The World Of Steam

42

"You know, kidnapping you was almost too easy." Knox told his helpless hostage. "Lennox's rage was always his weakness. He's so fixated on killing me that doesn't see the things that are right under his nose."

Gathering some of her breaking nerves together, Jennix realised that there was no use in panicking when she was held prisoner. There was no escape. For now, at least. She just had to pray that Lennox would come for her. Showing fear only fuelled Knox's strength and gave him the upper hand. He lived only to torment his enemies and break his hostages to a crumbling heap. She could not show a single sign of weakness. This was not a physical fight, it was a game of wits, and she had to keep hers about herself if she stood a chance at surviving the ordeal. But that was easier said than done now that she was alone with no one to guide her. Her actions were her own and she was solely responsible for her own blunders. She just had to survive long enough for the cavalry to arrive. But then again, how long would that be? She looked down at the small table, just noticing the plate of meat in front of her. Her mouth dropped open in shock slightly and her eyes widened. It was almost a beautiful sight to behold. She did not even remember the last time that she ate a juicy steak. The shape of it seemed wrong, like a blind person had cut it, but it was meat nonetheless. Even its deep red colour did not seem to put her off. A mug of fresh beer sat next to it, the head still foaming. She licked her lips lightly. Knox nodded down to the food, acknowledging her change of gaze.

"Please, eat." He told her in an almost polite manner. "You must be famished from eating humans all the time."

Jennix stared at him, doubt clouding her mind like an incoming storm. Something had to be wrong. Her senses were tingling all over her, warning her of an impending disaster. It was just simple logic. It did not take a detective to analyse the scene. A psychopath was not going to willingly treat his hostage with a hearty meal. Whatever shred of humanity he had left was long gone, along with his sanity. She started to wonder where he had even got hold of a fresh slab of meat. Had he really done the impossible? Knox sighed, rolling his eyes slightly in a small annoyance.

"It's not poisoned. Watch." He grabbed the knife and fork and cut away a small piece. Eating it, he swallowed down the meat and shrugged. He put the cutlery back down onto the plate. "See? I'm not going to kill you. Not until I don't have a use for you, that is. Come now, this may be my only act of kindness to you, be grateful."

Giving in to her hunger, Jennix grabbed the cutlery and cut away a piece of the meat. She proceeded to chew on it. "What is this?" She asked, still chewing.

"It's called Ouroboros Steak. It's made from human blood and expired cells."

Jennix instantly spat the human meat back out onto the plate and screamed, eyes wide with horror. Knox laughed, taking great pleasure in seeing her suffering. "What do you want with me?!" She screeched at him. Knox twisted back to his expressionless face. Jennix grabbed the beer and gulped it down, forgetting to check if it was poisoned.

"I am going to use you as a ransom. If you surrender the cure, you get to go free."

Jennix put down the mug and gasped, beer dripping down onto the table. She licked her lips and looked up at him, managing to control her racing heart. "Why do you want the cure anyway? I highly doubt that you are going to use it to cure London."

"Oh, I want London cured alright, of course I do."

"So why even bother with this war?"

"That's simple, I just sell it to the highest bidder. I get to retire at forty years old, and London gets clean air again. And, come on, you have to admit, this miserable country is a bit overpopulated. Killing a few million would surely do wonders to the economy. Think about it."

Jennix released the mug's handle. She wiped her mouth and frowned at him. "So you started this entire war for money?"

"Yes, and I also solve the problem of overpopulation. I'm doing everyone a favour. They will live much more peaceful lives in whatever afterlife they believe in. The city is hell enough for them. If they die in the war, it will bring them peace as they won't have to deal with their daily struggles any longer."

"This isn't some 1970s spy flick!"

Knox grinned at her, gleaming madness in his eyes. "But wouldn't it be fun if it was?" He asked her, almost too happily.

"Why aren't you killing me right now?"

He went back to his default expression. "You're no use to me dead. I need you to draw Lennox in."

Jennix began to laugh, but Knox did not seem phased at her sudden change of reaction. Not one flicker of a flinch was present on his face. He did not even seem to mind. She looked at him after her small fit was over. "Do you really think that Lennox cares for me?" She asked him, smiling, humour in her voice. Knox nodded.

"Yes. Despite his rage, he does. He won't stand to have a hair on your pretty little head be harmed. I'll have two lives for the price of one."

Jennix's smile died down, herself finally realising. Knox simply slowly smiled at her.