Life After Champion

June

   The interrogation has been going on for 28 minutes, or maybe 29. I'm not exactly sure, my head is swimming.

   The taste of blood and sweat coats my mouth. My whole body hurts and I still can't see. I just want this to be over. I want Day to find me. I want help. But right now, anything I want, I don't have.

    A volley of questions continue to come at me. Every time I don't answer or my response doesn't satisfy my kidnapper, I'm hit, slapped, cut, or beaten in some way.

   I can't take this much longer.

   By the way his footsteps echo around the room, I can tell he's circling me, like a predator with its prey. He's furious. Annoyed by my uselessness. “Fine," he spits. “Don't answer my questions June, we'll just have to...try another tactic then." I can hear it in his voice that he's grinning.

   I gulp.

   The sound of the door bursting open startles me. Panic stricken, I hopelessly try to peer through my blindfold. I need to know what's going on.

   But it doesn't matter, for only seconds later, the scratchy material is torn from my face, nails digging into my skin as it's taken away.

   It takes a second for my eyes to adjust to the sudden light. Once I can finally see, I notice that there are now three people in the room. I scan their faces. Recognition clicks inside my brain.

   I know who these people are.

   No no no no no...

   This can't be right.

   I must be mistaken.

   But I'm not.

   These are the same people who made the attacks last year.

   This just got a lot worse.

   A few of them chuckle at the look of shock and horror in my eyes. They seem almost amused. They know I can't do anything. They have one of the Republic's most prized possessions in their hands, and she can't do a thing. I feel like I'm going to puke.

   “You're...you're them..." I whisper. “The-the people...last year...Ruby..." Terrified, I start to panic. I try to stand on my feet, dragging the chair along with me. This time I scream. “No! Stop! Please! HELP! Get away from-"

   One of them forces the gag back down my throat as another slams the chair back down. My head is jerked back and crashes the wall with a sickening crack. They tie my ankles down to the legs of the chair.

   My body slumps against the back as the last of my energy diminishes. I can hardly think.

   “Stay," The first man demands, as if I'm a dog, as the second seems to pull a video camera out of his pocket. He plays around with it for a few moments before he aims it towards me and the little red light blinks on.

   “Smile," he muses and they all laugh. The third man steps out of the room momentarily. The closes with a thunk.

   “And of there's anything you want to say," the other continues,his deep voice easily heard throughout the cramped space,“speak up. Might be the last words you get to say to the outside world."

   The door opens just seconds later and the third man walks back in, and in his hands, he holds the bomb. On the side, is a timer, set for 24 hours. He sets it down carefully near my feet.

   My eyes go wide and my heart starts to pound faster than I thought humanly possible. The camera man seems pleased.

   “Say goodbye Ms. Iparis."

   Heh pushes the button on the timer.

   The clock starts to count down.