Stolen From Superman-The Sequel To Waiting for Superman

Chapter 41- The Cycle

Ian is the first to speak, bringing the calm and controlled mood that I'd assume he got from the military. I've never seen anything shake him, not once. "So, I think we should start with why we're here. Obviously it's because we need to save Ali and take down this terrorist organization and all that, but I think we need more detail. Jordan, if you wouldn't mind starting from the beginning?" Jordan sits up a bit, clearing his throat. "Before I start, I want to say a few things. " I blink, knowing this is bound to be tense and rather unpleasant. But, maybe he'll say something productive or kind. And that would be good, I suppose. "Thank you. All of you. For helping me get her back." Jordan says. This surprises me a bit. I've always considered him to be so proud, this humility is different. This is a significantly different start than I'd expected. It should be more difficult than this. But maybe all we needed to do was move on, and everything will be fine now. I hope. I can't help feeling slightly like some sort of counselor, analyzing all of our problems and feeling. That's just how it's going to be, I guess. "Also, I know there have been a lot of disagreements and anger between some of us in the past. I'm willing to put it behind me, for her sake. I hope I'm not alone." He continues. I nod "I agree." Everyone else also nods, and an occasional mumble floats through the room. I know it should be difficult to carry out that promise, but, with the way things are going, it might not be as bad as I thought. We were always so blinded by hate, we didn't realize how easy it would be to just give up the fight. Ali would want us to be friends, I'm sure. I might not go as far as to say I want to be his friend yet, but I'm feeling less bitter hatred towards him at the moment. It's a start. "Good. Moving on." Jordan says, and takes a deep breath. This must be hard for him to talk about. I know if something like this happened to me and Jerome...well, let's just say, I don't have a clue how he's even holding himself together. He really loves her, that much is clear. "When I was in high school, one of my skateboarding rivals developed a rather irrational grudge against me. One that I'm now sure was caused by mental insanity." The room goes quiet in suspense. "His name was Steven. And today, he is working for and possibly leading a terrorist organization called the Red Sunset." The name is sort of cheesy and almost funny, but, somehow, I don't feel that this is the right time to make a joke about it. He pauses, probably getting to the hard part. "So, in what he has shown to be a petty, insane ploy to get revenge against me for nothing, he has made several attempts on my life. But, that's not the important part." He pauses again, wrinkling his forehead. "The important part is Ali. He took her from me. His goal is to damage me as much as possible, and he has decided that the best route is through her. Which, of course, is absolutely correct." He says easily, not even thinking about how revealing that is. That he loves her that much: To the point where his own life is insignificant compared to hers. I know how he feels. Jerome is my everything. I don't even want to think about what I would do if he was gone. "He's smart. Very smart. But he's also insane. Either way, he's dangerous, and he has my Ali. I don't have a clue where they are, or what he wants from me other than to watch my pain. I only know that she is being tortured, and might be killed soon." He says, blinking rapidly, probably unwilling to cry in front of us. I can't even imagine... The amount of compassion I feel for him now is surprising even to me. Towards someone I hated, it seems unreal. "I'm sorry, Jordan." Ryan says quietly. Jordan's eyes flash for a moment, and he tightens his jaw. It's like watching a caged tiger. He's obviously upset, and doesn't want to be helped. But, he's here. And that tells me more about his real character than anything else. He takes a moment to calm himself, and then says "Anyways, I can't stand it anymore. The police aren't doing anything, and I want her safe. I want her back in my arms. So that's why I'm here." He says, and leans back, seeming relieved to be done talking. Ian, clearly having taken the role of leader already, nods. "Great. I mean, not great, but at least we know what we're fighting now." Everyone chuckles a bit at his awkwardness, even Jordan. Jerome sighs "Alright. So how are we going to get her back?" Jordan glances at me, presumably because I had the idea in the first place. I blink "I suggest we trace the location of where the video was sent from. Can your friends do that, Ian?" He nods. I smile "Good. And, we're all probably smart enough to use that to find her. Well, maybe not Jerome." I say, teasing him. He laughs, elbowing me, but then entwining his finger with mine, squeezing my hand slightly. Warmth spreads in my chest, and I smile, looking down a bit. Ryan shifts his weight "Even if it's not sent from where she is, it could help lead us to her." Everyone nods, seeming rather impressed with the solidity of the plan. I'm not usually one for smart ideas, but this one makes me proud. "Jordan, if you send me the video, I can have it traced back to the original sending location. It's going to take about a week, though." Ian says. Jordan raises an eyebrow. "She could be dead in a week!" he says, obviously a bit irritated. Ian sighs "I know. I wish it was faster too, but that's the best I can do." Jordan stares at the floor, jaw tight, and seeming disturbed and upset. I can see why. The room is silent for a moment. Then Jerome says "If she's alive, we will get her back, Jordan." I nod, glad that Jerome knows how to comfort people better than I do. Jordan looks at him, with a sort of gratitude in his eyes, but also slight irritation. It's like he wants to hate us, but can't. So he just nods "You're right. We'll get her back." Ian nods, blinking "Ok. I'll be in touch as soon as I have the location. Prepare for then, because it won't be easy to get in. We're going to have to fight. My guys will bring guns and such, but you need to be aware that we could get hurt, or even die." He says, voice growing serious. Jordan nods. "It's worth it." He says immediately, and I nod. What's the point of living if I've never taken any risks? If I've never fought for anything? I will do this. Even if it kills me.

*One Week Later*

*Ali's POV*

The torture seems to come like clockwork. 3 days of solitary confinement, deprived of everything. Then one day for recovery, and physical pain and torture. Then it starts all over again. I never fully recover from anything. They start giving me antibiotics on day 6, due to the swelling in my legs from the stab wound. It just barely keeps the infection away. I can feel myself wasting away on the extremely minimal food supply, and I have no energy to fight with. I have to hang on; because I know he'll come. But I'm slipping away. Try as I might, I cannot fight dehydration forever. But I'll keep going, keep struggling forward, for him. I have to live, because if I don't, I'll never see him again. And that is not an option. I can only endure this for so long. But I'll try. I refuse to crack in the face of Steven's games. But I'm in so much pain. It is literally indescribable. I just barely exist. So I hope Jordan hurries.

A/N: Oh baby, the plot's getting going!! And, I finished the book! It's done on paper, so now I just have to finish typing and editing. It's really good, in my eyes. I was just a ball of feels when I finished it :) Remember to slap dat vote button, and drop a comment. We did great on the last chapter, lets keep it rolling!

-Argo