"Don't look for me. If all goes as I plan, we will never see each other again," I said, reading the last line of the letter. "Goodbye, Dani."
"I guess things didn't go as you planned, hm?" he asked, still avoiding looking at me.
"Is that what this is about?" I asked.
"Do you want that to be your one question?" he asked.
"No, but, wait, that's it? You wanted me to read a letter?"
"Ask your question," he said, avoiding my words.
"Fine," I said, knowing what I had to ask. "Are you going to let Ashley go?"
"Eventually," he said, meeting my eyes. "As much as I hate to admit it, this is ultimately between you and I."
"What would it take for you to free her now?" I asked.
"I believe I said one question, love," he said, his demeanor smug once again. He began to leave, and I heard the door open. It didn't close. I heard voices speaking, but I couldn't make out the words or the other person. It sounded like someone was reprimanding the other. The voices quieted. Suddenly, I was pulled to my feet.
"New game," he said, appearing before me yet again, knife in hand. "I'm going to be asking questions, and for every lie…well, I think you know."
"Didn't think you liked getting your hands dirty?" I taunted him.
"You don't know anything about me," he said, his face fixed in a scowl. "Do you understand?"
I didn't speak. I wouldn't let him get the satisfaction of seeing me tremble or hearing the quiver in my voice. I always tried to be brave, but the glint of that knife was terrifying to me. I let out a loud gasp as his fist hit my guy. Hard.
"I said, do you understand?" he said, grabbing my face to look him in the eye.
"Yes," I choked out.
"Perfect, now… first question, who did you send that video to?"
"What video?"
Punch.
"You know what video," he said. "The one where you blew your own cover. You sent it to someone, but we can't touch their servers."
"Go to hell," I spit out. He didn't know who I sent it to… but I said Spencer's name. I realized that the cameras must merely be visual, lacking audio.
The knife was pressed against my arm.
"Answer, or I start cutting," he said, leaning towards my ear and whispering, "and you know that I won't be merciful…"
I once again didn't speak. Then the knife pierced my skin.
I screamed.
He slowly drew it along the length of my arm.
"Spencer!" I finally screamed out. "I sent it to Spencer! Please stop!"
"I knew you'd get the hang of it," he said. "Now, why is the CIA investigating your disappearance."
"What?" I asked, meeting his eyes, my arm throbbing in pain. "The CIA?"
"Don't play dumb love," he said, bringing the knife up to my other arm. "You know what happens…"
"I swear, I don't know anything," I said, tone sharp.
Too sharp.
"Liar," he growled, digging the knife into my arm. I once again let out a scream, screaming that I didn't know why and to please, just stop.
My eyesight began to blur and I felt myself grow limp.
"No, you don't," I heard Nicolas say as he sharply slapped my face. My eyes opened and I met his gaze. His face became confused as he turned to the side. I felt my eyes droop, the world blurring again.
"Bring her in," he said, his tone resigned. I heard the door open as someone was brought in. Then I felt water dumped on my face, waking me up from my daze. Opening my eyes, I saw the person they had brought in, who was now restrained to a chair in front of me. My heart dropped.
"Caroline," I breathed.
"Sarah? Why are you bleeding? Where are we? What-" she said, but was shut up by a sharp slap by Nicolas. She yelped.
"She never told you?" he asked, grinning at me. "Your little Sarah isn't who she pretends to be, Caroline… and now she has gotten you tangled up in her mess…"
"Sarah, what is going on? What is he talking about?"
"Caroline, I-"
"Shut up," Nicolas growled, pointing the knife at me. "Now, I forgot how you are so willing to put yourself on the front line, but you wouldn't let someone completely innocent be harmed… so this is up to you…"
"Don't hurt her!" I said, my eyes widening for my friend, who was terrified for her life.
"That's up to you, love… Why is the CIA investigating your disappearance?"
"CIA? Investigation? Sarah, what is going on?" Caroline asked, yelping as Nicolas held the knife to her neck. "Oh my God, Sarah? Sarah!"
"Nicolas, don't!" I said.
"Answer my question!" he yelled, his voice echoing around the room.
"I found the letter!" I yelled as he pushed the knife closer against Caroline's throat. "The letters you kept locked in your office safe that proved you were not only operating a human trafficking ring on the Rio Grande border, but were working with multiple terrorist organizations in the Middle East with illegal weapons smuggling, and I gave them the information, but there was evidence of someone higher up than you, and… and they knew that if I was found out, it would likely be under the orders whoever it is…They aren't after me, they're after your boss," I spit out. "Just let her go, she has nothing to do with this!"
I saw Nicolas' face, void of emotion. Then he pulled Caroline up from the chair, and dragged her from the room.
"Don't hurt her!" I screamed after him. I heard the door slam. I heard her scream.
Then I heard the gun shot.
"No!" I screamed, thrashing against the chain holding me up. "You son of a bitch! I'm going to kill you, I swear to God, Nicolas, I am going to fucking kill you!"
There was no response. No one came into the room.
I was alone.
And I began to silently cry.