A LEAP OF FAITH

Chapter 31: Exes and ohs.

Ari woke up, finding himself in a similar room to the last. He assumed what he was in was called 'the viewing room', like Vivien said. The only difference being... large television screens placed on the walls all around him.

"Someone's finally awake, hmm?" Vincent said cheerfully. He stood in front of him, and Ari realized that he was tied up again, this time with more of the sacred rope.

"Untie me," he demanded through gritted teeth. He's never gone this many consecutive hours without smiling at all.

"I'm afraid I can't do that, babes!" Vincent giggled and reached into his pocket, pulling out a remote. He pointed it at all of the screens, turning them on one-by-one. On the screens, he saw two familiar faces.

Maverick and Vivien.

Maverick looked around in a panic, cameras suspended from the roofs, all pointing at him and Vivien.

"Now your little boyfriend can watch without interfering!" She said with a smile.

"Please don't make him watch..." Maverick pleaded, his voice shaky with fear and pain. "I don't care what you do to me, just don't make him watch..." Vivien only sighed and shoved him back down onto the ground. He fell on his stomach with a thud.

"Now where were we...?" She mumbled, rummaging through the box a bit. She pulled out some regular rope and tied Maverick's arms and legs behind him. He jolted around wildly, only resulted in being kicked. "You're only making this harder on yourself." She sighed heavily and crouched down in front of him. "I'm not going to ask again. Tell me everything you know about the hall of elements." It wasn't a request; it was more of a demand.

"I can't tell you anything, I'm not going to," he scowled, staring up at her with hatred. A sadistic smile came over Vivien, she tried to hold herself together. Her brother always said she had such a bad temper, and she wanted to seem carefree in front of her hostages.

"Fine then," she said softly and pressed a few buttons on her phone. Maverick's eyes widened, just before he was about to say anything, he heard the buzz coming from her phone. "Hello, Lawrence! You don't know me, but I sure do know a lot about you!" She held the phone up to her face, putting on a cheery smile.

"Who are you and what do you want?" The familiar voice struck fear into Maverick. He didn't think she'd actually call him.

"I'm Vivien, I work for a wonderful woman that goes by the name of Sinclair!" She explained.

"Sinclair, Sinclair..." he mumbled, "is that the lady that came by my house and threatened me for my number...?" He asked.

"It sure is!" Vivien's smile grew wider.

"Okay, well, if you're just going to mess with me, I'm gonna hang up." It was evident he was annoyed.

"WAIT-! Don't hang up-!" She said quickly, "I have something you want, Lawrence." She eyed Maverick with a smirk.

"Yeah, what, money?" Lawrence snorted.

"Something much better, my friend! Say hi, Maverick!" She pointed the camera at her, Maverick and Lawrence locked eyes for a moment. Maverick slammed his eyes shut at the sight of his creator. Seeing his face and hearing his voice forced a wave of memories to come over him.

"Well, well, well... I never thought I'd see you again," he said lowly.

"Yeah, I can say the same for you..." mumbled Maverick.

"You're always getting yourself into trouble, hm? What is it this time?" He tilted his head to the side. Maverick looked down; he didn't answer. "Answer me, cunt," he said sternly.