Virulence

Chapter 10 - Lark Takes a Break

I'm in a room surrounded by faceless people laughing at me. My arms and legs are chained, stretched as far as they are able too. There is a man in a fancy suit next to me, his garbled voice came out in what sounded like a sneer as he lashed at me with a whip. I tried to scream but nothing came out.

I watched helplessly as my skin was striped away by the lashings, but blood refused to flow. The man in the suit laughed, a terrifying sound that no human could ever make. He yanked on a chain and suddenly I couldn't breathe. I gasped as I pulled against the shackles holding me but they didn't budge. The last thing I saw was the faceless people staring at me.

I woke up like someone had shocked me. I bolted upright, ready to fight anyone that got too close. My body instantly made me regret my action. My head pounded angrily and it hurt to breathe. The left side of my face felt like someone had hit it over and over with a hammer.

What the hell was that nightmare? Maybe it was my mind overreacting to what the mercs had done to me. I didn't want to think about it anymore.

Something fell from my face and into my lab, a soggy melted ice pack with bits of tape stuck to it. How did that get there? That's when I noticed all the bandages all over my chest and arms. Someone had patched me up and left me here.

It took a second for me to realize where I was. I was in the private room of the Shadows' cave. The hooded man that rescued me, who I'm almost positive is Zade, brought me back here to treat my injuries. I needed to go find him and see if I was right.

I got to my feet slowly, so I didn't puke my guts out. Once I found my shirt and pulled it on despite the protest of my rib cage, I hobbled down the stairs and into the main hall of the cave.

It was morning so everyone would either be in the kitchen or in the weight room. The kitchen was closer to me so I went there first. I found Vega sitting alone at the table drinking coffee.

He didn't seem surprised to see me. "You have caused quite a stir with your little disappearing act."

I sat down across from him, against my body's wishes. I didn't open my mouth very wide because it hurt too much. "I couldn't help it, I was kidnapped by a bunch of blockhead mercs with something to prove."

Vega half smiled, something you didn't see often with him. "Well Zade will be excited. He has been out all night looking for you."

I hated hearing that. Zade had enough to deal with involving me. "Do you know when he'll be back?"

Vega didn't have to answer, I could hear someone walking into the main cave. I started to get up but Vega stopped me. He stood and exited the kitchen, going to see who was home and send them my way.

Zade practically sprints into the kitchen, enveloping me in his arms. "You damn near gave me a heart attack, Kid!"

I wanted to laugh, but it hurt too much. "You are crushing me with your worry."

Zade released me but gripped my shoulders, making me look at him. His blue marbled eyes were so serious it worried me. He had really thought I was dead. Was he not the masked man that killed the mercs?

"Where have you been for the past day?" Zade asked in a hushed voice, like it was a secret.

I made the sudden decision to lie to him. "I had a little trouble hunting down the target."

Zade then noticed my face. I haven't looked at it yet but judging by how bad it hurts I imagine it's a pretty large bruise. He touched it gently, I forced myself not to flinch. "What happened to your face?"

"I missed the first shot and the target got a lucky punch off." I hated myself for lying to him. "But I still managed to get the job done. I just came back a little battered."