Taylor
Taylor tried to be as quiet as he could, fiddling with the doorknob. He only actually tried the first time that morning, having not heard from the Eye since he was first locked in. He guessed if he'd decided to tell him the incription (which he of course wouldn't) he was meant to bang on the door or something.
But he had a better idea. Getting out there, or if he couldn't, suicide. He'd had enough. He'd completely lost track of time, but he guessed it had been maybe two weeks or more. ENough was enough. He couldn't handle anything like this much longer, if at all. He needed his family. He needed Mouse. Needed Flavian and Meena. Needed at least one animal.
If only he could at least get out to the balcony again, he'd call out to a bird and try and get the word out. He had no idea where he was, but he hoped they would at least.
Realizing nothing was happening for him, he glanced around the room. There had to be something in that bedroom that could pick a lock. Shaking his hands he made for the wardrobe. Opening the drawers and doors as carefully as he could, he found the whole thing empty. Maybe there was something holding it together that would be useful... He checked to see how it was made, but was annoyed to find it was simply nailed and glued.
Shutting one of the doors, he checked under the bed. Nothing. Then he went for the small dresser by the head of the bed. The drawers were empty, but how was it held together? He pulled a drawer fully out and inspected it. Nailed and stapled. He tried to pull a staple out, but it was too set.
"Dammmit," he cursed, shaking his hand again.
He set the drawer on the floor and eyed the bed. Going to the end he pulled the sheets up and checked the edges.
Taylor listened closely as he stood by the door.
There was nothing. He hoped the Eye had gone out, because if he hadn't he knew he'd soon be in a lot of trouble.
Carefully, he bent down. The hinges on the door were inward, and he'd only spotted it a moment ago. Inspecting the hinges, he knew his best hope was to find a screwdriver. Failing that, to break them.
But that would make noise. He didn't know for sure if the Eye was gone or not.
He tried pulling on them, but was almost completely lacking strength through having no food or water for a couple of days.
"Ok Taylor, think," he closed his eyes for a moment.
He looked over to where there was a small stack of metal shapes he'd pulled from the bed. He slowly crawled over to them and inspected them, seeing if he could use anything.
The Eye
The Eye knew what Taylor was doing. He was watching on the security camera he had installed in there. He was frustrated, but he was not the only one who was desperate.
There was only one person he knew that he could trust even slightly that Taylor could also trust. And even then, The Eye wasn't so certain he could trust her very well. Of course, if he did contact her, he'd blown everything for sure.
Taylor
Taylor rummaged through the small pile oblivious to the camera. He'd hardly looked up at all anyway.
He soon came across a small twisted piece of metal. He ran his fingers over it squinting a little, wondering if it was just what he needed.
Looking toward the door, he crawled over to it and attacked the screws holding the hinges to the door. They were tight, but he couldn't stop the grin on his face when he realized they were turning. He stopped for a moment and said a silent prayer before continuing.
He soon had the bottom hinge detached from the doorway.
The Eye
The Eye smiled softly. Even if Taylor did get the door off, he wouldn't get far. He was sitting right outside, watching.
Taylor
Taylor threw the hinge onto the bed and stood up to tackle the top one. Having done the first one, it wasn't long before he had the hinge unscrewed.
The door fell backwards, but Taylor caught it. From what he could see, there was no sign of the Eye... not that he could see very far.
He lay the door down on the ground, then stood beside the doorway in case he was there. Then slowly, he took a peek around the corner toward the living area...
The Eye
"So, you ready to talk yet?" The Eye demanded, seeing Taylor out of his room.
Taylor
Taylor cringed at the sound of voice.
Didn't he ever leave?
He emerged from the room and put his back against the wall, just glad to be out of there... even if he didn't know what would happen.
He closed his eyes and shook his head with a gulp.
"No..."
He might not be ready to tell the Eye, but he had to tell someone. If someone didn't find out soon it might be too late, and he'd kill himself before anything happened, that was for sure. He wouldn't have that guilt hanging over his head.
The Eye
The Eye regarded him with cold calm.
"Then get back in your room."
Taylor
Taylor opened his eyes again.
"No," he shook his head, still notlooking at him.
He scratched his head awkwardly, knowing he was probably going to regret whatever happened.
"I... I'm not going back in there. But I'm not going to tell you either. I ah, need to talk to someone. Either... either you let me talk to someone, soon, or you can just kill me and end up with a lot of deaths on your hands. I truly don't care anymore."
He fidgeted with his hands, shaking a little as he waited for a response.
The Eye
So. He was right. The inscription on the thunder box was important.
"You are not the only one with Tongue. What about your friend Sheldon?" The Eye asked calmly.
He would have prefered not to bring anyone else into it, but if had to, then he had to.
Taylor
Taylor gulped. Sheldon? Sheldon had to be one of the least trustworthy people he knew... if only in the sleaze way. Could he trust him with this?
"Well hopefully he'd follow my lead," Taylor raised his eyebrows, his hands shaking harder, "I'm sorry, but I don't trust you with the uh... information. And I'm sure he wouldn't either."
The Eye
The Eye smirked.
"My dear boy, I would even have to ask him. I could just leave the paper somewhere where he'll see it, and then pick the meaning right out of his head. Can't do it to you. Your mind is injured from too much telepathic activity - and not from me, I might add. At least, not initally."
He flexed his back.
"Of course, then I would have to kill him," he went on. "Can't have him telling the world, after all."
Taylor
"Oh God," Taylor covered his face with a hand, leaning against the wall with his other.
He leant his forehead against the wall, trying to get himself together. If Sheldon read that, he wouldn't be the only one dead. If only there was some way he could warn him...
He needed to get to the window. But he needed to get there when the Eye couldn't stop him.
The Eye
The Eye smiled.
"Go fix yourself something to eat. I find it easier to consider my options on a full stomach."
Maybe he wouldn't have to contact Tanya after all. That would be a relief.
Taylor
Taylor ignored him for a moment, but figured it'd be his best chance at getting to the window.
He looked up and away for a moment, breathing steadily, before nodding slightly.
He began to slowly make his way through to the kitchen, avoiding eye contact. Once in, he leant on the sink, before turning the tap on and having his first drink for a few days.
He washed his face when he was done, then looked around. Spotting the cupboard he went over to it, opened the door, and began to look through licking his lips. He grabbed the bread and some fillings from the fridge to make himself a sandwich or two. He guessed he was lucky for even that.
Then he opened the drawer to find a knife.
His eyes scanned the blades thoughtfully. If he killed himself the consequences wouldn't be on his head... rather on whoever translated the thunder box next, or whoever made the damn thing.
He grabbed a large knife and lifted it from the drawer, staring at it. A million consequences ran through his head, and he didn't want to be a part of any of them. He knew a lot of people's lives were in his hands, and he couldn't do a thing about it. Would it be better to die now or later?
He dropped the knife.
The sound of the knife crashing to the floor seemed to snap him back to reality, and he bent to pick it up and continue with what he was doing.
He needed to get to the window.
The Eye
The Eye considered his options. He was certain he had Taylor in a bind, but one thing he had learned was to never underestimate your enemy. And he would have to regard Taylor as an enemy. He had some leverage for now, but for how long? Taylor was bound to be trying to think of something.
He may even be putting into action at this moment.
Hastily, The Eye stood and walked to the kictehn doorway, still pondering. He watched Taylor like a hawk. There had to be something which would tilt the balance!
Taylor
Taylor made two sandwiches slowly, not wanting to do it fast in case he cut his finger off or the like. His back was to the Eye, so he didn't see him.
He finished making them and ran the knife under the water. He dried it slowly, staring at it again. He shook his head slowly as his fingers traced the blade. He could end it all in a second if he hit his heart, or he could put up with the pain of slitting his wrist... but he couldn't stop himself bleeding to death and by then he might have regretted it.
He didn't know why, but he might have.
He let the point of the blade slide down his arm before dropping it on the bench. He had to set his sights on the window. That was his best hope for now.
He grabbed one of the sandwiches and started to eat it carefully.
The Eye
"I understand you have a girlfriend," The Eye said. "It would be a shame if anything happened to her."
Taylor
Taylor spun suddenly knocking the knife from the bench.
It hit the floor and skidded to the Eye's feet. Taylor watched it, before setting the rest of the sandwich on the bench.
"And you'll regret anything you do to her by ten. You'll have more people hunting you than you could imagine," he defended, "she makes company with magick users, gods, godlings, as well an many an alien. If only my father knew..."
He shook his head, cutting himself off.
The Eye
"My dear boy, no one will ever pin point it to me should something happen. I've been doing these things for far too long."
He smirked then picked up the knife.
"Taylor Hanson," he said in surprise, "are you suicidal?"
This would put a real damper on his plans.
Taylor
Taylor froze, staring at the knife.
How could he lie to a telepath?
"N-no..." he stammered.
Like that.
He felt for the bench behind him and leant on it for support.
"And you have to admit they found you pretty quick. A week or so."
Then he remembered that someone also has to know you're missing to find you, and mentally kicked himself.
The Eye
"Taylor, Taylor, Taylor," the Eye said. "I knew they would come after you and Avery soon enough. Kidnapping is dangerous territory. That's why one always has a backup plan."
He grinned broadly.
"And this one was the greatest escape plan ever! I even fooled Tanya, the Telepathic Temptress!" He laughed evilly. "Now that was a feat to be remembered! You cannot win against me Taylor. And I will not let you kill yourself. Now, will you tell me what you know, or do I start killing your friends and family?"
Taylor
Taylor's eyes widened as he backed off a little, his mind racing for a solution. This guy was so determined, and ready...
Well screw him.
"You don't need to if I can't tell you anything," he said finally, making for the drawer and pulling out another serated-edged knife.
In a flash he had it at his wrist.
The Eye
"You kill yourself, I'll still kill them," The Eye replied coldly. "I'll kill them myself, just like like I did your girlfriend's parents.
He was not going to let the little brat win.
Taylor
Taylor froze, the blade cutting into his skin just enough to draw a little blood. His eyes searched the benchtop for answers.
Finally he threw the knife over the bench, turned his back to it, leant against the cupboard and slid down it. His eyes began to water again as he held his wrist.
"Why?" he asked finally, "why is it so damn important to you? Why me of all the people that could interpret it?"
The Eye
The Eye paused, wondering how much he could tell him.
"Because one day the thunder box was created. It's full properties unknown. The inscription you read - what it meant or why it was put them I don't know. But I still put it there. Five years ago! Five years I have been trying to find it's meaning. Five years I've been haunted by that inscription. I have done everything I could. I have used everything method I could think of. With Christian in your place I should have killed you - no reason to keep you alive now. Except this."
He banged his hand on the bench.
"And I will be taunted no longer!" He yelled. "No longer will I wonder at nights what this means. No longer will I wait! If anything could have driven me insane, this would be it. And I warn you Taylor, if you don't tell me what I want to know, I will make sure you regret that decision for all time!"
Taylor
Taylor squeezed his eyes shut as hard as he could.
Whoever wrote that inscription had to know what they were writing, unless someone had erased his memory, or he'd copied it from somewhere.
If only he was just willing to kill him and leave his family alone. The Eye was an extremely underestimated man, and Taylor knew it.
He covered his eyes with his hand for a moment, trying to get himself together.
"This... this is only an example," he began, trying to think of something, "to, to work out if I can trust you. If I said there was... say a bomb, about to be detinated, what would you do?"
He had no intention of making eye contact at this point.
The Eye
The Eye paused. Progress at least.
"A bomb..." he repeated softly. "Well, the first thing I would do is look into it, of course. One does not want to be in the same area as a bomb about to go off. I would have to consider the time I have, and the possibility of defusing it, of course."
Taylor
"But what if it wasn't you?" Taylor began again.
"What if you had nothing to worry about because you were far enough away... except maybe a tidal wave and blowing the ozone layer to pieces."
He paused. Maybe that example went too far into reality.
The Eye
The Eye took a deep breath.
"That's a mighty big bomb you're talking about there, kid," he said. "And it sounds like my own life would be in danger. So again, I would look at defusing it. Else I guess I'll be destoryed as well. And we all want to survive."
He paused and looked at Taylor.
"Except those of us with suisidal tendacies."
Taylor
"The only reason I'm suicidal is because I can't..."
He hesitated.
He looked up at Craig warily.
"You would try to stop it? You wouldn't let it go?"
The Eye
"My dear boy, what would destorying the world get me?" he gave and incredulous chorlte. "I am a lot of things, but a genocidial maniac is not one of them. Now, what did it say?"
Taylor
Taylor hesitated, grinding his teeth.
The million dollar question was coming up.
He thought it might be better not asking at all, but he had to know...
"And if... if I told you. WHat would happen to me then, huh?"
The Eye
The Eye paused for a moment.
"I will return you to your family. I always reward those who do me a favour."
Taylor
Taylor closed his eyes and leant his head back against the cupboard. He could feel the sweat building on his forehead and ignored it.
He remembered telling Avery that he never went back on his word. He hoped those words wouldn't fail him now.
He opened his eyes.
"It's a bomb. It's hidden away in one of the most unlikely places. The inscription had diagrams and everything, but I didn't read it all."
The Eye
The Eye nodded.
"If I give you pen and paper, will you translate the rest?" he asked calmly.
Taylor
Taylor nodded, reaching up for the rest of his sandwich, he ate it, then stood.
"Ok," he sighed, his head down, as he followed the Eye from the room.