𝐇𝐨𝐩𝐞'𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞| ᴀ ʟᴇᴏɴ x ʀᴇᴀᴅᴇʀ ꜱᴛᴏʀʏ

10. Facing The Enemy At Last

The cold, damp air of the underground bunker where I'm being kept chills me, but I know that I have to be as strong as I can right now. I sit huddled, my hands tightly bound behind my back in a way that makes my arms ache. The flickers of fear threaten to consume me, I've never been held captive before and never in my life would I have thought I'd do it willingly, but I know it's for a good cause.

Theodore returns from wherever he scampered off to last time, no doubt coming back to ask me to same questions. He comes in, shutting the heavy metal door behind him as he glares at me, his eyes a gun ready to take my life. His lips twist into a sinister smile as he approaches, keeping his distance since I'm still capable of hurting him, I'm just holding back, acting meek like I should. "Still here?" He teases, chuckling at his own joke, "I really did think that little mission in Grimhurst would kill you." 

I shake my head, forcing a sassy smile to my lips. "Nope, guess you underestimated the wrong power couple." Theodore's mouth clams shut, I can see him internally debate whether or not to kill be, but in the end he lets it slide. "Why am I here Theo?" I ask, still wanting an explanation. His lips once again turn up at my little understanding of his motives. He lifts a shoulder, and stays silent. 

We both stare at one another, "I know that you've discovered my little business," He drawls, "and that wasn't my intention when I sent you and Agent Kennedy to Grimhurst. Tell me where your partner is?"

I stay silent, pinching my lips together in a sign of defiance. I'm not telling this bastard anything, even if it kills me. Theodore growls, clearly getting annoyed with the turn of the tables. I open my mouth, watching as he leans forwards slightly, eager to get what he wants. He's desperate, I learn. Smirking I raise my brows, looking like I'm ready to spill, but then I say "Fuck. You." 

Theodore's face falls, a look of cool determination crosses his features as he sneers at me. "You think you can keep your precious partners whereabouts a secret forever?" I meet his eyes with no fear, refusing to back down even if it goes against the plan of buying time. 

"I'd rather die than betray him, so yeah, I don't think you're going to win this time." I declare. 

Theodore's eyes narrow, patience gone now as he storms forwards and grabs a fistful of my hair. I yelp, wriggling as tears spring to my eyes from the pain and tearing. "You should know that everyone breaks," he leans his face lower now he knows I'm at a weak point, "and you will too. I don't mind waiting and enjoying the process." With that he throws me down, my face hits the concrete floor as my teeth bite my tongue, and my mouth fills with blood. I spit it out as he hums in approval, fixing his suit and tie before stepping away from me. I put all my hate into my eyes as I watch him leave, then when he's gone I let myself slump to the floor. I stay there, clinging to the hope that somewhere out there Leon is fighting to find me and fix this mess we're in, all I have to do is buy time and refuse to give up hope. 

It becomes hard though. Especially when they begin to torture information from me. My wrists turn red raw from the struggle and writhing I've done over the last few days, I'm bleeding from numerous cuts and bruises I've endured when FutureFront's soldiers started coming in and beating me about, they resemble vultures, preying on me when I'm weak and waiting until I'm most vulnerable when they choose to disturb me at all hours of the day and night. I hold it out though, and the positive is that Theodore's getting madder by the day, he's not used to people not giving him what he wants, so at least I'm teaching him one valuable lesson after another. 

The door opens again, and I almost cry from having enough. A solider comes in, followed by Theodore. The soldier storms to me, then kneels beside me, grabbing my nose and covering my mouth. I close my eyes, counting up and up until the panic settles in, I wriggle for my life, ears ringing and heart pounding as my body begins to grow unconscious, but at the last second I'm released, tossed onto the floor where I gasp for air, mouth wide open like a fish. When Theodore shouts "That's enough!"

 Theodore just tilts his head at me, the prick gets off on this. "You're strong, I'll give you that, but I know we can find other ways of making you talk. You see, I've been looking into your life, your friends, hell even your damn distant cousins. I'll use as many of them as I need to for you to start talking." He's bluffing. He has to be. I'm always careful. Always. Theodore finally looks accomplished as I truly feel the despair begin to consume me, and I can't help but to begin to lose hope. "You want answers? Let me give them to you," He mumbles, leaning against the wall, "Grimhurst was a practice run, a trial let's say. I bought the town, which was extraordinarily cheap thanks to the bankruptcy, and then the experiments began, you saw them yes?" 

I nod, but then curse myself. I know the tactics he's using, trying to earn my trust and give me what I want so I'll do the same. Still, I'm getting the answers I've been seeking...

"I used the previous outbreaks as stencils, then drew over them with my own design. I couldn't help the tourists, but they did make great additions. I began to found FutureFront, a company that would use bioweapons as pawns in my game-"

"They were innocent people!" I angrily interrupt. Theodore arches a brow, then dismissed my comment as if I never said anything. 

"As I was saying, the bioweapons would be used to create chaos, and then I, the department of homeland security, would get paid for sending out my agents and special forces to take care of them. I own both sides of the field, and it works. You have no idea how much I get paid for my agents! Sadly your death was inescapable, a true loss to the government, but it had to be done. You and Agent Kennedy are too clever, you both as questions before firing the gun. No, we can't have that." He tuts, shaking his head. 

I'm seeing red, trembling with blinding hatred. "YOU DID ALL THIS FOR FUCKING MONEY?!" I scream, feeling a sob choke me. Theodore smiles, nodding like the true psychopath he is. 

"Of course. The world is an expensive place to be." 

I close my eyes, knowing that if I keep looking at him I'll fuck up this whole plan. Theodore sighs, then him and his little helper leave me with the revelation and burning anger. I need to calm down, I'm losing control which is bound to lead to failure. I take a few steadying breaths, then begin to think of the one thing that's keeping me afloat; Leon. I summon our happiest memories together, envisioning his warm smile and cheesy jokes, hearing his smooth voice and the way he'd always hug me first thing in the morning and last thing at night. I think of our time at the hotel and in the attic back in Grimhurst. I think of the day I caught him window shopping for engagement rings online. 

Feeling a tiny bit better, I let a shaky breath escape me, then I press my forehead to the floor, praying that Leon saves me soon, because I'm close to breaking. Leon needs to know what he's doing, because I don't think I can stay two steps ahead anymore. I've just got to wait, and hope that the repercussions of Theodore's actions are enough to save me, Leon and the world.