SFSD-X Smackdown Challenge ✔️

'I Was Made To Love You' - Part III

I sleep awfully that night and don't even make it until six, probably because of the jet lag. With a grumbling stomach, I crawl out of bed at the crack of dawn and realize to my horror that I could have slept another hour. Yet, the thought of coffee and grits spurs me on and I get dressed after a quick shower.

The compound is deserted when I walk through the hallways and the mess hall is still locked. With a sigh, I decide on a little excursion to check out the rest of the facilities to take my mind of my raging appetite. It is quiet with only the soft humming of the climate control regulator which keeps the compound at a comfortable temperature all year around. I have never breathed fresh, unpolluted air in my life, and the image that I will soon walk around outside a sealed building is mind boggling.

When I turn the corner, I hear muffled voices and turn in an attempt not to eavesdrop, but the sound of my name makes me freeze.

"So when are you gonna tell Bond what your plans are for him?"

"After we jump." The last voice is definitely Rykar's and I peek around the door into an exercise room. With a quick leap, I dive behind a high bannister to be hidden from her view.

"Do you think he'll get with the program?"

I realize that it is Walker who is with her. Glancing around the pillar, I frown when I see what they are doing. Rykar is dangling from the ceiling by her feet and pulls herself up rapidly with her arms folded over her chest – this must be her idea of exercise. It looks gruesome.

"Not sure if he has much of a choice," Rykar replies to his question. "He either does what is expected of him or won't return. It's just that simple."

It takes me all effort not to speak up – I didn't sign up for the 'my way or the highway option.'

"Colin said he really wants to go. He might like it in the past," Walker says.

"Hell, who cares?" Rykar's breath is becoming more rapid and I can see sweat running down her face. She must have completed at least fifty pull-ups by now, but is still going strong.

"Hey, you guys got a rat." The new voice right behind me startles me almost to death. Before I can protest, Colin grabs me by the collar of my shirt and pulls me out of my hiding place. With one very ungentle push, I am shoved towards Rykar and Walker. She halts in her own torture and pulls her body up, holding onto the rope as she frees her legs. With a cat like move, she lowers her feet back onto the ground.

"Mr. Bond, what an unpleasant surprise." The words are muttered with a wicked undertone. "How long have you been hiding there?"

I twist my lips with attitude. "Long enough to hear that you're planning to set me up."

Her laugh sounds like a bark. "I wouldn't do such a thing. You must have a wild imagination or totally misinterpreted our little chat."

"I know what I heard." I tap my foot, holding her gaze. "Maybe I should tell Patrick McCane that you're intending to jump after he specifically told you not to."

Her eyes narrow slightly. "Now that would be a mistake, Mr. Bond. You might have an accident before you even get to go to the past. That'd be such a shame." Her fingers enclose the hem of my shirt and she pulls me closer, our face only inches apart. "Don't think for one second you can step on my turf and threaten me, Mr. Bond. I killed men for less than that."

I swallow hard – her eyes glow so viciously and there is no doubt on my mind that she is serious. Dating her is definitely not an option any longer, she is a total maniac.

"Get him out of my face, Colin, and keep him under wraps until we leave," she says, turning her focus on Walker. "Turn up the music. I don't want anyone else spying on us."

Colin drags me away as Walker begins to blast the radio. The sounds of some screeching heavy metal piece almost split my eardrums and I shudder when someone proclaims that we live in 'Burning Times'. Come to think of it, a crazy girlfriend of mine played it once before, I believe the band was called Iced Earth or something weird like that.

For the rest of the day, I am chased around an arena the size of an old football field to whip me into shape. Colin is ruthless, tormenting me without allowing for a water break until I hurl. He thinks it's funny while I only glare at him defiantly. He better never set foot into England or I will have my friends inflict great bodily harm on him – or maybe something even worth. Those Americans don't know that they are messing with the wrong spy.

To top it all off, he puts this song on repeat which is the worst yet. The sounds give me a pounding headache and by lunchtime, I am ready to kill him.

"What the hell is that awful music?" I ask him when I double over to catch my breath.

He smirks. "Isn't it great? It's 'Bleed From Within' by Dishonour. It's one of my favorites."

These people have no music taste whatsoever though the title is rather fitting. If I have to listen to any more of this crap, my insides will definitely bleed out. On second thought, it might not be a bad way to go – Rykar certainly doesn't give me the feeling that I will be enjoying my little adventure into the past.