Ink

Through the Eyes of Evil

Jay and Cole stared at each other for a while. Questions raced through both their minds. 
"What does it looks like?" Cole inquired, as he felt the pricking again, harder this time. 
"It reminded me of a spider, it was red," Jay sat on the bed. "What does it mean though? Where'd it come from if you were unaware of it?"
"Beats me." Cole shrugged. "I still don't understand where I fit into all of this."
"Hang on, I think I do recognise that mark from somewhere," Jay was deep in thought, trying to remember something. "Didn't Redback or whatever his name was have markings like that on his face?"
Cole searched through his memories, gaining a clear image of Redback's face.
"You're right." Cole sighed "This whole thing doesn't make any sense."
A chill crept through his spine, as the back of his neck began to burn. A red light flashed across his eyes as he froze, staring at the floor. Cole blinked and found he was in the middle of a vast ocean, staring up at the Bounty. Had he been teleported again? Surely he would have seen if Redback was there, the only person he knew that could turn invisible was Nathan-
"The red ones on the deck, an easy catch." Redback's voice, clear and crisp in his mind. "He's alone, Torali, use your invisibility to make sure you and Eros aren't spotted, and Eros remember what we talked about back at base. Your powder will only overpower him a few seconds but it will be enough. You and Eros will take me on board, there whilst the others are distracted I can do what I explained, got it?" 
A male and a female voice replied with 'copy' and Cole was back in the Bounty again. Could he mind read? Did he just intercept Redback planning an attack on them? Jay was in front of him, waving his hands close to Cole's face. 
"Hey, earth to Cole? You there? Hello? Ding dong?" Jay knocked on Cole's forehead, who suddenly snapped out of his trance. It took him a few seconds to realise what had just been said. He'd definitely just intercepted a plan to attack them, though he was finding it difficult to believe.
"Where's Kai?" Cole was sweating, fear bombarded his curiosity.
"On the deck," Jay furrowed his eyebrows. "Why?"
"Be on alert, no time to explain." Cole ran out of the room, leaving Jay sat on the bed baffled. Zane noticed him speed past the door, curious he decided to follow. 
"Cole what's going on?" he called. 
"Kai's in danger!" Cole yelled back, thrusting the door to the deck open. He looked around. Zane stood next to him. 
"I'm detecting heat signatures over there!" he pointed towards the other end of the deck. 
"Show yourself!" Cole commanded. If Redback was after him, we he was certain for sure about, why would he go after Kai? Questions again spun around his head, making him feel a little dizzy, but he brushed it off. Kai's life could have been at stake here. The tall structure of Redback materialised before them, a woman and another man supporting Kai who was unconscious, though looked as if he were in a peaceful sleep. He didn't seem to have any injuries from what Cole could see. Zane stood beside him, confused but he could sense anger. Why was he becoming so distracted? He snapped out of his trail of thought and focused on Redback, taking in his half smirk and tired red eyes. Yes, there was the tattoo, around his eyes just as Jay had said. They all stood there for a few moments, neither side speaking to one another. Jay had just joined them in the stand off, along with Nya. Fury burned in her eyes for her brother, but Cole held her back.
"I'll explain later." he whispered to her whilst keeping his eyes locked with Redback's. If he could just intercept another message again, perhaps them deciding what to do, or to find out why they had Kai, he might have a lead. The woman Cole assumed to be Torali was first to speak.
"Not fighting?" She hissed, the corner of her mouth tilting into a grin. "Wise."
"I know how people like you work" Cole replied. "You like to play dirty."
Redback laughed, "Then why are we just standing here not doing anything?"
A loud grunt told them that Kai was waking up. Cole let out a small sigh of relief. Kai opened his eyes slowly, and took in his surroundings.
"Wuzz goin' on?" Kai mumbled as he yawned. He then realised the situation he was in, turning either side of him to Eros and Torali with his arms over their shoulders. Confused he tried to pull his arms away but they were too fast for him, pinning them behind his back. Kai yawned again, as Redback sent a trail of red smoke towards him. The smoke lifted Kai off his feet as it circled around him. Eros and Torali let go of him once they knew they didn't need to keep hold of him anymore, the smoke doing the job for them. Kai struggled against it, having no luck. He cried out in pain as one of the tendrils somehow slashed his stomach. Cole watched in horror as the smoke forced Kai into a standing position, only hovering a few centimetres off the ground. Kai had stopped struggling, knowing it would slash him again if he tried to. He had to allow the blood to stain his uniform, a deep scarlet. With his hands pinned behind his back, he didn't know what to do except to wait until the others did something. Nya's eyes burned with anger, she couldn't bare to watch her brother suffer any longer. She charged, rage fuelling her, letting out a war cry. Redback didn't move. His half smirk turned into a grimace as he watched her charge right for him, sword in hand. He sent a tendril of smoke towards her and flung the sword out of her hand and into the ocean. Nothing could stop him. Nothing. Nya aimed a kick at him but caught her foot with the smoke, pushing her backwards. She lost her balance and fell. Cole quickly grabbed her and pulled her back, after hearing that Kai had let out another cry of pain. This time the smoke had slashed his chest, right above his heart.
"Redback!" Cole yelled, holding Nya back as Redback lifted his gaze from Nya so that his and Cole's eyes locked.
"It's me you want isn't it?"
Redback raised his eyebrows.
"Obviously." he gave Cole a confused look. Cole considered then spoke again.
"I offer myself to replace Kai as your captive." he announced.
"NO!" Jay and Kai cried in unison. Nya had stopped struggling and looked up at him, tears filling her eyes. Redback grinned.
"You're willing to sacrifice your own life for another?" Redback looked Cole up and down and then at Kai, who was struggling again, though there was really no point. "You have a deal Brookestone."
The smoke disappeared from around Kai and he made a break for it. He tried to convince Cole out of it but it wasn't making a difference. Cole had already made up his mind. He walked forwards, until he was half way between the two groups. Torali raised her eyebrows and went up to Redback.
"I didn't think it would be this easy. Do you think he has something planned?" Torali whispered.
"No. He knows how powerful we are. He's really doing this Tori." Redback hissed. Redback sent the smoke towards Cole, who didn't flinch when it came for him, though he did when it deflected off some sort of forcefield around him. The smoke hit something around him, making it ripple. He'd saved Kai, he'd done his job. That was all he'd meant to do. He took this forcefield as an advantage, charging for Redback, who continued to shoot smoke at him which again hit the invisible barrier.
Eros watched in the opposite direction, as Torali charged for Cole instead, jumping on top of him. Nya joined in the battle tearing Torali from Cole and starting their own fight. Jay and Zane helped Cole up and then charged for Redback, but Cole held them back.
"The forcefield or whatever may only affect me. I don't want you guys to get hurt. I sacrificed myself for a reason."
Redback had teleported just before he could launch an attack, leaving the other two to fend for themselves. Eros teleported as the others went for him.
Torali blocked Nya's punches with her arms. Jay and Zane puller Nya away from her as Cole lifted her up, pinning her arms behind her back.
"Nice finally seeing you all again." Torali said, her eyes turning slightly purple. Baffled, Jay and Zane looked at each other as Kai staggered over clutching his stomach. Torali's skin dissolved into paler and her hair darkened. She'd transformed into someone completely different. Jay's jaw dropped as he realised who it was.