The Glass House: Chapter Twenty
Aug. 30th, 2008 11:35 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
wolfanficsTitle: The Glass House
Author: Sashataakheru
Beta: The wonderfulrana_narsilion <3
Fandom: The Chaser/AusComedy RPS
Starring: Adam Hills, Sepulchre (OC), Wil Anderson, Hamish Blake, Craig Reucassel, Tim Minchin, Julian Morrow, Chas Licciardello, Charles Firth, Chris Taylor, Andrew Hansen, Caleb (OC), Dr Rachel Hardy (OC), Antoinette Laurent (OC), Dr Samantha Reddings (OC), Dominic Knight, Shane Cubis, Gregor Stronach, Tim Brunero, Andy Lee
Pairings: Andrew/Chris; Adam/Hamish; Jules/Chas; Rachel/Antoinette(/Samantha); Adam/Seb; Adam/Wil; Craig/Caleb; Adam/Wil/Tim; Andrew/Craig, Wil/Chas; implied Tim/Craig, Hamish/Andy (after a fashion. XD)
Word Count: 4,145
Chapter: 20/32 [Previous]
Warnings: language, mentions of torture
Rating: FRAO
Disclaimer: I don’t know them, not associated with them, just a slashy fangirl admirer with a very active imagination.
Author’s Notes: FYI, fullwing = winged human capable of flight. Halfwing = fullwing/human halfbreed, usually unable to fly, sometimes have vestigial wings, but can be removed to pass as human and not as winged.
Summary: Charles and Andrew arrive back at the haven and try to sort out what happened to them.
Chapter Twenty
Charles didn't worry about being caught. He figured if they let them go, they were probably safe, for the moment. Or, alternatively, they were up to something terrible. Either way, Charles felt it was best to get home as soon as possible. But not before Charles got too paranoid and ditched their truck for another, just in case they'd put a tracker on it. He didn't want them following him back to the safe haven.
Andrew remained as he was the entire journey home. Charles glanced over at him every so often, worried about him. There was no time to comfort him until they arrived back at the haven apart from a few soft words as Charles was carrying him between trucks, and Andrew whimpering in return and clinging to him desperately.
Charles carried him inside gently. Andrew still clung to him. He refused to let go of him even once they were safe inside. Chris and Craig hurried to find them once they saw them arrive back. They found Charles lying on Andrew's bed, Andrew refusing to leave him.
"Shit, is he alright, Charles? What happened out there?" Chris said, rushing to Andrew's side.
"We got arrested. I-I don't know what they did to him. I was just beaten and shit, asked me all these questions. They know far more than they're letting on. I'm concerned we may have a spy amongst us. Can you get Julian? I need to tell him what happened," Charles said.
"Yeah, sure. Craig, d'you wanna go fetch him?" Chris said.
"Oh, yeah. Sure. I'll be right back," Craig said, leaving them alone.
Chris went to stroke Andrew's face, but Andrew flinched and pulled away, terrified. "N-no, not you! Only Charles! My Charles!" Andrew said and clutched onto him even tighter.
"Andrew? It's me, Chris. Are you alright?" Chris said, concerned at what might've happened to him.
"I don't know if he's alright. I think they did something to him, though I'm not sure what. He's been like this since they brought him back to me and kicked us out. That's the only thing I've heard him say," Charles said.
"Shit. They better not have hurt you, love. I should've gone with you. Maybe I could've protected him," Chris said.
"It's not your fault. You couldn't have prevented this any more than I could," Charles said.
"But he's my responsibility. I promised I'd look after him," Chris said.
"I did my best. It's hard to say no when you're surrounded by soldiers brandishing their weapons and beating you senseless," Charles said.
"Shit. You'd better be alright, Andrew," Chris said.
"Oh, thank Christ you're back! I was wondering what had kept you!" Julian said as he rushed into the room.
"We got ourselves arrested. For some reason, they let us go. Chris? D'you mind leaving me to speak to Julian alone?" Charles said.
"Uh, sure. I'll… I'll just be outside," Chris said, reluctantly leaving them in peace.
"I may come across as paranoid, Jules, but they know too much. The cops. Why else would they let us go?" Charles whispered harshly.
"I dunno, why'd they arrest you in the first place?" Julian said.
"Forging IDs. I'd have accepted that story, but that's not what they asked me about when they interrogated me," Charles said.
"You didn't-"
"No, I held my tongue. I refused to speak. Got myself beaten and raped for my trouble. Bastards. There was no way I was telling them anything. I was prepared to die before I denounced the rebellion," Charles said.
"You're a brave man, Charles, and a stubborn bastard. I bet they hated you. So what happened to Andrew?"
"I don't know. We were separated almost immediately upon arriving at the army base. I didn't see him until the very end. He was just like he is now. I'm not sure what they did to him, but I doubt it was good," Charles said.
Andrew whimpered and balled his fists in Charles' shirt, seeking comfort and protection from him.
"I-I don't know what they did to him. We're lucky to be alive though. You'd think they'd execute any rebels they happened to arrest. We're alive for a reason, and I think Andrew has something to do with it," Charles said, more convinced than ever that something was amiss.
"You sure he's not just reacting to being arrested?" Julian said.
"I don't know what to think. If he'd just speak to me, tell me what they did to him, I might be able to stop worrying," Charles said.
"I… I don't remember what they did to me. Nothing at all," Andrew whimpered. "Don't leave me, Charles. Please. I'm scared to be alone."
"He does not look alright to me, Julian," Charles said.
"Hmm. I'll send the docs around to check him over. If he consents to letting you go at some point, come and give me a full account of what happened, alright?" Julian said, getting to his feet.
"Thanks. Will do, if I manage to settle him down enough to leave him," Charles said.
Andrew watched Julian leave, eyes wide with terror. Charles held him close and pressed a kiss to his forehead. Andrew curled into him and began crying. Charles rubbed his back gently, trying to soothe him.
"Come on, mate, settle down. It'll be alright, just you wait," Charles murmured.
Andrew clung to Charles until the doctors arrived to look him over. Charles slowly eased his consent out of him, watching as his fingers slowly let go of him. Andrew grudgingly let them check him over, making sure he was alright. Andrew sat on the edge of the bed, one hand still clutching onto Charles' sleeve for protection.
Andrew was quite convinced he did not want to be left alone. He needed Charles there. As long as Charles was there, everything would be alright. Andrew stared into space. He could remember nothing of what had happened. He felt he should be able to remember, but he simply had no memory of it. Everything was black. He even had trouble retrieving any memories at all from the rest of his life. He knew he'd done things, but he had no memory of them. He was a little scared now.
"Charles? I think they wiped my memory. I can't remember anything about who I am. What's going on? Where am I?" Andrew said.
"Shit, Andrew, you're back at the safe haven. You're with the rebellion. You'll be alright, you know. Come on, just let the doctors check you over so we know you're not hurt, alright?" Charles said.
'We know who you are. You are a spy for the Government. You still work Intelligence. Collect information about this rebellion and store it. Be invisible and unnoticed. We will tell you when to report back to your superiors. Speak a word of your mission to anyone and we will kill you immediately,' the voice supplied, giving Andrew's confused mind a context with which to interact with this strange group of people.
Spy. Report. Heathen rebels. We will crush them. They will never know I'm working against them, Andrew thought, finally happy he had some sort of role now.
"Alright. That-that's fine," Andrew said.
Andrew didn't speak after that. He was too busy taking in everything Charles was telling him about the rebellion to jog his memory. Andrew feigned remembrance and familiarity to reassure Charles he would be fine. This Charles was a good man, even though he was on the enemy's side.
Once they'd left them alone, satisfied Andrew was at least physically alright apart from some bruises that suggested a beating or two, with a promise to send the only psychiatrist they had around, Charles spent the next hour or so trying to soothe him into sleep. When Andrew finally drifted off, Charles was too tired to go and see Julian. He'd go see him later, depending on how Andrew was when he woke up.
'You're a good boy, Andrew. Now sleep and relax. We'll aid you in your mission.'
Andrew settled down to sleep, unaware of what the voice in his head was really doing to his mind.
Chris and Craig sat around the main hall, mostly in silence. Chris was agitated. He wanted to go and be with Andrew, but Charles had flat-out refused it. Craig lounged on one of the couches, watching Chris pacing in front of him.
"Will you fucking calm down? This won't make him better," Craig said, finally cracking.
"I should be in there with him, not Charles! I'm the one he loves, not Charles!" Chris growled, slumping down next to Craig, fuming at being left out.
"Give him time. He'll want to see you eventually," Craig said.
"He'd better. I've been so worried about him," Chris said, leaning against Craig, seeking comfort from him as he'd done the entire time Andrew was away.
Craig wrapped an arm around him, bringing him in close. "I know you're worried about him. I would be too if the same had happened to Caleb. I wonder if they did what I think they did to him," he mused darkly, not sure he wanted to contemplate what might've happened to him.
"What are you thinking of, Craig?" Chris said.
"Torture. What if they tortured him? What if they've destroyed him completely?" Craig said.
"No way. No way did they torture him. That's - How can you even suggest that, Craig?" Chris said.
"I'm just saying. I've seen what they can do to people, I've experienced it. He does not look alright. They did something bad to him, I'm convinced of it. What other explanation is there? He would not be that traumatised if they'd just questioned him. No, he's showing clear signs of trauma. As to what caused that trauma, that's for him to tell us when he feels up to it," Craig said.
"Look, let's not speculate on these things when we don't know anything. Charles doesn't even know what they did to him. The only one who can tell us anything is Andrew, and right now, he's not in any state to talk so quit scaring me with insinuations of torture, alright?" Chris said.
"Alright, fine, I'll shut up about it. But if I'm proved right, don't come complaining to me, alright?" Craig said.
"Shut up, Craig. Just - shut up. It's bad enough thinking about what they did to you. I don't need the same images of the same things being done to Andrew, alright?" Chris said, clearly uncomfortable with the way the conversation was going.
"Sorry. I suppose I'm just far too familiar with that and I know what it can do to you. I really hope they haven't touched Andrew at all. If they've tortured him, I swear I'm going to fuckin' murder the ones who touched him," Craig said, his determination shocking Chris.
"Settle down, mate. Don't get angry unless you have to, alright? We've got more important things to worry about," Chris said.
"You'd say differently if you'd been through what I've been through," Craig said quietly.
"I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be insensitive, I just don't want you getting all over-excited over pure speculation, that's all," Chris said.
"It's a sensitive issue for me, alright? You, you're human, you've never had to live in fear your entire life. Me? I've had to run all the time, keep on running, never being allowed to stop for fear that they'll catch me and kill me. Do you understand the kind of stress that places on you? I've been arrested and held more times than I'd like to admit, and never once have they treated me like a human being. My experience with them is much different from yours. I'm outside the law, you're not. You can get justice for mistreatment, I just have to live with it. From my perspective, seeing Andrew like that makes me scared. I've seen what torture can do to someone. The Army have no qualms at all in using whatever technique they want to get you to speak. Nothing is illegal now, hasn't been for years. They will make you speak. Even the strongest of wills will succumb to them eventually. I held out as long as I could before they broke me. By then, I told them whatever they wanted to hear. It made the pain lessen, which is all you care about at that stage. Everything aches, you're always cold and hungry, you're so tired you think you could sleep forever, but the torture keeps going on, never ceasing. They drive you crazy. I do not say that lightly. I'm still surprised I managed to survive two weeks of it and still come out relatively sane. But it scarred me forever. It never leaves me alone. I would never wish this on anyone, not even Andrew, but it's a possibility that can't be ignored. That's all I'm saying," Craig said, trying very hard not to break down in front of Chris.
"I'm sorry for what you've been through. It's hard for me to understand, I know that, but I'm trying. It scares me. I've known you for years. I had no idea you were hiding that at all. It makes me scared to think they did that to you and you didn't tell anyone," Chris said.
"Yeah, well, at least you said hi when I arrived back. No one else seemed to care," Craig said glumly.
"You didn't give any indication of being hurt or traumatised. What were we supposed to think? You hid it so well we had no idea you'd been tortured. And now that the same thing's may have happened to Andrew? That scares me shitless to think the one person I love has been hurt like that and I couldn't stop it. I want to be in there with him so badly. I just want to make it better. Why won't Charles let me see him?" Chris said, concern for Andrew taking over again.
"Dunno mate. He did seem to want to cling to Charles back there. I can understand that if he thinks he's the only one who'll understand him. I've seen it happen before. No way of knowing until we hear his side of the story. Although the way he pulled away in fear from you concerns me. That is not the sort of reaction from someone who's been tortured. He seemed convinced the only person he was supposed to be with was Charles. That suggests they messed with his head in some manner, and that has me concerned even more. Torture is one thing, but brainwashing is quite another. If they've got him triggered for something, then we need to be watching him very closely. We have no way of knowing what they did to him or what they may have programmed him for, if they indeed did do that to him. This is not good, Chris, not good at all," Craig said.
"Oh God, he'd better be alright. If they've destroyed him, I'll-"
"Now you know why I'm concerned for him and why I want to rip apart those who did this to him. This is inhumane! This is what we're fighting against! This is what we want to eradicate! I will not have the citizens of this country, and I include everyone in the country, not just the official citizens, subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment at the hands of their own military! They are human rights abuses against our own people! It must be stopped!" Craig said, his pain, determination and passion flowing into his words.
"I hear you, Craig," Chris murmured, lost for anything else to say.
"Hey, did you hear about Andrew? Got any idea what might've happened to him?" Hamish said, slumping down on the couch next to Andy.
"Hmm? Yeah, none of that sounds good at all. Not sure what might've happened, but I wouldn't rule out brainwashing and torture. There's no guessing what they're capable of now. From what little of their story that I've heard, it sounds very suspicious. It doesn't sound plausible that it was an order from the top though. All the intelligence we've received so far has suggested they don't actually know we have an organised rebellion, nor who might be part of it, which makes Andrew and Charles' arrest even stranger. I mean, we know a small collection of Generals seem to be onto us but their suspicions never seem to reach the top, so we generally discount that as official knowledge. Unless they had some reason to suspect those two were involved and wanted to interrogate them to find out. I don't know, though. I'm not willing to suggest anything until I know the full story," Andy said.
"Hmm. I suppose so. I hope he's going to be alright," Hamish said. "Hey, I'm glad you're here. I've got someone to keep me company when Adam's away."
"Adam's not away right now, is he?" Andy said.
"Well, no, but, you know, just wanted to say so," Hamish said, snuggling up to him.
"You're such a girl, you know. That's why you need a tough soldier like me to look after you cos you're so defenceless," Andy said.
"Hey, I am not defenceless! I did learn how to fire a gun eventually, you know," Hamish said, trying to prove he was as good as Andy was.
"But you're one of the few men in this country who has never had cadet training. And I think I know why your mother was so determined to keep you out of the service," Andy said.
"What, apart from not wanting me to get killed?" Hamish said.
"No, I think she wanted to keep your parentage a secret." Andy shifted to face him, leaning into the corner.
"My parentage? What's wrong with my parentage?" Hamish said.
"Take your shirt off. I want a closer look at those scars on your back," Andy said.
"This is just an excuse to perve on me now, isn't it?" Hamish said, obeying anyway.
Andy shifted closer to him, turning him around to get a better look. "Tell me what you feel when I do this." Andy ran a finger down one of the scars gently, watching for his reaction.
Hamish shivered, a sudden spurt of tingly nerves firing off down his back. "Jesus. What the fuck was that?"
Andy tried the other scar. "Are there nerves there? Are they firing when I touch them?"
Hamish shivered again. "Jesus, yes, of course they are. Why wouldn't they?"
"Do you get the same reaction when I do this?" Andy said, running his finger down another part of his back away from the scars.
"Maybe it's just because it isn't scar tissue." Hamish tried to write off the growing realisation of what Andy was trying to show him.
Andy obligingly ran his finger down another scar, this one slicing across his lower back. "Same reaction?"
"Nothing. Nothing at all," Hamish said.
"I might get Sam to test your blood, but I strongly suspect you're a halfwing and that's why your mum didn't want you in the Armed Forces because they would take your blood and discover what you are," Andy said.
"No, but, no, mum wouldn't do that. I mean, sure, dad ran out when I was a kid, but he was human. I'm sure he was human. Mum said he was human," Hamish said.
"Agree to a blood test then and we'll see who's right," Andy challenged.
"Okay then. Let's go right now. Fifty bucks says I'm not halfwing," Hamish said, getting to his feet.
"Fifty bucks says you are," Andy said, standing up.
"Come on, let's go find Sam." Hamish said, grabbing Andy's hand as he pulled him out of his room.
Asleep in Charles' arms, Andrew was troubled by vicious dreams. His memories were returning, and they were threatening to contradict the orders the voice had given him. His mind was fighting for its sanity. The voice won out in the end. Andrew succumbed to the false identity, his military training flooding back and taking over his mind. He was a soldier again, an interrogator. He was charged with breaking into the rebellion and discovering how to smash it. The voice would make him act when the time was right and guide him on his mission. It showed him nightmares, instilling his fear and obedience, and left him shaking and whimpering in Charles' arms as the one small speck of resistance in him was driven out and destroyed until there was nothing left to stop the voice owning him completely.
'That's right, Andrew, give yourself to us completely. We're the only ones who can save you now,' the voice whispered, caressing his spirit into obedience.
But-But Chris said, and Charles, they said-
'Silence! Chris is a betrayer, like Craig. Charles didn't break his promise. Even now he holds you and protects you. You are only safe with him and with us, understood?'
Y-yes, I understand.
'Let us show you again what happens if you disobey us,' the voice said harshly.
Andrew whimpered in his sleep, tormented by vicious scenes of pain and torture. He was at the point where he was willing to surrender to the voice if it meant he'd never be hurt again. He didn't like being hurt. He wanted to be safe and that's what the voice promised. What else was he to think? The voice knew his thoughts, could read into the deepest part of his mind. There was no hiding from it, no lying to it. Why fight it?
I am yours forever. Keep me safe.
'You are wise to serve us. Great rewards will follow for strict obedience to our words,' the voice soothed.
Andrew slowly settled down as the voice caressed his troubled mind, reassuring him he was safe and that no one would hurt him.
'Remember. Talk to no one about this. Our plans are our secret, alright? If they ask what happened, you were just shaken from being interrogated. They were harsh with you and beat you. Gain Charles' sympathy. He will look after you. You, poor fragile little thing, you need someone to take good care of you. What's a tiny thing like you doing fighting in a war anyway? You're much better with us. We won't make you fight. You'll be safe with us, no more fear. You'll have everything you need. You'll never go hungry again. How does that sound?' the voice cooed.
Good. It sounds good. I… I don't like fighting. I'm too weak, too pathetic. I'll just hold them up if I stay. Will you take me away from this and look after me?
'Of course. Do what we ask of you and we'll look after you for eternity.'
Andrew seemed satisfied with that answer and fell into a more soothing sleep, with the voice continuing to whisper soothing words to him, cementing its plan into his subconscious without any resistance at all.
Charles was awake long before Andrew was. He was relieved to see Andrew sleeping peacefully. He seemed to have settled down at last. Maybe he had been overreacting last night when he though they'd done something to him. Charles contented himself with just lying beside him until Andrew woke, wanting to make sure he really was alright before he went to see Julian.
Andrew was relieved to find Charles still holding him when he woke. He felt safe in his arms. The voice hadn't returned, which helped settle him. He had no memory of the voice commanding his sleep, but at least his memories had returned somewhat. He didn't feel like such a stranger now. He could interact with Charles sufficiently to convice him he was fine.
"Charles? Is that you?" Andrew murmured.
"I'm still here, mate. You alright?" Charles said.
"Yeah, yeah, I think so," Andrew said.
"They didn't… hurt you badly, did they? Do you remember what they did to you?" Charles said, trying not to upset him.
"N-No, they just… They interrogated me harshly, beat me up a lot, that's all. I was too weak to cope with it. I'm sorry," Andrew said, ashamed at the memory in his head, convinced it was real.
"It's alright. I'm glad they didn't torture you or anything. You gonna be alright now?" Charles said.
"Yeah, I think so. Can… Can we get something to eat? I'm kinda hungry," Andrew said.
"Sure we can. Come on, get up then," Charles said.
Andrew got up, legs still a little shaky but mostly alright. Charles brought him into a grateful hug, kissing his forehead softly. Andrew winced in pain, even though his body wasn't sore, convincing Charles of his story. Then Charles led him out to the mess hall to eat.
Author: Sashataakheru
Beta: The wonderful
rana_narsilion <3Fandom: The Chaser/AusComedy RPS
Starring: Adam Hills, Sepulchre (OC), Wil Anderson, Hamish Blake, Craig Reucassel, Tim Minchin, Julian Morrow, Chas Licciardello, Charles Firth, Chris Taylor, Andrew Hansen, Caleb (OC), Dr Rachel Hardy (OC), Antoinette Laurent (OC), Dr Samantha Reddings (OC), Dominic Knight, Shane Cubis, Gregor Stronach, Tim Brunero, Andy Lee
Pairings: Andrew/Chris; Adam/Hamish; Jules/Chas; Rachel/Antoinette(/Samantha); Adam/Seb; Adam/Wil; Craig/Caleb; Adam/Wil/Tim; Andrew/Craig, Wil/Chas; implied Tim/Craig, Hamish/Andy (after a fashion. XD)
Word Count: 4,145
Chapter: 20/32 [Previous]
Warnings: language, mentions of torture
Rating: FRAO
Disclaimer: I don’t know them, not associated with them, just a slashy fangirl admirer with a very active imagination.
Author’s Notes: FYI, fullwing = winged human capable of flight. Halfwing = fullwing/human halfbreed, usually unable to fly, sometimes have vestigial wings, but can be removed to pass as human and not as winged.
Summary: Charles and Andrew arrive back at the haven and try to sort out what happened to them.
Chapter Twenty
Charles didn't worry about being caught. He figured if they let them go, they were probably safe, for the moment. Or, alternatively, they were up to something terrible. Either way, Charles felt it was best to get home as soon as possible. But not before Charles got too paranoid and ditched their truck for another, just in case they'd put a tracker on it. He didn't want them following him back to the safe haven.
Andrew remained as he was the entire journey home. Charles glanced over at him every so often, worried about him. There was no time to comfort him until they arrived back at the haven apart from a few soft words as Charles was carrying him between trucks, and Andrew whimpering in return and clinging to him desperately.
Charles carried him inside gently. Andrew still clung to him. He refused to let go of him even once they were safe inside. Chris and Craig hurried to find them once they saw them arrive back. They found Charles lying on Andrew's bed, Andrew refusing to leave him.
"Shit, is he alright, Charles? What happened out there?" Chris said, rushing to Andrew's side.
"We got arrested. I-I don't know what they did to him. I was just beaten and shit, asked me all these questions. They know far more than they're letting on. I'm concerned we may have a spy amongst us. Can you get Julian? I need to tell him what happened," Charles said.
"Yeah, sure. Craig, d'you wanna go fetch him?" Chris said.
"Oh, yeah. Sure. I'll be right back," Craig said, leaving them alone.
Chris went to stroke Andrew's face, but Andrew flinched and pulled away, terrified. "N-no, not you! Only Charles! My Charles!" Andrew said and clutched onto him even tighter.
"Andrew? It's me, Chris. Are you alright?" Chris said, concerned at what might've happened to him.
"I don't know if he's alright. I think they did something to him, though I'm not sure what. He's been like this since they brought him back to me and kicked us out. That's the only thing I've heard him say," Charles said.
"Shit. They better not have hurt you, love. I should've gone with you. Maybe I could've protected him," Chris said.
"It's not your fault. You couldn't have prevented this any more than I could," Charles said.
"But he's my responsibility. I promised I'd look after him," Chris said.
"I did my best. It's hard to say no when you're surrounded by soldiers brandishing their weapons and beating you senseless," Charles said.
"Shit. You'd better be alright, Andrew," Chris said.
"Oh, thank Christ you're back! I was wondering what had kept you!" Julian said as he rushed into the room.
"We got ourselves arrested. For some reason, they let us go. Chris? D'you mind leaving me to speak to Julian alone?" Charles said.
"Uh, sure. I'll… I'll just be outside," Chris said, reluctantly leaving them in peace.
"I may come across as paranoid, Jules, but they know too much. The cops. Why else would they let us go?" Charles whispered harshly.
"I dunno, why'd they arrest you in the first place?" Julian said.
"Forging IDs. I'd have accepted that story, but that's not what they asked me about when they interrogated me," Charles said.
"You didn't-"
"No, I held my tongue. I refused to speak. Got myself beaten and raped for my trouble. Bastards. There was no way I was telling them anything. I was prepared to die before I denounced the rebellion," Charles said.
"You're a brave man, Charles, and a stubborn bastard. I bet they hated you. So what happened to Andrew?"
"I don't know. We were separated almost immediately upon arriving at the army base. I didn't see him until the very end. He was just like he is now. I'm not sure what they did to him, but I doubt it was good," Charles said.
Andrew whimpered and balled his fists in Charles' shirt, seeking comfort and protection from him.
"I-I don't know what they did to him. We're lucky to be alive though. You'd think they'd execute any rebels they happened to arrest. We're alive for a reason, and I think Andrew has something to do with it," Charles said, more convinced than ever that something was amiss.
"You sure he's not just reacting to being arrested?" Julian said.
"I don't know what to think. If he'd just speak to me, tell me what they did to him, I might be able to stop worrying," Charles said.
"I… I don't remember what they did to me. Nothing at all," Andrew whimpered. "Don't leave me, Charles. Please. I'm scared to be alone."
"He does not look alright to me, Julian," Charles said.
"Hmm. I'll send the docs around to check him over. If he consents to letting you go at some point, come and give me a full account of what happened, alright?" Julian said, getting to his feet.
"Thanks. Will do, if I manage to settle him down enough to leave him," Charles said.
Andrew watched Julian leave, eyes wide with terror. Charles held him close and pressed a kiss to his forehead. Andrew curled into him and began crying. Charles rubbed his back gently, trying to soothe him.
"Come on, mate, settle down. It'll be alright, just you wait," Charles murmured.
Andrew clung to Charles until the doctors arrived to look him over. Charles slowly eased his consent out of him, watching as his fingers slowly let go of him. Andrew grudgingly let them check him over, making sure he was alright. Andrew sat on the edge of the bed, one hand still clutching onto Charles' sleeve for protection.
Andrew was quite convinced he did not want to be left alone. He needed Charles there. As long as Charles was there, everything would be alright. Andrew stared into space. He could remember nothing of what had happened. He felt he should be able to remember, but he simply had no memory of it. Everything was black. He even had trouble retrieving any memories at all from the rest of his life. He knew he'd done things, but he had no memory of them. He was a little scared now.
"Charles? I think they wiped my memory. I can't remember anything about who I am. What's going on? Where am I?" Andrew said.
"Shit, Andrew, you're back at the safe haven. You're with the rebellion. You'll be alright, you know. Come on, just let the doctors check you over so we know you're not hurt, alright?" Charles said.
'We know who you are. You are a spy for the Government. You still work Intelligence. Collect information about this rebellion and store it. Be invisible and unnoticed. We will tell you when to report back to your superiors. Speak a word of your mission to anyone and we will kill you immediately,' the voice supplied, giving Andrew's confused mind a context with which to interact with this strange group of people.
Spy. Report. Heathen rebels. We will crush them. They will never know I'm working against them, Andrew thought, finally happy he had some sort of role now.
"Alright. That-that's fine," Andrew said.
Andrew didn't speak after that. He was too busy taking in everything Charles was telling him about the rebellion to jog his memory. Andrew feigned remembrance and familiarity to reassure Charles he would be fine. This Charles was a good man, even though he was on the enemy's side.
Once they'd left them alone, satisfied Andrew was at least physically alright apart from some bruises that suggested a beating or two, with a promise to send the only psychiatrist they had around, Charles spent the next hour or so trying to soothe him into sleep. When Andrew finally drifted off, Charles was too tired to go and see Julian. He'd go see him later, depending on how Andrew was when he woke up.
'You're a good boy, Andrew. Now sleep and relax. We'll aid you in your mission.'
Andrew settled down to sleep, unaware of what the voice in his head was really doing to his mind.
Chris and Craig sat around the main hall, mostly in silence. Chris was agitated. He wanted to go and be with Andrew, but Charles had flat-out refused it. Craig lounged on one of the couches, watching Chris pacing in front of him.
"Will you fucking calm down? This won't make him better," Craig said, finally cracking.
"I should be in there with him, not Charles! I'm the one he loves, not Charles!" Chris growled, slumping down next to Craig, fuming at being left out.
"Give him time. He'll want to see you eventually," Craig said.
"He'd better. I've been so worried about him," Chris said, leaning against Craig, seeking comfort from him as he'd done the entire time Andrew was away.
Craig wrapped an arm around him, bringing him in close. "I know you're worried about him. I would be too if the same had happened to Caleb. I wonder if they did what I think they did to him," he mused darkly, not sure he wanted to contemplate what might've happened to him.
"What are you thinking of, Craig?" Chris said.
"Torture. What if they tortured him? What if they've destroyed him completely?" Craig said.
"No way. No way did they torture him. That's - How can you even suggest that, Craig?" Chris said.
"I'm just saying. I've seen what they can do to people, I've experienced it. He does not look alright. They did something bad to him, I'm convinced of it. What other explanation is there? He would not be that traumatised if they'd just questioned him. No, he's showing clear signs of trauma. As to what caused that trauma, that's for him to tell us when he feels up to it," Craig said.
"Look, let's not speculate on these things when we don't know anything. Charles doesn't even know what they did to him. The only one who can tell us anything is Andrew, and right now, he's not in any state to talk so quit scaring me with insinuations of torture, alright?" Chris said.
"Alright, fine, I'll shut up about it. But if I'm proved right, don't come complaining to me, alright?" Craig said.
"Shut up, Craig. Just - shut up. It's bad enough thinking about what they did to you. I don't need the same images of the same things being done to Andrew, alright?" Chris said, clearly uncomfortable with the way the conversation was going.
"Sorry. I suppose I'm just far too familiar with that and I know what it can do to you. I really hope they haven't touched Andrew at all. If they've tortured him, I swear I'm going to fuckin' murder the ones who touched him," Craig said, his determination shocking Chris.
"Settle down, mate. Don't get angry unless you have to, alright? We've got more important things to worry about," Chris said.
"You'd say differently if you'd been through what I've been through," Craig said quietly.
"I'm sorry, I'm not trying to be insensitive, I just don't want you getting all over-excited over pure speculation, that's all," Chris said.
"It's a sensitive issue for me, alright? You, you're human, you've never had to live in fear your entire life. Me? I've had to run all the time, keep on running, never being allowed to stop for fear that they'll catch me and kill me. Do you understand the kind of stress that places on you? I've been arrested and held more times than I'd like to admit, and never once have they treated me like a human being. My experience with them is much different from yours. I'm outside the law, you're not. You can get justice for mistreatment, I just have to live with it. From my perspective, seeing Andrew like that makes me scared. I've seen what torture can do to someone. The Army have no qualms at all in using whatever technique they want to get you to speak. Nothing is illegal now, hasn't been for years. They will make you speak. Even the strongest of wills will succumb to them eventually. I held out as long as I could before they broke me. By then, I told them whatever they wanted to hear. It made the pain lessen, which is all you care about at that stage. Everything aches, you're always cold and hungry, you're so tired you think you could sleep forever, but the torture keeps going on, never ceasing. They drive you crazy. I do not say that lightly. I'm still surprised I managed to survive two weeks of it and still come out relatively sane. But it scarred me forever. It never leaves me alone. I would never wish this on anyone, not even Andrew, but it's a possibility that can't be ignored. That's all I'm saying," Craig said, trying very hard not to break down in front of Chris.
"I'm sorry for what you've been through. It's hard for me to understand, I know that, but I'm trying. It scares me. I've known you for years. I had no idea you were hiding that at all. It makes me scared to think they did that to you and you didn't tell anyone," Chris said.
"Yeah, well, at least you said hi when I arrived back. No one else seemed to care," Craig said glumly.
"You didn't give any indication of being hurt or traumatised. What were we supposed to think? You hid it so well we had no idea you'd been tortured. And now that the same thing's may have happened to Andrew? That scares me shitless to think the one person I love has been hurt like that and I couldn't stop it. I want to be in there with him so badly. I just want to make it better. Why won't Charles let me see him?" Chris said, concern for Andrew taking over again.
"Dunno mate. He did seem to want to cling to Charles back there. I can understand that if he thinks he's the only one who'll understand him. I've seen it happen before. No way of knowing until we hear his side of the story. Although the way he pulled away in fear from you concerns me. That is not the sort of reaction from someone who's been tortured. He seemed convinced the only person he was supposed to be with was Charles. That suggests they messed with his head in some manner, and that has me concerned even more. Torture is one thing, but brainwashing is quite another. If they've got him triggered for something, then we need to be watching him very closely. We have no way of knowing what they did to him or what they may have programmed him for, if they indeed did do that to him. This is not good, Chris, not good at all," Craig said.
"Oh God, he'd better be alright. If they've destroyed him, I'll-"
"Now you know why I'm concerned for him and why I want to rip apart those who did this to him. This is inhumane! This is what we're fighting against! This is what we want to eradicate! I will not have the citizens of this country, and I include everyone in the country, not just the official citizens, subjected to inhumane and degrading treatment at the hands of their own military! They are human rights abuses against our own people! It must be stopped!" Craig said, his pain, determination and passion flowing into his words.
"I hear you, Craig," Chris murmured, lost for anything else to say.
"Hey, did you hear about Andrew? Got any idea what might've happened to him?" Hamish said, slumping down on the couch next to Andy.
"Hmm? Yeah, none of that sounds good at all. Not sure what might've happened, but I wouldn't rule out brainwashing and torture. There's no guessing what they're capable of now. From what little of their story that I've heard, it sounds very suspicious. It doesn't sound plausible that it was an order from the top though. All the intelligence we've received so far has suggested they don't actually know we have an organised rebellion, nor who might be part of it, which makes Andrew and Charles' arrest even stranger. I mean, we know a small collection of Generals seem to be onto us but their suspicions never seem to reach the top, so we generally discount that as official knowledge. Unless they had some reason to suspect those two were involved and wanted to interrogate them to find out. I don't know, though. I'm not willing to suggest anything until I know the full story," Andy said.
"Hmm. I suppose so. I hope he's going to be alright," Hamish said. "Hey, I'm glad you're here. I've got someone to keep me company when Adam's away."
"Adam's not away right now, is he?" Andy said.
"Well, no, but, you know, just wanted to say so," Hamish said, snuggling up to him.
"You're such a girl, you know. That's why you need a tough soldier like me to look after you cos you're so defenceless," Andy said.
"Hey, I am not defenceless! I did learn how to fire a gun eventually, you know," Hamish said, trying to prove he was as good as Andy was.
"But you're one of the few men in this country who has never had cadet training. And I think I know why your mother was so determined to keep you out of the service," Andy said.
"What, apart from not wanting me to get killed?" Hamish said.
"No, I think she wanted to keep your parentage a secret." Andy shifted to face him, leaning into the corner.
"My parentage? What's wrong with my parentage?" Hamish said.
"Take your shirt off. I want a closer look at those scars on your back," Andy said.
"This is just an excuse to perve on me now, isn't it?" Hamish said, obeying anyway.
Andy shifted closer to him, turning him around to get a better look. "Tell me what you feel when I do this." Andy ran a finger down one of the scars gently, watching for his reaction.
Hamish shivered, a sudden spurt of tingly nerves firing off down his back. "Jesus. What the fuck was that?"
Andy tried the other scar. "Are there nerves there? Are they firing when I touch them?"
Hamish shivered again. "Jesus, yes, of course they are. Why wouldn't they?"
"Do you get the same reaction when I do this?" Andy said, running his finger down another part of his back away from the scars.
"Maybe it's just because it isn't scar tissue." Hamish tried to write off the growing realisation of what Andy was trying to show him.
Andy obligingly ran his finger down another scar, this one slicing across his lower back. "Same reaction?"
"Nothing. Nothing at all," Hamish said.
"I might get Sam to test your blood, but I strongly suspect you're a halfwing and that's why your mum didn't want you in the Armed Forces because they would take your blood and discover what you are," Andy said.
"No, but, no, mum wouldn't do that. I mean, sure, dad ran out when I was a kid, but he was human. I'm sure he was human. Mum said he was human," Hamish said.
"Agree to a blood test then and we'll see who's right," Andy challenged.
"Okay then. Let's go right now. Fifty bucks says I'm not halfwing," Hamish said, getting to his feet.
"Fifty bucks says you are," Andy said, standing up.
"Come on, let's go find Sam." Hamish said, grabbing Andy's hand as he pulled him out of his room.
Asleep in Charles' arms, Andrew was troubled by vicious dreams. His memories were returning, and they were threatening to contradict the orders the voice had given him. His mind was fighting for its sanity. The voice won out in the end. Andrew succumbed to the false identity, his military training flooding back and taking over his mind. He was a soldier again, an interrogator. He was charged with breaking into the rebellion and discovering how to smash it. The voice would make him act when the time was right and guide him on his mission. It showed him nightmares, instilling his fear and obedience, and left him shaking and whimpering in Charles' arms as the one small speck of resistance in him was driven out and destroyed until there was nothing left to stop the voice owning him completely.
'That's right, Andrew, give yourself to us completely. We're the only ones who can save you now,' the voice whispered, caressing his spirit into obedience.
But-But Chris said, and Charles, they said-
'Silence! Chris is a betrayer, like Craig. Charles didn't break his promise. Even now he holds you and protects you. You are only safe with him and with us, understood?'
Y-yes, I understand.
'Let us show you again what happens if you disobey us,' the voice said harshly.
Andrew whimpered in his sleep, tormented by vicious scenes of pain and torture. He was at the point where he was willing to surrender to the voice if it meant he'd never be hurt again. He didn't like being hurt. He wanted to be safe and that's what the voice promised. What else was he to think? The voice knew his thoughts, could read into the deepest part of his mind. There was no hiding from it, no lying to it. Why fight it?
I am yours forever. Keep me safe.
'You are wise to serve us. Great rewards will follow for strict obedience to our words,' the voice soothed.
Andrew slowly settled down as the voice caressed his troubled mind, reassuring him he was safe and that no one would hurt him.
'Remember. Talk to no one about this. Our plans are our secret, alright? If they ask what happened, you were just shaken from being interrogated. They were harsh with you and beat you. Gain Charles' sympathy. He will look after you. You, poor fragile little thing, you need someone to take good care of you. What's a tiny thing like you doing fighting in a war anyway? You're much better with us. We won't make you fight. You'll be safe with us, no more fear. You'll have everything you need. You'll never go hungry again. How does that sound?' the voice cooed.
Good. It sounds good. I… I don't like fighting. I'm too weak, too pathetic. I'll just hold them up if I stay. Will you take me away from this and look after me?
'Of course. Do what we ask of you and we'll look after you for eternity.'
Andrew seemed satisfied with that answer and fell into a more soothing sleep, with the voice continuing to whisper soothing words to him, cementing its plan into his subconscious without any resistance at all.
Charles was awake long before Andrew was. He was relieved to see Andrew sleeping peacefully. He seemed to have settled down at last. Maybe he had been overreacting last night when he though they'd done something to him. Charles contented himself with just lying beside him until Andrew woke, wanting to make sure he really was alright before he went to see Julian.
Andrew was relieved to find Charles still holding him when he woke. He felt safe in his arms. The voice hadn't returned, which helped settle him. He had no memory of the voice commanding his sleep, but at least his memories had returned somewhat. He didn't feel like such a stranger now. He could interact with Charles sufficiently to convice him he was fine.
"Charles? Is that you?" Andrew murmured.
"I'm still here, mate. You alright?" Charles said.
"Yeah, yeah, I think so," Andrew said.
"They didn't… hurt you badly, did they? Do you remember what they did to you?" Charles said, trying not to upset him.
"N-No, they just… They interrogated me harshly, beat me up a lot, that's all. I was too weak to cope with it. I'm sorry," Andrew said, ashamed at the memory in his head, convinced it was real.
"It's alright. I'm glad they didn't torture you or anything. You gonna be alright now?" Charles said.
"Yeah, I think so. Can… Can we get something to eat? I'm kinda hungry," Andrew said.
"Sure we can. Come on, get up then," Charles said.
Andrew got up, legs still a little shaky but mostly alright. Charles brought him into a grateful hug, kissing his forehead softly. Andrew winced in pain, even though his body wasn't sore, convincing Charles of his story. Then Charles led him out to the mess hall to eat.