Trust Your Instincts

-44- Piecing It Together

 Mark lay on his back, staring up into the darkness of his room and waiting for his alarm to sound so he could get up and out of bed. He couldn't possibly count how many times he had called Jack the day before, but no matter how hard he tried, his efforts were fruitless.

 The deafening clang of his alarm eventually sounded, not that he needed it. There was no way that he would have been able to sleep last night, not with Jack 'missing'. He swung his feet over his bed nonetheless, allowing them to make contact with his soft carpeted floor, as he walked almost lifelessly towards the bathroom to shower.

 There was always the glimmer of hope that Jack would show up at school today to reveal that he had stayed the night at Isaac's or Felix's, but if that was the case, then he really was in a mood with Mark, and as hard as it was for Mark to admit it, he didn't think he had did anything that had warranted this sort of neglect. He'd have to face the facts by the end of the day, whether he wanted to or not. Jack was probably missing.

 Mark didn't even remember walking into the school, but before he knew what was going on, he was sitting in his first class, next to Isaac, who was just as cheery as usual, obviously just back from his weekly coffee run to Marie, the school receptionist, in exchange for some of her infamous baked goods.

 "What's gotten you all upset this time, Mark?" Isaac asked, coming across a little more abrasive than he would have hoped, and so following the sentence up with an apologetic smile.

 Mark didn't see the benefits of keeping his worries from Isaac, and so he spoke almost without hesitation. "Jack." He sighed. "He's not returning any of my calls, and I'm starting to get worried about him." He admitted, not bothering to hide his concern.

 Isaac laughed, not the sort of laugh that could come across as mocking or sardonic, but a light chuckle that he obviously thought might ease Mark's tension.

 "Mark. You of all people should know that Jack's undoubtedly the worst at replying to texts and phone calls." He said convincingly. "I'm sure there's nothing wrong with him." The words were exactly what Mark had expected to hear, empty reassurance, but it settled his mind nonetheless, hearing it come from Isaac.

---

 The next few classes went by uneventfully, Mark didn't pay attention, despite knowing that he should have, but it was almost impossible to concentrate when your mind is so full of thoughts and questions about why your boyfriend is missing.

  It got to lunch time, and Mark almost sprinted out of his class towards the lunch hall. He tried not to get too hopeful, but he couldn't seem to contain his anticipation. He just wanted to see Jack, and be sure that he was safe. 

 He shouldered his way through the crowd of hungry students, and gazed expectantly towards the table that his group always occupies, but his faith was shattered when he saw only two people sitting there, chatting unsuspectingly, not even aware that their friend might be in danger. 

 He started to walk over to the other two, holding back the frightened tears that threatened to sting his eyes, when he was stopped in his tracks, a hand grabbing at his wrist from behind, rekindling his hope.

 He turned excitedly, almost wishing to see Jack looking into his eyes apologetically, but his spirits dropped once again when he realised that it was Ken who had stopped him. The look he was receiving was apologetic, but it wasn't the face he was so desperate to see.

 He smiled kindheartedly though at the bearded man, as it was obvious from the sweat that caused his forehead to glisten slightly and the skin of his palms to become so hot to the touch that he was nervous. Ken grinned sheepishly in return, still anxious that Mark hated him, but Mark suggested that they go someplace quieter to talk. 

 They spoke the whole of the lunch hour, most of the conversation consisting of Ken's persistent apologising. Mark was really grateful to have such a good friend back, and he too apologised for not sorting things out sooner. What Mark was most grateful for, though, was Ken's ability to take his mind off Jack, even if it was just for the hour or so that they were speaking.

 After they had patched things up and the school bell had rang, they split up to go to separate classes, as Mark headed towards Physics, the uncomfortable knot in his stomach resurfacing.

 His fears were even further convinced when the lesson started and Jack's seat was empty, and now his mind was racing. Was it wise to get the police involved? He kept shooting glances at the empty seat, in the hope that maybe Jack would somehow magically materialise in front of him, but it was always the same, the seat was empty, and everything else about the class was just as it always was. Everything except one thing.

 Every time he turned his head to look at the empty seat, he could swear he saw Laurel smiling to herself out of the corner of his eye.

---

 Jack leaned back in his seat, the metallic taste of blood still fresh in his mouth as the man who had been holding him prisoner paced irritably around the dim basement, running his fingers through his hair in frustration.

 Jack didn't know how long this man had been trying to extract information, it must have been hours upon hours now of torturous beating, but no matter how painful the punishments were, no matter how discoloured Jack's abdomen was becoming from the bruising that was beginning to show, his demeanour remained unaffected and his answer stayed the same. That he knew nothing of the man's brother's murderer.

 The man stopped in his tracks, his head swivelling around  slowly so that he was facing Jack, as a wide grin crept on to his previously enraged face. He had an idea, and Jack could bet that it wasn't one that he would enjoy. The man took a step closer to Jack, who didn't cower away. He remained strong, despite his battered and bruised appearance, he wouldn't give the man the satisfaction of knowing that he had broken him, not mentally at least.

 Before the man could reach the sturdy wooden chair that Jack occupied, though, his attention was drawn to the slamming of a door upstairs, indicating that someone had got home Whether it was from work or school, Jack didn't know, he had lost all sense of time ever since he was placed down here.

 With a slight grunt of dissatisfaction, the man backed away from Jack, and made his way upstairs to greet whoever had walked in, not even closing the door to the basement properly, allowing a narrow stream of bright fluorescent light to filter through the crack in the door. 

 Jack was left to his thoughts for a moment, and immediately turned his attention to devising a plan to contact Mark. Just one indication that he was alive would be enough to put Mark's mind at ease. He could lie and say that he went back to Ireland to meet distant relatives. The last thing he wanted was for Mark to get involved, especially when he didn't even know where he was being held captive.

 His attention was snapped back towards the slightly ajar door, however, as the man was having a conversation with a female on the other side, but there was something about this female, something that Jack couldn't quite put his finger on. He recognised the voice, but where from?

 He didn't have very much time to ponder on the question before it was answered for him, in the deep tone of the man who had been putting him through hell for at least a day. He heard what he called her, clear as day, and everything seemed to make sense after that.

 He was her father, he had gathered that much from the muffled conversation, and surprisingly, she was trying to talk him out of using some of the methods he was using on Jack, but that didn't forgive her for the part she had played in Jack's capture. 

 Jack should have known better than to trust Laurel that night. He understood that as soon as he heard her voice again, unmistakeable now that he knew who it belonged to for certain.

 Jack was smart though, resourceful. He had a plan, and as much as he hated involving him, the plan included Mark.

________

A/N Hello!

I don't have much to say this time, i think it was pretty self explanatory, but i really hope you enjoyed the chapter, and id appreciate it greatly if you let me know what you think of the story so far??

I will hopefully see you in the next chapter though!! Until then, friends!