Real time chapter - and Road's appearance really caused a disturbance to the group's plans. This chapter was a bit strange for me to write as I'm not that great at 'sadistic, Allen-loving girl'.

I now have a Beta Reader! Say hello! ^-^

[Hello Tsuki Yume. I am very pleased with your writing so far. I was worried that you'd be sending me work that was riddled with seemingly never ending mistakes- like run-ons, a lack of punctuation, etc.- because I've had corrected fics that are like that from beginning to end. Anyhow, the story seems interesting and I'm very interested to read the rest. I'm very pleased with your grammar and spelling. I like that you are using a good variety of adjectives and not the same ones over and over again.

~Lai Jun Chen]

It's in Lenalee's POV, so enjoy!


Disclaimer: 'Tis henceforth disclaimed.

Warning: Do not try any ideas presented in this story. CONNING IS AGAINST THE LAW. Everything here is fictional, and should stay fictional.


Chapter 8: Torture

November 17th 2010, 02:57 – On a desert road

"Road Kamelot," Lenalee whispered, biting her lip so hard that she drew blood.

A sideways glance to Allen showed that he was in a similar state of mind. He must have staggered slightly because Lavi was now supporting him by the elbow. Kanda stood still and stoic, as if the situation was not really that bad. Just his right hand twitched furtively, itching to grab Mugen and shoot a hole through that dark, twisted girl. Road giggled, thoroughly enjoying their reactions to her appearance.

"It's been a while, hasn't it Lenalee-chan?" Road started, adding a slight sing-song to Lenalee's name, "Still in love with criminal trash?"

Lenalee pursed her lips, suppressing the will to shout or scream. Road, the heir to the Noah's fortune, had trained herself to tear apart the human psyche and reassemble it to her own liking. Not one FBI, CIA or even Black Order detective or spy had survived her mental assaults. Lenalee shuddered as she thought of Kevin Yeegar – such a soft, gentle man, but found chained to a tree with a knife through him. He was singing endlessly about the Millennium Earl, proof of his psychological mutilation. She couldn't forget his manic face as he died in front of her in hospital.

The Noah walked around the group, looking like a predator sizing up her prey. Twirling the umbrella, she continued, "And Kanda, looks like you still haven't learned your lesson from your face-off with Skinn."

"Bookman Jr.," she next walked to Lavi, "I enjoyed our game last time. Too bad we can't continue with it, what with the orders the Earl gave me."

Lavi narrowed his eye and responded with a growl, "I don't see why you're being so cocky, Road. There's only one of you and four of us. Even with your agility, we'd have you in chains in no time."

Lenalee caught on and added, "I can't believe that the Earl would send the heiress out without back up, alone. That is just fool...ish?"

She faltered with her words when Road started cackling maniacally. She wiped the tears of mirth and clicked her fingers. Suddenly, it looked like the shadows were moving. In a flash, hands restrained Lenalee, one twisting her wrists together and one fastened over her mouth. She struggled violently against the blindfold that the shadows were attempting to fold over her. With one last scathing glare, she saw that Road's expression dropped to serious, a sinister aura emanating from her. Her hazel eyes flashed at her, and after that was darkness. Several thumps, and to Lenalee's terror, screams of pain could be heard. She felt herself being loaded into a vehicle roughly, bruising her legs.

"I'm never alone," Road whispered in her ear before the vehicle screeched into the night.

It seemed that they were confined in a small van, barely big enough for the four of them. Judging from the different noises, Lenalee could tell where everyone was; Moaning about being hit on the head was Lavi on the left, the low string of the most colourful profanity was Kanda on the right. And the absence of sound was Allen, who was tossed right on top of her. She wondered absent-mindedly whether the youth would be blushing from their proximity, but quickly shook the thoughts out of her head. This is no time to think of things like that, she told herself. Work this out, Lenalee. Obviously, the AKUMA in the casino contacted the Noah closest to our location, and that was Road. They've now abducted us and are taking us to God knows where. To our deaths? No, it's must for something else. What did she mean when she called Allen her 'toy'?

She remembered suddenly; she was supposed to call Komui before midnight. It was well past 1am now, so he must be worried sick. Or even worse – he may be coming to join them at their final destination. The journey was short, so it distracted Lenalee from such stomach churning thoughts. She was hauled out with the others and made to walk. Contrary to the drive, the walk seemed to take hours on end, but they finally stopped. After a quick exchange of words from their captors, and Kanda's grunt of pain when someone aimed a punch at him, they entered what Lenalee presumed was a building.

"Enjoy your stay lady!" the one spat at her, laughing as he pushed onto the cold stone floor.

She was dragged to a wall, and could feel someone clamping handcuffs that made her hands rest above her head. The blindfold was whipped away from her face, and she gasped in shock. She saw her comrades strung up the same way, blindfold removed, each sporting unique wounds. A knife slash was gently dripping blood from Lavi cheek, his neck already purple from bruises. Kanda's hair tie had snapped, and masses of raven hair spilling over his face; but it could not cover the nasty cut running parallel to his neck. Allen, the only conscious one, smiled bitterly through his bloodstained bangs. Tears rolled down his cheeks, reflecting Lenalee's own crying. The muted blending of red and gray of the prison accentuated every injury and marks of fatigue. This was not intended, she thought, but then again, it was bound to happen. That's what you get when your life is entwined with such people. AKUMA are truly despicable.

"The Lord Millennium is in search of you…" the young voice singing the repulsive song inched closer.

Road stepped in and surveyed the room. She sat herself down and gave an inhumanely big grin. It marred her beautifully dangerous face, making her look more demon than human. Her pristine white shirt shone in the murky lighting. She turned to Lenalee, who immediately became wary. She narrowed her eyes further as the Noah started laughing again. Minutes of tense silence passed, threatening to swallow up their existence. Lenalee grew even more concerned for her knocked out friends; they were showing no signs of stirring. She was still in disbelief that even Kanda was brought down so easily, all because of a surprise attack. His quick reflexes just weren't quick enough; the evidence being the gun that Road was now weaving in her fingers carelessly. She dropped it abruptly and kicked it away, the metal object landing tantalizingly out of Kanda's reach.

After the echoes of the action died, Road spoke, "Do you know what my Dark Matter ability is, Lenalee-chan?"

Lenalee shook her head, unwilling to look in her piercing yellow eyes. Obviously not pleased with the lack of eye contact, Road stepped over and forced the detective to look at her. She giggled at the fierce amethyst that met her gaze.

"Every Noah has Dark Matter ability, taught by the Lord Millennium himself. They can be anything; violent like Skinn's 'Lightning' or sly like Tyki's 'Choice'. Mine is the ability of 'Dreams'. I can rip you piece by piece, without even laying a finger on you," Road whispered, her voice still filling the room.

Lenalee thrashed weakly as Road stroked her cheek.

"Shall we start with you?"

She swiftly walked to the other side and unshackled Allen. He lay limp in her arms, murmuring words that Lenalee could not decipher. Road dragged him to the middle and lowered herself down again. She tenderly ran her fingers through his white hair, blemished by the sanguinary liquid. Allen tried to move, but his effort was futile. He was short of strength and Road kept an iron grip around his arm. She put her head to his chest, looking like she was savouring his every heartbeat. Lenalee's eyes widened – now she understood. She understood how the girl wanted to break her. She seemed to sense that thought, and smiled sadistically. In one fluid movement, Road dipped Allen's chin and pressed her lips to his. Lenalee gasped as a shard of ice hit her heart with full force. She maintained the kiss for an inexplicably long amount of time, and both were breathless when she broke it.

She removed the shredded tuxedo jacket and plunged for a deeper kiss. Allen pushed her, trying with the last dregs of his energy to stop this. Road pushed him down and straddled his hips, kissing his neck. Lenalee's tears fell hot against her face, her limbs numb. She continued to molest the white hair man, and every kiss, touch and moan was like a knife plunging into the detective's body. Never mind all the pain from before – it was truly torture.

"Stop it! I'll give you anything, Road! Please, just stop!" Lenalee finally screamed.

The younger girl looked up innocently, and asked, "Just what exactly are you offering?"

She exhaled, and calmed herself down. Think, she ordered herself, what can I offer? I don't want to see Allen like this and I don't want to feel this way ever again. What can I do? It clicked. Lenalee looked Road straight in the eyes, determined to barter back her love.

"I'll give you information. As the supervisor's sister, I know more than any other detective or spy. Is that a deal – Allen for my information?" she said in a clear tone.

The look of euphoria and disappointment was mingled so well on Road's face, which she would have laughed at if not for the situation. At once, the Noah re-chained Allen and strode towards Lenalee. She pouted and started tapped her foot, looking like a girl who was told that she wasn't getting her allowance.

"You couldn't have let me have a bit more fun, Lenalee-chan?" she said, "Oh well, Lord Millennium did say that I was only allowed to play with him until you offered up information. We'll be back to take you to him later. And remember – honesty is the best policy, so no false information!"

And with a wink, Road Kamelot left as quickly as she came. As soon as the door closed, Lenalee called Allen's name. It took a few tries, but he eventually responded. There was that smile again. Apologetic this time, almost making it look like that wasn't a big deal. But his eyes told a different tale. The gray swam with emotion, bearing how viciously he had been hurt. The torture may have been intended for Lenalee, but it had torn an already fragile boy as well. She smiled back to him, a signal that endeavoured to tell him everything without words. He nodded, apparently registering the message. At that moment, the other two groaned awake. Kanda spat out some blood in his mouth, whilst Lavi just documented the room with his all recording eye – he was looking for an escape.

"Lavi," Lenalee croaked, "Do you see any way out?"

The redhead shook his head and replied, "Sorry, Lena. This room's been too well constructed. The only way out is through the door."

Without warning, he broke into a cheeky grin, unfortunately opening the slash wound again. Kanda threw a questioning look that silently conveyed the message 'What the hell are you smiling about?'. Even in the stressed state of affairs, Lenalee felt slightly more uplifted. To see Lavi being able to smile, and to watch Kanda gain back his cold energy was spiritually cleansing for her. It always was, throughout everything they had gone through. It was just Allen left wrecked, who didn't even bother to look at the other men. He stared at the corner with broken eyes, the shade like tainted quicksilver.

Lavi decided to explain, "'Kay, guys, don't freak out just 'cause I'm smilin' at the weirdest time. What you guys forget is that I work for the CIA."

"We've not forgotten, Usagi," Kanda whispered intensely, "Unlike you, our brains are normal sized; apart from Moyashi's anyway."

"Wait, Yuu, I've not finished talking!"

"Don't call me by my first name!"

"Guys!" Lenalee yelled, "Come on, calm down. Lavi, what were you saying?"

Pleased that the attention was back on him, Lavi said smugly, "See, Lenalee and I had been plannin' this Moyashi-chan heist for a while now. Ever since Daisya's info came in, that casino was our target. Anticipating a Noah assault, I had Bookman rig my suit."

He wriggled slightly, and revealed a microchip attached to the inside of his jacket. Now even Lenalee was smiling. She got it now – that chip must be traceable, and knowing how Lavi works…

"It's also got a tiny microphone. Say hello to the old panda! "

I knew it, she celebrated. My friends are the best.

Lavi's grin lost a few notches and he went on to say, "But this chip only works one way, so I'm not sure how quickly he'll come. We need to get outta here soon as well. Let's not forget the original mission."

At that, Allen perked up. "Original mission? I thought that was to get me."

Kanda scowled and retorted, "Don't be so arrogant, Moyashi. The world doesn't revolve around you. We're getting back something that was precious to her."

The white haired youth opened his mouth to argue, but then decided against it. Kanda smirked, knowing that it was a win for him. He then spotted Mugen, laying a stone's throw away from his foot. With great difficulty, he managed to inch it closer. The smirk became more frightening, his dark eyes lit with fire. Lenalee picked up his thoughts, and her resolve grew even larger.

"Bring it on, AKUMA," she said, "because we're not going down without a fight."


Did I end this right? It was a peculiar chapter to write for me anyway, and I didn't want them captured for too long. It's my birthday in 2 days now – I won't be doing a chapter on my birthday (regretfully, because I love writing for you guys!) because I don't have enough time. Reviews will be nice as a birthday present… xD

[ I think the ending was perfect. The chapter wound down nicely and the last line gives the reader a prompt for the next chapter. Now the reader can think 'Ooh, a fight scene is in the next chapter and I can't wait to see how they escape/what happens/who dies!' -Or something along those lines. So, good job! I eagerly await the next chapter so send it as soon as you have it all typed up. And happy birthday, doll! Have fun! Eat cake and all that jazz. Ta!

~Lai Jun Chen]