Lackluster

Consequence

Groggily the woman opens her eyes and is immediately assaulted by a halo of bright light hanging above her. Squinting at the intrusion, she turns her head to try to make out the rest of the room. It is a small clinical space. The room is mostly empty except for a desk and chair on the far wall covered with a number of notes, folders, potions, tools, and syringes. A long metal table stands to her left, covered with various mechanical parts, and she lay on a black table in the center of the space. The ceiling is high with more bright white light shining down.

The hum of machinery fills the air, and a clicking sound draws her attention. Y/N shifts slightly to get a better look at the origin of the soft sounds and pain instantly burns up her leg at the movement. The sudden pain reminds her of her failed escape attempt, and she groans in displeasure.

'The lab...'

"My, my, it seems you have finally awoken. How are you feeling?"

The young woman's head swings in the direction of The Doctor's voice and she groans again this time in annoyance. He stands close to her left leg with a tool she didn't recognize in his hand.

"Honestly? You shot me in the leg...twice, forcing me to fall down a steep incline. Then you drugged me and brought me back here to this damn building. How do you think I feel?" She glares at him accusingly.

"Is that so? ...and what have you done to deserve such a fate?" The Doctor steps back and places his free hand over his heart putting on an exaggerated look of concern. "You have been quite the nuisance, have you no regrets for your actions?"

"Regrets? I regret that I got hurt. I regret that I didn't succeed. I do not regret trying to get away from you. I wish I was anywhere but here." She tries to sit up before she realizes she is restrained again.

"Your stubbornness, though amusing, is your greatest weakness. You had every chance to comply with my instructions instead, you made the situation more difficult for yourself and me." A small frown appears on his face.

"I've made things more difficult for you? That's such a tragedy." Y/N speaks in a mocking tone. "It's not like you're the one that was manhandled. Archon's forbid that ever happening."

The man's lips thin and he drops his hand to his side shaking his head. "I will not tolerate any more disrespect from you today. Discipline is necessary. There are consequences for your actions, be prepared for an... unpleasant experience."

The woman simply rolls her eyes and turns her head away, so she doesn't have to look at his face. He makes her angry. She is, of course, nervous about whatever he has planned but she swallows and tries to brace for it. Y/N yanks loosely on her restraints out of anxiety.

"...whatever..."

"I must say, you have no shortage of spunk... but that may very well work against you." The Doctor grabs her by the face and forces it back to look at him. "You will obey me and take the outcome of your actions like an adult. Am I clear?"

The man's grip on her face hurts and she tries to pull her head free. "Momma always said I had too much spark for my own good. Sure. Do your worst." Her words are sarcastic and her nose wrinkles in disgust.

Laughing, he responds. "You have no idea of the extent of my worst, Darling. Your sarcasm will not serve you here. I told you this wouldn't be an enjoyable affair. Your mother should have taught you not to bite the hand that feeds you."

The Harbinger releases her face and quickly rolls up her sleeve before he picks up a packet of alcohol swabs and bends back over her to clean the skin.

"Your leg has been destroyed. I can fix it given enough time, however, waiting for you to recover after the surgeries will greatly impede my research. Therefore, I have come up with another solution. A better one that will make you stronger in the end."