Vermillion Dawn

[9] Torture

I scanned the room, carefully scrutinizing every nook and cranny. 

There had to be a weak area, a mistake, anything really, for me to escape. I would not be trapped here and used as a pawn in the grand scheme of things. I had no idea what laid beyond that giant door but I had a gut feeling I didn't want to find out. If they associated themselves with Micheal, they would kill for whatever they desired. 

I couldn't help but think about what happened to Rincho. My little Mizzy, that poor girl didn't deserve anything from this cruel world. I was eaten alive with not knowing. I hated the unknown. I wanted answers and I wanted them now. I needed to find my way back to Redwood and search for my group. They were the closest people I had to family, and they had enough grit that I refused to believe they were dead after the attack. 

I could only assume it was a raid lead by Micheal. That snake left Redwood and then led someone else right to us. He was after revenge and I wasn't sure he'd be satisfied until the ground ran red with the blood of his perceived enemies. I grit my teeth, like hell I would let that happen. 

I wasn't able to move from the bed, my wrist was still handcuffed to the metal, but I saw something on the far side of the room. Just a tiny speck but my keen eyes spotted it. I grinned as I realized it was a nail. A loose nail in the floorboard, its head sticking up maybe a half-inch. Enough to be pried out with force from something. I looked back at the handcuffs, I just needed out of these things. 

Mentally, I counted the minutes. 

Time seemed to pass immensely slow and I hated it. The more time I wasted here, the less time I had to find Rincho. He would be on the move. I knew him well enough, he definitely wasn't one to waste time. He was a man of instinct and right now, it was all about surviving. I, on the other hand, could only rely on his training. As much as I wished he was here, I was on my own, and I had to take responsibility for my own survival. 

I heard the doorknob jiggle and I straightened my spine. Time to set my plan in motion. 

Micheal came in with a twisted grin. When he closed the door behind him, I knew I was in for it. He took his time walking across the room with measured steps. I was definitely going to suffer. 

"So, tell me," Micheal began, "What do you know about the AFTR program?" 

What? 

"You know the stories." I decided to say. 

"Yes, but I want to know what you know," He paused then continued with a gleam in his eye, "Did you know that Trevor wasn't the only one who worked for AFTR?" 

I scoffed, "Some of the other men were probably a part of it. Big deal. What's your point?" 

Micheal's jaw tightened, "My point is, your bodyguard knows a great deal about AFTR and his knowledge is very valuable. He most likely told you at one point, so now you are going to tell me." 

"He's not my bodyguard--" I stopped myself as his words registered. 

Rincho had been a part of AFTR? He never said anything about that. I mean, I definitely wouldn't put it past him. He had an expanse of knowledge in combat and I wouldn't be surprised if he knew the exact location of the bermuda triangle and how to get there. Still, his neglect to tell me about these things was putting me in dangerous waters. Especially now. 

"Piecing it together?" Micheal asked. 

I glared at him, "Rincho never said anything about AFTR. I don't know anything." 

"I don't believe your little lies." 

"I'm telling the truth," I insisted, "He never really spoke to me." 

Micheal stepped closer, "You are the only person he interacted with the most at Redwood. Either start talking or I'll make you." 

"Why do you want to know so bad?" I asked and then immediately regretted it because now I gave the suspicion I actually did know something. I really didn't. 

Micheal definitely took my words as a confession. After several more questions, of which I couldn't answer about Rincho and AFTR, Micheal lost his patience. His fists instantly flew to strike tender areas across my body. I grunted from each blow but I refused to let out a cry of pain, I wouldn't satisfy his sick desires. 

With every punch, he would pause to see if I would answer, and when I couldn't, he kept beating me. It was torture. I was gasping for air, my ribs screaming, and I really couldn't provide any answers. Not that I would if I did know. 

I tried to take a swing at him with my free hand but with no defense, he blocked me and landed an uppercut to my right side. After several failed attempts, I was stumbling but he didn't stop. It was in times like these I wished I would pass out but my conscience was strong. Suddenly, my eyes caught a glint of metal at his hip as he moved to kick me. A knife, he had a knife strapped to his thigh. I grunted. 

My plan just got a whole lot easier. 

I sputtered, "Okay, okay, I'll talk." 

Micheal paused, "Oh, really? I thought you'd take longer to break. You're weaker than I thought." 

My anger flared, "How about you take this handcuff off, huh? I'll show you how weak you think I am." 

His jaw clenched again. He thought he knew me but he forgot that I knew him, too. I knew he played dirty but I also knew he didn't like being taunted. In a way, we were alike. Neither of us would back down from a good fight. I used that to my advantage. 

"Come on, Micheal," I hissed through bloody teeth, "Uncuff me and let's fight. Unless you're afraid I'll beat your pathetic ass?" 

I knew I hit a nerve because his nostrils flared. 

"Who's the weak one now?" I taunted. 

He punched me straight in the face, my head whipped back from the force, but luckily I didn't hear the crack of my nose. I was dazed for a moment, my vision swimming, but I heard the jingle of metal keys. Then, the metal biting into my wrist was pried off, caked blood covering its shiny surface. I wanted to grin, now I was getting somewhere. 

"Get up." He demanded. 

I immediately straightened up, squaring my shoulders, and raising my fists. Adrenaline rushed through my veins and it aided me in keeping my focus, dulling the pain that soared through my body. In less than a second, I calculated the angle I needed to strike to reach his knife. 

Micheal swung first, as he always did, and I ducked. I dropped to one knee and kicked out the other foot to strike him in the kneecap. He cursed, his leg giving out, and I stood up to bring my knee into his face. He tried to swing blindly at me and I let his sloppy fist strike me so I could snatch the knife from his thigh. I punched him in the face and I was satisfied to hear the crack of his nose breaking. My knuckles ached but I swung again. 

I paused to take a breath and Micheal blinked in dazed confusion. 

"How's that for dirty play?" I asked, twirling the hunting knife around my fingers and testing its sharp tip. 

He tried to stand up, "You bitch!" 

I kicked his wounded knee, keeping him down, "You got that right." 

Before he could say anything else, I gripped the handle of the knife and aimed it straight for his heart. On his knees, I watched with satisfaction as his eyes widened and his mouth opened in a pained gasp. I thrust the knife deeper, its sharp blade tearing through flesh and bone with a grisly crunch. 

"You underestimated me." 

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Ah, the joy of survival stories. 

This chapter was longer than I expected so I split it up.

Thoughts so far?