A/N: I know it's been a while, and I'm sorry!!! There was a major case of writer's block, and then my computer deleted all my documents, and then the site was down and I couldn't find any of my fics!!  But now I'm back, and (hopefully) as good as ever!

            Disclaimer: Again, as always, not mine…

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            Max struggled against her restraints, shifting her gaze to glare at the woman standing by the wall.  A man in a white coat was doing something to a machine in front of her, and all at once a laser struck her, filling her with unbelievable pain.  Whatever poisons they had injected her with were making it difficult to breath, but she remembered the game well.  Cooperate, and they'd give you the antitoxin.  Don't cooperate, and, well…the soldiers were expendable.

            The torture lasted for what seemed like forever, stretching on until Max felt she would break.  All the while, the pain was accompanied by pictures of her siblings, pictures captioned with insults- "rat"…"scum"…."traitor"…"target".

            When it was finally over, Max fought to keep herself from vomiting, an instinctive reaction to the pain.  The two guards held her arms tightly, parading her past the blonde woman, who made them stop.  She watched Max's expressions with barely controlled glee.  ^Finally, I've managed what that bastard Lydecker never could! ^  She spoke, her tone betraying none of what she was feeling.  "State your designation."

            Max complied, knowing that she was earning some sort of 'prize'.  "X5-452."

            "Very well."  The woman smirked.  "Take her to the X5 block."

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            The X5 block was a group of cells, and Max was pushed inside one, dark and cold.  Moments later, she turned at the sound of the door opening.  Two people entered, walking with military precision.  Max knew that whoever they were, this was designed to hurt her as much as the torture ever could.  All at once, light flooded the room, blinding her for a second.

            The identities of her two guests were revealed when she opened her eyes, and her heart sank.  "Brin….and Ben?!"

            Brin nodded.  "X5-452."

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            I know this was short again, but I promise I'll write as often as I can to make up for it!!