The Red Star

Chapter 35

Crystal gasped as the light faded. The pain was still present, burning her to her very core. It felt as if a jagged knife was being driven through her slowly. In fact, Crys would have preferred the knife. Yet right when there was a moment of peace, the light shone again and she screamed.

"You brought this on yourself." Doom said. "You could just tell me what I want to know."

"Yeah," Crys wheezed. Her head was back against the metal and her eyes were shut because of the bright light overhead. Blood was slipping from the corners of her mouth and the metallic taste of blood and the salty taste of tears were heavy on her tongue. "I told you I won't tell you."

"You are being a fool." Doom said.

He swung his legs over the rail and dropped down with a heavy thud. He made his way over to her and stopped when she could see his eyes through the slits in his mask. He stood silent, watching her every movement until he suddenly snatched her bloody arms with both hands.

Crys clenched her jaw and shut her eyes again, letting out a groan of pain. His masked face came close to hers and he said,

"If your torture won't get you to talk, then I guess we'll have to see how much of a super soldier your lover is."

"You son of a —"

Crys was cut short by an explosion of unexplainable pain. She let out one scream after the other as her body began to crumble under the pain. Doom let go and she was left, almost unconscious and gasping, her head hanging forward. Doom stepped back, and looked her over saying,

"That's all for now. I have a dinner to get to."

He turned on his heel and marched forward until he was standing beside Eric. He paused and looked back saying,

"I see you are getting to weak for any remarks."

"No." Crys's voice seemed more calm, and a bit strange. She lifted her head and her eyes opened to reveal a pair of creamy white eyes with a dark pupil, staring back at them.

Doom turned all the way around now and Eric stood straight. The two came closer now and Crow laughed saying,

"Well I see I've gotten you to shut up."

"What are you?" Eric said.

Crow rested her eyes on him in a curious manner before saying,

"I'm Crow."

"It would seem that the two girls have dual personalities." Doom said, "Very interesting."

"Listen Cape Boy,"Crow began as she grunted and tried to move her arms, "If you think I will be any more pursuasive than Crystal, you are sadly mistaken. Why don't you hurry along to that dinner of yours and come back when you think you're ready to interrogate me."

"Facinating." Eric said.

"You and your cousin have dual personalities." Doom observed again, "Do you know Bluejay's."

"All too well. But honey, she's mine. I intend to taker life and her powers so you can just run along and try to steal some other mutant's powers, 'kay?" Crow looked back at Eric before her gaze returned to Doom, who was too dumbstruck to even speak.

"Then I believe we've come to an impass," Doom finally said, "Or common ground. It's your choice which it will be."

He turned again and walked away in silence to a previously invisible door which opened and shut so quickly that Crow had no time to see what was on the other side. Her eyes then fell on Eric who began to pace in front of her, his eyes never removing their gaze from hers. After a few moments Crow said,