I felt bad for leaving you for so long so here's the next chapter. Enjoy!!

Josh smiled evilly. From an outsider's’ perspective, Josh looked handsome. Perfectly square jaw, flawless skin, gelled hair and great body. When he wants to be, he's cute, charming and kind. His normal self, however, is evil and mean. Right now, Zoe, Mike and I (on the way out, Mike gave a ridiculous sneeze which was a signal to Chip to get the heck out of there) were tied to chairs (this seems to be becoming a habit with me) and Josh addressed all of us.

We were probably a sight to see. Zoe finally gained conscience and was dressed like a bush. I was scraped up at the knees and Mike was just sitting there with a cocky expression. Erica stood off to the side.

“Ben,” he said, a fake smile plastered on his face, “Nice to see you yet again. It's hilarious you're so natïve that you think you could actually escape, especially with the help with these bozos.” he motioned to Zoe and Mike.

Mike just smiled cockily, pretending he knew more than Josh, but it was evident he knew nothing at all. Whereas Zoe was shouting profanity at Josh, but mostly Erica.

“How could you, ya little #@%$!!” Zoe insulted. Zoe was still bitter Erica knocked her out and maybe she was a little mad because I was defending her so much. Either way, Zoe wasn't happy. Erica didn't Zoe much of a response. She just turned her standard Erica Ice Stare at Zoe, which infuriated her more.

I, on the other hand, was done. I have given up on multiple things. I had given up on any hope we'd be rescued. I normally rely on Erica for this stuff, but since she's the one who captured me, Zoe and Mike were my last resort. I've also given up the hope that Erica likes me. At the beginning, there were a few actions that showed that maybe she liked me a little bit, but were quickly rejected. Every time I think she likes me, like not shooting me right away, I make myself believe she likes me. I think now I'm just creating false realities and they're stupid. I've given up hope.

Anyway, Josh was chastising Zoe for her language, “Ah, ah ah,” Josh sang sarcastically, “Those are not nice words. I suppose I should be thanking you. The CIA has denied the contact we've tried to establish over the past 48 hours, which means they're not ready to agree to our terms. But perhaps two more hostages might sway their decisions. One of you will die tomorrow if our agreements aren't met. At any rate, get some sleep. It might be your last night alive.” Josh smiled pleasantly at this, seeming excited one of us would die.

All the SPYDER agents left the room leaving us still tied to the chairs.

“What are we going to do?” Zoe asked desperately.

“Ben will find out what to do. He always knows that to do in these situations.” Mike grinned confidently.

I sighed in exhaustion, sad to disappoint him.

“I honestly have no clue. My normal plan is have Erica save me, but now I don't know. Let's just get sleep and figure it out tomorrow.”

“Um! HELLO! Didn't you hear Joshua? He said one of us is going to die tomorrow. And your just going to ignore that? Why are you giving up so quickly?!” Zoe cried in aggravation.

I felt deflated, “I don't know what to do. I'm sorry, but I'm going to sleep.”

Zoe screamed at me more, but I tuned it out. I needed sleep. Eyes closing, I drifted to sleep.

I woke up to someone barging into our cell. Mike and Zoe jolted awake as well.

“The hours are over!” Joshua sneered, “One of you are going to die because of the CIA.”

“Wait,” Mike said meekly, “Why can't the head of the CIA die first?” Zoe and I sent him horrified looks on how he was trying to save his skin.

“Because, you dolt,” Josh answered impatiently, “We are still giving the CIA a chance to give us what we want after the murder and John is going to die last. Ripley is first.” I stiffened. I knew that this time, there was a small percent chance I was going to live. Erica normally saves me from these situations, but she's on the killing side.

“What?! Why Ben?” Zoe (still dressed as a bush) asked.

“Ripley has been a pain in my ass even since day one. It will be a relief to have him dead. But if your volunteering to go first…” At that, Zoe sat silently. I know Zoe cared for me, but that love didn't go as far as dying for me. This isn't Romeo and Juliet. And we weren't even in love like that.

More people started filing in the room. In the end, there were a bunch of SPYDER agents, Joshua, Murray, Erica and John Tyson was brought in and we were all in a line, tied to chairs.

Joshua brought in a computer. He positioned in front of us and called the CIA. If my life wasn't about to end, I'd think it was funny that one of the most evil organizations in the world were Skyping to carry out their evil plans. I hope they have high speed Wi-Fi.

They called and on the third ring, the CIA answered.

On the giant screen, I saw Cyrus Hale, still looking devastated at Erica's betrayal, the principal of Spy School (looking as if he wanted to be anywhere but there), the vice president of the CIA, two men and a woman I didn't recognize and the head of the FBI himself. They were all staring disdainfully at Josh and the others in the room.

“Oh my!” Joshua smiled maliciously, “I got an audience! I should have cleaned myself up! Wow, I was surprised you’d let your agents and even the head of the CIA die because you won't give us a little money and some documents.”

Erica and Murray stood in the back of the room. I couldn't see Erica's face, but Murray's displayed excitement and glee.

The head of the FBI gave Josh a stoney glare, “You know how important these documents are. We can't just hand them out. Even if it means letting some people die.” John's face registered shock. He didn't say anything though, because of the heavily armed men behind him.

“Alright then.” Josh gave a fake sad expression, “Then this is at your expense.” He nodded toward Erica, who approached us with a expressionless face and gun clutched in her hand.

John Tyson started to scream. Apparently, he didn't get the memo that I was to die first. I don't think my brain was registering that I was going to die. It was incomprehensible. My brain was clear. Erica walked toward us, gun raised. John Tyson, however, was acting very childish,

“Alright… you want money? I got money. A million is yours right now if you don’t kill me. I know a lot of top secret information that no one else does. I would be better use to you alive then dead! Just please don't kill me!” John was desperately begging.

On the screen, all the people were staring at John's desperate attempt with disgust. Cyrus was just staring at Erica, walking towards me, with disappointment and didn't say anything. Josh gave Erica the signal and just before she walked forward in front of me, a voice made her stop.

“Erica?” a woman said softly. Erica whirled around and stared at the face of her mother on the screen.