Jason's cries echoed off the stone walls as the Green Ranger viciously pummeled him in the stomach. He'd been working his abdomen for the last 15-30 minutes; to the Red Ranger it felt like an eternity. Inside his helmet, he could feel a warm liquid trickling from his lips.
I can't take much more of this.
Kimberly's lovely face flitted through his mind and he clamped his jaws shut, stealing himself as best he could. This was for her. If he were not here right now, she would be. That she was still safe was comforting.
The Green Ranger stepped back and flexed his hands. "Having any regrets about being a hero yet, Red? Because I can keep this up all damn day."
Jason couldn't help but groan as his weight pulled painfully on his wrists and shoulders yet again. The tips of his boots barely swept the floor; there was no relieving his overstretched joints.
"I'll never regret taking Kim's place. I'm the one you want anyways, the leader. Just let her go," he panted.
"Let her go? You must be delirious!" the evil Ranger laughed.
A low gravelly voice sounded behind the Red Ranger; Goldar had been lounging against the wall awaiting his turn with the captive Ranger. "I think he just wants you all to himself, Green Ranger."
The Green Ranger giggled. "Awww. I'm blushing."
"Come on, now. Stop hogging all the fun." Goldar stalked the pair. "I want a go at him before you "finish up" with him."
Jason's blood ran cold at this statement. He had been warned yesterday about the consequences of interfering again; however, he would never allow Kim to suffer what he was about to undergo.
"Fine, Dog-breath. Just don't kill him. It's not time for that yet."
Goldar grinned and made a grand display of cracking his knuckles. "I can't promise that."
In her cell, Kim sat with her head on her knees, rocking back and forth. Tears streamed from her eyes as she sobbed quietly. Her stomach was in knots waiting for them to bring Jason back. She knew from the screams that they were hurting him horribly.
They were going to end up killing him, either intentionally or accidently. There was only so much a human body could bear. As scary as it was, she swore that they would not take him tomorrow. The Red Ranger would be furious but too bad. He wasn't the only one who could piss off an evil Ranger.
The door banged open and the Green Ranger entered followed by Goldar, who was dragging the limp Red Ranger by his ankles. Jason's arms trailed above his head leaving bloody smears behind. His helmet was gone. His uniform was little more than tatters now, barely covering him.
"Jase! Oh God! Jason!" she screamed, her hands clutching the slimy steel bars.
"Relax Kimmie. He's still breathing," Green Ranger cooed.
"Please. Don't put him in there alone. Put him with me," she pleaded.
Green Ranger laughed. "I don't take orders from you, bitch."
"He could stop breathing and I wouldn't be able to help him. He can't fight you anyways."
"I'm not worried about Red fighting and I couldn't give a fuck if he dies."
Goldar tossed Jason into his cell; he landed in a bloody heap by the wall.
"Red Ranger's been a joy to play with but now I think I'm in the mood for something a little more feminine. I don't think Little Red Riding Hood is going to be much help to you tomorrow."
Goldar laughed obnoxiously at Green Ranger's nickname for Jason. "Well, I don't think he was the one doing much riding today."
The green helmet turned towards Goldar as the pun sunk in; he then roared with laughter, hands clutching his stomach.
"That's right! And tomorrow Little Miss Moppett can ride the rocket!"
The two goons grasped each in peals of immature laughter.
"You guys are sick!" Kim yelled in outrage. She turned to the grate and knelt down to check on Jason. Luckily, he had landed close to the small opening.
His face was bruised and swollen; there was no way he was going to be able to open his left eye. The right one was opened slightly; the white of his eye was now red due to so many broken blood vessels. Large purplish bruises decorated his neck. She could see the impressions of fingers encircling his throat.
"Jason, can you hear me?" she cried, reaching through the grate to stroke a swollen cheek.
His bloody lips moved soundlessly. Kim?
"Shhh… its ok, its ok," she soothed.
Somehow he managed to smile slightly at hearing her voice.
"Awwww….so precious!" Green Ranger chirped.
"Just go away!" Pink Ranger yelled angrily.
"Come on, Goldar. Let's get out of here; I'm starting to get a toothache. We've gotta get the playroom ready for a female guest anyways."
Goldar snickered as the two monsters began to take their leave. "Five bucks says he kicks the bucket before tomorrow."
The door slammed behind them.
Kim screamed in frustration. When she looked back, Jason was looking at her with concern.
"I just want to kick his ass! Both their asses!"
Jason was shaking his head as vigorously as he could manage. His mouth was trying to form words again.
"Shhh… shh… you've got to rest, Jase. I'm sorry," she said gently. She stroked his forehead. But Jason was still trying to talk.
"Hell….. get out… crazy," his voice was hoarse and rough from being throttled so much frequently and violently. He looked afraid which was not like him at all.
"Jason, I'm sorry but I'm not letting them take you tomorrow no matter what you say to them. You'll die if they do. And…" Reaching up, she popped the clasps on her helmet and removed it so she could make her confession face to face. "If you died, it would be worse than torture they could ever do. Because, Jason, I love you. I have for a while and I can't keep it in anymore." Her cheeks were scarlet.
Jason inhaled sharply in surprise. He never would have thought that she would return his feelings. Weakly, his hand moved through the grate to cover hers.
"Love….you… too," he smiled, despite feeling like he had been hit by five trucks.
"You do?" Her eyes brightened.
All he could manage was a weak smile.
"Then you know why I have to do what I have to do tomorrow."
No, he mouthed, becoming agitated again. A tear began to form in his good eye.
But no matter what, Kimberly was determined to keep Jason alive no matter what it cost her. Given some of Green Ranger's bawdy comments, she knew what it might entail. That he had inflicted that torment on Jason enraged her. She would find a way to make him pay.