I'll Track You Down

I'll be strong

I refuse to let the tears fall on my already pink face but they squeeze through my eyes and fall anyways, Malgrave stays emotionless showing no weakness, he only snaps at Caspian who nods quickly.

I look into Caspian's eyes, I'm sure mine look like dripping emeralds, but he doesn't hesitate as he grabs my arm and forces me forward.

I'm shoved down another flight of stairs and tossed into a small room with all kinds of terrifying devices hung on the stone walls.

The only source of light is a small lamp hanging up above, a chill runs through me, not just because it's cold but because I know what they're going to do to me.

Caspian pushes me into a chair, I look down and see it's bolted to the floor.

Shit.

All I have to do is stay quiet, I can do that. It's what I've done my whole life, and I can endure torture, this is their last resort before death, if don't get anything out of me they'll kill me, I'd meet the same fate even if I told them what they wanted to hear.

The only sound in the echoing room is the click of the cuffs Caspian puts on my ankles, the cuffs are looped around the chair legs, restricting me from leaving.

I wonder which one of them will have the honor of torturing me, perhaps Malgrave will use Caspian if he doesn't get anything out of me.

Regardless, it won't matter who does it, my lips are sealed.

Caspian steps aside once the cuffs are in place and I don't flinch when Malgrave grabs the back of my neck pulling me closer to him.

He drops his voice so Caspian can't hear.

"I won't kill you," Liar. "As long as you do as I say." I spit at his feet. "Well, I tried Kalisa, this one is on you."

How long was Malgrave waiting for this moment? When he can show off that he's won and I've lost, what's even worse is I have no hope for a rescue team, they all think Decker and his forces are taking out Caspian right now.

My one and only job is to stay quiet, I don't even have to make it out alive, but if I so much as slip one piece of information, Malgrave can climb mountains.

Malgrave runs his fingers along the wall touching all kinds of knives and smaller guns, things that can't kill a person but make them suffer. He lands on a very peculiar looking device, the handle long and thin, but the end is covered with what can only be described as metal spiderwebs.

It's going to hurt. Malgrave takes off his blazer leaving only his collared shirt, clean and white. It won't be for long.

Malgrave pulls the machinery from the shelf and walks as slowly as possible towards me, his feet echo on the stone floor and even Caspian shifts uneasily.

"So," He says, tossing the device from one hand to the other. "Give me all the names of the assassins you work with." I stare at the floor. "Nothing, huh. You'll cave soon enough."

He puts a hand onto my shoulder, steading me in case I struggle, his grip is firm and strong, sure to leave a bruise.

Malgrave places the spider web end against my stomach, and I close my eyes, hoping it'll shield me. "You have one more chance Kalisa." He says tracing my face, it makes me flinch when his hand goes over my lips.

I open my eyes to look at the murder of my best friend and decide to bear the pain, Nye didn't have any other choice.

I'll be strong.

For her.

"Give me the names."

"Go fuck yourself." I stay, this time my voice doesn't shake or quiver, it actually sounds rather strong and confident, Malgrave only sighs and shoves the device further into my stomach. It feels like my skin is about to explode, as if acid has been poured into my bloodstream and is vaporizing every organ in my body, it twists and turns my consciousness until I start to see spots.

My mind falls into a dark space were everything hurts, my body weighs a million pounds, it hurts to even lift my head up, just when I think it starts to die down a thousand needles puncture every surface of my body leaving it bloody and dying, I release a blood curdling scream as the needles turn to knives that sink deeper and deeper.

Then I feel nothing, no pain, no discomfort, pure peace.

But that only stays for a short while, I open my eyes after a slap to the face, Malgrave no doubt. I blink until the room comes into focus and lick my lips, when I taste something, I raise a hand to my chin and scoop some of the blood off of it, the liquid ruby runs down my chest and into my black dress, disappearing from sight.

Malgrave's shirt is a tie dye mix of white and red, some splattered on his face even.

I sit up and immediately regret it, my chest feels like broken glass is being jabbed into it. The device isn't there anymore but its presence still lurks.

"How'd you like that Kalisa?" Malgrave asks, taking a handkerchief and wiping the blood off of his face.

My heavy breaths and half shut eyes are enough response for him. "Not too well it seems." The murder strokes my pale face, and then proceeds to wipe the blood from my chin and mouth. "I can't have this getting on the floor, it'll be a pain to remove."