Curiosity Killed the Cat

The Torture Chair

Kat's POV

I don't know how long we're in the van, but it's quite a while. Jason and I don't mention anything of what is to come. We both know that it most likely means certain death for both of us. But not something as easy as going with a bullet to the head, but a slow, cruel one.

"I won't let them. They can't," Jason mutters under his breath. His grip tightens around me.

"They can't do what?" I ask.

"They're taking you away from me just like they did with my family. I'm not going through that again. I won't let anything hurt you."

I remain silent after that. He's just saying empty words. Jason has no control over this, including my safety. It might be hard for him to accept that, since he's used to always being in control. But I let him say it because it seems to comfort him.

The van abruptly stops, jerking us forward a little. Jason plasters himself into the corner even deeper, his body cocooning itself around mine.

As the doors are swing open, we squint at the brilliant sunlight that shines through. Sunrise must've happened a few hours ago.

"Stand up," a soldier orders with a gruff voice.

Jason replies with a hand gesture by holding his middle finger up. It seems to confuse both the soldiers and I.

They don't hesitate a bit when they drag us off of each other, eventually having to knock out crazy eyed, wild Jason.

I sigh. He'll realize soon enough that struggling is no use. The trick is saving your energy until the right moment. (Whenever that may be).

I'm taken to a small, perfectly square, pristine room with nothing in it but two chairs. One is taken by a man.

Not just any man, but the president.

"Sit down, Katerina," he says.

I instinctively obey, my past taking over by one look at him. Disobeying the president is something that can be physically painful.

He smiles, but not a warm, welcoming one. "You've caused quite the trouble, haven't you? I can't believe we missed one."

I tilt my head slightly in confusion. "Missed what?"

"You'll learn soon enough. We have very special plans for you."

That doesn't sound good. My heart thumps in my chest rapidly. As he stands up, I bolt out of my chair immediately, tensed and glaring at him. I stare as if challenging him to come closer.

"Where's Jason? What are you going to do with us?" I demand.

His smile grows wider. "Well, you see, we're going to need some information about that little band of kids running around in the forest. We had never realized how much they advanced in weapon technology. If you both cooperate, no one will be harmed."

Oh. So they're going to torture answers out of us. I was expecting something like that.

They force me to change into some white hospital gown. I decide to comply, cringing at the thought of them dressing me.

But instead of being chained to damp, dark walls like I had imagined, I'm strapped to a chair in another room almost exactly like the one I was just in. The only difference is that the wall in front of me is plexiglas, showing a very angry and restrained Jason guarded by several soldiers.

I strain against the straps, even though I know it's no use. My eyes widen as they begin to connect wires to various parts of my body.

"Wh- what is this?" I splutter frantically. My struggles become desperate.

"Torturing you with knives and other things would be messy, not to mention your appearance would be ruined. So we decided to use a simulator. It simulates pain worse than knives, but you come out only with a bit of nerve damage, which can easily be fixed," the president explains.

Why would they care about my appearance? I think.

"What about Jason?" I question, noticing that he's not in a similar chair.

"We're very well aware of how close you two are. Watching this is torture enough to bring out answers."

Jason's eyes widen into huge, gray orbs as the words begin to process.

"STOP! DON'T TOUCH HER!" He screams through the glass.

The president chuckles as he walks his way towards a panel that's arrayed with brightly colored buttons. "Shall we start, or will you begin talking? Either one of you."

My eyes glare into Jason's angrily. "Don't you dare say anything!"

"Kat," he sobs, pressing his head on to the glass.

I try to hide how terrified I am. I need to be strong, to not show the pain that they're simulating into me. The thoughts quickly disappear as the first button is pushed.

It feels like I'm getting burned alive, but having my insides carved out at the same time. A choked, shocked scream escapes my lips as I writhe in pain. The agony seems to never end, even though I might've only been through the first one for two minutes.

Author's Note
Thanks to all who have added this to their reading list, commented, or voted. I really hope this story becomes successful. If you have any suggestions, please PM me!
-Rose D