Chapter 2

I woke up the next day with an odd feeling. At first I brushed it off as nothing more than the wound to my head acting up but then I realized there were no bars. No pitch black cell. I was in a small room, tucked in a warm bed rather than on a hard cement floor. Morning light streamed through the window in the corner and somewhere below music was blasting over a radio. I eased myself into a sitting position as I surveyed my surroundings. Everything came back in a rush, overwhelming me to the point of dizziness.

The door creaked open and a furry grey face appeared. "Mornin'." Modo greeted me, he was carrying a tray filled with assorted breakfast items. "Charley-girl said you should probably eat so I brought you some breakfast if you're hungry." He smiled a warm, yet somewhat nervous smile. My stomach growled at me saying I better accept it so I nodded and he set the tray in front of me.

"Hey, well look who's finally up."Throttle said as he slipped into the room, Vinnie right behind him. "How are you feeling?"

"A little stiff and sore but nothing I'm not used to or won't get over."

"Yeah well you shouldn't have those injuries in the first place." Modo said gruffly.

"A lot of things happen that no one person can have control over. Sometimes you gotta just roll with the punches. Even if that means you end up with a couple of bruises you just gotta get up and keep on going." I shrugged, it was something River had once said to me, and took a bite of cereal. It had been far too long since I'd had a decent meal.

"It's a good thing Limburger won't get over his injuries for long time." Vinnie smirked.

"You'd be surprised." I heard myself saying but couldn't understand why I was allowing this information to come from my mouth. "The doc isn't always crazy. He actually came up with something to help heal wounds faster."

"Really? What's that?" Throttle asked and again my mouth took on a life of its own.

"Me. My blood." I said and met his gaze levelly. "That's why I've been held prisoner for eight years. So that they can use me for their experiments. Figure out how to harness my abilities and use them for their purposes. But since I was never a cooperative subject I got these." I gestured to my wounds. "I overheard one of their conversations. He plans to create a better, stronger army. Soldiers whose injuries will not hinder them but heal rapidly, so that they cannot be stopped. And he will use them to conquer and destroy Earth and all its inhabitants. That's why he will come after me. He needs my DNA in order to make it happen. The regenerative properties in it are what he needs to create this army. " I chuckled to myself. "My blood. My stupid cursed lineage is all it takes for the downfall of the world." I murmured and looked up at them apologetically.

"Well, bros. How do we wanna handle this?" Throttle asked.

"I don't know but we better figure it out fast. We got trouble, with a capital T." Vinnie said peeking out the window.

"Don't these guys ever take a break?" Modo asked walking up beside Vinnie to see what was going on. "Throttle we got at least six goons, counting Grease pit."

"What's he holding onto-"

"A hostage." Modo finished for Vinnie.

"Oh Van! We know you're in dere. Come on out and your friend here won't get hurt!" Grease pit shouted. Friend? I scurried out of bed against my legs protesting and ran to the window.

"River!" tears stung my eyes. No how could they possibly have captured him.

"Van! If you're in there don't listen to him! I'll be fine!" there was a loud crack as Grease pit bashed his gun into River's head. Knocking him out cold.

"No!" I shrieked and ran for the door . I had to get to him but I was cut off by Throttle.

"You're in no condition to go anywhere especially to face them."

"Yeah, sweetheart. Leave the fighting to us."

"Where I'm from the girls fight just as well as guys and I trained with the best now move." I growled. "You don't understand if I don't go they'll kill him. "

"And if you do they'll kill you both." Throttle pointed out.

"Just trust me. I know what I'm doing! That's my best friend out there! You would do the same for either of them!"

"I'm not injured." he said calmly.

"And I've suffered worse. I can handle this please just let me go." I pleaded.

"Fine. But you're not going alone." and with that I raced out the door, down the steps, and outside where Grease pit stood waiting.

River lay in a crumpled heap on the ground. I wanted to run to him but knew it was wise to stay out of his reach.

"Alright boys get her." Grease pit ordered. The other goons started closing in. I heard the screeching of tires and then, "Not so fast, Grease pit." said Throttle.

"Yeah, she's not goin anywhere with you." Modo chimed in.

"Is dat so. Well don't tink yous have a say in da matter." he motioned for the other men to go after them instead. Then he turned his sights back on me. "Now come along quietly and your friend here lives." he said.

"Never." I shook my head.

"Ok den." he aimed his gun at River's head.

"No!" I screamed and jumped in the way just as he pulled the trigger. The bullet lodged itself in my leg but I grabbed River and scrambled back towards the house as fast as my injured leg would carry me. "Come on. Wake up, wake up." I urged him as Grease pit started towards me. Next thing I knew Modo came between us.

"You best run back to your boss before things really get ugly." he warned motioning to the rest of the goons who were now unconscious at Throttle and Vinnie's feet. Grease pit glared but started walking away. "You get inside we'll finish up here." Modo hurried me along. I nodded and did as he said.

As soon as I closed the door I dropped to the ground beside River and checked for a pulse. It was fine and he was breathing normal. I let out a relieved sigh and brushed some runaway bangs out of his face. Gently I lifted his head onto my lap, ignoring the searing pain in my lower left leg. Softly I whispered in his ear, "You're safe now." and kissed his forehead.