Cole

"He.... Liam," I choked out, "He didn't make it. They sent us proof." I didn't know how he was going to react. Instead, he surprised me and said, "Proof? What proof? He's right next to me." I heard a loud bang far away and loud movement. Then a raspy voice spoke, "Hey Gem, think you can get rid of me that easily?"

My breath left me and I lost all ability to function properly. The small stream of tears pouring down my face turned into a flowing river, and I forced myself to say something. "Cole....." I whispered, "But those pictures, how....what...."

"See, Lee, even she thought I was dead. I am such a good actor." his voice had taken a strained quality when he said that to Liam.

"Cole, this is not funny. I thought you were dead. I thought..."

"Hey Ruby. It's alright. I'm alive, Liam's alive, and we are both gonna make it outta here. All you have to do is sit your ass down and try not to do anything stupid while we come back, okay?" His voice was gentle and reassuring, but I felt all but reassured. For his sake, though, I replied "Yes okay. Liam, I need to talk to Liam."

I was sobbing so hard, and looked around the room. Nico just sat at one corner, very concerned. Chubs was standing beside him, giving me a trembling smile. He seemed to know that he was alive. Cole was alive. Vida, on the other hand, looked confused and angry and concerned, clearly trying to prevent herself from exploding.

"Hello? Ruby?"

"Liam. Are you okay?" I asked, gripping the phone tightly with my hands.

"Yeah, I'm okay, although I could use a hot bath and some food. Gosh, I'm starving." He sounded so much like himself, that it hurt so much. The huge lump in my throat was still there and when I didn't speak for a while, he said, "Hey Ruby, I am gonna come home, back to you and Chubs and Zu and Vida, all the while dragging Cole along with me. Just hang in there, alright?"

"I love you so much, Liam. I want you both here with all your limbs intact in 2 days, do you understand?" I scolded, through my tears.

He replied with "Yes, Ma'am. I love-" right before the call cut. I put the phone down.

I wiped the tears off my face, the anger replacing my sadness, and turned and looked at the others. "He's alive, they're both alive, and they're coming. Please excuse me, I need to have a chat with a certain asshole."