Mission: Impossible 6: Deep Tides

Chapter 4

Part 1

Ethan woke with a start, gasping. Everything was way too shiny and blurred, but he was able to think now. What had that drug been? It had made him almost believe he was dead. Was Rebecca under the influence of it too? Was she even here? Could he find her? Questions mounted up in his mind until his head throbbed and he couldn't do anything but relax in his restraints and let unconsciousness take him away again.

When Erin awoke the light had receded from inside her. She couldn't believe it had even been real. There was a shine to the whole thing now, like it was a distant dream from years ago. She could think clearly, but her body was slow, sluggish, wouldn't respond to her mind's demands. She was also tired... so tired. She just wanted to sleep. She thought of Ethan, of Rebecca, of Benjie and finally herself before sleep drowned her in its deep blackness.

Rebecca jolted awake in a padded cell. No sign that anyone had ever been here before, no one but her.

Ethan flew awake for the second time, not knowing how long he'd be asleep. Rebecca's face was all that he could see in his mind, her eyes smiling after he kissed her, the curve of her breast as he kissed it... he needed to find her, needed to know where he was, needed to keep her safe for Brandt, for himself, for Erin... unconsciousness...

Erin awoke for the second time to bright daylight. It was not as bad as the light that had been there when she was first in the grips of this drug, whatever it was... she needed to stay awake this time, she knew. It was so important. The more she gave into the sleep, the more time she lost. She tried to move her neck, slowly, and it worked. Ethan was on her left, pale as death, even in the warm orange light. He wasn't awake like her, he didn't even look like he was breathing. She waited until she saw his chest rise and fall at least twice, and then felt for her pocket. Within the waist restraining band she had about three cm of movement and she could just about wiggle enough to release the tiny blade she hoped would be able to pick the locks on the cuffs. She slid it out of the small pocket that she had on her leggings and started to slowly saw away at the thick cotton bandages.

It took her about three hours, but once she'd got one off she managed to reach her scissors which were stashed under the sole of her shoe, she had got finished quickly. Amazingly, no one had noticed her. Or taken away her gun. She walked over to Ethan and cradled his head in her hands tenderly, staring down at him sleeping. She shook herself slightly and let his head go, slapping him across the face. He woke up with a start and stared at her. "What? Are? You? Doing?" he said, cross. "Getting you out of here!" she retorted, also cross. "Wake UP, Ethan Hunt." Suddenly, Erin felt sad. "Think of Rebecca, Ethan. Think of how much you love her. Think of how crazy you were when she was kidnapped. Come on!"

He woke up properly when the floor gave him a good whack. Erin stood over him, grinning.

"So, are we going to rescue them or not?"

Rebecca woke swinging from the ceiling by her arms and legs, twisted, harsh screams of pain forcing themselves forward from her throat.

Everything went black.

Part 2

Ethan pulled his gun out of the back of his trousers, holding it in front of him as he went around the corner, just to make sure he was safe. They hadn't seen anyone yet, which was a surprise considering they were in what was probably a high security building.

They rounded the corner and were met by screams, screams that whistled off the walls and drilled into their ears, screams that made them want to give up and just lie down.

Ethan tried not to be put off. He advanced down the corridor, past a few deadlocked rooms. They wouldn't be getting in those. He poked his head round the corner, and jumped. People in huge almost spacesuit like clothing were standing in the corridor. As they saw Ethan, they started to shout and run in the direction of the two adults. "Come on," he whispered to Erin, "let's go."