The Algorithm

Chapter twenty-four - Cold Truths

"Siren?" It was Trixx on the comlink

"What?"

"Tikki needs to talk to you." A short pause before the redhead spoke.

"You need to come 3 miles east of the meadow. We were moving the injured but you weren't there. Where are you?" She sounded scared... sad... tired...

"I came looking for you. Is everything alright? Are you okay?"

Tikki sniffled.

"It's Plagg, he's pretty beat up."

Marinette started running.

"It's bad, Marinette, it's really bad."

No. He can't die. He just can't. He's Plagg.

"I'm on my way."

But it was too late.

The damage had been done.

It wasn't until Marinette's sobs subsided that she realized something was missing. A presence that should have been there was gone.

Her head ached.

Her cheeks were wet.

And Adrien was gone.

A glint of realization passed over Nathalie's eyes at Adreins name before she could rain it in.

"Who?"

"Don't toy with me." Marinette spat and after a moment let herself soften ever so slightly. "Look, I can call in some favors, I'll see if I can get you an appeal." The former "surgeon" analyzed Marinette for a hint of a lie but found none.

"What do you want to know?" She asked.

"Is he alive?" Please say yes.

"He was the last time I saw him." Three months. Adrien was alive three months ago. Was he still?

"What exactly are you doing to him?" She didn't want to know, dear God she didn't even want to think about what they could possibly be doing to him, but she had to hear her say it.

"We are giving him a gift, the chance to be something greater than humanity can possibly imagine." Marinette clenched her first. All it would take is a hand to the throat.

"Don't pull that crap with me. Tell me where he is."

No response.

"If you don't answer me, I will use that 'gift' you gave me to crush your ribcage."

Nathalie stiffened her jaw. But then she heard the hum and her torso restricted as it caved in. Marinette could kill her in a heartbeat, but with a hatred that bright burning behind her eyes, Nathalie knew she would make it last much longer. So she told her what she wanted to know.

A series of longitudes and latitudes spilled out of Nathalie's month. The arctic. He was in the arctic. She called the guard and Nathalie was brought back to her cell.

Finally...

Marinette allowed a few silent tears to spill. Tears she didn't let herself shed when she lost him. For so long she was numb, emotionless. Completely alone for so long. But finally, after fourteen months, he was within reach. She could get him back. She cried with a smile on her face.