Episode 055

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“The healthy man does not torture others – generally it is the tortured who turn into torturers.”

                        Carl Jung

 

            Sarah was yanked up by her hair, the freezing water collecting along her jaw and neck.  Before she could even gasp, she was shoved face first into a second tub of hot water, the steam still rising from the surface.  Her body jerked in pain, her hands straining against the restraints.  Her captors held her tight, keeping her from escaping.

            Behind her, Ominous stood, watching.

            After a moment, she was yanked up from the warm water, gasping desperately.  “Where in Paris,” Ominous asked quietly, just loud enough to be heard over Sarah’s desperate gasps, “is the Responders’ headquarters?”

 

            “We’re replacing the standard sidearm with the larger model, called Groot Kanon.” Adam explained.  With the others gathered around, he laid down the heavy black pistol for everyone to see.  He turned to Til who held a machine gun ready.  “This is our newest model assault gun, the AG8-K” Adam said, taking the gun from Til.  “You will each be issued one, along with multiple magazines, each holding a different type of round.”

 

            Sarah’s head was yanked back.  Tied to the chair, a funnel was shoved into her mouth.  As one captor held her head, the other held a bottle of motor oil over the funnel.  Letting the liquid drip inside, he kneed her in the stomach, making her swallow.  She began to cough and convulse, gagging as the oil coated down her throat.

            “Where in Paris?” Ominous asked, not approaching her.

 

            “We are flying into Thisted,” Alex reported.  Standing before him, the team was gathered, each holding a duffel bag and a heavy, hard plastic case.  “We will station there as we join the recovery operation.  Jin and Assif will be directing the efforts from here while we pursue leads locally.”

            “Question,” Isaiah said, raising his hand.  “This all seems like we’re assuming they’re still in the same area, or even alive at all.”

            “They’re alive,” Emma said certainly.

            “You know that for certain?” Eliot asked.  She didn’t respond.

            “If she and I agree, then the odds are, they are,” Jason said, backing up Emma.  Eliot didn’t respond.

            “We are following the same route as their plan,” Alex said.  “If we’re lucky, then we might get their attention as well.”

            “That’s luck?” Til said to himself.

 

            Nearly naked, Sarah sat in the chair, her hands and feet tied to it.  Panting, her body was covered in bruises.  Her left eye was swollen shut while stained blood caked on her lips.  At her feet, salt was poured in an elaborate design.  Covering the floor of the cell, the complicated circle was filled with elaborate sigils and ancient characters.

            Standing at the door, Ominous watched Sarah panting.  Her shoulders quaked with the effort as she leaned forward, held up only by the restraints that refused to allow her to fall.  “Where?” he asked.

She looked up at him through her blonde hair, slick with sweat and abuse and stained with drops of her own blood.  Through the locks of her hair, she smiled.  “I don’t deal with your kind,” she said, her words slurring with pain.  “You’re not worthy of my attention.”

 
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