Backdated to the GAPS plot

[behindmothersback]

I'm so tired, Father. I've lost track of the amount of time I've been here, all the tests and all the questions have worn me down. I haven't felt this tired and alone since Rapture and there, at least I had hope that the Sisters and I would be able to resurrect you and you would rescue me. I yearn for that kind of hope and in my darkest hours, when I hear the sounds of pain and loss in the cells around me, I fear it will never come.

I've been locked in a room, some kind of interrogation cell, for I don't know how long. I'm hungry and they gave me something instead of my regular anti-plasmid dose that has my head foggy. I think it's because I threw a punch at a guard yesterday. Or the day before. I suppose it doesn't matter, but they have someone coming in, a specialist of some kind who is supposed to see if my power works against... I think they said magic. They weren't talking to me and it was hard to overhear. I think they mean for me to fight again, but this isn't the arena. I don't know where I am.

There are chairs, but I ignore them, sitting on the floor with by back to the corner. I'm certain if they mean me to sit in the chair, they'll be more than happy to tie me to it. For now, I just want to close my eyes for a bit.

Comments

[high_warlock]

"So, you see, Mr. Bane, if you could offer any insight as to the origin of the subject's powers and ascertain any weakness--"

The extraordinarily unattractive man in the lab coat droned on and on. It wouldn't have been so bad if the scenery weren't the same nearly identical, sterile white corridors, dotted with more boring, mundane science types and a few security guards. But as it was, Magnus had only himself to amuse himself with on the long walk to whatever laboratory they were destined for. He picked at his chipping nail polish as his guide continued to talk, marveling at how the artificial lighting managed to wash out his skin.

This wasn't his first rodeo. More than a few organizations over the centuries had thought to study demons, hoping to harness their power for their own desires. Whether altruistic or ambitious in nature, these organizations always failed, usually feeding the demon in some manner before it was vanquished by a dutiful Shadowhunter. But they always paid Magnus well for his insight before they fizzled. Magnus couldn't even remember the name of this one, this hopeful organization, but their complex and staff boded well for his exceedingly fat paycheck not bouncing.

"...and here we are."

It took Magnus a moment to realize that they had entered a room and stopped. He flicked a last bit of polish from his nail, gave the scientist his blandest smile possible, and turned to observe the much talked about subject.

He froze. He had the distinct impression that the room was spinning.

"That's not a demon."

"Well, no, Mr. Bane, as I said--"

"Why do you have a human being in here?"

The scientist seemed to bristle at Magnus' choice of words. "She is the subject."

[behindmothersback]

I can hear the footsteps outside the door, an encouraging sign I suppose. They can't mean to torture me if the room isn't sound proof. Or they just don't care. I think I fear that last one, Father. I don't even look up when the door opens, I'm too tired to move.

Until I hear the voice.

Raising my head, I have to blink several times. "M-Magnus?"

[high_warlock]

Magnus bit his tongue to keep from snapping at the scientist further. The situation had turned on a dime and, for a moment at least, he had a measure of freedom to use to their advantage.

He waved a hand dismissively at his guide, who didn't seem to notice or concern himself with the telltale puff of blue mist that the gesture created. Magnus strode closer to Eleanor, stood over her with a considering look.

"I've cast a small illusion," he said, face impassive. "Our conversation will sound like whatever they expect it to sound like, not our real words. But it won't last long. So, quickly, have they hurt you?"

[behindmothersback]

"Don't believe it. They're getting very good at blocking people's powers.
They've blocked mine." I shake my head, disbelieving. "Why are you here?
Why aren't you locked up, too?" He should be. They're locking up anyone
they find with powers, Father. I can't imagine how they found so many of
us. I honestly didn't know there were that many of us to begin with.

How many worlds do we all come from, anyways?

[high_warlock]

Magnus paused at that, a hint of worry clouding his features. But a quick glance over his shoulder showed him nothing amiss. He dismissed Eleanor's warning. Clearly they had depowered her, whatever her powers were, but they hadn't touched Magnus yet. He was a little more difficult to wrangle, he thought.

"They hired me." He paired his words with a casual shrug to hide his discomfort. "As an adviser. Give them some general information on demons and Downworlders." Not this. This definitely hadn't been in the contract.

Not that Magnus had read the contract.

[behindmothersback]

"Hired you?! They kidnapped me. They've kidnapped so many others." I feel myself starting to cry, actually articulating what's happened, it just feels... awful. Like so long as I don't talk about what's happened, I can pretend this is just one more thing to get through.

"Why did they just... hire you?!"

[high_warlock]

He flinched a little at her reaction, though of course he couldn't blame her for it. Here she was, effectively in chains, and here he was, walking around like a free man with some measure of respect. Magnus was beginning to wonder however just how much longer he would be a seemingly free man.

He glanced again over his shoulder, reassured the scientist that the subject was a cranky little thing but no trouble, and returned to Eleanor.

"I don't know," he answered honestly. "But it's a good thing they didn't because we're going to run, Eleanor. And now. Are you ready?"

[I'm sorry this is so late. I understand if you've moved on and rather let this fade.]

[behindmothersback]

"What about the others? There's dozens of us here, I won't leave without them." I can't. It wouldn't be fair. I don't know or perhaps even care why Magnus is here, but if he can free us. All of us? I will call it the miracle it is.

I manage to stagger to my feet, hoping the scientist is really as distracted as Magnus says he is. "The drugs I'm on, they'll wear off eventually, how long can we wait before going to the holding cells?"

[high_warlock]

"We'll come back for them," Magnus hissed, fear and anxiety, adrenaline kicking in now that she was on her feet and they were about to move. He cast a glance over his shoulder where, yup, the scientist and his guards were perking up. Clearly he had overestimated his effect.

"This isn't a two man rescue mission, Eleanor. I'm getting you out and then we get help and manage the rest." So saying, he took hold of her arm, getting a place in mind to teleport them to.

[behindmothersback]

"No! I can't leave them." I pull my arm back, shaking my head. "You don't understand what they're doing to us, making us fight, testing us, the drugs and the... contraptions. I can't leave them behind." I've left too many behind. We saved many of the Sisters in Rapture, Father, but how many more did we leave behind? We left Grace, and I know we had to, but now? I have a choice now.

Don't I?

[high_warlock]

Magnus didn't understand and, frankly, he didn't want to understand, especially not right that second. He wanted to get the hell out of Dodge and regroup. He wanted to get Alec and Isabelle and Luke and Spencer and maybe SEAL Team freaking Six before engaging these people.

The scientist started to move, two of his guards moving with him, and that was officially tapping out time in Magnus' book.

"Sorry!" he said, the only warning his gave Eleanor before stepping forward and grabbing her around the shoulders. He shut his eyes and held her tight against any struggle, thinking of home: his apartment, his living room, his couch, Alec, the cats. There was a poof of blue smoke, the faint scent of burnt matches, and when he opened his eyes....

It was just the outside of the interrogation cell.

"Shit!"

[behindmothersback]

I strike blindly when the smoke clears, not even caring if I connect or not. Doesn't he know? Doesn't he realize? They're not fools here, they would not have brought him unless they thought they could hold him if he didn't play along and now they knew he wouldn't. What surprise they may have had was now gone.

"Idiot! Now run, go!" I push him, turning to place myself between the guards and Magnus. Maybe he can get clear. But me? I'm to drugged to be of any help, aside as a diversion.

[high_warlock]

"Fuck!" he snapped. Her fist careened into his shoulder, doing no real damage but smarting like hell. He barely noticed against the terrifying realization that was falling over him: His power meant nothing here. Magnus Bane, High Warlock of Brooklyn, four hundred fucking years old and he was made ineffective by a bunch of lab coats.

Suddenly, the very real possibility of his death loomed over him. Panic flooded through his veins.

"I'm not leaving you!" Magnus insisted. He wouldn't hear Eleanor's complaints about leaving people behind before, but he couldn't just run when she was right there.

He grabbed for her again, just as one of the guards did. Magnus flung a hand out in his direction, never connecting but sending him skidding back on his ass.

At least some things still worked.

[behindmothersback]

"I'll be right behind you!" The other guard grabs for me and I strike out. I'm smaller, but even with the drugs I know I'm stronger. I may not have my plasmids, but they can't shut everything in me off. My fist connects to his face and I have the slight satisfaction of seeing his eyes roll up and close.

But the scientist runs and hits the panic button at the end of the hall. Sirens go off and doors start opening, allowing the scientist out and the guards in.

"Go Magnus! I can delay them, go!"

[high_warlock]

That was the biggest load of horse shit.

Magnus watched with fascination as Eleanor laid out one of the guards. He realized that he was going to have a much bigger bruise than his adrenaline was letting him acknowledge right now.

He spun on his heel to face the impending wave of guards and try to find a way to slip out. Magnus didn't bother with trying anything complicated, showy or satisfying, like making the men burst into flame, but kept with what worked. A simple knock back spell had most of them sprawled on their backs, surprise painted on their features like they hadn't realized anyone in the facility was still powered.

"Come on!" he shouted, running for the door, already anticipating what was around the next corner.

[behindmothersback]

We won't make it, I know that. I believe we're too far underground, there are too many halls and too many guards between us and freedom and without my plasmids, it's only a matter of time. But he's trying, Father, he really is and despite my anger at the manner of his arrival, he is trying to do the right thing.

He's just going to fail.

Still, I run to follow him, bracing myself for tasers and drug-darts. If the next group of guards don't have them, the following one will. I've seen them. Worse, yet, I've seen them used.

[high_warlock]

He knew there was more coming. He hadn't been paying attention at all to the twist and turn of the corridors as he had been led down them, hadn't noted the number of guards at regular intervals or what weapons they carried. There hadn't been any need. They hadn't troubled him. But now Magnus really, really fucking wished he was a little more like Alec, noting danger everywhere. He wished he had been a little more prepared.

Rounding the corner, Magnus immediately threw out a spell, knocking guns out a few men's hands. They had to scramble for a moment to retrieve them, and Magnus made to grab Eleanor's hand.

That was when something small and sharp bit into his neck and burning pain erupted through his veins.

The corridor went two ways, of course, and someone had come up behind him with something that looked an awful lot like a tranquilizer gun. But this was not a simple tranquilizer.

With an animal shout of pain, Magnus stumbled back against the wall as the man aimed his gun again.

[behindmothersback]

I take his hand, Father, but only for a moment. I see the dart embed itself in his flesh and I know the fight is over. We're caught, and I'll be forever grateful for his attempt, but I am hardly surprised. He will sleep and he will wake in a cell, just as I did. Just as everyone did in this place.

I feel the anger rise, Father, greater than anything I'd known before. It isn't fair. None of us made this choice, at least Rapture had been a hell of people's individual making, this was just... cruelty. And no one knew. No one outside or there would have been rescue attempts. Or Magnus would not have been so surprised to see me as I was.

As he stumbles, I scream, the sound of a Big Sister escaping my lungs as I surge towards the man who shot my friend. My fist connects with his jaw and I feel the bones crumble even as I feel a dart find it's mark in my arm.