still appeared to have control over the boy.
Luke nodded his head slowly. The voice deep inside his brain was yelling at him to pretend to follow directions. It would be the only way he could escape and get back to his master, who cared for him and only wanted him to be powerful. Finding his voice he said with as much confidence as he could gather, "I am fine Fixer. Will you please have Punta untie me? I want to talk with you and Brennan."
COLE
Cole looked toward Brennan. He had always had respect for the man. Brennan was hanging on the wall, not knowing what Cole had in mind for him. He was pretty sure Brennan knew there would be pain involved. But instead he was trying to reassure Luke that everything was going to be all right. Cole slowly shook his head. "No, Brennan, everything is not going to be all right. Luke is about to go through the hardest thing he has had to endure. You cannot make anything right this time no matter how much you promise."
Looking back down at the boy in the bed he saw the fear of the future. Luke was brave, always had been but the boy knew he was about to suffer. The only way out the other side of the suffering was to endure, and Cole could tell he wasn't sure he was going to be able to make it though. Cole leaned on the side railing of the bed which was still up, with Luke's hands still bound to it. He captured the boys eyes as he quietly said, "I am not leaving Luke. I know you are scared but you can do this. You have no choice. The pain is going to increase. It is your brain telling you there should be pain, so it is causing it. Scream if you need to, that is not weakness." Cole patted his shoulder as the boy started to restlessly move his legs. The pain was increasing.
Cole turned back to Brennan. Walking over to him he leaned against the wall within a foot of the man.
"To answer your question, Brennan, no I am not trying to make you make a deal with me. Liam is my problem. He is no longer yours. The boy needs to be give in to listening to me. For that to happen he needs to be exhausted and at the end of his stamina. I need to be the only one who can build him back up again. That is why he is being run all over the island. I have a squad following him and a squad staying just ahead of him to steer him away from anything which will truly hurt him. He is being allowed to collect cuts and bruises though, because they can be used to remind him that trying to leave is fruitless." Cole stopped to see if Brennan was understanding what he was trying to say. He needed to break the boy, so he could build him back up again. Cole looked at his watch, "I am figuring we have a few hours yet before the boy gives up. He is strong willed and I am trying to correct fifteen years of training, by an organization that thrives on control of their members. That control is started at birth and there is no let up." Cole chuckled when he saw the realization hit Brennan's eyes, that he knew Liam was being controlled by the MacIntosh Clan.
(Continuation of Hospital, Luke's Fright.)
(Combined threads from former site)
COLE posted
Cole leaned up against the wall in the barracks hallway across from the traveling cabinet. He knew it was a bit of an overkill to have five of his troops standing between him and the cabinet. Hank had said only Brennan, Luke and a boy named Liam were to arrive. Cole was using this as a training exercise. His men did not get to receive someone through the cabinet very often. Most of the visitors to his Isle of Perdition arrived on the platform in the main yard of the barracks. He smiled as one of the men reached forward and pulled the door open. All weapons were trained on the door. Brennan stood there, blocking most of the view of the two boys, Cole knew he had pushed behind him.
He stood up straighter and said, "You may exit the box. Please do not make any sudden moves or my men will be forced to subdue you." Brennan's gaze shifted between the five men and then he looked at Cole. "Come on out Brennan. Bring the boys out also. I have made no plans on how I am going to handle your visit. Don't force me to start out by tying you up and separating you from your charges. I am right, when I say your charges? We will go to my office and see what is to be done." Cole signaled for the men to stand down and let the three people out of the closet. He also silently signaled to make sure they followed him to his office, as he walked down the hall to the other end.
BRENNAN posted
Brennan shook his head until he heard one of Fixer's own men. The young man said as he grabbed Liam, "Sir, This one is Clan. I think separating at least the boys would be best?" He hated the look his cousin Liam gave but at the moment Liam was too scared of his uncle and grandfather to really choose to help clear the mind of the other young boy.
Before Brennan could move Liam furiously yanked away from Jonathan. He grabbed Luke and whispered in the boy's ear as he started to pull him down the hall in the opposite direction as the man who seemed to be in charge, "We need to get away and find out something to exchange for your freedom."
Luke only nodded as he let Liam pull him down the hall. He had been here before and knew there was no way off the island. If they even let them out of the hall it would have been a miracle and most likely a trap. Luke waited for the yell and the hit to stop them.
Bren was in shock looking at the boy that seemed to be using Luke as a shield. Bren also knew there was no way off the island unless Cole said so. He stood still, knowing the man would not intentionally hurt the boys. On the other hand Bren was considered an adult, so he would be taken down hard, if he tried to move away. The only thing which could be done now was to see what Cole had in mind for them, and try and protect the boys as much as he could.
(OOC: Luke, Liam, Bren are all my characters. Jonathan is an admin character.)
COLE posted
Cole stopped in his tracks and turned around when he heard Jonathan. He had the new young boy tight in his grip. Before he could get back to them Liam got out of Jonathan's grip, grabbed Luke by the arm and took off down the hall toward the Kitchen. There was no way out that way so he signaled Brennan to follow and slowly followed the retreating boys. They took a left into the Kitchen. As Cole kept walking he heard crashing pots and pans. China and glass also hit the floor. There was yelling which Cole knew meant the men and women in the kitchen were trying to block the boys from getting out the side door or the windows. Cole was not worried they would get loose. The people in the kitchen would not hurt the young ones.
Just as Cole, Brennan, Jonathan and two other men reached the doorway. The boys bolted out, knocking Cole into the wall and went into the room across the hall from the kitchen. Cole just shook his head. There were no other doors or windows in the room. It was used for meetings and mind diving when needed. Cole walked into the room far enough the others could enter behind him and stood with his feet planted shoulder width apart and his arms crossed over his chest. "There is nowhere to run Liam. Ask Luke and he will tell you. You are here until I decide you leave." The boy looked like a trapped animal. He backed up against a wall, pulling Luke with him. Cole did not move.
(OOC: I have permission to say what Luke, Liam, Brennan and Jonathan did.)
LIAM posted
Liam shook as Luke said, “Fixer has had the Core here several times. It is an island. There is no way off, Liam.” Liam looked at the man everyone was calling Fixer and then to Jonathan he said just above a whisper, “Please Jonathan you know...I can’t be here... I can't tell them anything. He will kill me the next time he finds me.”
Jonathan glanced at Cole and then slowly walked up to the boys hoping that Fixer trusted him enough to let him talk with the boy. "Liam, I know you think I have betrayed you by revealing you as Clan. But now your own mouth has sealed your uncle’s fate.” He had always hated his cousin Damir. The man was cruel and loved being feared by those like Liam.
Liam shook his head furious, “I am no traitor like you! My gene will be activated when I get older and prove my loyalty.” He glared at the man in charge, The man had turned his favorite cousin into a traitor. He would have the puppet kill the traitor while he dealt with the island’s leader.
Luke was scared as the pain racked his body. Liam gave a sly grin as he said, “You need the med don’t you?” Luke nodded. Liam pointed to Jonathan, “Then deal with the traitor while I deal with his master.”
Brennan had watched long enough. He walked up to stand beside Jonathan as he said, “Luke, don’t even think about it. Liam, I know you are scared but you go for Fixer, he will take you down. We are guests here and I will not have students dishonoring the school and our headmistress! Now do I need to deduct house points? Or are you going to show our host the respect due him?” It was all Bren say in the hope of saving the boys from the pain he knew Fixer capable of dishing out.
The look in Luke's eyes before he collapsed to the floor, showed the shame in his behavior he felt. Liam just went into a fighting stance as he said, “You think I care about Gryffindor losing points.”
COLE posted
Cole walked quickly over to Luke, pushing Liam toward Jonathan who grabbed Liam's arm and then picked Luke up. "Bring them," he said over his shoulder as he left the room and started walking to the other end of the hall, which held his office and several interrogation rooms. He wasn't going to interrogate the boys but he needed Luke somewhere he had the supplies to take care of his craving and maybe get Liam to understand he needed to start listening. Cole didn't like scaring children but he realized he had to become scarier than the people Liam was already feared.
He reached around Luke who was staring up at him and palmed the door lock. When it swung open he walked and deposited Luke on the bed. Glancing over his shoulder he made sure Brennan, Liam, and Jonathan had entered. The rest would stay outside unless he called them in. Going to the inset cabinet at the top of the bed, he dialed the combination and opened it. What he needed was right in front. Cole grabbed the small brown vial and a syringe, walked back to Luke and filled the needle. "It will be alright Luke. I am going to give you half of a hit. Soon you won't need it boy, I promise." Cole inserted the needle into Luke's arm and rubbed the spot to get the meds in his system as fast as he could.
Then he turned back and pointed to Liam. "Sit down Liam and keep your mouth shut. Refuse to and I will have you tied in the chair. Brennan sit down in one of the other chairs. You know the drill." Cole turned back to Luke who was lying flat on his back and more relaxed. "When you feel like you can sit, then take the third chair around the table." Cole walked over to the chair, across the table from the bed, turned it around and straddled it. He motioned for Jonathan to take a place behind Liam, hoping it would give the boy a feeling of protectiveness.
BRENNAN posted
Brennan shook his head as he went to stand by Luke. “I rather he not need it now, But since I have no voice here, I will just stay near Luke as his guardian, I am responsible for his well-being.” He knew that he had just fell into Fixer’s hands should the man plan on getting Brennan to betray more intel. Bren also knew to save Luke he would in a heartbeat. Looking at Jonathan he understood the man’s position.
Jonathan just looked at Fixer and said, “I doubt that Liam wants me anywhere near him, sir. He considers me a traitor to the Clan. As you saw, Liam won’t think twice about taking either of us out. He usually is not a fighter but right now he is only thinking about the results if he does not and his uncle finds out. I advise just separate the boys. Liam needs no medicine as the medicine is used mostly on outsiders. Neo was the only time it was used on a relation of the Clan.” He had to get Liam away from the other boy. Jonathan also wanted to protect Liam as he had not been around to protect Liam from Damir. He knew what would turn Liam against the Clan but if uncle Markus learned that Liam knew the truth of how Damir became his guardian. Jonathan was torn between helping get Liam away from the Clan and insuring that Liam lived long enough to avenge the rape of his mother and murder of who Jonathan believed to be Liam’s real father.
Luke sank into the bed and shut his eyes, “I would rather stay right here.”
Liam said with fury, “I won’ t have that traitor anywhere near me! I will tell you nothing!” Inside all Liam wanted to do was hide behind Jonathan. His cousin had found a way out of the Clan’s blood lust. Liam shook his head as he remembered that Jonathan had swore to find a way for them all not just himself. He glared as he thought, “You Lied to us. You left us and never looked back.” Jonathan had gotten himself out and left those like Liam who had idolized him, to face the Alphas alone.
COLE posted
Cole steepled his fingers in front of him and looked at the people in the room, over the top of the tips. Folding his arms on the table in front of him he said first to Brennan, "Bren, either take your place at the table or I will show these boys what I am willing to do to someone to be obeyed." Turning to Jonathan he said, "You will put Liam in the chair, secure him and take your place behind him like I said. That is an order not a request."
Looking over at Luke he said, "I have given you the choice of being there or here. You will continue to get that choice. At anytime you may join us though. If the pain gets too bad again let me know. I will be weaning you off of the drug, so there will be some pain until your body decides it doesn't want it anymore. That will not take long. After that it will be your mind and your mind only which will crave to power the drug makes you feel like you have. It is going to be a tough ride, but you can do it. Luke I know exactly where you are at the moment."
Cole looked back at the others waiting for them to take their spots at the table. He didn't want to hurt Brennan in front of the boys, but they needed to learn his power soon. If he didn't teach them respect for what he could do now, then later he would have to go a lot harder on them. He had known Luke since he was a second year. He didn't want to have to hurt the boy.
BRENNAN posted
Brennan whispered in Luke’s ear, “Don’t worry Luke. I’m not going anywhere except the table. You need Will?” Bren watched as Luke shook his head. He wanted his older brother but Fixer and Will were friends.
Luke let go of his cousin’s hand as he said in barely a whisper, “Better go Bren, Liam and I already got Mr. Cole in a foul mood. I should have talked Liam out of it but I don’t know it was just I guess I wanted him to be taught a lesson. He is coming between me and Star and I guess...”
Bren stopped him as he finished, “Jealous Luke, you have no reason to be, you know? Star only wants you and in two months you two can once again request her father to reconsider you guys dating. Now I will go seat down but only because you asked.”
Brennan walked passed Fixer and only said, “If Luke needs me, I will get up and go to him. I am allowing this because Martin for some reason thinks you can help Luke. I on the other hand will never trust you. After this talk, You will take me to see Tarik. You try to use my cousin’s addiction to get him to betray the Core or be your inside man and I will forget my orders and...”
He stopped as he grabbed Fixer’s shirt. He finished, “I will take you down. Luke has been through enough without you using this to hold over Luke or his brother William. At least William now sees you for what you truly are.” Bren inwardly was unsure but his anger was getting the better of him. The Head of Security felt like he had once again failed to protect Luke and it was flashing him back to when Shadow had tortured both him and Luke in the Shrieking Shack. He was spiraling out of control and there was nothing he could do to stop it.
Bren let go and went to the chair at the table. He chose to sit where he could watch Luke,
Jonathan did as instructed, he set Liam in the chair on Cole's left and across from Brennan. Inside he had a feeling that Fixer planned on getting answers. He had been able to hide information from Fixer. Now he had a feeling Fixer knew that Liam’s stunt could be used to force Jonathan to choose between keeping Liam safe and protecting the Clan as a whole. Jonathan looked down at Liam knowing that in his mind there was no choice.
COLE posted
"Very good. Now that everyone is in their places we will begin." Cole turned to Liam and said, "You have never been to my island before boy. It is called the Isle of Perdition. I rule here. I control who comes and who goes and when they come and when they go. Until I decide I have asked you all the questions I want, you will be staying with me. If you are good you will be allowed to be with Luke. Your cousin," Cole glanced at Jonathan, "will be in charge of you. He knows what will happen to him if you mess up. I have a rule not to torture children, but I know how to teach a brat a lesson. You will be permitted to talk with Luke as long as you talk and listen to me."
Cole looked up at Jonathan. "You will keep him out of trouble, even if it means tieing him to a bed, chair or even to a post in the main yard. If he does something you will receive double the penalty for the offense." Cole held back the chuckle when the look with came over Liam's face told him the boy would purposely do something wrong in order to see his cousin punished. Jonathan was capable of teaching the boy though. It was going to be interesting to see how long it took Liam to understand he could learn and even use Cole for protection from his family and all the Clan. He received a nod from Jonathan but the man was worried. Cole ran a tight ship when it came to having his orders followed. He could be nice, generous and kind but disobey him and he made quick work of the punishment.
He let his eyes roam to Brennan. "You have been here many times before Brennan. You know how this works. Luke is your responsibility. The same goes for you. If Luke breaks the rules you will receive double the punishment which has been allotted to the error in judgment. My job is to get Luke off of the drugs and make it so there is no psychological backlash from them. Luke is not going to like what has to be done." Cole glanced at Luke when he heard an audible gasp, but chose to not acknowledge it. The boy was brave, he would do fine. "I will be questioning both boys of course. If I see fit, you and or Jonathan will be allowed in the room when they are being questioned as long as you don't interfere with them answering my questions."
Cole reached out and grabbed Brennan's shirt the same way he had his. "Never .... I repeat Brennan Dawson, never grab my shirt again or you will find yourself on the wall," he threw his thumb over his shoulder, "faster than you can blink. I hope you understand this threat." Cole then threw Brennan back hard against his chair and stared, waiting to see if the young man would call his bluff.
BRENNAN posted
Brennan’s back hit the chair hard. He said as he adjusted his position so he was sitting up straighter, “Neither of us bluff Fixer. I hope you take what I said as a bluff cause next time it won’t be your shirt I grab. I hope I am understood.” He was worried about pushing Fixer too far but felt he had to show both Fixer and more importantly himself that Fixer was not going to be able to break him. Bren shook his head as he said, "You were requested to help Luke. Not to get answers . Get Luke clean of this drug and then the boys and I are leaving. Now as I said before, I want to see Tarik now!"
Liam shook his head. He had no intention of talking or even listening to this man. He watched Jonathan and silently dared him to stop him. Liam pushed off the table and attempted to get up and out of his cousins reach. He was leaving with or without Luke.
Luke watched Bren as the head of Security stood up to Fixer. He knew Tarik was here by what Cole had said earlier. He wondered what Tarik was doing here and why Bren was being so forceful to see him. Luke wouldn't mind seeing his mentor himself.
(OOC: Brennan, Liam and Luke are all my characters.)
COLE posted
Cole leaned forward and folded his arms on the table. "I agree you don't bluff Brennan Dawson, just know that you will not get another chance. As far as getting Luke clean fast and then letting you take the boys home, it isn't going to happen on your schedule. You have never been under the influence of what was given to Luke. The physical symptoms can be erased rather easily and depending on how fast I want them gone, will depend on how much pain Luke can handle. One of the side effects of taking him off the drugs is pain. The faster I try and get him off, by reducing the amounts he gets, the more pain there will be. So do you want me to leave it up to you on how quickly he gets off?"
"One other problem is the psychological effects of the drug. His body is going to eventually get to the point where he will not physically crave the drug, but it is going to take a lot longer for his brain to not crave the feelings of strength, power and false invincibility, the chemicals create. If you want Luke to be able to think for himself, then he will be here for a while. Of course, I will gladly make arrangements for you to leave, if you would like."
Liam shook his head. He had no intention of talking or even listening to this man. He watched Jonathan and dared him to stop him. Liam then attempted to get up. He was leaving with or without Luke.
Jonathan stepped closer to the back of Liam's chair, put his hands on the boys shoulders and pushed him firmly back into his chair, where he held him. He wasn't trying to be painless in his hold. The boy needed to understand the seriousness of the situation. He leaned down and said, "Stay put Liam. Cap is not done with you yet. This is not's a kids game where you will be allowed to say you are done and go home. The Captain has total say so on if you stay or if you leave, so if I were you I would sit and listen."
Cole turned to Liam. He had seen the boy trying to taunt his cousin. The kid had guts and Cole liked that in him. He was going to have to be handled carefully. He had family loyalty which under normal circumstances was a good thing, but Cole needed him to see that his family was trying to literally take over the world, one small step at a time. Liam looked like he might sit still for a little bit, but Cole knew he would try again to push the envelope.
Cole glanced at Luke still lying in the bed. The pain should be building again by now. It was going to be interesting to see how much the boy could take before he asked for more. The amount Cole would be giving him would not make the pain go away completely, but it would lessen it a bit. It was going to take a good twenty-four to forty-eight hours to get the chemical need out of Luke's system, all depending on how strong the original dose was. Cole could pick up a few of the young man's thoughts. He was still debating on whether he was going to let the boys see Tarik, at the moment it was a no.
Cole turned back to Brennan. "So what's your decision Brennan? Do we do this my way or do you want me to push? I am in charge here. At the moment we are working on my schedule." Cole added a smirk to his face. "If you can't decide, I can give you a little demonstration on what Luke is feeling. Maybe a shot of the drug will show you what needs to happen?" Cole pushed himself out of his chair as if to go and get the drug for Brennan.
BRENNAN posted
Brennan shook his head as he said, "I have orders to allow you to free Luke of this drug. But Fixer that is where I draw the line! You will not be questioning these boys! Getting Luke clean is one thing. Your underhanded tactics is another! As of now Luke and the other Core seem to trust you. You push Luke into betraying their trust and believe me, it will destroy that trust. I finally got them to trust the ones protecting them..." He glared at Fixer. He was worried that Fixer forcing Luke to be his spy would do to his cousin. Brennan continued, "If you destroy that I will make sure that you regret it! They are kids and are not ever going to be anybody especially Khalid's pawns! Understand This Fixer!"
Luke shook his head as he felt the extreme pain but if Luke had his way there would be no more shots. He still had no memory of ever being given the drugs. He looked over at Liam and was sure the fear he saw in the boy's eyes had nothing to do with being on the island and everything thing to do with the man at the Shrieking Shack.
"Why can't I remember? Liam is terrified the man will assume that Liam talked. Liam feels betrayed by Jonathan and trapped with no way out. What the heck has Liam been through and how can he still feel loyal to those that did it?" Luke thought.
Liam shook his head as he said, "I am out of here traitor! You know nothing about loyalty! The brat will tell your master nothing! As for me, I unlike you are loyal to the Clan!"
COLE Posted
Cole put one hand on the back of Brennan's chair and the other on the table and leaned in to the man's space. "I understand what you are saying Brennan. I promise you the boys will not tell me anything they don't want to tell me. I don't plan on letting Khalid anywhere near them. They are on my island and I have the say so on what happens to them here. You are here to help them understand my abilities and try and keep them from making any errors which will force me to show them what can happen to people who misjudge my intentions. Look at Luke Brennan. Can you see the pain building in his body? Can you feel the pain that is starting to make him want the drugs? Should I give him more or should I wait until he begs me for it?" Cole had to wait to give Luke more even though he knew the boy was in pain. The pain was only going to get worse. When he had gone through the process, the elves had to tie him to one of the beds. He had screamed and begged for more, but they knew they had to hold off or he would never come out the other side of the need. His mind still craved the drug once in a while. The elves helped him fight the psychological need as they would eventually help Luke, but Cole had to get the boy to that point first. He sent out a mental message to Punta his head elf, to come and bring Tom with him. Cole was going to need help restraining Luke. It looked like he had been given a strong dose or doses.
Punta could also help the memories of what happened in the Shrieking shack come to the top of Luke's memory, but the boy was not ready for that to happen yet.
Liam shook his head as he said, "I am out of here traitor! You know nothing about loyalty! The brat will tell your master nothing! As for me, I unlike you are loyal to the Clan!"
Jonathan wrestled the boy back to a sitting position and held his arms behind the back of the chair with one of his large hands. With the other hand he reached in his back pocket and pulled out a set of hand-cuffs. The Captain did not allow magic on the island, so most of thoes involved even a little bit in security, carried a few Muggle items to help with someone they were trying to subdue. The items rarely needed to be used, but were always at the ready. Jonathan, fastened the cuffs on the boys wrists tight enough so he couldn't get out of them, but not tight enough to cut off circulation. "Sit still Liam. You have no choice in this so just sit still."
Cole stood up from where he was leaning over Brennan and raised an eyebrow in Jonathan's direction, silently asking if he needed help. If Jonathan couldn't get the boy under control, Cole was going to have to use other methods. The boy was still a little young for most of them, but if he kept pushing they were going to be necessary. Cole looked out the window at the back of the room. It was still dark out. There was one way to try and break the boy, but it would be dangerous and Brennan would go crazy.
Jonathan only nodded at his Captain, letting him know if he needed help he would ask for it. He was asking to be allowed to see if he could get Liam quieted down without going farther.
Cole nodded back and sat back down in his chair. He looked one more time at Luke wondering how much longer the boy could hold out... it wouldn't be much longer Turning to Brennan he asked, "So you going to stick around. You still haven't told me whether you are going to follow my lead here or fight me all the way. If you are going to fight me Brennan, I'm going to have to split you and the boys up. The boys will be able to stay together, but you will be taken to another room. So what's it going to be?"
BRENNAN
Brennan got up and walked to where Luke was lying starting to shake slightly. "You okay, Luke?" He would not admit to Fixer but he wanted answers from Liam as well so he would stick this whole situation out to the end. He knew from looking at Luke the boy was trying so hard not to get any more of the drugs.
Luke said through gritted teeth as he slowly shook his head, "I am doing okay. I want no more of any of the drugs though ever! Promise me Brennan, I get no more! You have to promise me, please! I have no memory of anybody getting me hooked on this but I want nothing to do with this."
Brennan looked at Fixer as Luke's pain tore at him. He knew that he should not promise as he was unsure he could keep it. He looked back at Luke and wondered if Luke had any idea what he was requesting. "Luke, you sure you want to go cold turkey? Fixer is right I have no idea just what that would do to you." Luke only nodded, continuing to stare at the ceiling and gripping the side lowered side bars with white knuckled hands.
Brennan watched as Tom and the elf Punta entered. He glared at Fixer as he said, "Don't you even think it, Fixer! Tom's toy goes anywhere near these boys and I will take him out before he can reach them." He was so angry and had no clue why. "Mom?" he thought hoping that his blood magic could figure it out. All he heard was "gift"
Liam fought the cuffs until he saw Bren seem to freeze. He looked at Jonathan and shook his head, "I won't tell anyone anything and the brat can't! I am loyal and uncle will see that!" He was scared inward though because he had been punished for less by his uncle and grandfather. Liam wondered how long before it got back to his grandfather of him being here. He would just stay strong and get something to show uncle that he was loyal. He just prayed his uncle would listen prior to punishment.
COLE posted
Cole used hand signals and sent Punta to the bed where Luke was in ovious pain. He said to the elf, "Let me know." knowing Punta would understand he didn't want to give Luke another shot. He needed the elf to let him know if how little he could get away with giving the boy and still not have him in extreme pain. Cole remembered the pain when it had racked his body and he didn't want the young man to go through it. The elf nodded and went to stand beside the bed.
"Brennan, please come back and take a seat at the table. Punta will watch the boy and let me know what has to be done. Let the elf work."
Cole motioned Tom to come over to the table. "Tom Luke will not be a problem in his condition, but Liam is giving us some problem. Jonathan has been able to handle the situation at the moment. Brennan may need some assistance though." Cole was telling Tom that Brennan was his problem to control but he might have to step in and assist Jonathan also. Tom nodded and made his way over to the other side of the table to stand behind the now sitting Brennan with only two feet in-between them.
"Brennan, Luke will not be allowed to go cold turkey as you put it. The pain would be too much for him to handle. Punta will tell me how much I can get away with giving him to allow him some release from the pain, but still allow me to get him off it." Cole held his hand up, fingers spread, in the air. When he saw Punta noticed it he closed his hands into a tight fist. The elf nodded and turned back to Luke. Within seconds the sides of the hospital type bed were up and Luke's hands were magically bound to them. The elves were the only ones capable of doing magic on the island unless Cole said otherwise. Tom immediately stepped closer to Brennan and put his hand on the man's shoulder.
LUKE posted
Through the pain Luke had heard what they had planned for him. When his hands flew up to the side railings and were stuck there he went into a full panic saying, "I said no more drugs! Please I can't, not if I want to prove to Star's father..." Luke knew if it got back to Star's father he had been hooked on a drug of any kind, her father would tell her she could not date him. The man might even carry through with his threat and pull Star out of Hogwarts and send her to the United States school, Southern Sorcery Institute where her brother was going to school. She would not be allowed to communicate with him or with any member of his family. They had made a promise to each other that if anything like that happened as soon as they were 18 and of legal age, they would find each other. That would be over three years away. Luke could not fathom being without his Star for that long. He thrashed on the bed. His hands would not move. His legs became stiff and were unmovable also. The pain was becoming too much. He screamed as blackness filled his vision.
Brennan tried to rush to Luke's defense only to be held in his chair by Tom. He fought but the man was too strong for him. Bren glared at Fixer as he said, "Fixer, can't we at least try? It making Luke think we don't trust that he can do this. Punta, Luke is afraid that his addiction will get back to Star's father. He loves her and is so afraid he will be found unworthy by Star's father. I am willing to understand he can't go cold turkey but can't we let him choose when?" He was still furious but right now Luke need the strength of both Bren and Fixer.
COLE posted
As soon as Luke started to trash, Cole got up shaking his head no to Brennan's request. He wasn't going to wait for Punta to tell him what he already knew. Luke needed some of the drug. Cole had given him half strength last time and he was debating on doing the same. That would never get Luke off of the effects. He unlocked the special built in cabinet and took out he bottle needed and a syringe. Filling the syringe a third of the way, he walked to the bed and pushed the needle into the main artery in Luke's neck. Then he rubbed the spot, dispersing the drug as fast as possible. Luke's body, immediately started to relax. Looking at Punta he said, "Let him stay under but I want him conscious after the drug takes full effect. The only way I can judge how bad it is getting is by seeing how he is reacting. Treat him as you treated me, my friend. He is smaller and not used to the pain but he is strong and healthy." Cole received a nod. He returned to the table and straddled his chair.
"Brennan you will remain in that seat no matter what happens. The next time you try and interfere you will either be up on the wall or you will be taken out of the room. I will not say this again. Hands on the table, please, fingers spread."
Cole glanced at Liam. "You have no choice but to tell me what I want to know, boy. I have told you before this is my island. I have been able to find many ways of making someone give me the information I want. I have not decided what methods to use on you yet, but your actions will give me an idea. We will start off slow. What is your name and how old are you?" Cole was going to try questions he knew Liam could answer and ones the boy would not see a problem in answering. The first thing Cole needed to do was get the boy actually talking to him.
BRENNAN posted
Brennan shook his head, glaring at Fixer and barely keeping his hands flat on the table. "I won't let you use them. Let Punta keep him under and clean his system of the drugs. He is not you Frank." He went to stand.
Liam shook his head as he once again tried to get up. The handcuffs were still tight but he needed to try and get away. Maybe he could dive out the window and run.
"You have no choice but to tell me what I want to know, boy. I have told you before this is my island........." ...
He heard Fixer but looked over his shoulder at his cousin. "It can't and won't happen! The Brat is never going to remember. Neither of us will tell you." He looked at the security guy that had come with into the room following the strange elf, before turning his eyes on the man Brennan called Fixer. Fixer of what he had no clue. "You better get us off this island. Unless you want others to end up like the Brat." Liam was playing a hunch.
Brennan broke from Tom's hold, reached across the table, grabbed Liam, pulling him across the table, "What do you mean? Who?"
Liam laughed in Brennan's face. "The Brat's friends of course! They take trips a lot. Well..."
Brennan released Liam almost throwing the boy back to the other side of the table. If Jonathan hadn't caught him, he would have gone to the floor. Shaking he looked at Fixer. "Fixer, the Clan...they are planning on targeting the Core..." He tried to get up. He had to get the Core safe.
Liam smiled as he relaxed back into his seat. Maybe he wasn't going to have to escape. Brennan was scared. If he could talk Fixer into letting them go to save the precious Core, then he could get back to his grandfather and tell him what was going on. "Get me and Luke off this island and I might be able to stop the backlash." He hoped that Jonathan would keep quiet that Liam held no voice with the Clan.
Bren realized he wasn't doing a very good job of hiding his fear for the Core, but at the moment he didn't care. He stood his ground saying, "And if I refuse to help you Liam? What then? How do I know you are just trying to get Luke away from his chance at getting off the drug?"
Liam laughed as he said, "The drug Fixer is giving is nothing but a watered down version of what The Brat was given! There is no three shots and you are hooked! He got one and was begging for another! Now force Fixer to stand down or kids disappear!" Liam knew Luke had actually received three shots, but he wanted the people in the room to think the drug was a lot more potent then it was. This would make them think if any of the others got even one shot they would be lost to its effects.
Brennan was terrified. One shot did that to Luke. He looked at Fixer as he lashed out at Tom. He had to get away. "I can't risk them!"
Liam grinned as he knew he had finally found the weak link. His uncle would be pleased.
COLE posted
Brennan shook his head, glaring at Fixer and barely keeping his hands flat on the table. "I won't let you use them. Let Punta keep him under and clean his system of the drugs. He is not you Frank." He went to stand.
Tom grabbed Brennan's wrist and wretched his arm behind him, using his other hand he pushed the man to the table, slamming the side of his face hard onto the wood. "The Captain told you to stay in your seat. Now you have agitated the man and that is not a good move to make."
Before Cole could say anything Liam decided he was going to make another move. He understood the boy was scared but it was becoming more and more apparent he had to do something with him. He was fighting the idea of keeping him tied. Maybe.... just maybe he could come up with a way of taking the fight out of the boy.
He had to get away. Maybe he could dive out the window and run.
Cole shook his head. The window was open, but outside were three sentries. Then he thought of what he needed to let happen. He would let Liam run and run and run. The boy could not get off the island. If Cole kept someone on his heals at all time, not letting the boy rest, then maybe he could take him down to the point where he would be more pliable and would listen. It would be a great training exercise for some of the newer recruits also. He could send one of his specialist trackers along, but tell them, to let the recruits work out the problem of keeping tabs on the boys. The specialist would only be there to nudge the men and women in the right direction. Cole smiled as he watched Jonathan
Brennan broke from Tom's hold, reached across the table, grabbed Liam, pulling him across the table, "What do you mean? Who?"
Liam laughed in Brennan's face. "The Brat's friends of course! They take trips a lot. Well..."
Liam laughed in Brennan's face. "The Brat's friends of course! They take trips a lot. Well..."
Cole waved Tom back. He wanted to hear what the boy was saying. Liam was giving information about the plans of the Clan without realizing it.
(Liam)..."Get me and Luke off this island and I might be able to stop the backlash ...
(Bren) ... "And if I refuse to help you Liam? What then? How do I know you are just trying to get Luke away from his chance at getting off the drug?"
(Liam) "... got one and was begging for another! Now force Fixer to stand down or kids disappear!" ...
(Bren) ... "And if I refuse to help you Liam? What then? How do I know you are just trying to get Luke away from his chance at getting off the drug?"
(Liam) "... got one and was begging for another! Now force Fixer to stand down or kids disappear!" ...
Cole folded his arms on the table. Liam was getting desperate. There was no way the boy could have enough say so in his grandfathers plans to stop anything the Werewolf had planned for the Magical world. Cole also knew Luke had more than one shot. There were three puncture wounds on Luke's neck, before he gave him any of the diluted drugs. Granted, on shot could have given Luke the need to have more, but it would have taken repeated shots to get Luke's brain and sub-conscious to grasp the idea, more shots would help and make everything better.
Brennan ... looked at Fixer as he lashed out at Tom. He had to get away. "I can't risk them!"...
Cole lowered his head and then slowly raised it. He was not going to be able to concentrate on the boys if Brennan could not control himself. Cole held up his hand and crossed his middle finger over his pointer finger, pointing to Brennan. It was the signal to hang the man by the shackles on the wall. Punta pointed his fingers at Brennan and magically gave Tom assistance in wrestling the struggling Brennan to the wall behind where Cole sat.
Cole looked at Jonathan, uncrossed the fingers and pointed toward the window. Cole was giving Jonathan the signal to take off the handcuffs from Liam and let the man jump out the window, which he was sure the boy would make a try for. The sentries outside would chase the boy, but they had been told never to hurt a child. It would give Cole time to let the small tracker troop he had in mind, follow and let the boy run himself out.
BRENNAN posted
Brennan fought as much as he dared. "You heard him. Can we really risk that the Clan can't get to the Core? I can't! I have to get back and have extra protection placed on the Core. Frank, you promised William. Are you now willing to show your true loyalty by risking all that the Core stands for and the people they fight to protect? I can't." He pulled on the chains which held him spread eagle on the wall. The Clan had gotten to Luke. Bren was furious that Fixer would not take the boy serious.
He heard his inner blood magic, "Bren, relax" The hit wizard shook his head, "How can I mom? Fixer is willing to risk the Core just so he can interrogate Liam. I can't ..."
He watched as Liam smiled as he was released. "Wise Choice Fixer!" Liam stared at his cousin as he rubbed his wrists. They were sore and bruised but they would be fine. He had suffered through worse at the hands of adults who thought they were training him to be a better part of the Clan. Preparing him for the bite when his gene would be made totally active. "Though I think you and my traitor of a cousin belong on the wall as well?" In the back of his mind he knew this was too easy, but he had to take the chance. Maybe these men were not as smart as he had originally thought they were. His uncle would be so please with him if he got away and brought him the information he had learned. He smiled as he realized he would have a better pet for his uncle. Now all Liam had to do was get his uncle to listen.
He dodged around the table and dove out the window. yelling over his shoulder, "You guys will regret making the Clan your enemy."
COLEposted
... "You heard him. Can we really risk that the Clan can't get to the Core? I can't! I have to get back and have extra protection placed on the Core. Frank, you promised William. Are you now willing to show your true loyalty by risking all that the Core stands for and the people they fight to protect? I can't." ...
Cole watched as Brennan was placed on the wall. He slowly turned his chair, so although he was still straddling it, he was now facing more toward Brennan, his back to the window. He put his elbows on the back of the chair and steepled his fingers, looking over the tips. "I am not going back on my word, Brennan. The Core will be protected." Cole would be sending extra troops to watch the school. He knew Punta had probably already sent out a mental message for one of the other elves to notify Darik of what could happen. Tal'mac would also be notified, which would get word to all five elfin clans in Scotland and the surrounding area.
He watched as Liam smiled as he was released. "Wise Choice Fixer! ... Though I think you and my traitor of a cousin belong on the wall as well?" ... He dodged around the table and dove out the window. yelling over his shoulder, "You guys will regret making the Clan your enemy."
Cole lowered his head and shook it slowly. He looked at Brennan and knew the man realized he had purposely let Liam escape. Cole pushed himself up out of the seat, walked over to the table below the sixty inch monitor and pushed a couple buttons. "Team three, bird is flying. Wear him out. When he rousts bring him back here. No harm to the flyer. I repeat no harm to the flyer. Report to Tom on progress." Cole turned to Tom and nodded. He received an answering nod as his Lieutenant left the room. The boy was strong and healthy. It was going to be a while before he stopped running.
Cole signaled Punta to revive Luke. He walked to the cabinet and filled a syringe one-quarter the way full. Before the boy was completely revived, he stuck the needle in his neck and rubbed it. It would probably be another twenty-four hours before the physical effects of the drugs were gone. Luke was strong willed, like he was, so Cole was hoping he would be able to fight the psychological effects without extra pain or help. The brain could make the body think it was in pain if it thought it should be. That was going to be the hardest side effect to eradicate.
Walking over to the wall, as Punta brought Luke to the surface of consciousness, he leaned against it next to where Brennan was hanging. "I promise you Brennan, I will do everything in my power to protect the Core. At the moment, Luke is my main concern. In twenty-four hours the physical effects of the drug will be gone. This is only the beginning of the process though. Luke's brain is going to be telling him he needs the drug to make the pain go away. Luke is not going to like what happens, because I am not going to be able to give him anything. His mind is going to have to be trained to not want the drug. I will let you stay with him if and only if you can control yourself and not cause any problems. Luke is going to need someone to hold his hand, possible hold him down and talk with him. It is up to you. I was hoping maybe Liam could fill some of this need, but the boy has to learn to not run."
BRENNAN
Brennan watched as Luke tried to fight getting anymore of the drug. The boy thrashed his body and tried to keep turning his head. He knew deep down Luke would lose the fight. "Will should be here. But once again nobody seems to know where he is at," Bren whispered a little annoyed with his cousin Will's playboy attitude. He looked at Fixer as he fought the chains, "Your job is to get Luke off that drug. Not to get him hooked more. Luke did not want that last dose and yet you gave it anyways!" Bren was getting furious. "Tell me how still giving it helps get Luke off the drug? You want me to not interfere than listen to Luke! As for Liam, I don't know why he was sent here but I am pretty sure it was not to help your army learn to hunt children! I will never trust you Fixer. Now where is Tarik!" something deep down knew he had and still trusted Frank Cole. "So why is my mind says one thing but my heart and blood magic says another?", Bren thought wondering if Fixer had indeed brainwashed him.
Luke shook as he felt the drug once again take over. The dream had been bad and Luke feared sleeping, "Please no more..." He paused as he thought about the coin in his pocket. Luke looked over to where Bren was hung spread eagle on the wall. "Bren, does Lance have the Core coin?"
COLE
Cole pushed off the wall and walked over to the bed. He put his hand on Luke's shoulder. "Relax boy you have already had another dose. Let it take effect and then we will talk, I promise." Cole felt Luke relaxing. The boys eyes were boring into him. If magic could be done by anyone other than the elves, Cole would have a large hole through his head.
Luke shook as he felt the drug once again take over. The dream had been bad and Luke feared sleeping, "Please no more..."
"Relax, we will talk about what will happen next, when the drug is in your system. Luke, I cannot take away all the pain. You are quickly reaching the point where your brain is deciding there should be pain so it makes you feel it. The drug's effects physical effects are almost totally out of your system. Now relax." Cole started back toward Brennan, when he heard a question which made him stop.
... Luke looked over to where Bren was hung spread eagle on the wall. "Bren, does Lance have the Core coin?"
Cole had not found the coin in Luke's which could be used to notify Core members where he was, in his pocket. Cole looked to Brennan waiting for his answer. Before Brennan would have been able to give a reply, Tom walked in and handed him a note. "Does it need a reply?" he asked his lieutenant.
"Yes, Sir. I think it might," Tom stood waiting.
Cole tore the note open and read it. It was from Hank at The Hogs Head in Hogsmeade.
Note from Hank:
Received bird in earlier. We captured the bird and are holding it. The enclosed message was being delivered to Luke. Since is the last place he would magically be known to have been it came here. Please advise what you want done with the Eagle Owl."
Note delivered by Eagle Owl:
I have a coin belonging to Luke. I am willing to trade the coin for a private visit from Luke. Tell him to leave a note at the Shrieking Shack and I will find him, when I am sure he is alone. If he doesn't want to come, maybe one of the other Core would like a private audience with me. I have so much I can teach them about the real world. I will wait three days before I invite one of the other members. I think I will entice one of the young females to talk with me. Three days Fixer.
An Old Friend.
Cole crumbled the notes up in his fist. He stared out the window for a few moments determined to get his temper under control. He turned to Tom and whispered in his ear, "Tell them to hold the bird for a day then send it back with a message saying. "Try your best. No to all your demands." Tom nodded. "Oh and Tom send one of our specially trained Owls to the Hogs Head. It will be a good time to try out their special training." Cole had been working with one of the ---- to see if they could train owls to follow other owls and somehow report back where they went. The birds minds could be read by the elves, so that wasn't a problem. A couple owls were ready to try. Tom nodded again and left.
Cole ran his hand through his hair. He had his spys everywhere but he needed some other help especially when it came to the coming and goings of Hogsmeade. He looked at Brennan and hesitated for a few heart beats. Nodding he made his decision. Carefully he flattened out the note from the unknown person and held it up for Brennan to read, "Care to help me find out who this person is, Profiler?"
BRENNAN
Bren shook his head as he answered after reading the note, "Help you NO, but don't worry Fixer. When you find out who the man is ...." He paused to give a sly grin, "... the Caretakers will have a very long chat with this guy!"
Brennan had never seen a note infuriate Fixer as this note did. Bren realized two thing quickly, "The note was for Fixer and not Luke. Whoever Luke's attacker is the man can rattle Fixer."
Profiler looked at Luke and debated going instead of Luke. His cousin was being used to send a message to Fixer and that was really scaring Brennan.
Luke was thrashing as his mind was taken by the drug. "He was back in the Shrieking Shack with Shadow. Bren was badly cut and Shadow was once again demanding for the medallion. As the nightmare got to the part where he became a human yo-yo, Bren heard a voice, You still have a way to change this. You don't have to be Shadow's puppet. Luke, I can teach you to protect them. Is it so hard for you? How about Star? You want her to suffer like Tia or Ash? Luke screamed No! as the nightmare changed and Luke found himself over Shadow's body as the dark spell left his wand. Luke had killed Shadow and it felt good. He heard the voice again, I can find Ash, do you want that Luke?
Luke was nodding as once again him and Liam was chatting with a cloaked man. He wanted his twin safe. He wanted Shadow to pay. "What must I do?" He heard the voice say, "Show me!" Luke shook as he had no clue how to show the Cloaked Man.
COLE
Cole watched Brennan for any sign he could give him some information on who the maniac who wrote the note was. The man knew Cole and considered himself a friend at one time, which as far as Cole was concerned would be included on a very short list, which had gotten shorter over the years. When Luke started thrashing, at least as much as he could with his hands tied to the raised railings of the bed, Cole walked over to the bed and silently asked Punta with his eyes, if he knew what was happening.
The elf looked up and shook his head. Cole had known the elves long enough to know he was lying, something most wizards thought was impossible. Elves had their own life stories that they allowed human's only a glimpse of. Cole looked at Brennan. The only reason he could think of that Punta did not say yes was that the elf did not want Brennan to know he could find out. "Get him out of the dream then my friend." Punta nodded and placed two fingers on Luke's temple. The boy instantly relaxed.
Cole was headed back to Brennan, when one of his troops walked in, went to attention and saluted. The woman handed Cole a note and then waited at attention. Cole had to smile because even though her body was straight as a board and her head was faced forward, her eyes were darting around the room taking everything in. He would be willing to bet if he asked her later to describe what she had seen, she would be able to give the smallest detail. His men and woman were trained to observe and remember.
He opened the note and rubbed his chin. Leaning up against the small table he dismissed the trooper, and turned to Brennan. "Seems Liam is trying to climb the old volcano on the north east end of the island. I have sent Mecum to make sure he doesn't fall. The elf will only use magic if Liam missteps. He is almost at the cave. It will be interesting if he goes in and gets to the other end. Maybe then he will see there is no way off the island." The beach side of the cave opening, showed only water dropping off past the horizon. "I will let him rest there for a little bit then get him spooked to running again. He will be steered away from the worse of the marshes on the South west end. There are some dangerous bogs there. Mecum will keep an eye on him. I think by tomorrow this time he will be exhausted enough to be brought back."
Cole snickered. The boy was doing better than he thought. He would be a good addition to either his force when he was old enough or to the Core at present. The only thing which had to happen was he needed to really discover how he was being used and be given the ability to change it... not a problem .... much.
Cole's attention was brought back to Luke who was now fully awake and starting another cycle of pain. He walked over to the bed and said, "Luke I am not going to give you another shot. You know Punta. I am going to have him stay with you. Your only job now is to try and convince your body you don't need the drug. It's not going to be easy Luke, I can attest to that from personal experience. I am going to release you from being tied down. You might need to hit the bathroom quickly and I want you to be able to move. This is going to hurt Luke a lot for about the next twelve or so hours, and I won't be able to make it stop. Do you understand?
(OOC: I have permission to say what Luke did)
BRENNAN
Brennan's whole body shook as he watched Luke suffer through what only could be a horrific nightmare. He pulled hard on the chains as he tried to get to Luke. He knew that whatever happened to Luke in that shack his cousin felt lost and was having a hard time accepting it. "Hang in there Luke. It will be alright boy. I will make it all right I promise," Bren yelled pleading with Luke to not give up. He had no clue if Luke even heard and understood his words.
He had heard what Fixer said concerning Liam's run around his island and asked, "Are you trying to force me into making another deal with you? I could at this moment careless what happens to Liam!" Bren inwardly shook though as he knew that no matter the boy's role in what Luke was now going through, Bren did care enough to once again make any deal with Fixer. Liam to Bren was as much a victim as Luke, if not more, as in all likelihood he probably had been treated worse for a lot longer by those who still appeared to have control over the boy.
Luke nodded his head slowly. The voice deep inside his brain was yelling at him to pretend to follow directions. It would be the only way he could escape and get back to his master, who cared for him and only wanted him to be powerful. Finding his voice he said with as much confidence as he could gather, "I am fine Fixer. Will you please have Punta untie me? I want to talk with you and Brennan."
COLE
"Hang in there Luke. It will be alright boy. I will make it all right I promise," Bren yelled...
Cole looked toward Brennan. He had always had respect for the man. Brennan was hanging on the wall, not knowing what Cole had in mind for him. He was pretty sure Brennan knew there would be pain involved. But instead he was trying to reassure Luke that everything was going to be all right. Cole slowly shook his head. "No, Brennan, everything is not going to be all right. Luke is about to go through the hardest thing he has had to endure. You cannot make anything right this time no matter how much you promise."
Looking back down at the boy in the bed he saw the fear of the future. Luke was brave, always had been but the boy knew he was about to suffer. The only way out the other side of the suffering was to endure, and Cole could tell he wasn't sure he was going to be able to make it though. Cole leaned on the side railing of the bed which was still up, with Luke's hands still bound to it. He captured the boys eyes as he quietly said, "I am not leaving Luke. I know you are scared but you can do this. You have no choice. The pain is going to increase. It is your brain telling you there should be pain, so it is causing it. Scream if you need to, that is not weakness." Cole patted his shoulder as the boy started to restlessly move his legs. The pain was increasing.
Cole turned back to Brennan. Walking over to him he leaned against the wall within a foot of the man.
... "Are you trying to force me into making another deal with you? I could at this moment careless what happens to Liam!"...
"To answer your question, Brennan, no I am not trying to make you make a deal with me. Liam is my problem. He is no longer yours. The boy needs to be give in to listening to me. For that to happen he needs to be exhausted and at the end of his stamina. I need to be the only one who can build him back up again. That is why he is being run all over the island. I have a squad following him and a squad staying just ahead of him to steer him away from anything which will truly hurt him. He is being allowed to collect cuts and bruises though, because they can be used to remind him that trying to leave is fruitless." Cole stopped to see if Brennan was understanding what he was trying to say. He needed to break the boy, so he could build him back up again. Cole looked at his watch, "I am figuring we have a few hours yet before the boy gives up. He is strong willed and I am trying to correct fifteen years of training, by an organization that thrives on control of their members. That control is started at birth and there is no let up." Cole chuckled when he saw the realization hit Brennan's eyes, that he knew Liam was being controlled by the MacIntosh Clan.
Luke nodded his head slowly.... , "I am fine Fixer. Will you please have Punta untie me? I want to talk with you and Brennan."
When Luke started to talk, Cole turned back his way. Cole knew the boy was not telling the truth. As soon as he was able the boy was going to try and bolt, like Liam had. Cole knew one thing the boy didn't know. Luke would not have enough strength in his limbs to walk. He might be able to stand if he concentrated, but with the mix of pain and fatigue, he would be like a one year old baby trying to move. Cole raised his hand and motioned for Punta to release Luke's hands and lower the side of the bed then step back. He watched as his wishes were carried out, then still leaning against the wall, he crossed his arms across his chest and waited.
(OOC: I have permission to say what Cole is seeing in Brennan and Luke.)
TARIK
Brennan shook as he asked, "Then what am I doing here on the wall? If you have no plans to push me into making a deal, then why this talk about questioning the boys? You knew I would and am thinking that your questions usually deals with you asking somebody to give intel on others that you can use to control them." He was remembering his own betrayal of Tarik to Fixer. Bren looked at the door as he said, "Tarik being here is due to your questioning me. You know Frank, I won't, no I can't let Luke be forced into giving you anything you can use against Tia and the Core." Tears were coming to his eyes as he thought of how to handle his shame at giving up Tarik's as well as others' secrets.
He watched as the door opened.
Tarik stood there in full robes. An specialist bowed low as he said, "Sorry Sir but he..."
Tarik cut the man off, "Fixer, we had an agreement which you have broke by bringing Luke and Brennan here! Explain before I show you why Magi have no need for wands! I will wait until Bren is off that wall and Luke is free from that bed and whatever you have him on!" Tarik was furious when he got word what had happened to the boys by the Clan. Now seeing how Frank was dealing with it was his true concern. He looked at Bren who still could not find in himself to understand that being Head of Security meant making the hard choices. The young man needed to accept that self-confidence was the main injury the Cloaked Man had taken from him.
Bren shook as he tried to calm his uncle, "Uncle Tarik, it is not what it appears. Please Don't do what you are thinking. I could not..." He felt he had failed in not only protecting Luke from the Clan but now his uncle was about to fight Fixer to protect not only Luke but him. Even after Bren's betrayal his uncle still considered Bren worth fighting for.
Luke smiled as the elf released him. He tried to walk to Tarik as he said, "Fixer, has another boy here Tarik. We need to find him before Fixer's army does." He inwardly heard the voice remind him to deal with Fixer and now he knew the very way to do it.
He barely reached Tarik as he said playing on Tarik's protectiveness, "Fixer almost forced me to give him intel on the Princess. He put Bren on the wall because Brennan just tried to protect me Tarik. How could I have been so wrong? He just wants Tia to get him the box." At that moment the voice was about to say something as he fell into Tarik's arms.
Tarik grabbed Luke and laid him back on the bed. He walked over to Bren and put him to sleep. He then headed for the table. Taking a seat he said, "You have ten Frank, you better start with why Bren still blames himself for me working on the translation? Then we need to figure out why somebody in the Clan wants Luke to kill you? If Bren had not started explaining I might have believed Luke's lie."
COLE
Cole had turned quickly when the door opened and Tarik was standing there. He slowly let a smile take over his face. The Magi was here on one of his promised rotations to translate the ancient scrolls Cole had in his position thanks to the late Dali Lama. Tarik was supposed to be isolated in another room though. Cole looked toward Punta who shrugged and sent him a mental picture of Darik the head elf in Hogsmeade, the one elf who rivaled all the other elves Cole had ever come in contact with. All the elves on the Isle of Perdition and on Khalid's island were Tocoferty, Sons of the Father who gives life or Prince of their respective clans. Darik was a Tocofer, Father Who Gives Life or King of his Clan. Out of the five clans in Scotland and the fifteen others around the world, Darik was the only Tocofer who worked close with the Wizard population, to try and bring Peace to the world, magical or otherwise. The only elf with power to rival Darik's was Tal'mac, who was head of the council, ruling all the clans on the Scottish lands.
"So Darik has allowed you to roam my island freely, Tarik. I will agree to this as long as you do not disrupt what is happening and you continue to keep your word on what you are doing here." Cole walked to the seat across from Tarik and straddled the backward chair.
Cole looked toward Luke who was on his back, fighting the pain. The boy had more determination than Cole would have given him credit for. He then looked at Brennan as he still hung on the wall. Cole signaled Punta to take the man down and lie him on the floor. There was no other bed in the room, but the elf would levitate Brennan's body enough so he would be comfortable until Tarik decided to wake him.
Turning back to Tarik he started. "Luke was brought here because I am the only one at the present time who can help him. He is not a prisoner per se, but he needs to stay here for the time being. Luke was given the same drug which was given to me by the MacIntosh clan. I am still not sure who administered it, because I can't get a clear picture. By the puncture wounds on his neck, I can tell he was given three doses. I have been giving him more over the past couple of hours, halving each dose. The last one he received was one quarter of a full needle's worth. I don't dare give him any more. At the present his body is clear of the drug. His pain is all coming from his mind. I can't block that pain or his mind will never accept the fact it should not be telling Luke he is in pain. It will probably be another twelve hours or so before Luke is back close to normal. Even after all this time, if I think about the pain, my body gives me pain. The boy is going to seriously hurt, Magi and I have to let it happen."
Cole lowered his head and ran his hands through his hair, before he folded his arms on the table in front of him and continued. "Brennan was on the wall, because I threatened him with being put there if he didn't stop arguing with me about how I was handling Luke. He has never felt this type of pain before. Brennan wouldn't stop so I had to prove to him I don't ever lie. I will do what I say I am going to do. Brennan, has not been hurt in any other way and would have been off the wall within the hour, because Luke is going to need his strength to get through this."
Cole again raked his hands through his hair. "The other boy Luke is talking about is named Liam. You know him from the school. I am convinced the boy is being controlled by the MacIntosh Clan in some way. He was found with Luke in the Shrieking Shack. At the moment he is being run around the island. He thinks he is trying to escape, but he is being protected for any serious damage to himself by two separate troop units. They are keeping him on the move to wear him out and break his resistance down, so I can build it back up. I am not planning on brainwashing him to think my way is the only right way and I will gladly let you have complete say so in how he is retrained away from that fanatical group of maniac werewolves."
"As for why someone in the Clan wants me dead. Let's just say I am a sore spot with them. They want Luke to do it so he feels power, feels like he has some control over his environment. " Cole stopped for a moment and grabbed the magi's eyes, not an easy thing for anyone to do. "I will listen to your wisdom in this Tarik, but my decision on this island is final and the only one my men will follow." Cole sat with his arms crossed in front of him, waiting. He trusted Tarik and knew the man was brilliant, but the magi did not know the whole story about what was happening with the Clan and Cole would not tell him without permission from the others.
BRENNAN
Tarik smiled as he said, "I will continue to work as we have before. Should my brother be informed? I was suppose to give him Tal'mac copy of Father's medallion. That might have to be postponed as the children come first? As for Brennan, why have you not told him the truth? Frank you say he is clear of Zia's control. So why let him to continue to distrust you? Unless you are under orders. Is Bren still doubting his abilities to be Head of Security? Is that why Martin sent him? " It tore at Tarik that Bren had a childhood that destroyed the young man's self-esteem. Martin had said new information had come to light and for that reason Arianna had ordered additional training. He wondered if Fixer was the trainer that Martin had picked.
Tarik asked, "Does Brennan being here have anything to do with the new information about Brennan's disappearance the Halloween he was eight? As for Liam, I think you need to have a chat with Jonathan first. Frank, use whatever is needed to get the Clan out of Luke's head." Tarik was pretty sure that whoever terrorized Luke and Liam at the Shack, had control of the boy.
"And Fixer, don't trust either boy. Whoever did this, has control of Luke at the deepest levels. And Fixer since most of the Clan thinks their machine worked on you..." He paused.
"Could they have used another machine? Either way Frank, if the Alphas wanted you dead, you would have been. No this attacker might be Clan but him wanting you dead is personal. He is not backed by Matthew. See if Bren can profile him." Tarik smiled as he wondered how Fixer would get him back to his private room.
"I gather you want Bren awake? Be careful how you handle getting me back to the room. Yours, Fai, and my brother's covers are most important. Fixer, don't let Luke or Liam con Brennan. Separate if you must?" Tarik said as he stood back where Bren and Luke last saw him. It was time to wake Bren.
COLE
Cole kept his arms crossed in front of him as he nodded. "I trust you to keep your word Magi. I will get a message to your brother and let him know you are still willing to turn over the medallion. I will also let him know there will be a short delay through no fault of your own." Khalid, Tarik's Dark Magic brother, wanted Tarik to turn over the medallion to him only because it would show Tarik was recognizing him as the true head of the family. Khalid could care less when it happened and was planning on giving the medallion back to Cole anyway for safe keeping. Tarik would never know about this fact though.
"As to why Brennan was sent, it none of your concern. I will promise you Brennan will come out of this stronger than he is now." Cole looked over to the man out cold on the wall. Punta had used his magic abilities and made sure Brennan was not hanging painfully by his wrists. "I am going to try and allow Brennan to have some say so on what goes on with the boys, but first he has to realize I am in charge, at least here on the island. He needs to react to what I tell him to do with no hesitation. Then and only then will I allow him to start to have some freedoms here." Cole leaned in to make his point, "I understand the people he is going to have to deal with more than he does Tarik. They will use him unmercifully if they can. Brennan needs to be able to listen to what I say or they will use him to get the others. He needs to not go off on his own, thinking he knows the best way to handle them."
Cole looked over to the bed. Luke was still being kept unconscious so they could talk freely. "Liam is smart Tarik, he would have to be to survive as long as he has. I am sure he is related to the Clan, but he hasn't been turned yet. He is close to the age where they will be giving him his final test. When, not if, he passes it he will be bitten and turned. I am hoping to draw him away from the situation before that happens." Cole planned on talking with Jonathan about the boy. "At the moment he is being run around the island to take away his stamina. My troops are keeping him safe. He is being herded away from the more dangerous areas of the island. From the last report I was given he is tiring quickly. It shouldn't be long before he willingly gives himself up and I can start getting into his sub-conscious." Cole ran his fingers through his hair. "The situation is a lot like Brennan's. I need to break the boy and then start telling him some of the truths which have been kept from him. He has been grossly mistreated, which is evident from some of the marks on his skin." Cole grabbed the back of the high back chair he was sitting in and sat back a little. "It really surprises me that the medical areas of Hogwarts has not picked up on the scares, which plainly show the boy has been beaten, whipped and burned in the past. I will release him when I have him healed. You may make any excuses at the school you can, but the boy will be here for a while. I will also keep up his studies.
"They only had the one machine and I doubt they used it on Liam. The boy is being held out of fear. If Brennan settles down after I have proved to him, when I say something I mean it then I might take your suggestion and let him have a go and profiling several members of the clan. I trust Brennan's instincts Tarik."
Cole stood and walked over to lean against the wall where Brennan was still sleeping. "I will take all your suggestions into consideration Magi. I was thinking of separating all three of them and bringing them together separately. I hope to have Luke back at the school by tomorrow for classes. You will be free to talk with him Tarik. Try and make him see that I only want to prepare him to take care of the ones he loves and cares for. I will not let him ruin, what has been in the planning stages for years, because he thinks he has a better way. There are too many people who can be hurt and killed if the details to any part of the plan come to light or the Clan gets nervous. Talk to him Magi, so I don't have to again." Cole relaxed against the wall, nodded to Punta, looked toward the door and said, "Tom you can come in now and make it look good." When Tom and three other specialist entered, two of the men grabbing Tarik by the arm, Cole added, "kneel Tarik." then nodded. Giving Punta and Tarik both the signal to wake Luke and Brennan.
TARIK
Tarik was worried as Fixer was his only connection to his brother Khalid. He looked at Luke and prayed Fixer could help the boy. "If only Brennan had faith in himself?", Tarik said quietly as he knelt and allowed his arms to be held tightly and slightly pulled behind his back. He was not going to make it look like Cole was having an easy time. Tarik closed his eyes for a second and when he opened them he looked straight at Brennan.
Brennan awoke slightly disoriented. When he finally realized where he was he started yanking on his chains. "Let him go Fixer!" Bren yelled. His eyes still did not go to the man he knew he had betrayed. He had to try something but how he was being held, didn't allow much. Bren was about to try and convince Fixer more but Luke came awake.
Luke turned his head toward where he had seen Tarik enter. He had lost track of time, because one minute Tarik was walking in and the next Tarik was being held on his knees. Luke said, "Tarik kneels to no one! Now release him. I want to chat with him alone!" He still felt weak and the sides of the bed were again up, but he wasn't tied down. Glancing at Punta, he glared at Fixer. Luke knew he should just use the gifts his master loaned him. Shaking his head as he tried to fight the impulse to use his dark powers. "I can't control..." Luke felt the elves fingers pressing into both his temples. His body relaxed as a calmness took over every mescal. He could turn his head and even lift it slightly but he could not move otherwise.
COLE
A specialist entered, walking around where Tarik was being held and handed Cole a slip of paper. Cole read the message and nodded. "Have him brought here as soon as they are back." The specialist saluted and left. Cole smiled and glanced at Luke and then Tarik. "It seems Liam has given himself up. I am having him brought here. When he arrives I will let all of you know at once what is going to happen." Cole kept the smile on his face and drummed his fingers on the table. It was only going to take about five minutes before Liam would be joining them. They were not going to like his decision, but he had to move this along a bit.
Within four minutes, the door opened again and Jonathan half dragged and half carried a very dirty Liam into the room. The boys hands were tied behind his back. His clothes were torn and dirty, they would have to be thrown away. Liam was placed on his knees next to Tarik and his head was pushed, so his forehead rested on the cement floor. "He collapsed on the southwest trail to the bogs, Cap. I thought it was best to bring him back. What are your orders?"
Cole folded his arms on the table and glanced between Luke, Brennan, Tarik and Liam. "I think it is time to separated everyone and give each of them a chance to realize their standing on this island. Take the Magi back to his room and have him finish the project he is working on." Turning to stare at Tarik he said, "We have talked Magi. You know what you are bound to do. Finish for the day and return to the school. We will see each other very soon I am sure." Cole watched as Tarik was dragged to his feet and shoved out of the door.
Cole turned to Liam. He motioned for Jonathan to pick the boys head up off the floor, which the man did, by grabbing a handful of Liam's hair and pulling. When the boys eyes were up Cole said, "Liam you will be taken to the infirmary where you will be given a very complete physical. Don't fight what you are told to do, or I will have you magically treated so you cannot move only feel, and I guarantee you won't like that. When the medics are through with you, you will be given something to drink and eat. It is your choice on whether you take advantage of the nourishment or not. I will tell you though if you refuse to eat or drink for an extended length of time I will have you force fed through a tube if I have too. After you eat, you will be taken to a room where you will wait my pleasure as to what happens to you next." Cole waved his hand and Jonathan pulled Liam up and slowly walked him out the door. Liam was refusing help and was very unsteady on his feet, but Cole notice the fear in the boys eyes.
Next was Luke. "Luke I am going to allow you to move now. Please be advised I will have you restrained again very quickly. You are going to be taken to another room, much like this one. An elf will be with you. You may order something to drink or eat if you wish. I will be talking to Brennan and then I will come and see you. If you give me no further problem I think you may be back at the school by morning, it will be up to you."
LUKE
Luke just shook his head as he said, "I am not leaving Bren or Tarik to your mercy. The Core trusted you and all this time you were using us to hold over the professor. I fix my errors..." Luke closed his eyes for a second and then with a thought of the binding pain curse and he focused it on Fixer. He heard the man scream and fall to the floor. Luke smiled, jumped out of the bed and ran to Brennan.
Brennan pulled on the chains around his wrists and ankles. He was unsure of what Luke was up to. The boy was talking but he hadn't moved off the bed. His legs were moving like he was walking and he was smiling. When he heard Luke tell him to find Tarik and Jonathan . giving an order to "Bind them!" he got scared. Again he pulled on the chains trying to get to the boy. He knew Luke was seeing what he thought he was doing.
Luke was stunned as he was told that if Bren failed to follow orders, then Luke would force Bren to face his nightmare. At that moment Luke, went at Fixer. Bren watched in horror as Luke's body jumped and a look of total determination came across his face. Brennan turned to Cole hoping the man would be able to figure out what was going on to the boy. "Luke," he yelled trying to get the boy out of whatever mind trap he had fallen into.
COLE
Cole pushed up out of his chair and walked over to the bed where Luke lay. He looked down on the boy studying his movements. Apparently Luke was seeing in his mind that he was loose and had gone to help Brennan down. He looked back over his shoulder at Brennan who was close to panic mode on the wall. "He is stuck in some type of mind trap. I can bring him out of it fast or I can let it ride out." Cole wanted to just let Luke continue. A lot could be learned from what the boy described that he thought he was doing. He looked at Punta, silently asking if it would be safe to let Luke continue going down the road he was following. The elf nodded.
Cole walked back over to Brennan and said, "I will let you off the wall Profiler if you can promise me you will not try and wake the boy up. I want to learn what is going on in his mind. Punta is monitoring him. What do you say Brennan, can you stay away from the boy? Punta will bring him out of it if there is any problems." Cole was going to take a big chance that Brennan had learned at least part of the lesson. Punta was ready to knock Brennan out fast if he tried to wake Luke up. The information which could come from this could help Cole figure out who was controlling the boy and make it easier for him to send Luke back to the school tomorrow.
BRENNAN
Luke felt the pain of the drug. He looked over to the side and recognized Punta standing there. The elf was just watching him. Luke turned his eyes back to the ceiling as the world around him went dark. His master grinned at him. He fell to the ground as he heard, "You are mine. Now my pet. You will be good and fetch."
Who?" Luke asked as a different pain hit him. Something had been placed around his neck. As the electricity coarse through him, Luke heard "Whoever I tell you!"
Bren was watching Luke and all he wanted was to go to him. He grabbed the edge of the table and the back of the chair. Fixer had told him if he went to Luke, then he would be put back on the wall or worse. Luke was screaming and Brennan knew of no reason for the screams. He asked Fixer without taking his eyes off Luke, "What are you doing to him?" Deep inside he knew Fixer had nothing to do with what Luke was going through. Bren's mind went back to another time. "Please why are you doing this?" He saw his uncle/father begging a cloaked man as Bren was repeatedly tortured. The cloaked man instead of answering either of them had just gagged Brennan. He had then whispered in Louis Dawson's ear. After a few minutes Louis had slowly nodded and Brennan's pain was stopped. He was lead away to a very weird room. The gag was not removed instead his feet were chained as was his neck. Bren yanked on the twenty foot chain. As his hands went for the gag around his mouth, he felt them grabbed and yanked behind his back. He could not move as much as he tried. Brennan panicked as he heard the cloaked man, "Oh my dear boy. This is your new home. You are going to be good and learn your place. Now for your first lesson..." All of a sudden every cell in the eight year olds body felt as if it was on fire.
Brennan screamed through the gag as he heard, "Scream away slave. No one will hear you. Nobody will help you! I will come back in a little while to test whether you my little slave is ready for your reward." Brennan was unsure how long it was but a man asked him if he wanted relief from the pain. Bren remembered nodding and the man giving him a shot. Soon after the cloaked man came back. Bren jerked when he felt two strong hands on his shoulders and a voice he didn't want to listen to call his name over and over. The hands tightened on his shoulders, becoming painful. He snapped his eyes up to the man standing behind him. "Please, I need to go to him. He has to come out of where his mind is taking him. Please...."
COLE
Cole knew he had to let the visions take their course. It was the only way Punta could read the boy and find out what they were fighting. The physical drug was out of Luke's system, but that was only a small part. The damage had been done. Luke had learned if he wanted to feel powerful and be able to protect the ones he loved he would need to follow orders of whoever gave him the drug. Cole also knew Liam knew who this person was. When Brennan fell into a mind trap, Cole jumped up and got behind the man. Putting his hands on Brennan's shoulders he squeezed. He knew he would probably be leaving bruises, hopefully not too bad, but he hand to get Brennan back to the here and now. He could feel the terror locked into Brennan's body.
Cole knew where Bren had gone. The man's body and face had taken on the look of a younger child and even his screams sounded like a young child's. There was only one time Cole figured when this much terror would have been in the boy. Bren would have been around eight at the time. He had been captured by the Clan and scared into thinking he needed to help them. It had taken many psyco sessions to get the boys head free of the fear. Now Bren's subconsious was bringing up old memories because of what Luke was going though.
Cole squeezed harder. "It's not real Brennan. It's not real." When he was sure Bren was back, he leaned down and said, "You can't go to him Brennan. What he is going through has to come out into the open. It is the only way we are going to find out who did this to him. Punta is watching and listening. Stay in your seat. " Cole stepped over to the bed and touched Punta's shoulder, closing his eyes for a moment. There was someone standing close to Luke in his mind. Cole concentrated and finally got a clear picture of the man. His anger grew exponentially as the vision became clearer. "Got you.... finally you have made a mistake." He knew who the traitor was that his friends had been looking for. He knew who he had to catch, get information from and probably kill. Damir Zurlo, Cole's ex-roommate at school and his ex- PACK buddy was a dead man.
Cole nodded to Punta who put two fingers to Luke's temple and pushed. Luke could now be brought out of the mind trap. Darik would be notified on what had happened, so when Luke returned to the school that evening, Darik could have one of the elves at the school keep an eye on him. Tarik would also be told what had happened. The more people watching Luke the better off the boy would be. Cole turned to Brennan and said, "Luke will be returned to the school this evening. He will be watched by other elves, Tarik and other Caretakers. Do you want to stay here for Liam or do you want to return to the school also?" Cole walked over and straddled his chair waiting for Luke to become conscious and Brennan to make his decision.
LUKE
The first thing Luke felt was fear as the real world slowly came back into focus. He knew he had no choice but to wait for those his master wanted. To protect his friends he would betray others. He felt the pain travel through his whole body as he heard, "You will though! You want the Core protected then bring me who I want!" Luke screamed as the reality of where he was hit him full force. Luke blinked trying to focus his eyes. The elf was still standing by his bed. Fixer was in his seat at the table and Brennan sat across from him. Bren looked like he wanted to jump up. The man's knuckles were white as they held the back of the chair. Their eyes locked and Luke saw anguish. He tried to smile as the elf put down the railing on the side of the bed, allowing him to swing his legs over the side. He had to stop for a moment to because of the dizziness which made his stomach roll and his head swim. He slowly stood as he said, "Bren, let's get back to school." He hoped the voice in his head just wanted to chat with Brennan but Luke doubted it.
Bren stayed in his seat. All he wanted to do was grab Luke, but Punta was leading the boy over to the table. When Luke was seated Bren turned to Fixer. He was shaking as he shook his head saying, "What do you plan for Liam?" He was torn between getting Luke back to the school and finding Tarik, the only man he could safely discuss what had happened, and staying to try and protect Liam. Bren knew the boy was being controlled and he wanted to find out by whom. He also had seen when Fixer had realized a part of the puzzle swirling around this whole mess. Bren needed to find out what that was also.
COLE
Cole waited until Luke was in his chair. Punta had taken up a position behind the boy, watching his every move. Cole knew the elf was still reading the boy. When he was satisfied Luke would not fall over he held up his hand to signal Brennan to be quiet and spoke in Luke's direction. "Later on this afternoon Luke you will be returned to Hogwarts. All of the drugs you were given are now out of your system. You will continue to have some panic attacks though, so an Elf will be given to you under the guise that you have not been feeling well. The elf will answer to Darik who will have a full explanation of what is happening here. I erg you to talk with the elf and let him know also if you feel a panic attack coming on or if you start thinking you have to do something urgently. Tarik also knows what has happened so you can go to him if you need help. I know who it was who trapped you in the Shack, Luke and the man will be found and taken care of. If he comes to you again, get somewhere safe and contact your assigned elf, Darik, Tarik or even me. I know you don't trust me Luke, I accept that fact, but you also need to accept the fact I know what you are going through intimately and I can help. Don't tell Star or anyone else what has happened, because it will put them in too much danger. Before you go you will be given a complete physical." Cole was also going to have a locator and a small transmitter, placed under Luke's skin. He would of course tell Lance, the head of the Medical Department at the school that it was there. It would be up to Lance on who else was told about the devices.
Cole turned to Brennan, "As to what is going to happen to Liam... I am going to deprogram him. It is not going to be easy or pretty, but it has to be done. If you stay you will be an observer only. You will not be allowed in the room or even have any contact with him. What is your decision?"
LUKE
Luke placed closed fists on the table and tried desperately not to pound them. He looked first at Brennan trying to figure out what the man planned and then turned his eyes on Fixer. He shook his head hard as he said, "I am going nowhere without Brennan and Liam! I came with them and I will leave with them." He tried to put as much strength into his words as he could.
Bren couldn't stop the tremors running through his nervous system, as he said, "Sorry Fixer but I will be personally supervising Liam's deprogramming. Also what are you not saying? You just told Luke you know who the man is that drugged him. If you know who did this then I want his name so I can take care of the man himself. The children at the school need to be protected. If this man was at the Shack then he has access to school grounds through the underground passage." Bren's own memories were once more threatening to engulf his mind but he knew he had to stay in the present. There was not much of a chance Fixer was going to let him stay but he had to try. Liam was only a boy, confused, scared and brainwashed. There was a chance Fixer could turn him around. The man had done it before according to Martin and several of the other Caretakers. One of the reasons Brennan wanted to stay was so he could study the man's technique.
COLE
Cole was done. He needed to get Luke back to school. He had promised Tarik. The Magi was keeping his promise so Cole thought it was only fair to reciprocate. Pinning his eyes on Luke, he lowered the tone of his voice. "No Luke you will not be leaving with Liam and Brennan, Brennan maybe that will be up to him, but Liam is staying. The boy is trapped farther into the life which was being planned for you, then you can even contemplate. He has been reaised to think the members of the Clan are always right and that it is going to be an honor to be turned and be able to kill and maim for them. I need to change that. To do it Liam needs to be deprogrammed. It is a hard process and frightening to anyone watching but it has to be done." Cole was not going to even think of what he was going to have to do if the boy could not be deprogrammed. He would not let the boy be killed, but he would also not be able to let the boy return to the outside world. Cole already had two grown men in holding cells who where never going to be able to return to the outside world and he didn't want to add a boy to the list. "Now you will follow Punta to the medical center for your workup. After that I will talk with you one more time and then you will return to the school." Cole stared at the boy. "How is this going down Luke. You can walk out of here on your own or you can be carried out. I have suffered through a physical, not being able to move before and I can tell you it is very uncomfortable?"
Cole looked at Brennan, silently telling him not to say a word.
LUKE
Luke inwardly shook as he tried to figure out how to get Bren to leave. He knew if he didn't get Bren to the Shack soon, to his master, both of them were going to be looking at major punishment. Luke didn't know exactly what the punishment would be but he didn't want to find out if it was even close to the scenarios rampantly slamming through his brain. Luke was also sure Liam not being with them was going to infuriate his master and up the stakes on the punishment. Luke didn't want to take Bren to the Shack, but it was either him or one of the Core. Bren would understand and Luke was positive he would have picked the same choice Luke was picking. Luke stood and took a step toward the door, turning slightly to say to Bren who had not moved. "Bren, let Fixer handle Liam. We need to get back." Luke fought the need to grab Bren by the arm and pull him out the door.
Bren just sat and stared. He knew he was not going to be allowed to go with Luke until the boy had a physical and then was cleared. Maybe later Fixer would let him escort Luke back to Hogwarts, but that would mean he would be leaving Liam behind. He just shook his head as he glanced at Cole. The man had not moved. He was watching Luke. Brennan dropped his head to his chest when he realized Fixer was about to make his move.
COLE
Cole held two fingers up in the air and crossed them. This told Punta to make it so Luke could not move. He watched as the boy sank slowly to the floor. Macon came in and between the two elves, Luke was levitated off the floor. Cole walked over to him. "I told you what was going to happen if you did not agree to do this my way. Maybe if you have to go through the physical without being able to move it will help to impress on your brain, I do not threaten. I do what I say I am going to do. The only reason you are being treated this kindly is because you are still a boy. When the medics are done with you, you will be brought to my office. You will not be allowed to move on your own though until you are back on the mainland. Think about what I have told you Luke. Your actions no longer affect only you. They now affect your friends and those you love. I know you are smart, start using that smartness and stop fighting those who are truly trying to help you." Cole waved toward the door. Luke was floated out, screaming threats. Cole just shook his head. Darik, Tarik and a couple others were going to have their hands full.
Cole turned back to Brennan when the door closed. He walked to the table and straddled his chair. Folding his arms on the table he asked once again. "Are you staying or going Brennan?"
BRENNAN
Brennan was unsure how to protect both. He had to buy time. Time where he could think. He had seen Luke's eyes and knew the boy was far from alright. He looked at Fixer and wondered if the man before him even knew.
"Why am I sure that either choice will come at a price?" Brennan asked. He was worried what Fixer asked, Brennan could not give. He put his head on the table as he said, "What will it cost me this time?"
Bren's head was pounding as the flashback came. He had been in chains for what seemed like forever. The man in the cloak had come several times. Each time the pain would stop but only after he agreed that he deserved to be punished. Brennan's eyes teared as he remembered the pain would begin again after the cloaked man left. His life consisted of being medicated, punishments and reward. His whole world was a three by six cell attached to two foot chains. He only ate if the cloaked man thought he earned it. He had learned not to cry when he was punished. Instead he was to ask what he could do to make his error right. The cloaked man would give him a task which if Bren completed then he would get his soup. He had tried to escape once but he learned that it only caused him to not see the cloaked man until he told who had help. Brennan was crying now as he remembered what he had been forced to do to right that wrong. He had finally been feed and at least had been medicated after but he had learned that he and any that helped him would be punished. He felt himself try to cower in a corner as the cloaked man came close to him. The man had something different in his hand this time. A leash it looked like. He had learned not to ask. His master snapped his fingers. Bren put his forehead to the floor as he tried to stop shaking. As the man hooked the leash to his collar, Bren heard a whisper in his ear. He was going to meet somebody important. As long as he behaved he would earn more outings. He was to fetch something for this important man and come when called. Bren lowered his head daring not to anger his master.
COLE
Cole knew Brennan was having a flashback, but he was afraid to delve into it on his own, so he looked at Punta, silently asking if Brennan was alright. The elf nodded, so Cole kept going. "Sit up Brennan." When the man slowly sat back up, his eyes staring at something in front of him, Cole said, "Whether you stay or leave it is not going to cost you anything at the moment." Cole pointed to the 60 inch view screen near the door as it came on. "Luke is going to have a rough time with this physical. I have ordered it is not supposed to be done gently. The boy needs to learn there are consequences to not doing what I request, when I request it. Watch." The screen showed Luke lying on a table dressed only in his boxer jockey shorts. There were three men in white coats and surgical masks standing around him. One of the men proceeded to draw blood out of Luke's arm, another started to examine his limbs. The third forces Luke's mouth open and placed a device to keep it there. Luke's eyes were wide with fear. The men were not being gentle and they were not talking, telling Brennan what they planned on doing next. When one of the doctors started to pull Luke's boxers down, Cole turned off the screen, just as a scream could be heard through the sound system.
Cole turned back to Brennan and said, "I have ordered a Caretaker physical done to the boy. You have been through one of these physicals, Brennan. You know this means, every hole, every crevasse and every inch of the boy's body is to be checked. He will be prodded and poked with more instruments then he could even know existed. He is going to be sore. Soreness I hope will remind him what he needs to remember."
"Liam will also have one of these physicals, although it will be toned down a bit. What I need to know from you is are you staying or leaving. You will not be allowed to interfere in how I choose to treat Liam. You will most likely not even be in the room." Cole looked at his watch. "You have one minute to decide or I will decide for you." If Brennan did not want to stay then Cole would be sending him back to Hogwarts.
BRENNAN
He had trouble understanding exactly where he was. He only knew what punishment awaited him should he fail to obey this man before him. He listened carefully so he could obey hopefully quick enough. The man asked and say things that Brennan had no idea how his master expected him to answer.
With his eyes lowered he asked, "What do you wish me to retrieve for you? As for your other questions, I guess if you want me to stay away from whoever this Liam is, I will try to avoid him? Just tell me what you request of me to make my error right." He wanted to stay as he feared how the outside world would react to him but the chance to avoid the pain that he knew his master would order should he fail to obey this unknown man.
COLE
Cole inwardly smiled as he realized that Bren thought he was still facing the past. He got up and slowly walked to the Profiler. As he reached Brennan, he placed his hand on Bren's chin and lifted it saying, "Look at me boy. I am glad you want to right your error. I understand why you tried to run. Your master has been too strict am I right? You don't need to answer. I can keep him at bay and really want to. Would you like that? Maybe we need some time? Retrieving is not needed at the time. I will have the elves take you to a room where we can talk. Believe me punishment can still happen if you run again. I will try to have you do things that can be done. I will protect you from your master's wrath. All I request is you use your special gift to help me. Can you do that? Think on it in your new room. We will talk later."
Fixer looked at Punta as he said, "The boy is staying. Take him to the blue room. I will talk with Bren later. He is not to be enchained yet and nobody expect me is to enter that room." He was sure the elf knew he was playing along. He would use Bren's mind trap and insecurities to finally not only bond with the Profiler but also to rebuild the self-confidence that Matthew had as the cloaked man stole from Bren. He wrote a quick report to Martin explaining that Bren was now classified a Code Red and was staying. He also explained in code what he planned to do for Luke and Liam.
CLOSED
When Luke started to talk, Cole turned back his way. Cole knew the boy was not telling the truth. As soon as he was able the boy was going to try and bolt, like Liam had. Cole knew one thing the boy didn't know. Luke would not have enough strength in his limbs to walk. He might be able to stand if he concentrated, but with the mix of pain and fatigue, he would be like a one year old baby trying to move. Cole raised his hand and motioned for Punta to release Luke's hands and lower the side of the bed then step back. He watched as his wishes were carried out, then still leaning against the wall, he crossed his arms across his chest and waited.
(OOC: I have permission to say what Cole is seeing in Brennan and Luke.)
TARIK
Brennan shook as he asked, "Then what am I doing here on the wall? If you have no plans to push me into making a deal, then why this talk about questioning the boys? You knew I would and am thinking that your questions usually deals with you asking somebody to give intel on others that you can use to control them." He was remembering his own betrayal of Tarik to Fixer. Bren looked at the door as he said, "Tarik being here is due to your questioning me. You know Frank, I won't, no I can't let Luke be forced into giving you anything you can use against Tia and the Core." Tears were coming to his eyes as he thought of how to handle his shame at giving up Tarik's as well as others' secrets.
He watched as the door opened.
Tarik stood there in full robes. An specialist bowed low as he said, "Sorry Sir but he..."
Tarik cut the man off, "Fixer, we had an agreement which you have broke by bringing Luke and Brennan here! Explain before I show you why Magi have no need for wands! I will wait until Bren is off that wall and Luke is free from that bed and whatever you have him on!" Tarik was furious when he got word what had happened to the boys by the Clan. Now seeing how Frank was dealing with it was his true concern. He looked at Bren who still could not find in himself to understand that being Head of Security meant making the hard choices. The young man needed to accept that self-confidence was the main injury the Cloaked Man had taken from him.
Bren shook as he tried to calm his uncle, "Uncle Tarik, it is not what it appears. Please Don't do what you are thinking. I could not..." He felt he had failed in not only protecting Luke from the Clan but now his uncle was about to fight Fixer to protect not only Luke but him. Even after Bren's betrayal his uncle still considered Bren worth fighting for.
Luke smiled as the elf released him. He tried to walk to Tarik as he said, "Fixer, has another boy here Tarik. We need to find him before Fixer's army does." He inwardly heard the voice remind him to deal with Fixer and now he knew the very way to do it.
He barely reached Tarik as he said playing on Tarik's protectiveness, "Fixer almost forced me to give him intel on the Princess. He put Bren on the wall because Brennan just tried to protect me Tarik. How could I have been so wrong? He just wants Tia to get him the box." At that moment the voice was about to say something as he fell into Tarik's arms.
Tarik grabbed Luke and laid him back on the bed. He walked over to Bren and put him to sleep. He then headed for the table. Taking a seat he said, "You have ten Frank, you better start with why Bren still blames himself for me working on the translation? Then we need to figure out why somebody in the Clan wants Luke to kill you? If Bren had not started explaining I might have believed Luke's lie."
COLE
Cole had turned quickly when the door opened and Tarik was standing there. He slowly let a smile take over his face. The Magi was here on one of his promised rotations to translate the ancient scrolls Cole had in his position thanks to the late Dali Lama. Tarik was supposed to be isolated in another room though. Cole looked toward Punta who shrugged and sent him a mental picture of Darik the head elf in Hogsmeade, the one elf who rivaled all the other elves Cole had ever come in contact with. All the elves on the Isle of Perdition and on Khalid's island were Tocoferty, Sons of the Father who gives life or Prince of their respective clans. Darik was a Tocofer, Father Who Gives Life or King of his Clan. Out of the five clans in Scotland and the fifteen others around the world, Darik was the only Tocofer who worked close with the Wizard population, to try and bring Peace to the world, magical or otherwise. The only elf with power to rival Darik's was Tal'mac, who was head of the council, ruling all the clans on the Scottish lands.
"So Darik has allowed you to roam my island freely, Tarik. I will agree to this as long as you do not disrupt what is happening and you continue to keep your word on what you are doing here." Cole walked to the seat across from Tarik and straddled the backward chair.
....."You have ten Frank, you better start with why Bren still blames himself for me working on the translation? Then we need to figure out why somebody in the Clan wants Luke to kill you? If Bren had not started explaining I might have believed Luke's lie."
Cole looked toward Luke who was on his back, fighting the pain. The boy had more determination than Cole would have given him credit for. He then looked at Brennan as he still hung on the wall. Cole signaled Punta to take the man down and lie him on the floor. There was no other bed in the room, but the elf would levitate Brennan's body enough so he would be comfortable until Tarik decided to wake him.
Turning back to Tarik he started. "Luke was brought here because I am the only one at the present time who can help him. He is not a prisoner per se, but he needs to stay here for the time being. Luke was given the same drug which was given to me by the MacIntosh clan. I am still not sure who administered it, because I can't get a clear picture. By the puncture wounds on his neck, I can tell he was given three doses. I have been giving him more over the past couple of hours, halving each dose. The last one he received was one quarter of a full needle's worth. I don't dare give him any more. At the present his body is clear of the drug. His pain is all coming from his mind. I can't block that pain or his mind will never accept the fact it should not be telling Luke he is in pain. It will probably be another twelve hours or so before Luke is back close to normal. Even after all this time, if I think about the pain, my body gives me pain. The boy is going to seriously hurt, Magi and I have to let it happen."
Cole lowered his head and ran his hands through his hair, before he folded his arms on the table in front of him and continued. "Brennan was on the wall, because I threatened him with being put there if he didn't stop arguing with me about how I was handling Luke. He has never felt this type of pain before. Brennan wouldn't stop so I had to prove to him I don't ever lie. I will do what I say I am going to do. Brennan, has not been hurt in any other way and would have been off the wall within the hour, because Luke is going to need his strength to get through this."
Cole again raked his hands through his hair. "The other boy Luke is talking about is named Liam. You know him from the school. I am convinced the boy is being controlled by the MacIntosh Clan in some way. He was found with Luke in the Shrieking Shack. At the moment he is being run around the island. He thinks he is trying to escape, but he is being protected for any serious damage to himself by two separate troop units. They are keeping him on the move to wear him out and break his resistance down, so I can build it back up. I am not planning on brainwashing him to think my way is the only right way and I will gladly let you have complete say so in how he is retrained away from that fanatical group of maniac werewolves."
"As for why someone in the Clan wants me dead. Let's just say I am a sore spot with them. They want Luke to do it so he feels power, feels like he has some control over his environment. " Cole stopped for a moment and grabbed the magi's eyes, not an easy thing for anyone to do. "I will listen to your wisdom in this Tarik, but my decision on this island is final and the only one my men will follow." Cole sat with his arms crossed in front of him, waiting. He trusted Tarik and knew the man was brilliant, but the magi did not know the whole story about what was happening with the Clan and Cole would not tell him without permission from the others.
BRENNAN
Tarik smiled as he said, "I will continue to work as we have before. Should my brother be informed? I was suppose to give him Tal'mac copy of Father's medallion. That might have to be postponed as the children come first? As for Brennan, why have you not told him the truth? Frank you say he is clear of Zia's control. So why let him to continue to distrust you? Unless you are under orders. Is Bren still doubting his abilities to be Head of Security? Is that why Martin sent him? " It tore at Tarik that Bren had a childhood that destroyed the young man's self-esteem. Martin had said new information had come to light and for that reason Arianna had ordered additional training. He wondered if Fixer was the trainer that Martin had picked.
Tarik asked, "Does Brennan being here have anything to do with the new information about Brennan's disappearance the Halloween he was eight? As for Liam, I think you need to have a chat with Jonathan first. Frank, use whatever is needed to get the Clan out of Luke's head." Tarik was pretty sure that whoever terrorized Luke and Liam at the Shack, had control of the boy.
"And Fixer, don't trust either boy. Whoever did this, has control of Luke at the deepest levels. And Fixer since most of the Clan thinks their machine worked on you..." He paused.
"Could they have used another machine? Either way Frank, if the Alphas wanted you dead, you would have been. No this attacker might be Clan but him wanting you dead is personal. He is not backed by Matthew. See if Bren can profile him." Tarik smiled as he wondered how Fixer would get him back to his private room.
"I gather you want Bren awake? Be careful how you handle getting me back to the room. Yours, Fai, and my brother's covers are most important. Fixer, don't let Luke or Liam con Brennan. Separate if you must?" Tarik said as he stood back where Bren and Luke last saw him. It was time to wake Bren.
COLE
"I will continue to work as we have before. Should my brother be informed? I was suppose to give him Tal'mac copy of Father's medallion. That might have to be postponed as the children come first?..."
Cole kept his arms crossed in front of him as he nodded. "I trust you to keep your word Magi. I will get a message to your brother and let him know you are still willing to turn over the medallion. I will also let him know there will be a short delay through no fault of your own." Khalid, Tarik's Dark Magic brother, wanted Tarik to turn over the medallion to him only because it would show Tarik was recognizing him as the true head of the family. Khalid could care less when it happened and was planning on giving the medallion back to Cole anyway for safe keeping. Tarik would never know about this fact though.
"As for Brennan, why have you not told him the truth? Frank you say he is clear of Zia's control. So why let him to continue to distrust you? Unless you are under orders. Is Bren still doubting his abilities to be Head of Security? Is that why Martin sent him? Does Brennan being here have anything to do with the new information about Brennan's disappearance the Halloween he was eight?
"As to why Brennan was sent, it none of your concern. I will promise you Brennan will come out of this stronger than he is now." Cole looked over to the man out cold on the wall. Punta had used his magic abilities and made sure Brennan was not hanging painfully by his wrists. "I am going to try and allow Brennan to have some say so on what goes on with the boys, but first he has to realize I am in charge, at least here on the island. He needs to react to what I tell him to do with no hesitation. Then and only then will I allow him to start to have some freedoms here." Cole leaned in to make his point, "I understand the people he is going to have to deal with more than he does Tarik. They will use him unmercifully if they can. Brennan needs to be able to listen to what I say or they will use him to get the others. He needs to not go off on his own, thinking he knows the best way to handle them."
As for Liam, I think you need to have a chat with Jonathan first. Frank, use whatever is needed to get the Clan out of Luke's head. .....And Fixer, don't trust either boy. Whoever did this, has control of Luke at the deepest levels. And Fixer since most of the Clan thinks their machine worked on you..."
Cole looked over to the bed. Luke was still being kept unconscious so they could talk freely. "Liam is smart Tarik, he would have to be to survive as long as he has. I am sure he is related to the Clan, but he hasn't been turned yet. He is close to the age where they will be giving him his final test. When, not if, he passes it he will be bitten and turned. I am hoping to draw him away from the situation before that happens." Cole planned on talking with Jonathan about the boy. "At the moment he is being run around the island to take away his stamina. My troops are keeping him safe. He is being herded away from the more dangerous areas of the island. From the last report I was given he is tiring quickly. It shouldn't be long before he willingly gives himself up and I can start getting into his sub-conscious." Cole ran his fingers through his hair. "The situation is a lot like Brennan's. I need to break the boy and then start telling him some of the truths which have been kept from him. He has been grossly mistreated, which is evident from some of the marks on his skin." Cole grabbed the back of the high back chair he was sitting in and sat back a little. "It really surprises me that the medical areas of Hogwarts has not picked up on the scares, which plainly show the boy has been beaten, whipped and burned in the past. I will release him when I have him healed. You may make any excuses at the school you can, but the boy will be here for a while. I will also keep up his studies.
"Could they have used another machine? Either way Frank, if the Alphas wanted you dead, you would have been. No this attacker might be Clan but him wanting you dead is personal. He is not backed by Matthew. See if Bren can profile him." ...
"They only had the one machine and I doubt they used it on Liam. The boy is being held out of fear. If Brennan settles down after I have proved to him, when I say something I mean it then I might take your suggestion and let him have a go and profiling several members of the clan. I trust Brennan's instincts Tarik."
"I gather you want Bren awake? Be careful how you handle getting me back to the room. Yours, Fai, and my brother's covers are most important. Fixer, don't let Luke or Liam con Brennan. Separate if you must?" Tarik said as he stood back where Bren and Luke last saw him. It was time to wake Bren.
Cole stood and walked over to lean against the wall where Brennan was still sleeping. "I will take all your suggestions into consideration Magi. I was thinking of separating all three of them and bringing them together separately. I hope to have Luke back at the school by tomorrow for classes. You will be free to talk with him Tarik. Try and make him see that I only want to prepare him to take care of the ones he loves and cares for. I will not let him ruin, what has been in the planning stages for years, because he thinks he has a better way. There are too many people who can be hurt and killed if the details to any part of the plan come to light or the Clan gets nervous. Talk to him Magi, so I don't have to again." Cole relaxed against the wall, nodded to Punta, looked toward the door and said, "Tom you can come in now and make it look good." When Tom and three other specialist entered, two of the men grabbing Tarik by the arm, Cole added, "kneel Tarik." then nodded. Giving Punta and Tarik both the signal to wake Luke and Brennan.
TARIK
Tarik was worried as Fixer was his only connection to his brother Khalid. He looked at Luke and prayed Fixer could help the boy. "If only Brennan had faith in himself?", Tarik said quietly as he knelt and allowed his arms to be held tightly and slightly pulled behind his back. He was not going to make it look like Cole was having an easy time. Tarik closed his eyes for a second and when he opened them he looked straight at Brennan.
Brennan awoke slightly disoriented. When he finally realized where he was he started yanking on his chains. "Let him go Fixer!" Bren yelled. His eyes still did not go to the man he knew he had betrayed. He had to try something but how he was being held, didn't allow much. Bren was about to try and convince Fixer more but Luke came awake.
Luke turned his head toward where he had seen Tarik enter. He had lost track of time, because one minute Tarik was walking in and the next Tarik was being held on his knees. Luke said, "Tarik kneels to no one! Now release him. I want to chat with him alone!" He still felt weak and the sides of the bed were again up, but he wasn't tied down. Glancing at Punta, he glared at Fixer. Luke knew he should just use the gifts his master loaned him. Shaking his head as he tried to fight the impulse to use his dark powers. "I can't control..." Luke felt the elves fingers pressing into both his temples. His body relaxed as a calmness took over every mescal. He could turn his head and even lift it slightly but he could not move otherwise.
COLE
A specialist entered, walking around where Tarik was being held and handed Cole a slip of paper. Cole read the message and nodded. "Have him brought here as soon as they are back." The specialist saluted and left. Cole smiled and glanced at Luke and then Tarik. "It seems Liam has given himself up. I am having him brought here. When he arrives I will let all of you know at once what is going to happen." Cole kept the smile on his face and drummed his fingers on the table. It was only going to take about five minutes before Liam would be joining them. They were not going to like his decision, but he had to move this along a bit.
Within four minutes, the door opened again and Jonathan half dragged and half carried a very dirty Liam into the room. The boys hands were tied behind his back. His clothes were torn and dirty, they would have to be thrown away. Liam was placed on his knees next to Tarik and his head was pushed, so his forehead rested on the cement floor. "He collapsed on the southwest trail to the bogs, Cap. I thought it was best to bring him back. What are your orders?"
Cole folded his arms on the table and glanced between Luke, Brennan, Tarik and Liam. "I think it is time to separated everyone and give each of them a chance to realize their standing on this island. Take the Magi back to his room and have him finish the project he is working on." Turning to stare at Tarik he said, "We have talked Magi. You know what you are bound to do. Finish for the day and return to the school. We will see each other very soon I am sure." Cole watched as Tarik was dragged to his feet and shoved out of the door.
Cole turned to Liam. He motioned for Jonathan to pick the boys head up off the floor, which the man did, by grabbing a handful of Liam's hair and pulling. When the boys eyes were up Cole said, "Liam you will be taken to the infirmary where you will be given a very complete physical. Don't fight what you are told to do, or I will have you magically treated so you cannot move only feel, and I guarantee you won't like that. When the medics are through with you, you will be given something to drink and eat. It is your choice on whether you take advantage of the nourishment or not. I will tell you though if you refuse to eat or drink for an extended length of time I will have you force fed through a tube if I have too. After you eat, you will be taken to a room where you will wait my pleasure as to what happens to you next." Cole waved his hand and Jonathan pulled Liam up and slowly walked him out the door. Liam was refusing help and was very unsteady on his feet, but Cole notice the fear in the boys eyes.
Next was Luke. "Luke I am going to allow you to move now. Please be advised I will have you restrained again very quickly. You are going to be taken to another room, much like this one. An elf will be with you. You may order something to drink or eat if you wish. I will be talking to Brennan and then I will come and see you. If you give me no further problem I think you may be back at the school by morning, it will be up to you."
LUKE
Luke just shook his head as he said, "I am not leaving Bren or Tarik to your mercy. The Core trusted you and all this time you were using us to hold over the professor. I fix my errors..." Luke closed his eyes for a second and then with a thought of the binding pain curse and he focused it on Fixer. He heard the man scream and fall to the floor. Luke smiled, jumped out of the bed and ran to Brennan.
Brennan pulled on the chains around his wrists and ankles. He was unsure of what Luke was up to. The boy was talking but he hadn't moved off the bed. His legs were moving like he was walking and he was smiling. When he heard Luke tell him to find Tarik and Jonathan . giving an order to "Bind them!" he got scared. Again he pulled on the chains trying to get to the boy. He knew Luke was seeing what he thought he was doing.
Luke was stunned as he was told that if Bren failed to follow orders, then Luke would force Bren to face his nightmare. At that moment Luke, went at Fixer. Bren watched in horror as Luke's body jumped and a look of total determination came across his face. Brennan turned to Cole hoping the man would be able to figure out what was going on to the boy. "Luke," he yelled trying to get the boy out of whatever mind trap he had fallen into.
COLE
Cole pushed up out of his chair and walked over to the bed where Luke lay. He looked down on the boy studying his movements. Apparently Luke was seeing in his mind that he was loose and had gone to help Brennan down. He looked back over his shoulder at Brennan who was close to panic mode on the wall. "He is stuck in some type of mind trap. I can bring him out of it fast or I can let it ride out." Cole wanted to just let Luke continue. A lot could be learned from what the boy described that he thought he was doing. He looked at Punta, silently asking if it would be safe to let Luke continue going down the road he was following. The elf nodded.
Cole walked back over to Brennan and said, "I will let you off the wall Profiler if you can promise me you will not try and wake the boy up. I want to learn what is going on in his mind. Punta is monitoring him. What do you say Brennan, can you stay away from the boy? Punta will bring him out of it if there is any problems." Cole was going to take a big chance that Brennan had learned at least part of the lesson. Punta was ready to knock Brennan out fast if he tried to wake Luke up. The information which could come from this could help Cole figure out who was controlling the boy and make it easier for him to send Luke back to the school tomorrow.
BRENNAN
Luke felt the pain of the drug. He looked over to the side and recognized Punta standing there. The elf was just watching him. Luke turned his eyes back to the ceiling as the world around him went dark. His master grinned at him. He fell to the ground as he heard, "You are mine. Now my pet. You will be good and fetch."
Who?" Luke asked as a different pain hit him. Something had been placed around his neck. As the electricity coarse through him, Luke heard "Whoever I tell you!"
Bren was watching Luke and all he wanted was to go to him. He grabbed the edge of the table and the back of the chair. Fixer had told him if he went to Luke, then he would be put back on the wall or worse. Luke was screaming and Brennan knew of no reason for the screams. He asked Fixer without taking his eyes off Luke, "What are you doing to him?" Deep inside he knew Fixer had nothing to do with what Luke was going through. Bren's mind went back to another time. "Please why are you doing this?" He saw his uncle/father begging a cloaked man as Bren was repeatedly tortured. The cloaked man instead of answering either of them had just gagged Brennan. He had then whispered in Louis Dawson's ear. After a few minutes Louis had slowly nodded and Brennan's pain was stopped. He was lead away to a very weird room. The gag was not removed instead his feet were chained as was his neck. Bren yanked on the twenty foot chain. As his hands went for the gag around his mouth, he felt them grabbed and yanked behind his back. He could not move as much as he tried. Brennan panicked as he heard the cloaked man, "Oh my dear boy. This is your new home. You are going to be good and learn your place. Now for your first lesson..." All of a sudden every cell in the eight year olds body felt as if it was on fire.
Brennan screamed through the gag as he heard, "Scream away slave. No one will hear you. Nobody will help you! I will come back in a little while to test whether you my little slave is ready for your reward." Brennan was unsure how long it was but a man asked him if he wanted relief from the pain. Bren remembered nodding and the man giving him a shot. Soon after the cloaked man came back. Bren jerked when he felt two strong hands on his shoulders and a voice he didn't want to listen to call his name over and over. The hands tightened on his shoulders, becoming painful. He snapped his eyes up to the man standing behind him. "Please, I need to go to him. He has to come out of where his mind is taking him. Please...."
COLE
Cole knew he had to let the visions take their course. It was the only way Punta could read the boy and find out what they were fighting. The physical drug was out of Luke's system, but that was only a small part. The damage had been done. Luke had learned if he wanted to feel powerful and be able to protect the ones he loved he would need to follow orders of whoever gave him the drug. Cole also knew Liam knew who this person was. When Brennan fell into a mind trap, Cole jumped up and got behind the man. Putting his hands on Brennan's shoulders he squeezed. He knew he would probably be leaving bruises, hopefully not too bad, but he hand to get Brennan back to the here and now. He could feel the terror locked into Brennan's body.
Cole knew where Bren had gone. The man's body and face had taken on the look of a younger child and even his screams sounded like a young child's. There was only one time Cole figured when this much terror would have been in the boy. Bren would have been around eight at the time. He had been captured by the Clan and scared into thinking he needed to help them. It had taken many psyco sessions to get the boys head free of the fear. Now Bren's subconsious was bringing up old memories because of what Luke was going though.
The hands tightened on his shoulders, becoming painful. He snapped his eyes up to the man standing behind him. "Please, I need to go to him. He has to come out of where his mind is taking him. Please...."
Cole squeezed harder. "It's not real Brennan. It's not real." When he was sure Bren was back, he leaned down and said, "You can't go to him Brennan. What he is going through has to come out into the open. It is the only way we are going to find out who did this to him. Punta is watching and listening. Stay in your seat. " Cole stepped over to the bed and touched Punta's shoulder, closing his eyes for a moment. There was someone standing close to Luke in his mind. Cole concentrated and finally got a clear picture of the man. His anger grew exponentially as the vision became clearer. "Got you.... finally you have made a mistake." He knew who the traitor was that his friends had been looking for. He knew who he had to catch, get information from and probably kill. Damir Zurlo, Cole's ex-roommate at school and his ex- PACK buddy was a dead man.
Cole nodded to Punta who put two fingers to Luke's temple and pushed. Luke could now be brought out of the mind trap. Darik would be notified on what had happened, so when Luke returned to the school that evening, Darik could have one of the elves at the school keep an eye on him. Tarik would also be told what had happened. The more people watching Luke the better off the boy would be. Cole turned to Brennan and said, "Luke will be returned to the school this evening. He will be watched by other elves, Tarik and other Caretakers. Do you want to stay here for Liam or do you want to return to the school also?" Cole walked over and straddled his chair waiting for Luke to become conscious and Brennan to make his decision.
LUKE
The first thing Luke felt was fear as the real world slowly came back into focus. He knew he had no choice but to wait for those his master wanted. To protect his friends he would betray others. He felt the pain travel through his whole body as he heard, "You will though! You want the Core protected then bring me who I want!" Luke screamed as the reality of where he was hit him full force. Luke blinked trying to focus his eyes. The elf was still standing by his bed. Fixer was in his seat at the table and Brennan sat across from him. Bren looked like he wanted to jump up. The man's knuckles were white as they held the back of the chair. Their eyes locked and Luke saw anguish. He tried to smile as the elf put down the railing on the side of the bed, allowing him to swing his legs over the side. He had to stop for a moment to because of the dizziness which made his stomach roll and his head swim. He slowly stood as he said, "Bren, let's get back to school." He hoped the voice in his head just wanted to chat with Brennan but Luke doubted it.
Bren stayed in his seat. All he wanted to do was grab Luke, but Punta was leading the boy over to the table. When Luke was seated Bren turned to Fixer. He was shaking as he shook his head saying, "What do you plan for Liam?" He was torn between getting Luke back to the school and finding Tarik, the only man he could safely discuss what had happened, and staying to try and protect Liam. Bren knew the boy was being controlled and he wanted to find out by whom. He also had seen when Fixer had realized a part of the puzzle swirling around this whole mess. Bren needed to find out what that was also.
COLE
Cole waited until Luke was in his chair. Punta had taken up a position behind the boy, watching his every move. Cole knew the elf was still reading the boy. When he was satisfied Luke would not fall over he held up his hand to signal Brennan to be quiet and spoke in Luke's direction. "Later on this afternoon Luke you will be returned to Hogwarts. All of the drugs you were given are now out of your system. You will continue to have some panic attacks though, so an Elf will be given to you under the guise that you have not been feeling well. The elf will answer to Darik who will have a full explanation of what is happening here. I erg you to talk with the elf and let him know also if you feel a panic attack coming on or if you start thinking you have to do something urgently. Tarik also knows what has happened so you can go to him if you need help. I know who it was who trapped you in the Shack, Luke and the man will be found and taken care of. If he comes to you again, get somewhere safe and contact your assigned elf, Darik, Tarik or even me. I know you don't trust me Luke, I accept that fact, but you also need to accept the fact I know what you are going through intimately and I can help. Don't tell Star or anyone else what has happened, because it will put them in too much danger. Before you go you will be given a complete physical." Cole was also going to have a locator and a small transmitter, placed under Luke's skin. He would of course tell Lance, the head of the Medical Department at the school that it was there. It would be up to Lance on who else was told about the devices.
Cole turned to Brennan, "As to what is going to happen to Liam... I am going to deprogram him. It is not going to be easy or pretty, but it has to be done. If you stay you will be an observer only. You will not be allowed in the room or even have any contact with him. What is your decision?"
LUKE
Luke placed closed fists on the table and tried desperately not to pound them. He looked first at Brennan trying to figure out what the man planned and then turned his eyes on Fixer. He shook his head hard as he said, "I am going nowhere without Brennan and Liam! I came with them and I will leave with them." He tried to put as much strength into his words as he could.
Bren couldn't stop the tremors running through his nervous system, as he said, "Sorry Fixer but I will be personally supervising Liam's deprogramming. Also what are you not saying? You just told Luke you know who the man is that drugged him. If you know who did this then I want his name so I can take care of the man himself. The children at the school need to be protected. If this man was at the Shack then he has access to school grounds through the underground passage." Bren's own memories were once more threatening to engulf his mind but he knew he had to stay in the present. There was not much of a chance Fixer was going to let him stay but he had to try. Liam was only a boy, confused, scared and brainwashed. There was a chance Fixer could turn him around. The man had done it before according to Martin and several of the other Caretakers. One of the reasons Brennan wanted to stay was so he could study the man's technique.
COLE
Cole was done. He needed to get Luke back to school. He had promised Tarik. The Magi was keeping his promise so Cole thought it was only fair to reciprocate. Pinning his eyes on Luke, he lowered the tone of his voice. "No Luke you will not be leaving with Liam and Brennan, Brennan maybe that will be up to him, but Liam is staying. The boy is trapped farther into the life which was being planned for you, then you can even contemplate. He has been reaised to think the members of the Clan are always right and that it is going to be an honor to be turned and be able to kill and maim for them. I need to change that. To do it Liam needs to be deprogrammed. It is a hard process and frightening to anyone watching but it has to be done." Cole was not going to even think of what he was going to have to do if the boy could not be deprogrammed. He would not let the boy be killed, but he would also not be able to let the boy return to the outside world. Cole already had two grown men in holding cells who where never going to be able to return to the outside world and he didn't want to add a boy to the list. "Now you will follow Punta to the medical center for your workup. After that I will talk with you one more time and then you will return to the school." Cole stared at the boy. "How is this going down Luke. You can walk out of here on your own or you can be carried out. I have suffered through a physical, not being able to move before and I can tell you it is very uncomfortable?"
Cole looked at Brennan, silently telling him not to say a word.
LUKE
Luke inwardly shook as he tried to figure out how to get Bren to leave. He knew if he didn't get Bren to the Shack soon, to his master, both of them were going to be looking at major punishment. Luke didn't know exactly what the punishment would be but he didn't want to find out if it was even close to the scenarios rampantly slamming through his brain. Luke was also sure Liam not being with them was going to infuriate his master and up the stakes on the punishment. Luke didn't want to take Bren to the Shack, but it was either him or one of the Core. Bren would understand and Luke was positive he would have picked the same choice Luke was picking. Luke stood and took a step toward the door, turning slightly to say to Bren who had not moved. "Bren, let Fixer handle Liam. We need to get back." Luke fought the need to grab Bren by the arm and pull him out the door.
Bren just sat and stared. He knew he was not going to be allowed to go with Luke until the boy had a physical and then was cleared. Maybe later Fixer would let him escort Luke back to Hogwarts, but that would mean he would be leaving Liam behind. He just shook his head as he glanced at Cole. The man had not moved. He was watching Luke. Brennan dropped his head to his chest when he realized Fixer was about to make his move.
COLE
Cole held two fingers up in the air and crossed them. This told Punta to make it so Luke could not move. He watched as the boy sank slowly to the floor. Macon came in and between the two elves, Luke was levitated off the floor. Cole walked over to him. "I told you what was going to happen if you did not agree to do this my way. Maybe if you have to go through the physical without being able to move it will help to impress on your brain, I do not threaten. I do what I say I am going to do. The only reason you are being treated this kindly is because you are still a boy. When the medics are done with you, you will be brought to my office. You will not be allowed to move on your own though until you are back on the mainland. Think about what I have told you Luke. Your actions no longer affect only you. They now affect your friends and those you love. I know you are smart, start using that smartness and stop fighting those who are truly trying to help you." Cole waved toward the door. Luke was floated out, screaming threats. Cole just shook his head. Darik, Tarik and a couple others were going to have their hands full.
Cole turned back to Brennan when the door closed. He walked to the table and straddled his chair. Folding his arms on the table he asked once again. "Are you staying or going Brennan?"
BRENNAN
Brennan was unsure how to protect both. He had to buy time. Time where he could think. He had seen Luke's eyes and knew the boy was far from alright. He looked at Fixer and wondered if the man before him even knew.
"Why am I sure that either choice will come at a price?" Brennan asked. He was worried what Fixer asked, Brennan could not give. He put his head on the table as he said, "What will it cost me this time?"
Bren's head was pounding as the flashback came. He had been in chains for what seemed like forever. The man in the cloak had come several times. Each time the pain would stop but only after he agreed that he deserved to be punished. Brennan's eyes teared as he remembered the pain would begin again after the cloaked man left. His life consisted of being medicated, punishments and reward. His whole world was a three by six cell attached to two foot chains. He only ate if the cloaked man thought he earned it. He had learned not to cry when he was punished. Instead he was to ask what he could do to make his error right. The cloaked man would give him a task which if Bren completed then he would get his soup. He had tried to escape once but he learned that it only caused him to not see the cloaked man until he told who had help. Brennan was crying now as he remembered what he had been forced to do to right that wrong. He had finally been feed and at least had been medicated after but he had learned that he and any that helped him would be punished. He felt himself try to cower in a corner as the cloaked man came close to him. The man had something different in his hand this time. A leash it looked like. He had learned not to ask. His master snapped his fingers. Bren put his forehead to the floor as he tried to stop shaking. As the man hooked the leash to his collar, Bren heard a whisper in his ear. He was going to meet somebody important. As long as he behaved he would earn more outings. He was to fetch something for this important man and come when called. Bren lowered his head daring not to anger his master.
COLE
Cole knew Brennan was having a flashback, but he was afraid to delve into it on his own, so he looked at Punta, silently asking if Brennan was alright. The elf nodded, so Cole kept going. "Sit up Brennan." When the man slowly sat back up, his eyes staring at something in front of him, Cole said, "Whether you stay or leave it is not going to cost you anything at the moment." Cole pointed to the 60 inch view screen near the door as it came on. "Luke is going to have a rough time with this physical. I have ordered it is not supposed to be done gently. The boy needs to learn there are consequences to not doing what I request, when I request it. Watch." The screen showed Luke lying on a table dressed only in his boxer jockey shorts. There were three men in white coats and surgical masks standing around him. One of the men proceeded to draw blood out of Luke's arm, another started to examine his limbs. The third forces Luke's mouth open and placed a device to keep it there. Luke's eyes were wide with fear. The men were not being gentle and they were not talking, telling Brennan what they planned on doing next. When one of the doctors started to pull Luke's boxers down, Cole turned off the screen, just as a scream could be heard through the sound system.
Cole turned back to Brennan and said, "I have ordered a Caretaker physical done to the boy. You have been through one of these physicals, Brennan. You know this means, every hole, every crevasse and every inch of the boy's body is to be checked. He will be prodded and poked with more instruments then he could even know existed. He is going to be sore. Soreness I hope will remind him what he needs to remember."
"Liam will also have one of these physicals, although it will be toned down a bit. What I need to know from you is are you staying or leaving. You will not be allowed to interfere in how I choose to treat Liam. You will most likely not even be in the room." Cole looked at his watch. "You have one minute to decide or I will decide for you." If Brennan did not want to stay then Cole would be sending him back to Hogwarts.
BRENNAN
He had trouble understanding exactly where he was. He only knew what punishment awaited him should he fail to obey this man before him. He listened carefully so he could obey hopefully quick enough. The man asked and say things that Brennan had no idea how his master expected him to answer.
With his eyes lowered he asked, "What do you wish me to retrieve for you? As for your other questions, I guess if you want me to stay away from whoever this Liam is, I will try to avoid him? Just tell me what you request of me to make my error right." He wanted to stay as he feared how the outside world would react to him but the chance to avoid the pain that he knew his master would order should he fail to obey this unknown man.
COLE
Cole inwardly smiled as he realized that Bren thought he was still facing the past. He got up and slowly walked to the Profiler. As he reached Brennan, he placed his hand on Bren's chin and lifted it saying, "Look at me boy. I am glad you want to right your error. I understand why you tried to run. Your master has been too strict am I right? You don't need to answer. I can keep him at bay and really want to. Would you like that? Maybe we need some time? Retrieving is not needed at the time. I will have the elves take you to a room where we can talk. Believe me punishment can still happen if you run again. I will try to have you do things that can be done. I will protect you from your master's wrath. All I request is you use your special gift to help me. Can you do that? Think on it in your new room. We will talk later."
Fixer looked at Punta as he said, "The boy is staying. Take him to the blue room. I will talk with Bren later. He is not to be enchained yet and nobody expect me is to enter that room." He was sure the elf knew he was playing along. He would use Bren's mind trap and insecurities to finally not only bond with the Profiler but also to rebuild the self-confidence that Matthew had as the cloaked man stole from Bren. He wrote a quick report to Martin explaining that Bren was now classified a Code Red and was staying. He also explained in code what he planned to do for Luke and Liam.
CLOSED