Smokescreen

18

When Cain brought in the bucket of water, Ben was immediately awake, his mouth open to offer himself up as a sacrifice. He didn't dare move to wake Erica up, faintly aware that their fingers were still entwined. He had made the decision last night that she would come out of this without a scratch on her.

Ben knew that it was inevitable that he would be killed. Cain had made that clear. Therefore, he was going to do his damned best that there was not more blood on his hands by making sure Erica made it home to Alexander, Cyrus, Zoe and Chip. He was going to try to take Cain with him too. The red in his ledger would be wiped out.

"If you hurt her," He spoke softly. "They'll find your body. They'll just need DNA to recognise it."

Cain paused, a smirk seemingly curving at her lips behind her surgical mask. Goggles, not unlike the ones that Ben used to wear in science class during labs, protected her eyes. For what they were for, Ben was unsure, and he wasn't sure that he wanted to know.

"Are you offering?" Ben nodded, bracing himself for the oncoming torture. Water flooded his lungs as he gave into the urge to scream. He couldn't see, he couldn't hear, he couldn't think, he couldn't breathe. Erica was pulled awake as Ben was thrust into the water, but she carefully kept her eyes closed, her heart seeming to beat out of her chest.

Cain pulled his head out of the bucket by the scruff of his neck, almost as if he was a helpless child. He emerged with a scream, his chest heaving as his wide eyes adjusted to being above water again and trying to gulp down the precious air before he was dunked again.

Erica tried to control her breathing, rubbing the back of Ben's hand with her finger, just like she had done last night. It was the only bit of comfort she could give, but she would bet that he had no idea.

"Are you going to get rid of me now?" Ben grunted, spitting water and blood out of his mouth to the side once Cain brought him up once more and headed back over to the table. Silence, Erica had learned, was a weapon more accurate than any shield or pistol. She'd wielded it often throughout her short life, on battlefields, in back-alleys and even in ballrooms sparkling with stars.

"You still have use." Cain said after a few minutes, and Erica bit the inside of her lip, resisting the urge to open her eyes. The voice was familiar, but only faintly so. Ben didn't respond.

"You love her." The villain observed. Ben gave a bloody grin, sucking air through his teeth that stung his mouth.

"Of course." He said simply, and he watched warily as Cain stood in front of him, feeling as if he was a shield between her and Erica. Erica froze, her eyes still shut, but it felt like she was seeing more things than ever. She had known that Ben had held a flame for her when they were younger, but she had assumed that it had faded away.

"You cling to hope that she will love you back." Cain said, drawing a knife down Ben's jaw. He clenched his teeth together. "And yet, she does not show it."

"You don't expect the stars themselves to admire you back." Ben replied, raising his voice at the reminder. "Erica has never loved me."

"You are the man who loves Erica Hale."

"I am. I've been denying it to myself for years." He leaned forward. Cain scowled, stalking toward the camera, her back to him.

"Loving Erica is like loving the sunset. Perhaps she could have given it back one day, but I am content with my fate and the realization that she never will." He said. Cain whirled around, her face drawn into a snarl, and grabbed something off of the table.

"Since you're so sure of my plan." Ben smirked once more.

"You're devolving." He whispered as the one handcuff clipped around his wrist. "Happens to most sadists. You'll kill and kill if someone doesn't stop you; if you don't stop yourself."

"I mean, really, Jemma." Ben said quizzaciously, their faces close enough to touch, but when he said her name, she darted away as if burnt. "Did you really think I wouldn't figure out who you are?"

"Jemma?" Erica groaned. "As in Jemma Stern?"

Ben looked the revealed Cain in the eyes, his face falling back into the stoic expression that he was used to. Jemma felt a shiver run down her spine, staring into the dark eyes that promised death. She was found out, and she knew it.

In a movement of panic, she rushed forward, and the knife entered Ben's abdomen. Jemma stepped back, staring at him in what seemed to be horror, until she caught sight of the brand on Ben's neck and fled. The door slammed shut behind her, and a faint beep was heard.

"What was that?" Erica asked.

"That, Erica, I believe was the remote to the timer on the bomb she put on my wrist."