Out of Control (1/2)
I decided to write a oneshot (okay, it started off as a oneshot, but then expanded) about the Season 3 finale (loosely) based on a prompt by fairest1, who gave me the prompt to basically make everything better. Wish fulfilled! Hope you like it, fairest1!
Title: Out of Control
Rating: PG-13, just to be really safe, but only for violence.
Spoilers: Up to and including the Season 3 finale.
Claudia, Pete and Myka made their way into the airplane hanger. Quickly they looked around - but Claudia felt her pulse increase when she saw no one. Where was Steve?
“Claud!” She turned - his voice was coming from the office above.
“Steve!” She cried happily, rushing up the stairs. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah - Sykes and the others bailed a few minutes ago. Sykes left me with a mission to take out the B & B - ”
Claudia breathed a sigh of relief as she leapt into the office - only to see Sykes, Marcus, Tyler and Helena still there.
Before she could say anything, a hand clamped down on her mouth and an arm wound its way tightly against her arms, pinning them to her sides. She fought the person, but they gripped her tightly, roughly.
“Hello Ms. Donovan.” Sykes said calmly, as Marcus stepped forward and plucked the Tesla out of her hands, which were pinned uselessly to her waist. “You obviously know me, and my fellow helpers.” He nodded to Marcus and Tyler. “And of course you remember the lovely Ms. Wells.” He nodded then to H.G., who was sitting in the corner, gagged with her hands bound behind her. She looked at Claudia in horror.
Which meant there could only be one person holding Claudia.
“Warehouse 13 really should have better undercover agents.” Sykes said, holding the riding crop, flexing it. “It was almost child’s play to realize that Agent Jinks was working against us.”
Claudia managed to twist her head minutely to look up at Steve, who was staring at Sykes, an unreadable look on his face.
“And then of course he would pass on the news about our location to you in the woods. And of course you would come, being the good agent and friend to him that you are.” Sykes said, with a tone of courtesy in his voice, as though he was commending her.
“At first it was a slight hindrance, I assumed we would have to kill Agent Jinks and then hustle out of our hanger even quicker than we planned.” Sykes said, twirling the crop in his fingers. “But then I thought… ‘Well, if we have lemons, we should make lemonade!’” He laughed. “After all, when fate drops three - no, four, I’m sorry Agent Jinks - Warehouse agents into your lap, why don’t you run with it?”
At that moment he twisted the crop so that Jinks’ hands slipped from her mouth and to her neck, cutting off her air circulation, so that she couldn’t scream out a warning to Pete and Myka, who were racing up the stairs as well, finished with checking the rest of the hanger. They assumed the danger has passed - they wanted to see their friend again, just like Claudia had. Steve grabbed his gun and pushed it against Claudia’s temple.
“Claud!” Myka yelled when they reached the office, and saw the scene before them.
“Let them go Sykes!” Pete said, raising his Tesla rifle. Sykes simply smiled.
“If you don’t want Claudia to have a bullet through her head, curtsey of her own partner, then you will put down you weapons, as well as your Farnsworths and cell phones, and toss them over to Marcus here.” Sykes said cheerfully. Claudia tried to twist her head to tell them ‘no’ but Steve simply increased his grip on her neck. Claudia felt her legs begin to sink to the floor, and would have collapsed if Steve hadn’t been holding her up. Black dots began to pop up in her vision.
“Sykes, have him ease up - you’re killing her!” Myka screamed.
“Would you look at that? I am.” Sykes said. “The weapons and your communication - now.”
Quickly Myka and Pete handed over everything and anything that could have saved them from Sykes. Once the objects were in Marcus’ hands, Steve eased up on Claudia’s neck. She quickly took large gasps of breath.
“Are you alright Claudia?” Sykes asked. Claudia hesitated, but nodded. He smiled and gestured to Marcus, who walked over to Claudia and proceeded to bind her hands behind her back with zip ties. Steve still had his gun to her head, and after her hands were behind her back, grabbed her, shoving her over to the door.
“Myka, Peter, please go over to where Ms. Wells is.” Sykes said calmly.
Myka and Pete both checked to see Helena in the corner. Myka nearly ran over to H.G. after seeing her. Quickly she began to work the duck tape off her mouth. Sykes didn’t stop her, but instead turned his attention to Pete, who stared at Claudia and Jinks. “Peter, if you will.” Pete hesitated once more and then Steve threw Claudia to the ground, raising his gun at her. Claudia screamed and tried to move away, but her feet got stuck on the carpet and her hands were bound tightly behind her back, making it hard to move. “I have no problem making Agent Jinks shoot Ms. Donovan in the kneecap, Peter.” Sykes said calmly.
Claudia looked up at Jinks in fear, cringing as she stared at the gun in his hands. Her eyes went from the gun to Steve’s face, which was set firmly. She guessed he was trying to be brave about the situation, but when she looked in his eyes she saw fear and horror clearly in them. He was terrified - about what Sykes was going to do to Pete and Myka, about what Sykes was going to do to H.G., about what Sykes was going to force him to do to Claudia. And he couldn’t do anything to stop it.
Pete made his way to Myka and H.G., and the second he did so Sykes activated an artifact that he pulled out of his pocket. A force field sprung up around the three, making it a prison. Pete beat the prison with his fists and then threw himself against it, but it was clear that he wasn’t going to get out.
“I’ll come back for you later, Peter.” Sykes said. “I won’t let your mother go to her death without seeing the torture and murder of her only son and youngest child. And maybe I’ll even stop in for a visit to your sister - won’t that be delightful?”
Pete’s face was an expression of pure rage and hate and he began to scream at Sykes from behind the force field. It was soundproof so Claudia couldn’t hear what he was saying, but from the expression on Myka and H.G.’s faces, it was nothing good.
“Now Steve,” Sykes said, flexing the crop and making Steve grab Claudia and haul her to her feet, “let’s go pay Warehouse 13 a little visit.” Claudia and Steve walked down the stairs, with Marcus in tow, watching them. Sykes rolled down a ramp just a few feet away, Tyler pushing him. Quickly they made their way to a car just outside the hanger, where Marcus opened the trunk. Claudia felt her breath quicken at the dark, stuffy interior of the truck and she swallowed, resisting slightly in Steve’s grip.
“Don’t like the dark?” Marcus said, a cruel smile on his face.
“She doesn’t like being confined.” Sykes guessed shrewdly. “Do cramped spaces frighten you, Claudia?” He asked kindly.
Claudia just stared at him, unsure how to respond, knowing that behind the act there was no kindness in him. “Would you like to sit up front with Marcus and I?” Sykes asked, grinning.
Horror flooded through Claudia and she shook her head. “Alright then.” Sykes said, and Steve tossed her into the trunk roughly. Steve reached for the door to close the trunk, but Sykes stopped him. “I forgot something. Silly me. Marcus?” He said.
Quickly, Marcus pulled out his gun and shot Tyler once through the head. Claudia flinched and ducked her head, not wanting Sykes to know how horrified she was, not wanting to encourage him. Marcus smiled and picked up the body, carrying it over to the trunk, about to dump it in next to her.
Claudia was positive she was going to vomit.
“Marcus, honestly. That car’s a rental. We can’t afford to waste good money just because we want to dispose of a body quickly.” Sykes said, chiding him lightly.
Marcus snarled, disappointed at that his attempt to terrorize Claudia hadn’t succeeded, and carried the body into the hanger. “I’ll get rid of it later.”
Claudia breathed out in relief, but Marcus reached for the lid of the trunk and slammed it down, leaving her alone in the darkness.
*
The trip to the Warehouse was around an hour and a half. Claudia was jostled about several times, wondering what Sykes was doing, if he was tormenting Steve as he drove them to their home, if Artie or Jane or Mrs. F had any idea what was coming.
The day was hot, and so Claudia was sweating and gasping for breath inside the stuffy trunk only 10 minutes into the drive. She tried to keep her breaths shallow and calm, but she could feel panic setting in.
‘Not now.’ She told herself. ‘Don’t panic now. Do it later when you’re not in an environment where having a panic attack can kill you due to lack of air.’
That wasn’t exactly helpful for avoiding the panic.
*
An hour and a half later, Claudia felt the car pull to stop and shut down. Footsteps got out of the car, and the doors slammed shut. The trunk opened and Steve pulled Claudia out. She gasped for cool air, happy just to feel the breeze on her sweating body. The next thing she knew her mouth had been forced shut and duck tape was plastered onto her lips.
“To keep you from warning anybody.” Sykes said. “Obviously, as demonstrated in the hanger, I can control Agent Jinks’ mouth.” He said, bending the crop. “But you are a bit more of a handful.” He chuckled. They walked to the Warehouse, and Sykes paused at the door. “Ah. Now, let’s see… How to get into the Warehouse?” He turned to Claudia, who was staring at him with determination - he wasn’t going to get the code to get into the Warehouse from her.
But Steve’s hands were rooting through her pockets, and he pulled out a small remote control, pressing it. The door opened and Claudia felt her body slump. The one thing she thought she could do to protect the Warehouse, and Sykes still managed to figure out a way in.
They walked into the Warehouse, past the bombs, pushing open the office door to see Artie and Jane waiting impatiently. Artie turned, “Finally you’re back. We thought you were too busy reuniting to give us a call -“ He stopped when he took in the scene - Claudia, gagged and bound; Steve, holding a gun to one of the people he cared most about in the world; Sykes’ prisoners. Marcus and Sykes behind them, grinning with victory.
Artie immediately started forward, but Sykes stopped him but having Steve shake Claudia roughly.
“Now Arthur you know better than that…” Sykes said.
“Where’s my son?” Jane said in a horse voice, her eyes wide with fear - but not for herself. “What did you do with him?”
“He’s alive. For now.” Sykes said. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you two are reunited. After all, you’re an honored guest tonight - you get to have a front row seat in seeing how many artifacts I’ve acquired, and their implications on a human being. Sort of a science experiment if you will… I should think you like those, being a teacher.”
“If you hurt my son you bastard -“ Jane said, stepping forward.
“Let’s not kid ourselves Jane. I’m going to torture and kill your son, not merely hurt him.” He smiled, his voice still calm. “And when it’s finished, I’m going to make you beg for death before I finally give it to you. And when I do - you’ll thank me.” Then Sykes turned to Artie.
“And as for your little girl, Arthur.” He said, making Steve give Claudia another rough shake, leaving no doubt as to whom Sykes was referring to. “If you want her death to be short and quick, rather than long and drawn out like Peter’s, then you’ll do exactly what I say.”
Artie looked from the helpless Claudia to Sykes, who was smiling pleasantly at the two, as though they were having a perfectly calm discussion about the weather. “May I?” He said, reaching for Claudia, who was more than eager to go to him.
“Ah…I’m afraid not.” Sykes said, having Steve pull Claudia back. “I need her. Leverage, you know?” He chuckled. “Now, come. We’re going to find Collodi’s bracelet.”
*
They walked through the long aisles of the Warehouse silently, until Artie spoke up. Claudia guessed it was in his nature - to have to have an answer for everything, even if that answer was from a psychopath.
“Why all the fuss with Helena?” He asked Sykes. “Why were you so focused on her?”
“If you must know, I had an extremely elaborate, and if you will excuse my bragging, well thought out plan involving her and a secret Regent hideaway that would have led to my entrance into the Warehouse. But once Agent Jinks here was so good as to spoil where I was keeping Ms. Wells, I thought it might just be simpler to take an agent and force my way in. I’m so impatient.” Sykes said. “And since Claudia is the youngest, and most inexperienced fighting wise - not that I’m trying to insult you Claudia, if you were to live as long as Myka and Peter, I’m sure you would be as good a fighter as them - plus the one whom Agent Jinks gave my location too, I thought she deserved the honor.”
Suddenly they stopped. Claudia looked at the artifacts on the shelves around them and saw the one in particular Syeks was looking for. “Ah, yes.” He said, eagerness in his voice. Quickly he reached forward and grabbed the bracelet, putting it on. For a second, Claudia saw puppet strings around his body as his legs were forced up and he could stand. But then the strings vanished and all she saw was Sykes, triumphant at last.
“Good. Good.” He said, nodding. He turned to Marcus and nodded his head. Marcus walked forward and grabbed Jane’s arm. She tried to fight him off, but Sykes made a tisking sound and motioned to Claudia, still held at gunpoint. Jane went still and allowed Marcus to bind her hands behind her back.
“Well.” Sykes said. He sighed, as if in regret. Like he had any. “I think we’ve reached the end of our journey with you, Claud.” He said, forcing Steve to push Claudia away from him, and raise his gun to her. Claudia felt her blood go cold.
“Wait!” Artie said, rushing forward.
“Arthur, please don’t make a scene, it’s embarrassing.” Sykes said drily.
“You’re going to kill me too, I know it. So just let me die with her.” Artie said, looking to Claudia. “Two in one.”
Sykes considered this. “Well, it is more convenient.”
Artie rushed forward and took the terrified Claudia in his arms. Claudia looked at Steve, who had tears in his eyes. As Steve raised his gun once more, Artie pushed her head towards him, trying to comfort and distract her. “Look at me, Claudia. It’s going to be okay.” Claudia felt tears rise in her eyes. “Shhhh, it’s okay. Just look at me kiddo, don’t focus on anything else.” Claudia stared into Artie’s eyes, which were calm and full of love. “It’s just me. It’s just you and me. Just focus on me.” Slowly, Sykes faded out and Claudia stared into Artie’s eyes as she heard a gunshot -
And they were still alive. Except no one else was around. Claudia turned to look at Artie, confusion in her eyes.
“It’s okay.” Artie said, reaching up to her mouth and grabbing a corner of the duck tape. “Sorry about this in advance.” He ripped the duck tape off her mouth. She winced, but then quickly got over it, eager to know what had happened.
“Are we dead?” She asked, hoarse both in fear and from having not used her voice for the past two hours.
“No. Not yet.” Artie said, trying to unbind her hands. He huffed in exasperation. “These stupid things.” He looked on the shelves and pulled off a particularly lethal looking knife, slicing through the zip ties.
Claudia rubbed her wrists and looked at him in confusion. “Then how…”
Artie pulled a stopwatch out of his pocket. “This. It was MacPherson’s but he gave it to me. It can move someone forward and backward in time.”
Everything was starting to come together for Claudia. “So Steve didn’t shoot us…”
“I just forwarded our bodies about 10 minutes into the future.”
“Find them you idiot!” Sykes roared from a distance. “Whatever teleportation artifact Neilson used - he wouldn’t have gone out of the Warehouse! He wouldn’t leave it to us!”
“Steve.” Claudia said, automatically stepping forward. Her friend was still Sykes’ prisoner. After everything Steve had been through for her, Sykes had forced him to nearly kill her… Claudia felt anger bubble through her veins. She turned to look at Artie, who was looking grimly back at her. Then, curiously, he smiled.
“It’s time to do what you do best.” He said. “Nearly cause a catastrophic accident in the Warehouse.”
Claudia grinned.
Title: Out of Control
Rating: PG-13, just to be really safe, but only for violence.
Spoilers: Up to and including the Season 3 finale.
Claudia, Pete and Myka made their way into the airplane hanger. Quickly they looked around - but Claudia felt her pulse increase when she saw no one. Where was Steve?
“Claud!” She turned - his voice was coming from the office above.
“Steve!” She cried happily, rushing up the stairs. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah - Sykes and the others bailed a few minutes ago. Sykes left me with a mission to take out the B & B - ”
Claudia breathed a sigh of relief as she leapt into the office - only to see Sykes, Marcus, Tyler and Helena still there.
Before she could say anything, a hand clamped down on her mouth and an arm wound its way tightly against her arms, pinning them to her sides. She fought the person, but they gripped her tightly, roughly.
“Hello Ms. Donovan.” Sykes said calmly, as Marcus stepped forward and plucked the Tesla out of her hands, which were pinned uselessly to her waist. “You obviously know me, and my fellow helpers.” He nodded to Marcus and Tyler. “And of course you remember the lovely Ms. Wells.” He nodded then to H.G., who was sitting in the corner, gagged with her hands bound behind her. She looked at Claudia in horror.
Which meant there could only be one person holding Claudia.
“Warehouse 13 really should have better undercover agents.” Sykes said, holding the riding crop, flexing it. “It was almost child’s play to realize that Agent Jinks was working against us.”
Claudia managed to twist her head minutely to look up at Steve, who was staring at Sykes, an unreadable look on his face.
“And then of course he would pass on the news about our location to you in the woods. And of course you would come, being the good agent and friend to him that you are.” Sykes said, with a tone of courtesy in his voice, as though he was commending her.
“At first it was a slight hindrance, I assumed we would have to kill Agent Jinks and then hustle out of our hanger even quicker than we planned.” Sykes said, twirling the crop in his fingers. “But then I thought… ‘Well, if we have lemons, we should make lemonade!’” He laughed. “After all, when fate drops three - no, four, I’m sorry Agent Jinks - Warehouse agents into your lap, why don’t you run with it?”
At that moment he twisted the crop so that Jinks’ hands slipped from her mouth and to her neck, cutting off her air circulation, so that she couldn’t scream out a warning to Pete and Myka, who were racing up the stairs as well, finished with checking the rest of the hanger. They assumed the danger has passed - they wanted to see their friend again, just like Claudia had. Steve grabbed his gun and pushed it against Claudia’s temple.
“Claud!” Myka yelled when they reached the office, and saw the scene before them.
“Let them go Sykes!” Pete said, raising his Tesla rifle. Sykes simply smiled.
“If you don’t want Claudia to have a bullet through her head, curtsey of her own partner, then you will put down you weapons, as well as your Farnsworths and cell phones, and toss them over to Marcus here.” Sykes said cheerfully. Claudia tried to twist her head to tell them ‘no’ but Steve simply increased his grip on her neck. Claudia felt her legs begin to sink to the floor, and would have collapsed if Steve hadn’t been holding her up. Black dots began to pop up in her vision.
“Sykes, have him ease up - you’re killing her!” Myka screamed.
“Would you look at that? I am.” Sykes said. “The weapons and your communication - now.”
Quickly Myka and Pete handed over everything and anything that could have saved them from Sykes. Once the objects were in Marcus’ hands, Steve eased up on Claudia’s neck. She quickly took large gasps of breath.
“Are you alright Claudia?” Sykes asked. Claudia hesitated, but nodded. He smiled and gestured to Marcus, who walked over to Claudia and proceeded to bind her hands behind her back with zip ties. Steve still had his gun to her head, and after her hands were behind her back, grabbed her, shoving her over to the door.
“Myka, Peter, please go over to where Ms. Wells is.” Sykes said calmly.
Myka and Pete both checked to see Helena in the corner. Myka nearly ran over to H.G. after seeing her. Quickly she began to work the duck tape off her mouth. Sykes didn’t stop her, but instead turned his attention to Pete, who stared at Claudia and Jinks. “Peter, if you will.” Pete hesitated once more and then Steve threw Claudia to the ground, raising his gun at her. Claudia screamed and tried to move away, but her feet got stuck on the carpet and her hands were bound tightly behind her back, making it hard to move. “I have no problem making Agent Jinks shoot Ms. Donovan in the kneecap, Peter.” Sykes said calmly.
Claudia looked up at Jinks in fear, cringing as she stared at the gun in his hands. Her eyes went from the gun to Steve’s face, which was set firmly. She guessed he was trying to be brave about the situation, but when she looked in his eyes she saw fear and horror clearly in them. He was terrified - about what Sykes was going to do to Pete and Myka, about what Sykes was going to do to H.G., about what Sykes was going to force him to do to Claudia. And he couldn’t do anything to stop it.
Pete made his way to Myka and H.G., and the second he did so Sykes activated an artifact that he pulled out of his pocket. A force field sprung up around the three, making it a prison. Pete beat the prison with his fists and then threw himself against it, but it was clear that he wasn’t going to get out.
“I’ll come back for you later, Peter.” Sykes said. “I won’t let your mother go to her death without seeing the torture and murder of her only son and youngest child. And maybe I’ll even stop in for a visit to your sister - won’t that be delightful?”
Pete’s face was an expression of pure rage and hate and he began to scream at Sykes from behind the force field. It was soundproof so Claudia couldn’t hear what he was saying, but from the expression on Myka and H.G.’s faces, it was nothing good.
“Now Steve,” Sykes said, flexing the crop and making Steve grab Claudia and haul her to her feet, “let’s go pay Warehouse 13 a little visit.” Claudia and Steve walked down the stairs, with Marcus in tow, watching them. Sykes rolled down a ramp just a few feet away, Tyler pushing him. Quickly they made their way to a car just outside the hanger, where Marcus opened the trunk. Claudia felt her breath quicken at the dark, stuffy interior of the truck and she swallowed, resisting slightly in Steve’s grip.
“Don’t like the dark?” Marcus said, a cruel smile on his face.
“She doesn’t like being confined.” Sykes guessed shrewdly. “Do cramped spaces frighten you, Claudia?” He asked kindly.
Claudia just stared at him, unsure how to respond, knowing that behind the act there was no kindness in him. “Would you like to sit up front with Marcus and I?” Sykes asked, grinning.
Horror flooded through Claudia and she shook her head. “Alright then.” Sykes said, and Steve tossed her into the trunk roughly. Steve reached for the door to close the trunk, but Sykes stopped him. “I forgot something. Silly me. Marcus?” He said.
Quickly, Marcus pulled out his gun and shot Tyler once through the head. Claudia flinched and ducked her head, not wanting Sykes to know how horrified she was, not wanting to encourage him. Marcus smiled and picked up the body, carrying it over to the trunk, about to dump it in next to her.
Claudia was positive she was going to vomit.
“Marcus, honestly. That car’s a rental. We can’t afford to waste good money just because we want to dispose of a body quickly.” Sykes said, chiding him lightly.
Marcus snarled, disappointed at that his attempt to terrorize Claudia hadn’t succeeded, and carried the body into the hanger. “I’ll get rid of it later.”
Claudia breathed out in relief, but Marcus reached for the lid of the trunk and slammed it down, leaving her alone in the darkness.
*
The trip to the Warehouse was around an hour and a half. Claudia was jostled about several times, wondering what Sykes was doing, if he was tormenting Steve as he drove them to their home, if Artie or Jane or Mrs. F had any idea what was coming.
The day was hot, and so Claudia was sweating and gasping for breath inside the stuffy trunk only 10 minutes into the drive. She tried to keep her breaths shallow and calm, but she could feel panic setting in.
‘Not now.’ She told herself. ‘Don’t panic now. Do it later when you’re not in an environment where having a panic attack can kill you due to lack of air.’
That wasn’t exactly helpful for avoiding the panic.
*
An hour and a half later, Claudia felt the car pull to stop and shut down. Footsteps got out of the car, and the doors slammed shut. The trunk opened and Steve pulled Claudia out. She gasped for cool air, happy just to feel the breeze on her sweating body. The next thing she knew her mouth had been forced shut and duck tape was plastered onto her lips.
“To keep you from warning anybody.” Sykes said. “Obviously, as demonstrated in the hanger, I can control Agent Jinks’ mouth.” He said, bending the crop. “But you are a bit more of a handful.” He chuckled. They walked to the Warehouse, and Sykes paused at the door. “Ah. Now, let’s see… How to get into the Warehouse?” He turned to Claudia, who was staring at him with determination - he wasn’t going to get the code to get into the Warehouse from her.
But Steve’s hands were rooting through her pockets, and he pulled out a small remote control, pressing it. The door opened and Claudia felt her body slump. The one thing she thought she could do to protect the Warehouse, and Sykes still managed to figure out a way in.
They walked into the Warehouse, past the bombs, pushing open the office door to see Artie and Jane waiting impatiently. Artie turned, “Finally you’re back. We thought you were too busy reuniting to give us a call -“ He stopped when he took in the scene - Claudia, gagged and bound; Steve, holding a gun to one of the people he cared most about in the world; Sykes’ prisoners. Marcus and Sykes behind them, grinning with victory.
Artie immediately started forward, but Sykes stopped him but having Steve shake Claudia roughly.
“Now Arthur you know better than that…” Sykes said.
“Where’s my son?” Jane said in a horse voice, her eyes wide with fear - but not for herself. “What did you do with him?”
“He’s alive. For now.” Sykes said. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you two are reunited. After all, you’re an honored guest tonight - you get to have a front row seat in seeing how many artifacts I’ve acquired, and their implications on a human being. Sort of a science experiment if you will… I should think you like those, being a teacher.”
“If you hurt my son you bastard -“ Jane said, stepping forward.
“Let’s not kid ourselves Jane. I’m going to torture and kill your son, not merely hurt him.” He smiled, his voice still calm. “And when it’s finished, I’m going to make you beg for death before I finally give it to you. And when I do - you’ll thank me.” Then Sykes turned to Artie.
“And as for your little girl, Arthur.” He said, making Steve give Claudia another rough shake, leaving no doubt as to whom Sykes was referring to. “If you want her death to be short and quick, rather than long and drawn out like Peter’s, then you’ll do exactly what I say.”
Artie looked from the helpless Claudia to Sykes, who was smiling pleasantly at the two, as though they were having a perfectly calm discussion about the weather. “May I?” He said, reaching for Claudia, who was more than eager to go to him.
“Ah…I’m afraid not.” Sykes said, having Steve pull Claudia back. “I need her. Leverage, you know?” He chuckled. “Now, come. We’re going to find Collodi’s bracelet.”
*
They walked through the long aisles of the Warehouse silently, until Artie spoke up. Claudia guessed it was in his nature - to have to have an answer for everything, even if that answer was from a psychopath.
“Why all the fuss with Helena?” He asked Sykes. “Why were you so focused on her?”
“If you must know, I had an extremely elaborate, and if you will excuse my bragging, well thought out plan involving her and a secret Regent hideaway that would have led to my entrance into the Warehouse. But once Agent Jinks here was so good as to spoil where I was keeping Ms. Wells, I thought it might just be simpler to take an agent and force my way in. I’m so impatient.” Sykes said. “And since Claudia is the youngest, and most inexperienced fighting wise - not that I’m trying to insult you Claudia, if you were to live as long as Myka and Peter, I’m sure you would be as good a fighter as them - plus the one whom Agent Jinks gave my location too, I thought she deserved the honor.”
Suddenly they stopped. Claudia looked at the artifacts on the shelves around them and saw the one in particular Syeks was looking for. “Ah, yes.” He said, eagerness in his voice. Quickly he reached forward and grabbed the bracelet, putting it on. For a second, Claudia saw puppet strings around his body as his legs were forced up and he could stand. But then the strings vanished and all she saw was Sykes, triumphant at last.
“Good. Good.” He said, nodding. He turned to Marcus and nodded his head. Marcus walked forward and grabbed Jane’s arm. She tried to fight him off, but Sykes made a tisking sound and motioned to Claudia, still held at gunpoint. Jane went still and allowed Marcus to bind her hands behind her back.
“Well.” Sykes said. He sighed, as if in regret. Like he had any. “I think we’ve reached the end of our journey with you, Claud.” He said, forcing Steve to push Claudia away from him, and raise his gun to her. Claudia felt her blood go cold.
“Wait!” Artie said, rushing forward.
“Arthur, please don’t make a scene, it’s embarrassing.” Sykes said drily.
“You’re going to kill me too, I know it. So just let me die with her.” Artie said, looking to Claudia. “Two in one.”
Sykes considered this. “Well, it is more convenient.”
Artie rushed forward and took the terrified Claudia in his arms. Claudia looked at Steve, who had tears in his eyes. As Steve raised his gun once more, Artie pushed her head towards him, trying to comfort and distract her. “Look at me, Claudia. It’s going to be okay.” Claudia felt tears rise in her eyes. “Shhhh, it’s okay. Just look at me kiddo, don’t focus on anything else.” Claudia stared into Artie’s eyes, which were calm and full of love. “It’s just me. It’s just you and me. Just focus on me.” Slowly, Sykes faded out and Claudia stared into Artie’s eyes as she heard a gunshot -
And they were still alive. Except no one else was around. Claudia turned to look at Artie, confusion in her eyes.
“It’s okay.” Artie said, reaching up to her mouth and grabbing a corner of the duck tape. “Sorry about this in advance.” He ripped the duck tape off her mouth. She winced, but then quickly got over it, eager to know what had happened.
“Are we dead?” She asked, hoarse both in fear and from having not used her voice for the past two hours.
“No. Not yet.” Artie said, trying to unbind her hands. He huffed in exasperation. “These stupid things.” He looked on the shelves and pulled off a particularly lethal looking knife, slicing through the zip ties.
Claudia rubbed her wrists and looked at him in confusion. “Then how…”
Artie pulled a stopwatch out of his pocket. “This. It was MacPherson’s but he gave it to me. It can move someone forward and backward in time.”
Everything was starting to come together for Claudia. “So Steve didn’t shoot us…”
“I just forwarded our bodies about 10 minutes into the future.”
“Find them you idiot!” Sykes roared from a distance. “Whatever teleportation artifact Neilson used - he wouldn’t have gone out of the Warehouse! He wouldn’t leave it to us!”
“Steve.” Claudia said, automatically stepping forward. Her friend was still Sykes’ prisoner. After everything Steve had been through for her, Sykes had forced him to nearly kill her… Claudia felt anger bubble through her veins. She turned to look at Artie, who was looking grimly back at her. Then, curiously, he smiled.
“It’s time to do what you do best.” He said. “Nearly cause a catastrophic accident in the Warehouse.”
Claudia grinned.