Martin is aware that she's connected. He knows all he has to do is talk to her. After all, writing through the phone is not so bad as being face to face. But he hesitates. He writes something and erases it.

Then tries again and erases it one more time. In the middle of his third try, the phone slips from his hand and the text is sent unfinished.

A small but terrified, "No," escapes his lips. That was his only chance, his only way of telling the outside world he was in trouble.

Martin carefully got to his knees and reached for the phone. It had slid too far away. His ankles were chained to the wall so he could only go so far. He felt beads of sweat roll down his forehead as he continued to stretch as far as he could, hoping that some miracle would allow him to get his phone back.

Boom!

It was coming. The heavy footsteps of the creature that brought him here were coming. And this time, Martin could only hope the beast would leave the room with him still alive. He saw the bright light of the phone turn off and he hoped she understood what he needed. The beast entered, but Martin could only barely see his silhouette in the darkness. Martin did not dare look at the phone, hoping the beast would not see it.

"This is your last day," the deep and raspy voice said. "I guess your friends forgot about you."

"They wouldn't forget. They'll come for me, and they'll destroy you."

"Do you really think they can destroy me? I took their most valuable man from them and they haven't even tried to get him back. Maybe you aren't connected after all." Martin opened his mouth, ready to snap back at him, but he didn't say anything. It had been two weeks and no sign of his fellow spies. Not a text message, nothing. Being a spy, you had to be 'connected.' It was like being officially recruited, but much more special and important. "You have one hour." The beast said as he exited the cell.

One hour before what? Martin had no desire to find out. He stared at the phone, waiting for it to light up again, so he knew she knew he was in trouble. After more painful stretching and reaching, the room lit up.

"Yes!" Martin exclaimed. With one last reach, his fingertips pushed the phone towards him, and he saw the message: Once I get approval, I'll get you out. Stay safe, Marty.

That was what she called him. They were the best and closest of friends, but Martin wanted more. He wanted to be her everything. But this message didn't make him happy. He wasn't relieved they were coming. He dropped the phone again, his hands becoming weak as he sobbed. It took twenty-four hours for approval to start a mission, and he would be long gone by then.

The hour felt like days. Millions of thoughts and memories crossed his mind; it felt like he had spent a lifetime in the cell before the beast arrived again. Martin didn't even look up and the giant silhouette when he entered. He just wanted to get it over with.

The deep voice filled the room. "I assume your friends haven't arrived." Martin scrunched his nose. Could he just finish the job? "I guess not." The beast walked to the other corner. "Your time is up, boy," The beast took a step towards him. "It's time for you to see me." The beast was right in front of him. Martin could just look up and see the creature, but he couldn't. He couldn't look up at the monster knowing that he had been betrayed. "I see. You don't want to see me. I guess I'll show you something else to get your attention." The beast took out a glass ball and smashed it on the concrete floor. A white smoke emerged from it, forming shapes and colors. Martin couldn't help but look up. In the smoke he saw,

"Isabelle!" He saw her chained to a wall, hanging above roaring waters. Maybe she did come to save him after all, she just didn't get as far as she wanted to. "Let her go!" The beast laughed.

"Only one of you can leave. I'll let you two talk it out." The beast left. Isabelle shouted through the smoke.

"Marty! It's okay! You leave. I came here to save you, I'm not leaving empty-handed."

"Is, you can't do that. I'm not letting this creature kill you." Martin stared into her beautiful green eyes. Those eyes were gonna make it out, whether it cost him his own life or not. Isabelle wiped a tear from her face.

"You can go. I'll stay here. Maybe I'll find a way out." She smiled, trying to make him feel better.

"Okay. Yeah. You're a great spy and you're connected. You'll get out." Martin faked a smile. The beast walked into the cell again.

"Have you chosen?" Isabelle was about to tell him their choice, when Martin interrupted her.

"She's going. I'll stay here." Martin couldn't look her in the eye.

"Alright, then. She'll leave soon enough." Martin finally looked up at the beast. He was seven feet tall and covered in fur. He looked like a bear with horns and yellow eyes.

"No! Marty, this isn't what we agreed!" The beast took out a knife and was slowly walking toward Martin.

"Is, I'm not letting you die in here," Martin chuckled, trying to cheer her up. "You can go back to saving lives, Is."

"Please, no! I'm not letting you do this!" she screamed at him, tears falling down her face. The beast had the knife pointed to his chest.

"Is," Martin whispered. "I love you." Martin stared at her beautiful eyes. It would be the last thing he saw. Her face was twisted in terror and fear. Martin smiled at her. Then, the beast plunged the knife into his heart. Martin didn't even scream in pain. The light left his eyes as his blood spilled onto the floor.

"Marty!!" Isabelle screamed. She watched his body slump to the floor as his last words echoed in her mind. I love you.