He shivered in his wet clothes, and slowly opened his eyes as he came to. He was in a large, damp room that was part of a warehouse. There was one window, high up toward the ceiling to his left, and one door, also to his left. The ache in Rudy's shoulders was beginning to gnaw at his nerves, which he knew was the purpose of leaving him chained with his arms above his head, hanging from the ceiling. As he gradually gained consciousness, he became aware of the pain in his sides and face. Then he remembered being beaten before he ended up in his current position. One thing he knew for sure, he had several broken ribs, none of which was enjoying being stretched by his own body weight.
The door opened, and a tall man with dark hair and a beard walked in.
"Ah, Dr. Wells, I see you're awake. Perhaps now you will be more reasonable."
"Who are you?"
"We've been over this; who I am is not important. The only important thing here is what you can tell me about the OSI and its projects."
Rudy smiled slightly, "You can go to hell."
"I see hanging around has not improved your disposition at all."
The man put a pair of rubber gloves on his hands, and reached for a hose. He switched on the water and sprayed Rudy with it. He set the hose down, and walked over to a large barrel, pulling out a long metal rod that had a wet sponge on the end of it. Calmly he turned a switch on a portable electronic unit to his right, powering it up. He held Rudy's brown eyes with his own, the intent of the torture quite clear.
"I will not insult a man of your intelligence, Dr. Wells, except to say that you will find this most unpleasant."
Rudy let out a mouthful of air. "Yes, I doubt very much that I'll enjoy being electrocuted...."
"I have no intention of killing you just yet, Dr. Wells. You're much too valuable." The man moved closer with the electrified rod. "Tell me about the Butterfield project."
Rudy laughed. "There is no Butterfield project, you moron. We just made it up so that your organization would come after me, and we'd have a clear shot at bringing you down."
The man angrily held the rod to Rudy's midsection, causing him to scream in agony as the electricity sent his body into convulsions. He pulled the rod away, and Rudy could feel his insides still shaking.
"That was a low setting, Dr. Wells. We are just beginning. I suggest you reconsider your position."
Rudy's breath came out in gasps as he spoke, "I'll see.....you....in...hell...."
The man hit him again with the rod, and as his body shook with electricity, Rudy prayed that he wouldn't last long for his sake, as well as Oscar's.