X.W.P. 3257: WORST CASE SCENARIO

pt.9

There was a painful throbbing in Xena's head as she slowly began to stir. Her eyes opened a little and shut again when she felt the aching becoming worse the more she woke up. After a moment she opened her eyes again and lifted her head. As she regained her focus from being knocked out, she began to become aware of her situation. Xena felt a trickle of blood as it ran down the side of her face. There was some sort of cloth stuffed in her mouth and tied around her head, Cleary so she wouldn't be able to speak or yell for help. She tried to move, but realized that she had been tied up and chained to a steel beam. She fought to get free but soon stopped struggling when she realized she wasn't getting out that easily. Xena leaned her head back against the beam as she tried to lock around to figure out where she was. Unfortunately where ever Xena was it was farely dark. All she could really knew was that she was sitting on the cold, hard, concrete floor in some kind of old, run down looking building. She looked around and saw a small window on the far wall behind her. Though she couldn't really see anything due.to how dark it now was outside. Xena looked up as she tried to figure out what she was going to do to get out of this.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) Damn just how long was I out for. I need to find a way out of here.

Gabrielle nervously paced back and forth in their living room trying to think of where Xena could be. It was now almost 2:30 in the morning and there was still no sign of her. Gabrielle had called everyone she could think of that might've seen or heard from her but no one had any contact with Xena since Gabrielle had spoken to her last and that was hours ago.

GABRIELLE
Something's really wrong, I know it. Xena would never just disappear like this.

There was a small flash of light as Aphrodite popped into the living room. Gabrielle hugged her.

GABRIELLE
I'm glad you're here.

APHRODITE
Still no signs of Xena yet?

GABRIELLE
No. I'm really worried Aphrodite. I don't know what could've happened to her.

APHRODITE
Don't worry my bros got his people out there looking for her. Well find her Gabby.

GABRIELLE
I just can't shake the feeling that Xena's in trouble. I wish I could be out there looking too.

APHRODITE
I know.

Aphrodite looked around for a moment.

APHRODITE
By the way where's that little cutie I've heard so much about?

Being that Xena and Gabrielle were such good friends with Aphrodite and the fact that she was one of Xena's informants, she knew all about Luka.

GABRIELLE
I'm letting him sleep in our room so I don't wake him with my pacing around, constant phone calls and checking the news to see if anything turns up there.

APHRODITE
Good idea.

Gabrielle sighed as she grabbed her phone and called Ares again for the unknown numbered time.

ARES
I don't know what you want me to tell you, we still don't have any thing yet. 

Gabrielle put the phone down when she heard Ares voice coming from behind her. Having clearly gotten tired of her phone calls, Ares had decided to try delivering the message in person. Gabrielle turned around as he crossed his arms and looked at her.

ARES
I told you I would call you as soon as I got any information.

Gabrielle sighed sadly as she went over to the couch and sat down.

GABRIELLE
I know, I know. I just...

Ares sighed.

ARES
I get it.

Ares walked over and put his hand on Gabrielle's shoulder.

ARES
We're gonna find her. Just make sure you keep your phone nearby incase she calls.

Gabrielle looked up at him and nodded slightly.

ARES
Okay. Hang in there. I'll give you an update soon.

Ares stepped back and disappeared. Leaving to return to help the rest of the detectives on the force trying to locate Xena. Aphrodite could see the tears forming in Gabrielle's eyes as she sat there quietly. She walked over and sat next to her.

APHRODITE
Is there anything I can do?

GABRIELLE
No. I don't think so. But thanks anyway.

APHRODITE
Okay. I'll just stay here until they find Xena.

Gabrielle looked at her friend.

GABRIELLE
Thank you.

APHRODITE
Of course that's what friends are for.

Meanwhile Xena was still trying to escape her restraints. She let out an groan of pure frustration when for all her efforts, she still couldn't get free.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) Come on damn it.

She huffed pulled against the chains and rope holding her. Then stopped to catch her breath for a moment.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) Rope AND chains, someone's a little excessive.

Xena pulled again but still couldn't get anything to budge. She had already tried to see if there was anything she could reach with her feet  but there was nothing around her. At least nothing Xena could see. The room was still pretty dark so she wasn't able to really see much. As Xena sat there trying to come up with a way out of her situation, she heard what sounded like a heavy door being opened and shut. Then footsteps coming up behind her. After a moment they stopped and the lights inside the dark building came on. The sudden brightness blinded Xena for a moment as she squeezed her eyes shut and then blunk a few times as her eyes adjusted to the light. Once she could see again Xena saw where she was. She appeared to have been being held captive in the amusement parks fun house. Though with how old and run down everything looked, the name "fun house" was now more of an ironic title. It looked more a long the lines of being a haunted house then any place that could be possibly referred to as fun. It honestly kind of gave Xena the creeps. Xena scowled when out of the corner of her eye she saw a broken down, robotic, creepy looking clown sitting in the corner among a bunch of other junk.

XENA
(Thinking to herself) Ick, I've always hated clowns.

The footsteps resumed making their way towards Xena. She leaned her head back as she waited for whatever was there to show themselves. She perked up when she heard a small chuckle as the footsteps got right up behind her. Xena growled into the gag in her mouth at the sound of the voice.

?
(Mocking tone) Well, well, well. Look who we have here.

Xena watched as someone walked in front of her and stood there. Xena angerly glared up at the mocking, evil smile on the face of the person standing before her. She pulled against her restraints as she finally layed eyes on the one who was clearly behind all the kidnappings and murders. Completely surprised, confused and enraged by who she saw.

ALTI
Hello Xena, it's been far too long since we've seen each other last hasn't it?

TO BE CONTINUED...