Hey. I know most of you have probably thought I've died or forgotten, or given up, etc. Well, I haven't. During the summer, my family's computer acted like it was possessed or something and I did not trust it to work on the Internet. Therefore, I devoted myself to my story (and work, most unwillingly) and so it has come a long ways. Still not done, but I'm working on that. My Beta reader Katya is proofreading my story, but with classes...we're working on it. Meanwhile, I decided to re-post the first couple chapters. Before you hit me, I'm doing this for the simple reason that they have gone through some changes. Since I have finally seen the movie (and found I liked it very much), I was able to rewrite some parts to make my story fit in more with the movie. Just subtle changes for now, but they are necessary for later chapters. So, I'll shut up and let you read. Miss Elizabeth

P.S. (sorry!)-Thanks to all of you who have read my story and have been waiting for more chapters. I swear they are coming!

Chapter 1: In the Dark of the Night

The light flickered and sputtered as the lit candles burned steadily. Across the room, a figure moved. The light shone off a smooth baldhead and high forehead. Knowing his slave awaited his order, he spoke in a low tone that sent shivers through the man standing behind him.

"Bring her."

The first man did not even turn around; he knew the slave would obey. He was too scared not to obey. A feeble light showed a twisted grin escape his normally emotionless face. The door was flung open, and two strong men came in, dragging a small, struggling figure. The shadows enveloped it, making it impossible for any to see the expression of loathing and something else on its face. Fear.

"Leave us." Soon they were alone. The small figure stood, barely able to contain the shivers of fear running through its body. The man walked slowly towards the small figure, eyes gleaming strangely in the candlelight. They seemed to almost glow red.

"And how are we today, Miss Danvers? What, no answer? Surely, you must have something to say." A slight chuckle rent the air. Before the small figure could make a sound, the man's red silk covered arm made contact with her head. She fell. Hard.

"Did that hurt, my dear? Tell me, were you scared?" The figure, now laying half way in the shaft of light, did not utter a sound. The man studied it as the legs, covered with see-through silk, struggled to lift the body off the unforgiving ground. The silk slippers, poor protection to the cold that permeated the harsh stone temple, slipped and slid until they found traction. As soon as the shadowy figure stood, an invisible wall of force was flung from the man to the standing figure, which was sent flying through the air until the small body made contact with the stonewall. Amazingly, there came no sound from the obviously hurting figure: no sharp cry of pain, no voice begging the torment to end.

"Still nothing? My dear, how long do you think you can keep this up? You have remained strong, which is admirable. But how long can this last? Sooner or later, I will win. I will succeed with you as I will succeed with International Rescue." As he said this, he grabbed her arm and pulled her close to his face. The candlelight fell full on his face, highlighting the hard, determined face and cruel, cold, black eyes. This same fickle light continued to shield the young lady's face from sight.

"In fact my dear, soon the Thunderbirds will be no more, thanks to me, The Hood. And your last hope will be gone, won't it, dearest?" He flung her to the ground and pulled something from the sash wrapped around his waist. The girl flinched and raised a hand in a pitiful attempt to stem the horror to come.

As the man raised the whip to strike, his cold voice echoed through the room. "The Thunderbirds, like you, will be mine."

CRACK.