It was quiet for a long time.

Elena fell in and out of consciousness, recognizing only feelings in between the expanses of darkness. She was carried. She was laying down. She was being sat up again. Her body was moved, bent and placed back where it was wanted again with little resistance as she allowed herself to drift back into the calm that was sleep.

When she finally awoke, it was into near darkness. The only thing that lit the room was the flickering static of a television screen. She had no idea where she was, but she was alone. That thought was shoved aside quickly as the memories of injury returned to her with the sickening crack of her spine as she righted herself. Breathing hard for a moment, she tried to work through what had happened.

She was still alive, whatever had been hunting her hadn't gotten to her. Quickly she looked over herself to prove that fact. There were no bite marks, she still had all her apendenges, even though they were bruised a patchwork of deep purple and greens. Her hands were wrapped in thick gauze, stained through but seemingly recently changed. Attempting to stand hurt more than it was worth, but she wobbled towards the vague outline of the door anyway. It was heavy, but unlocked.

"Ah, you're awake."

Shrieking at the sudden voice that echoed through the room, Elena turned as quickly as she could to try and locate where it came from.

"You really shouldn't be moving."

The television static shifted, casting shadows across the room as an image came through. A grainy version of the man from before looked back at her, arms crossed across his chest as he leaned back in an iron chair. Elena scoffed, limping back towards the television and leaning down to stare into it.

"You try waking up in a dark room after being fuckin' hogtied and knocked unconcious, would you just lay around?"

"Fair enough."

"Why am I alive anyway?"

"That's a pretty existential question."

"You're very funny, asshole, but I'm not in the mood for games. Who the hell are you and why am I here?"

"You should be thanking me, I saved your life! If you'd ended up on any other doorstep but mine, who knows what those freaks would have done to you."

"Thank you so much, you're my hero Mr.-"

"Slow down sweetheart, introductions will be made in person."

"What a gentleman."

He laughed, full and deep, kicking his feet up on the table she assumed was in front of him as the chair rocked back on two legs. A book was settled in his lap, and he picked it up to flip through it idly. Elena lowered herself to the floor, wincing as her weight was put against her palms.

"You've got some pretty impressive bruising, I wouldn't be surprised if there were a couple of fractured bones or torn muscles. You're damn lucky, kid."

"Thanks, doctor. Where am I?"

"My factory, the one you were trespassing on, remember? You couldn't have hit your head that hard."

"You're right, my mistake, I can smell the rust and fossil fuels now. I should have guessed from this featureless, dark room."

"You've got moxie kid, I respect that."

Elena was quickly having enough of this banter, staring at the flickering television image of this stranger while he continued to turn the pages of whatever was more interesting to him than telling her what was going on. It was quiet for a long moment, the idle static the only sounds from the television aside from the occasional turning of a page. If she focused long enough, she could hear the humming of machinery beyond the boundaries of this room. This whole situation was ridiculous, and the continued silence from the person who she could only think of as her captor was becoming more awkward by the moment. If he'd wanted her to continue to pressure for information, she wasn't giving in. Nothing she could ask would grant her anything but more irritation, not when she was being spoken to like a prisoner. She'd only just begun to idly fiddle with her wrappings when he finally spoke up again, setting the book down and planting his feet back on the floor.

"How are your hands?"

"Why do you care?"

"Well, you won't be of any use to anyone if you can't use them."

"I'm sure you realize how intensely creepy that sounded."

"Don't be so perverse."

It was her turn to laugh, kicking herself for giving in to the banter. Looking down at the bandages, she winced at the dried blood that stuck to the edges.

"They might need to be changed, whoever has been doing them seems to be keeping up with it."

"Thanks, kid."

"I'm flattered you've assumed I'm a child."

He snorted, but ignored her comment.

"Go back to sleep, they'll get changed later. I've got shit to do."

"Wha-"

The television flickered out completely, sending her into complete darkness. She cursed, shoving the television weakly before wincing through standing again. With what little light showed through the bottom crack of the door, she made her way towards it once again. It was heavy, but when she pulled the handle it gave way. The door opened with an agonizing screech and a burst of hot air, but Elena ignored both as she stepped out into the corridor.

"Asshole, can't even lock a door…"