The Ties That Bind Us

CHAPTER 13: Torment

[TW]: Graphic depictions of violence. Read at your own risk.

———

Her wrists hurt from the tight ropes wrapped around them, tying them together behind her back. She could feel blood dripping and streaming down to the palm of her hands. Another sudden wave of sharp pain hit her right cheek, but she didn't falter, immediately turning her face to stare daringly at the one whose hand had just slapped her.

A deafening and annoying laugh came out of his mouth, so loud and high-pitched she had to stop herself from flinching at the sound. The ice-cold howling winds hit the burning hot skin on her face, slightly numbing it from the pain. The white lights started flashing again outside of the tower grids and Selina calculated that therefore she'd been there for a bit less than an hour—every thirty minutes the Eiffel Tower golden lights changed color and began to sparkle brighter.

She looked around and observed the many clown-masked men standing in position, holding their guns in a circle around them; then all those people standing cornered against the monument structures, preferring to be on the edge of it than near that horrific and twistedly childish figure. They all looked at her, frightened and sympathetic, too scared to even come close and do any of the things their good conscience must've been telling them to do. One little girl holding onto her mother's leg seemed to be the only one with truly fearless eyes, and Selina realized the only reason she'd been clinging to her like that was to give her moral support and comfort. She smiled at her shortly and the girl smiled back.

"I like you," that disturbing voice spoke, pulling her away from her thoughts. She sighed, annoyed. "You have a fire in your eyes, almost like the one that other one had... what was her name? Mmm... Reagan? Racquel? Doesn't matter."

Selina rolled her eyes and spit out bloodfilled saliva, looking clearly uncomfortable with the comparison.

"Of course, you're much more fun to play with," he said, leaning down close to her and resting his hands on the arms of the chair. His tongue flickered around as he spoke, "I wish you'd brought some of your own toys, though. I would've loved trying them on you—oh, well, mine will have to do."

Selina kept quiet, and didn't express any reaction to that dirty, painted, and disfigured face that stood only inches away from her. He looked down to her mouth, licking his own lips, seemingly amused and in deep thought. She didn't dare speculate what was it he was thinking, but she had an idea of what kinds of mental images he might've been reliving.

"You're so quiet!", he snapped, pulling away from her pretending to be mad, "Say something, Kitty Kat! Come on, play with me! I've been so bored! Should we do a little truth or dare? I didn't bring any booze but I'm sure we can come up with some other sort of punishment...", he looked at her pleadingly, but her expression continued to be blank, "You're a shy kitten, I get it. I'll start then, I say truth. You ask me."

She wasn't planning on playing by his rules, but after a few seconds, she started thinking that maybe it was a good way to get some explanations. And buy herself some time.

"Okay," she said, and his eyes popped in excitement as he bounced up and down like a little boy. "Why are you here?", she asked, condescending.

"Ugh. No fun", he rolled his eyes, "Okay. I'm here for you, kitty."

"What does that mean?"

"Uh-uh, that's two questions. It's my turn."

"Truth."

"Do you know... Batman's real identity?", he asked theatrically, "And careful, because I know the answer to that one, I'm just making sure you're playing fair here. I'll be a 100% honest with you if you'll return the favor. And I'm not even asking you to say his name."