Behind Cold Metal
Chapter 4: Trying to Reason
On the third day of captivity, Samus was doing her press ups again, her figure and health somehow not getting affected by the foods she was given and the low quality water she forced herself to drink. Once again, Meta Ridley did the same entrance, crossbow and all, and sat down on his stool. He was ready to give his judgement of the torture prospect. Samus decided to do the silent treatment as Meta Ridley started to talk.
"...I have thought hard about my decision" he said. Samus said nothing.
"...I will not torture you now" he said. Samus felt some sort of relief. Even though she had seen worse, without any Energy Tanks, being slapped by Meta Ridley felt like getting hit by a moving brick wall. But Meta Ridley had something else to say.
"...But this doesn't mean that I will be letting you be for the day. I have other plans" he said. "I am inviting you to join me on a solo reconnaissance mission to the mountains of Ether, not very far away from here" he said. Samus couldn't just sit there and listen any longer.
"I'll never join you, mission or not!" she suddenly shouted.
"Listen Samus, I can terminate you right here if I wanted to! You will learn who you are speaking to!" Meta Ridley shouted. He suddenly raised his hand and was about to give Samus the hardest slap he had ever given. But he suddenly hesitated. Those strange thoughts were coming back.
"Argh...I...why do I feel like this? I don't when ever I'm somewhere else....what is wrong with me! I've wanted to kill this woman for so long...why am I not doing it! Why...why do I feel a sense of guilt???" he thought to himself. His arm dropped limp and his other hand rubbed his metal face.
"...I will ask you again..." Meta Ridley said.
"Go to hell, you son of a..." Samus said. But before she could give Meta Ridley a piece of her mind, Meta Ridley snapped again.
"Shut up!!!" he shouted. He blotted Samus's last word and she fell silent. Suddenly, she looked rather submissive.
"You are unwilling..." Meta Ridley said. "...I will ask you again tomorrow. Just remember, there's more to life that this cell. You're stuck with me, so make the most of what I give to you. You're very lucky that I don't demand respect" he said. "Although at this stage, the way you treat me...I deserve all the respect in the world" he added.
"You'll get no respect or sympathy from me" Samus said. "You're nothing but a...a..." she said. But she hesitated. She started to think.
"...Why doesn't he kill me right now?" she thought. "...I don't understand. He's never like this. Perhaps....maybe I'll grill him tomorrow. I've given him enough of my mind today...I guess. Perhaps I'll feel better tomorrow..." she thought. She stayed silent. Meta Ridley stood to his feet.
"I'll ask tomorrow. Consider my request" he said. He then left the cell, a little less cautious this time. For some reason, Samus didn't try and escape. Just like Meta Ridley, she too was also second thinking...