An Abandoned Warehouse - London

[itsananomaly]

The first thing Cutter became aware of was the pain. He desperately wanted to return to the blissful realm of unconsciousness, where he wasn’t hurting but try as he might, he just couldn’t stop that surge of wakefulness and finally he had to open his eyes. His body shuddered and his vision swarmed as he blinked into focus, he felt nausea and he slowly tried to crawl to his knees to get into a sitting position. “Where … Connor?” he called softly, his vision hadn’t quite returned and he couldn’t tell if he was alone or not, or where he even was for that matter. [part eight and we take a slight detour from canon here as we take it apart and put it back together again. All the major CW for this thread, this is very dark and warnings include dub-con, threats of non-con, sexual assault, violence and torture. Preplayed as always with the amazing anomaly_research_nerd. NFB for distance! OOC welcome!]

Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Sh-h-h, I'm here Nick..." Connor said softly. He had managed to get himself propped up against the wall and had Cutter laying on the floor, head in his lap as he waited for him to start coming around. Connor gently ran his fingers through Cutter's hair. "I got you Nick..." Connor so desperately wanted to be able to say that he was safe, but he knew that was far far from the truth given their current situation.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Connor...?" Cutter felt tremendous relief that Connor was there with him, that Helen hadn't taken him to do god knows what to him ..."wha ... what happened? Where are we?" His body spasmed as the effects of the tranq dart started to leave his system.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Helen and Stephen," he said softly, gently rubbing Cutter's arms as they started trembling. "We're still in the warehouses... somewhere..." He hesitated a moment and then added. "Stephen hit you with a tranq dart. You've been out for a couple of hours now."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Oh ..." Cutter blinked a bit, wishing his entire body would stop throbbing, or at the least so he didn't feel like he was going to throw up, "I ... I suppose I should be glad it was only a tranq dart, he was probably tempted by a real gun," He shivered, "now I know how Abby felt when she got hit by that dart," he moaned as he tried to sit up a bit more but found he didn't have the strength. "How, how are you doing? I'm so sorry I got you into this mess," he said softly.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor winced a little at that, Abby had been furious at him, and she had looked really poorly afterward too. And now Nick was going through the same... only worse. "Hey, hey easy there..." Connor said gently as he shifted and moved closer so Cutter could lean against him and get into at least a half-sitting position. He took Cutter's hand in his and gave it a gentle squeeze. "You have nothing to apologize for, Nick. I'm ok I promise." And compared to how Cutter looked, that wasn't a lie. Though his head was still throbbing from where he had hit the wall.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"I should have never taken you out here without backup," Cutter said as Connor helped him into a somewhat manageable sitting position, he felt assured by that hand squeeze, it distracted him slightly from how terrible he was feeling on the whole, "we should have gotten everyone ready, come together ...Lester was right ... I ..." he swallowed as a bout of nausea hit him, "I'm not a team player and now ...we're at the mercy of Helen and Stephen," He sighed, "at least you should be safe from them, it's me they want, I ... I'm sure I can get you released, you can get back to the others, put a stop to them,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"We'll figure something out" Connor said reassuringly as he held Cutter close. "We've faced our share of tight spots. Raptors, mosasaurs, mammoths... We will get through this too. And we'll stop whatever it is Helen and Stephen have planned."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter leaned against Connor, grateful that he was so close, he really wished everything would stop aching. “Did you remember anything about the location of the cell?” he asked suddenly, “there’s got to be a way out of here, to let someone know where we are, Jenny is probably getting ready to kill me after she got that text,”
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor stopped the gentle back rubbing he had been doing and looked down at Cutter. "Just about 5 minutes of walking down dark winding hallways. You slung over Stephen's shoulder. Helen essentially frog-marching me along ahead. We are still on the ground floor as best as I could tell, maybe one level down underground." Connor sighed and kissed the top of Cutter's head. "Jenny and the team will find us. I know they will... We're both going to be ok Nick."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter closed his eyes, his heart sinking a little, he knew it wouldn’t have been that simple but he thought if he’d had some way of getting back out, a location of the cell, they could have gotten out. He nodded, feeling comforted by the kiss on his head, “at least we’re together right?” he said softly, leaning against Connor.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Aye... We're together. And we're going to get through this..." Connor said, trying to sound more encouraging than he felt. And secretly he was thankful Cutter couldn't see his face just then because he was sure he wasn't doing a good job of hiding the fear that was churning inside him. He sat in silence for a while, just holding Cutter close. Slowly Connor started to humm softly, no song in particular, just something to break the silence and to try and help Cutter relax a little more.
Cutter(itsanaomaly)	The music Connor was humming was very comforting and Cutter got comfortable where he was leaning against Connor. He closed his eyes, letting the music wash over him and soothe him.
Connor(itsananomaly)	Time seemed to stop in that cell, no windows or doors, no way to track time so Connor wasn't sure how long they had been there. Hours obviously, but was it morning already? How long had it been since they left the ARC? Were the others even looking for them yet? Connor swallowed down the fear he felt rising up inside and kept his focus on Cutter. Connor held him close, gently running his hand along Cutter's back, his other gently holding Cutter's hand. There wasn't much he could do really, so he did what he could, thankful that it did seem to be helping Cutter relax. After some time, Connor shifted from humming to singing softly. At first, he wasn't sure what song, but eventually, he started singing, softly, best that he could, a song that would hopefully be calming to Cutter, given the situation they were in. Connor didn't often sing, in fact, he wasn't sure if he ever had around Cutter... He just hoped it would help, in some small way, to help them get through this.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter began to relax at the familiarity of the song, one that he know from years of singing it at school and a few times at different events and he did find it calming to listen to. He listened to Connor sing, finding his voice soothing and he couldn’t remember ever hearing Connor sing before and he smiled softly at hearing his singing voice and how good it was. After a few moments he began to sing along, it wasn’t quite on par with Connor’s but he could at least carry a tune and he began to softly sing along to the Scottish anthem.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor smiled as he felt Cutter relax even more, and the smile got a little bigger when he heard him start to sing along as well. He had heard Cutter singing a few times but car-ride karaoke was a far cry from actual singing, and Connor found that Cutter had a fairly good voice as well. Shifting slightly, Connor wrapped his arms around Cutter and held him close, resting his head against his, as he kept singing.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter leaned into Connor's arms, continuing to sing along as it stopped him from thinking about just how precarious their predicament was and he didn’t want to start dwelling on that just yet, he wanted to believe that they would be okay, that Jenny had gotten his text and was out searching for them …he wanted to believe that he could protect Connor from Helen and Stephen. He just wanted to believe that they could get out of there. He kept his breathing calm and steady as he sang, taking comfort in how soothing this was.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor held Cutter close, even as the song ended and silence fell over them. Connor tilted his head slightly and kissed the top of Cutter's head softly. "You alright, Nick?" he asked, knowing what the answer likely was but still wanting to fill the silence with something. "My singing didn't make the headache worse, did it?" he asked with a weak attempt at a laugh.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter nodded as he leaned against Connor, "I'm okay Connor and your singing was just what I needed," he assured him, "it was really nice, I didn't know you could sing," he smiled at that, "thank you, Connor for sharing that with me,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor felt his cheeks flush ever so slightly at that praise and he smiled. "I'm glad it helped... I... I don't do it often, but.. I'm glad you liked," he said as he wrapped his arms around Cutter and gave him a gentle hug.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter gratefully returned the gentle hug, it was starting to get a bit easier to move now but his ribs and head were still throbbing a bit, "you know, you can always sing karaoke in the car with me," he said softly, assuming they ever got out of here and even able to drive again, "I would welcome the company,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"That sounds good to me" Connor said with a grin. "I'd love to, can do it the next time we take a trip to the mainland or somewhere else. Epic road trip time." Connor smiled, trying to focus on that hopeful future rather than their current grim reality as he tried to think of another song, one that would be just as familiar for Cutter. A few minutes later, Connor started to sing again, silently praying Cutter wouldn't murder him for his likely butchering of some of the lines this time around. There was still a smile on his face, though as he sang.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter managed an actual smile at that, "okay, we'll have a road trip," he decided, "can sing all the car karaoke we want," and then we realised what song Connor was singing and his smile widened. It was one of his favourite songs and he instantly forgot about his pain, the music helping him focus as he sang along to the song, even though Connor was fumbling through some of the lines but he decided to let that slide this time and if they ever got out of this, he would teach him the song.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	It was a shame that that was about to be ruined though wasn’t it? The door to the cell creaked open slowly. “Oh isn’t this sweet?” Helen purred as she stood in the doorway, Stephen following close behind her as she surveyed Nick and Connor, leaning close together on the floor as they sang, her eyes gleamed, “show’s over boys,”
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen walked in and stood in the door way on the other side of Helen and gave a slight scoffing laugh as he looked down at the pair on the floor. "No time for an encore either, sorry," he said with a sneer that really said 'not at all sorry ' as he stepped past Helen and started across the small space between him and Cutter and Connor.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor's face paled a bit when he looked up and saw Helen and Stephen standing there, and his heart dropped into his stomach as Stephen started towards them. Instinctively he pulled Cutter close, wrapping his arms around him as he tried to shift so he was between Stephen and Cutter.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	This was so very, very bad and Cutter knew he wouldn’t last in a third altercation with Stephen and he numbly clung to Connor, panic setting in. He felt terrible for letting Connor try to move between him and Stephen but he was terrified of what Helen and Stephen were going to do to them. The hope that he could put an end to this slowly fading. “Stephen please …” he begged, if he wasn’t so injured he would be on his knees again like he had done before, “let Connor go, there’s still a chance to fix this,”
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen chuckled at seeing Nick beg, “I like you begging Nick, it reminds me of old times, when you used to be on the bottom, where you belong,” she shook her head, “Stephen, grab Nick, I’ll deal with Connor,”
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	The reaction was almost instantaneous. Soon as Connor heard that he let go of Cutter and turned to face Stephen, barely to his knees by the time Stephen was looming over them. But he still tried to keep himself between Cutter and Stephen, even going so far as to try and hold his hands out like he was going to shove Stephen away. He had forgotten all about Helen for a moment, his attention fully on Stephen.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Really, Connor? You really want to do this again?" Stephen quipped as he glared down at the younger man. Connor just locked eyes with him, not moving and not backing away. Stephen sighed at the annoyance. Then he reached out and grabbed hold of Connor and started to drag him away from Cutter. Stephen had to admit that he was surprised at the fight the kid was putting up as Connor started kicking and sending blind punches his direction.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	“Connor!” Cutter yelled, losing his balance slightly when Stephen dragged Connor away and then winced at the effort that took, “Stephen, stop please don’t hurt him!” He tried to get up, to not give Stephen or Helen the satisfaction of dragging him out but found he didn’t have the strength to do so.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen was also impressed at the fight Connor was putting up, she had clearly underestimated the kid, “I wouldn’t worry about Connor Nick, I’d be more concerned about yourself,” she said cheerfully as she slowly walked over to Nick, gently stroking his face and he recoiled at the touch. She walked over to where Stephen was with Connor then, “I’m going to have fun with this one,” she smiled and chuckled.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor was still struggling against Stephen's hold, even as he found himself in a familiar position with an arm almost pinned behind his back. He glared at Helen as she slinked over, a look in her eyes that made Connor freeze for a moment before he resumed his struggles. He felt a chill run through him at the idea of anything Helen intended to do being considered fun. He pulled away from her as she tried to get closer. He saw that smirk and playful look and all Connor wanted to do was punch her in that smug face. But he didn't. Instead, he leaned closer, pulling against Stephen's grip and spat, hard as he could, at Helen, the glare on his face not fading even as he felt his stomach churning with fear just then.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen felt the spit hit her directly in the cheek and smirked as she wiped it away, “kinky,” she said with a cold smile, “there’ll be plenty of time for that later, oh I’m almost sorry that I’m going to have to break you, you and I are going to have so much fun together Connor,” she smiled as she reached over to stroke his face.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor just continued to glare at Helen, even as she reached out and stroked his face. He felt like he was going to be sick at the coldness of that touch but he didn't pull away from her. Instead, it looked like he might just try it again. "Don't you dare, Connor," he said in a cold voice. Stephen was watching the exchange and gave a small growl, a sneer of what might have almost looked like jealousy, spreading across his face as he watched Helen react. Seeing Connor not backing down only made that feeling all the more intense and he gave him a shake as he turned him away from Helen and then let his hand fly, hitting Connor square on his jaw. "Such an idiot," he said coldly as he released his grip on Connor just then. Connor gasped at the impact and gave a cry of pain as Stephen unceremoniously then dropped him to the ground and glanced over at Helen before turning his attention back to Cutter as he stalked over to him.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Connor!" Cutter watched Stephen strike Connor in the jaw, hating how helpless that he was feeling right then, he tried to lean against the wall, to find someway of bracing himself against whatever Stephen might try to do to him. He raised his hands instinctively to try and shield him from any further blows. "Stephen please," he tried begging one more time, even though he had a feeling that it wasn't going to do any good, "you don't have to do this, we ... I'm sorry," he said softly, "please stop this,"
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Meanwhile Helen was cornering Connor as he was on the floor, making sure that he wasn't going to try and make a break for it or try anything to stop Nick from being taken. "You'll get used to being bottom Connor," she said sweetly, "just ask Nick, he's always been bottom," and then she leaned down and kissed him on the lips again, just like she had done on the motorway. It was a lot more fun when Connor wasn't being held back by Stephen.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen looked from Cutter over to Helen and scowled a bit before turning back to Cutter. He ignored the pleading and just grabbed his arm and started pulling him away from the wall, half dragging half walking him towards the door to the cell. "Don't break him too badly, Helen" he said as they headed towards the doorway, both to poke at Connor a bit more but also to make Helen look at him and acknowledge him at least. Stephen really did hate being ignored. By anyone.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor struggled against Helen but felt his heart sink when his back hit the wall after only a few seconds. He tried to push her away but Helen was deceptively strong and it took more effort than Connor liked to break the kiss as he gasped for breath, the throbbing in his jaw making his eyes tear. And for the first time since Helen and Stephen had stepped foot back into the cell, Connor couldn't hold it back and a sob of pain escaped his lips. It was quick and he tried to bite it back but he couldn't.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter winced at the force of Stephen dragging him to his feet, he tried to stop it, putting his hands out to lessen the impact and winced as his hands scraped along the cement floor. He could only watch helplessly as Stephen pulled him to his feet and half dragged him to the door. “No,” he pleaded, “Helen, don’t hurt him!” he yelled frantically, despair flooding him as he heard that sob of pain from Connor, he tried to pull back and get back to Connor, he ignored the pain that was seeping through him as he tried to resist Stephen from taking him.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor felt like he was going to be sick as he struggled against Helen, determined not to give her any more pleasure than she was already getting from this. He heard Cutter's cries and pleads but given by the silence from Stephen, Connor knew it hadn't worked and he felt his heart sink at the sound of he cell door opening and closing, Cutter's voice growing faint as Stephen dragged him off to who knew where. When Helen finally broke the kiss, Connor hoped the fear he felt churning inside him wasn't as obvious as it felt. He was alone. With Helen. Connor knew he was at her mercy just then, and that thought terrified him more than any creature he had had to face down in the last three years.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen smiled at how much Connor was struggling and kept the kiss going as long as it could before she broke it off and turned her attention to Stephen. "Don't rough Nick up too much yet," she called out sweetly as she heard Stephen leave with Nick, the warning evident in her voice since she knew that Stephen was not liking how this was progressing, "I want him nice and ready for tomorrow and if you do I'll make sure you're properly compensated," she purred.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen looked over at Helen as she spoke. A half sneer half smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth as he gave a slight nod of understanding. It was still tempting to focus that frustration on Cutter as he turned and grabbed him by the collar of his jacket and pulled him back up and started towards the door again. But Helen always made good on these promises, and this one was a very, very promising one to be sure. So Stephen turned and silently dragged Cutter out of the cell and into the hallway. He didn't acknowledge Cutter's pleas, he didn't say a word. The only noise was the occasionally frustrated sigh when Cutter stumbled along, and he had to yank him back to his feet to keep them going. Even when they reached the destination, Stephen just stood in the doorway after shoving Cutter in, silently staring at him for a moment, then turned and closed the heavy door behind him. Helen definitely owed him after all this.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter stumbled at the force of Steven shoving him in his new cell and collapsed to his knees, wincing at the impact on his ribs, he was wondering if it would have been better to have Stephen have hit him after all ...which he knew Stephen had to have been restraining himself, after Helen's words. He moved to the wall, resting his head against it as he tried not to think of just how bad the situation was ... Helen left alone with Connor, doing god knows what to him and he had no idea where he was, he had tried to keep track of where Stephen was taking him, to mark the distance from the cells but Stephen had moved to quickly for him to do that. He trembled and for the first time in a very long time, he found himself praying.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor woke with a startle, his heart pounding as he looked around, eyes wide with panic as the adrenaline from the nightmare flooded his body. It only took a moment to remember where he was. And it did nothing to calm him down. Helen had made sure there was going to be no peaceful sleep. She had lingered for some time after Cutter had been dragged off by Stephen. She made it clear how she intended to break him, but not before 'seeing just what my newest play thing is made of." Connor shivered again as those words echoed in his head. Slowly he sat up, his body aching, head pounding, mind reeling still. Connor wiped at his mouth with the back of his hand yet again. Even after getting sick once Helen had finally left, he still had her taste on his lips and it made him feel sick all over again.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen did not keep Connor waiting, she had toyed with where she wanted to start and her newest pet project was just too much to resist. So early that morning, she came by Connor’s cell, with Stephen in tow who was carrying the equipment she needed to begin her project and she was delighted that Connor was awake. “Oh good, you’re awake, I hope you did manage to get some sleep,” she said sweetly at Connor.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Bugger off, Helen," Connor said, trying to keep his voice as level and firm as he could. Helen had made it clear she was not going to make whatever she had in mind quick or easy. And Connor was trying to steel himself for whatever might be in store. But despite his best efforts not to, his eyes shifted over to Stephen and what he had with him.
Helen(itsananomaly)	“Oh good, you’re not completely broken yet, I thought one night without your beloved Nick would have broken you but if you’ve made it a challenge for me,” Helen purred and her gaze followed Connor’s, “just some tools to get the party started,” she said, her eyes gleaming as she smiled over at Stephen.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor managed to push himself into a siting position as he watched Helen and Stephen with a growing concern rising up in his chest. He didn't know what they had planned, but whatever it was, it was not going to be good. Connor closed his eyes for a minute, trying to slow down his breathing and trying not to let the fear of what was happening to Cutter overwhelm him.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen returned the grin and walked over, depositing his armload of 'tools' onto the small table that was the only other thing in the otherwise bare room. He turned and looked at Connor and grinned coldly. "I think I am going to enjoy watching this," he said as he walked over to Helen giving her an expectant look as he did.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen smiled up at Stephen before turning her attention back to Connor, she bent down to be eye level with him and went to give his face a gentle stroke, “we’re all going to have so much fun together aren’t we?” her eyes gleamed and then she leaned in to give him another kiss on the lips.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor pulled away from her as far as he could but then remembered he was still sitting against the wall with nowhere really to go. He closed his eyes and tried to turn away from the kiss but Helen held him in place. Connor struggled to break free, trying to fight down the sickening feeling he felt rising inside as he finally had to gasp for breath a slight moan escaping his lips as he did.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen’s smile widened at the slight moan that escaped from Connor then, “oh did we like that? I’ll tell you what, if you’re a good boy there’ll be more of that later,” she promised, gently stroking Connor’s face and giving it a soft pat.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor turned his head away, hating how easily Helen could take something and twist it, how effortless it seemed. "How... how can you do this... to Nick?" Connor asked as he turned and looked back at Helen, a mix of horror and disgust on his face. To him, of course, yes that made sense. He was the one she was trying to wear down and where her attention was. But Nick? "How can you do this to him? He loved you and you treated him like dirt. Why! Why?" he demanded. Connor didn't know why those were the questions that were falling from his lips just then. But they were all questions he had wanted to scream at Helen several times over. So maybe it was just the stress and all getting to him. But whatever the underlying reason, they were out, they had been asked, and Connor almost dreaded hearing what twisted answer Helen would give. And he definitely dreaded her reaction if that was not the reaction she was hoping to get out of him.
Helen(itsananomaly)	“It’s nothing personal,” Helen said with a shrug, “we grew apart, I had needs …” and it was here that she smiled coyly at Stephen, “besides Nick isn’t entirely blameless in this, you know we’re still married right? He is my husband, I mean first it was Stephen, then it was Claudia and now he’s settled for you,” she tilted her head, “doesn’t seem like a loving husband to me,”
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor lowered his head slightly, unable to keep Helen's gaze at that. She technically was right... and it was something Connor had been wrestling with, in his own mind, since he and Cutter had started getting close. Nothing he could say would make it better, and would likely only give Helen more fuel to work with. So Connor just sat there, staring down at his hands as he fiddled with the gloves, trying to fight back the waves of guilt.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen smirked at that, “what’s the matter Connor? Cat got your tongue? Pity, we haven’t even gotten to all the fun stuff that I had planned,” she looked back at all the ‘tools’ that Stephen had helpfully laid out on the table,
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor gave a small shiver and took a deep breath trying to reign his emotions in. He couldn't show Helen any weakness. He had to be ready for whatever she had planned. "So, where shall we start playtime off at?" Stephen asked as he picked up what looked like a long piece of chain, sliding it around in his hands as he looked over at Helen with a crooked grin. Connor bit his lip, trying not to react.
Helen(itsananomaly)	“Indeed,” Helen purred, smiling at Stephen as he held the long chain, “where to begin, I think we’ll start with tying him up, don’t want our pet trying to escape do we Stephen?”
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Not at all. That would ruin all the fun, wouldn't it Connor?" he said with a sly grin as he looked over at Connor. Stephen picked up the chain and something else and stalked over in just a few strides with as small as the cell was. He grabbed Connor and pulled him to his feet and before he had time to react, spun him around and pinned him against the wall. "And don't even think of trying anything stupid," Stephen said coldly as he yanked Connor's arms behind his back and cuffed them together.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor tried to brace himself as he was shoved against the wall and managed to absorb most of it with his shoulder as his arms were pulled behind him. A groan of pain did escape his lips despite his best effort to hold it back, his eyes tearing at the pain shooting down his arms. He struggled slightly but it was clear he had no chance of overpowering Stephen. He felt his heart skip a beat when he felt cold metal clamp around his wrists. Handcuffs? And then he felt Stephen fiddling with them and the chain for a moment. He didn't know why he said it. Maybe it was desperation. But for whatever reason, Connor heard himself saying something he was sure was just going to rile Stephen up more. "Handcuffs Stephen? Sure Helen's ok with you encroaching on her sick schtick like that?" And Connor had been right, Stephen growled and shoved Connor hard against the wall, his face hitting hard without a way of catching himself this time.
Helen(itsananomaly)	“Now, now Stephen we don’t want to rough him up just yet, there’ll be plenty of time for that later,” she purred , going to pat Connor’s cheek, taking a moment to appreciate how he looked with handcuffs on “you probably haven’t experienced this with Nick have you? Then again…he was usually the one being tied up…” she considered, “I have many things to teach you it seems,” she eyed Connor hungrily.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Despite his best effort, Connor trembled at that look he saw flash in Helen's eyes. Biting his lip and closing his eyes, Connor tried to swallow down the churning in his stomach. He couldn't turn away from Helen's touch with Stephen still pinning him against the wall.
Helen(itsananomaly)	“Let’s finish tying him up shall we Stephen?” Helen smiled as she went to get several long chains and began to test the strength of it, wrapping it around her wrists, “yes, this will do nicely, don’t you think so Stephen?”
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Perfect," Stephen said coldly He gave a nod to Helen as he gave Connor a warning shove against the wall and then stepped away to let Helen do her work. His attention was on the table and the one 'toy' he was eager to try out. His fingers ran over the cold material and he grinned, almost excitedly as he picked it up and turned back towards Helen. "I think the mutt needs to have his collar put on," he said as he stood in front of Connor, holding a large collar of some kind in his hands. "I've been waiting to try this out, and I think now might be the perfect time."
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor's eyes went wide and he started to struggle against the cuffs even though he knew it was useless, especially with Helen right there and Stephen leering nearby. "Helen, don't.... Stephen...please..." he said, hating that moment of weakness as he felt that panic start to build in his chest.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen laughed coldly at Connor’s whimpering, “oh god you’re just like Nick, with his pathetic begging, maybe you two are perfect together …perfectly pathetic,” she snorted. “Shhh…we don’t want to tire you out just yet,” she said sweetly, as she got to work setting up the chains on the wall, “Stephen why don’t you fashion our pet with his newest accessory?” she nodded up the large collar in his hand.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen scoffed at the pleading and shook his head. Glancing at Helen he grinned eagerly. "With pleasure," he said gleefully. He stepped over to Connor and shifted him around as he wrapped the thick collar around his neck. Stephen was less than gentle and when the collar was in place he fastened it, and pulled it tight around Connor's neck. Stephen took a step back to admire the way it looked and the grin on his face turned into a sneer as he saw Connor's eyes go wide with fear. "I think it looks nice on the mutt" he said glancing over at Helen.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	It was bad enough being pinned against the wall and manhandled by Stephen. It was worse having Helen there binding and chaining him to the wall. But the collar was more than Connor could take just then. The instant Connor felt its rough material against his neck he felt his chest tighten with fear. And the tightness of it when Stephen fastened it only made the panic jump fully into his mind, his body following immediately after. His breath caught in his chest and he felt like his heart was going to beat out of his chest. His body trembled and he pulled against the cuffs blindly. It was too immediate a response for it to be an actual inability to breathe but Connor felt like he couldn't draw in a breath for the panicked tightness he felt. He tired to calm himself down, closing his eyes and trying to ignore the feeling of the collar as he laid his head against the cold stone wall, trying to focus on something else... anything else.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen watched with great interest at Connor’s reaction, at his attempt to get the cuff off, his trembling body. She filed that away for a weakness to be exploited later. “You know,” she looked from Connor to Stephen, “I think our boy might be hungry, it’s time to feed him the special supper we’ve made,” she walked over to the table and picked up the bowl of dog food and she got a spoon to feed him since Connor was not in a position to feed himself right then. “Come on be a good boy and eat your food,” she cooed and brought the spoon of dog food up to Connor’s mouth.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen watched as Connor resisted turning his head away, trying to keep his mouth closed while still breathing a bit hard. He also watched as Connor sank to his knees, hitting the ground hard since he didn't have his hands to steady himself. Stephen crouched down and grabbed Connor's shoulder with one hand and then grabbed a handful of hair with the other and forced Connor to face Helen. "Be a good little mutt and obey your master" he said with a cold laugh as he watched Helen..
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Eventually, it was too much and Connor let out a pained gasp, the burning in his chest too much to fight back any longer. Helen took the opportunity and forced a spoonful of the food in his mouth, which he immediately tried to spit back out. That only earned him a rough shake from Stephen that left him feeling dizzier than he already felt. The next couple of spoonfuls made it in, and it was actually a few before anything seemed to hit his stomach. But once it did the response was almost instantaneous and Connor felt himself start to gag and heave. What little there was in his stomach was not there for very long.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen wrinkled her nose as Connor brought up the dog food, which wasn’t that surprising but she would have liked to not be on the receiving end when it happened. “Now look what you did, you just ruined that nice shirt of yours,” she chided, placing the bowl down on the floor, “we’ll have to remove it now won’t we Stephen?” she began to tug at the bottom of Connor’s shirt to lift it up.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen gave a disgusted look towards Connor as he was sick and then gave Helen a bit of a 'are you kidding me' look. "I never agreed to clean up duty with the mutt," he said eyeing Connor coldly. All the same, he did step closer to help Helen with Connor's shirt. It was probably a good thing that between Connor taking layers off earlier and their foresight to do the same before they got started, it was just the one shirt they had to deal with. Stephen recognized it as one of Connor's favorite shirts he tended to wear a lot, though he had no clue who the group was or anything like that. "Yeah this is ruined now" he said with a sneer as he grabbed the bottom of the shirt opposite Helen and gave a tug, not up towards Connor's head but out to the side, ripping the shirt right up the middle.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen smirked as Stephen ripped Connor's shirt off, "well, well well ... so this is what Nick's chosen?" she looked Connor's shirtless form up and down before picking up the bowl of dog food and going in to resume feeding him. "Now be a good boy and eat the rest of your supper," she ordered as she moved the spoon closer to him.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor's head was swimming and he still felt sick. His body was trembling still and he barely registered what Helen and Stephen were doing until the cooler air of the cell hit his skin and he shivered. He barely registered Helen's words through the panic and horror he felt at standing there like that. Aside from a rare and brief passing in the showers after a mission... he wasn't used to people seeing him without his usual multiple layers, which felt oh so much like protection at that moment. Connor lifted his head, his stomach lurching as the smell of the food hit his nose. "Go to hell, both of you" he said, his tone not at all matching the words. He turned away and struggled weakly trying to put some distance between him and Helen.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen let out a small snarl and then nodded for Helen to back up as he reached over and grabbed the small controller and lifted it for Connor to see. "Guess the mutt needs to be punished already," he said as he slowly, deliberately took more time than what was needed to click the intensity setting up. Not all the way, but enough to let Connor know he wasn't messing around. "You've been a bad boy, Connor," he said mockingly as he pushed and held the button, a grin spreading over his face at the cry of pain that came from Connor as he stiffened and convulsed for a minute before Stephen stopped and released the button. He stood there, a grin on his face as he looked from Connor over to Helen. "You got some good stuff in the future, I gotta hand ya that."
Helen(itsananomaly)	“The future is full of wonderful little toys that I can’t wait to demonstrate on our boys,” Helen smirked, not forgetting about Nick in the other cell, “this little gadget is just one of them,” she had watched with interest as Stephen shocked Connor and was pleased with the results, “and this one is working just fine,” she said approvingly.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor's entire body felt like it was on fire, every nerve going off all at once. He couldn't move, he couldn't cry out, he couldn't even breathe. Not until it all stopped and he collapsed to the ground, his head hitting the ground hard since he had no way to catch himself. His body continued to spasm and twitch as he gasped for breath. The pain was like nothing he had felt before. Everything hurt. And he was pretty sure he was bleeding now from where his head hit the rough flooring. But he didn't care, Connor didn't even care that a pitiful painful sob escaped him just then as he laid there.
Helen(itsananomaly)	“Yes, this works very nicely,” Helen admired the damage it was doing to Connor as he spasmed and twitched where he had fallen on the floor, “yes very nice indeed,” she walked over to him, giving his face a gentle stroke as she did, “shh...you don’t want to tire yourself out so much already, we have so many more fun things planned,” she said soothingly.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor let out a gasping sob, too numbed by the pain to even try and pull away from Helen's touch. He barely even registered when Stephen undid the handcuffs, freeing his arms at last. He couldn't do anything other than lay there, feeling more helpless than he ever had in his entire life.
Helen(itsananomaly)	"There now, that wasn't so bad was it?" Helen cooed softly as she adjusted Connor's chain so that he wouldn't be able to move much from the wall where he was, "I would get some rest if I were you, you're going to need all your strength for tomorrow," she gave him one last pat on the head and then she and Stephen walked out of the cell together, leaving Connor alone.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor waited until the door closed and then as silence fell, Connor curled into a ball and cried. Cried from the pain. Cried from the anger. Cried from the fear. He cried for himself and for Cutter, letting out everything he had tried to hide from Helen and Stephen. It all came out in a flood that left him feeling even weaker than before as he allowed the darkness to finally wash over him as he cried himself to sleep.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter had had an uneasy night’s sleep, trying not to think about what lay in store for him with Helen … of what was being done to Connor … he hadn’t been able to get into a comfortable sleeping position, due to the pain in his ribs but he had managed to lay sprawled on the hard cold cement floor of the cell and gotten a few hours here and there. There were so many ‘what if’s’ playing in his mind … ‘what if he’d never taken Connor with him, what if he’d gone alone, what if he’d bought back up’. Lester and Jenny were probably going to kill him, assuming he got out of this mess alive and the odds of him keeping his job as well was certainly questionable. This was all his fault. He wished he had someway of knowing that Connor was okay, maybe Helen was just keeping him as collateral so that she could control him … that was something very much in Helen’s playbook. He also had no way of knowing how much time had passed, what time of day it was … if it was even the same day. Then his thoughts began to drift to Fandom, how long had it been since they’d left? It had been at least a week since the Mammoth on the M25, when were classes supposed to start back up? Did anyone know they were even gone? He closed his eyes, trying to stay calm and in control but the panic had definitely settled in.
Helen(itsananomaly)	After she was finished taking her time and toying with Connor for now, she turned her attention to Nick. Now it was his turn to see just how much she could break him, she already had a fair idea, she had been married to the man but now she had the bonus of having someone very close, that Nick loved as prisoner and she knew that if that threat was hanging over Connor that Nick would do anything she asked. She and Stephen arrived later that afternoon, after leaving Connor chained up in his cell. "Oh this is pathetic," she sneered at Nick, who still had his eyes closed and was trying to keep his breathing steady.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter felt a cold dread flood through him as he heard the cell door open, he knew it would be Helen but he still wasn't prepared to face her and Stephen. He opened his eyes, forcing himself to gingerly sit up as he looked between Helen and Stephen, "where's Connor?" he demanded, wincing a bit at the pain in his ribs, "what have you done with him?"
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Think you should be more worried about yourself, Nick," Stephen said somewhat coldly as he looked down at Cutter with an odd look on his face. Stephen prided himself on being in control of his emotions most of the time and of keeping his cool even when things went sideways. But this... all this... with Cutter and Connor... he hadn't expected it to hit as hard as it had. And as he stood there looking at the man cowering on the floor, Stephen wanted to shake him and tell him how much it hurt to be replaced like that. Instead, he just stood there, a cold mix between a sneer and a grin on his face. "Connor is just fine. For now."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	“Stephen please … “ Cutter knew that begging wouldn’t work but he had to try at least one more time, “I’m begging you, let Connor go, he doesn’t have anything to do with this … this is between you and me, please … we were friends, lovers … did any of that mean anything to you?” It was pure desperation but it was all that Cutter had left to offer, to try and save the man he loved.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I could say the same thing to you Nick," Stephen said, his face cold, matching his voice just then. "We were friends, lovers, a team. At one point that.... that meant the world to me Nick." Stephen's eyes went soft for a brief moment before that noticeable shift happened and he stared coldly down at Cutter. "Connor is involved because you brought him into this. You chose Connor. Not me, Connor. So don't try and delude yourself that this doesn't involve Connor, almost much as it involves you!'
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter trembled, any hope that he could plead for Connor’s life diminishing fast, “then have me, do what you want with me … just don’t hurt Connor, please Stephen,” He didn’t care what happened to him, he would take any blow if it meant that Connor would be spared.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Oh I'm afraid it's a little too late for that, Nick," Stephen said with a cold laugh. "We've already been having a good bit of fun with Connor. Isn't that right?" he added with a glance over to Helen. "As far as doing what I want with you," Stephen said as he grabbed the front of Cutter's shirt and dragged him to his feet, and shook him slightly. "I ... I wish I could," he said looking from Cutter to Helen and then back to Cutter. "God how I wish I could," he added with a cold laugh as he shoved Cutter back against the wall and then simply let go and dropped his hands to his side, as if waiting for Helen to make the next move.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter’s entire body tensed at Stephen’s words, at what Stephen was implying and he froze trembling uncontrollably as Stephen left him against the wall and he began to slide to the ground. He felt sick and then he felt even worse as he began to process what Stephen was saying was happening to Connor. “No…” he choked out, horrified that they’d been hurting Connor already, that his efforts to save him were in vain.
Helen(itsananomaly)	“Oh yes,” Helen purred sweetly, “and now we’re going to have fun with you Nick,” she looked him up and down, “but first, these clothes have to go, take them off,” Cutter hesitated, looking up at Helen in bewilderment at her request, “take them off, or …” and she glanced over at Stephen, “I’ll have Stephen do it for you,”
Cutter(itsananomaly)	After Stephen’s veiled threat at what he wanted to do to him and hearing Helen threaten to have him remove his clothes if he didn’t do it himself, it was enough to force Cutter to frantically take off his clothes. He forced himself to stand, trembling, shivering as the cold hit his exposed flesh, he bit back a sob, he wasn’t going to give them the satisfaction of seeing him cry.
Helen(itsananomaly)	“Much better,” Helen said approvingly, “just like old times indeed Nick,” and then she turned to Stephen, “you can leave us,” she dismissed him and with a glare and one last look back at Cutter, Stephen stalked off and left Helen and Cutter alone in the room together. “And now for the real fun,” she purred.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter trembled despite his best efforts to not given Helen the satisfaction of how scared he was, how humiliated and nauseated he felt. He didn't say anything, he couldn't say anything, he was pretty sure that he would throw up if he tried to.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen looked Nick up and down, "I have missed this," she said with a hungry smile and then she went over to the table in the cell that had been laid out with various equipment like it had been done in Connor's cell, "and I have missed these," she held up a pair of handcuffs and took particular delight in seeing Nick flinch, "oh come on, I remember you enjoying these Nick," she purred and then she walked behind him and grabbed his arms, taking particular delight in cuffing them.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter was trembling like a leaf now that his hands were bound behind his back, he was completely at Helen's mercy now and there was nothing that he could do to get away from her. He tried to push her away from behind, to get away but that only resulted in her nails digging into his flesh and he let out a scream of pain at the impact.
Helen(itsananomaly)	"Really Nick, I thought I had trained you better than that," Helen shook her head, taking particular delight at digging her nails into Nick's skin and hearing him scream at the pain, "do I have to train you again?" She forced him to get onto his knees, being particularly harsh as she made him get on the floor "you must be hungry," she smiled, "I've made some special food just for you, sit tight now," She went over and picked up the bowl that she had for Nick's dog food and she smirked when she saw his eyes widen in fear.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter could feel the bile rising in him as Helen placed the bowl of dog food in front of him. He forced himself to bend down into the bowl as best he could with his hands tied behind his back. He slowly and nauseatingly began to take bites of food. He knew Helen expected him to eat everything in the bowl and somehow he managed without bringing anything back up.
Helen(itsananomaly)	“There we go see that wasn’t so hard was it?” Helen waited a few moments, just to be sure that Nick wasn’t going to be sick on her like Connor had. “Now that you’ve eaten, the real fun can begin,” To Cutter’s horror, she brought over a bucket of water and sat it in front of him. Before he knew what was happening, Helen had dragged him closer, still kneeling and crudely shoved his head in and held him under.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter struggled desperately, his lungs filling with water as Helen held him under. He tried to fight back but couldn’t with his hands handcuffed behind him. He was drowning, his lungs …oh god! Then Helen pulled him from the water and he started gasping and spluttering for air, his lungs burning as he tried to remember what it was like to breathe.
Helen(anomaly_research_nerd)	The reprieve was short lived, Helen only gave him a few moments to try and get his breath back before he was plunged back into the bucket of water.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	It was worse then before, he had only managed a few gulps of air before Helen plunged him back into the water, he could feel all that dog food that was threatening to be brought back up. He wanted to cry out, he wanted it to stop, he began thrashing desperately. The panic well and truly taking over.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen held him under longer that time. Enjoying the feel of Nick’s desperate thrashing, the power she was having over him at that particular moment. She held him under for a few more moments and then she pulled him, throwing him to the ground.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	He couldn’t breathe, his lungs were burning and it took him several gasping moments to realise that he was no longer being held under water. He then threw up everything that was in his system, a mix of dog food and water being projectiled on the floor until he couldn’t throw up any more. He couldn’t help it, he started crying.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen watched in disgust as Nick emptied the contents of his stomach and then started crying. “God your pathetic Nick, I thought you’d last before I broke you,” she dug her nails once again into his flesh and he screamed as he was dragged to his feet and to the wall, “I think I’ll leave you here tonight,” she got out a similar chain that she had used for Connor and chained Nick to the wall but unlike Connor, she left the handcuffs on Nick. Once she was satisfied that he was secure, she got a fresh bowl of food and water and placed them at his feet, she knew he was going to struggle getting to the bowl and it filled her with immense delight. “Pleasant dreams Nick,” she patted him on the head and then left him alone in the darkness.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter kept sobbing when Helen was gone, he knew it was pathetic but he truly did not see anyway out of this situation. He was naked, his hands were handcuffed behind his back and he was chained to the wall. Helen had made him eat dog food and had nearly drowned him. Was there going to be anything left of him when the others found them? Where was Connor, what were they doing to him? He kept sobbing, eventually drifting off into uneasy sleep with his head resting against the wall since there wasn’t much room he could work with.
Connor(itsananomaly)	Connor had not moved in hours. Not that he could with how he was collared and chained to the wall on what Helen had delighted in reminding him was a short leash. But Connor also didn't think he could move with as much pain as his body was in. He had barely had the strength to drag himself over to the bowl of water Helen had left for him. It was in a dog bowl of course and the food was still there too but Connor did his best to not even look at it. He couldn't even sit up or pick the bowl up his arms were trembling so badly. So with a shuddering sigh and a sickening lump in his throat, Connor simply leaned over and put his face in the bowl and started to drink. He didn't realize just how thirsty he was till he started to drink. It was almost enough to block out the humiliation he felt. Almost.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Later that morning Helen came by to see how her new toy was doing. She was alone this time, Leek needed to talk to Stephen so that meant the torturing and fun times were all on her. Not that she minded, some things just worked better when she was alone, she could be free to do as she pleased and she knew exactly what she was going to do to both Connor and Nick. She smiled as she came into the cell and saw Connor drinking out of the bowl, "oh this is precious," she smiled as she walked over to him, "but I think you left something in your food bowl," she nudged the dog bowl that was full of dog food. "come on, eat up, we have a full day ahead of us,"
Connor(itsananomaly)	Connor pushed himself up into a half-sitting position and glared at Helen as he wiped a hand over his mouth. "Not hungry," he said, doing his best not to look at the bowl even as she slid it closer. He was pretty sure he might start gagging again if he thought about it too much. Silence hung for a moment, then Connor asked, both wanting to know the answer and also dreading it at the same time. "Where's Nick!?"
Helen(itsananomaly)	“I don’t think you realise just how precarious your position is,” Helen said sweetly, nudging that bowl of dog food, closer, “come now Nick ate his without any complaint, it would be a shame if I had to punish Nick for your disobedience,” she drawled.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor felt his stomach twist from the thought, both of trying to choke down the food and the thought of Nick suffering any worse than whatever Helen was already doing because of him. Connor, still in a half-sitting position, looked down at the bowl, swallowing the lump he felt in his throat. He took a deep breath trying to push down the shiver he felt going through his body. With Helen having, conveniently maybe, forgotten to leave a spoon or anything behind for him, Connor scooped up some of the food on a couple of fingers and somehow managed to swallow it down.
Helen(itsananomaly)	“There we are, that wasn’t so hard was it?” Helen purred as she watched him eat, because yes she had deliberately made sure there was no spoon to further his humiliation, “which is a good thing because you’re going to need you’re strength today, can’t have you passing out on me, I want you to experience every moment of it,” she grinned.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Somehow Connor managed to finish the bowl, and also kept everything down, though there were a few times he felt like he was going to be sick again. Closing his eyes he concentrated, on trying not to get sick, though even thinking about the implications of what Helen had said was having the exact opposite effect. He tried to glare up at Helen, trying to keep that defiance up. But it was a poor attempt, he hurt too bad, and his head was too full of near panic to do much of anything.
Helen(itsananomaly)	“There’s a good boy,” Helen cooed, reaching down to give Connor a mocking pat and then a chin scritch. She took the empty bowl of food and water away and came back with several chains and a familiar device that Stephen took great joy with yesterday. “Now, let’s get you straightened up,” and then she began to work on chaining Connor to the wall.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor bit his lip against the pain as he was dragged to his feet. The pain in his arms was still fresh from yesterday and he tried to hold back a wince as Helen worked. "You... you don't have... to do this... Helen" he gasped through gritted teeth, making a desperate attempt to just end all of this.
Helen(itsananomaly)	“I know I don’t have to but I want to,” Helen smiled sweetly as she continued to work on the chains, making sure he was secure, “it’s nothing personal, you’re Nick’s new favourite play thing, I like breaking Nick’s play things…he’ll tire of you eventually, find someone better and then I’ll break them too,” her eyes gleamed hungrily at the thought.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Nick won't." Connor whispered softly his head turned away from Helen. "He won't do that..." He had to believe that. He knew that Helen was just trying to get at him. He refused to let her get any pleasure out making him doubt.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen’s smile was dark then as she took in Connor’s crestfallen expression, the delight she felt in how much hurt she’d caused with just a few choice words, “who are you trying to convince? Me or yourself?” she purred, reaching out to take Connor’s chin to make him look at her. “You know Connor, I can make this go away, we don’t have to make it go any further …it’s just the two of us, it’s Nick I want …not you, Stephen’s just jealous of you but he’s not the one calling the shots I am,” she smiled, “are you interested in making a bargain for your life?”
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor couldn't bring himself to answer Helen. He wanted to but he couldn't make any words come out without feeling like he was going to be sick. With Helen's fingers under his chin he gave a small, barely noticeable shake of his head. Everything hurt, and he wasn't thinking clearly as the panic started to set him again, the fear of what Helen had planned for him. He finally drew a shaky breath. "I want Nick... I want him to go free."
Helen(itsananomaly)	“I know you do but that’s not the bargain in play here,” Helen said sweetly, “the bargain is for your life, I’m giving you the chance to forget about Nick, to move on with your life …go back to that school of yours,” yes Helen knew all about Fandom and she knew that would get a reaction , “Nick wouldn’t want you to throw your life away, what do you say Connor? Do we have a bargain?”
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor felt his heart run cold. Helen knew about the school, about Fandom.... how? How did she find out? How long had she known? Connor tried to focus on what matted in that moment. He knew she was right that Cutter would tell him to leave and save himself. It was a very Cutter thing to do. But at the same instant, Connor knew he would never be able to live with himself if he left Nick, to whatever evil plans Helen had for him while he ran away and got to live a comfortable life. Connor swallowed hard and pulled his head back away from Helen's grasp and looked at her, lifting his head and trying to sound as defiant as he could. "I'll never leave Nick behind!"
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen merely smiled at that, she didn’t think Connor would have accepted but just to plant that doubt, that fear of what was going to happen, “you’ll be singing a different tune soon enough Connor, you’ll be wishing you had taken my offer,” she stroked his cheek and finished securing him to the wall.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor tried to keep his face expressionless, not wanting to give Helen any pleasure in the fear he felt bubbling up inside. This was bad... really bad...and Connor knew it and he had to bite his lip to hold back the panicked cries that threatened to fall as Helen roughly moved him into place. Helen definitely knew what she was doing and Connor knew whatever she had planned it was not going to be good. He stood with his back to the wall, arms stretched to either side with enough slack in the chains that he could lower his arms slightly but not enough to block or shield himself in any way. If he dropped to his knees his arms would be pulled up over his head, and he wasn't even sure hed be able to make it to his knees before the slack in the chain ran out. He was open and exposed and utterly defenseless and despite his best effort, as he stood there, Helen's gaze boring into him, he felt a tear he didn't even know he had shed, run down his cheek. He wasn't sure if he was going to survive whatever Helen had in store, but he was going to try. For Nick.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen stepped back a moment to admire her work, she was very satisfied and now the time had come to test the chains and how secure Connor was in them. “I’m sure you remember this device from yesterday?” she said sweetly, taking great pleasure at seeing that tear fall down Connor’s cheek, as she held up the device for Connor’s shock collar, “I think it might be a good idea to test it don’t you think?” Before she could give Connor a chance to respond, she pressed the switch that would send an all to familiar and painful current flowing through Connor.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor cried out loudly as that familiar pain rushed through his entire body before the convulsions took hold, making yelling and even breathing impossible. It felt like it wasn’t going to end, and somewhere through the agony, Connor half wondered if Helen was just going to let it go until it killed him. When it finally stopped, Connor's body gave out and he slumped to his knees. They barely touched the ground, the bulk of his weight supported by his arms which pulled painfully at the chains. For a minute he couldn't move, couldn't breathe, could do anything but wish the pain would stop. And when the breath finally came back into his lungs, a gasping sob was all that came out along with one word, loud and strong enough there was no mistaking it but still wracked with pain. One word came out as Connor sobbed "Nick..." That one word falling from his lips over and over as he cried.
Helen(itsananomaly)	“Oh this really is just pathetic,” Helen scoffed at seeing Connor cry, at hearing Nick’s name fall from his lips, “Nick cried too and I didn’t even have to electric shock him,” she shook her head in disgust, “I see I’m going to have to really up my game, if a tiny shock like that makes you break down,” She put down the device and then she took a swing directly at Connor’s stomach.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor tried to get back to his feet, to prepare himself for whatever Helen was going to do next. His mind swam with what she said about Nick and it terrified him to think of what she had been doing to him already. As he tried to pull himself back to his feet, Connor just about made it when he felt Helen's fist collide with his stomach. He doubled over in pain and gasped at the pain as he choked on the air as it left his lungs. Somehow he managed to stay on his feet.
Helen(itsananomaly)	“That’s more like it,” Helen purred and then aimed another blow in the same spot, “you don’t have Nick in here protecting you this time…I’ve been looking forward to this Connor,”
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor tried to catch his breath, fighting back the pain. The last thing he wanted was to give Helen what she wanted, to see him crack and break. Nick wasn't there, but he was still going to do this. He had to. He couldn't let Helen win. Connor lifted his gaze to Helen as he glared at her, eyes filling with the tears he couldn't keep back as the pain washed over him. But he still looked defiant as he leaned forward slightly and spat at her again. She was too far away to really do anything but it still managed to land on her boot, red streaks of blood clearly visible.
Helen(itsananomaly)	“Now that’s just rude,” Helen looked disgusted at the spit mixed with blood on her shoe, “Nick failed to teach you manners”,” she scraped the offending foot, “looks like I’ll have to do it for him,” she purred and this time she brought her knee up into his stomach.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor cried out in pain as he doubled over Helen's knee as much as he could, arms pulling against the chains roughly. His head was spinning and it felt like he was going to blackout before he could get air back into his lungs.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen smiled as she saw Connor double over in pain, taking a moment to enjoy that cry of pain. "You know what, it's not as much fun with you bound against these chains, I think I'll make it more of a fair fight .. see what you're really made of," she smiled and she began to release Connor from his chains.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor staggered back a step, leaning against the wall once he was unchained. One arm was held tightly against his stomach and side. He looked at Helen trying to catch his breath. He didn't want to fight, he didn't want to do anything other than sit down and breathe. "Pathetic. You have no chance of keeping Nick, you know that right? He left me, he left Stpehen, what makes you think he actually wants some pathetic mutt like you?" That comment did it. Something inside Connor snapped, overriding the pain, the exhaustion, and everything else. Laying his hands against the wall behind him he suddenly launched himself at Helen, as if he was going to try and tackle her. He was clumsy and off-balance and Helen easily moved and shoved Connor back against the wall hard. Connor shook his head and looked at Helen mocking him, telling him to come at her again. And he did, running once again straight at Helen.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen smirked at seeing Connor take the bait, at his attempt to fight her, she wanted him to challenge her, to fight back but his attempts were laughingly pathetic. “Really pathetic Connor, I don't know what Nick sees in you, even Claudia was a better fit for him than you,” she sneered and even though she could have easily side stepped him, she decided to stick her foot out and see what would happen. "you'll never be good enough for Nick,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor was half charging half stumbling towards Helen at this point, his body barely responding, feeling almost like he was running on autopilot or something. So he didn't see Helen stick her leg out and he tripped, falling headlong to the ground in a crumpled heap. A cry of pain escaped his lips as he hit, but it wasn't enough to drown out those words. "Never be good enough" those were words he had heard his entire life and in that moment, he thought maybe it was true. Connor lay on the floor, trying to drag himself back up but everything hurt, and he barely got into a half sitting half kneeing position before he just slumped back to the ground, gasping for breath.
Helen(itsananomaly)	“Like I said, absolutely pathetic,” Helen sneered as she watched Connor on the floor and then she walked over to him, hovering over him as she did, and then she raised her leg and went to stomp on his stomach.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor attempted to shield himself as Helen loomed over him. He tried to grab her leg and pull her off but he ended up just blindly flailing as he coughed and doubled over trying to curl up and block the blows. He felt the bile and acid taste in his mouth and his ribs burned and his breathing was ragged and shallow. Somehow he managed to grab hold of her leg as he tried to delay the next blow.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen was not expecting Connor to grab her leg and she was actually impressed that he had some fight left at him in that point, she could hear his shallow breathing, “not bad Connor, just not good enough,” and she raised her other leg that Connor wasn’t holding and brought it down on his stomach.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	That final kick did it, and Connor lost his grip and fell back, the coughing fit that laid hold of him rendering him helpless as he lay on the ground struggling to draw in a breath. Connor just wished the pain would stop. Why wouldn't she just stop already? Connor lay on the floor of the cell, gasping for breath, eyes shut tight against the pain as he tried and failed to hold back the whimpering cry that escaped his lips. How long he lay there, waiting for Helen to unleash another flurry of blows, he didn't know. He just lay there, eyes closed, and waited.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen watched as Connor lay on the floor, trying desperately to breathe ...she watched him with interest, waiting to see if there was any fight left in him, a thought came to her and she looked him up and down, her focus landing on his gloves, "you know, I don't think I've ever seen you without your gloves, what are you hiding under there Connor? Let's take a peak..." and she walked to his hand, bending over and began trying to peel the glove off.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor's head was swimming, his chest ached, his throat felt raw, and his ears were ringing from the pain. He hardly registered what Helen was saying or that she was standing over him just then. He felt a touch on his hands. On the gloves. Felt like someone was rubbing them and then trying to take them off. Nick? Was it Nick? Connor's mind was yelling at him to wake up that something was wrong. And suddenly his eyes opened with a startle. Nick wasn't here. It was Helen. Before Helen even had the glove halfway off Connor clenched his fists tightly, preventing her from taking it off. His eyes flew open and he stared up at Helen, glaring up at her a defiant "No!" falling from his lips as he struggled to get his hand free.
Helen(itsananomaly)	“Well, well, well … there is some fight in you yet Connor,” Helen smirked as she saw Connor resist her efforts to try and take the glove off, “let’s truly break this fighting spirit once and for all, except in your case it’s very literal I’m afraid,” She forced Connor to pry open his hand, "so there's something special about these gloves is there...?" she smiled, “let’s see … how about we start with this finger right here?” She went to Connor’s index finger and with a sinking crunch snapped it back, she smiled when she heard the bone crack.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	The pain Connor felt was like nothing he had felt before. Despite his general clumsiness and the apparent ability to get hurt more than most, he had never had a broken bone before. Twists and sprains yeah. Concussions, several. He'd even been on the receiving end of several dinosaur and creature attacks. But this pain was something he had never felt before. If Helen had been looking for a reaction, she got one as the blinding pain made Connor scream out as he instinctively tried to pull away from Helen, desperately trying to close his fist again and protect his hand.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen’s smile only grew at hearing Connor scream when she broke his finger, and she stopped him from closing his wrist, putting as much pressure on the broken finger as she could, “no, I’m not satisfied, I think we need to do more, for you to truly have learnt your lesson,” Then she went for his pinky finger and snapped that one back. “And I think we can go for this one as well,” she went for his ring finger, “it’s not like you and Nick will be getting married any time soon,” she laughed as she heard the snap in the ring finger.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	The pain was nearly unbearable and Connor bit his lip trying to hold back, biting so hard he started to draw blood. But it was too much, with the second finger he screamed again trying to pull free, the panic setting in as he tried to kick and pull free. Somehow, through it all, somehow Helen's words still reached his ears and for a split second, through the pain and the panic and the fear he thought of Nick and hoped he was ok and realizing he would give every finger on his hand just to be able to see him and know he was ok. And then that faded as the blinding pain shot through him again as the finger was snapped, the sound of Helen's cruel laugh mixing with his own cries of pain.
Helen(itsananomaly)	“Utterly pathetic,” she dropped Connor’s hand to the floor, “I thought there might have been some fight in you, that you would try and stand up for yourself … such a waste, Nick will never want you after this…” she spat. Then with one swift step, she stomped on Connor’s hand, her boot crushing the bones in his hand, she smiled as she heard the bones snap in several places and she burrowed her boot in Connor’s hand, making sure that every bone was crushed.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor tried in vain one last time to get free of Helen's grasp but she was just too strong. The next thing Connor knew was the pain overtaking him. He felt like he could possibly die from it as Helen stomped his hand against the hard floor of the cell. The cry that escaped his lips sounded distant to his ears, like it wasn't even his voice. And then everything went black, the scream of pain falling into sobs as Connor closed his eyes and tried to curl up against the pain as it washed over him. And then it was gone, the cries fell silent and he lay there on the floor, still, quiet, unmoving other than the ragged breathing he struggled to get in.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen shook her head in disgust as Connor lay there on the floor, the cries of pain going quiet and after waiting a few more moments she bent over and tore off those gloves that Connor had desperately wanted to stop her from taking. They were destroyed and bloodied and she felt great satisfaction at putting them aside so she could use against Nick for later. "Pathetic," she shook her head at Connor's prone body, "this one Nick, really?" she scoffed and then turned and left Connor alone, sprawled out on the cold hard floor and she closed the cell door behind her.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter had been left chained to the wall, naked, on his knees, not having much movement other than that if he tried he could bend down to have a drink of water if he needed it. He supposed he should be grateful Helen had actually left water for him, he hadn’t touched the dog food - not after he had brought it up all over the cell floor. He shivered, he was cold and hungry and he was scared of what Helen had in store for him or what she had been doing to Connor.
Helen(itsananomaly)	After a very satisfying visit to Connor, Helen was in a good mood when she stopped by Nick's cell, "oh good, you're still here," she smiled sweetly at the chains that were keeping Nick in place, "I do hope you preserved your strength, you're going to need it today," she walked over to him, looking at the bowl of dog food that was still full, "and you didn't eat your food either," she shook her head. "We'll have to correct that," she sighed and picked up the bowl of dog food, "come on Nick, don't make this any harder than this has to be," she picked up a handful of food and aimed it towards his mouth.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter kept his mouth closed as long as he could, to not let Helen have the satisfaction of force feeding him dog food but since he didn't have much room to move, Helen forced the food in and he gagged. Helen kept a hand on his mouth, to keep it closed and he was forced to swallow every bite.
Helen(itsananomaly)	"Good, good," Helen purred as she took another handful of food and repeated the process, "come on Nick, I'm being very patient here but I won't be for long ... I was hoping after how I'd left you for the night that you would be better behaved, clearly I was mistaken and I will have to correct that,"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter shivered against the idea of what Helen could do and somehow managed to get the strength to eat the rest of the dog food that Helen fed him, forcing him to swallow every single bite. Somehow he managed to keep it down and not bring it up again. He just hoped that Helen wasn't planning to try drowning him again.
Helen(itsananomaly)	"There there," Helen gave him a gentle stroke, "that wasn't so hard was it?" she purred, "now that that's over, I have something to give you," She took the damaged, bloodied gloves and showed them to Cutter.
Connor(itsananomaly)	Cutter felt his heart sink when he saw those gloves, he knew they were Connor's but the state they were in... "What did you do?" he croaked out, tears filling his eyes as he took in the sight of the gloves, "where's Connor? What did you to do him?"
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen smiled as she got something else out of her pocket, "I'm glad you asked that Nick," she purred, "I'm going to be asking you a few questions, I would really strongly encourage that you answer them," she pulled out something that Cutter didn't recognise, "this little device is from the future and it makes you tell the truth," Then before Cutter knew what was happening, he felt something cold being injected in his neck. He winced and gasped as he felt a sharp pain that started to flow through him.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen had finally finished dealing with Leek's ridiculous requests and had been looking for Helen for a bit. Unaware of exactly what was going on on the other side of the cell door he opened it and walked in. "What the hell, Helen?" he asked as he stepped in barely one foot in the door before he started talking. "What did you do to Connor? he..." and it was then Stephen actually saw what was going on. He stared and looked from Cutter to Helen and gave her a clear "WTF" look as he tried to make sense of what he had seen and was seeing now.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter blinked as he looked from Helen to Stephen, he let out a sob at hearing what Stephen was saying, that it seemed to back up what Helen was showing him. It couldn't be true, "no..." he whispered, staring at the bloodied damaged gloves and then back up at Stephen, "no ... he's not .. he can't be! Connor ..." he tried to struggle against the chains that were keeping him to the wall, he started gasping when the chains dug into his neck.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen smiled, not in the least bit deterred by Stephen's outburst, "ah Stephen you're just in time, I'm going to be asking Nick here some very personal questions, if you'd like to watch?" her smile widened, "maybe even ask some yourself? The serum should have kicked in by now,"
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen pulled his gaze from Helen over to Cutter. Serum? She had actually used the serum? And on Nick? "Are you insane?" he asked walking closer to Helen, glancing over at Cutter as he did. "You haven't even tested that stuff hardly. And you're using it on Nick? You don't know what it could do to him..."
Helen(itsananomaly)	"And what better way to test it than on someone like Nick ... someone with a strong mind such as his? The research implications are endless," she told Stephen, rather annoyed that he didn't seem to be excited about this new development. She looked over at Nick, who had gone rather limp and his eyes appeared to have glazed over, she put the gloves down and then went to remove the handcuffs that she had still left on him during the night. "Now we can begin,"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter was finding it hard to focus on anything, he was aware that Stephen and Helen were in the room but everything else was a blur, he struggled to stay upright. He let out a moan as his body spasmed and twitched as the serum began to flow through him.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen was still kinda just staring at Helen in semi-disbelief. She was actually doing this. His gaze moved from Helen to Cutter and then he caught sight of the gloves. When he had found Connor a little while ago while looking for Helen he had had to check to make sure the kid was still alive. Judging from the state he had been in and the state of the gloves, Stephen was starting to think it might have been a good thing he hadn't been there for whatever the hell had gone down. He shook his head and pulled his attention back to Cutter and glanced over at Helen. "I hope you know what the hell you are doing, Helen," he said with a certain look that almost seemed concerned.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen was starting to get a little annoyed, "of course I know what I'm doing," she looked over at Stephen, "I need to test the serum Stephen, you know that and well Connor's not up to testing anything just yet," She smiled, tilting her head at Stephen, "you're not going soft on me Stephen are you? If I didn't know better that almost looks like concern,"
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen narrowed his gaze for a moment and gave a small sigh. He shifted position to stand beside Helen and looked over at Cutter, the expression now more indifferent than anything. "Just didn't think killing them was part of the plan," he said simply, a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. .
Helen(itsananomaly)	"Oh I'm not planning on killing them, not yet anyway," Helen smiled, giving Cutter a gentle pat on the cheek. Cutter didn't respond, his expression was completely blank. "Oh this is going to be fun," Helen purred, "stay and watch Stephen, let's see just how deep we can go,"
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen nodded slowly, trying not to let on just how much all this... what lengths Helen seemed to be willing to go to in all this... how off it felt. This wasn't what he had in mind when she told him about escaping to the future, of making a better life, for the two of them.... this wasn't what he had envisioned at all. But he knew he couldn't show any weakness to Helen, even the tiniest sliver of suspicion, with the state she seemed to be in, could have all this directed at him... Stephen knew Helen could get a little, passionate, about her projects. He just needed to let her get it out of her system... and things would calm down. .
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen smiled at that nod, it wasn't as enthusiastic as she'd hoped but she would take what she would get for now, "good ...yes, let's begin with testing the serum, just how far we push Nick ...how much he can resist, he doesn't seem to be doing too much of that right now," she laughed darkly at that. "Let's start with the simple questions first, what is your name?" she asked Cutter.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter wasn't sure what was happening, it felt like his head was about to explode and he tried to resist, to refuse to answer the question, he knew he shouldn't be doing this but ... Helen was asking a question, he needed to answer. "Ni..Nick Cu-Cutter..." he gasped out, trying to refuse to answer but the longer it took, the more pain there was.
Helen(itsananomaly)	"It's less painful if you don't resist," Helen told him sweetly, "I don't care either way but this is going to take a while, you might not like the pain," she smirked. "Who are the people in the room with you?" and here she paused, "and what are their relationships to you?" This was going to get interesting.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"..." Cutter tried to refuse to answer the question, he thrashed against the wall that he was chained to, "Hel...Helen Cu-Cutter" he gasped out, "my...my ...my ... wife," he tried to say ex but the truth forced the word out, "and ... and St-Stephen H..Hart, my ... my friend and ...and ex lover,"
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen twitched ever so slightly at that. He wouldn't let it show, at least not so obviously, but that simple statement was like a slap to the face. He was the one who got the 'ex' and not Helen. Stephen clenched his teeth and narrowed his eyes at Cutter slightly, not saying a word as he watched to see how far Helen was going to take this.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen looked over at Stephen, noticing the twitch with amusement, she would file that away to pursue at a later time but for now there were more questions she had to ask. Her smile widened, "now ... let's up the ante, Nick ... do you want to kiss me?"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"..." Cutter tried to refuse but he couldn't deny that strong burning feeling he felt when he thought about Helen, that a part of him would always love her, that would do as she asked if pushed the right way ..."y...yes," he choked out.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen bent down to his eye level, "can you kiss me like you kiss Connor?" she asked simply, she could see some of the fight in Cutter's eyes, which meant somewhere deep down he was resisting ... this was interesting.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"...yes..." Cutter choked out, beads of sweat trickling down his forehead as he moved as close as he could to Helen with the chains binding him, he leaned in to kiss her, bringing his hands up to her hair to begin to play with it like he would when he kissed Connor. He tried to stop, tears building in his eyes but the truth serum kept him going for as long as Helen commanded.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen finally broke the kiss, "interesting ...so you've learned a thing or two since we've been together," her smile grew, "we're going to have so much fun together ..." She was tempted to ask that as a question but it was more interesting to study Nick's expression right then. It was one of horror, of shame at realising what he'd just done.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen had been watching the exchange in silence. But when Helen paused in her interrogation he spoke up. He knew Helen didn't like to be interrupted when she worked but after what he just witnessed, he had to know. "And what about me, Nick? What about what we had?" .
Cutter(itsananomaly)	“I …” Cutter started and stopped, gasping at the effort it was taking now that his whole body was in full revolt at the truth serum surging through his system, “I …I love …I loved you, I loved us …I … I still love us but you stopped …you stopped …I …I …I …” he let out a sob as he tried to stop the truth that was tumbling out of him now, “I …I do love you still,”
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen twitched slightly. That wasn't the answer he had been expecting, and that realization hit like a punch to the gut just then. But he did his best to hide, swallowing hard as he kept his eyes on Cutter as he asked the other question then burning in his mind. "Why do you think I stopped, Nick?" .
Cutter(itsananomaly)	“I …Helen…” Cutter croaked out, “you loved Helen more than me,” his body shuddered, “you … you love Helen but she…she’s a liar!” he managed to get out, it was going beyond the perimeters of what the question was asking and Cutter’s body felt like it was going to explode, “and she’s a manipulator … she -“ he let out a cry as Helen punched him the in jaw.
Helen(itsananomaly)	"Alright you've had your fun Stephen, satisfied?" she couldn't help but snap, annoyed that Cutter seemed to be breaking free, she was going to have to work on the serum to make it more effective.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen stood and stared for a moment, all that echoing in his head for a minute. He pulled his gaze from Cutter and looked at Helen. He gave a small nod and then just turned and walked towards the door without a word. He cast a quick glance down at Cutter as he passed, feeling something snap ever so slightly inside. Stephen opened the cell door, gave one last glance back at Helen and then closed the door behind him as he walked into the dark hallway outside. .
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter stared desperately after Stephen, he had no idea if his warning had gotten through that he did believe him ... maybe he thought he was lying when he said that. His head felt like it was on fire now but he was starting to get some clarity back, some of his own free will, he just had to brace himself for whatever Helen asked next.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen shook her head, annoyed that the serum seemed to be losing his effectiveness, "let's try one more question shall we? Do you still love me?" she waited to see if there was enough serum left for him to answer truthfully.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"I ...I ...yes," Cutter choked out to his horror and then his nose started to bleed, dripping onto his exposed flesh and then the floor. "Yes, I ...I ...I still love you,"
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen smiled at that, very pleased with the answer, "very good," she purred and stroked his face, "It almost pains me to do this next part," she said and then she undid Nick's chains and he collapsed to the floor, shivering and spluttering as the effects of the truth serum wore off.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter gasped as he was freed from the wall where he had been kept since the previous night, after gasping several times for air and trembling, he steadied himself for whatever was coming. .
Helen(itsananomaly)	"You know, Connor screamed and cried so much with what I did to him?" Helen smiled, "such a nice body that boy had, I can see why you liked him, such an interesting scar he had,"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"No..." Cutter trembled as he heard Helen refer to Connor in the past tense, he couldn't accept that Helen had really killed him, "no, you're lying ... Connor's not ... he's still ... he's still alive," he spat.
Helen(itsananomaly)	"Oh this is pathetic Nick, even for you, I give you proof that the boy's gone and you still don't believe me," Helen shook her head, "such an interesting scar he had on his back...being the shape it was, I wonder how he got that?"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter closed his eyes, he knew the scar that Helen was referring to, he'd been there the day Connor had gotten it when he was trying to help him and Captain Ryan get the centipede that had bit Stephen. "He ..." Cutter blinked and stopped, finding that he was able to stop answering her questions. He fell silent, trying to calm himself, to not give Helen the satisfaction of how much she had rattled him, of how scared he was that Connor was really gone, that he had suffered at Helen's hand in the lead up to his death. He let out a sob. .
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen shook her head in disgust at hearing Cutter begin to cry, she sneered and bent down to pick up his right hand, "you know Nick, this will hurt me just as much as it hurts you," and then she broke the first finger, deciding to start with the ring finger this time.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	The pain was unlike anything he had ever experienced before and he screamed as he felt the bone break, dimly all he could think of was that he had decided to leave the ring he liked to wear sometimes at home, that it was safe from Helen and then there was another thought that he would likely not be able to wear a ring again. The pain seared through him and he cried.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen took that moment to break the pinky and the thumb, enjoying the sound that they made when she broke them and hearing Nick scream in agony. Then she dropped Cutter's hand roughly to the ground and just like she had done with Connor earlier, she stomped on his hand with her boot, the bones making a satisfying crunching sound as she made work of crushing the bones in his hand and hearing Nick screaming as she did.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	It was the worst pain that he had ever felt as he felt his hand being crushed, he thought he was going to pass out. He was sobbing, “Helen…please,” he begged. It was pathetic he knew and he felt weak, cowardly but he just wanted the pain to stop. .
Helen(itsananomaly)	“You had your chance Nick, you need to be taught a lesson, a very painful lesson,” Helen sneered as she picked up his other hand and started to break the fingers on that hand, “this will be a good reminder of that, you belong to me Nick and I’m going to make sure you will always remember that,” then she broke another finger.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter kept screaming as Helen worked on his other hand, trying to protect his remaining fingers and hand and stop her from getting to them by curling them in a ball but Helen had the advantage and she broke his index finger and pinky without a moments hesitation. He lowered his head on the cement floor, it was getting harder to stay awake now, maybe he would pass out before Helen did anything else to him.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Once Helen was satisfied with the fingers she'd broken, she took Cutter's hand that she was holding and put it on the floor and then like she had done with the other one moments earlier, she dropped it roughly to the floor and stomped it on. Cutter's scream rang out in the cell as she stomped on it hard, she made sure to stomp on it a couple of times, relishing in the sound of his hands breaking and crushing.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	The pain became too much for Cutter ... his entire body was on fire, he just wanted it to end. He tried to scream but no sound came out. There was one more surge of pain and then the darkness finally overcame him and he knew no more..
Helen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Helen was in a very good mood after she had successfully tortured Cutter last night, she was sure he wasn't going to last much longer between believing that Connor was dead and after she had broken his hands. She had also had a nice and rather informative interrogation session with him as well and now it was time to test the serum on Connor and see what he had to say. She just had to push Nick just a bit more and soon he would join her in her plans, she just knew it. "I do hope you're still alive," Helen shook her head as she looked in disgust at Connor's prone form, "I still have uses for you yet,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor faintly was aware Helen had come in. He heard her. But a full body shiver and a choked moan of pain was all there was to let her know he was still alive.
Helen(itsananomaly)	"Oh good, you're still alive," Helen smiled as she looked down at him, at hearing that moan of pain, "come on, sit up we've got a lot to do today," she went over to get the bowl of dog food and water that she had prepared earlier, "but first I think you must be hungry after all the excitement from yesterday,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor slowly lifted his head and tried to get up but could barely move. He felt himself being half dragged upright and he winced in pain as his broken hand slid across the cell floor. He pulled it into his lap, cradling it the best he could as he stared at Helen. Connor turned his head, knowing it was a pathetic attempt to avoid the dog food but it was all he could do as he sat there against the wall of his cell.
Helen(itsananomaly)	"Really Connor, we're going to do this again?" Helen shook her head, "I'll tell you what, I'll even be gentle on you and feed you myself today, I'm feeling generous," she brought the bowl of food up to his mouth, "come on, don't make me shock you again," she threatened.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor knew he couldn't do anything against Helen. He didn't stand a chance if she decided to do anything like she had yesterday. So he simply lowered his head, gave a shiver of fear at the mention of the collar still strapped around his neck, and he started eating, somehow choking down all the food.
Helen(itsananomaly)	"There we are, that's a good boy ... I don't need to use the shock collar today do I?" she asked sweetly as she watched Connor eat the food, she lifted the bowl of water up as well if he needed to take a drink.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor shook his head at the mention of the collar again a slightly terrified look in his eyes. Connor hated how pathetic he felt. The humiliation was only trumped by the pain. He greedily drank the water not just from thirst but to try and wash the taste from his mouth.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen smiled as she watched Connor shake his head, at the slightly terrified look in his eyes, "well, if you do exactly as I say today and I won't have to use the shock collar but if you decide to disobey me then I will use the collar, do I make myself clear?"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor nodded slowly and sat as still as he could when he had finished the water. He was terrified but also willing to do just about anything to avoid another shock just then. He sat there, under Helen's gaze, feeling more exposed than even his shirtless form allowed, and waited. Waited to see what Helen had planned. And he was terrified.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Once she was satisfied that Connor understood her threats she placed the bowls back down and then, she picked up the same device she had used to inject Connor with but she also had got something else ready, a poker that she had heated up so that it would leave an H in the skin, she brought both back over. "Now," she said sweetly and after brandishing the poker deliberately and slowly near Connor so he knew what was at stake, "do you know what this?" she held up the truth serum.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor's eyes went wide as he saw the poker in Helen's hands. It didn't take a genius to understand what she intended to do if she wanted. Connor pulled his gaze from it to the other object in her hands. He didn't recognize it but his mind was doing a stellar job of filling in all sorts of terrifying scenarios. He tried to answer but all he could do was shake his head.
Helen(itsananomaly)	"This is a truth serum, from the future ... very potent," Helen grinned, figuring that Connor would be easier to control than Nick, "I'm going to ask you some questions and if I don't like the answer you give me, I'm going to burn you til it sinks in and you give me the correct response, do you understand me Connor?"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Y-Yes..." he choked out, his voice hoarse from all the screaming and crying, tight from the pain and fear. He looked at Helen hating that he felt so absolutely helpless and vulnerable in her hands right then.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen looked hungrily at Connor, at how afraid he was and she thrived off that fear, "very good," she purred and then she took the device and injected it into Connor's neck, stepping back to see how long it would take for the serum to work on Connor.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor winced in pain as he felt the icy coldness spread through his body, a new and different kind of pain creeping through his entire body. He leaned back against the wall, eyes shut tight against the pain as he started trembling and shaking. Connor tried to fight against it, even subconsciously, it didn't feel right. This was wrong. His body hurt and his mind was screaming at him, but there was nothing he could do, and slowly the tremors stopped and Connor slumped back against the wall slightly. His breathing was shallow as he slowly lifted his head to look at Helen, his eyes glassy and glazed over as the serum took full effect.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen smiled, "good, now ... simple questions first," she grinned, getting the poker ready for use if she needed to, "what is your name?" It had thrilled her seeing just how much Nick had resisted trying to tell her that.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	He looked at Helen, eyes shifting from dazed to somewhat frightened as he heard himself start to speak, against everything he was telling himself. It was like something was forcing him to. "C-Connor... T-T..." He gasped hard at the effort it took not to say what was on the tip of his tongue. He tried to hold back, head throbbing and his body trembling from the effort. But he couldn't and it all came tumbling out before he could stop himself. "Connor... Thaddeus... Temple" he gasped out in horror as he realized he had just told Helen the one thing no one other than Nick knew- what his middle name actually was.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen raised an eyebrow at that, she didn't actually know that Connor had a middle name so she was very intrigued when he told her, so far the serum seemed to be holding, "and who am I? What is my relationship to you?" She was very intrigued to hear Connor's interpretation of the answer.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor blinked slightly at the question, his gaze still somewhat hazy as he looked at Helen. "H-Helen Cutter. The one who... who's keeping me from having Nick..." Connor said, despite his efforts to bite his lip and hold that admission back.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen got the poker ready but she was intrigued by this admission, that Connor had stopped himself from answering it fully, “oh, just how am I keeping you from having Nick?” she was expecting it to be because they were still married, so she decided to wait first and see what the response was before she started burning him.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	'You're his wife...." Connor said through clenched teeth. "Even though... he doesn't...want you... anymore" he managed to spit out.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen's eyes narrowed at that, "no, I don't think that's the answer you want to give me," she shook her head, "and to think this started off so strongly," she shook her head, "such a disappointment," Then she got the poker and aimed it directly at Connor's foot, so that the H would directly make contact.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"You... are still married... to Nick" Connor said, struggling to get out what he wanted and not just the twisted truth Helen was trying to pull from him. "But you... don't... love him anymore..." he gasped hard at the pain seeing through his body. "You just... want... to... use... him!"
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen was actually impressed at how Connor seemed to be pushing back against the serum, it was still the truth, just not what she wanted to hear. “I think you’re still lying,” she said sweetly and pushed the poker further into his flesh, “there’s something else, something you’re not telling me…why am I stopping you from having Nick?” she asked again.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor cried out as the pain broke through the haze of the serum. He tried to struggled free for a short moment, which only served to make it worse as he was stuck against the wall and the kicking really only pushed his feet closer to Helen. Connor laid his head back, eyes shut, gasping hard as the words he didn't want to say came tumbling out, the secret truth that he held and had tried to keep hidden. "Because you're his wife," he said with a sob as he turned his head away. "And I'm just a meaningless fling."
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen’s eyes gleamed at that, “see that wasn’t so hard,” she removed the poker, holding it close to Connor. “And you’ll never be good enough for Nick, you know that right?”
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor bit his lip, trying to keep the tears burning his eyes from falling. He didn't want to give Helen that thrill, but he couldn't. The tears fell as the words also fell from his lips, causing his own heart to break all over again hearing them said out loud. "I... I'll never be... what Nick wants... I-I-... I'm not worth his love." As the words fell off, Connor closed his eyes as a shuddering sob went through him.
Helen(itsananomaly)	“That’s right Connor, very good,” Helen purred, thrilled at hearing that sob escape, “and you know Nick will always belong to me, that he will come crawling back to me don’t you?”
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I... I'll always be second... always second choice. Nick... loves you. He.... he... he wants... you," Connor said as another sob escaped his lips, and he curled up as tight as he could and cried. He hated how weak he was, he just couldn't fight it anymore. It hurt too much.
Helen(itsananomaly)	“Yes, yes good this is good Connor,” Helen purred, giving him a gentle pat as he cried, “you want to get out of here don’t you? You want to go back to Fandom, you know that all you have to do is say that you’ll leave Nick…you want to do all that, don’t you?”
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I... I do. I want... this... to stop," he said with a choked sob. "I want to go home... I... I want to..." Connor swallowed hard, gasping for breath trying to stop the flow of words. Connor shuddered and dug his fingers into the rough stone flooring. He slowly lifted his head, his breath coming in short shallow gasps, as he looked at Helen. "But... I... won't... leave.... Nick!" he added, the pain of the fight against the serum evident. He hurt, he felt like he was about to pass out, the last of his strength fading at an alarming rate.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen sighed, "and you were doing so well Connor," she shook her head in disappointment, "you are a stubborn one, looks like I still need to break you further, I gave you the chance to get out Connor, you have no one to blame but yourself," and then she brought the poker down to the same foot she had burned before, making sure the H would line up with the original burn and then she put the poker on the foot and pressed hard.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor cried out at the pain of the branding again, the pain washing over him as he trembled on the floor, not caring how much Helen laughed, how pathetic he sounded... he couldn't stop the pleading that fell from his lips just then. "Helen... please... stop! Just stop! please..."
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen tilted her head at Connor pleading with her, she kept the brand on his foot a moment longer, enjoying the thrill it gave her to inflict so much agony, "dear me, what will Nick think at all this, at how pathetic you're being?" she asked, curious to see if the serum was about to run out, given how much stronger his pleas sounded now.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"He'd be ashamed.... he'd hate... how weak I am... He'd leave me for someone better... like... like he should" Connor whispered, the words falling unhindered from his lips, only his pained breathing slowing them.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen smiled cruelly at that final omission, "yes, you know he will leave, why do you keep up this pretence that Nick cares about you? If he saw you right now, being this pathetic mess ...you should have taken my deal to return to Fandom Connor, you know Nick won't stay with you after this don't you?" The truth serum seemed to be fading but Helen wasn’t done. She had burned her mark in Connor’s foot but she wanted something more visible, so that Nick would see that she’d left her mark on his lover. “You know I think we need to add more, one is not enough, I think we need to be more thorough, something for Nick to see,” and then she pressed the poker hard on Connor’s stomach near his hip.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor looked up at Helen a look of terror on his face as she brought down the poker. She essentially had him trapped against the wall with nowhere to go. Connor's body stiffened as he screamed in pain against the burn of the brand. He tried to fight back, trying to kick at Helen to push her away or knock the poker out of her hand. He tried to turn and scramble away, but he could do nothing but take it and pray Helen would be done soon.
Helen(itsananomaly)	“No …it’s not enough,” Helen sneered as she admired her work, “turn around,” she ordered, realising that having Connor with his back to the wall was going to be an issue.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor resisted a moment, but a less-than-gentle nudge from Helen's boot made him shift, and he found himself facing away from Helen. He trembled, knowing she wasn't done with him yet and trying to prepare himself for whatever was coming. A whimper of pain escaped his lips as he made a desperate attempt to try and move away from Helen before she could inflict any more pain.
Helen(itsananomaly)	“There that wasn’t so hard was it?” Helen purred as she ran a finger slowly down his spine, “one last one, a mark just for me,” and then she pressed the poker in the small of his back. Helen smiled cruelly , "you know Nick will leave, why do you keep up this pretence that Nick cares about you? If he saw you right now, being this pathetic mess ...you should have taken my deal to return to Fandom Connor, you know Nick won't stay with you after this don't you?"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor trembled at the touch of Helen's nail down his spine, the shiver of fear replaced by the searing blinding pain as she branded his back. Another scream fell from his lips as his body convulsed with the pain. It felt like Helen was never going to move it and Connor thought he would pass out before she finally did. Connor curled up on the ground, his body shaking against the pain as the serum finally wore off. He didn't care he just wanted the pain to end. And as he felt his head start to spin and his body go numb with that blessed promise of unconsciousness, a single phrase slipped from his lips as he finally passed out. One simple yet heart-shattering phrase- "I know."
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen sneered as she stood over Connor's prone form, before giving it a swift kick to make sure that Connor had passed out, "this really is pathetic," she muttered, "why Nick chose you, I'll never know," after a few moments, she took the poker and stalked out of the cell, closing the door behind her.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	The pain had ended up being too much for Cutter to bear and he had not moved from the spot where Helen had left him the previous day. He lay there, trembling as he tried to keep his hands still because the slightest movement caused ricochet's of pain to pass through his body and he kept letting out sobs of pain. He knew he must look a pathetic sight, laying there naked on the floor, trying to keep his broken hands still as he let out sobs. He hadn't been able to sleep much, only getting a few hours here and there, he was starting to doubt that rescue was coming ... that he was going to die here.
Leek(thearcfamily)	At some point later that morning, the cell door creaked open and the sound of footsteps echoed in the still and quiet chamber as the door closed loudly once more. If Cutter was conscious enough to open his eyes, he'd likely see a pair of rather expensive-looking shoes in front of him rather than the boots he was probably all too intimately familiar with at this point. "My, how the proud and mighty have fallen," Leek said with a sly grin as he took in the prone and broken form in front of him.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter tensed at that all too familiar voice, the truth was he had actually forgotten about Leek in all of this ... how long had it been since Lester had taken his men to go and get Leek? Obviously they had failed. He forced himself to open his eyes but he wasn't able to do much else, "so you've crawled out of your hiding place have you?" he managed to gasp out. He was trying to not give Leek the satisfaction of seeing him so broken and helpless.
Leek(thearcfamily)	"If there's anyone doing any crawling around here, it seems to be you, Cutter" he said with a cold laugh. He walked over to the table and grabbed the chair that was there and brought it over, setting it down in front of Cutter. "I figured you and your... whatever you want to call him... have been here for a while and I had not stopped by for a proper chat," Leek said as he sat down in the chair and looked at Cutter with a grin.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter winced as spasms of pain tore through his body and he tried to stop himself from crying out but it still escaped and he let out a sob at that. "You really shouldn't have," Cutter managed to grumble, he lifted his head slightly up to try and look at Leek as much as he could, "I'm sure you have better things to do with your time,"
Leek(thearcfamily)	"More important... maybe," Leek said with a slight nod. "More enlightening... not at all." Leek shifted in the chair slightly so he was leaning forward almost as if he was actually trying to engage with Cutter as he spoke. "See, you and I, we are more alike than you realize. We both absolutely hate not being in control." Leek looked down at the prone form before him and sneered. "And it looks like you are getting a first-class demonstration on what that feels like. Aren't you, Professor?" he asked, accentuating that title with a rough nudge of the hand that lay closest to him.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter let out a cry at that rough nudge of his hand and he tried to bite down a scream but one still escaped and his body trembled. "We're nothing alike," he managed to get out, tears springing in his eyes as he did.
Leek(thearcfamily)	Leek stood and walked over and stared down at Cutter, a sly grin on his face. "You know, you are right Cutter. And from where I am standing.... I'd say that the advantage is mine!" And then without warning, Leek pulled back and gave a swift, but not all that powerful, kick to Cutter's ribs and then kicked again as he instinctively curled up, the blow hitting Cutter in the back.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter's whole body spasmed and he cried out as Leek kicked him in the ribs and the back. There was no where he could move to shield himself from the blows and Cutter let out cries of pain as Leek kicked him, he wanted it to stop but he refused to give Leek the satisfaction of seeing him beg. His body felt like it was on fire but he just had to hold out a little more, Leek would get bored of him surely?
Leek(thearcfamily)	Was more that Leek was a man used to having others do the dirty work for him and he didn't have the stomach or stamina for much of the hands-on work. But it did feel nice, especially to see someone who otherwise he would have found a bit intimidating cowering on the ground whimpering like a kicked dog. Leek got in a few more kicks before he stopped, breathing a little heavy from the abnormal amount of energy and exertion. He stared down at Cutter and sneered. "It is a pity though really, you could have been so much more, Cutter, if you had just chosen the right side."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter just kept sobbing, even though the kicks weren't very powerful, it still hurt as each blow landed. "Go to hell," was all that he could say and even that took more effort than it should have.
Helen(itsananomaly)	And that was the moment that Helen chose to enter, carrying the poker and ready for her visit with Nick and she stopped when she saw Leek standing there over him. "What are you doing here?" she growled, "I thought you didn't like getting your hands dirty?"
Leek(thearcfamily)	"Just want to check in on our assets," Leek said as he looked at Helen, still standing over Cutter as he did. "Wanted to make sure you hadn't killed this one yet" he said giving Cutter's trembling form a nudge with his foot.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen just gave him a look, especially when Cutter let out another moan of pain, "I have everything under control," she snapped, "since he's very clearly still alive,"
Leek(thearcfamily)	"Yes, well let's not try and change that any time soon no?" Leek said with a smirk. "And do try to remember the bigger goal here, Helen. Cutter and Connor are a means to an end. Wouldn't want to ruin all our plans because you got carried away." Leek gave a sly grin as he looked from Cutter back to Helen and then started walking towards Helen as he headed to the door.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen glowered as Leek approached, "I am fully aware of the bigger goal Leek, we need them broken or they're not much use to us," she told him, "and in future I will not have you question my judgement,"
Leek(thearcfamily)	"In the future, sure. Right now, I'll continue to do so," he said with a smirk and then gave a small nod. With that, he pushed past Helen and walked out the door.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen growled as Leek pushed past her and she slammed the door behind him. The sooner she no longer had to deal with that weasel, the better it would be, it was just unfortunate that she needed his connections and finances to do her experiments. She stormed over to Nick, who was on the floor whimpering, "really Nick, this is pathetic, he couldn't have kicked you that hard,"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter trembled in pain, moaning softly where Leek had kicked him. He didn’t have the energy to look up and face Helen then, he stayed where he was not bothering to look up. He closed his eyes, trying to brace himself for whatever was coming.
Helen(itsananomaly)	It was a pity because if he had looked up, he would have known exactly what was coming. Helen decided to aim the poker straight at the foot and pressed it in hard, Leek had annoyed her so much that she wasn't even in the mood to toy with Nick first before she started inflicting pain.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter had thought nothing could beat the pain of his hands breaking yesterday but somehow this felt worse. Helen held in the poker on his foot and he screamed as it burned into his flesh. He had no way of defending himself as Helen made quick work of his foot and moved on to the next one, repeating the same process. Cutter let out another scream of agony as he tried to fight if off, he had no way of shielding himself from Helen's wrath this time and she seemed particularly vicious with where she was jabbing the poker.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen didn't hold back, once she had finished with the feet she moved to the thighs, wanting to make sure that H would always be there to Nick ... so that he would always remember ... Nick kept screaming as she moved swiftly up his body, after the thighs each had a H burned in them, she burned one in his stomach and then his shoulder blades. She put the poker near his face and Nick closed his eyes, bracing for that final brand, that ultimate public humiliation but she hesitated and stepped back, admiring her work instead. "There you are Nick," she crowed triumphantly, "you will always belong to me and if anyone ever tries to touch you ... be intimate with you, they will see it as well,"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter whimpered from the pain, his whole body was aching, throbbing. He was exhausted, he just wanted to sleep, for it to be over ... he started crying softly.
Helen(itsananomaly)	"God you really are pathetic Nick, I see I'm going to have my work cut out for me to straighten you up after all this," Helen purred and then she bent down, gently stroked Nick's face and she took particular delight when he flinched at her touch, "you'll soon come round to what I'm building for us Nick, what we can accomplish together," Then she bent down, kissed him on the cheek and left him lying on the floor in a whimpering, fetal position.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter had not moved from the fetal position on the floor where Helen had left him after she had attacked him with the poker, he closed his eyes and rocked softly back and forth. When he had woken up earlier, he had noticed that Helen must have stopped by because she had left out a bowl of food that actually seemed to be proper food but he didn't trust it. It was a trick, probably to poison him so he just lay there, curled up and crying softly as he tried to shut out the pain.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Later that day, somewhere around late morning or so, the cell door creaked open. Stephen stepped in, giving a glance behind him as he did as if checking the hallway before stepping in fully and closing the door behind him. He leaned against the door for a moment, almost like he was out of breath and looked over to where Cutter lay. "Oh Nick..." he breathed, his voice low and tight as he walked over and knelt down beside the prone form. "What has she done to you..."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter kept his eyes closed, whimpering, he was imagining this … Stephen wasn’t there, being concerned about what Helen had done, was doing to him. It was his mind playing tricks on him, he wanted comfort and in his confused state had imagined the Stephen he had known, the one he had been intimate with … He let out a sob, not willing to open his eyes. If he kept them closed, Stephen would eventually fade and he would be left alone.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Nick..." Stephen said, his voice still tight. "I'm so sorry," he whispered. As he knelt there, Stephen pulled something out of the small pack he had with him. A moment later, he was draping a blanket around Cutter. It wasn't anything much, in fact it was a bit on the worn side, but it was all he could get his hands on without Helen noticing.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter flinched when the blanket made contact with his skin, he had been so used to pain following any kind of physical contact so it took him a moment of bracing for a blow before he realised that none was coming. He trembled as he felt the warmth that the blanket provided, not even caring that it was on the worn side. He hadn’t worn any clothes in the last few days and it was the first piece of material that anyone had even given him. He forced himself to open his eyes, to lift his head, blinking back tears as he stared up at Stephen. He was still expecting this to be a trick, he looked up at Stephen fearfully.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	That look on Cutter's face was like a knife to the chest for Stephen. And what hurt even more was the knowledge that he deserved every bit of it. He just stayed like that, his own eyes sad and broken. After a few moments, Stephen reached into the pack and pulled out a bottle of water and a small protein bar and set them on the ground in front of Cutter. "Nick... I..." Stephen knew he didn't even deserve the chance to say this and he knew Cutter had no reason to even listen to him. But he still had to say it. "I'm so sorry."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter started crying softly as Stephen took out the water and the protein bar, he glanced from Stephen to the food and then to his hands and realised that he was going to have trouble feeding himself. After all this and he couldn’t even do something that simple. Pain surged through him and he tried to stop himself from crying out as he moved his shattered and broken hands closer to the food. He didn’t understand any of this … Stephen hated him, for choosing Connor …why was he apologising? He couldn’t speak, he just sobbed, wincing as each sob meant more pain.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen shifted, slowly so as not to startle Cutter and tried to help him get into a better position. Reaching for the bottle he undid the cap, and took a drink of it himself, trying to let Cutter know it was safe and then held it up to Cutter's lips. "Easy, Nick..." he said softly, knowing that though Helen had been leaving water it was far from the cleanest and not nearly enough. "Nice and slow" he said as he watched Cutter closely.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter winced at the effort it took to get him seated again, he felt ridiculous but the alternative was starving, he trembled, still terrified that this was all a trick but his need for water was outweighing his fear and the bottle looked better than the water Helen had provided for him and he was so thirsty. When those first drops of water hit his tongue, it was the most wonderful thing he had ever drank and he wanted more and even though Stephen was telling him to take it easy, he still drank quickly.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Hey, hey..." Stephen said pulling the bottle away for a moment. "Don't want it all coming up again." He let Cutter have a little more then set the bottle down and opened the wrapper. Stephen broke a small piece off and held it out, hoping Cutter would maybe take some of it. He knew he couldn't let him have much. That going from eating hardly anything to eating too much could be as bad as the nearly starving. He watched Cutter closely, wanting to say something, anything, but any words he had wanted to say weren't making it past the tightness in his chest just then.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Somewhere in the logical part of Cutter’s mind he knew that but he was so thirsty and he whimpered when Stephen put the water back, he trembled as he tried to have the strength to sit up. Cutter eyed the food, he knew that he should eat something, since the only food he'd eaten was dog food but the idea of eating was still a lot. He tried to reach out for the food but found he didn’t have the strength to take it from Stephen. He closed his eyes, giving a small sob as he realised he wasn’t going to be able to feed himself.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen was never good at this caring nurturing stuff. He would much rather just shoot things to be honest. But he was trying. Trying, and likely failing, to balance that line of trying to help Cutter without making him feel even worse about the situation than he already was. "Hey, I got you Nick..." he said as he broke a smaller piece off and held it out . He knew after everything Helen had done and everything she had put him through the last thing Cutter needed was to feel he was being forced into anything.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter somehow managed to reach out and carefully pick up the small piece of food that Stephen was offering, he knew he had to eat and he was grateful that Stephen was not trying to force feed him. After the last few days, he wasn’t sure if he could handle anyone force feeding him again. He took a deep breath and ate that small piece careful and started gagging, he wasn’t used to the taste of actual food in so long and found himself spitting it out. He half collapsed from the effort that just trying to eat that took.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen held Cutter up best he could, and sighed. This wasn't what was supposed to happen at all. How had Helen taken it this far? How had HE let it go this far? It was then Stephen realized that maybe in the beginning, back at the start of all this, maybe their plans could have been admirable. Their methods maybe even justified. But this? This was not what he had signed up and Stephen knew he couldn't just sit by and be an accessory to what Helen was doing. "Nick... I....I..." Stephen hesitated, knowing anything he said, any apology he could offer, would sound hollow and empty. Instead, he held the bottle of water up to Cutter's lips so he could drink some more.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	The water seemed to be something that Cutter could at least keep down and he was so thirsty and tired. So very tired. He tried to sit back up but he caught sight of one of several crude H’s that had been imprinted on him on, this one was on his upper thigh and it had come up in a painful blister. He flinched when he saw it. His body spasmed just then and he let out a cry of a pain, he didn’t know why Stephen was there but he didn’t want to be alone. “My fault,” Cutter managed to groan, “it’s all my fault …deserve this,” and then fell silent again.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	"You have said some ridiculous things Nick.... that has to be one of the most absurd," Stephen said, the self-loathing evident as he spoke. "It it's anyone's fault... It's mine." Stephen sat there, not knowing what to do. Frankly he was surprised Cutter wasn't using the strength he had to curse him into oblivion just then. "I'm the one who screwed up... and I know it doesn't mean anything. But... I'm going to make this right."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter’s thoughts were all confused, earlier he might have pushed Stephen away but he was hurting and afraid and he just wanted the pain to stop. He trembled, let out a sob and when he heard Stephen say that he wasn't the one to blame, that Stephen was taking the blame ... He started crying. “It…not a team player…pushed you away, shouldn’t have…” it came out in a rush, he missed Stephen, missed what they’d had and he knew that even if they got out of this, that after this it was never going to be the same and that hurt even worse. Then he fell silent, sitting there openly crying, it was like once he started he couldn’t stop.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Not like I gave you much of an option," Stephen said. And as he sat here, the past flooding back against the barricade he had fought for so long to keep up, and the realization of what he had let Helen do, what he had done... Stephen knew he could never do enough to earn even a hope of forgiveness. Seeing Cutter so broken, so weak, so completely undone made Stephen realize just how wrong he had been. About Helen. About the anomalies. About Nick and Connor. About everything. In that moment, Stephen knew he would do anything in his power to get Cutter out and away from Helen. Even if Cutter decided he never wanted to see him again.... at least he would know he tried to make things right in the end. "I'm going to get you out Nick... I'm going to get you out of here," he said softly, leaning his head against Cutter's lightly as he felt Cutter leaning against him. "I promise," he whispered.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter desperately wanted to believe that as he leaned against Stephen, trying to stop sobbing. It was the first glimmer of hope that he'd had since he'd been kidnapped, "what about Helen?" he whispered, wishing his body would stop shaking so much.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Leave Helen to me, alright?" Stephen said trying to sound more confident than he felt. He knew he had to get Cutter out of here, Connor too. He just had no idea how to do that just yet. But he had to keep Cutter from giving up before he was able to figure something out. "I'll figure it out, Nick."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter closed his eyes for a moment, he really wished he could believe that Stephen was telling him the truth, that he could get them out. "I ... I want to go home," he said softly. He wanted to go back to Fandom, he wanted to go back and be with Connor, to try and forget that any of this had ever happened but he knew that he would never be able to forget. Helen had made sure that he would bear those scars for many years to come if not the rest of his life.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I know Nick...." Stephen said, as he held his friend, the man he had once called his best friend, his lover, his partner in crime, he held him close. The words Stephen wanted to say caught in his throat as he felt his vision go blurry as tears he didn't know were there till that moment started to roll down his face silently.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter didn't have the strength to say anything else, he just sat there, leaning against Stephen ... hardly daring to believe that this was real, he was expecting to wake up and find this conversation had been all a dream. He kept sobbing quietly for a few moments. "Do..." he finally calmed down enough to ask something that he wasn't sure if he wanted to know the answer to, "do you think anyone is looking for us?" Had Stephen even been back to the ARC since this had gone down? Did they know that he was here or did they think he was missing too?
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen was silent for a moment. He felt the phone in his pocket and then knew what he had to do. "I'm sure they are, Nick... Ya got a good team there. I'm sure Jenny is pulling every resource she has.... and Lester is probably threatening everyone he can get on the phone," Stephen said as he gently rubbed Cutter's shoulder, gauging his reaction to make sure it wasn't hurting him too much. Stephen took the blanket and pulled it around Cutter a bit more. "Just gotta hold on a little longer for me, alright?"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter flinched at the shoulder rub, letting out a soft cry of pain, there was a H burn mark right near the shoulder blade … it was the closest she got without burning his face, he wasn’t sure what had made her stop … she seemed like she was going to and then changed her mind. “I … I’ll try,” he whispered, it was the only thing he could do, “I … it’s hard … it hurts,” he trembled.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen stilled his hand, a whispered apology falling as he watched Cutter. "I know it does, Nick...." he said softly. "I'm sorry... I-I'm so... so sorry." He knew that if Cutter even gave him a fraction of the forgiveness he was asking for it was more than he would ever deserve. Stephen needed him to know. Whether he believed it or accepted it, he at least needed Cutter to hear the words. "I'll get you out of here..."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter trembled, he was finding he didn't have the strength to sit up, so he was sliding more and more against Stephen as he did. "Thank you," he whispered, he so desperately wanted to believe that he could leave, that he and Connor could go back to Fandom, "be ... be careful," he managed to croak out. He knew all too world what kind of sadistic torture that Helen would have lined up for Stephen if he got caught.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen helped Cutter into as comfortable a position as possible, building him down until he was laying on the floor, head resting on Stephen's leg. "I will..." he said softly. As they sat there, Stephen couldn't help but think back to times, much much happier times in the past, when the two of them had sat much like this... talking about everything and nothing... just enjoying being together...enjoying loving each other in their own way. Without really even thinking, Stephen's hand went to Cutter's head, gently stroking his hair as he did, just like he used to do to help him fall asleep.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter tensed at the touch and then relaxed, feeling rather confused because it had been so long since Stephen had touched him like that, he didn't think that Stephen still cared. "You ...you ..." he couldn't think of the words to say, "you still remember?" he looked tiredly up at him with a very tiny smile, "I ... I liked this, it helped me sleep..." he let out a yawn.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen just nodded, a small sad smile of his own showing as he kept gently stroking Cutter's hair. He wanted him to drift off. Stephen hated the idea of slipping away like that, but he figured it was better than sending Cutter into a panic the entire time he tried to leave.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter yawned a few more times and then slowly, carefully started to close his eyes. Then as he started to close his eyes, he shifted his head a bit on Stephen's leg to get comfortable, "thank you," he mumbled and then a few moments later he had fallen asleep.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen sat there, quiet, not saying anything as he watched Cutter sleep for a bit, making sure he was good and out. Then slowly, he leaned over and placed a soft kiss on the top of Cutter's head. "Love you Nick," he whispered softly. Then as carefully as he could, Stephen slid out from under Cutter, pulling the blanket around him a bit better and stood. He left the bottle of water uncapped and the bit of food where Cutter could get it easily if he wanted. Stephen hesitated by the door, looking back at Cutter and then, with a heavy sigh, walked out and closed the cell door behind him.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor lay on the floor of the cell, shivering and trembling. Not so much from cold but from the pain and the fear he felt coursing through his entire body. As he lay there, Connor tried to think of something, anything, other than the pain. He tried to think of one thing that didn't hurt.... he wasn't having much luck. And every time he started to drift off into the blackness of unconsciousness, he was quickly forced back to the pain as the panic of who might walk through the door jolted him painfully back to consciousness. This time it was the waves of pain washing over him, sending his stomach twisting and his body convulsing as his stomach tried to empty itself of something that wasn't even there anymore. As painful as throwing up was, Connor was convinced the dry heaving was possibly even worse. And so Connor lay there shivering, the tears that could still fall silently running down his face as he did.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen wasn't sure what to expect. After what he saw with Nick, he was almost afraid to open the door. But he also knew he had to. Everything had gone sideways, and it was partly his fault. He had to face that fact and do what he could to start making it right. However meaningless the attempt might be in the grand scheme of things. With a heavy sigh, Stephen pushed the door of the cell open and walked in. And whatever he might have expected to see, what he actually saw was in some ways even worse. "Connor...."
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor registered the door opening and he felt a shiver run through his body, making it tremble more than it already was. He was half sitting half laying near the wall, doubled over from the pain and exertion of the coughing and dry heaving. He expected to hear Helen's voice. But there was silence. And then.... Stephen? Connor lifted his head as he gasped for breath and looked at Stephen. He didn't have the energy to try and move away as he walked over. Connor only flinched slightly expecting a hit or kick to be soon following. He closed his eyes and tried to brace himself.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen had hoped Helen had been exaggerating, overplaying how bad Connor was to try and get at Cutter. What he saw when he walked on was not far off from what Helen had been throwing Cutter's face. He had seen Connor take on creatures and his fair share of injuries and sure, the kid could whine and moan at times, but Stephen couldn't remember seeing him broken like this ever. Walking over, wincing slightly at how Connor seemed to recoil from him even as bad a shape as he was in, Stephen sighed. He deserved that. He waited a minute then slowly dropped to his knees, near but hopefully still enough away that Connor wouldn't panic too much. "It's... it's alright Connor..." he said softly as he reached into the pack he had with him, and much like he had done with Cutter just a short time ago, pulled out a blanket and dropped it over him.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor tried to pull away at the movement, and he froze for a moment, trying to make sense of what was going on. He still braced himself for the pain, but there was nothing. Lifting his head slowly, he looked up at Stephen, a questioning look on his face. "Wha... what.. are..." Connor couldn't finish the simple question as another coughing fit laid hold, doubling him over at the pain as he tried to catch his breath. He tried to pull himself a bit more upright, his broken hand lying limp and useless beside him. Connor closed his eyes against the pain that shot through him with every cough, the tightness in his stomach making his eyes water as he choked back a sob as the vicious cycle from the last few hours started up all over again.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Easy there, Connor..." he said as he shifted a little closer and put a hand on Connor's back. He felt Connor pull away and Stephen pulled his hand back for a minute before putting it back again. "Come on... let's get you upright.." he said as he tried to help Connor sit up and got him propped up against the wall. He saw the wary look Connor was giving him and he turned to the pack and pulled out a bottle of water and a protein bar just as he had with Cutter. "Think you can get something into that stomach of yours?" he asked gently, knowing that the way Connor was going, his stomach had likely been emptied hours ago and he was on a fast track to severe dehydration at this point.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor wanted to say no, that the thought of putting anything in his stomach at that point sounded like hell on earth. But at the same time he was so thirsty, and his eyes were probably giving Stephen all the answer he needed because he watched as he undid the cap and held the bottle out. Connor looked at it hungrily and tried to lift his good hand to take it, But the strain of just trying to sit upright had left him absolutely exhausted. He looked at Stephen, a mix of suspicion and desperation in his eyes. Stephen seemed to understand and lifted the bottle up and Connor reluctantly leaned over to take a drink. The instant the cold clean water hit his tongue, he started drinking as fast as he could, hand going up to the bottle to try and pull it away from Stephen even as he chocked and started to gag as soon as the water hit his stomach.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Not too fast there... easy does it" Stephen said as he gently pulled the bottle away. He gave a small smirk as he heard what sounded like a muttered curse from Connor as he tried to still the coughing fit, still reaching for the bottle. He at least had some fight in him.... which was good considering what plans Helen had and what her goal seemed to be. Stephen pulled the blanket up around Connor's shoulders a bit more and then handed him the bottle, still watching to make sure he didn't try to just chug it all down at once.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor knew the logic of what Stephen was saying but at that moment the last thing he wanted to do was listen to him. He was desperate for the water, and he knew the risk he was taking trusting Stpehen like this....but he just wanted more of that water. He flinched slightly as Stephen pulled the blanket around him, not sure if it was a diversion or him trying to catch him off guard. He glanced over as he took the bottle and lifted it to his lips, fighting the urge to down it all in one go. "Wh.. why are... you doing this?" He asked, the specific "this" being left open because in Connor's mind there were a lot of things Stephen needed to explain himself over.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Because I was wrong..." Stephen said, jumping to that one "thing" for the sake of the current one he was trying to focus on. "I was wrong for what I did to you... to Nick... I let my jealousy get in the way. I let Helen get to me." Stephen fell silent for a moment and sighed. He knew this wasn't going to be easy and that Connor would likely have the harder time trusting him. "I- I know nothing I say.... nothing can make up for it. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness... or Nick's. But... I am going to make this right. I'm going to get the two of you out of here."
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor eyed Stephen warily as he lowered the bottle for a moment. He sat silent for a moment, then turned and face Stephen again with a slight sigh. "I guess if you had been planning to poison me, you would have done so already," he said with the faintest of smirks. He still wasn't sure how much he trusted what Stephen was saying, but he hadn't done anything violent yet. Maybe there was some truth.... maybe he had finally seen what Helen was really about.... Not that that excused what he had done, but.... "Do... you really think... we can get out of here?" Connor didn't want to get his hopes up that easily. But the pain was getting to be too much. He didn't know how much longer he would last. And he was terrified thinking about what Cutter was going through. "Is... how... is Nick alright?" he asked the question he was desperate and terrified to know the answer to falling past his lips before he could stop it. If this was really all an act from Stephen, then he was playing right into his hands. But at that moment, Connor didn't care. He needed to know.
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen didn't know how to answer that. The contrast between Connor and Cutter, even at this point, just drove home not only how bad things had gotten, but also just how close Cutter was to breaking for good. And that realization terrified him in a way... Connor still seemed to have some fight, some fire in him, even though he was clearly at his limits. Cutter seemed utterly broken and about to give up, if he hadn't already. "Nick's alive, Connor. He's still fighting" Stephen said simply, really hoping that the partial truth was enough to keep Connor going. He knew he was out of time. He couldn't wait any longer... If Connor lost Nick he knew there'd be nothing he could do. And if Nick thought he had lost Connor... "You both are going to get out of here Connor," Stephen said with a small nod and a hopefully reassuring smile. Now if only Stephen could believe it himself.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor nodded slowly, still not sure he trusted Stpehen fully and trying desperately to not let himself get his hopes up too much. But hearing confirmation, no matter how unreliable it might be in reality, hearing that Cutter was still alive, it gave him hope. "Just... get Nick out ok?" Connor said as he winced at the waves of pain washing over him again, his head throbbing and his body starting to tremble. "If it's between... Nick and me... get Nick out of here ok? Promise... promise me, Stephen."
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I... I promise, I'm going to do all I can... to make this right," Stephen said. He knew that was a small promise, and he also knew he couldn't make any other promise that would mean anything to Connor. "I will get you AND Nick out of here." Stephen sat quite for a moment, sitting there beside Connor. He thought again to the phone in his pocket and decided then and there he would do what needed to be done. "You just hang in there ok? I'll do everything I can to keep Helen off you guys as much as I can."
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor nodded numbly, his mind still half screaming at him to not believe what Stephen was saying, the other half resigned to just accept that he was likely never getting out of the place alive and he was never going to see Nick again. And in that moment the sliver of hope he had with trusting Stephen was all worth it, because it meant there was a chance that at least Nick could get out and survive this ordeal. "I don't know how much longer I can" he said simply, the pain flaring again as his entire body ached and he started shivering again, despite the blanket pulled tightly around his shoulders. "Just... just get Nick out..." Connor said as he clenched his jaw and laid his head back against the wall. "Nick is... all that... matters now...."
Stephen(anomaly_research_nerd)	Stephen reached over and put a hand on Connor's shoulder, not saying a word. What could he say? No words would change anything or make things right. He knew what he had to do and then maybe, if he pulled this off, if they all managed to survive, maybe then he would be able to look Connor in the eyes again. Stephen sat with Connor for some time, until finally, the exhaustion took hold and Connor drifted off into a light and fitful sleep, propped up there against the wall. Slowly, silently, Stephen stood and walked out the door, giving one last look back to the bruised and broken form in the cell. It couldn't end like this.... it wouldn't end like this.... he wouldn't let it.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter had woken up curled on the floor in the worn blanket that Stephen had left. He realised with a pang that Stephen had left at some point, of course had … why would he want to stay around him, the broken pathetic mess that he now was. He let out a sob, groaned as the pain rocked through him, he wished he could fall back asleep, to wait for the rescue that Stephen had promised. He wanted so desperately to believe that a rescue was coming but it was so hard now …
Helen(itsananomaly)	It was time for one final test, to push Nick beyond that breaking point ... to make him give up and join her and Stephen in their plan. Stephen's pitiful attempt to comfort Nick yesterday had given her an idea and she'd brought a bottle of water and some dried fruit, to undo the potential damage that Stephen had done ... if he'd given Nick even that glimmer of hope... She shook her head as she stepped into his cell and walked over to him, "oh, good, you're awake,"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter flinched as Helen walked over to him, his heart sinking when he realised it wasn't Stephen ... that there was no sign of help. He kept waiting for a blow, the physical pain that always followed when Helen visited, he curled up on the floor, holding tightly to his blanket in fear that she would take it from him and he would be exposed to her again.
Helen(itsananomaly)	"Oh Nick..." Helen said softly, as she sat down next to him and gently helped him up sit, "I know how hard this all is but it's going to be worth it, trust me ... you'll be thanking me when we're all in the future, everything will be alright then,"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Not ..." Cutter trembled, knowing that this would make her angry, "not going to future ... I want ... I want to go home ... with ... with Connor," he let out a sob, hating himself for being so weak.
Helen(itsananomaly)	"Oh Nick..." Helen signed, her hand to his back where she hadn't burned it so she knew it wouldn't cause pain, "I'm afraid that won't be possible," she waited a few moments and then handed him a bottle of water, "here, drink this ... I know this helped when Stephen was in here yesterday," She hoped if she mentioned that she knew Stephen had been in here that Cutter might suspect that they were playing a cruel trick, that it was a ruse to get to him to drink some clean water, try eating something other than dog food ... keep him alive just that little bit longer.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter closed his eyes at that, that Stephen didn't care about him after all ...it was part of his and Helen's cruel plan. But he was still incredibly thirsty and even though a part of him did wonder that the water wouldn't be poisoned, he was just too tired to resist any more. "You can put a stop to this Helen ... please let us go, I won't tell them anything about this," he pleaded once he had drunk down several gulps of water, "please ..."
Helen(itsananomaly)	"I wish I could," Helen said softly, "... that's why I came to see you ... I have some unfortunate news Nick," she paused, prolonging it just a little bit more, "Connor didn't make it ... he died last night,"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	That last tiny bit of hope that Cutter had that he could get Connor out of this, that they could return to Fandom and they could move on with their lives. Somewhere in the back of his mind, was a tiny sliver of doubt … that Helen had played this trick before with the gloves, made him think he was dead but something felt different this time. His mind went blank, he couldn't process the idea that Connor was really gone, he leaned against Helen, the fight completely gone, "how ... why ... no ... no ... Connor ..." he sobbed, "Connor ... please ... please tell me this is just some twisted trick Helen, please tell me that Connor's not dead ... he can't be ..."
Helen(itsananomaly)	"I couldn't get to him in time," Helen said gently, "Stephen ... he was just too jealous, went to far by the time I got to Connor ..." she gently rubbed Nick's back where she knew the burn marks wouldn't be so it wouldn't cause him more pain, "it was very quick,"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Stephen had killed Connor ... Cutter started sobbing at that, "no ... no ... Stephen ... he ... he was ...he promised..." It had been a trick, he should never have trusted Stephen ... had it all really been a ploy to get him to eat/drink something?
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen sat with him, letting him cry as long as he needed, she hid the smile at how well this seemed to be working that Nick was well and truly broken, she waited for a few more moments and then she started again, "you know ... it doesn't have to end this way, there is a way that we can save Connor, bring him back to life,"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter went very still, looking up at her, hardly daring to believe it, "...how?" he whispered, "it's ... it's not possible,"
Helen(itsananomaly)	"Oh but it is ... with the right technology and the right equipment ... we need to go to the future," Helen smiled sweetly, "unfortunately we're missing a tiny piece of information and we need your help to make it possible," She waited for that information to begin to sink in.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	It felt like Cutter couldn't breathe as he tried to understand what Helen was asking, "what ... what do you need from me?" he finally asked in a quiet voice. He hated how weak this was making him feel but he had to believe there was still a chance for him to get Connor back, that they would all be okay.
Helen(itsananomaly)	"We have a lot of the knowledge and equipment already that we need to set up our experiments," Helen told him, "but there's somethings that even Leek and I don't know about the anomalies, what you've experienced with them ... your understanding of them, we need your help to finalise the calculations to set up a stable gateway to the future anomaly, from there we can do the experiments we need to, to bring Connor back and then we'll all be together ... can you help us Nick? Help us get to the future, you'd like that wouldn't you, all of us there ... me, you and Connor,"
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter trembled, somewhere deep down he knew this was wrong, that they shouldn't be messing with time and people's lives likes this but it was Connor ... he couldn't live without Connor, he had to take the chance, to bring him back. "I ..." and then he uttered the rest of the words that would haunt him for the rest of his life, "I can help you,"