The Awake

Interrogating

Back in Oklahoma, The boys had made it back with the truck and their new Hostage.

The boys had parked their new ride in the safe house's garage and changed back into their own clothing. Big Ben carried Hollow over his shoulder, into the house, where the girls were waiting. I grabbed the case that Hollow was carrying. I was the last one in the house and Emilie ran straight to me and hugged me.

"I was so worried!! I'm so glad you're okay." She said letting me go. I looked over to see that Katherine and Big Ben were tying the Scientist to a chair. Ben and Peter were setting up a row of torture tools on the table. There was a gas can full of water, A pair of plyers, Jumper cables that were connected to a car battery, and a large, heavy wrench. Everyone was in the room except Zach and Hannah. I didn't say anything about the two, and bent over to pet little Tyson. His fur was cleaned and groomed, and he looked very happy. There was a grey, collar around his neck. Hanging from it was a small, bronze T. I stood back up and went to talk to where Big Ben was standing, in front of Hollow.

"Hey, Big Ben, would you do the honor of being the torturer?" I asked him. He smiled and nodded.

"I'd love to." He replied. Hollow was moaning and moving his head slightly. I asked everybody in the room to stay quiet while we interrogated Hollow. Once everyone was quiet and watching, I looked over at Big Ben and nodded. He then struck Hollow in his gut. He howled, and coughed then squinted around the room.

"Where am I? Who are you rats?!" He yelled. I nodded to Big Ben once again and he struck Hollow for the second time. Hollow wheezed and groaned at the pain.

"I'll ask the questions.First, the simple questions. Are you Lucas Hollow?" I asked looking at his different colored eyes. He hesitated. I nodded to Big Ben and He struck him once more.

"Let me try again. Are you Lucas Hollow?" I asked again. Hollow slowly nodded his head. "Good, now, Are you part of Operation Sandman?"

"Yes... I am.." He said breathing heavily.

"Are you familiar with the word, Cummingtonite?"

"I... No" He said.

"Are you lying to me?" I asked him.

"You can't make me talk. You can't!! You weasels are going to pay!!!" He yelled, squirming around in his chair, unable to stand.

"We can't have a liar, can we Peter?" I said looking back at Peter.

"Oh, No, We can't have that." He said, grabbing the gas can full of water and the towel sitting next to it. Big Ben flipped the chair on it's back so Hollow was laying on his back, still unable to move. Peter walked over and handed Big Ben the gas can. Peter bent over and covered Hollow's face with the towel. Big Ben then started pouring the water onto the towel covering his face. I could hear Hollow choking and gasping for air as the water seeped through the towel, starting to drown Hollow.

"That's enough." I yelled at Big Ben. He then stopped pouring the water and flipped the chair upright. Peter removed the towel from Hollow's face. Hollow sat there, coughing and sucking air into his lungs.

"Maybe, Now you'll tell me." I said to Hollow. "What is Cummingtonite?"

"It's an element." He said.

"What does it have to do with Operation Sandman?" I asked.

"It's one of the main ingredients..." He trailed off.

"Ingredients to what?!" I yelled.

"To the.. The an-.." He hesitated again.

"Peter, I think we need some more water over here." I said looking back.

"No, please!!! Not that!! It's one of the main ingredients to the Antidote!!" Hollow yelled, before Peter picked up the gas can.

"An Antidote? Will this antidote wake a victim from the permanent sleep?" I asked Hollow. He nodded. "Where can we get this Antidote?"

"You, Brats, Already have the only injection of the Antidote in my Case!!" He yelled.

"How much of the Antidote is there?" I asked him firmly. He just laughed. "Oh, I get it. Funny guy, huh? Hey Pete, would you get Big Ben something to fix Mr. Hollow's funny bone?"

"Gladly" Peter said grabbing the Heavy wrench. He handed it to Big Ben and I nodded to him. Big Ben swung the Wrench, and struck the middle of Hollow's forearm. I could almost hear the bone cracking, over the sound of Hollow's screaming. Ben gave the Wrench back to Peter and I continued.

"How much of the Antidote is there, Hollow?" I asked loudly. Hollow fought through the pain and started to speak.

"In the case... There is one injection.... It is enough for one... There is also a small amount of the Antidote.... In a small vile that I.. Used to test... But it isn't enough for a person.." He said, fighting through the pain from his, now broken arm.

"When we were first exposed to the gas, It did not affect us. Why?" I asked getting in Hollow's face.

"The only way that you are Immune to the gas, is if you inhaled the fumes that are released when Cadmium is burned. But that is impossible. Where would a group of beasts, such as yourselves, find Cadmium." Hollow explained. That word sounded familiar. Cadmium. I remember hearing it somewhere. I just couldnt remember.

"So, what you're saying is, if we breathe these fumes in, we become Immune?" Ben said, before I could speak.

"Partially."

"You know, I would tell a chemistry joke, but I wouldn't get a REACTION." Ben said out loud. He was the only one that laughed.

"Don't get too excited, Pigs. You're Immunity isn't permanent..." Hollow said smirking.

"What does that mean?" I asked.

"Oh, nothing..." Hollow said chuckling.

"Hmm... Hey, Hollow, You got a sweet tooth?" I asked, looking to Peter, who already had the pair of plyers in his hand. He tossed the pair of plyers to Big Ben, who had been quietly watching. He shoved the end of the pair of plyers into Hollow's mouth. Hollow had fright in his eyes. In one motion, Big Ben tore one of Hollow's teeth out of his mouth, with ease. Hollow screamed and whimpered.

"What did you mean when you said it's not permanent?" I asked tapping his cheek. His mouth was gushing blood all over his white lab coat.

"The aaeks ware ooa..." He mumbled. trying not to fight the pain in his mouth.

"The effects wear off?" I asked. He nodded. "After how long?"

"Apends..." He said softly.

"Depends? On what?!" I yelled. He spit in my face and growled.

"FUUUTT OOOOU!!!" He yelled at the top of his lungs.

"I think, I don't have to ask what those words were. We don't need you anymore. We got all we need." I said, wiping the blood and saliva from my face. Peter brought The jumper-cables and car battery over to his chair and handed me the cable clips.

"GO TO HEEEWWLLL!!!" Hollow continued to scream. I Jammed both clips into his chest and watched as he was electrocuted. I could see the life draining from his eyes. I pulled the clips off of him and let them drop from my hands. The room was silent. Just then, Zach and Hannah stumbled into the room. Hannah had a Hicky on the side of her neck. Zach's hair was now a mess. Hannah was wearing Zach's jacket and was grasping his hand as they entered the room. They were both giggling, unaware of their audience. Katherine cleared her throat and the two froze. Again, they were both blushing, bright red. When we all were done, trying to forget what we thought happened behind the door, Big Ben cut the rope that held Hollow's lifeless body. He carried it out the front door and disposed of it, while the others cleaned up the mess. As we cleaned, I thought about what Hollow said. Was our Immunity only temporary? Would we eventually fall asleep forever, as well?