Chapter 8
Michaela forced her eyes open, and immediately regretted that course of action. The harsh light in the room sent stabbing pain through her drug muddled brain.
Squinting this time, she tried to look around.
She was on a bed, but the quality of the lighting suggested to her that it was not the same room she'd been occupying. Her hands were bound together in front of her with what felt like duct tape, but her feet were free.
By now, her eyes had adjusted a bit more to the light. She could see the room had no windows. It had one door, which at the present time was closed. To the side of the door, inset in the wall, was a palm scanner. The door was locked and could only be opened with an approved hand print.
She clicked her teeth together, expecting to hear K.A.I.S.Y.'s immediate and reassuring response.
When she received no response, she stuck her finger in her ear, and groaned. Her earwig was gone.
At that moment, the door hissed open, and Drakon strode into the room.
"Have a good nap?"
Only partially feigning her fear this time, Michaela scrambled into a sitting position and pushed herself as far back on the bed as she could.
"You can drop the act!" anger was building in his face. "I know you're here undercover. I just don't know who sent you, but this will help with that!" Drakon pulled a syringe from his pocket.
"W - What's that?" Michaela stammered, trying to stall.
"This beauty is a combination poison and truth serum. About an hour after I give you this you'll be spilling your guts. An hour after that, you'll be dead!"
Drakon pulled the cap off the syringe and moved toward Michaela.
Michaela kicked at Drakon with all her might, knocking the syringe from his hand.
"Son of a bitch!" he exclaimed, shaking his hand. The unexpected backhand he dealt her with his injured hand sent her reeling. "If you think a small amount of pain will give me pause, you are sorely mistaken!" Drakon growled as he hit her again with his injured hand.
Before she had her senses back, he'd retrieved the syringe and plunged it into her arm.
His next words made her blood run cold. "Now for a little fun while we wait for the truth serum to take effect." His hands were at his belt buckle.
Michaela knew this was the only chance she was going to get. He had underestimated her this time, but he wouldn't do it again.
With the litheness of youth, she sprang to her feet. Quickly putting all her weight behind her swing, she swung her bound hands at his astonished face. He went down hard, knocked out cold, but not for long.
Jumping off the bed, she grabbed the knife off Drakon's belt, then she dragged him to the door. Propping him up, she laid his hand against the palm reader.
The door popped open and she sprinted into the hallway.
Working the knife as she ran, Michaela managed to cut the duct tape and free herself. She nicked the palm of her hand in the process, and blood flowed freely.
A patrolling guard came running at her. Taking up a fighting stance, Michaela used his momentum against him. She delivered a solid punch to his gut, then grabbed his head and brought her knee up to meet his face.
There was the sickening crunch of bone, and blood spurted from the guard's broken nose as he fell to the floor.
As Michaela reached down to grab the guard's radio from his belt, the world began to tilt. Staggering, she just kept herself from falling over. Her accelerated heart rate was speeding the poison through her system.
Not caring who heard, Michaela thumbed the transmit button as she turned and ran up a flight of stairs, "K.A.I.S.Y.! I need you!"
