We Live Forever

Chapter 31: Leave No Man Behind

Crimson's POV:

It took a while, but eventually, Hank was brought back to the cell. They chained him back up and laughed to themselves.

However, they didn't come back. Obviously, there are no clocks or proper windows in this hellhole, but it feels like it's been a very long time since anyone came in. I thought I might've been imagining it, like maybe I'd lost my mind already. That was until the sound of Charles' rumbling stomach echoed around our cell. 

"You too?" Hank asked.

"I'm considering eating my hand," Charles stated.

Sounds of screaming were able to be very faintly heard through the walls of our cell. 

"Apparently they really don't like that idea," I joked. 

"Wait. If we're all in here, then whose out there?" Hank questioned.

"Opportunity," Charles stated.

"Opportunity is a really bad mutant alias, what are their powers?" Hank asked genuinely causing Charles to attempt to slap himself in he face, but fail due to the chains. 

"God damn it cookie monster, you are the stupidest genius I've ever known!" Charles exclaimed. 

"COOKIE MONSTER!" I yelled howling with laughter. 

"Oh no. Charles do you see what you've done? My wife is never going to address me by my name ever again," Cookie Monster scolded.

"Can we refocus here? The people keeping us here are clearly preoccupied right now. We might not get another chance like this," Charles said.

"In case you haven't noticed, we're a little stuck," Hank replied rattling his chains.

I sighed loud enough to capture both of their attentions. I stood up and stretched one of my arms out as much as I could to make the chain taut. 

"Hank, darling, I have these powers long enough to know that if your willing to endure enough pain then you can never truly be stuck," I stated raising up one of my legs.

"You're not going to-"

I stomped down on the chain, but kept it taut and my arm straight. The bracket on the wall the chains were attached to budged a little. I stomped again and let out a short scream. I stomped again and the bracket was getting nice and loose. This time I bit down on my tongue as I stomped down. I ended up biting so hard I drew blood that dripped onto my cheeks. Now I braced one of my legs against the wall and used both my arms to yank the bracket the rest of the way out of the wall. 

"Voila!" I said spitting out blood. 

"I am equal parts concerned and turned on," Hank confessed.

"I AM RIGHT HERE!" Charles yelled out exasperated. 

"Fine, Charles, I guess I won't help you first"

Charles scoffed and I walked over to Hank. I placed my foot on the wall and used my body weight to yank the bracket from the wall. With some effort it came off. 

As soon as he was free, Hank scrambled off the floor and practically threw himself into my arms. I quickly returned the gesture and held him in a tight embrace. Hank tilted his head down and gave me a gentle kiss on the forehead. 

"Guys I'm still here!" Charles called out.

"SHUT UP CHARLES!" We both yelled in sync.

We pulled apart ever so slightly, still holding onto each other. 

"I may be blind as a bat right now - well bats are not actually blind that's a myth that originated from... and I'm rambling - but I'm going to assume you're still the most beautiful woman in the world"

"You know you're awful smooth for a man who spent most of his life alone in a lab..."

"If my lab coat could talk..."

"WILL ONE OF YOU PLEASE LET ME OUT?"

"So, we're definitely leaving him at home next time," I stated.

"Every time. We are leaving him at home every time," Hank responded seriously.

We finally went over and carefully helped Charles to free himself from his own chains. Then we surveyed the cell to determine our next move. Judging by the fact that no one had burst through the door to kill us, the soldiers must really be preoccupied with something or someone big. That means the little observation room is most likely empty. The glass should be easy enough to break or at least easier than the big metal door. 

"The bottom of the glass is at least sixteen feet up, there's no way all three of us would be able to get up there. Only two of us would make it..." Hank trailed off while we all looked at each other. 

"I'll stay," Charles declares. 

"No, no Charles you're the most vulnerable of all of us. One of us should stay."

"We can always wait and see what happens next. Maybe whoever else might be here comes to get us or a soldier comes to check on us and we overpower them."

"It's quite alright you two. I certainly owe you both, just go on ahead. I'll figure something out," Charles stated leaving no room for argument. 

I surged forward and gave Charles a hug. Channeling his inner awkward dad Charles gave me a singular pat on the back. I moved away from Charles and Hank leaned down to hug Charles aswell. 

"Thanks Charles"

"Come on, let's get you two out of here."

Author's Note:

Charles is just third wheeling this whole chapter