A/N: This is my first attempt at a fanfiction and is currently being typed on an Android phone. Please, feel free to inform me of any grammatical or spelling errors. constructive criticism is welcome
Disclaimer: DC owns these characters and their world. I am just playing in their sandbox.
'This will be over quickly, he said', thought Rita, trying to break free of the fiery grip that held her. 'Just a garden variety kidnapping. We'll be finished and back home in no time'. She mused, wryly, as she stretched herself thin enough to slip from the grasp of her attacker. Her freedom was short-lived, however, as three more of the ephemeral fire demons piled onto her
How were they to know that following the kidnappers of a teenage girl back to this abandoned, god-forsaken, industrial complex would go so horribly, so supernaturally, wrong? It had started off no different than many routine battles. Get the call, track the bad guys, attack. The Doom Patrol were seasoned fighters who had battle plans for dealing with rogue mercenaries, robot armies and even disembodied brains. A demon horde, however, was not in their S.O.P.
Rita frantically scanned the room for her teammates. They were all otherwise preoccupied like herself. All except one. She searched the room again, struggling to turn her head and was dismayed to see Steve laying unconscious with his helmet feet from his still frame.
Suddenly, a stillness came over the creatures that held her. Their hold remained firm but their eyes looked elsewhere. Rita couldn't help but feel her gaze being drawn in that direction. She turned her head in time to see a hooded figure enter the room and touch her remaining teammates on the head. She watched with concern as each of them fell, muscles slackened, in their attackers arms.
Finally, the robed man turned to her. His piercing eyes put her in mind of the glow of embers, still hot from a fire.
"We have been expecting you Ms. Farr. It is always a pleasure to have someone as distinguished as yourself present for mass." He stated, with false courtesy and a mocking bow.
Rita's brow furrowed in confusion as the man's eyes seemed to lose focus. Then, it happened. The sensation of burning, like a million hot pokers searing every inch of her being. She felt her mind being pulled open and memories, thoughts and knowledge being scanned and disgarded by the man. A whole lifetime of experience being thrown to the floor of her mind, like paper littering the ground of an alleyway.
Rita shrieked and fell to her knees. She screamed until there was no air left and she was left curled on the ground trembling. Then, blessedly, it subsided.
The man regained focus and inclined his head. "Thank you Ms. Farr, you have been most accommodating. I am afraid that you all will be my guests for a time longer. At least until you outlive your usefulness in your present state."
Rita forced her trembling body to look up and meet the face of her tormentor. With the last of her strength and courage, she asked shakily, "And then...?"
The man strode forward until he was face-to-face with her. His hand reached out and Rita involuntarily recoiled. She felt her communicator being plucked from her belt. The man turned it over and inspected it thoughtfully before raising his eyes to her's and responding.
"Why, I am afraid that would ruin the surprise. " He then gestured to the demons that held her to pick her up. "Come, we have a journey ahead with a reunion at the end." He said with a smirking grin.
Again, he reached out his hand. Rita had no strength left to pull back. His hand was hot on her forehead. Before all went black, her final thoughts were for her foster son, now grown and a hero in his own rights. An earnest prayer that he would leave them to suffer, a prayer that he would not be entangled in this and the sinking dread that told her he would.