INFERNAL WORLD » kyle GAZ garrick

6 - part of being a survivor

Tight ropes that soon started to cut the blood circulation in her hands secured her wrists. Her lips hurt from the constant application and painful removal of duck tape. She wanted to keep chewing on her cheek, biting her lips, but the opportunity was constantly grasped away from her. The men kept ripping the duck tape off only to ask a question and, enraged, put another back on. They hadn't even been driving in the boat for so long.

'''Lena, how are you?'' Kate whispered, her duck tape removed, as to probably have her be the first one questioned alone. The men had left them alone momentarily. They probably needed to figure out their next move, thought Elena.

Elena lifted her head, worry visible on her face, especially in her eyes. She wasn't crying, not even close to that. The two of them had been in similar situations. But still, this wasn't a small operation. This was a global threat.

''Let's see what they do. If- they have to come for us... b-but Shepherd might not want to,'' Kate continued, a slight tremble in her voice. ''But we need to remain calm. I... I know you know that, 'Lena.''

Things were serious then, Elena knew. If Kate had used her nickname, the name that only a few people in her life had called her, the situation was worse and Kate saw right through it. If she suspected General Shepherd not to comply, she must have known a lot more than Elena thought her to have.

Elena blinked as a reply and just then, the door where several men had left opened again.

''Get up,'' one of them ordered. ''We have a new vehicle waiting for us.''

Naturally, her arms were grasped tightly, not being able to feel her hands anymore. Elena wasn't even slightly upset by the painful factors that covered her body only after thirty minutes. She feared what would follow, how they would treat her, and, more importantly, Kate.

They sat inside a car, finally able to see the bright sky again. The sunset had created an enticing purple sky that was covered in clouds with pink linings. Normally, Elena would have been enjoying an evening run at this time. But she and Kate were sat between other people, faces covered and armed with weapons.

A masked woman took out a camera and lifted it to show Kate and Elena sitting closely together. If there had been a single chance to escape, to find a way out, they would have taken it.

A man sitting in front of them turned around and leaned toward Elena, ripping the duck tape off her lips again. But the woman had already turned on the camera, as Elena understood, filming to send it.

Holding a gun in her hand, the woman looked at the camera before turning her aim to Kate's temples. Elena could practically feel her chief's breathing slow down, even though she knew that they both understood they weren't going to kill them. At least not yet.

***

''This is proof of life,'' Gaz stated, his eyes having looked at the three women in the video. Even though Elena was barely visible, he could see her features well. She looked quite calm, he thought to himself. Best hope that she would remain so. They had to rescue them.

''Where did this come from?'' Price questioned.

''Urzikstan,'' Shepherd informed.

''Look... they're pointing east,'' Price noticed, showing Gaz on the screen with his finger.

''Likely to Al Mazrah,''

''They get them underground then we'll lose them for good,'' Gaz said.

''We'll lead the rescue team,'' Price replied, patting Gaz on the shoulder, having sensed the sergeant's upset voice.