Veronica's P.O.V

When the chloroform wore off, I found myself in the back of a van full of guys that were all wearing black jackets and had some sort of weapon in their hands. As far as I could tell, Tom, Bill, Gustav and Georg weren't in the van with me. I was suddenly terrified of where they were taking me and what they were going to do to me. I tried to lie still so they would think I was still asleep, but I started trembling against my will and they noticed. Without a word, someone placed another cloth over my nose and mouth, knocking me out again within minutes.

*~*~*~*

When I awoke again, I was bound and gagged on my knees on a cold, concrete floor. I could sense someone next to me, and I silently prayed it was the guys. I don't know how long I stayed like that, pretending to be asleep, in the dark, drafty room in complete silence until I heard someone stir beside me. I whimpered softly to get their attention, hoping it was just one of the guys. In reply there was a confused groan from somewhere to my left. I immediately recognized Bill as he became more aware of our current conditions. I let out another frightened whimper to alert him to where I was. Slowly, the rest of the guys woke and also took notice to our dim surroundings. If I had to guess, I would say we were positioned in alphabetical order from left to right.

Suddenly, bright lights flashed on over us. I almost cried out in pain as the brightness hit my unadjusted eyes. As I became used to the light, I saw men dressed the same as those that had been in the van, standing along the dirty walls. In front of us was a man who seemed to be the leader. He eyed us carefully in assessment. His eyes lingered on me before he spoke.

"Gentlemen, and lady, welcome to my little hide out. Now, I know you must be wondering "What the hell are we doing here?" Well, you see, a while ago I had a daughter and a wife. So beautiful, the both of them. My wife went on a little trip here to Germany and got shot by some punks. My daughter got so freaked out by it, she commits suicide. Wanna know how? She jumped off a building. Had her iPod in when she did. Know what song was playing?" he stood in front of Bill. "'Don't Jump' by Tokio Hotel. Ah, Lynn. She looked so much like your little girlfriend there. I, personally don't think it's fair that the people who are responsible for both of their deaths get to walk the earth and get such a pretty girl. So, I am going to teach all of you a little lesson in fairness, the hard way."

He finished his speech and walked right in front of me.

"Ladies first," he said with a wicked smile.

Before I could react, I was shoved to the middle of the floor by someone's foot. I toppled onto my side, scrambling to get on my feet. Before I could get my balance, I was smacked so hard in the face I fell down again. I cried out as the Ringleader kicked me hard in the stomach, which left me gasping for air. I was kicked again and again in the chest, back and legs. I was also punched in the face and strangled almost until I blacked out. The whole time I was trying to squirm away, but was knocked over every time. I could feel the tears flowing from my eyes and my heart beating at the speed of light. I could also hear the guys', Tom's especially, screams for him to stop. When it seemed he was done with me, I laid on the floor breathing like I'd just run a marathon, bloody and bruised, scared shitless.

Suddenly, I was yanked up wards on my feet and dragged back in front of the guys. They were all giving the Ringleader death glares and cursing him through the cloth gags. They all quieted when he pulled a switchblade from his pocket and held it to my throat.

"Anyone speaks without permission and she dies," he barked. He turned to me and removed the cloth from my mouth. "Since we started with the youngest, let's go to the next one."

He pointed at Tom and Bill. "Which one of them is younger?"

I looked at them on the floor; both of them furious and terrified at the same time. I knew there was no way I could sell them out like that.

"I don't know," I lied.

I didn't even see when his fist contacted my face. I staggered on my feet, but his rough grip on my arm kept me upright.

"Don't you lie to me!" the Ringleader growled in my face.

"Hm mm," came from Tom on the floor.

He was shoved in front of us the same way I was.

"Nmm!" Bill shouted as he shot up and lunged at the Ringleader.

Before he got to him, I was shoved forward to meet him halfway. We collided so hard my nose stared bleeding again. Bill was only slowed for a second as he continued charging at the Ringleader who was standing over Tom with a thick pipe in hand. I landed on my side and watched helplessly as Bill was hit in the side of the head with the pipe.

"No! Please stop!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

A heavy foot held me on the floor as I was forced to watch the guys be beaten practically into unconsciousness. By the time he was done, we were all covered in bruises and scared for our lives. We each had a person holding us by our arms in different corners of the room.

"I hope you all enjoyed this little introduction," the Ringleader said to us, "and I can't wait to continue tomorrow. Until then."

We were each dragged off in down separate hallways. The man holding my arms lead me to a small room that was barley ten by ten feet. After he shut the door he locked it, leaving me in pure, suffocating darkness. I found my way to a corner where I sat down and waited for the next confrontation.