Stolen From Superman-The Sequel To Waiting for Superman

Chapter 38- Torture

The loudspeaker announces across the room "Flight 349 boarding in 5 minutes." I look back at Sandy, giving her a small nod and smiling in my thanks. Then I turn my attention to Percy. He seems to be fighting back tears as well. Everyone cries so much now. I think we're too broken to try and hold it back anymore. "I'll miss you buddy." I say, and he suddenly hugs me, shoulders shaking a bit. "Tell me if you ever get Ali back." He says into my shirt, and I swallow. "I will. I'll get her back for you Percy." I say, and he nods, pulling away and staring at the ground. Sandy smiles at me once more, and then they're gone, leaving me even more alone than before.

I go back to my condo, feeling strangely empty inside. I have no idea what to do now. It's just me. I swore I would get her back. I've sworn it to Percy, and to myself. But how? I have no clue where they've taken her, and no idea how to find out. But I'm sure they'll contact me eventually. They'll have some end goal in mind. Ask for money, perhaps. Make me come to a meeting place so they can kill me. Oh, they'll be in touch. So, what else is there to do, except wait?

*Ali's POV*

Steven and Joey just stare at me, silent. I raise an eyebrow. I don't see what the point of this is. "So?" I say, trying to act calm and nonchalant about the whole thing. Never mind that they're going to cut me up, I'm cool with it. Who cares if I'm physically damaged anyways? I mentally chuckle at my morbid thoughts, still staring at them. Steven tilts his head and crosses his arms. Joey looks puzzled "What?" he mumbles. I blink. They must not have been expecting me to have any opinion about anything. "Well if you're going to torture me, you might as well get on with it." I say tersely, irritated. Either they should do something, or they should leave me alone. Not just stand there and stare at me like I'm a canvas to be painted on. They should leave me alone to my memories and my misery. Steven raises and eyebrow, seeming amused. "If that's what you want, then let's get started." He says, voice cold and smooth. His lips curl into a cruel grin and his eyes seem to turn to ice. I refuse to react.

He wheels the cart with the knives over to my chair, the blades glinting under the lights in the room. A whole range of weapons, from knives to something that looks suspiciously like a branding iron. My eyes follow them carefully. It's not the weapons I'm afraid of. That's ridiculous. They can't inflict pain upon me by themselves. It's Steven that is to blame here. I try to stay calm, but it's slightly difficult when you're about to be sliced up like a piece of meat. My heart rate increases, and a slight sheen of sweat breaks out on my forehead. Still, I refuse to show my fear, letting my mind run wild only on the inside. He could kill me now. He could just slit my throat and that would be it. But I don't think he will. Joey angles the camera slightly and presses the record button. I blink a few times, and decide to stay as silent as possible through this. If they're going to show this to Jordan, and I have no doubt that they will, I'll be as brave as I can. I'm not going to put him through unnecessary suffering. I know my pain will be hard enough for him to watch. So I don't plan on making it any worse. I'll be as silent as I can. And I will tell him I'm alright. I'll at least tell him that I love him. Even though he already knows.

Steven selects one of the smaller knives to begin with, and steps up to me slowly. I hide the fear behind my eyes, and harden my expression, swallowing hard. I won't give in to him. Not for as long as I can. He smiles slightly, seeming to anticipate eagerly what he's about to do. I stare him down, refusing to look as he tips the knife's point down and drags it across the delicate skin of my forearm, leaving a thin red line. I don't really feel that pain. I've felt much worse before. He then switches arms, cutting a slightly deeper gash in my other arm, which burns and bleeds much more than the other. I still don't move, never turning my glare away from him. He watches me for a moment. "You're used to cutting, aren't you?" he says, taunting me. I blink, and don't answer. Better for him to think I'm not and continue with this low degree of pain. Although, I suppose, my scars have already given me away. "It's because you're alone. Just like now. No one loves you." He continues slowly, sneering. I tighten my jaw. "That's not true." I say simply. Jordan loves me. He laughs "How stupid can you be? Don't you think he would be here by now if he loved you? We have eyes on him, Ali, and he hasn't even tried to look for you. Not once." I wrinkle my forehead. He's probably lying. I have to say something, though. I can't let Jordan think I believed him. "I don't see how he could. Even I don't know where I am." I say strongly, waiting for the next blow. He smirks, the blood still seeping from my arms. "And that is for a very good reason, darling." He says, and plunges the knife into my thigh. I can't help but scream, the pain racing up my leg. He waits a moment before yanking it out. The pain is hot and sharp, and it clouds my vision. I'm lucky it was such a small knife. "That's more like it." He mumbles, chuckling. He selects another knife, slightly more delicate than the first. He drags it across my cheek. The cut stings, but is nowhere near the level of pain in my leg. My eyes smart with the closer wound. "I love you Jordan." I get out, just to help push myself through the pain. I hope he hears it.

A/N: oooooooooo that was slightly graphic, sorry if that bothered you. Slap dat vote button and drop a comment for the next chapter!

-Argo