Hemmingway wrote, "There is no hunting like a hunting of a man and those who have haunted armed men long enough and liked it, never really care for anything else".
WASHINGTON, D.C
SUNDAY 4:30
SOME PLACE UNKNOWN
The buzzing in Artemis head decreased after every passing second. The sound of water dripping nearby was the first thing her delirious mind differentiated. Artemis opened her eyes forcefully and blinked rapidly to clear her vision. The memories of the whole incident hit her like a ton of bricks and she became vigilant in a second. "First thing first, check yourself for potential injuries, access your condition", Oliver voice shouted in her mind.
Heart's beating- yayyy I am alive….Kudos to me
Slight pain in ribs- bearable
Cut on fore head- not deep
Any dark clawy dragon figures or ghosts- mind is working so no hallucinations…phew
Tongue- bullets of sarcasm already loaded
So now rock and roll
"Stay focus Arty, Always check your surrounding first; this girl is never gonna learn", Dinah voice sternly advised her even making her skin crawl like she was actually caught stealing her ice-cream again. "God that lady can be scary when she wants to", Artemis thought to herself.
"Mind…Stop playing jokes on me …this is serious", Artemis advised herself and noticed the position she was in. Of course she had to be lying on the floor, her hands had to be zip tied behind her back and the room had to be dark and gloomy.
"Can't even one baddie here get creative", she thought with a snort, "Really! I mean how dumb they are… only zip tie cuffs I am insulted… and what on Earth… they have against god damn lights".
Someone screaming in the pain from the above causes her to get working on her escape instantly. "May be someone else is kidnapped too and need help", she pulled the end of the cuffs to tighten the knot as tight as possible, positions the tie knot between her wrists and using a quick tight motion of her arms and wrists, she broke the knot on impact. "Piece of cake..", she mentally patted herself on the back and got up to observe the surrounding.
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"Hey jimmy…you are gonna be okay", Ronald said worryingly as he put one more pain killer in his mouth and rotated the knot of clothes even more to tighten it even more to stop the bleeding, "I have removed the bullet. It will be okay". It should stop bleeding a while ago why isn't it stopping, he thought.
"Fuck it hurts…I am gonna kill that bastard…I promise I am gonna find him and I am gonna cut his fucking eye…", Ronald smile on that, "I am gonna cut him into pieces and fed him to dogs", Jimmy said angrily and pounded on the bed with other hand to release his frustration, "Fuck…Give me the injection...i need it"
"NO way bro...you are not getting it… you have lost a lot of blood. I want you to be conscious not dreaming around", he said with authority as he got up to leave the room, "I need a change", he referred towards the shirt who was now covered in his little brother's blood.
"Please", jimmy begged.
He released a tired sigh and said, "Fine… only one shot… let me get it", he said as he left the room.
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Right now she was in the basement which she could easily be compared to a torture room having laced with a lot of devices whose sight was enough to cause panic in her. On the right side of the room, a long chain with the small hook going over the pulley and strapped down to the other side was also there probably to hang someone; A steel chair with lots of straps was also present very near to her. There was a desk between the two with the every possible kind of knives, screw driver, screw tightener, an electric prod and injections etc. on it all arranged according to their length with equal distance apart from each other; shining in the dim light coming from the cracks. A tub filled with water was present on the left side. There was a small steel box present at the far side below a shelf with a lock on it. Artemis carefully opens the box and released a cold sigh. The inner side of the box was covered with scratches like someone was trying to peal of the lid with his bare hand. By the looks of the size of the box it was only enough to put a kid of 6 or 7 into it. "Looks like someone's personal hell", she thought sadly. But what really got her attention was the shelf on the far side of the basement where different voice recorders was arranged according to their sizes. There were hundreds of tapes all arranged neatly on the second shelf having a tag names attached over it. "His trophies…I am dealing with the psychopath…really what am I?...a psychopaths magnet", Artemis cursed herself again and immediately move towards the table and snatched the three knives, she hid one knife in her pockets and one in her shoes when done she grabbed the electric prod but remembering how the man didn't even went down with the teaser she grabbed the biggest knife and moved towards the stairs as quietly as she can. The basement leads to the hallway having the rooms on both sides and just as she got out of the basement she got a glimpse of a man going in the room. Artemis thought of getting out as stealthily as possible but decided of the confrontation for not taking a chance of leaving someone else needy here behind in this hell hole.
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Ronald removes his shirt and casually throws it in the laundry basket. For a moment he caught a glance of himself in the mirror, the scars covering his eye and most of his chest; he remembered what his father did to his eye and rage overwhelmed him. He took the gun out of the drawer; gently rubbed the hand over the barrel of the gun for a while and placed it under his neck. After some seconds he sighed and placed it behind his back. He shook his head to get rid of the bad memories and take up the injection and move towards the door to get out.
Artemis clenched the knife in her left hand with all her might and listened to the sound of his footsteps carefully. The moment he gets closer, she charged at him making a first contact with his stomach with the right hand and then elbowed him on the face with her left arm, her plan to keep the knife use as minimum as possible. Ronald falls down on the ground and Artemis gave him a smirk but becomes stunned by his appearance. There was a scar literally cutting his left eye in half and by the looks and depth of it was a contracture scar probably caused by the heated knife as one can clearly see the tightness and excessive amount of collagen gathered to heal the wound making the scar thick and raised above the wound. His chest was also covered with burn scars. Even the only imagination of pain what he went through was enough to spark a bit of empathy in Artemis. Ronald didn't show any reaction of the blow instead he takes advantage of her hesitation and threw her on the ground with the leg kick on her stomach and immediately got up. "Like what you see", he commented arrogantly. "Ogle your kidnapper…great going", she thought and mentally face palmed herself for doing that. Artemis was also on her feet in an instant and takes a swing at his temple, to her surprise he didn't move and let her hit him. Artemis threw another punch with all her might while he just stood there taking her hit with a smirk like nothing happened to him.
"Why do you hit me?", he asked innocently in a childlike voice and took a step towards her.
"You kidnapped me you asshole and you are asking why I hit you?", Artemis replied still not able to figure out what kind of a psychopath she is dealing with.
"But I didn't hurt you did I…I could but I didn't...", he again said in a childlike manner.
"I could have gutted you with a knife but I didn't…did I?", Artemis asked surprised by his actions. Something changes in his demeanor and Artemis could see blood in his eyes.
"Did you enjoy it?", he boomed angrily scarring Artemis a bit. "I saw it in your eyes you enjoyed it…", Artemis took a step back while Ronald came at her. Artemis dogged his first blow to her head and rolled over the table and landed on the other side of the table on her feet hoping to create some distance between them.
"No…I didn't", she tried to reason with him but regretted greatly not using the knife earlier as she saw him taking out the gun from his back. Artemis swiftly sided down the table and sliced his leg; again he just bent down and gave no acknowledgement of any pain. Artemis used this opportunity to grab a hold of his right hand, twist it around and make him loosen the grip on the gun; with one swift move she threw his gun away and knees him in the stomach, Ronald snarled angrily and turned around; untwisting his hand in the process and tackled her to the ground with it; making her hit the head hard on the floor. He got on top of her and hit her on the temple. "You ….are… gonna… regret… it", Ronald sneered at her punctuating every word with a punch. Artemis counteracts the two punches with her right hand and then swings the knife upside embedding it in his hand. Ronald only snarled and licks the blood now leaking from his hand. Artemis just watched him confused yet again and asked, "How…What are you?".
"Your worst nightmare…", Ronald smiled sinisterly and without even a flinch took the knife out of his hand and embedded it in her left shoulder. Artemis screamed in pain while Ronald's face lit up. With the single thrust of force he ripped the knife out causing her to cry out again. "Scream…", Ronald ordered as he pinned her arm above her head. Artemis tried to move but was quickly losing strength as every movement was sending a jarring pain in her shoulder. Ronald's fist made contact with her nose with the loud and deafening Crack. Searing pain flows through her body and white lights danced in front of her vision. In additional to the blood from her nose, the cut on her forehead reopens and blood blinded her vision even more. Her head lolled down to side allowing a stream of blood to go unchecked still she didn't gave him the satisfaction of scream. "Don't you listen what I said…Scream louder or else…", Ronald raised the knife higher but stopped himself from cutting her throat. He released a controlled breath and whispered in her ear, "You wanna play that game with me…huhh", he smiled and gently patted on her face trying to keep her awaken and to not pass out on him, "you are gonna beg me to kill you sweetheart…", Ronald got up from top of her and excitedly left the room.
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Ronald threw the injection towards the Jimmy who caught it expertly by his uninjured hand; he then grabbed the baseball bat which was already covered with dried blood from the nearby wardrobe and began to leave again. "Ronald you are bleeding", Jimmy acquired but as he saw him leaving with the bat, "Ronald …No…we need her alive…we need the reporter's location first…Damn it", he cursed while getting up from the bed when Ronald didn't even acknowledge him.
Artemis had barely the time to get on her feet when Ronald came barging in. She took out the second knife from her pocket but before she could even use it, he hit her on the stomach causing her to lose the knife on the impact. Artemis vomited blood and went into a coughing fit as she hit the ground again. "I should have done this before…", Ronald said as he brought down the bat on her left leg knee. The loud crack of a bone breaking and Artemis's screech satisfied his need and he laughed loudly, "Now that's more like it…let's do it again", Without giving Artemis a chance of recovery he again brought down the bat on the same spot, Artemis's cry was cut short by the blood in her mouth as she started choking on it. The world spins in front of her becoming focused and blurry repeatedly; taunting her on her helplessness and vulnerability.
Jimmy entered from behind and immediately went for Artemis and turned her face to the side while partially lifting her head with his uninjured hand, allowing the blood to get out from her mouth. "You are backing down on your promise Ronald…", jimmy glared him angrily and the moment he felt that she has start breathing normally he simply let her head fall without any care; Artemis crumpled on the floor barely conscious and exhausted , "we shouldn't have taken the job on the first place. But since we had…. keep your pleasure to the minimum and get the job done… and then get rid of her as soon as possible… but first the job". Ronald glared back but after a while backed down and threw the bat on the floor angrily.
Artemis mumbled something lightly which get the attention of both Jim and Ronald. Ronald smiled lightly and gave a fake bow of submission to Jim. He went near her and again kick her on the stomach, "you said something sweet heart…I didn't get it", he added with a smile and bent down to her level. Artemis coughed again andsaid in a hushed tone, "the wound…you have to…close the hole…or it wouldn't stop… bleeding". Ronald become confused and said with a laugh, "becoming delirious…are you?...thought you were a bit tougher than that". Artemis smiled and again coughed lightly but said with a glare, "Cauterize ….the bullet hole…or he will die…you dumb ass".
Realization dawn on both Ronald and jimmy and they exchanged perplexed glances, "Nobody asked you to give any advices", Ronald said angrily though still surprise at the thought of her helping them, "Well…I got the license…when you fucking…kidnap me", Artemis answered sharply still trying to bring her breathing rate to normal and gritting her teeth against the shooting pain in her leg. Ronald put his hand over broken leg and said with the smile, "I don't even take shit from my father while returning some back. Do you really think I am gonna let you slide", he pushed her broken knee in the opposite direction and only smiled at her yells in pain and he keeps on doing that till she passed out.
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WASHINGTON, D.C
SUNDAY 7:00 AM
McCarty's HOUSE
"Wally…you okay", Richard asked concernedly as he saw him just glaring at the wall covered in the blood in McCarty's house. Everyone was avoiding the eye contact with each other the moment they have walked in.
"Are you? …knowing that someone capable of doing this have her", Wally said in low voice while balling his fist in anger. Kaldur noticed the tension in the room and sighed.
He moved to the center of the room and said in an emotionless tone, "I know that with Artemis being kidnapped…everyone here is on edge but if we let our emotions get the best of us we are never gonna find her…We have to take it like another case…Please just forget that she is in danger and work on building the profile. The sooner we build the profile the better it is for Artemis"
"We got two bodies iD'd as William and McCarty Collin. McCarty is…was 34 year old…no kids or wife….William Collin his brother…was visiting him occasionally along with his daughter…Hellen Collin…Neighbor reported a white male age between 20 to 40 fleeing the scene and I quote, "hopped up on those god damn drugs" which contradicts our theory of having two unsubs", Roy explained while moving closer to the dressing table and chair where Zatanna were staring in the mirror aimlessly.
"Eye witness's accounts are notoriously unreliable", Jade piped in still glaring at the rest room which was covered in blood, "It's them…clear signs of massive overkill…if only we paid more attention to the unsub than catching Russo…", she said angrily venom lacing her voicewhile Roy passes her a concerned look.
"Helen Collin was found here, tied to the chair in front of the vanity, no defensive wounds, ligature marks around the wrists because of zip tied cuffs, found heavily sedated by some drug called Dilaudid…causes you to relive your past…right now she is in hospital…still unconscious", Richard explained while placing a hand at Zatanna's shoulder.
"What are the chances that she saw everything that happened here?", Zatanna asked disturbed even to imagine that a 14 year old has to saw two of her close relative die in front of her reliving the accident of her father in mind.
"Probably didn't saw a thing…they showed her mercy…there were no tears marks or any kind of physical strain on her wind pipe when paramedics took her…I had her checked for any other wounds, there is none…she was not their focus", Jade piped in again and Zatanna sighed, "William Collin was found in the showers but he wasn't quite as lucky. Ligature marks on wrists and ankles and one long laceration up the abdomen through both layers of muscles"
"Evisceration that is typical of disorganized behavior", Kaldur added with a thought.
"Despite all the blood, this crime scene shows method, order and control. I would say it is pretty organized", Jade presented her opinion.
"There also an evidence of the torture with the husband", Roy said hesitatingly, "Broken bones, burns, contusions, laceration…I don't think he left anything out"
"If we consider that torture is the unsub's signature than methodology should be unique. A person who burns someone doesn't normally use the knife", Richard added still occasionally sending glances towards Wally who hasn't spoken a word during this whole conversation.
"So we have more than one killer…both preferring different methodologies yet completing each other needs perfectly", Kaldur concluded, "Could be blood relatives or submissive-dominant category"
"Agent McCarty was found in the bath tub. From the looks of the level of blood ring on this tub, McCarty lost his entire blood volume in it…Approximately 10.6 pints", Jade added.
"Which means that he was dismembered", Roy clarified what jade left out.
"Were the P.D able to completely reassemble the body?", Kaldur asked while jade nodded, "So that means he didn't take any trophies…is there any evidence he got off?", Kaldur asked hesitatingly.
"No", Jade answered forcefully. Again Silence fell in the room for a while. "So are we dealing with a sadist?", Jade addressed the elephant in the room.
"No…", Wally answered way to quickly surprising everyone with his outburst. He released a sigh and explained. "Typically torture falls into two categories; sadistic and functional. Functional torture is used to extract the information or punish. It's measured, disinterested and impersonal…then there is a sadistic torture which is used to extract some emotional or sexual need…if you look around here, this is a sadistic torture but ….in case of Artemis they need information... they would prefer functional torture…hopefully"
"They are hitmans right…. but hitman doesn't need to torture the victims. They were given the target and they make the kill as quickly as possible. May be it's the torture that bond the two unsub, a common ground for both of them to agree on…having a similar emotional need and ability to work together also hints that they have common past… my guess unsubs are brothers or cousins who went through some tragedy in the past", Richard explained.
"They are no rookie….they are doing it for a long time… they murdered two people in this very room but not a single drop of blood could be found anywhere else…they did a lot of work here and there is no hesitation on the unsub's part it's messy…. yet if I close the door of the rest room it will look like an ordinary house to me…such excellency and efficiency suggests history and extensive homework", Roy added, "I doubt forensics will help us…"
"We have our work cut out for us. Zatanna help the neighbor and get the sketch of the person out in the media, whoever he is we need to find him. He may provide us with any info we miss. Richard and Roy I want you to go through every file in the state involving this type of torture; check the surrounding states too, the guy is a pro he could have done the job away from his comfort zone. Go far back as you can at least ten years. Jade; Wally you guys are with me, we are going to visit Russo and try to shake him up. Right now; he is the only one who know the unsubs directly or indirectly", Kaldur ordered and everyone nodded in agreement.
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"You know if Artemis sees you now…she will literally believe that you actually care for her", Roy asked while wrapping his arms around her stiff form from behind. Jade was waiting for Wally and Kaldur to come out of the house.
Jade smiled bitterly but become relaxed around him in an instant; her tough exterior dissolving in to thin air leaving an exposed worried elder sister behind. "I do care for her…I am not as much of a bitch you think I am", She said while using his shoulder as a head support.
Roy smiled, "I knew it …behind all the layers of Godzilla of yours…there is still hiding a sweet, idiotic, egoistic, temperamental girl with whom I fall in love with", his hand found its way around her stomach and he deliberately started probing her stomach, "you know I don't like that frown of yours…let's remove it with a tickle"
"Harper I am warning you, don't you dare use the tickle against me; I will personally grind your hands into a fine powder with the hammer if you do", jade warned playfully but become serious after a while, "this is on me…I brought her into this…if only I would have stayed away…"
Roy frowned and instantly released her and come face to face with her, "...This is not on you...Artemis agreed to help and we will find her…but to be honest… I never get your staying away policy…You always run away…whenever there is something you can't handle you ran away…whether it is Artemis or me or anyone else…instead of facing things head on you like to disappear…Can't you for once gut up and try to be there for the one you care…instead of lurking in the shadows"
Jade gave him a pointed glare, her expression turning from perplexed to hurt and then to anger, she gave him a forceful shove and walked away, "You don't get it…do you …I stayed away from her to keep her sane…to make sure she has everything which she could desires for… I stayed away because that's the best thing I could do for her…you had no idea what it is like to be born in the hell…I stayed away to keep that hell away from her not to…", her rant was cut short by Kaldur coming out, she gave Roy one last glare and released a controlled breath, " you are the only person I thought who wouldn't judge me but since you already have me figured out…why don't you give your decision a thought too", jade said while waving the engagement ring in front of him, "I would be happy to re-consider it too but right now I have my sister to worry about". Jade quickly moved away from him not giving him a chance to explain himself while Roy just glared her from behind and snorted angrily.
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SOME PLACE UNKNOWN 9:00 AM
Electricity zapped through her body angrily, cutting through her like a knife through cheese, filling every inch of her body with agonizing pain. With absolute cruelty, in a split second the iron clad clutches of agony tore away unconsciousness and bought her back in the world of reality."AAAHhhhh…", Artemis screamed and become awake with the gasp. She saw something move away from her peripheral vision and the pain subsides greatly giving her a chance of catching breath. When her senses became functioning again, Artemis huffed while breathing heavily. She was strapped on a metallic chair with her hands and legs fixed along the chair with steel bracelets.
"Wakey Wakey … dear", Ronald welcomed her with a cruel smile on his face he was leaning on the table with his back with the voice recorder placed beside him and electric prod in his hands connected to a generator. "How are you feeling?"
"Well gee… I am just awesome….. after being kidnapped…and hit with a bat….oh did I mention… I am currently tied up too", Artemis answered with a smirk. Ronald laughed out loud and turned his back on her. "You amuse me..", he said as he placed the electric prod back on the table and fit the knuckle busters in his right hand.Before Artemis could utter a word, he turned around and gave her a powerful punch in her stomach causing Artemis to whither in pain. Her breath instantly left her lung leaving her gasping for it again. Ronald only smiled and moved behind her. He grabbed the handful of her hair and pushed her head behind and then whispered in her ear, "You know why you are here sweat heart…please I beg of you …tell me what I need from you and I promise I will end your life quickly…", Artemis gritted her teeth in pain and tried to put a brave front; Ronald said plainly and release her hair.
"Didn't I give answer to you on the train station…Dude if you… really want another …spit on your face… you could have …just asked", Artemis said with a smile but her voice was hoarse and laced with pain; while trying to bring her breathing rate back to normal.
"Thought you were smart but you disappoint me", Ronald replied in a threatening tone and added another punch but this time just below her ribcage. Artemis doubled over as much as she can but the restraint prevented her from doing so. She could feel a coppery taste of blood in her mouth yet again but settled on just releasing a grunt; not giving him the satisfaction of a scream.
"Well buddy…I wasn't… born to…. please psychopaths… anyway", Artemis said between gasps.
Ronald only smiled at her attempt and said, "We are just getting started Miss Queen…I suggest you should get comfortable… By the way I really like your fingers"
"Dude you really… have complex about your…. appearances aren't you?...BTW try manicure…it helps" , Artemis answered with the smirk while Ronald only glared her angrily. Ronald came forward and Artemis balled her hands in to fist.
"Tell me the location", Ronald vehemently opened her left hand fist sending a wave of pains in her shoulder wound; and mumbled lightly, "I am sorry, Madre", Artemis become surprised but before she could ask, he said loudly, "Feel free to scream…no one will hear you", Artemis took a deep breath and mentally prepared herself for incoming pain as Ronald snap her little finger by pushing it to the side.
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WASHINGTON, D.C
BEHAVIORAL ANALYSIS UNIT, HQ
SUNDAY, 7:00 AM
"So everybody knows what to do?", Kaldur asked while just getting ready to go into the interrogation room.
"Why do I get to sit behind and she got to go. She is blood related to Artemis remember", Wally complained with anger but clenched his ear again which has starting buzzing yet again because of his own high pitch.
"She is going in because she knows the person well than us and you are staying out because of your injury…just sit here please… my friend we can't afford to have an incident like Salesman here", Kaldur explained objectively yet sympathetically; making his intentions clear. Wally nodded angrily and sat down while Kaldur and Jade went in.
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"We know about the Copycat killer and his ties to you…", Kaldur said emotionlessly while jade decided to lean on the transparent glass behind the camera recording this interrogation.
"My client has no idea what you are talking about?", his attorney spoke up in his defense.
"Co-operate help us nail this guy and we can talk about the plea agreement", Kaldur continued like his attorney hasn't even spoken.
"Where is your other agent? Why isn't she here…I haven't seen her for a while…", Russo directly glared at jade ignoring everyone else in the room. Jade glared back and turned off the camera with a smirk.
"You have nothing on me….have you? with her …gone", Russo smiled sinisterly, "you have no way to contact your witnesses and if they don't show up in the trial…what good are they to you…and I don't need to remind you that in trial; only two days are left".
"You are not getting out of here, Russo…Even if the murder charges drops…We have money laundering charges against you…with proof connecting some of your ties to terrorist organization…homeland security is dying to have their hands on you…we have already have the black site ready for you…and I am telling you I am gonna make you wish you have never been born when I get my hands on you", jade said with the same sickening smile as his putting Kaldur and Wally on the edge. Behind the glass Wally can easily feel tension in Russo demeanor. He was clearly not expecting this. Jade gave him another smile and turns to leave, when Russo called out challenging her.
"That's a load of crap", the attorney piped in again but was ignored as usual.
"You will not present anything in the court and you will drop all the charges on me. She is your sister. Are you gonna let her die?", Russo asked.
Jade laughed loudly and said in an emotionless tone, "You know…me and her…we never get along and yes I will let her die…I will however….do avenge her…and trust me… there is nothing like the thrill of seeing someone suffer with whom you hold grudge…wouldn't you agree..", She said in a detached tone and left the room with Kaldur soon following her behind.
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"We have a serious problem", Richard declared in a grim tone and brought the presenting table in the view filled with the pictures of victims.
"How many are there?", Kaldur asked glaring at the board.
"Well we went 15 years back and there were 100 more cases we missed, most of them tortured for days before killed", Roy explained, "and there is also a pattern to that…..first 28 civilians all murdered in the different states …So P.D never even think of a serial killer approaching their turf. Then 40 cops along with few collateral civilian causalities…2 retired soldiers…and now 1 CIA agent…and the most recent kill before McCarty was this Torrance, a well-known criminal too….and one more thing not all of his kills are mob hits…10 people are from Russo mob itself…either he called the shot or they did it themselves".
"So our unsubs are males, intelligent, organized and methodical. They have a confidence of men who have been killing for a long time. They started on low- risks victims getting their way to the high risk victims and are now targeting the law enforcement agencies….even with the profile we wouldn't be able to pinpoint them or we have to wait for more evidence", Kaldur concluded.
"More evidence?", Zatanna asked as she entered with the sketch of a man in her hands.
"More crime scenes or…victims", Wally explained with a gulp.
Kaldur turned towards jade, "What are you going to do about Russo?"
"We can make a trade. I have talked to my officials. We can gave him some package in exchange for Artemis's safe return", Jade explained. Three men wearing Army uniform entered through elevator from behind and entered into the conference room.
"NO…There is no way Homeland Security is allowing any kind of deal with the terrorist. Negotiation with the terrorists is not allowed, Miss. Nugyen. I thought you were aware of that", the blond man with charismatic personality leading the other army officers answered in a taunting tone.
"Can we ask who you are?", Kaldur asked bewildered at the intervention of the Army in the B.A.U.
"General Lawrence Crock", he introduced himself while jade glared the man with such intensity that Roy had to grab her arm to ensure that she didn't lash out on him, "I am here to ensure that Russo sees his end and we don't have to worry about any off the record deals…and also to ensure that our informant stay undercover in Russo's Cartel till it goes down", he said with a smile and politely take the sketch from the Zatanna, "That man you found fleeing on the scene is our informant, young lady. Let's keep his name away from the media. He is an asset and we would like to take benefits from his talents".
"CIA brought him in. This is my case and I will deal with it… the way I want", Jade said furiously, "You can go fuck yourself Dad. I am not buying your shit", the moment the word Dad left the jade's mouth, everyone exchanged worried glances. Richard was the first to get over the shock and decides to step in.
"Sir…Your daughter's life is at stake here. Please reconsider your approach. I am sure if we settle down on the table, we could find a probable solution", he tried to act as a mediator.
"Letting emotions to get the best of you. I thought I taught you better than that but like her you turned out to be a disappointment too and why Am I not surprised", he answered while ignoring the Richard's suggestion.
"And as usual you turned out to be an Old, detached, paranoid, heartless bastard. I don't know why Am I surprised?...I should have gotten used to it by now", Jade replied back with disgust.
"Your orders are clear. Don't defy me, Jade. I don't have to warn you of the consequences of insubordination", Lawrence boomed at her while Roy stepped in front of her shielding her from him.
"Back off", he roared back with a glare.
"What kind of a father are you?...your daughter might die in the next few hours from the hands of some freaking psychopath …and you are not gonna do anything", Wally also come to stand face to face with him.
Lawrence only laughed and said with an amusement, "Son, Don't make assumptions about the people you don't know, they might deserve what they are getting".
"I am not your Son…Sir", Wally spat the words at him in disgust.
"No need to get offensive. I was here only to deliver the message from the Homeland Security. That's all. Russo is not leaving this cell no matter what", Lawrence said as he put his Army cap back on and turned to leave, " and please don't mind me…Don't you had an agent to save"
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"and I thought I had family issues", Kaldur said as he saw Lawrence leaves the HQ, Roy taking Jade to the side while Wally excused himself from the HQ by saying he needed air. Richard shook his head at the Kaldur comment and passed a troubled glance to Zatanna who was constantly glaring at the pictures of a victims displayed on the board.
"Something on your mind?", Richard asked concernedly.
"They let her live….Helen..…even sedated her that she doesn't hear, see or feel anything. It's like they were saving her from pain…Don't you see the pattern here?", Zatanna explained while Richard gave her a confused look, "All of the victims are men…In their body count of 157, there is not a single woman they have killed".
"Russo also mentioned the time of his trial…if he instructed them to keep her alive for the sake of information, that expired in two days…if we take Zatanna's theory in account too", Kaldur added.
"That means if Artemis didn't tell them about the location, they will keep her alive for two days", Richard concluded for both of them and passed the smile to Zatanna, "Zee...you are a genius"
"Well tell me something I don't know", Zatanna answered with a smile and then said at a sad note, "I hope she is okay"
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SOME PLACE UNKNOWN 7:00 PM
Jim cursed himself once again as he hears the screams of Artemis yet again. He came down to the basement with his one arm in a sling and a frown settled on his face. "I told you to end it…what's taking so long …", he askedto Ronald who was glaring at the slumped form of Artemis; her face covered with sweat and reddened because of the electricity surging through her body several times
"Electrocuted her with 5mAmp twenty one time…even broke her left hand wrist and fingers…bitch wouldn't budge…", Ronald explained anger lacing his voice. Jim placed a hand on her forehead to check her temperature. Most probably 103 F, Ronald thought and sighed and then asks after a good one minute of silence observing her remorsefully.
"We should end her misery…it reminds me of Madre…..Wanna try dad's favorite", Jim asked while Ronald nodded. Jim; with the smile and took the filled injection of Triazolam (anti-sedative) from the table dismissing the other eight used injections on the bin nearby. "How many times do I have to tell you…don't make a mess…it made us look unprofessional, bro", he complained as he passes the injection to him which he gladly accepted with the roll of his eyes at his comment and pressed the needle in Artemis neck.
SCENE BREAK SCENE BREAK
The pain in her head was enormous and her vision was again playing games with her, becoming indistinct and distinct in an instant recurrently. She felt like burning; like someone has tossed her in petrol and lit the match. The buzz was fast wearing off and the jolting pain in her hand causes her to fully awaken straightway.
"Welcome back sweet heart…", Ronald said while opening the steel bracelets of her arms and legs and bringing out the zip tie cuffs. Jimmy came from behind and passed her a repentant glance. Artemis wants to scream at him that she doesn't need his pity or if he is so remorseful why is he doing this on first place but her throat doesn't obey. Her throat was arid and parched because of dehydration and electrocution; she again cursed herself for not killing OK may be not killing but severely injuring or just straight gutting Ronald with knife when she had the chance because she was beginning to think that this is going to be the end of her.
An inaudible cry escaped her lips involuntarily as Ronald twisted her broken wrist and zip tied her hands behind her. He pushed her up by using the collar of her shirt and then when Artemis reluctantly put some pressure on her left leg he let go of her, causing her to fall on her broken leg and wrist. Artemis screamed desperately as the pain wrecked through her in waves. Jim shouted at Ronny but Artemis was too disoriented to care, the dark abyss of unconsciousness again start nagging at her and she wants nothing more to just give in it but the luck wasn't on her side as Ronald again started dragging her towards some tub.
"Please tell us about the reporter location… I know the tactics we use…they are undignified but I promise you we will gave you a noble death if you give us what we need", Jim said soothingly creasing the bloodied face of Artemis gently with his rough hands. Artemis gave him a smirk as he creased her split lip and bite as hard as she can on his thumb. Jim jumped back in pain and landed on his injured shoulder while trying to get away from her while Artemis gave him a triumph smirk. On the other hand, Ronald grabbed her from hair, pushed her up and dumped her head in the ice-chilled water in the tub making her bent on her broken knee. "Let's see how long you last here sweet heart…I just had enough of you", Ronald said angrily. Initially Artemis didn't struggle; she skirmish vigorously after a while but then become static letting him drown her like it doesn't matter.
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IN THE WATER
ARTEMIS POV
Trust me when you are just electrocuted and your blood is boiling in your vein at 103 degree Fahrenheit, you kind of want to be dumped in the cold water on your head and the first thing that comes into your mind is not cold…but it is a relief… sweet honeyed relief, second is a little cold; third is also cold but its bearable and fourth is just plain frosting cold… you will think that I had forget counting but hey I am freaking cold out of my mind…BTW I am a soccer fan and for me the most important number is 10 So fucking bear with me.
The fifth thing you realize is immediate sense of panic; you open your eyes just to get away from the frightening blackness that overwhelms you. You search for a ray of light just to know that you are not alone…just so that you don't have to see the darkness as the last thing you see before you die
The sixth thing you realize is the dragging of air, the burning of lungs that are screaming for air so you violently thrash around; praying and hoping to get free yet you couldn't. Your chest feels like somebody has placed a log over it, the crushing and devastating blanket clenches you horrifying and destroying you to the core…so you release the breath you are holding…welcoming the inevitable wanting it to end so you stop struggling
The seventh thing you realize is remorse and regret…think of things you wanted to do…think of secrets you never share …eventually you take a breath of water knowing it will kill you…you still do that…you say good bye to the ones you love, blew a kiss to the one you once gave your heart, mentally slapped your friends and… you let it all burn…you close your eyes thinking of it as your end…yet become surprised at the mocking of death
The eight thing you realize is abyss dragging you to the limitless depth where there is light...you mentally face palmed yourself and actually admit that your brain cells have died and you can be declared as mentally unstable…yet you keep going till you saw a scenery in front of you
"Let go, Artemis", the black woman with Asian features and kind eyes begs six year old version of you to believe her. You are wearing a green life jacket and holding the pool end as hard as you can; not trusting the blue water to not to engulf you, "Come on, Artemis….trust me …I am right here…Let go"
The 12 year old version of jade laughs at you and throws the water splashes at you, making you squirm away. You glare and her taunting smirk turns into the smile; her eyes twinkling with care, "jeez Arty! Stop being a baby and let go", she approaches you and put a hand around your stiffed arm, you expect something comforting, "Come on, I will kill the lifeguard if you die" and you got sucker punched instead, knowing way too well it's your sister way of saying that she is your life guard.
The Asian women scolded the devil circling you and the smile found its way to your face. She circled you around and put her protective arms around you, "You can let go, Arty…I will catch you …I wouldn't let anything happened to you ok" and finally you let go…
The ninth thing you realize is the tranquility…you know it's just a memory but you are peaceful... you smile under water ignoring that it is lowering your core temperature, freezing your blood, slowing your heart rate…yet you smile that after trying so hard …after burring them in your mind so deep yet the last thing you see is them…and it is blissful, filled with joy and bursting with serenity
The tenth thing you realize is that you are thankful to your oppressor…not for breaking your bones ….not for hurting you…but for giving the glimpse of what you always wanted…the freedom you always carved….the feeling of being loved, cared …and you thanked them for this till
They pull you out, put your head in the tub again, making you go through seven stages again and again till you loss the count and you plead to get a one more glimpse of any of your broken memory but the abyss doesn't show mercy on you….Finally you gave in to them and for the last time they ask you about the location you mouthed thank you to them and black out leaving them confused in their own sick abyss.
CHAPTER END
Coming up next…Action and fluff
Thank you every one who reviewed and convey their thoughts on the last Chapter. Please do like, favorite, follow and Review….they are my inspiration for writing So tata ….till next time :)