Tyger Tyger Chapter One

Neal jolted awake as he heard heavy footsteps making their way up the stairs towards his apartment. Dammit!He thought he'd have more time. Still lying on his stomach he grabbed his phone from the sideboard, typed a quick message and attached the file. He hit send just as he heard the intruders reach his landing, quickly stuffing the phone into the gap between the mattress and the headboard before flopping back his head back onto the pillow and feigning sleep. As his cheek pushed into the soft cotton he briefly thought how unlikely it was that he'd locked the door last night in his dishevelled state, the thought quickly confirmed as he heard the door fly inwards and angry feet stomp into his apartment and towards his 'sleeping' form.

Two pairs of hands pulled him bodily upright, his arms pulled in front, cold metal cuffs encircling his wrists. He stumbled as he was pushed roughly backwards before he felt his already bound arms pulled above his head,looking up he saw another set of cuffs secure him to the metal fire escape ladder behind his front door. Neal looked down into the faces of his captors but met only stares of silent ire. He felt incredibly vulnerable, dressed as he was in only his silk pyjama bottoms, his bare chest and arms goosebumping slightly, not only from the chill but also from the situation he now found himself in.

"Where is it, Caffrey?" growled the nearer of his two captors.

"What?" he asked, pasting a bemused smile onto his face, allowing his eyes to portray both puzzlement and innocence.

"Cut the crap, Caffrey. Tell us where the recording is and this will go better for you."

Neal sighed as he saw cold fire spark in the eyes that were locked on his. They knew him too well to fall for it, but he'd had to try. It was expected. He wouldn't be Neal Caffrey if he didn't think he could talk his way out of any situation. All he had to do was buy his partner the time he needed and all this would go away. Steeling himself against the ordeal he knew was about to befall him, he took a deep breath as his tormentor approached...