Cosmic Chronicles - "Retribution"

Chapter II - Nine Tails

Chapter II - Nine Tails

       SMACK- Nova was violently woken up by a slap to the face. He frantically looked around and realized was tied up to a chair and sat at a table. A small overhead lamp lit his side of the table and that was it.

       "Hello, Nova." A low voice spoke. It echoed in the room and the bass of the voice sent chills through his spine. He knew who it was. 

       "Orion." He growled as he looked around the area he was in. Nova kept looking around then he heard a click - then another light across the table came on. It was an unconscious Kit, sitting across from him. Her missing hand was bandaged off, and Nova could only hope her leg got the same treatment.

       "Kit- Kit! Wake up!" Nova urged, completely forgetting about Orion. He struggled in his seat, desperately trying to escape to help his beloved friend. Kit groaned and her head slowly rocked back and forth before she was finally back in the real world. 

       "Nova.. it hurts.." She said hoarsely. She raised her head and squinted, her eyes hurting from the lights around. She was very out of it. "Where.. are we…?" She asked, slurring her words.

       "Kit, I'll get us out I promise." Nova said in a hushed tone. After those words, a man could be heard laughing in the dark. A sense of dread fills Nova. 

       "Cute... reunion over." Orion said as he pulled a chair to the table. Nova and Kit tried to look at him but it was hard as the middle of the table wasn't lit up. As if on cue, Orion snapped his fingers and another light came on, this time shining on him and the rest of the table. 

       "Now… you're both going to answer questions, or play the game." Orion gestured toward the middle of the table and Nova's eyes widened as he realized what was going on. 

       "You.. You're disgusting." He growled as he stared at a revolver sitting between him and Kit. A classic Russian Roulette. The pistol had blood on it and seemed a bit worn. Orion must like using this method on his enemies. 

       "Nova..?" Kit said in a scared tone. She looked at him with pleading eyes, hoping he had a plan. 

       "Don't look at him. He can't help you now, sweetheart." Orion chimed in. "Now enough stalling… Let's start with you." He said while staring Kit down. Orion grabbed the revolver and loaded a bullet into the cylinder. 

       "Are you two together?" He asked Kit as he began spinning the cylinder of the gun. Kit's eyes slowly swapped between Orion and Nova. She still feels out of it, but she knows this isn't a joke. 

       "Y-Yes… I was here to help him." Kit said in response. Orion set the pistol down on the table and let out an amused huff. 

       "Help with what?" He asked playfully. Kit realized she chose the wrong words and her face dropped a bit. She looked at Nova, and his face showed more anger than anything else.

       "Stop scaring her!" He shouted. "She doesn't want to speak to you, talk to me instead." He demanded.

       "Do not chime in, boy." Orion snapped back at him. Nova's ears lowered in response, showing that even though he wants to be tough, his father still has some power over him. 

       "Nova t-told me he just… wanted to speak with you again." Kit finally answered, sounding distressed. Orion grinned at this response before turning to Nova.