Recorded - Tumblr Posts
#5 - Recorded
[Sidekick] frowned when they looked at the tape they found in the doorway this morning. It was wrapped in blank paper, no notes or mailing adress added. Just an old cassette, already rewinded to be watched.
“What even…”, they murmured to themselfes, slowly turning the VHS video in their hands as they were sitting over a steaming cup of coffee. Was this some kind of commercial? A new and creative way to advertise?
They decided to take closer look at the video later. It was probably just some silly gimmick or a joke from one of their teammembers.
Right now, [Sidekick] had business to do.
They rose and shuffled to their phone. After dialing the number they could recite in their sleep by now, they waited for [Hero] to pick up. It was a call of importance: Just the day before, their boss had managed to collect useful information about [Villains] whereabouts, which may have been the biggest success since they had started hunting them down. They only needed to make up a plan and the thing would be off the table tomorrow.
Seconds passed and [Sidekick] impatiently tapped their foot on the floor. [Hero] hadn’t picked up yet. Normally, they were really fast on the telephone, but today seemed to be different.
[Sidekick] hung up and tried again after a couple of minutes. Still, nothing.
“Come on! We agreed to phone at this time!”, they murmured into the reciever, slightly annoyed already. What was so difficult about being punctual? [Sidekick] strolled around in their apartment, still waiting for their boss to answer.
They hung up again. What a prat.
Well, [Sidekick] thought defiantly, if [Hero] had the nerves to keep them waiting, they could also niggle around for some time and let them wait for their call. Such a game could be played by two.
But what was to do? They looked around, eyes landing on the video tape.
…Better than nothing.
They pushed it into their old recorder, already thinking about the tongue-lashing they were going to give [Hero], if they dared to complain about the delay of their planning session. [Sidekick] scoffed, shaking their head. How could someone be so frowsy?
The tape whired in the VCR, only producing a static contact noise for a few moments. Then, there was a picture:
A sparsely illuminated room, only offering concrete walls and a chair that stood in the middle.
What the-
[Sidekick] had not even time to be confused. After a couple of seconds had passed, someone started speaking, lightly tapping on the camera a few times: “Test. Test. Alright, we seem to be recording! Bring them in!”
Although [Sidekick] knew that tone instantly, they couldn’t classify it in the first moment. Only when two people dragged someone towards the chair and chained them on it, they were able to recognize the smug voice: [Villain]!
The delay of the telephone conference with [Hero] was forgotten instantly.
What had [Villain] in mind?
When [Sidekicks] gaze wandered to the person tied on the chair, their stomach turned violently. The captive was badly injured, head hanging lowly between their slumped shoulders. Barely concious.
The floor was covered in blood and vomit.
“You sadistic asshole…”, [Sidekick] murmured.
With unhurried steps, [Villain] entered the picure. When they stood directly in front of the camera, they flashed [Sidekick] an amiable smile, sending chills down their spine.
“I heard you guys were looking for me?”
[Villains] voice was far too mild for a situation like this. When the person on the chair noticed their captors presence, they struggled violently against the chains. [Villain] didn’t even blink.
How could someone be so cold?
“I have the information from a good source, you know? You guys are going to hunt me down in the next couple days…”
They started pacing around thoughtfully and casted a pityful glance into the camera. The pity did not reach their eyes.
“…I am sorry to tell you that this plan will come to nothing.”
After circling the room, [Villain] placed themself closely behind their captive, putting both hands comradely on their shoulders.
“My special guest here will ensure it.”
They grabbed them by the neck and whispered something inaudible into their ear. [Sidekick] saw the heavy shudder that ran through the abused body.
This sick bastard.
[Villain] hummed and a menacing smile appeared on their features as they kept on caressing their now shaking victim.
“They will keep your silly team quiet for a long time…”, [Villain] murmured and suddenly grabbed a fist full of their convicts hair, yanking their head up harshly.
“…Won’t you?”
[Sidekicks] eyes widened in sheer horror, as the dull light finally revealed the face of [Villains] captive:
“[H…Hero]?”