Survival

Chapter 60

"Let's get started."

Jack's heart hammers out of his chest as Luke steps closer. He pointedly looks at Rapunzel and orders, "Hand her over."

This is his moment. Jack is not restrained. He can take Luke and the rest of the goons. But he has to move right now.

The second he takes a small step, Luke reaches behind him and pulls out something.

Jack freezes as he beholds the gun pointed towards him.

Luke smiles at him. "Don't test me, Frost." Then, he orders his guards to restrain Jack––they bound his hands and haul him where Rapunzel sits with Elsa's head in her lap.

She catches Jack's eyes and and silently pleads him to cooperate now that the game has been changed. So, Jack allows himself to be tied to the pipes protruding from a hole in the wall. Without another word, Rapunzel is next to be tied once again.

She holds herself still as they take her hands and bind them.

Meanwhile, Elsa's eyes start to flutter again.

As one the men moves to snatch her, Jack blurts aloud, "Name your price!"

They all look at him.

But Jack doesn't cower. Instead, he repeats himself. "Name your price. I'll give you anything." He swallows the lump in his throat. "Please. Don't do this."

Luke continues to hold the gun at his side. He runs his other hand through his blond hair causing it to spike up. His eyes flare with delight at Jack's begging. The corner of his mouth curls in amusement as he stalks to Rapunzel.

Jack continues to beg as Luke kneels down to Rapunzel's level. Elsa head is still in her lap.

Without another word, he reaches for Elsa. Once she's in his arms, Jack feels his whole world fall on itself. Luke meets his gaze and chuckles.

Pain registers in Jack's wrists as he tries to lunge forward.

Jack watches in despair as Luke drops Elsa on the filthy bed.

Please, no. Anything but this.

When Luke reaches for the blanket still wrapped around Elsa, Jack bellows, "LUKE, PLEASE. FOR THE LAST TIME, STOP!"

He is ignored.

Luke begins to unwrap the blanket from Elsa's shivering frame.

Tears start to pool in his eyes as the blanket is ripped away. Elsa then shifts as her body is once again exposed to the freezing temperatures.

Luke looks up and gestures the two men over. "Feel free to do what you please."

"NO!" Jack and Rapunzel shout in unison. She starts to sob as the men move in like predators fighting for the last remaining piece of meat.

The men laugh as they make their way to the bed where Elsa starts to wake up.

"Perfect timing," Luke mumbles.

Elsa slightly moves and digs her face into the mattress.

Luke takes a step back and leaves the men to their business.

They start to pull down her pants.

Blood starts to warm the rope they used on Jack as he tries to free himself. His body is shaking and it has nothing to do with the cold.

This isn't real. It can't possibly be real. The real world can't be this cruel.

It was this moment that Jack began to question his entire belief system. If there really is any type of higher power in the universe, why on earth would it allow this to happen?