We Live Forever

Chapter 25: Cougar

Crimson's POV:

I tried to tilt my head to get a better look at the person the soldiers were carrying inside, but it was hard to see around them. They placed the person down in front of the chains and I could hear them chain him up. 

The soldiers had finally finished and I could get a good look.

Jesus Christ, it's Hank.

He's alive.

Barely. He leaned up against the wall, his hands chained above his head just like mine. Both his shoes and his shirt are completely gone, leaving him in just a pair of bloody jeans. His exposed chest is bloody, but missing a distinctive rebar-shaped hole in it. He's already slimmer and weaker than he was before. He's completely unconscious at the moment, but his chest is rising and falling as he breathes.

He's coated in a layer of dirt and blood, but he's alive. He's alive and he's okay. 

I hear Charles let out a shaky exhale before speaking:

"How the hell is he alive?"

"I guess his parents aren't all bad..."

"You met his-"

The door opened and Charles immediately stopped talking. Two soldiers walked and carefully unchained me. They hauled me off the floor and dragged me to the door. One of them grabbed the door and opened it when I heard a faint whimper come from behind me.

"...Crimson?"

I started to turn my head to look at Hank, but the other soldier grabbed my chin and forced me to look away from him. I thought about saying something to Hank, just to let him know that it was me and that I was okay. Then I remembered the rules and how serious the soldier was when he said them. I swallowed the words and let them take me away. 

They pull through hallway after hallway and I start to get an idea of just how massive this place is. However, I have no idea of where we are seeing as there are no windows and these seem a little too smart to just tell me. We finally stop at a door and then unceremoniously push me inside. 

It's a small and basic interrogation room. Inside the room are three people. Two soldiers are standing up against opposite walls and one high-ranking officer is sitting down at the table in the middle of the room. The officer motions for me to sit down and I do. The officer sets a small recording device down on the table.

"Okay miss, I'm going to ask you a few questions now and it is expected that you answer them fully and honestly."

I nod in response and the officer begins, I'm assuming based merely on the fact he is actually speaking to me that he's the one in charge around here.  

"Please state your name."

"Isabelle "Crimson" McCoy"

"What is your date of birth Ms. McCoy?"

Frankly, I'm shocked at the level of respect this man is treating me with. He's using an honorific for a prisoner? I consider lying to the man, but he works for the government he could easily search me up and discover that I've lied. I appear to be on his good side for the time being and I don't want to ruin that so quickly. 

"August 14, 1839."

One of the soldiers lets out a snicker and whispers to herself.

"Cougar"

The officer looks at her and she instantly shuts up and regains her composure. 

"What part of honestly is so difficult for you to grasp?"

"I am answering honestly sir, I was born on August 14th... 1839."

"Do you think this is a joke?"

The officer leaned towards me. It looked like the vein on his forehead was about to rupture. 

"No sir. I swear I'm being honest."

"I've had just about enough of your sarcasm-"

The door to the room opened and the officer immediately stopped. He sat straight up against the chair and saluted. The other two soldiers did the same. I looked to the doorway to see a small man in a suit with a thick mustache. 

"You're dismissed," he told them. The three soldiers all silently left the room. 

The man walked over to the table and took the seat the officer had just left. He looked at me like he was studying me and I felt uncomfortable under his gaze. I was not an animal in a zoo, but he made me feel like one. 

"I'm sorry about that, but you know how it is. If you want something done right you must do it yourself."

I looked at him confused. He was clearly in charge, yet he was the only one not in a uniform and he spoke in a friendlier tone than anyone else here. Who is this guy?

"My apologies, I seem to have forgotten my manners."

He stuck his hand out and I carefully shook it. 

"Bolivar Trask, it's wonderful to finally be working with you. I've had my eye on your people for a while now, but you... you are special."

I simply nodded and allowed him to continue. His expression fell suddenly and the light left his eyes.

"Unfortunately, I don't have anything prepared for you just yet. Don't worry, it'll all be ready soon and then we can get to work my dear."

My dear? Ew. Who does this guy think he is?

He snapped his fingers in the air and two soldiers instantly entered the room. He pointed to me and they picked me up to take me back to the room. 

They followed their silent orders and took me back to the room. They made sure I securely chained up and then left once again.

As soon as they were gone I looked towards Hank. He seemed exactly the same as before. He rolled his head up and looked at me with a weak smile. 

"Hey darling, I was starting to think they'd taken you for good."

"Hank, dear god are you alright?"

"I'll- I'll be fine. I just need some time to adjust and get used to this. What- what exactly did you do? I know- I know that I was gone, but then I just woke up here."

"Your parents..."

"They gave you one too? You had it with you the whole time and you never tried to use it on yourself?"

"Neither did you and you were the one with a piece of rebar stuck through you."

"I'd do it again. Protecting you is my number one priority."

"I guess that's what we do Hank, we protect each other. Though that might get a little complicated considering what's going on right now."

Hank was clearly exhausted and fading fast. He managed one more sentiment before passing out again:

"It's never too complicated when you love someone"

Author's Note:

Our boy! Our boy is back!

Surprise! It's Trask! 

Anyways, Hank's alive and that's really all that matters.