Agony

I choked out a sob and lay still. Every bone in my body felt broken. Every cell wonted for water and reprieve. Every nerve screamed in agony. I prayed for the solace of unconsciousness, but I was trapped in the harsh indifference of consciousness. The tears had stopped hours ago. My chest still heaved as I cried, but no pretense of moisture leaked out of my weary eyes.

“Where’s Mikhail, Charlotte?” Theo asked.

A sigh escaped my tortured lungs and I looked into Theo’s face. He looked tired as I felt. His face was smooth and emotionless, but his dark green eyes betrayed an overwhelming sadness. He was bound, like I was, but he hadn’t been beaten…not yet, at least. It was my only comfort, knowing that.

“I don’t know, Theo.” I whispered, unable to speak any louder; my throat was too raw from screaming.

Theo swallowed. Hard. I’m sorry, I wanted to say. I’m so sorry Teddy. But I couldn’t. I could only watch as two men grabbed him and forced him out of the room. I listened to the sound of footsteps came closer, and I watched as a pair of boots came to rest directly in front of my face. The toes turned outward a little as the owner of the boots squatted down. Viktor. I winced.

“I had hoped Theo might convince you to talk.” He told me.

My brain yelled at me to get up and run, but my body wouldn’t listen. All I could do was lay there and listen. Viktor stood again and kicked me in the stomach. I whimpered. He circled my body, kicking me at random intervals. Suddenly, he was in my face again, grabbing me and hoisting me upright. The steely glint of anger in his light blue eyes made my heart pound in fear. I knew that look. With a snarl, Viktor hurled my body into the wall.

Fireworks exploded behind my eyes and I felt sick to my stomach. The edges of my vision blurred and I celebrated inwardly, knowing this terrible wakefulness would soon end, but it didn’t. Viktor slapped me across the face, and all traces of that soothing blackness disappeared. I could have died of despair then.

“I’ve tried being nice. I’ve tried playing fair. I’ve given you and your brother every chance, though you didn’t deserve it, and now I’m through. I won’t make that mistake ever again. He growled softly in my ear.

“Tell my brother, Viktor…if you can find him.” I rasped, defiant even in my darkest moments.

He threw me down to the ground. I felt an ominous crunch! and then I was gone. Finally.