Hello everybody, I'm back!

Before we get started, a few precisions are in order.
First, the plot of this story can stand alone, but reading my first fic, International cooperation, would help you understand the dynamic between the characters, and get acquainted with the ones I created.

Second, this story is rated M for a very good reason, there are descriptions of tortures, abuses, assaults, deaths and maybe even sex. If you're underage or can't tolerate violence, this story isn't for you. You've been warned!

Oh yeah, and Criminal Minds sadly still doesn't belong to me.

= Unknown location, unknown time =

'What the hell happened to me?'
My head is pounding, it feels like I'm at a concert of Marilyn Manson with the worst hangover ever known to humankind. I don't even want to try to open my eyes, I'm just gonna rub my temples and wait until I'm feeling slightly better.
That's weird. I can't move my arms. It seems I'm tied to something. Headboard? Did I have some kinky sex with a girl last night and we fell asleep before she could untie me? Oh well, it's not like it's the first time it happens. I'm trying to smile but I can't. Is this duct tape? I groan.

- "Ah, I see you're awake. Welcome back."

Definitely NOT a woman's voice.

I open my eyes and shut them close right away. 'Holy fuck! Way too much light in here!'

- "I'm sorry, is the light a problem? You have a serious hangover and I am quite certain you have a concussion as well. You got acquainted with a baseball bat last night. Here, let me."

I hear the wood floor creak under heavy footsteps coming closer. 'Ugh, this guy smells like an ashtray.'

I feel something on my face. Are those... sunglasses? Well, that's a start. Would be nice if he decided to untie me too, so I can go get water and painkillers. I open my eyes again and all I can see is a shadow walking away. I groan louder this time and pull on my arms, which are tied over my head and slightly back, to make him understand to free me. I hear him chuckle at my attempts.

Something is very wrong, dread washes over me, I am desperately trying to think but my brain is sluggish.

These damn bindings aren't moving an inch and I can't see a damn thing, he oriented a projector right at my face, I am as good as blind. 'If this is Tony's idea of a payback prank, it's not funny at all.' I groan again.

- "Do you want me to take the tape off your mouth?"

'You really gotta ask, genius? Of course I want it off!' I nod to him and I see him walking in my direction.

- "It might hurt."

I feel him taking hold of one of the corners and pulling it. 'Shiiiiiiiiiit! It hurts like hell! I'm sure I won't have to shave for the next month at least!' I cough and try to clear my throat.

- "Who are you? What do you want?"

My voice comes out in a broken whisper, the consequence of too much alcohol and being passed out for what I believe has been a few hours.

- "Who I am doesn't matter. What do I want... Well that's a good question and I am not sure you will like the answer."

- "Try me."

- "I want your life."

- "You want to steal my identity? Ya know, I may have a lot of money but trust me, being a CEO is far from being as glamourous as what people imagine. Especially lately."

Wow, I managed to sound sarcastic, even with a broken voice. I impress myself.

- "No, no, you misunderstood me. I don't care about your job, your money, your house, your expensive sport car or your designer clothes. I want your life. I am going to kill you."

I barely had time to register his words that I find myself drenched in ice-cold water.

- "You see, Thomas, it's the very first time I am doing this, I apologise in advance if I don't get it right right away. I need to perfect my technique, and unfortunately for you, you're my guinea pig."

I feel something pinching my left foot and my right hand. 'What's that noise? Is it a generator? What the...?'
Pain. Blinding, excruciating pain. My whole body is convulsing for what seems like hours, but I'm sure it lasted only mere seconds.

My bowels and bladder emptied themselves and it smells like burned flesh. My brain puts 2 and 2 together. 'Electricity. He is torturing me with electricity!' I barely had the time to come to this realisation that another discharge is already coursing through my body.
I hear myself scream, then a loud 'pop', and whatever was pinching my hand falls down, effectively putting a stop to the current.

- "It looks like you dislocated your right shoulder and caused the pincher to slip. I wasn't expecting this. Interesting. More duct tape is in order, I believe."

I am trying to speak but no sound comes out of my mouth. Seeing this, he laughs. A full-belly, delighted, laughter, which makes his hands taping the attach to my hand shake. Once this task is accomplished, he pushes the button. For the third time, my body endures the torture for long, very long seconds. Longer than the previous two times. Another 'pop', and my left shoulder is also dislocated.

With my hands tied over my head and two dislocated shoulders, the strain put on my torso is as such as I can barely breathe. The pain is intolerable. I black out. I come back to my senses after being drenched in ice-cold water for the second time.

- "No, no, Thomas, stay with me. I'm not done just yet."

For the fourth time, electricity tortures my supplicating body. I can't take it anymore. Just like that, it stops. I feel him close, he is taking the cables off my hand and foot.
My breath comes in shallow, extremely painful pants. He leans down over my head, I see he is holding something that glints in the powerful light. 'Knife!' My brain screams but my body is unable to react. Blood now trickles from my forehead, the blade dripping with blood gliding down my cheek to rest on my throat.
I hear him whispering into my ear.

- "Your debt is now settled."

And I know I am going to die.