monachopsi

three

Speechless. Utterly speechless. My mouth opened and closed of its own accord. I could see the panic in my eyes in the reflection of the immaculately polished glass window of the receptionist's desk, and based upon the pleased look on the girl's face, she could too. 

I could sense impending disaster in the air, much like how one can sense the approach of a thunderstorm because of the tension and electricity in the air. 

"Oh, a storm is approaching, Breckin," the girl said, her voice low. "Just not the kind you're thinking of."

"How did you-"

"Read your thoughts? You'll be able to do that in time," she said, steepling her fingers, wrists resting on her crossed legs.  She tossed an expectant look in my direction. I caught it, unsure what to make of it, and sighed.

"What? What do you want me to do?" I asked, throwing an undertone of venom into my voice. "And where is my family?" I glared at the girl, barely contained rage evident in the look. Thoughts of my little sister cowering in fear, my parents trying to protect her, pranced unbidden across my mind.

"Oh, Breckin, you really think I'd harm your family? The only person I want," she said in a condescending yet mildly seductive tone. She rose to her feet, crossed the room to where I was standing, and placed a finger on my shoulder, "is you. If your family can be used against you, well, so be it. You have few weaknesses, but the ones you do have are held near and dear to your heart. It makes it easy, really."

I took a step back, away from her touch and away from her deceiving words, my mind hopelessly blank. I searched my mind for a plan and came up empty. It was no use, anyways. She could see my thoughts.

"Now, I will make sure that your family is safe and comfortable, but under one condition. You come with me," she said, "and you remain hopeless. If not, I will kill that little angel of yours. Slowly."

"Answer my questions first," I demanded, voice shaking. I would give myself up for my family, and she knew it. She was clever, but I was clever, too. I had finally met my match.

"A match, indeed," she said, ignoring my insistent request. "Now, take my hand," she said, holding it out. I didn't, and she roughly took mine, her fingers wrapping around my wrist tightly and grinding bone against bone. I winced but said nothing. "That hurt, didn't it? See, the way we do things is I ask nicely, and you do it. If not, you will be made to do the thing in a much more unpleasant manner. Do you understand?"

"Yes, your highness," I answered sarcastically, rolling my eyes. 

"That sarcasm is still there even when you're terrified and confused. It's your defense mechanism, isn't it?" she purred. There was a bright flash of light, and then darkness.