Trial And Error

Chapter Thirty-Two

Kian's POV

"Open your eyes, Lieutenant!"

Kian's eyes snapped open scanning her surroundings frantically trying to find the voice screaming at her through limited vision. Rough hands grabbed Kian's hair, yanking her head up violently to face her tormentor. Revulsion rose in her throat at the overpowering stench of burnt flesh - her charred, agonized flesh. Kian fought to keep a neutral expression despite the crippling pain wracking her body. She wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing her break.

"There you are, I didn't want you missing the show."

Those words turned her blood to ice. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he released his grip. Kian's head fell not having the strength to keep it up, when suddenly the sound of someone struggling and yelling in the hallway caught her attention. Her head flew up, dread flooded Kian's veins. Muffled shouts and scuffling sounded from the hallway outside. Two militants dragged in a struggling woman with a black sack over her head. No, Kian pleaded internally. Anyone but her.

"Remember that threat Lieutenant? I figured since torturing you wouldn't get the information I needed, I thought I would make your worst nightmare a reality."

Bile burned Kian's throat as they ripped the sack off, confirming her nightmare. She strained against her bonds with primal fury, desperate to get between Madison and her sadistic captors.

Madison's terrified eyes bore into hers, begging wordlessly. Those pleading terrified eyes had been one she had seen before. Images of the dream blended in with reality, her sleeping brain couldn't tell what was real and what wasn't.  A savage blow knocked Kian's head back down, surroundings faded away.

"Kian! Kian wake up!"

Kian lurched upright, lashing out instinctively at the hands shaking She slammed Lucas into the glass door, gripping his arms in a frenzy. The sights and smells of the cell still clouded her senses. She hadn't noticed the sun shining bright on them, or the sound of cars beeping below. Kian was completely blinded by the aftermath of her nightmare, by the utter fear it struck her with.

"Kian relax! It's me!" Lucas shouted, fighting against her hold

    As if ice water had been thrown on her, Kian released the grip she had on Lucas stepping away.

    "Madison, where Madison?" She kept repeating desperately.

    "She's at the studio recording!  Hey, look at me!" He grabbed the sides of her face forcing her to look into his eyes, "Breathe Kian."

As her lungs remembered how to properly inhale, the present crystallized around Kian - the sun's warmth, distant traffic noises, her balcony. Lucas handed her water, instructing her to drink, guiding her back inside.

"She knows," Kian repeated trying to root herself in reality

"Yes. They both do."

She couldn't meet his eyes, too ashamed, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry"

"Kian, look at me." -he grabbed her hand- "It's okay, a couple of nights on the couch won't kill me."

His attempt at levity briefly lifted the corners of Kian's mouth before the darkness descended again.

Lucas studied her with concern. "Have you been drinking?"

Kian shook her head wordlessly. She tried but it hadn't helped at all.

"Sleeping?"

Another silent head shake. Every time Kian closed her eyes the horrors were waiting. Sleep brought her no rest, only fresh torment.