*Author's note: takes place at the end of the third season finale where Jarod is captured. Sorry NBC and TnT...
Purgatory: Part V
"Broots, I want you to find Jarod, now, no
questions, I need to know his location."
"Ye, Yes Miss Parker." Broots
scurried off to his computer terminal. After typing for several minutes, Broots
looked up at Miss Parker.
"I, I found something."
"Already?"
He shrugged, "They seemed to want us to find this."
He pointed
to the screen.
"Oh my God," Miss Parker's eyes darted across the screen.
It was a live video feed from the security cameras watching Jarod.
"Broots, can you tell me where that's coming from." Miss Parker almost
had to shout over the sickening noises coming from the computer.
"Hold
on," he typed in more commands to the computer, "SL-18."
"Get Sydney,
we're going."
Jarod heard the soft patter of heels. He started,
"Brigitte?" He heard them sound coming closer and closer. Jarod lifted his head
and instantly regretted it. A fist crunched into his bruised side.
"Don't move!" A voice ordered him. He relaxed slowly and painfully. The
manacles held him tightly to the wall, which was unyieldingly hard and
accentuated every spasm of pain that jolted his body.
"I have finished,
Sir," the voice of a Sweeper said.
Jarod felt a warm breath near his
ear. He attempted to shrug it away, but Lyle persisted.
"Jarod, you seem
to enjoy trying new things. I have a new taste for you." Jarod automatically
clamped his mouth shut. It was immediately pried open by a metal spoon. The
bitter contents were dumped onto his tongue. A thick hand covered his mouth and
nose, blocking his airways. Another hand stroked the length of his neck,
stimulating a sense to swallow the acrid stuff. "Swallow or suffocate," were his
options. He swallowed, and the hands released him. Deep in his throat a thick
bubble formed. He tried to cough, but the bubble continued to choke him. He
swallowed in vain. Lyle watched as Jarod's lips turned a pale purple. Jarod
thrashed against the braces, struggling for air.
"Shh," Lyle whispered,
"Don't waste your breath."
Jarod stared desperately ahead. His lips
formed the words, "Please, please."
When Jarod slumped against the
braces Lyle tipped his head back. He inserted a thin tube down his throat. Lyle
clamped Jarod's nose shut and drew his face close to his prey. Lyle gazed
sideways at Jarod's closed eyes and leaned closer. He began artificial
respiration.
Jarod broke back to consciousness sucking in air. Lyle
slowly released his prey. Jarod spat in his face. A metal bar crashed against
his skull; Jarod groaned, half conscious. Jarod felt a dizzying change of
gravity, suddenly, he was lying on the floor.
"Jarod, Jarod, wake up!"
Miss Parker leaned over Jarod. "Wake up!"
He shifted away in
protest, but reluctantly opened his eyes. "Who are you?" he demanded.
"Jarod, don't you recognize me?" she asked, shocked.
He held out
his hand, searching for hers. When his fingers brushed her wrist, he held on
tightly. She tenderly waved her free hand through his hair. He pulled her
closer, needing the warmth that only he could find in her. He embraced her; he
could smell the sweet perfume on her hair mingled with the taste of fear on his
breath. Her fingers brushed his cheek; she felt tears falling from his brown
eyes.
"Jarod, what did he do to you?"
"He, he," his voice
cracked as he continued, "He took my sight. He left me blind, helpless, at his
mercy. I can't defend myself against Lyle…"
Miss Parker helped Jarod to
stand in the small room. She guided him to the small bed.
"Let me speak
with my father about this."
"He knows already," his voice was laced with
hatred, "He authorized the project."