The ARC, London

[itsananomaly]

Cutter didn't know how long it had been since Helen had left them in the cell, "Connor, do you think the others will be alright," he finally asked, still feeling guilty that they were all in this position because of him. [the next part of the update. Adapted in parts from Series 3 Episode 3 'Medical Mayhem'. Major CW for violence, assault and emetophobia. Preplayed with the amazing anomaly_research_nerd. NFB but OOC welcome!].

Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I'm sure they will be ok" Connor said trying to sound more hopeful than he felt. "I wonder how long it's been though... lose all sense of time in a place like this."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter tried to look around the room but it was too dark to really tell, "it feels like its been a while since Helen left," he said softly, "its probably part of her game, trying to make us break before she even comes back," he would not put that past her or Christine.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"At least we are still together this time" Connor said as he put his arm around Cutter and held him close. It had been his biggest fear at first so he was very glad they hadn't been separated yet. .
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"I'm glad we're still together as well," Cutter said softly as he leaned against Connor, he didn't want to think about the idea of them being separated again, "I don't think I could make it if we were separated again,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"You know it is all part of her plan though... keeping us together this time" Connor said with a sigh. "She wants to make us watch... see everything his time. Before it was the fear of not knowing she used. This time, he's using the fear of what we can't escape." Connor shifted and laced his fingers with Cutter's as he took his hand and looked down at the ring on his finger. "But I'm right here Nick... I am not going anywhere. I promise."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"I know," Cutter said softly as he held Connor's hand, "I'm not going anywhere either, I'm ... I'm scared of what she's going to do, to us ... to you," he trembled, "I don't want her to hurt you Connor,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"And I don't want her to hurt you either Nick" Connor said softly. "But we know she will. We have to try and stop her... she can't get the anomaly... Christine and Wilder can't get the artifact. Lester, Danny, Becker, and the others... they are all going to be fighting and holding back... we have to do the same, no matter what she does."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter nodded, taking a deep breath as he tried to calm himself, "we have to stop them," he said softly, "we have to find a way to fight them, if they get a hold of that future anomaly and the artefact, we won't be able to do that, Helen's already perfected the cloning technology, what other technology has she gotten a hold of and improved to her advantage?" he shivered at the idea.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor nodded and closed his eyes, the sick feeling in his stomach growing as he remembered seeing Helen's army of clones... and the clone of Cutter in particular. "I'm just glad she... didn't do that to Stephen," he said softly. It was an odd thing and Connor didn't know why the thought of there being clones of Stephen was as unnerving as the thought of a Nick clone running around. But in a way it was. "We have to stop her, you're right. This is just the beginner for her" he said as he gave a shiver of his own and held Cutter close.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter trembled as he leaned against Connor, "do you ... do you think she might have tried to clone him as well before she ... well ... ?" he didn't like the idea of Helen and her experiments, it was bad enough there was a clone of him with Helen.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I don't know... she's obviously had time to perfect getting to your clone" he said as he shook his head. "I don't know what her end game is other than getting control over the future anomaly and future tech... but she's clearly going to do whatever she can." Connor stopped just then as he thought he heard something out in the hallway. He tightened his arms around Cutter and stared at the door in fear as he swallowed hard.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Cutter kept as close to Connor as he could as the sound of the door turning could be heard and in stepped Helen and some soldiers, Cutter noticed with sickening feeling that they were carrying bowls of dog food and water. "Well, well well, hello boys did you miss me?"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor saw the bowls too and he immediately felt himself almost gag as the memory of the dog food came flooding back to him. He didn't say a word, just glared at Helen as he wrapped his arms around Cutter. .
Helen(itsananomaly)	"What nothing to say to me?" Helen shook her head in mock disappointment, "pity, oh well I brought you breakfast, you must be hungry, its your favourite," and then the soldiers brought the bowls down in front of them.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	For a moment he didn’t move, his eyes fixed on the bow the soldiers set on the floor in front of them. Slowly, Connor reached out towards the bowl closest to him and then lifting his gaze to Helen he shoved the bowl away, spilling the contents as he did. "Not hungry" he said simply.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen smirked, "now, now don't be like that Connor, you know all too well what will happen if you refuse," she said and then she pushed the bowl back towards Connor, "eat, or I will force you to eat,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor didn't move even as Helen pushed the food bowl back towards him. He just stared at her unmoving and silent. Then he saw Helen nod and the next instant the clone soldier closest to him had his hand on the back of his head and forced him down, showing his face hard against the stone floor. Connor struggled but the soldier's hold was form and he just shoved his face harder against the floor, trying to force him to lick the spilled food up like a dog.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Connor!" Cutter yelled as Connor was forced to the floor, "no, leave him alone! Helen please!" then the next thing he knew was that one of the soldiers was grabbing him and forcing him straight into the bowl of dog food. He tried to keep his mouth closed, refused to eat anything but the smell was too overwhelming, the memories of the last time this happened came flooding back and he started thrashing, gasping as his head was kept there.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor struggled against the hold but he eventually had to breathe and the solder chuckled as he shoved his face into the food forcing him to eat. "Nick... Helen stop! Stop it" he said as he choked on the food as it was forced into his mouth. The pain coupled with the nausea was making him shake as he tried to get free.
Helen(itsananomaly)	"This stops when you both finish eating," Helen told them, taking great satisfaction in seeing them struggle, "you're only making this harder for yourselves," Cutter was sobbing as his face was covered in dog food, his eyes watering but finally he had to breathe and that was when he inhaled some of the food and he started gagging.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor tried to turn his head to check on Nick. As he did he tried to kick at the soldier who was pinning him down but that just earned a knee planted firmly in his back. Connor cried out in pain and half choked on the dog food that was shoved in his face once again. He swallowed and started gagging as he struggled to catch his breath. .
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter was still sobbing, he had stopped thrashing but he was still refusing to eat the dog food. The soldier, tired of how long this was taking, lifted Cutter's head out of the bowl so that he would be forced to take a breath and then shoved his face back in there, resulting in Cutter taking a mouthful of food, he started gagging again.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	The tears were falling down Connor's face as well both from the pain and from the humiliation as the soldier shifted his eight. With his knee pinning Connor down on the floor he reached out with his hands and pulled Connor's arms back behind him sharply the silent threat there that he could easily break or dislocate his arms if he wanted. Connor cried out in pain, choking down the mouthful of food as he sobbed, the thrashing slowing and then stopping.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter desperately wanted to be with Connor, but he couldn't move with the weight of the soldier pinging him down, he cried out in pain as he was given a shove by the soldier and he ended up swallowing more dog food. He wanted this to stop, he knew that it would stop when he finished the food but he couldn't do it, there were too many memories from last time, he didn't want to do this again. Another shove and he forced himself to eat another mouthful, gagging as he did.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor cried out and as he closed his eyes. The dog food was forced into his mouth and as he started to choke he felt his stomach churn and the next thing he knew he was gagging and what little he had swallowed started to come up. Connor choked and trembled as he was sick, hearing the soldier curse as he did. Everything was too much- too real- too familiar and Connor's body was shutting down a little.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen looked disgusted at hearing the sound of Connor being sick, "absolutely pathetic," she spat, "clean that up, both of them," she ordered and Cutter was pulled free from the bowl, he desperately tried to get rid of the dog food that was smeared around his face. "Connor!" he cried as he tried to get to him but another soldier blocked his path. "Oh no," she shook her head, "I have plans for you," she said nodded at the other soldiers who weren't cleaning up the mess and Cutter found himself being dragged towards the wall, "NO!" he cried, "CONNOR!"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	As punishment for being made to clean up the mess one of the soldiers gave Connor a kick in the back. Not hard, he didn't want to face Helen's wrath by acting out of command. Connor cried out and it was then he heard Cutter cry out. He turned and watched at Helen stood between them. "Nick! NICK! No Nick!" he cried as he tried to start crawling towards him, even has he was still coughing and half choking..
Helen(itsananomaly)	"Oh no you don't," Helen spat as she reached out to stop Connor, "I have a special place for you as well," and she nodded to the other soldiers, they started to grab Connor and drag him back towards the other wall. Cutter kept struggling against the soldiers as he found himself being chained to the wall again, it was one singular chain that was holding him up so that he could still move slightly but then they put another chain at his feet, he started sobbing again. How was this happening again?
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor struggled against Helen's grip and made a desperate attempt to lunge for Cutter as the soldiers took hold of him and started to drag him to the other wall. "Nick! No Nick!" he cried as he was dragged back, even as he sank to his knees.
Helen(itsananomaly)	"Chain him up," Helen ordered to the soldiers and smiled at how familiar this all was, "now boys," she smiled, "we're going to have some fun," she walked over to Cutter now that he was properly chained up and then she punched him in the stomach. Cutter cried out in pain but there wasn't anything he could do, the chains stopped him from doubling over.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Nick! Helen leave him alone!" Connor cried out as she struggled against the soldiers. One of them raised his hand and slapped him across the back of the head as they got him chained to the wall but he still struggled to try and get free. "NICK!!!"
Helen(itsananomaly)	"Oh no I've been looking forward to this for a long time," Helen purred as she ran a finger down Cutter's cheek, "we've got a lot of catching up to do don't we boys?" Cutter trembled as he tried to get away from Helen but there was no where for him to go, Helen nodded at one of the soldiers and they stepped forward, carrying a belt and Cutter went pale. "Helen please ..." "Now, now this will end when you tell me what I want to know, I want that future anomaly Nick," Cutter shook his head, "I won't tell you," he said softly, bracing for what was to come. "Have it your way," and then Helen raised the belt and brought it down hard on Cutter's back, Cutter screamed at the impact.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"NICK!!" Connor cried as he pulled at the chains that were now secured around his wrists. "No Helen! Nick!" cried out as he felt tears start to run down his face.
Helen(itsananomaly)	"Shhh..." Helen smiled sweetly over at Connor, "you'll get your turn soon enough," And then she brought down the belt again and again against Cutter, the pain and shock of each lash reverberating threw him and Cutter cried out at that pain but he was determined to not give her what she wanted, even as she kept those blows coming, fast and hard.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor fell silent as he kept pulling desperately at the chains. He watched helplessly, his own body shuddering with every blow as well as he felt a tear roll down his face. He knew Helen would keep at them both, trying to use them to get the other to turn... Connor bit his lip as the lashing continued. He knew soon enough it would be him who Helen was focused on but right then his attention and his concern all lay withe the man he loved, the man he wanted desperately to get to just then..
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter kept crying as blow after blow landed, he knew that Helen meant what she said, with her threat to Connor, if he could keep Helen's attention away from Connor for a while longer he would take the beating. "This is pathetic Nick," Helen growled, "all you have to do is tell me what I want to know about the future anomaly, help me access it again and you are all free to go, you are the reason why your ..." she paused, "oh that's right it's not your team anymore is it?" her eyes gleamed at that and Cutter shivered.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Nick!" Connor finally cried out unable to stay quiet. "Nick don't tell her anything, don't let her win! She cant get the anomaly... It... it's ok NIck... you don't have to protect me! I... I'll be fine" Connor said even as he felt the knots in his stomach intensify when Helen turned and looked at him, fixing him with that cold stare.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Cutter whimpered, struggling against the chains and the pain from the beating, "no Connor, don't Helen ... please leave him alone," he begged but Helen had already started to move towards Connor. "Isn't this sweet ..." she purred and as she had done with Cutter, she ran a finger down Connor's cheek, "are you sure you want to play this game Connor? I can and will make it very uncomfortable for you,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor shuddered as Helen spoke, trembling at both the touch and the tone of her voice. He swallowed hard as he looked at her. "I'm not going to help you Helen.... You are not going to get the anomaly. Ever."
Helen(itsananomaly)	"I think you're wrong about that," Helen tilted her head as a thought struck her, "after all, you're trying to take my husband away from me," and then she went to Connor's hand and pulled off his wedding ring, "Nick is mine and always will be," "We're not together anymore Helen!" Cutter cried as he desperately tried to pull at those chains, "our marriage ended when you chose to live in the anomalies for eight years,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor struggled, clenching his hands tightly to stop Helen from taking the ring and he tried to kick out to keep her away. "Your marriage ended by your own hand Helen! Nick doesn't belong to you, he never has!" Connor yelled as he glared at Helen. 'Nick can choose who he wants to be with. He chooses me! And I choose him!"
Helen(itsananomaly)	"Now that is where you're both wrong, we're still legally married after all, I'm not dead," Helen smiled as she avoided Connor's attempt to kick her and grabbed that ring, "Nick is mine," "I'm not, I'm with Connor now Helen, you need to accept that," Cutter shouted angrily, "I loved you a long time ago but that's in the past now, I've moved on and I chose to move on with Connor!"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Despite his best efforts, Connor let out a cry of pain as Helen pried his hand open and yanked the ring off. She had made the threat to break his hand so bad he'd never be able to wear a ring and she had nearly succeeded. And now Connor feared she would make good on that threat. "You've lost Helen! You know you don't love Nick!" Connor yelled, his emotions getting the better of him just then. "You only care about those who can use and manipulate! You never really loved Nick! You never even really loved Stephen! He died because of you and you cant even pretend to be sorry about it!" Connor knew he was going to pay but after everything Helen had done... to him... to Nick... he couldn't hold it back as the words fell from his lips.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen glared at Connor, putting away the ring in her pocked and then reached up and slapped his cheek sharply, "Stephen knew what he was getting in to," she spat, "his death is on the two of you because you were too weak to sacrifice yourself for the cause," she stopped just then, shaking her head, "no matter, In time I will be able to clone Stephen and we can continue our work, that anomaly will be mine one way or the other,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor let out a hiss of pain at the slap but stared at Helen. "You are insane Helen!" he yelled. "You are going to destroy everything. How many more people have to die before you give up?"
Helen(itsananomaly)	"I am not going to give up," Helen growled, "I am getting what is rightfully mine and that is that anomaly with my husband," and then she took the belt that she was holding and struck Connor hard with it.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor tried to brace himself for the blow he knew was coming. He had been expecting Helen to bring the belt down on his shoulders and back. So, when she swung and the belt hit across his chest Connor was totally unprepared. A scream of pain escaped as he doubled over as much as he could with the chains keeping him in place. Before he could even draw in another breath Helen raised the belt and let it fall again..
Cutter(itsananomaly)	“CONNOR!” Cutter screamed as Helen kept hitting Connor with the belt, “No, Helen stop this … please! Leave him alone! CONNOR!” he struggled desperately to get free but as he did one of the soldiers came up and punched his jaw and he whimpered at the pain.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor cried out at each strike and when there a a brief pause he let out a choked sob as he tried to draw in a full breath. His body was trembling and he felt sick as the waves of pain crashed over him. He tried to open his eyes but everything was blurry even when he did. "Nick.. I-I'm... alright" he said weakly, knowing he was anything but alright but he didn't want Cutter giving up. He was about to say something else when he heard Helen mutter something. It was followed by the sound of the belt cutting through the air and the next instant the pain was erupting all over again as the belt struck his upper leg. Connor screamed in pain as more tears fell down his face.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"No stop please, Helen..." Cutter begged, tears were falling down his cheeks at seeing Connor in pain, "stop hurting him please!" "Now, now Nick we talked about this," Helen paused as she stopped the beating, "you give me what I want, everything I want and then Connor doesn't have to get hurt anymore," Cutter hesitated, his resolve already weakening and he couldn't meet Helen or Connor's eyes as he seriously considered doing what Helen wanted.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Nick.. don't! Y-y-you can't do it." Connor gasped as his legs gave out from under him and he was half standing half hanging from the chains around his wrists. "You know w-w-what she'll do. Don't give her the anomalies...."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Tears were falling down his cheeks as he looked over at Connor, at the state he was in, "she'll keep hurting you ..." he protested, "I ... I love you Connor," he croaked out, he started shaking as he looked up at his fiancé.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"And I love... you... Nick" Connor said as he swallowed back the sob that stuck in his throat just then. "Thats why... we c-c-cant let her win..." he said as he forced his legs back under himself and tried to stand though his entire body trembled and protested the movement.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter stared helplessly back at Connor and then nodded, "I won't let her win," he promised and then forced himself to look back at Helen, "I ... I won't help you Helen, not now or ever," "So be it," Helen growled and then she turned her attention back to Connor and resumed striking him with the belt.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	It only took a few more strikes before his legs gave out again and this time COnnor couldn't get up again. He knelt on the floor, arms stretched painfully in the chains. "Nick... don't... give up" he said as he started to slump forward. "I love you..." his voice trailed off as he finally passed out.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"NOOOO!" Cutter screamed as he fought against the chain, "CONNOR!" he sobbed. Helen smirked and then walked back towards Cutter, he trembled as he eyed that belt. "Last chance, Nick, don't make this any harder than it has to be," "I won't help you," he wished he felt braver than he sounded. "You'll regret that," and then the blows with the belt resumed, Cutter tried to hold on as long as he could, for Connor, he stared helplessly at Connor's unconscious form and then it wasn't long before he started to struggle to conscious, the pain searing through him and then finally, "I love you Connor," and then Cutter passed out. Helen looked rather disappointment as she stared between the unconscious Cutter and Connor and shook her head, "alright we're finished for the minute, we'll be back when they wake up," she told the soldiers and they all left the cell.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	How long he just hung there he didn't know. But when he finally started to come too he was aware of one thing- how much he hurt. He whimpered as he tried to move, to get to his feet to take the weight off his aching arms. It was then one single thought cut through and for a split second, he forgot all about the pain. "Nick? NICK!" he cried as he his head snapped up and he looked at Cutter's limp form. "Oh god... Nick... no..no... NICK!" .
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter could hear someone calling his name but everything hurt just then, he didn't want to move but eventually consciousness forced him to wake up. He blinked as he tried to get his vision to focus, "Co...Connor?" he said softly as he realised they were still in the cell, "is ... is that you?"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor sighed and let out a sob of relief. He had been fearing the worst when Cutter didn't stir at first. "It's me... Nick.." he said as he finally got back to his feet and leaned gingerly against the wall. "I'm s-s-sorry Nick.. so so sorry..."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	“It’s not your fault Connor,” Cutter trembled, “I’m …I’m sorry I was so weak,”
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"You aren't weak Nick... You.. you stood up to Helen" Connor said with a small groan. "You told her no, you denied her. That took a lot... you are far from weak."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	“I made things worse,” Cutter said with a sob and winced at the effort that was taking, “she’s going to be even more determined than ever to make me break, make us break,”
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"We both are making it worse by not giving her what she wants" Connor said as he leaned his head back against the wall. "I... I'm sorry she's hurting you Nick... I love you" he said softly through the shallow breaths his aching chest and ribs were allowing. "Nothing she can do... will ever make me... stop loving you."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"I love you too Connor," Cutter sobbed, "I'm sorry for everything that Helen's done to you, I'm sorry she took your ring, I'm ... " he winced as a spasm of pain went through him, "I'm going to get it back to you," he wasn't sure how at that point with both of them being chained to the wall but he had to do something.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"We'll get the ring back"Connor said as he looked over at his fiance wishing nothing more than to be able to reach out and touch him just then. "Ring or not... i love you and I am still going to marry you... that is a promise. You understand me Nick Cutter? I am going to marry you" Connor said trying to keep Cutter and himself going just then.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	The tears were falling down his cheeks then, "and I'm going to marry you, we're going to have that future we talked about, I'm not going to let Helen ruin this for us, I love you so much Connor,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor nodded and tried to give an encouraging smile even as the tears still fell. He wasn't going to give up, as hopeless as it all seemed. He was going to keep fighting to be with Cutter, or if it ended here in a cell at the hands of Helen again, at least he was with the man he loved. Connor took a shuddering breath and looked towards the door, afraid of who might walk through at any minute. .
Christine(thearcfamily)	Cutter had been terrified that Helen was coming back, he was not ready to see her just yet and then the door opened and his heart sank realising it was Christine, "hello boys," she smiled sweetly as she stepped in with the soldiers, "I see Helen has you all nice and roughed up for me,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor felt his legs start to give out a little as he had to lean against the wall when he saw Christine walk into the cell. He really didn't know who would be worse just then, Helen or Christine. Conor tried to keep his expression neutral as he stared at Christine, but he wasn't doing a good job of keeping the fear out of his eyes despite how hard he was trying.
Christine(thearcfamily)	"What nothing to say to me?" Christine smirked, "I've just paid a visit to your other friends, they're not doing so well you know, their suffering will end if you tell me what I want to know," Cutter's stomach lurched at that but he didn't say anything, even as Christine's gaze lingered on him.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"We're... we're not going to give you... what you want. You or Helen" Connor said trying to sound as confident as he could just then and tried to keep the stutter out of his voice.
Christine(thearcfamily)	"I wouldn't be so sure about that," Christine purred, "how much more suffering do you think you can stand because of what Cutter's putting you through, if he truly loved you he would give me what I want, stop this charade," Cutter trembled, tears falling down his cheeks as he bowed his slightly at that, she was right ... he was the reason why everyone was suffering right then.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor knew what Christine was trying to do and he trie to pull himself more upright as he looked at her. "You are wrong. Nick is a good man who did so much for the team. He's led us all, and protected us and the world, from the anomalies. And from people like you and Helen!"
Christine(thearcfamily)	Christine scoffed, "if he had done such a good job leading you, Stephen would still be here now wouldn't he?" she taunted, "he wouldn't have committed treason with his wife," she looked at Cutter and then back at Connor, "I can make all of this go away, you don't have to suffer anymore, I can protect you from Helen, I need that future anomaly,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Stephen died because of Helen. And Nick did not commit treason. Neither of us did" Connor said softly but firmly as he forced himself to keep his eyes on Christine. "We are not going to help you or Helen."
Christine(thearcfamily)	"Oh but I have the files that prove other wise and Cutter's file is public record, everyone knows that he is a traitor," Christine smirked, "I have ways of making you break Connor, you and Cutter until you tell me every last detail that I want to know and that's before I send Helen back in here to finish the job, you don't want to go through all that unpleasantness do you?"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor swallowed hard as he pulled his gaze from Christine and looked over at Cutter, an apologetic look in his eyes. "I won't help you, Christine. I... won't give you what you want. The security of the world... of everyone else... is more important than me. Than anyone else." Connor blinked, feeling the tears sting his eyes as he looked at Cutter, silently hoping he could forgive him.
Christine(thearcfamily)	Cutter met Connor's gaze, tears in his own eyes but they told him that he understood, that this was necessary. "Such a pity," Christine shook her head, "as fun as the idea of breaking you two are, I'm already having so much breaking James and Danny," she smiled, "I think I'll leave you two to Helen's mercy, if you're still alive by the end of it, we'll talk again alright boys?" Cutter couldn't look at Christine, he was terrified of what was in store for them, they'd barely got through the last encounter with Helen.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor had to drop his head as well. he knew they were in a no win situation really. If they gave Christine and Helen what they wanted they were all doomed and if they continued to resist and try and hold out, they were basically doomed as well. Connor let out a trembling breath as he turned his head away from Christine. .
Christine(thearcfamily)	Christine shook her head, "well I did try to be gentle for you boys," she said sweetly, "I gave you a chance and now what happens next is on you," she smiled, "I wouldn't get too comfortable," and with that she stalked out of the room, shutting it behind her. Cutter trembled, "I'm sorry," he sobbed after Christine left.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"No Nick.. I'm sorry... that I cant protect you... like I want" Connor said as he leaned his head back against the wall and tried to catch his breath.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter kept sobbing quietly, "she's right, this is all my fault, everyone is getting hurt because of me, I put us in this position," he said softly.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"Nick, we all are. I am standing up to Helen and Christine. So are you. So are Danny and Lester. We are all making the choice ourselves. You cant blame yourself Nick, that is what they want."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter knew that Connor was right but he still couldn't help but feel guilty, "how are we going to get out of this?" he sobbed, "I ... I don't see a way out this time," he hung his head at the thought.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"I don't know Nick..." Connor said with a sigh as well. "But I'm not going to leave you. No matter what happens."
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"And I'm not going to leave you either," Cutter promised through his tears, "I...I'm going to keep standing up to Helen and Christine, I'm not going to let them win,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor looked over at Cutter and his heart broke. He wanted to just end it all, giving Christine and Heen what they wanted. He wanted to just go and have his life with Cutter, like they had talked about and dreamt about. But he knew what the cost would be for that... and he knew he would never be able to live with himself if he did. Connor nodded and was about to say something when the noise of someone yelling outside was heard. Connor trembled and he felt his body go cold. It was Helen. And whoever she was yelling at had clearly pissed her off.
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen stormed into the cell, slamming it shut behind her. The interrogations weren't going as well as she had hoped and Christine had started getting into her case and now Cutter's clone had started questioning whether what they were doing were right. She glared at Cutter and Connor holding what looked like a cattle prod, "well boys, I hope you've given it some thought about your level of cooperation, I was going easy on you before," she taunted as she held the weapon she was holding, "you definitely won't like being on the receiving end of this, it can take down a fully grown future predator,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor's eyes went wide with fear as he looked at what Helen was holding. His eyes grew even wider when he heard her talk about the future predators. If she knew it worked on the predators, then that meant they were there where the anomaly she had been using was.... and that meant if Helen got hold of a secure and stable anomaly to the future... Connor shuddered at the thought of what Helen could do with an army of future predators.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter trembled fearfully as he eyed the cattle prod and the mention of the future predators, he had seen what Helen and Leek had done with the future predators he didn't want a repeat of that with Helen and Christine. Helen smiled as she the fear, "well boys any last words? Do you want to start talking or am I going to have it shocked out of you?" Cutter looked at Helen fearfully but said nothing.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"We're not going to help you Helen.... The... answer is the same... as before. You will never get the future anomaly... or the artifact" Connor said trying to keep his voice as steady as he could and his eyes on Helen and not the cattle prod she was brandishing. .
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen shook her head, disappointed, "don't say I didn't warn you," she said and then she took the cattle prod and aimed it directly at Connor's stomach.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor felt the jolt shoot through him, sending every nerve on fire. He started to scream but it died on his lips as his body tensed from the shock. Desperately Connor pulled at the chains as he tried to get free. It felt like it lasted forever as he closed his eyes against the pain all he could hear was Helen laughing and what he thought was Cutter yelling something.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"NO! HELEN PLEASE STOP!" Cutter was begging, as Helen shocked Connor with the cattle prod, "PLEASE DON'T HURT HIM! CONNOR!" "This is on you Nick," Helen told him, "you caused this," and then she struck Connor with the cattle prod again.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"No... Nick It... It's not..." Connor was trying to speak when Helen finally stopped with the prod for a moment. "Don't let her win... you have to..." Connor's words were cut off again as the prod connected with his skin again and the electric jolt knocked all the breath out of him. .
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Helen please ..." Cutter cried as tears rolled down his cheeks, "please don't hurt Connor ...take it out me instead," Helen looked closely at Cutter, looked back at Connor and shrugged, "it doesn't matter either way," she said, "one of you will start talking and I'll get that future anomaly," and then she walked back over to Cutter and jabbed him in the stomach with the cattle prod. It was one of the worst pains that Cutter had experienced, everything felt like it was on fire and he screamed as the electricty bolted through him.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"N...Nick! I... I'm sorry... NICK!" he cried out weakly as he tried to lift his head and look at Cutter. "I'm.... I'm sorry... oh Nick..." Connor gasped as he tired to get back to his feet, his arms aching as they pulled against the chains.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	Cutter barely heard Connor, he whimpered in pain as the electricity finally faded, he trembled, "Connor..." he moaned weakly as he tried to keep his head looking straight but it kept going to the side. "Pathetic," Helen shook her head and then she aimed another charge at Cutter's stomach and he started screaming again.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"NICK!" Connor cried out as he tugged at the chains. "Nick! Helen stop it! Just go through your Anomaly. Leave us be, please! You don't need Nick!”
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen kept that charge going a little longer, then finally stopped. Cutter moaned in pain, barely keeping his eyes open as he stood there, the chains only just keeping him standing up. "Now, now you know I can't do that," Helen smiled as she turned from Cutter and walked back to Connor, "the anomaly isn't stable enough, Nick is the only one who can keep them open and I'm going to get it one way or the other," and then she aimed the cattle prod directly at Connor's stomach.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"We don't even know... if they can be kept open indefinitely" Connor said his eyes moving from Cutter to Helen. "It's just theories... nothing has been tested...You could be doing all this and... still fail to get an anomaly to stay open..." he said, a cry of pain cutting off his words as Helen jabbed him again. .
Helen(itsananomaly)	"Connor, no ..." Cutter cried weakly, as he tried to move against the chains. "Theories that I intend to test," Helen smiled, "I know they work, we just need the right minds ... my husband's mind ..." she smiled, "he will open the anomalies for us,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"You are going... to destroy the world Helen!" Connor gasped against the pain. "You are going to... destroy everything if... if you do this!"
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen just smiled coyly at that as she went to strike Connor again with the cattle prod, "I'm not destroying the world Connor, I'm going to save it, you can both help me, we can start fresh, humanity has destroyed the earth, its time to go back to basics,"
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"A world with you in charge... sounds like hell on earth!" Connor said, knowing it was going to set Helen off. But he had already resigned himself to the fact that if he was not going to get out there alive, at least he was with Cutter and hopefully the others would know he had tried his best. "I'd rather die... than help you Helen."
Helen(itsananomaly)	Helen shook her head, "you disappoint me Connor, I thought you of all people would have understood, the need for this science, how much good we can do, so be it, if you won't help me, you will die, painfully and slowly until I decide to end your misery," "Connor no ..." Cutter cried weakly, "please Helen leave him alone!" "Then choose Nick," Helen snarled brandishing that cattle prod, ever so closely to Connor's stomach, "me or Connor," Tears were rolling down Cutter's face, he knew what choosing Connor meant, "Connor," he said softly, "I love Connor and I choose him," Helen snarled at that and then struck Connor with the cattle prod.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	"It's ok Nick..." Connor said as he met his eyes and gave his fiance a sad smile. He knew what it meant to but he would always choose Cutter. "I love you Nick... I always will. I will always choose you" he said, ignoring Helen completely as he looked at his fiance, the tears running down his face. Connor cried out as Helen struck him again with the prod and he forced his eyes open and looked at Cutter. "Love you Nick..." he said as he felt himself start to black out as Helen kept the cattle prod against his stomach.
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"Connor!" Cutter cried as Helen kept using the cattle prod angrily against him, "I love you, I'm sorry!" he gasped, "I'm so sorry," He kept weakly trying to fight against the chains but to no avail and all he could do was watch helplessly as Helen tortured his fiancé.
Connor(anomaly_research_nerd)	Connor lifted his head weakly and tried to say something but simply fell limp in the chains, head dropping down to his chest. As everything started to go black he hoped Cutter would be alright... somehow. .
Cutter(itsananomaly)	"No! Connor," Cutter cried weakly as Helen advanced on him, he struggled weakly against the chains. "Well Nick, this is your last chance, you can save everyone, you just have to give me what I want," she held the cattle prod close to him. Cutter trembled but stared at Helen, "I won't help you," Helen just shook her head, then aimed the cattle prod at Cutter's stomach again and struck it. Cutter screamed as Helen held it there for a long time and then he fell silent, the pain was too overwhelming. After what felt like an eternity, Helen finally stormed out of the cell. Cutter slumped to the ground but somehow still conscious and he started crying.