Don't Ask About My Demons

Forsaken Soldier

Patience yields focus. Another wave of electricity coursed through him. Keith struggled against the restraints.

"Again!" Haggar shouted.

Keith bit his lip. Patience... yields... focus. He grimaced and curled his hands into fists.

Haggar looked on coldly. "Again!"

Keith just barely held back a hoarse scream.

"Wait!" Haggar held her hand up.

Keith was breathing heavily. Sweat dripped from his brow but he couldn't wipe it away. His gaze rose to meet Haggar, then dropped again. He could barely expend the energy to keep his head up.

Haggar stepped forward. "Maybe now you understand the consequences of trying to rebel against the great Emperor Zarkon. Thace was a fool. He was weak! He deserved his fate."

Keith looked to her with glassy eyes but said nothing.

"You know you can never win, don't you? You're weak... but you can grow to be a strong Galra soldier. All of this could end. The pain... the isolation... the starvation... it will all go away. Just say the words and it will all be over."

"N-never!" Keith's voice shook. He hadn't gotten used to the increased voltage just yet. Keith inhaled. "I'd rather die." He replied weakly.

Haggar chuckled. "I'm afraid you don't have that kind of luxury, boy. Any normal human would have died under these conditions. But I know you better than you know yourself. It would take a lot more than this to kill you."

Keith relaxed into the restraints, an idea forming in his head. "Is that so?"

Haggar furrowed her brows. "Of course."

"Hm... well then. It looks like you won." Keith's breathing began to even out and he blinked slowly. His head dropped, chin resting against his chest. Silence followed.

Haggar took a curious step forward. By this time, Keith's eyes were closed. He willed himself to remain still and calculated Hagger's distance by the sound of her footsteps. She was close now. He could feel it. Just one more step. Come on.... Closer... Closer...

Keith's eyes shot open. He pulled himself up by the straps around his wrists and launched his legs toward the old woman, squeezing her tightly between his knees so that she couldn't get away. "Nobody move!" He shouted.

The Galra soldiers exchanged glances. One of them stepped forward, intending to help Haggar.

"NO! LEAVE ME!" She commanded furiously. "I WANT EVERYONE OUT! NOW!"

Keith couldn't help but wonder if his actions embarrassed Haggar. After all, she always claimed that she was much stronger than him. But here she was with him tied down and weakened yet he still managed to beat her. The thought made him grin in satisfaction.

The doors slid shut after the last Galra soldier exited. "You think you're so clever, boy?" Haggar hissed.

"Let. Me. Go." He said firmly. She was the source of his torment. She was the reason for his pain. He wanted her gone. Rage began to boil inside him. His vision began to blur. He could get rid of her, if he wanted. He could have his vengeance. Keith shook his head. No. Calm down. No Galra state. Not now. He took a deep breath. He wouldn't lose control of himself, not again.