Hi, I'll start off by apologising for the lateness, it's been over a week. I had midterms and my roommate went home for a week and I'm still job hunting and what not, all in all nothing going to well. So it's time to get back to drowning my sorrows in writing. Here's the next chapter, I hope you enjoy!

Torment

Chapter Three

Cagalli sat bolt upright as she woke up, immediately squinting her eyes from the brightness of the room. She once again found herself in a different environment as she surveyed the room around her. The room was much larger now with few furnishings. She rubbed her temples, already feeling the brewing headache in the midst. All the sleep was surely getting to her. She inhaled deeply trying to numb the pain but found a irritating burning sensation in her nose as she did so. She sighed as she felt around the tenderness on her nose, a chloroform burn. It certainly made sense as to how she didn't wake up once in transport here. A small shift in movement made the blonde jump as she looked to the source. She glared as her eyes fell onto the blue-haired man who sat on a cot opposite to hers reading some ratty journal. He was brandishing a nice shiner from their previous scuffle. She had a babysitter now how cute. She thought as she looked around to see what other details she may have missed.

The place was just as run down as the previous room, but offered two small cots in a much more open space. The room also had a large metal gated window and two dangling bulbs that offered some light. On the far side of the room then was door way with no door that led to a smaller room, maybe a bathroom she'd guess. She was happy to see her day bag on the end of her bed, who knew how many days she'd be in these clothes now. There was no sign of her briefcase, not surprising. It was probably ripped apart for any information possible, although the joke was really on them. She had a photographic memory that was spot on with deadly precision, most of the papers were merely old and out of date articles.

She sighed as her stomach rumbled once again. There was still no food, and she couldn't bring herself to ask. Another loud grumble, so persistent she thought. A small crackle was heard as a bag landed on her lap. Looking over the packaging she deciphered the arabic writing in seconds, dried apricots. She glared back over at the man sitting to the side, already emersed back in his book. In the end food was food and she wasn't going to start being picky about where it came from.

She tore into the bag immediately and started eating. As much as she hated to admit, this was probably the best tasting fruit she'd have in her life, processed or not. It was disappointing when the bag was empty and she was now craving for water. Lucky for her she'd always carried a few bottles of water with her just in case. She hoped they were still there. Snatching the bag from the end of the bed she ripped it apart in a second, instant relief hitting her as she pulled the two bottles from her bag. She finished the first one in one go, enjoying every single drop as it quenched her parched throat. She flopped back on the cot in contentment, well as much contentment one could be her situation. She sighed as she glanced over at the man across from her. Such a contradiction to be a doctor under such circumstances.

The blonde took another big breathe feeling her heart becoming increasing racy. It was odd, she wasn't panicked or anything but it was becoming more and more annoying by the second. She held up a hand above her, watching it intently. A slight tremble shook down her whole arm. That couldn't possibly be a good sign, the blonde thought as she grabbed the hand with the other, trying to made the trembling stop. Cagalli sat up right once again, swinging her legs over the bed in the process. She frowned as a pain shot up her leg as it hit the floor. It didn't shock her that it was the leg that got cut up in the back of the jeep. She touched the area where it'd been stitched, feeling a sharp tenderness. If she had to guess it was -

"it's infected" came the disinterested voice a short distance away. Again with the obvious the blonde thought as she rolled her eyes. It wasn't surprising in the least that it'd come to this, through the lack of food and water it was prone to happen. She watched the man make his way across the room, knocking twice on the door. Seconds later the door opened and two men appeared. After some quick chatter was exchanged the blue-man exited the room, leaving the remaining two staying in the room. Both of them were dressed head to toe with ski masks covering the bot half of there face. The choice of clothing seemed silly in such a hot climate. Large utility belts sat on their wastes almost looking too big for them to be lugging around.

She watched them talk back and fourth, one laughing while the other one smirked. It gave her chills as they looked at her like a piece of meat, realization hitting her all too fast. A lone unprotected female hostage that had no where to run. In an instant one of the men shoved the other one forward. Cagalli got to her feet immediately, attempting to brace herself for whatever was coming. Although that failed when her leg gave out under her, sending her crashing to the dirt floor. Before she could even push herself back up the man was already on top of her, brandishing a shiny knife in one hand. The other made his way over, helping to hold down her shoulders. She tried to squirm free but found a massive wall of frailness in the way. There was various ripping noises as he shredded through the thin fabrics, exposing her. The blonde could feel the cold blade nick and slice through the layers of skin as he savagely tore through everything is his path. Raw adrenaline coursed through her as she tried to figure a way out of the situation. It was infuriating to be so defenceless and helpless. Continuousness blanks fired as she came up empty handed on any ideas to get out of the predicament. She cringed at the thought of what was to come next.

In an instant one of the assailants was picked clean off his feet. The others grip disappeared soon after as various angry voices yelled back and fourth above her. The blonde slowly pulled herself back together as she processed what was going on. She looked up to see the blue haired man have one of the attackers picked clean off the ground, an arm twisted behind his back. There was a loud crack followed by a scream of agonizing pain. She watch the man fall to the ground writhing in pain, most likely a dislocated shoulder, maybe a broken bone or two.

"You might want to have that checked by the doctor" came the snide remark. Cagalli pushed herself up right, trying to keep the tattered remains of her clothing together as she did so. Arguing continued above her, but she couldn't be bothered to listen. Inside her brain was still in a full panic mode. Furious was the one word that summed it all up to her and she'd be damned if they'd get away with it.

"You don't interfere with my job" came the overly loud voice of blue haired man, taking a threatening step forward.

"Who died and made you boss, small fry" equally getting in the others face. Alex Dino took another step forward, reaching to grab his collar. He was shocked when the blonde beat him too it albeit on wobbly legs, delivering one swift punch to him without hesitation. The man collapsed to the floor, stunned at what had just happened. The blonde fell to floor shortly after, feeling much better about her actions.

"Out..now!" was the next demand he said as he stepped to the side to allow them to pass. Within seconds the two of them scurried out of the room, leaving an eerie silence to blanket the room. Cagalli pushed herself so that she had her back against the cot, reaching for the small day bag. She pulled it in to her lap, using it as a shield to cover her exposed body. Her chest still heaving as the adrenalin slowly faded, trying ever so hard to calm down. The shallow wounds had almost stopped bleeding by now, a few of them still searing in pain with each little movement. She tilted her head back to looked at the ceiling trying to focus her eye's, a light-heartedness becoming increasingly annoying. She sat there for a long time trying to calm herself when a hovering hand entered her field of vision.

"Take these" came a now much quieter voice. The blonde glared at the man, she didn't want to deal with anyone right now. The hand was unmoving and after a while she sighed at the persistence.

"and if I say no"

"Then I'll take off the leg" Cagalli frowned at the response finding herself with little choice in anything. She held her hand out for the pills, the glare unrelenting as he dropped them on her palm. She swallowed them in seconds, opening her mouth for proof so he'd leave her alone. Although he didn't particularly care as he just averted eye contact. She was happy when he went back to his cot without a word. What a contradiction to everything thing he was the blonde thought as she watched him pick up his journal.

Once again, so sorry for the late update :X Hope you enjoyed another chapter should be out rather soon! Thank you