CH 47
They had a great adventure out on the sea, but Kaede was happy to be back home in the castle. Of course, it was back to work for everyone. Kouta and Jeff headed down to the terminal to let John know they had returned. Kaede and Inari went back to their chores, tending to the castle and burning the stack of pizza boxes in the cistern fireplace. Nana went down to the Inn to let Rachel know they were back.
Skipping in the front door, Nana announced, "Hi everyone, we're back!"
"Hey, Nana!" several patrons called, greeting her with smiles. Especially the younger men liked to see a busty girl skipping in. It was a pleasant sight.
"So, where'd ya go?' Rachel asked.
"Everywhere!" Nana chimed and went up to sit on a stool at the bar across from Rachel. "We saw whales, dolphins, the white beluga whales, sharks, lobsters, sea turtles, horseshoe crabs, all kinds of things! We even saved some people who's boat was sinkin!"
"Saw ya on the telly in Brighton, bringin those people in," Doogal said.
"We did, but Mom got nervous cause of all the press, so we didn stay the night. THEN another boat full'o reporter people followed us out, and we gave'em the slip! We zigged and zagged, an got goin fast and they couldn't keep up," Nana said happily.
"That boat Kaede has is real nice." Rachel said. "The way she talked about it, it was barely floating."
Nana put a finger to her lip. "Yeah, when Mom first described it. But we got down there, it had been through a dry dock, so it was all fixed up and lookin pretty. It did look really big an tall outta the water. In the water, it looks kinda like a regular sailboat. Captain Ron called it 'displacement'. Much of it is under the water, so it can hold the boat up."
A few chuckles sounded.
Kathy asked, "Nana, now yer back, kin ya cover fer me this weekend?"
"Aye, startin Friday?"
"Friday's good. Got something special planned fer the weekend," Kathy said with a grin.
"Where'd ya go sides everywhere?" Doogal asked.
Nana frowned n thought. "Nana's not sure. A place in France called Brest, ahh, a port in…Portugal, Oh! In Charleston, we got some cool stuff there including the mermaid Mom put on the front of the boat. We also went up to the bay to see the horseshoe crabs, there were tons of 'em there in the water. They were really odd looking things! Kaene picked one up outta the water, Mom made her put'im back down cause they can't breathe in the air …"
As Nana went on, Sarah came in with her bags. Seeing the purple headed young woman with horns on her head, she went over to the bar as Nana told them about the aquarium and the fish shows that were really neat to watch. Patiently, she waited for the girl to pause.
When she did, Sarah asked the bar maid, "Excuse me, I heard you have rooms here?"
Rachel nodded an motioned to the corner. "Aye lass, over here. I'll git ya registered."
Sarah looked at the young woman on her side and asked, "Excuse me, do you know a Kaede?"
Nana eyed her. "Do ya know Mom?" she asked.
Sarah studied her. "You don't look any younger than Kaede does. She's your mother?"
Nana shifted in place. "Aye, I grew up fast," she replied, eyeing Sarah warily. "Why ya askin?"
"Over here, Ma'am," Rachel said and opened the guest book. Sarah came over, Rachel told her the rates and had her sign and show ID. Sarah signed in and paid for a week.
Rachel glanced at the cash, looked up and quietly said, "It ain't in yer best interests ta be askin bout Kaede. If that's what yer here fer, ya best find someplace else."
"I'm actually looking for my son. John … McDonald," Sarah said.
"Why ya askin bout Kaede then?"
"He came here with Kaede. Can you tell me anything about him?"
"Nay, lass," Rachel stated. "Yer room's number four, top'o the stairs, second on yer left."
"Thank you," Sarah picked up her bags and went up.
After Sarah went up stairs, Rachel went back over to Nana. "Nana, that woman says she's John's mother, but her last name is Baum, not McDonald. Ya might wanna tell yer folks an John."
"She was lookin at me kinda weird," Nana admitted. "I'll let everyone know." Nana then waved bye to everyone and left.
.
One good thing about working at Kouta's trucking was that it was easy to get a truck up to his place, that was now a cleared spot in the woods, to load logs on so they could be taken down to the mill to be de-barked and shaved down to the same size. Cameron was good at picking out trees to fell, so they were pretty much the same size already. He was spending much of the money he made on things for their house, but living in the castle, he wasn't paying rent or utilities. That helped tremendously.
Gathering for dinner, Nana told them about the dark haired woman who came, claiming to be John's mother, but had a different last name. "an she was givin me funny looks," Nana explained.
"Did she say how she found'im?" Kaede asked.
"Nay, only she was lookin. She's in room four down at the Inn." Nana said.
John scrubbed his head. "I need to go down there." Cameron got up with him. He put a hand on her shoulder. "Cameron, I better talk to her alone, OK?"
"John," Inari called. "Eat for ya go. Ya may be a while."
He nodded and sat back down.
.
Sarah sat nursing her ale, which wasn't as good as beer, in her opinion, and looking into the fire as she monitored who came and went in the Inn. Kaede was around here someplace, she also knew John was too. It made sense that Cameron was lurking about as well. Cameron had been a help to them, but now she was only in the way.
John needed a real woman now, not a guard dog. Sky Net was gone. For John to have anything close to a normal life, Cameron had to go too. Sarah knew how to get rid of Tin Miss. A shock to disable her, thermite to cover her with, then a flare to light the fire. Cameron would burn up and be gone. John might be angry with her, but he'd get over it and get on with his life.
It had gotten dark when Sarah heard John's voice.
"Rachel, I heard my mom was here?" he asked.
Sarah turned to see him by the bar. Rachel nodded over to her. "By the fireplace, lad."
Sarah got up. John came over and hugged her. How'd you find us?" he asked as they sat down.
"Your girlfriend the dart champion," Sarah replied dryly. "How are you doing?"
"Great. I got a job, we're starting to build our house. We're doing good." he said, smiling.
"So, where's Tin Miss?"
John's smile vanished. With a huff, he said, "Home. Mom, I'm fine. We're fine. You don't have to worry about us."
Sarah cast him a brief smile. "I'm sure you think so. Can I see this place you call home?"
John shook his head. "Not yet. If you want, tomorrow I can take you up to show you where we're building our house."
Sarah nodded. "With work and being busy building a house, are you going to school?"
"Finishing my senior year," he said. "I'm busy all the time, but it's well worth it. Mom, this place is beautiful and peaceful. It's perfect! Since you're here, are you going to stay?"
"Maybe. John, I need to talk to Cameron," Sarah said firmly as she eyed him.
"Why?" John asked in a knee-jerk reaction.
"I just do. Only us," Sarah insisted.
John was silent for a moment, then said, "I'll bring Cameron by tomorrow night. You can talk to her here."
"Fine."
"Mom, why do you want to talk to Cameron?" John asked.
"Something between us, all right? Nothing that's going to hurt you, your job or making your house," Sarah said firmly.
"What is it about?" John prodded.
Becoming irritated, Sarah told him, "It's about not being a terminator any more. If she's going to live with you in a normal town, I have to be sure she's not going to go 'terminator' on anyone. I have to get assurance from her that that's not going to happen."
John let out a sigh. "Mom I think Cameron knows that."
"I have to know it."
John nodded. "All right, I'll bring her tomorrow. Maybe we can all have dinner together?"
"Sounds good," Sarah assured him and even managed to give him a smile.
John returned the smile in relief. "Great. Mom, I have to work tomorrow, say dinner around seven?"
"Fine by me."
They got up and hugged. 'I'm really glad you got off, Mom. I'll see you tomorrow."
"Have a good night, John," Sarah told him pleasantly.
Rachel watched them part. John left, Sarah headed for her room. Rachel noted that after John was out, Sarah's gaze turned hard as she went up to her room. She picked up her phone.
"Yeah, Kaede, it's Rachel …. John just left. I gotta talk ta ya bout this Sarah…"
.
The next day after work, John came home to find Cameron playing games with Kaene. He went in and sat down to give Cameron a kiss. "Ready to go see mom?" he asked.
"I am. Kaene has to come with us," she said. Seeing John frown, she said, "I told Kaede I'd babysit tonight."
"Oh, well," John said, then asked Kaene, "Want to come see my mom? We'll eat at Rachel's place. Is that OK?"
"Ok!"
John wondered why Inari couldn't do it. Then again, they did go off and do things they didn't want kinds to be a part of.
The Cortina had room for John and Cameron in the front. Kaene sat in back. She brought Sailor Bear with her.
Cameron wasn't sure why Sarah waned to see her. Kaede had made it a point to ask her to watch Kaene 'for a while'. She was sure Kaede thought Sarah was up to something. Did Kaede think that having Kaene with her would stop Sarah?
John pulled up to the Inn. They got out, Cameron held Kaene by the hand as they went in. John opened the doors for them.
Unlike before, Sarah was at a table closer to the door. She had a backpack on. She got up and hugged John and motioned for them to sit. There were only two chairs at the table. Cameron got two more, sitting Kaene at the corner between her and John.
"I'm happy you came," Sarah said, all smiles.
.
While they sat and talked, Kaede on the roof slipped the window lock on room four and went in. She searched Sarah's things, looking for a gun or other weapon. Nothing. Was she worried for no reason? She went back out and sat on the roof, puzzling why Sarah was acting odd enough for Rachel to notice.
.
Inside, Sarah acted pleasant. Outwardly, it seemed like a family reunion. Cameron could tell Sarah was tense. Her heart rate and breathing were above normal.
"So, pizza?" Sarah asked.
Kaene screwed her face up. "Can't I have fish an chips?"
The waitress came over. Again, Kaene asked, "Can I have fish an chips?"
"Of course you can," the waitress assured her. "Salt and vinegar too?"
Kaene nodded happily.
Sarah winced. What kid ate THAT kind of stuff?
"I'll have that too, double fish, and just bring us a small bottle of vinegar."
She wrote it down and asked Sarah, "And you, Ma'am?"
"Try it!" Kaene chimed. "It's much better than pizza!"
"A hamburger and fries, please?" Sarah said.
The waitress asked, "Regular, or an American hamburger?"
"Mom?" John said, "Here a hamburger is a ham-burger, not beef. Fries are called chips."
Sarah nodded. "An American hamburger, with beef, and chips."
"Cameron?" the waitress asked.
"I'm fine, thank you."
The waitress waved her pencil at Cameron. "I know ya like ta be slim, but unless ya eat more, you could make yerself sick. Be careful, OK?"
"I had something earlier," Cameron explained.
Sarah perked up as if forgetting something, "Oh, Cameron, can I see you outside for a moment?"
"Why outside?" John asked. When Sarah got up, he noticed the backpack she had on. Sarah saw this and said, "I was walking round earlier, forgot I had it on."
Cameron knew that was a lie. Sarah could lie well enough to fool John, but not her. Sarah was up to something. Cameron got up. Not wanting Kaene to get involved with whatever it was she said, "Kaene, stay inside with John, please."
.
Sarah had indeed walked around earlier. She knew where the town taxi stand was. She'd left the things she didn't need up in her room. As soon as she was done with Tin Miss, she'd run down to the taxi stand and get a ride to the train station. By the time anyone reacted, she'd be gone. Whatever was left of Cameron would not look like a body. Even if she was caught, the most she'd get would be a fine for burning a flare in a parking lot.
Walking outside with Sarah, Cameron kept a close eye on her as they went into the parking lot. Sarah was walking slowly as if in thought.
"You know, Cameron, John is everything to me. I'd do anything for him," Sarah said firmly.
"A would I. Sarah, John has a good life now." Cameron replied.
"I came to make it a little better. I won the lawsuit," Sarah said. "I have something for you."
When Sarah reached into her pack, Cameron thought Sarah was going to give her a pack of money for John. When Sarah turned, she thrust a tazer into Cameron's belly.
Cameron's nerves lit up in pain, warnings flashed on her HUD. She convulsed hard. Due to the overload protection being in the chip she no longer had, Cameron didn't fall silently to the pavement. She screamed out loud as she collapsed.
Sarah was over her with a knife and forced her head to lie with her face on the pavement. In the pulses of agony that were coursing through her, Cameron knew what Sarah intended. Her limbs would not work right, she tried to knock Sarah off her and only rolled them both to the side.
Sarah shot up. "Fine, burn with your chip IN!" he pulled out her jar and dumped the thermite over Cameron's twitching body.
Cameron didn't have to analyze the powder to know what it was. She tried to move away, but her arms and legs were twitching so badly, she wasn't able to move. Above her a flare lit up.
"Ghaaah!" Cameron cried in her attempt to yell for Sarah to stop. This was it. Sarah was going to burn her, and she was going to feel every bit of herself being burned away. Her eyes wide in terror, Cameron tried in vain to escape.
The flare went airborne and stayed up in the air. Sarah cursed.
Her body settling down from the overload, Cameron looked up to see Sarah standing in place, Kaede close by and frowning at Sarah. Sarah twitched, trying to move. While she had the chance, Cameron crawled away from Sarah. She wanted to shake the thermite off and get her thermite covered clothes off, but she didn't have the coordination or the strength to do it.
In a hard tone, Kaede asked, "THIS I what ya came for? Ta destroy Cameron?"
"Cam!" John cried and ran over to her. Cameron tried to hold up a hand to warm him back. She did not want John to die with her. He grabbed her and tried to get her to sit up. Kaede looked at Cameron and she did stumble up to her feet. John held her and got her jacket off and hurriedly brushed the thermite powder off her. Cameron clung to him and did her best to stay upright. She shook and quivered, and with John's help, she stayed upright.
Sarah stood motionless, staring blankly at Kaede.
Staring back at Sarah with a malevolent re-eyed gaze, made a little scarier due to the red light of the flare above them, Kaede said, "John, get Cameron upstairs and into the shower."
"Don't hurt mom," John said fearfully.
"Nay yer call, lad," Kaede replied flatly. "She came and caused trouble here in my town. She's gonna pay fer that."
"Kaede … no, please!" John cried.
Rachel and a few others had come out of the Inn. Rachel announced, "Pete, go in a call the cops, David, help John git Cameron inside. Kaede! Let the cops handle her!"
"She was goin ta burn Cameron ta death," Kaede replied flatly.
"But she didn, ya saved'er," Rachel replied. "Let the authorities handle'er!"
Kaede turned her head and nodded. She also lowered the flare down to the other side of Sarah from where Cameron had laid, where there was no white powder. Returning her hard gaze to Sarah, she said, "What they say is true. Ya can't fix stupid. Yer a stupid woman, Sarah Connor. I did all I could fer ya, and ya gotta go an pull this shit. Ya come around here again, an yer gonna disappear fer good. No jail, trials or other bullshit. Yer gonna die an yer body'll never be found."
A police car came and pulled up behind them. Kaede explained what happened out here. The cops took Sarah's tazer and cuffed her. They also swept up some of the white powder into a baggie. They put Sarah in the car. When the flare burned down, they put it in a metal container with some sand in it, taking that as evidence.
Kaede waited until they were finished and took Sarah away. Only then did she scatter the rest of the powder and go back inside to see how Cameron and John were doing.
By the time Kaede got inside, Cameron sat at their table, soaking wet. Not being able to get her up the stairs, David and John took her out back to hose her down with a water hose to remove the remaining thermite off her. Cameron was gaining more control over herself, and was able to sit unassisted.
"How ya doin?" Kaede asked as she sat in Sarah's former seat.
Cameron nodded in a jerk motion. Her voice was rough also. "Better. I'm regaining control. My nanites are repairing the damage. I will need nutrients."
The waitress came over and asked meekly, "Do ya still want yer meals?"
"Aye, Donna, git me a fish n chips if ya would too," Kaede told her.
"I'll take the burger order," Cameron said.
"Comin right up," Donna assured them. Ah, Kaede, drink?"
"Just water."
Looking dazed, John asked, "Where's Mom?"
"On'er way ta jail. She can't come around here nay more John," Kaede said firmly.
John nodded sadly. "I know. You suspected something like this, didn't you?"
"Somethin's wrong with Sarah," Kaede told to him. "Maybe it's all the years of fightin and hidin, but she ain't right in the head. She needs help."
"Mommy? Is Sarah a bad lass?" Kaene asked.
"Nay, she's just … very confused. Doan worry, she'll be taken care of."
Instead of a reunion meal, it was more of a verification meal of who John and Cameron could depend on.
By the time they finished eating, Kaede noted that Cameron was getting back to normal. Her hands quit shaking and she sat up straighter. Still, she asked, "Did ya wanna go se a doc'er something?"
"I will be fine," Cameron said with a slight waver in her voice. "Kaede, thank you for stopping her."
"It's what friends do fer each other," Kaede replied with a slight grin. She noticed John had been quiet for a while. "John, what happened is sad, aye, but it ain't yer fault."
John glanced up at her and nodded. "I can't believe she did that," he said quietly.
"Focus on yer new life wit Cameron, John," Kaede said evenly. "Ya got a good start here."
"We do, John," Cameron agreed.
He cast her a brief smile of agreement, but his mind was still on his mother trying to kill Cameron.
.
Sarah spent a miserable night in jail, They didn't even take her handcuffs off. In the morning two cops and a Latino woman came to her cell. The woman came in and said, "Sarah Connor, you are being deported back to the United States and banned from any further travel to the United Kingdom for causing trouble. If you're caught anywhere in the United Kingdom, you will immediately go to jail and spend 30 days there before we deport you again. Do you understand?"
"She has my son," Sarah grated in return.
Sarah was then take out an put in a police car, the Latino woman sat beside her in the back seat. Before the cops got in, the woman said, "Be very lucky you're still alive and stay away. You do know if Kaede sees you here again, she will kill you and we'll never know."
If it wasn't bad enough that Tin Miss had John, now that metal had more people backing her to ensure she kept her claws into John. Sarah burst out crying.
.
The next dart challenge for Cameron and David were the western regional semi-finals meet in Fort Augustus at the end of Loch Ness. These were serious games with TV coverage and instead of a local pub, it was a gaming hall set up with 15 dart boards each with it's own alley and tables for the players just beyond. Above each board were digital scoreboards that showed the teams playing with their scores underneath. The walls for the alley were low so the spectators at tables around the gaming area could see what was going on. To the side, a blank double-elimination chart on the wall was being filled in with the initial names of the teams and where they were from as each team checked in.
Besides John, Duncan, Kaede, and Kouta came to support Cameron. At the same table, David's wife, Mary and his son, Sean also arrived. The group greeted each other as Cameron and David went down to their table, their darts laid out for inspection.
Kaede knew darts was a big thing here, but by what she saw, it was truly a big sport in Scotland. The 'inspectors' weighed the darts, checked the flights and tips to ensure Cameron and David's darts fell into the correct specs for match play. The team opposing them from Laggen arrived and had their darts inspected also. Once the inspectors were satisfied, they were allowed to start.
At the beginning, Cameron doubled-in with a double bull with her first dart, then hit two triple 20's. The lead man from Laggen missed the double 20 with his first dart, then got it with the second. He missed the double 20 again, but did get a single 20.
First players up, Cameron and David were ahead 170 to 40. David added another 60 points to their score, the Laggen second man also added 60 to their score.
On their way to 501 points, Cameron's turn came up a third time. They had 495 points. To win, they had to double-out, hit the double ring. Needing six points, Cameron had to hit the double three, which was a hard shot.
"You can do it," David coaxed.
Cameron zeroed in on her target and threw. The dart sailed out and struck the double three dead center. Their supporters clapped.
"Yes!" David hiss with a clenched fist. The Laggen team let out a sigh. They were put in the 'loser' bracket for another chance.
"Wow, that was awesome," Sean cried. "Mom, you see that?"
"Cameron's good," John said proudly.
"It's like she can't miss!" Sean proclaimed.
Team Glen Finnen then played team Fort William and beat them. Winning three more games, they played the winner of the losers bracket and won the western semi-finals. They got a trophy and had their pictures taken, both holding the trophy up.
Over the speakers, an announcer said, "The winners of this year's western semifinals goes to Team Glen Finnen, Cameron McDonald and David Cowell! They go on to the regional finals in Inverness to play for the regional championship!"
A reporter came up to them and asked, "Cameron, you are the first woman ever to win a regional dart championship! Not only win, but perfect scores like yers haven't been seen since Angus McLeod played the circuit. Do ya think ya kin win the regionals?"
Cameron nodded and motioned to David. "With my partner, David here, I'm sure we can."
The reported turned to David. "David, This is your third time at the semi-finals, and your first win! Do you attribute that to yer new partner?"
David grinned. "I sure do! Like ya said, I ain't seen anyone place darts on a board like Cameron here since Old Angus played, bless his soul."
"The best of luck to ya both! We'll be seein ya in Inverness in two weeks!"
Although there was a party after the games, the winners had to head home to get back at a decent hour. It also wasn't lost on anyone that a trip to Inverness meant an overnight stay, which limited the people that could go, due to having to return to work Monday morning.
John would be the only one to accompany Cameron to the regional championships.
.
Jacques and Annette Fournier had settled into their home and were involved with his father's wine business. Perrier was getting old and was looking for his oldest son, Jacques, to take over for him. He had made sure Jacques knew the business side of wine making as well as the farming side, and had his degree in wine making.
They had had a splendid honeymoon, seeing the sights in Europe and England. One of their favorite stops was visiting Glen Finnen and meeting the world famous Kaede, who they were pleasantly surprised was also an elf. Now it was time to work.
The Fournier family farm was large and one of the wine producers in the area. The old farmhouse, was old, redone by Jacques grandparents and his uncles and aunts. The three story stone building was a proper château with a large wine cellar, circular towers on the ends and a stone courtyard. Large enough to hold the whole family, Jacques and Annette had their bedroom on the second floor in the east tower.
Since Kaede was known to all, Jacques and Annette like many of the younger people, no longer wore hats unless it was for function. This did make Pierre and many of the older people nervous.
Cornering Jacques in the wine cellar, Pierre furrowed his gray brow at Jacques. "Son, you do realize humans are seeing us with no hats, and they are talking! Soon, they will be looking to drive us away from our home!"
Jacques let out a sigh and eyed the old man. "Stop worrying, Father. No one is going to bother us. Our family has been here for how many generations? The humans already know we're around. Dame Kaede has made that very clear, and they don't seem to be bother by her. She's being held up as a hero!"
"For now," Pierre said bluntly. Waggling a finger at his son, he said, "During World War Two, my father was held up as a solid member of the resistance as was your grandmother. That was until the Germans got driven away. Then, they was scorned! They were able to return home because back then, no one knew where we lived! Now, every human will know we are here."
"It's different today, Father," Jacques replied. "Look, with Dame Kaede's reputation, I doubt anyone would dare mess with us."
"And what happens when they turn on her?" Pierre asked. "What happens when humans decide we cannot be trusted?"
"Why would they think that? We have always dealt fairly with everyone. Our family has a solid reputation, here and everywhere. Father, times are changing, we don't need to hide any more," Jacques told him.
Pierre shook his head in a grumble. "Son, this generation is making a bad mistake, and we will all pay for it." He turned and left.
.
Claire, Jacques' younger sister was in the nearby town of Valence, shopping with her friends. They didn't notice the delivery van that was following them around. Coming to a curiosities shop, they stopped to window shop there, scanning the displayed trinkets. The sidewalks only held light traffic. The ones in the van saw their chance.
The van drove up just past them and stopped. The back door slid open and four men with tazers shot the four girls. Unawares, they didn't have time to react. All four fell screaming. The men jumped out, pulled out syringes and injected them. The downed girls quieted as they went limp. Moving quickly, the men got the girls in the back of the van, shut the door and the van drove away.
The storekeeper had heard the screams. He got to the front window to see them lying in the back of the van, and one black clad man shut the door from the inside. The van then took off. He ran outside, but the van took a corner. He didn't see a company name of the plate number. He went back inside and called the police to tell them what happened.
.
Claire woke up with a throbbing headache and cold. Coming around to consciousness, she felt her arms out to the sides. Jerking, she realized she was being held against a cold concrete wall. Waking up, she also found she was naked. In a panic, she jerked at the heavy cuffs chained to a wall that was holding her. It was pitch black where she was. Having no idea where she was, she called out, "Help!"
Directly in front of her, a blinding white light burst into being, forcing her eyes shut and her head to turn to escape the brutal glare. An amplified voice that had a heavy Eastern European accent said, "You cannot get away . State your name."
"What…. What do you want with me!" she cried.
"State your name or you will be punished!"
Squinting to look t the thick steel cuff on her wrist that was held to the wall by a thick chain, she reached out with a mind hand to try and uncouple the cuff.
"SPEAK!" the voice snapped. An electric current passed thought her arms and upper chest. It was short, and it hurt. She wailed out a scream.
"Speak or you will be punished again!"
"Claire!" she cried. "Claire Fournier! What do you want from me!"
"Everything we can discover. Cooperate, and you will avoid being punished. Don't cooperate, and you will die a very slow death."
Claire was terrified. The shock had made it so her hands would not come out. Finding herself naked, she was sure she'd been kidnapped by perverts, and she was soon going to be raped. "Please have mercy!" she wailed in a sob.
A buzzed sounded, she heard a 'phoom' of air, then a small round ball slammed into her stomach hard enough to slam her back into the wall.
"Ahhh!" she cried, wide eyed from the pain. She tried to drop, but her arms held her up in a half-squat. Confused and in pain, she wailed out, "Why are you doing this to me!"
The voice said, "Remember the buzzer. When you hear it again, another steel ball will be coming at you. Do what you can to stop it."
"I can't stop it!" she cried.
"Then you will be killed by them eventually."
The light turned out, plunging her back into darkness. Claire cried in the darkness hanging by her arms.
