Elemental

Chapter 36

Christine had been sitting in a cell for a few hours. The only light came from a small window that was a foot tall and two inches wide. The only things in the room were a small cot, a sink, and a toilet. She hadn't been expecting to be imprisoned. She thought for sure that she was going to be taken to the dictators for a public execution. What was the point of imprisoning her at all?

She stared down at her hands. Her wrists were throbbing and she could see a burn in the shape of Lea's hand, barely visible due to her shackles. Her whole body was aching from various bruises and scratches. There weren't any serious wounds, she just felt drained from using so much of her power. She had always been a fast healer and it wasn't until recently that she found out that the reason for that was her DNA. She was never afraid that she wasn't going to make it. She didn't feel that way now. Her body felt weak, full of stones and empty all at once. She felt broken in a way that couldn't be fixed.

Her gifts that she had thought of as a burden or a curse for so long was something that she relied on to feel whole. Not that it mattered at this point. She wouldn't have to feel this way for long.

The sound of keys jingling in the lock had her jumping to her feet. Lea, Jiro, and Kevin walked in and she got into a defensive position. She may not be able to do much at the moment but she wasn't about to go down without a fight. Kevin shut the door and leaned against it.

Lea rolled his eyes and slumped against the wall and Christine noted that he flinched as he did so. "Fighting us would be a stupid mistake."

"I won't go down without a fight." She responded, not relaxing her stance.

"Who said anything about bringing you down?" Jiro spoke, his black eyes assessing her.

Christine didn't budge. "Am I supposed to believe otherwise?"

"We just want to talk," Kevin said. "We've thought of something that would be mutually beneficial."

She scoffed. "I highly doubt that."

"We hold all the cards here so I'd recommend you keep your mouth shut," Lea snapped.

"We've seen what you can do and you're not as powerful as us. We could easily overpower you." Jiro said. "But we would be much stronger together."

Christine stared at him, honestly baffled. "What?"

"You have the support of the people on your side. For some ridiculous reason, people think that you're a better alternative than us." Kevin said.

"Maybe because I chose not to use my gifts to destroy cities," she couldn't help but hiss.

Lea shot out a whip of flames, burning a long strip across her right cheek. Christine flinched but didn't say a word.

"You have no leverage, girl. We're showing you mercy by even keeping you alive." Lea growled. "Whether you die or join us, we'll find a way to get the people on our side."

"I take it fear isn't working?" She retorted.

"The Raiders worked for a time but now that the organization is taking injections and rallying Raiders to their side, it's less of a threat," Kevin said.

Christine was about to say something about their experimenting but paused. What if they didn't know about what Oliver figured out? She hadn't seen Oliver with the team. What if he was never there to begin with? Is it possible that he never betrayed them?

"And if I were to agree to help you. What's in it for me?"

Lea scoffed. "I thought we established that we wouldn't kill you."

"I want you to spare the organization."

Kevin shook his head. "Out of the question. We need to make an example of them to prevent further threats."

"You won't ever find them without me."

"True," Jiro mused. "But we can use you as bait. At your execution for example. I wonder how far they'll go to save you."

Christine froze. "No. Fear will only go so far. The people will only rise up again."

"Then I suppose it's up to you to decide what kind of world the future holds," Jiro said.

She shook her head. "No. Even if I do decide to join you it wouldn't matter. The organization formed the moment you three came into power. I was their edge but they don't need me. They wouldn't waste thousands of lives for mine." She hoped to God that was true.

"I think you underestimate their loyalty," Kevin said. "You have twenty-four hours to decide whether to cooperate or not. As far as we're concerned, either works."

Kevin knocked on the door and it opened. Kevin and Jiro walked out but Lea lingered by the door.

"I could talk them into sparing the organization," he said, his green eyes flashing. "That is, if you remember that everything has a price."

"Why should I trust you?"

"Do you have much of a choice?"

That was true. Even if he didn't fulfill his side of the bargain, it was better to try and fail than to not try at all.

"And your price?" She asked, her voice low.

"That'll come later." He stepped toward her. "We both know that it won't matter what I ask of you."

It wouldn't. She would do anything to keep the organization safe.

Christine swallowed and nodded. "Okay."