James took a deep breath, his first one of the day, as he sat in his office. Hefailed. He failed everyone. Salem was there, in Atlas, in his city, and there was nothing he would do to stop her. He rest his head in his hands, his thoughts wandering back to Beacon, about how he swore he'd never allow that to happen again. Yet here he was, in the middle of a second Beacon.
This shouldn't have happened.
You failed them all again, James.
You failed him again.
The thoughts kept coming until they were interrupted by the sound of gunshots, then screaming, and then the soft thump of his office door opening.
"Hello James," His name dripped off her tongue like poison on a dagger. James looked up, his face unchanging. After all, she would just kill him, end his disappointing life. Her voice picks back up again, "You thought you could win? Against me?"
Salem gave a cold smile as she approached his desk, her eyes connecting with James' own. She grabbed a chair, sitting across from him, taunting him with a display of humility, despite her power over him.
"Just do it. Kill me now, Salem."
"I don't think I will, dear General."
"What?"
Salem smirks as she stands, looking at her claw like nails, "I said, I won't be killing you General Ironwood. There are... certain fates worse than death," James sucked in a breath, what could be worse than this? Salem walked closer to him, "Like this."
A loud scream resounds through the halls, James flung his hands up to his face as Salem laughs. She admires the warm red liquid now staining her fingertips. The only sounds to be heard in the building were sobs of pain and heels clicking.
"Good luck, General. I'm sure someone will see you soon."