For Disclaimers, thank-you's, dedications, and acknowledgements please see part 1.
Janeway groaned as she regained consciousness. She was slumped over at the waist from what had been a sitting position, and she was incredibly uncomfortable. She swallowed thickly and moved her elbow to a position of support. Pushing off with her elbow, she managed to lean back against the wall. She was shaking from her shoulder all the way down her arm, but she pushed herself upright. Her breathing was coming in quick, hard gasps, and her heart felt as though it would explode from the effort.
While she tried to slow her breathing, she looked down at her leg. It was still horribly swollen, but it was straight out in front of her with her foot pointing in its natural direction. She let her head rest back against the wall again. The Emer had set the break. Why would he do that? For the life of her, she could not figure this guy out. He was completely detached from his work, he had no compunctions about killing or hurting people, and then he'd gone and done something like this.
With her free hand, she touched her knee, gingerly squeezing it. It was still incredibly sore and painful, causing her to gasp, but the muscles were no longer quivering. She heard the door activate, and she looked up, withdrawing her hand. He walked in and stood over her.
"Why did you do that?" she asked.
He shrugged, looking slightly uncomfortable.
Kathryn debated with herself. Since he caused the injury, she really shouldn't be thankful that he helped make it less painful. And yet…setting the injury did decrease the level of pain she was enduring and for that alone she was appreciative. "Thank you."
He locked eyes with her. "It doesn't change anything. I'm still going to kill you."
"I know." She gave him a small grin. "But I'm not dead yet."
"Yet," he acknowledged with a nod. He gestured toward the open door. "You have to go to the bathroom?"
She really didn't, but the idea of cool water was too good to pass up. She nodded. Before he could release her hand, one of the guards knocked on the door, gesturing for the Emer to join him. He immediately stood and crossed back to the doorway.
Janeway tensed. Never before had any of the other guards even shown themselves, much less felt the need to get his attention while he was with her. She couldn't make out what they were saying, but the energy of their speech was different. Something had changed. He glanced back at her and then stepped out of the room. An armed guard took his place by the door, and she could see hurried movement in the hallway.
"What's going on?" she asked when he walked back into the room. Two more of the guards came in with him, both carrying weapons. She pushed herself into the corner as best she could. He said something to the two guards, but all she heard was a series of clicks. He had turned off the translator.
Shit.
The two guards approached her, and Janeway forgot all about her broken leg. She completely ignored the chain restraining her to the wall. She lashed out at them for all she was worth, kicking and hitting anything she could reach. One of the guards caught both her arms, while the other grabbed her by the legs. She was pulled down the mattress until she was lying flat on her back. She thrashed and bucked in their grasp, managing to turn enough to bite the Emer that was holding her arms. She drew blood. The alien grunted, looking surprised, but he just repositioned himself without releasing his grip on her arms.
The Emer she had spoken with so many times crouched down and grabbed her by the jaw. He turned her head to the side and used his other hand to press a metal cylinder against her neck. Janeway felt three sharp pricks bite into her flesh, before the Emers all released her and stood back.
Janeway rolled to her side, spitting out the blood in her mouth and imagining what she must look like with blue blood dripping down her chin. She could already feel a cold sensation spreading outwards from the spot on her neck. The lead Emer knelt down so that he was almost eye level with her.
So this was it. He had kept his word, and now he was watching. Waiting for her to die. The glacial feeling was moving into her chest, and her breaths were becoming shallow. Janeway kept her eyes locked on his even as darkness edged her vision. Her muscles relaxed, and her head dropped to the mattress.
"In the dark wood….the straight way was lost," she whispered, and then the darkness claimed her. She knew nothing else.
Yes, I will be posting more...
