Chapter One


"Defeated, wasted, broken, bruised, All because of my addictions It left me crying and confused, It cuts right through my religion My good intentions..." Scars, Colton Dixon


Darkness.

It was the first thing she remembered. And the last thing she saw.

That was before the light flooded her vision. Before she woke up to find herself alive once more.

How it happened, how it was possible, she would never know. But it did happen. More times than she could count. More times than she cared to know.

But that isn't the point. She was tired of the games. Tired of the hunt and the constant battles that waged around her. What she wanted to know was who did this to her. And when she did find out, she would get her revenge.

This is her story. The story of Valerie Hirsch.

. . .

"When are you ever going to learn?" The voice of my commander sneered behind a black screen. We were in a small room, surrounded by inky darkness as I struggled to keep calm. The man in question had a raspy voice that sent shivers down my arms. By now I've gotten used to that and the mistakes I constantly make. "When you are fighting someone you don't surrender to them willingly," he explained with a sigh of frustration.

I raised my head up higher, ignoring the fact that I'd likely get whipped for doing so. I've gotten used to the pain. My body is full of so many bruises and scars that it's impossible to see what's underneath. The training in this place was so intense, so torturous. But it had to be. Once I was out in the real world there was no going back. If I stopped my training now they would likely kill me. There were no mistakes in this encampment. So far I was the only exception to that rule.

"I'm sorry sir, it won't happen again," I apologized. I'd make sure of it. So far I've gotten just about every move right. This one was the most difficult. An enemy kept rushing at me, and all I could do was drop my arms and refuse to fight. It wasn't until they got close enough that I fought back. The element of surprise, making it seem like I would surrender.

"You know that it will not," the commander replied. Before I could sense what was happening pain shot through me. I didn't need to open my eyes to see what had happened. There were several methods of torture here, and branding was one of them. I fought back a scream of agony when the hot metal was pressed against my bare skin. Even if I could I wouldn't fight him. This was how it had to be. "There is no more room for mistakes, child."

His voice was like a growl as he finally pulled back the metal. I held back a sigh of relief as the pain started to fade. No one ever saw his face. He was known as either the commander, or more appropriately Master. I refused to call him Master, simply because he was too arrogant for the title.

"Take this runt away, I've got others to deal with," the commander ordered after returning to his room.

Almost at once the door slid open with a loud hiss. A blinding light blocked my vision as I was pried away from the room. It didn't take long for me to recover; by than I was led to my room and away from any curious onlookers. It was like this all of the time after training was finished. We never knew where we were until we got dropped off in our rooms.

I along with countless others had joined a program training young soldiers. My family had been killed years ago, during a home invasion. I was away at the time on a school trip. When I finally got back home I only just learned what had happened to them. The news had left me heartbroken at the time. I didn't know how to handle it at first until I was approached by men in dark suits. They explained to me that I could end the miserable lives of the people that took away my family. And of course I accepted without hesitation.

But it didn't matter. At this point it was in the past, and I moved on. The past made me stronger, and hungry for revenge. That was what this program saw in me. Or so I was told. They saw the potential of a warrior. I never questioned at the time what they were doing or what the program was for. But I wanted the training. I wanted to learn how to fight and take down any enemy that stood in my way, including the the people that killed my family.

"Valerie Hirsch, report to the medical bay immediately." My eyes narrowed when they called my name over the com. Only time they've ever done this was when I ever got punished. Taking a deep breath I decided it was better to get there as fast as possible. The people here didn't tolerate any tardiness.

It took a while for me to wander through what felt like a maze of endless halls. The compound was an underground facility, that much I knew. There were no windows to look out of. No one saw their first ray of sunlight until training was finished. I haven't seen the sun in what feels like years. Freedom was our reward once training was finished. At least about as much freedom as these people would offer.

Soon I reached the medical bay, and it was already buzzing with activity. I was greeted with sterile white walls and tiled floor. Hospital beds were scattered throughout the room as nurses and doctors worked on their latest victims. Most of the victims in this room wouldn't survive the night. I grimaced at the sight of one girl with several puncture wounds on her arm and both legs. She was losing too much blood, and the doctors had already given up on her. The worst part was her screams that filled the room, until she was given a sedative by one of the nurses.

"Ah, Valerie, it's good to see you again." One of the doctors had finally noticed my presence; his voice was coated with a sugar sweetness that made me want to gag. "The Master wishes to speak with you, about an experiment we had in mind."

I looked at the doctor skeptically. Whatever experiment they had in mind couldn't be anything good. I've heard rumors of so many people dying because of horrible experiments they were forced to take part in. And yet part of me was curious. This is what I'd been training for after all.

With that being thought of, I followed the doctor into another room that wasn't too far away from here. This room had a large metal door protecting it. I've only passed by this place once or twice, but it always caught my attention. This was where the commander lived after all. Hesitantly the doctor knocked on the door, telling the commander his name before opening it. I held my breath as I followed him inside.

What I saw next made my eyes widen in disbelief. This room was huge, filled with computers and tech of all sorts. A bed was placed on one side of the room with a kitchen that held all of the essentials. I wonder if this was what it would be like it I ever reached the commander's position.

"Young Valerie, I was hoping we would get to meet face to face." I stiffened when an all too familiar voice spoke up. The commander, my teacher and torturer finally came into view after working on one of the computers. He wasn't what I was expecting at all.

He was tall and young looking, maybe in his early thirties. Black hair that was slicked back with gel stood out on a face that reminded me of a football coach. His muscles and blue eyes were really what caught my attention though. This was the first time I'd ever seen him, and I doubted it would be the last. The commander looked at me with icy eyes, as if waiting for me to say something. It wasn't until I looked at the doctor that I realized the mistake I was making. Quickly I bowed to show my respect, knowing I'd receive a whipping if I didn't.

"I have been watching you these past two years, Valerie," he began as he went over to a desk near the front door. Files were scattered along the desk with papers and photos hidden inside them. "You have shown exceptional fighting skills since you first joined us. Unlike so many of the students and soldiers I see here, you follow the rules." I flinched when he patted my shoulder in what seemed like a congratulations. "Which is why you are my favorite soldier."

I looked at the commander in disbelief. Was he serious? All of the mistakes I've made, all of the beatings I received... how could he say all of that? Still I said nothing as he walked over to the desk, shooting the doctor a glare. The doctor simply bowed in response and stepped out of the room, leaving us alone.

"I want you to be the first to take part in an experiment that we have been working on for the past few months," he continued once he sat in the wheelie chair. "The process will be dangerous, and you may not survive, but if you do, than you will have the chance for freedom." My heart nearly skipped a beat at the mention of freedom. "All it takes is one simple word... say yes and I will let you go on your first mission."

At first I was hesitant, considering all the rumors and stories I've heard it wasn't surprising. And yet the lure of freedom was too good to pass. Besides, it's not like if I say no he'd let me go so easily. In fact he might just kill me if I don't agree with him. I took a deep breath before nodding in agreement. The commander's smirk widened as he pulled something from one of his drawers.

"There's a good girl," he sneered as he suddenly pulled out a gun. I didn't have a chance to react as he pulled the trigger. It felt like hours passed when in reality it was only seconds before the bullet met it's mark. In that split second the world around me went black.


AN: So this is the beginning of a new fic I've just started, obviously. Now this is going to be much darker than New Beginning, so you have been warned, there will be lots of character death and angst. Hopefully people will actually review and start asking questions, cause I'd love to see what you all think of this!