I'm afraid you will have to wait for Jack, but here's what happened to Kim.
I think Mark of Athena is affecting my writing...
XXXXxxxxxxXXXXXxxxxxXXXXxxxx XXXXxxxxxx
KIM POV
I woke up in a dimly lit room. My hands were tied behind my chair and my feet were bound to its legs. At least the gag was gone. I scanned the room. It
was empty. A beam of light came through the door as someone walked in. I looked up. Sure enough, it was Briggs. Twenty additional years had altered his
face, but his features had been etched in my memory since that day.
"Why hello, Kim Crawford. I must say, it's been a while. My, how you've grown," he sneered.
"You filthy, digusting son of a -" I snarled.
"Now, now, we must use civil words. Interesting choice, throwing insults instead of screaming. Not that it will do you any good. This room is completely soundproof. " he said with infuriating calmness.
"Don't serial killers usually work alone? Those guys who brought me here, how are you sure that they won't rat you out to the police?" I asked.
He chuckled.
"Oh, but you see, these men were carefully chosen. All of them have personal hatred toward the police. I pay them far above the reward, and after I am finished, they will be eliminated," he said.
"What about me? Am I your last prize?" I hissed, anger building up inside me.
"Well now, let me see. Your cousin, Cassie" - I flinched when he said her name.
"Ah, yes. She was number seven. Such a lucky number. You know, before I killed her, she smiled. And I asked her why she did. And she said it was 'because at least, you escaped and would never feel the torture she did," he let the horror of that statement sink in.
Oh Cassie, I'm so sorry for running away that day….
"And that made me remember the little girl who had run so bravely into the alley. The thought intrigued me greatly. So, I decided to wait. Wait for your time." he continued.
I took a closer look around the room. I saw posters on the walls. Each poster filled with snapshots of blonde girls. Each one dedicated to a different girl. I cringed when I saw Cassie's. I peered at the last one.
It's… oh no….
"Yes, Kim. I watched you grow up and mature into quite a pretty young lady."
I saw a photo of me at age 8, entering the Black Dragons dojo. Me walking around the mall with friends. Walking out of Seaford High, freshman year.
He's a monster….
"Then, why the other deaths if your target was me?" I asked.
"You can't expect to come back after fifteen years and not be rusty. I needed a few dry runs. Some practice. Besides, if my math is correct, Miss Crawford, you are number thirteen. How fitting."
He stood up.
"Now, you must be uncomfortable in that chair."
He slid my hands from behind the chair and placed them on a hook jutting from the ceiling. He took the legs of the chair out from underneath me. Now I was standing on my tiptoes, my arms hanging over me. My feet were still bound. I tried to lash out, but I wasn't ready. Not strong enough.
"Such vivaciousness. I can see the resemblance to Cassie. You two were the most difficult to capture. You actually fought, for one thing. I had to play your weaknesses. Cassie's was of course, you. But yours-" he gestured to my picture board.
There, in the center, was a ring of pictures of me with one other person. Someone I had spent countless afternoons with.
Jack.
Him and me at the pier. Falafel Phil's. Even one of me and him holding hands outside the dojo.
How could he….. NO
"Yes, Kim," Briggs said, reading my mind. " That skater was the wrench in my otherwise perfect plan. What was his name? Joe? Jake?
"JACK," I said through gritted teeth.
'Ah yes, Jack. Tis a shame, really. That boy cared so much for you."
Wait, why is he talking about him like that?
"What do you mean by 'was?'" I asked, a slight bit of fear in my voice.
"Well naturally, with both your karate skills combined, you two are unstoppable. So, I had to separate you. And to prevent the young hero from coming to your aid, Jack has been, how can I say it, terminated ." he said.
I felt as if my heart had just been clenched by a icy fist. Waves of cold shock washed over me.
No he's saying that to get to me. Jack is not dead. I'd know it if he was.
"You're lying," I snapped, my voice almost cracking at the end.
"Really? And why is that?" Briggs said sardonically.
"Jack's stronger than me, I'll admit it. He's the most powerful martial artist I know. Stronger than anyone else we've faced. Not to mention, his dad is the chief of the SPD. He'll find you, and you will rot in jail," I hissed.
"Such loyalty is admirable. But I've escaped the police once, I can easily do it again. But your description of this Jack fellow is interesting. I don't suppose you have feelings for the 'powerful martial artist'?" Briggs sneered again. I didn't answer, looking at the floor.
"Such a pity, because you see, it will be a while before you two are reunited. Welcome to hell, " he laughed maliciously.
"WAIT," I shouted. Briggs paused.
"Why the cesium bomb in the dojo? That makes no sense."
He looked confused.
"Cesium? Bombs? I don't do bombs, darling. I have no idea what you are talking about. Now, if you would please quit stalling, Kimmy,"
Nobody calls me Kimmy.
He moved closer to me. I lunged at him, snapping like a cat.
"That won't do," he said, bringing out a roll of duct tape and placing one strip over my mouth.
He ran his hands everywhere- over my thighs and waist. His cold, dead hands that made my skin feel diseased. He took out a whip, slashing me once, twice, three times across the back. I felt the sting, but I dared not cry out.
'You are braver than I imagined. But not for long,"
He unbuttoned my shirt and his hands slipped to the hem of my denim cutoffs.
No, I didn't want it to happen like this. I promised myself I wouldn't be one of those girls. After all the karate and self-defense courses….
I struggled against my bonds. But it was useless. I was trapped, just like in my dream. But there would be no ninja coming in at the last second. I was all on my own.
Briggs unbuttoned my shorts and unzipped the fly. He began pulling them downward, ever so slowly.
I couldn't help it. Tears slipped from my eyes.
Jack, I wanted it to be you so badly…
I'm sorry….
xXXXXXXXxxxxxXXXXxxxxxXXXXXx xxxx
Holy crap that chapter was dark. I actually got shivers writing it. Not just cuz I was typing it in a room that was fricken' cold. I'm afraid I won't be able to write for a while, I don't know how long. Until next time, read and review…..