Those Darn Dogooders

9

Jinx

So far, the plan's going off without a hitch.

I heard the door shut, and then two pairs of footsteps, and Ted heard it too. He leaps over, and towers over me while I start to cower and yell and scream for help in the corner of the cell. Just for good measure, I whisper for Ted to pinch me hard in the arm, and it hurts enough that my eyes fill up.

I buck up my strength, and nod to Ted, to signal that it's time to start acting. We've gotta pull off a convincing show, and this is it. He's going to hit and kick and hurt me, but I'll heal fast, because he's not going to hit hard. I made him promise me that, for whatever his word is worth. Which probably isn't much.

I scream in a hopefully convincing cry of anguish as he slaps me across the face. I feel my cheek immediately start to grow hot and throb, and this time real tears start to sparkle in my eyes from the impact. But I'll get over it. Or at least I will after I break outta this joint.

As I slump against the wall after a few (rather light) blows to my stomach and a kick aimed at my left shin, Ted grabs my pink collar and forces me against the wall, dragging me upwards against it until I'm about 2 or 3 feet off the ground, held in place by his fists. I flail and thrash and kick around, hoping it looks like I'm pulling off a convincing fight.

"HELP!" I yell as struggle to move my hands, which are still locked tightly in inhibitors.

Ted moves to make another false move and—

Wait.

What's he doing…?

Ted let go of the collar of my dress with one hand, and instead he moved it up to the side of my cheek, stroking it. I can't tell if this is what he calls fighting or acting or whatever, but it…doesn't feel right.

He moves his free hand to the back of my head, running his fingers through my mussed-up hair.

Oh, no. He's not acting anymore. He's not acting...!

As soon as I realize that the hungry look in his eye isn't part of our agreement, I really start thrashing around, hoping that the guards will come, and now.

"HELP! SOMEBODY HELP ME!" I scream as I try fruitlessly to get him to loosen his grip on my collar. Somebody, anybody, get me outta here! I can't do anything if I'm stuck in these power inhibitors, and can't use my hands!

Down the hall, I hear one of the guards yell my name, sounding concerned. He sounds younger than the average idiots around here, though, and it's a big surprise that he actually knows my name, let alone cares. The footsteps quicken, and then suddenly those footsteps fade into the loud calls and jibes that the other inmates are making. At first, when they saw Ted beating up on me, they were excited, but now…they sound agitated, even fearful…

I keep squirming, and the tears start coming harder. This guy is going to rape me if I don't get out of here soon. "SOMEBODY HELP!"

Before I even know what's happening, I feel a cool rush of wind as the cell door opens and Ted drops me to the floor. I look up in shock, stumbling backwards as I fall into the corner of the cell nearest the door. I should have known! Once a criminal, always a criminal! Worst time to have it proved though!

No. This can't be happening…this can't be happening! Not him! Anyone but him!

From what I can see, Ted is being beat up, and badly. He cringes and contorts and yells and struggles as the punches keep rolling from every direction, at every millisecond. Around Ted are constant streaks of red and gold, and Kid Flash's angry voice bounces off the cement walls, even though I can't see him.