Since giving an answer was like stating the obvious, he merely stood there and stared the scientist down while taking in his surroundings. He was in a smallish room, part of which had been sectioned off with what appeared to be a hastily built wall or metal bars. Given enough time, he could break out on his own, not that he’d have to worry about it because his team would be there soon.
When he didn't give a response, Dr. Gardner shuffled somewhat uncomfortably from foot to foot, the movement betraying his anxiety even if he was attempting to pretend he had the upper hand.
The man should know by now that when it came to his creations, heneverhad the upper hand.
On Thunder’s side of the room, there was a mattress on the floor, and two buckets in a corner. If he had to guess, one was empty and one had water in it. If he planned on being there any amount of time, he’d use those to help him break his way out, but it wasn't going to be an issue.
As far as he was concerned, the only issue was that he didn't have eyes on Maya.
She had to be there somewhere, after all, both he and Dr. Gardner were there, and there was no way the antsy man standing before him hadn't brought his favorite toy along with him. Once Thunder had eyes on his girl, he’d feel a whole hell of a lot better, because he wouldn't put it past Dr. Gardner to try to kill her when the rest of his team arrived. The scientist definitely had “if I can't have it, nobody can” vibes.
“You thought I wouldn't get you back, but you’ve always been mine,” Dr. Gardner continued, puffing his chest out with pride like he was some sort of genius, when really, he’d stolen a ten-year-old girl’s idea and then warped it to the point it was no longer what Whitney had intended. “Now that I have you, it’s only a matter of time before I get back everything that’s mine. The rest of my team of soldiers, the girl who doesn’t feel pain, my sister, and my best scientist. All of you will learn that I always get what I want.”
What was this guy? A toddler? He always got what he wanted?
For the last decade he’d gotten anything but. In coming after him and Maya, all the scientist had gotten was a death sentence.
Yet it seemed like the man truly believed all his Christmases were about to come at once. Thunder couldn’t wait to knock him off his shaky little perch.
“Know what I want right now?” Dr. Gardner asked, that mocking little smile back on his lips.
In response, Thunder took a step closer to the man, satisfaction rolling through him when the scientist scampered back a step, clearly not confident in his hastily made cell to keep his prisoner at a safe distance.
“I think I feel like making a visit to my sweet, little slave. I've missed her these last few weeks, and I think it’s time I go and get reacquainted with her.”
There was no way for the doctor to know about his connection with Maya, yet the wink the man shot him before sauntering out of the room almost felt like he did. Or maybe it was the panic Thunder had been unable to completely mask at the knowledge that Maya was about to face her worst nightmare all over again, and that this time he might lose her to that place in her mind where she went to seek peace and safety.
March 11th
6:09 A.M.
Thunder is alive.
Thunder is alive.
Thunder is alive.
Maya kept repeating that mantra to herself so she wouldn't forget. So she didn't panic. So she didn't break with the plan. So she didn't slip away into the recesses of her mind in case she got stuck there and couldn’t find her way back again after.
After.
Because this was going to work. It was already working.
Dr. Gardner was here, she’d heard him even if she hadn't seen him yet. Right at this very second, the rest of Delta Team would be assessing this location and figuring out the best way to breach it to ensure that this time the man they were hunting didn't get a chance to escape. The best way to make sure she and Thunder didn't get caught in the crossfire. Well, her more than Thunder since he knew how to take care of himself.
Nothing was going to go wrong this time. It couldn’t. The fact that Delta Team had already stripped away almost everything Dr. Gardner had meant the man was at his most vulnerable. There wasn't going to be a better time to strike.
Despite the fear that had grown exponentially over the last several hours, there was pride there, too. So far, she hadn't drifted off into her special place, even though that chasm between her and it had grown smaller. She hadn't done anything to give away the fact that she was a lot more mentally competent than everyone seemed to believe.
Well, she had done one thing. After taking her from the bedroom at the house, they’d carried her downstairs and out to a van. In the back of the van was a cage, like a dog crate, and inside it had been Thunder. She’d been thrown into it along with him, and since he’d been unconscious, Maya had done her best to ensure he didn't get thrown about too badly.
Of course, that was easier said than done, given their massively disproportionate sizes. But she’d pressed herself up against his much larger body, soaking up the feel of it, secure in the fact that the chest she was curled up against rose and fell with each breath he took.
Their gamble had paid off, and they were both alive, both here, both just waiting for the rest of Delta Team to comeswooping in to save them. It was hard to wait, but Maya understood it took time to come up with the perfect plan.
Failing once again wasn't an option. This had to end the way they all wanted it to, with Dr. Gardner dead and the rest of them finally set free.
Right now, the man in question was in the next room, talking to Thunder. Just because she hadn't heard Thunder’s voice didn't mean that she couldn’t tell from what Dr. Gardner was saying, that’s who he was talking to. Which meant that Thunder was still alive, and obviously awake.
