15 Seconds
“Shit, shit shit!!” Jack cursed silently as he reached over slowly and picked up the gun that Salizar indicated. He moved slowly, staring at the Salazar’s trying to gain some time to formulate a plan. He turned toward Chase who was being restrained by the guards.
Damn but he needed a fix. He wished his mind were clearer. He had gotten this far and he was just making some progress in convincing the Salazar’s that he had turned his back on his country. He had to get that virus. He had to prevent the deaths of millions of people. And just when he thought he was making progress…they dragged Chase in. After he had told him not to follow him. Why the hell didn’t he ever listen? Now they wanted him to kill Chase to prove that he was sincere. And the worst part of it was that he was probably going to have to do it. He was thinking furiously now. He couldn’t just take the gun and turn it on Ramon; he would be shot before he could take one step. Then they would kill Chase anyway. The chance to contain the virus would be lost with his death. He could try and convince them that they needed to keep Chase alive but he knew that since they were suspicious of him anyway, that would just look like he was stalling for time. Right now it was important that they not question anything more about his break with CTU and the US. But how could he kill Chase? Too many innocent people had died because of him and this time he would be the one pulling the trigger.
Anger flared up in him, anger at the Salazar’s, anger at not being in control of this situation, anger at what he was going to have to do. Anger at Chase!!
He grabbed him by the collar and hissed at him. “Damn you, Chase. I told you not to follow me!!” Chase stared at him without blinking and Jack saw anger and hatred in his eyes. He pushed Chase away from him and brought the gun up until he was pointed directly at Chase’s right temple.
He looked over at the Salazar’s again but they were just watching him, waiting for him to pull the trigger and prove himself. He felt trapped; he had no choice right now. He hated that feeling. He liked to be in control.
Damn he liked this kid. He was on his way to being a great agent. He reminded Jack of himself when he was first starting with CTU. Why did everyone he care about get hurt because of him. Terry was dead because of his job. Kim was just starting to heal from the loss of her mother but she would never be the same person again…because of him. Now he was going to kill Chase and devastate Kim once again. How was he ever going to live with himself after this?
“Can’t think about that…have to do my job…have to make sure that the country is safe? Don’t think about what you are doing…..thought will come later. Do what you have to do. God, I need a fix!! No, I can handle this…don’t think, just DO IT!!”
Thoughts racing in his head, his face showing no emotion, he took a quick breath and squeezed the trigger.
