A Sickle In A Haystack

Chapter 6

"They were skulking around in the fields!" Charinov demanded in Russian, glaring at Astrin, whos plan so far, seemed to be working. There remained one question on Sam's mind, tied upside down to a post. How the hell are we getting out of this!

Sam had no clue where they were, he guessed somewhere underneath the foundations of the mansion, due to the simple fact that it was freezing. He felt something abrasive rubbing against his back, guessing it was some ingeniously insane torture device, he also felt very light headed. He and Alex had been blindfolded on their way back and listened as Astrin had expertly bluffed his story of how he managed to coerce them to go with him after he held Alex at gunpoint. Astrin had a flawless Russian accent, as well as obvious knowledge of the language. Lucky as he was. Having been to Moscow and St. Petersburg on multiple occasions with his father, he too had some knowledge of what was being said. Something about a reward for Astrin, how everyone else he'd employed was incompetent, but he couldn't make out anything else.
After a rather brief conversation, he heard footsteps leave the area they were in. Sam forced his eyes shut as the blindfold was harshly ripped from his face and his eyes were met with a blaring light, emitted from a lamp at the back of the room.

He opened his eyes once again to survey his surroundings. His assumptions had been false. They were cold because they were outside, and both tied to large willow trees, upside down, shirtless.

"I feel extremely dignified," Alex commented, before receiving the stock of a gun against his chest in response, he grunted in pain.
Sam wasn't in the mood for snarky remarks when like this. He took the chance to look around while Charinov focused on Alex. 'Of course he would,' Sam thought. 'I'm just a nobody, Alex is someone very hated and disliked and brilliant at messing up everyone's plans...while I'm brilliant at getting myself into messes and needing help to get out of them.'
Self-depreciation over, Sam took his time to survey his unfortunate situation. They were tightly tied to the tree with strong rope. They wouldn't get out of this easily.

"What do you know?!" Charinov snarled, spitting in Alex's face.
Alex moved his face to try avoid the onslaught of saliva that hit him. Up close, Charinov was really something. He was quite small, middle-aged, bald, only around five and a half feet tall, meaning he had to actually stand on his tiptoes as he guessed Astrin must have placed them high up to personally torment him. He stifled a laugh.

"Think something's funny, child?!" Charinov roared, before punching Sam in the face.
The pain was astonishing, not a normal punch, it was much more powerful. It was like having a hammer to the face, not a fist. Sam coughed and tasted blood, realising Charinov was wearing silver knuckledusters on his right hand.

His face felt awful. A consistent throbbing ache. He reckoned his face would be swelling already. "I..I..." Sam tried to answer, before being screamed at again.

"CHILDREN, OF ALL THINGS THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT SENDS TWO SNIVELLING CHILDREN, AND ONE WHO CAN BARELY WALK!? I FEEL INSULTED!" Charinov glowered.

Sam's face twisted in anger staring down at the hobbit's pale, dark haired face.

"I may be unable to walk, give me my cane and I'll make you wish you could still piss yourself!" Sam growled.

Alex meanwhile listened quietly, he grimaced when Charinov threw a punch and considered himself lucky. Though a quick glance down revealed an ugly bruise. He dared not speak when Sam flew into a rage, he'd never known someone his age get so angry, other than Julius Grief...

"Is that so?" Charinov questioned, sneering. "Cut this brat down, give him his cane, let him do what he says."
He motioned for one of his men to cut Sam down, Sam immediately knew what he was dealing with. The kind of man who wouldn't back down from any threat, an adrenaline seeker perhaps...much like himself in some respects. As he was pulled down, Sam heard a whisper. "Knock his teeth out!"
He smiled and mentally thanked Alex for the encouragement as he was passed his cane from Astrin, who was understandably just wanting to rip Charinov to pieces, but he couldn't not when there were at least four other guards secretly watching from a distance, in case the boys tried a second disappearing act, as well as the other two with Charinov.

Sam took a defensive stance, gritting his teeth as he continued to feel seering pain. Astrin passed Sam his cane and almost immediately Charinov pounced.
Sam flew himself out of the way and onto the floor, taking too long to stand, Charinov stood over him and began throwing more punches, two punches felt like two hundred, as a third was prepared, Sam connected a jab to his neck. A gagging Charinov fell off him and he made for his cane. He rolled along the floor, hearing his opponent growl. As he grabbed his cane he used the tree to pull himself up. As if he had been possessed, Charinov charged straight on, his mistake. Gripping his cane with both hands he thrust his cane straight into Charinov's chest, hearing him wheeze. He grinned, until he was kicked in the leg and stumbled again. Still managing to grip his weapon, he brought it up just in time to block the man's punch. An crack greeted Sam's ears

"MY HAND! M-MY HAND!" Charinov screeched. Unfortunately for him, he'd punched an aluminium cane with his left hand.

Sam slowly stood up to Charinov clutching his broken hand, he allowed himself a silent cheer of victory...little did he know he had made a grave mistake challenging Charinov, and winning.

He let off a roar of curses in Russian, before bounding to Sam. He'd made such a commotion that his henchman, and other guards had come rushing in, including Morevsky and Riltz. Astrin began slowly making a retreat.

Sam saw Riltz and winked as he saw the man's face redden. Both men were flanked by atleast fifteen guards, who surrounded Sam, weapons aimed. He slowly raised his arms and looked up at Alex, who gave a sad smile. "Good fight." He mouthed.

"TAKE HIM, TO ALEXEI!" Charinov yelled. "I WANT TO SEE HIM SUFFER!"
The guards stiffened. One of the men shakily questioned in Russian.
Charinov replied, making the man's face go white. Whatever ALEXEI was, he wasn't too keen on finding out.