Love Thaws: Melting

Buried

His hand grasped the pistol tightly, and he pointed it at the man's chest. "Where is she?"

He chuckled, appearing completely at ease. "Is that anyway to treat your fellow student? Well, formerly I should say."

Jack's knuckles whitened. "Hans," he ground out through clenched teeth. "Where is she?!"

Hans chuckled again and shook his head, wagging a chastising finger. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Hasty, hasty. All these years haven't taught you patience?"

Jack leveled the pistol, his patience rapidly wearing thin. He wasn't in the mood for games and idle pleasantries.

Hans let out a huff. "Very well. Boys, why don't you show Jack what we found?"

Jack's muscles tensed. He'd hoped he'd only have to deal with Hans. Two giants stepped towards them. Each sported red hair, one had sideburns and the other an eye patch. Fine white scars marred their faces.

Hans smiled, knowing he had the upper hand. "Jackson, let me introduce you to Frans and Dirk, my brothers."

A small figure was sandwiched in between them. Jack would recognize her form anywhere. He caught sight of her bright blue eyes, wide with terror. Her hand were held behind her back, presumably tied, and there was a scrap of cloth bound over the lower half of her face. She was trying to put up a brave front, but Jack saw her quivering slightly. And he knew it wasn't from the cold. 

Anger churned within him. "Let her go."

Hans chuckled. "Oh, Jackson. You know that's not how this works." In a flash, Hans had his pistol drawn, the barrel shoved against Elsa's head. She flinched. 

Jack's own terror mingled with his red-hot anger. He felt a prickling sensation in the back of his neck and knew, without a doubt, Hans wouldn't hesitate to pull the trigger. 

"Now, lay down your weapon slowly and we'll let her go."

Something—a warning—tickled the back of his mind. There was something wrong. Why would they want him, but not Elsa? Was this because of their fist fight, three years ago? Jack grimaced. It wasn't like he had a lot of options. They were holding a gun to her head. 

"You promise?" Jack asked, yet doubting Hans might keep it. He gripped the pistol indecisively. He still had his powers. Perhaps Hans didn't know about them.

He laid his free hand across his chest. "With all my heart."

Jack swallowed the unease, the terror, the anger and did the only thing he could do. 

He put the gun down. 

Hans snatched it up without a second thought and positioned it at Jack's head. "Now, slowly turn around and hold your hands behind your back." 

He clenched his jaw and obeyed. One of the huge men approached him, securing his hand with a thick zip tie. He felt a sharp prick in the back of his neck as a needle was inserted. An aching sensation spread from his neck to his body. His body felt oddly numb, and he felt something... change. Jack tried to summon ice, but nothing happened. So much for powers. Hans pulled his hand back, and his fist smashed into Jack's jaw. He went sprawling into the snow. His face stung. There was probably an imprint left from Hans' fist. 

"Fool," Hans spat. "You knew better."

Jack smoothed his features, trying not to grimace. He did know better, yet he had hoped beyond hope that Hans would keep his side of the bargain.

"Get up," he snarled. His eyes gleamed with a frightening combination of hatred and insanity.

Jack stood slowly, unable to meet Elsa's gaze. It would have been better if he'd let Hans shoot her, compared to what Hans would do to her now. Hans grabbed Elsa and shoved her forward. She let out a muffled squeak and tripped. Hans delivered a heavy kick to her stomach. Jack flinched when he heard the 'thud' on the impact. Elsa's cry was stifled by the cloth.