Chapter seventeen

The Man behind the Suit

Even if Ron had promised to return, Tom was left alone for the rest of the day. He divided his time between falling unconscious and trying to regain the use of his limbs. Fortunately, he wasn't hungry and he'd found a bottle of water in the corner of the cell. After inhuman efforts, he'd managed to stand, but decided not to share that aspect with Ron, just in case he'd have to tear through him to escape.

Though escape wasn't really an option. Tom had thought about it long and hard. He was in no condition to go anywhere, and even if he miraculously managed to limp his way out, he had no idea where the others were. Death by elements wasn't high on his list.

The door opened, snapping Tom out of his schemes. Ron entered the room, carrying a tray of food and seeming a lot more relaxed than last time.

"Hi," he said joyfully and this time unlocked and entered the cage without checking whether Tom could attack him. "I brought you some food," he added, pointing to the tray unnecessarily and putting it down in front of him.

"Thanks," Tom said weakly, looking at the contents of the tray. It looked like some broth and the smell of boiled potatoes made his stomach churn uncomfortably. "But I'm not sure I can eat anything just yet. I'm a bit queasy."

Ron nodded. "I guessed you would be. You have to drink this first. It'll make you all better." He threw him a phial.

Out of reflex, Tom reached out and caught it in his left hand without any difficulty.

"You're doing much better I see," Ron said shrewdly. He sat, leaning against the opposite wall.

"I still can't attack you, in case you're wondering about that." Tom analyzed the phial. It contained a reddish liquid. "What's this?"

"Cherry syrup," Ron answered flatly. "I don't know, it's some medicine Snitch Gravel gave me. He said you should take it before eating."

"Are you sure it's not poison or liquid crack or something?" Tom asked warily.

"I couldn't know. Snitch Gravel made it and he's never failed so far." Ron shrugged.

"Snitch Gravel made this?" Now he was sure it was poison.

"It's not poison. Look, I could taste it for you if you want, but it will screw up the dosage."

Tom squinted at him. Ron could be lying. But, then again, Snitch Gravel wouldn't poison him. He'd make a show of his murder. Counting on that shaky piece of logic, Tom popped the lid off the phial and smelled the liquid. It didn't smell like anything. He then took a sip and ran it around his mouth. It tasted a little bitter but didn't numb his tongue or anything. Shrugging, he downed the rest of the potion.

"How do you feel?" Ron asked warily.

"Like I'm dying." If he had enough energy, Tom would've acted it out too, just for the hell of it.

Ron's eyes widened and Tom stifled a laugh.

"Nah, I actually feel a little less sick and a little more hungry," he said, picking up the tray and gobbling down the broth. It wasn't bad at all. Needed a bit more salt, but beggars can't be choosers.

"You suck," Ron said, though he seemed on the verge of laughing himself.

"How much time do you have today?" Tom asked between mouthfuls.

"A half an hour, if not more." Ron heaved a sigh. "I've been wondering how to start, so I'm just going to explain some things to you. What I told Sam when we met was true. I did come to see you because I've heard about you from the papers and I was curious what that was all about. I was sure I would find a bunch of big-headed, spoiled brats."

"You found a bunch of psychotic brats instead," Tom pointed out.

"That was the water," Ron said dismissively. "I could see right through that. I've been here for a while, rubbing elbows with Snitch Gravel's men until you showed up. When Von Crooken came back all rumpled, I set out to meet you. The rest is... well, you know the rest." He rubbed his chin, looking very tired. "I'm the one who modified Sam's route and drew you away, because things are bubbling up here. There's a little tension between Snitch Gravel and Von Crooked right now, so it's not exactly safe. The natives were paid to keep you locked up for a couple of days, then let you go,"

"What's this about Snitch Gravel and Von Crooken?" Tom asked, filing the information about the map just to rub it in Sam's face later.

"I don't know much either. Rumors are Snitch Gravel had Eye Patch shoot him in the head," Ron whispered as if afraid someone else was going to hear.

"Some freaky shit has been going on. Every time we've gotten attacked or captured, Snitch Gravel didn't know," Tom said thoughtfully, pushing the tray away.

Maybe it was silly, but he was more interested in this than Ron's supposedly being his uncle. That was a plate of lies he wasn't sure he was ready to swallow. Henchmen gossip? Hell yeah, bring it on!

"I know. That's why Snitch Gravel supposedly threatened Von Crooken. Snitch Gravel hadn't given the order to capture you."

"And Von Crooken went ahead and restarted the experiments, whatever that means," Tom mumbled.

"How do you know so much?" Ron asked surprised.

"I just do. What are they experimenting?"

Ron shrugged. "That, I really don't know. I haven't even asked."

"So, how are Von Crooken and Snitch Gravel now?"

"I think they're good. Snitch Gravel obviously knows you're here."

"Obviously." Well, now that was out of the way... "Tell me more about you. You have some heavy convincing to do." Tom leaned against the wall, ready for the story.

"Convincing?" Ron asked confused and Tom nodded fiercely.

"Let's say, for a moment, that I actually believe you're my... our uncle. Why doesn't anyone know you exist?"

Ron swallowed, then took on a determined expression. "Like I said, my parents died when I was thirteen. By then, Billy's dad had already set off into the wide world to explore or do whatever he was doing. I still have no idea what he was up to and still is, but he came home ever so often to see if I was still there. So your father was left to take care of me, and let's face it, he didn't like me much.

"I don't blame him entirely, because I've always been a bit of a rebel and didn't exactly make it easy for him. I took advantage when you were born and ran off because I had finally turned eighteen. I'd finally escaped my older brother." Ron sighed and rubbed his eyes. "I got into some bad business with some very bad people and... I messed up. I've been living on the run from the wrong kind of people for years."

"Where does Snitch Gravel fit in with all this?" Tom asked, frowning slightly. Ron's tone as he recalled his past was almost robotic.

"I got into trouble at one point. A lot of trouble. Snitch Gravel was there and helped me out. He's quite a legend in the underworld. He saved my life and apparently took a liking to me. Nothing more."

"Does he know who you really are?"

"Of course. Little things escape him. This is something you should always remember, that he always knows more than he's letting on," Ron answered on a fatherly tone.

"Wait, you mean to tell me he knows you're our uncle, and he likes you while he wants to kill us..." Something clicked inside Tom's mind. A question he had never truly asked himself because it supposedly had an answer. "Why does he want to kill us?"

"I think it's because he tried to kill you before and didn't manage to. It hurt his ego," Ron said thoughtfully.

"Are you shitting me?" Tom gritted his teeth, trying not to yell or throw a hissy fit, but Ron's answer made him want to punch him in the face. "Why does he want to kill us in the first place?"

"I..." Ron bit his lip. "Can't really tell you. Only your father and Snitch Gravel know the whole story."

"Then tell Snitch Gravel to get his ass in here," Tom snapped. What was this? A national secret? Villains usually loved to boast about their crazy motives. And he was more than ready to listen to some boasting.

Ron stared for a few seconds then blinked and got to his feet. "You know what? It's worth the try. My time is almost up anyway."

Tom watched him exiting the room, shocked by how smoothly that had gone and by the fact that Ron had left the cage door open. He pushed himself to his feet carefully, expecting the numbness and ringing in his ears to paralyze him like before. His head remained clear, and even if his muscles still hurt, it wasn't as bad as before. What had Snitch Gravel given him?

He tip-toed to the door and glanced through the small window. Two armed guards stood on either side of the door, their backs to him. So Snitch Gravel was serious about no one going in or out without his knowledge. Not that he'd expected not to be guarded.

Shaking his head, Tom made his way back to the cage, wondering if Ron would be back with Snitch Gravel or alone. Either way, Ron had some explaining to do, because Tom had finally found a crack in his story. His mother wasn't dead. Tom had seen her himself.

Maybe he doesn't know. But how could he not? Ron claimed his parents died when he was thirteen and ran away from home at eighteen which left five whole years unaccounted for. Tom cursed under his breath. He'd almost believed Ron's bullshit.

He sat down and leaned his head back against the wall, trying to clear his head and plan an eventual encounter with Snitch Gravel. Sam would be so much better at this. He always knew what to ask and how to get answers. He, on the other hand, had no other idea than to simply come out with it.

As much as he tried to think what Sam would do, he couldn't. Every time he thought about his twin, all he wanted to do was punch him in the face. Yes, it was childish and stupid and he knew Sam was affected by the toxic water worse than him, but Tom couldn't help it. He was still really pissed off at him. And at Angie.

Just the thought of Angie made his stomach churn. Despite everything, he missed her so much, it actually ached physically. He'd give anything to have her there, to hug her, feel her hair in his face, take in her fruity smell. Kiss her again.

Shit, no! Stop thinking about her! Because if he did, the anger threatened to smother every beautiful moment they shared. And even if a part of him wanted to break up with her, the stronger, rational part managed to keep it at bay. She had been affected by the water, too.

So were you, but you didn't go around kicking her. Okay, enough depressing thoughts for one day. He had Snitch Gravel to worry about now. And like a given, the door opened. Ron came in, followed by another man.

So, there is some drama in the next part of this chapter. Not that this wasn't dramatic. Do you think Snitch Gravel actually showed up for the conversation?

And do you believe Ron now? Is he an ally or a potential traitor? Again.

Thanks for reading and don't forget to vote and leave me your thoughts. Next update will be next Friday and I'll try to stick to a Friday updating schedule.