Last chapter :) And it's an even number too.

Ten:

Escape

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All the best stories in the world are but one story in reality - the story of escape. It is the only thing which interests us all and at all times, how to escape.

--Walter Bagehot

Mr. Bennet strode through the halls of Primatech, quietly pleased that his top priority could now be crossed off the list. Sylar had been a big inconvenience to the Company; even though at the end they could have gained valuable information from him… he really was better off dead. But when Bennet came to the window of Sylar's separate cell something was not quite right. From the way the sheets fell on the body to the even more alarming drops of blood on the floor; something was wrong. Never one to run, Noah cautiously keyed in the code and entered the room, immediately going to the body.

He pulled back the sheet and his eyes widened in horror. He stumbled back from the gristly murder but had no time to escape, because Sylar had just stepped out of the shadows. His eyes were wide, dark, and bloodshot. His lips, slightly parted, were set in pleasant smile as he said to the frozen Noah:

"How's Claire?"

This question that is not really a question came out in a monotone, and before Noah could react, Sylar flicked up his hand and sent Bennet flying into the glass. The older man crumples to the floor and was left coughing and gasping at the impact.

Sylar, barefoot and clad in the standard white pyjama pants and tee, walked over. He stared down at his tormenter and simultaneously pulled the annoying shunt out of his head. He threw it to the ground beside Noah and growled, "That was for the hair cut."

His words were clipped, and had a hard, raw edge to them. He bent down and rifled through Noah's inside pocket. Finding what he needed, he withdrew his hand with the wallet and opened it briefly. He then turned to go, and extended his hand, but turned back for a moment, as if considering what to do with the groaning Noah. His mind made up before it was confused, he closed his splayed hand in one quick motion and the lights stuttered off.

In a cruel mockery of Noah's previous power, Sylar let the heavy door slam in his face as the man tried to right himself in time to get out.

Noah's pulse quickened when he realized what he'd gotten himself into. He turned slowly to the glass and to Sylar, who was now happily flicking cards out of the wallet, searching for the prize he so sought.

Noah pressed his palms against the glass in a subconscious gesture; his pulse slamed in his head and was becoming visibly more and more distressed.

Sylar is out. And I'm in here. No, this cannot be happening. Is there some way to alert security from the cell? No, of course there wasn't. Why didn't he have some sort of key for an emergency like this? Why hadn't they taken more careful measures?!

Sylar was getting to the bottom of the wallet, but found what he needed soon enough; a drivers licence.... with a home address. Perfect. Sylar gazed almost lovingly at the little piece of plastic before turning it so Noah could see. He pressed it up against the glass and smiled hauntingly.

Noah couldn't help his face as it fell in realization.

"You shouldn't have built such a good cage." Sylar said, dragging the card around, taunting his former captor. "It was fun though," he grinned and looked pointedly down at the card.

If Noah could have gone any paler... he would have. The idea of him in here and Sylar out there, set on finding his daughter, was the most horrible though he realized he had ever had. This sent him into a frenzy.

"You go anywhere near her...!" he shouted, banging on the glass.

Sylar just smiled, flicking his eyebrows up once. He glanced back down to the card he held and automatically snapped his fingers, opening the heavy steel door. It swung open for him and Noah's desperate shouts were lost on deaf ears. Time for the fun to start, Sylar thought as he slipped through the door and into the halls of Primatech Paper. Of which, were about to be bathed in blood and the laughter of a killer seeking revenge and sweet... sweet freedom.

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There you have it. And I hope you enjoyed it. Please review, it means the world to me. ^_^