LifeShield

Kidnapped

The china taps against the slate and gold of her granite countertop as Fiona pours tea. The dab of cream swirls like a slow motion hurricane. She stares at the patterns for several seconds before interrupting it with a spoon. Lifting the cup, she slurps the scalding liquid.

CRACK!

The door across the kitchen shatters inward, glass crashing to the floor as the door wallops against the wall. Overstuffed men swarm through, black and silent except for the crunch of glass under their feet. Before her tea splashes onto the counter, they've swarmed around her.

"Don't move!"

Four figures pin her in, blocky handguns unwavering on her heart. Streaks of greasy paint covers every inch of their faces, making the whites of their eyes shine like beacons. The one who spoke has the brown gold shimmer of a cat's eyes.

She stands frozen, heart thumping, unable to get a sound through her vocal cords. Her eyes flicker as two more men take up position by the door, and two more race across the living room

"Clear!"

Her mind starts to tick over again, recognizing the uniforms from YouTube videos, remembering the speculation over which military units had received LifeShield units. Were these? She couldn't imagine so. She knew exactly how many could have been processed by now, and they wouldn't have wasted any on her. And Mr Dickhead General would think eight men would be enough to handle one measly woman.

So I guess the game is now in full play.

Slowly, she lifts the cup to her lips again, sipping what remains of the spilled tea before setting the cup down in the puddle. Anger turns the tide of her fear, giving her control of her body again, her voice.

"Gentlemen. I'd welcome you, except you forgot to knock."

"Ma'am, we have orders to retrieve you."


"And take me where?"

"I'm not at liberty to say ma'am."

General Stephens throwing his weight around. Like a little kid having a tantrum. Not that there was a thing she could do about it. Even though it was depressingly inevitable. Still didn't make it easy, or enjoyable.

"At least tell me you're not going to leave my busted in house for thieves to pick over."

"No ma'am, it's being taken care of."


She gestures at the sagging wreck of a door, "Lead on then."