Lost

Chapter 24

Sean Burns looked up into the night sky as he sucked on a cold pipe. How much damage had Duncan suffered at the hands of the brute Benjamin described? It would take some time, he knew, to rectify the damage...if he was able. It would help if he knew who had done the work...but that would come in time. He caught a slight movement out of the corner of his eye but pretended he saw nothing. He knew it wasn’t his Watcher...that young man had been identified quite some time ago. This was someone new...perhaps the person Ben…Adam, he reminded himself, had warned him about? That means there was probably more than one. Very well. He surreptitiously checked the dagger he kept strapped to his side. These men were mortal, so perhaps it would be prudent to start carrying his gun again...he was sure he wouldn’t have the opportunity to speak to whomever was sent his way and these were paid killers, not men needing his help. It’s best to be prepared. He took another deep breath and stepped back inside his home.

-------------------------

Amanda checked the position of the guard. It would almost be boring if it weren’t so important. It had been far too easy to lose not only her Watcher but Lacasse’s men as well. A surge of anger coursed through her at her own laxity…assuming that the Watchers were the only ones around lately. Never mind that, now…she pushed her thoughts to her current job. Now breaking into this place had been child’s play, but then only the companies pushing the latest technology for military weaponry seemed to bother with good security. She should know, having played the industrial espionage game for quite some time. It was a good thing Duncan didn’t know how she’d been coming up with her funds lately. He definitely wouldn’t approve of this even if she was very picky about what side she played on...she had to have some sense of morals after all. And besides, a girl can’t just depend on art and jewelry...well, not all of the time. She reached into the files she’d broken into and photographed the documents. She had only to get this back to Methos before she moved onto the next target. Then she needed to reappear to her followers looking as though she’d been enjoying a private sojourn with her latest lover and then back to her villa. Easy enough. Pocketing her camera she prepared to slip back out of the office. Soon, Duncan dearest, we’ll get you back soon...

--------------------------

He lay listening to the night sounds unsure of what had awakened him. A sudden snort to the back of his neck might have been part of the answer, or the arm that occasionally spasmed around his waist as its owner no doubt dreamt of conquest and possession. Either way he was awake with the sudden need to move...be free of the weight of that arm, of the softened member that still found a home in his body, be free of the hot breath that seemed to sear the back of his neck. Shifting slightly, he tried to ease his way out from under the arm although he couldn’t leave without permission. He succeeded in feeling Andre’s cock ease out of him with a sickening slither but the arm tightened instead.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

“Please, Andre, may I go to the bathroom...?”

Dozing even before Duncan finished answering, Andre roused himself enough to slide his arm back, mumbling a grunted “hurry back...”

Duncan did hurry, but only to get as far away as he was allowed. As soon as the arm lifted he was out of the bed and stepping across the room. Walking through the dressing room he stepped into the cool tile of the bathroom and quietly shut the door, finding a haven for a moment although being alone in any room terrified him. Taking a deep breath he lifted his gown, holding the folds with his chin as he unfastened his binding. Sitting down he relieved himself. He waited a few moments longer to let the other fluid drain from his body. Wiping himself he stood and flushed, gathering his gown to replace the binding. He was washing his hands as the door opened startling him. Looking into the mirror he saw Andre standing there rubbing a hand over his face. He too moved to the toilet to relieve himself. Duncan made no move to leave until he was given permission. Permission to go to the bathroom, permission to leave, permission to breathe...

The bathroom suddenly seemed too small despite being large enough to hold fifteen people. Why was it becoming so hard to breathe? Duncan felt as though he was drowning...but had no reason why. Andre opened the door and gestured for Duncan to precede him. They moved back into the bedroom, silent across the thick carpet. With every step towards the bed Duncan felt his breath beginning to catch in his chest. He found himself gasping. He paused at the foot of the bed. “I’m so hot...I can’t breath!” he gasped as he stepped to the French doors. Reaching them he flung one door open immediately alerting the guard watching the balcony. Taking deep gasping breaths he tried to get enough oxygen into his lungs, but there didn’t seem to be enough... he was drowning as he looked up at the moon shimmering through his tears. He tried to reach it with one hand as he felt himself slipping away into the depths.

“Sarah, calm down... you’re hyperventilating!” Andre reached for her, grabbing her by the arms.

How can you hyperventilate when you’re drowning? The idea seemed so ludicrous. A small laugh escaped him as he tried to breath. He felt arms going around his shoulders but they only made it seem funnier. He was gasping and laughing unaware that his laughs were sounding wretched and pained, unaware when his gasps became sobs that tore out of the depths of his body. He was just trying to breathe and no one would let him. It was so hard to breathe. He was still trying to answer the question as he felt a sharp prick to his arm. He was sinking down into the depths. No more oxygen, he was drowning and no one could save him. He watched as the moon shimmered overhead and faded away leaving him alone, so alone...