On the Run: The Texas Files ✔

Chapter 17: The Nightmare

I'm in that familiar metal chair. My hands are handcuffed to the back through a steel loop and my legs are chained to the front legs of the chair.

There's nothing in the room except a mirror and the chair I'm in, along with one small door next to the mirror.

I assess how my body is feeling. No pain, so I know they haven't laid a finger on me yet. My body fills with relief.

The room is almost quiet, minus the dull hum of the air conditioning unit.

I'm staring at my lap, preparing for the worst. I go into my happy place, knowing that I'm going to need to send my mind somewhere else before the torture begins. I've gotten used to physical attacks and encounters. I'm lucky I have a high pain tolerance...

I flinch when I hear a loud buzzer go off.

The door in the corner of the room opens and in comes a tall man. I've seen him before. His name is Bill. He's in charge of the buildings that keep me in lockdown and all of the people who put me through hell.

"It's always a pleasure, Jackelyn," he says as he moves my head and straps it with a belt to the back of the chair, carefully avoiding my mouth so I don't bite him.

"Can't say I feel the same, shitbag." I snarl.

"You've still got quite a mouth on you," he says as he adjusts the belt hard against my temples. "That's really not lady-like, you know."

"Ah, well," I say. "I'd apologize and everything, but since you like to put my family through hell and causing me pain, I don't think I will."

An evil grin fits his face. "You're not going to be hurt today," he pauses. "Well, at least not physically."

My eyes meet his. "What does that mean?"

"You'll see," he says. "Joe, cue the mirror."

My reflection disappears, and I'm met with Parker tied to a chair, but not just any chair, an electric chair.

"We're going to play a little game," Bill says nonchalantly. "I'm going to ask you a question, and if I don't like the answer you give me, I'm going to shock your friend."

"You're sick," I growl. "How did you even find him?"

"How we got the boy doesn't matter," he says. "What matters is that if you answer my questions, you two can leave here without a scratch."

He's going to shock him anyway. I could tell him the honest truth, but I know damn well things aren't that easy especially here and with these people.

"The longer you hesitate, the sassier you are, or if you just flat out lie to me, I will increase the voltage," Bill elaborates. "Do you understand?"

I hang my head in defeat and sigh. "Yes."

He holds up a tiny remote. "Yes, what?"

I lock eyes with Parker. His eyes are tired, and he's pleading with me to just follow the instructions. I know they tested this before they showed him to me. His breathing is fast, and he's slumped over.

"Yes, sir." I bark.

"Are the Russians planning to bomb us?" Bill asks with a flat expression.

What kind of question is that? I don't know, but I can't tell them that. They'll think I'm lying and hurt Parker.

"No," I say firmly.

His poker face continues and he nods. "Interesting. Thank you for telling me the truth."

Does he think I'm telling him the truth? That's interesting... He never has before, whether I was or wasn't. Why is he able to detect that? No one can tell when I'm lying...