Thanks to all who have continued to read this story and review. It motivates me to know people enjoy this story. Hope you enjoy the next chapter!

Chapter 11

Ari awoke to the sound of a Spanish soap opera. She had absolutely no idea what was being said. The music being played in the background was the only sign that this was a romantic moment between the characters.

When she opened her eyes, it took a moment for them to adjust. The room was very bright, covered in shades of white and cream. A fluorescent light overhead only added to the effect. There was a television hanging in the corner of the room, showing a couple locked in a passionate embrace. She could see shelves and cabinets filled with gloves, q-tips, cotton balls, and an assortment of liquids. The room looked similar to all the other hospital rooms she had been in before.

Except for the fact that her arms and chest were strapped tightly to the bed and armrests that she lay on, and an IV was inserted into her forearm.

Panic swept through Ari in waves, and she frantically tugged and strained against the straps. However, exhaustion overcame her almost immediately. She coughed, feeling her dry lips crack.

"Water?"

Ari jerked in her straps, trying to see who spoke from behind her. She watched as a familiar body materialized to her left. He held a glass of clear water in his hand and held it out to her.

She could feel his eyes on her, but she couldn't meet his gaze yet. Instead, she just gave a small nod while she stared at the sheet covering her lower body. When the rim of the glass touched her lips, she parted them a fraction of an inch to allow the liquid to trickle back.

As Wiedoff pulled the glass away, a little excess water dribbled down corner of her mouth and cheek. She jumped slightly in her straps when she felt his shirtsleeve wipe it away.

The sound of his chair being pulled up next to her was abnormally loud, even with the television on in the background.

"Well, Ari, I must say you certainly are a piece of work," He sighed. "Refusing to cooperate? Denying food? I'll admit I am impressed with your determination. A few more days and the intense effects of dehydration would have kicked in."

Ari glanced up at him and saw that Wiedoff was smiling. His teeth were perfectly straight and a brilliant white. It was the kind of smile that commercials for toothpaste would kill for.

It reminded Ari of a deadly animal with razor-tipped fangs.

She licked her lips and gave a slight cough, but her voice still came out raspy from disuse. "What do you want from me?"

Wiedoff's smile widened. "Well that's just the thing. I want many things from you, Ariadne. For instance, I want you to tell me where Dominic Cobb is hiding. I want to use you as a pawn to lure them in so that I may eliminate them. What I want," he emphasized. "Is complete control over you mind."

Ari could only stare at him. Not quite understanding him was worse. What he was saying sounded impossible, but there was nothing more terrifying than this man who truly believed he could accomplish his goals.

"The most wonderful part," he continued. "Is I'm going to achieve each of these goals. All in due time. However, what I want to talk about right now is you."

Ari kept silent, knowing this was a time for her just to listen.

Wiedoff scooted closer and rested an elbow on the edge of her hospital bed. "You should know that we have you hooked up to IV to see if we can fill you out a bit again. I swear, you were practically willing yourself to die," He said with a laugh. "No such luck, I'm afraid. We'll need you around a bit longer."

Ari's hands clenched into fists, and she could feel Wiedoff's gaze boring a hole in her face. He continued speaking in a rather detached tone, as if he was discussing a rather boring topic and was just going through the motions.

"Your friend Yusef has not been of much use to us, but I haven't decided his fate quite yet. You should be warned that if you do not cooperate with me right now I will use any means necessary to extract the information from you. Do you understand? You can just nod your head 'yes' or 'no'."

Ari gave a slight jerk of her head indicating that she understood.

"Good. Now, I need you to answer me: were you in a romantic relationship with Dominic's partner Arthur?"

Ari gritted her teeth. This was personal. She wasn't sure exactly what to call her relationship with Arthur. They never had sex, but she couldn't deny that Arthur had kissed her. In fact, he had kissed her multiple times. Sometimes it was to calm her in those few moments he had seen her break down, but then there were the times it had been when she was making breakfast or folding laundry. Short, quick, and simple, but meaning so much more. They had never discussed exactly what their situation was or labeled their relationship. Since this job, they hadn't had time to talk about it alone.

Slowly, Ari nodded her head.

"Interesting," Wiedoff noted. "And are you still in a romantic relationship?"

Finally, Ari met his gaze. Her eyes were blazing with fury, but she ducked her head in reply.

"Delightful. That will be useful. Do you know if your friend Yusef happens to have any romantic connections in his life?"

Ari shook her head. She wasn't quite sure what his intentions were with that information, but she knew it wasn't good.

"Alright, Ari, you have you done quite well today. One final thing! Where is the location of Dominic Cobb?" Wiedoff leaned forward on his elbows, waiting for her to reply.

In fury, she locked her jaw and turned away. Ari heard him sigh in disappointment.

"Well then, I guess we will try again tomorrow." He patted her leg lightly, but she shrunk as far away from him as she could. "It's no matter. I figured I'd let you willingly disclose this information, but I'll find out soon enough."

Ari couldn't resist spitting at him, "You could pick apart my brain and I still would tell you nothing."

Wiedoff smiled good-naturedly. "Ari, what you need to realize is I already own your mind and thoughts. I just haven't decided what I want to do with it all yet."