A Number, Not a Name

Not Dead Yet

Tasha stirred. Opening her eyes she realized she was tied to a chair. Her head pounded. Behind her back, ropes dug into her wrists. As she shifted in the seat she bit back a moan that escaped her lips. Looking down she saw her pajamas were splattered in blood.

Dark shadows filtered in through the crack under the metal door. Loud voices came from outside the door. As she experimented with her bonds, testing their strength, a man's scream pierced the air - Jason's. Tasha shuddered at the sound. I can't just sit here. We're running out of time. She forcefully tugged at the ropes hoping against hope they'd give way.

Tasha stopped as she heard the metal door swing open. Raphael appeared in the doorway. "Have a nice nap Sleeping Beauty" he stepped into the room. Tasha didn't respond but stared at the blank wall in front of her.

Raphael chucked. "Not much for talking huh? That's okay." He stepped closer to her. "I like the silent stoic ones." The man kept lumbering forward and withdrew a knife from his belt. He brought his finger to the tip of the blade and twirled the knife. "It makes things more interesting."

The door creaked open again. Dalmar and Tarek appeared in the doorway. Dalmar strode inside. Tasha's eyes were smoldering as her gaze rested on Dalmar. "So, Melinda, do you want to pick up where we left off?" He marched forward and began walking behind her chair.

"If I were you I'd skip to the end."

A shrill laugh sounded from Dalmar. It was a truly awful sound. Tasha tried to twist her head to meet his gaze but couldn't. "Aww, what's the fun in that?" Tasha flicked her gaze to Tarek.

"I don't know Tarek, maybe Ms. Tylerson has a point." He stopped pacing and crouched down beside her. "Or maybe not." He straightened himself up and grabbed her throat, leaning Tasha and the chair back. Tasha choked as the pressure increased, wheezing, desperately trying to inhale. Dalmar leaned closer to her, his face mere inches from hers. She could feel his hot breath hitting her face. "I think I'll keep you around for a while," he hissed in her ear. He let go of her neck, sending Tasha jolting forward. She coughed and gasped for air. A result of being deprived of oxygen. Dalmar straightened himself up. "Though I don't imagine it'll be the most pleasant stay." His voice was cruel, empty, and heartless. Her death wouldn't cost him a moment's sleep.

Dalmar grabbed Tasha's auburn hair, lifting her head up. Brass knuckles adorned his hand. Tasha braced herself for the coming blows. Dalmar struck her cheek. Blood splattered across the floor. It felt as if her jaw had been cracked open. Dalamar flung his fist repeatedly into her face sending more blood splattering across the room.

Suddenly a blaring alarm sounded through the bunker. Dalmar stood in shock. His heart began to race. It was evident to Tasha something had gone wrong. Two men rushed into the room. "Sir. I'm afraid we have a problem" Adrian said. "Police and NSS agents just showed up. There are at least three-dozen squad cars, a dozen unmarked cars, and five SWAT team vans outside. They've surrounded the entire compound."

"How did they get in here undetected?!" Dalmar asked.

"It appears that some of the security cameras were playing a looped feed," Emil explained.

Dalmar shouted a string of profanities. He took a deep breath trying to calm himself. "Adrian tell Avak to get my Cadillac ready. We're leaving immediately. If the authorities show up at the armament bunker tell Daron to blow the place. And inform Wilhelm to gather my files, computer, and any other necessary data. Everyone else is going to cover me and meet us later at the launch pad."

"Yes, boss." Adrian rushed frantically from the room.

Dalmar turned to Emil, Raphael, and Tarek. "You all load the agents into the truck and follow behind my car." Dalmar quickly exited the room leaving Tasha alone with his henchmen.