I can't... I can't be wet. I can't be in a box. I have to get out. 
- — Catman
Secret Six (Volume 4) #2 is an issue of the series Secret Six (Volume 4) with a cover date of April, 2015. It was published on February 11, 2015.
Synopsis for "Down the Rabbit Hole"
Eighteen months ago, Thomas Blake was forced into something called Project Mockingbird, and found himself imprisoned for a full year.
Now, he is trapped again, with five other people. They have already determined that the box they are in is somewhere under the sea, but they have just one minute to answer the question, "what is the secret?" before one of them is killed. Thomas - whose working name is Catman - takes after his namesake, and is panicked by confinement.
After four weeks in captivity, he attempted to lash out at his captor and earned himself several days with the sprinklers on.
Seeing him troubled by his memories, Strix suggests that she could kill him to put him out of his misery. Big Shot suggests they put a pin in that idea, and instead focus on answering the question. Porcelain supposes that there must be a reason why the six of them were chosen to be trapped in the box. Unfortunately, they run out of time before they can come up with anything, and the insipid voice demands that they select one of their number for termination. All the while, The Ventriloquist insists that there are seven of them, referring to her doll Ferdie, whom she moves via telepathy. Realizing her ability, Thomas wonders if she could move the box itself. She suggests that she could - if he'll give her a kiss. Awkwardly, he agrees.
Thirty weeks into his confinement, Thomas received a visitor; a woman. She explained that she could not stop her employer, who was holding him captive, but she offered him a gift that might get him through his captivity - a kitten.
Suddenly, the voice selects Black Alice at random, sending powerful electricity through her body. Thomas warns that their captors are killing her, and presses Shauna to act. Soon, their captors are surprised to discover that the loss of power they are experiencing is due to the fact that the Box has moved to above the surface.
Near the end of his year in captivity, Thomas' jailer remotely unlocked his cell, and told him he was free to go. The voice informed him that he would not punish him for the cat - but he had already punished the girl who gave it to him. Angrily, Thomas swore revenge, and left his cell in search of his captor.
Porcelain weakens the side of the wall, allowing Catman the opportunity to crash through it to freedom - facing a hail of bullets from their waiting captors. He evades their bullets and tears them apart. As the others leap out of the box after him, Lori wakes in Big Shot's arms and comments that this is the first time anyone's tried to take care of her in a long time - and it's nice. When someone attempts to shoot at them both, Lori transforms into the demon Hezkinvade, and attacks.
The voice commands them from afar to return to the Box and complete the experiment. It goes on to say that one among their number killed an innocent young woman, and if they all return to the box, only one of them will be punished for it - but if they remain outside, they will all die. Despite this promise, they are united in presenting a counter-offer. Their captors should come after them - and if they're not strong enough, the prisoners will burn them down and piss on the ashes.
Appearing in "Down the Rabbit Hole"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Villains:
- Project Mockingbird (Flashback only)
Other Characters:
- Scandal Savage (First appearance; unnamed) (Flashback only)
Locations:
- The Box
Items:
Vehicles:
Notes
- This issue is reprinted in Secret Six: Friends in Low Places.
See Also
Links and References
