They stayed put, simply not daring to leave. For all they knew, Russians were watching them like hawks. One slip could lead to the capture of any of them.

Jonathan and Joyce were speaking quietly together in the corner. He seemed as if he were explaining something very intently to her. Nancy stayed with Steve and Robin, cleaning up dinner. The kids were playing a game, though it sounded as though none of them were enjoying it very much.

At last, late that night, something happened. The phone rang. Nancy was starting to hate that sound. Before anybody else could move to answer it, she took matters into her own hands. "Hello?" she said, clutching it to her ear.

Heavy breath came from the other end. "Good morning, Ms. Wheeler. Or should I say afternoon? Such a pleasure to hear your voice again. We're missing you at the compound."

She cursed under her breath. It was the General himself. "What do you want?" she hissed into the phone.

"I want to speak to the only adult present at the house you're staying at," the General answered. "She's practically a celebrity among us here. I've been dying to talk with her ever since that stunt she pulled with her bald comrade and her exploded boyfriend. Sorry about that, by the way. She must miss him...to bits."

Nancy scowled. "She's not here," she replied curtly. "You must have the wrong number."

"Wait," Joyce said, before Nancy could slam the phone back into the receiver. "I'll talk to them."

Reluctantly, Nancy handed the phone over to Joyce.

"I heard you were looking for me," Joyce said, suddenly dropping her frail and scared demeanor. "You have some of the greatest minds in the world working for you and you couldn't find even one crazy lady and her three kids? That's impressive."

There was a loud snort. "We were weakened after your attack last year. Plus with the government on our tails, there wasn't much we could do. But we have you now. We have you right where we want you."

"And what's that going to do for you?" Joyce asked. "Killing me won't give you anything you want. Are you just looking for petty revenge?"

"If you hurt us once, you can hurt us again. I assure you your death would be anything but petty," the General told her, his gravelly voice lowering. "Now, I believe that you are with two of your children."

A sudden pain flared in Joyce's chest. It was like an alarm bell blaring at full force. "Maybe I am," she said carefully.

"Well, I am, as you say, one of the greatest minds in the world. Therefore, I can do basic math. I was led to believe that you have three children. That makes me think that there might be one more somewhere in the world. Small, scared, unsure of what's going on…" the General chuckled. "Want to say hello to your mother, William?"

Suddenly, Will's panicked voice could be heard. "Mom?" he called.

"Will?" Joyce exclaimed. "Will, it's okay, we're coming for you. Don't you worry. It's going to be-"

Before she could continue her rush of frantic comfort, the General's voice cut her off. "You can get him home safe and sound," the General offered, "if you follow my instructions clearly and exactly, you will recieve your son back."

For a moment, Joyce didn't dare breath. "You bastard," she hissed.

"What was that?" the General asked.

"I said you're a BASTARD," Joyce repeated, practically spitting into the phone. "You're a damn bastard and a pathetic excuse for a human being. Go back to the depths of hell you crawled out of."

There was silence from the other line. "I'm sorry you feel that way. Our instructions are these: meet us at Johnson's warehouse tomorrow at noon. Don't come with anyone. Don't bring any weapons. Understand you are turning yourself into captivity. However, your son will be released. If you do not show up, consider him...gone."

"We'll stop you," Joyce growled. Her knuckles were white from gripping the phone so tight.

The General scoffed. "Good luck without your superweapon."

"Our what?"

"Little girl. With her superpowers gone, you stand no chance against us," the General taunted. "None at all. Ah well. I must leave now. Have fun making your decision. I wouldn't want to be in your place."

As Joyce hung the phone on the wall, a small smile broke onto her face.

"What?" Jonathan exclaimed, moving to her and putting his hand on her shoulder. "What is it?"

His mother breathed out a sigh. "I think we may have just gotten the upper hand."

0

0

0

Ok, I swear I have an excuse for not updating lol. i was finishing up with writing my first fully completed work: a novella about Ricky Goldsworth and CC Tinsley. If you know who they are, great. If you don't, don't worry about it. But that's what was up. I'm back and inspired now and will hopefully update a few times a week!