Cadmus Facility, Location Unknown

Lillian stuck the needle of the syringe into Kara's neck and shot in the contents.

It was Kara's daily injection. She had been enduring them for four days now, but each time, it seemed to get more potent. More painful.

Today was no exception.

Kara screamed in pain as liquid kryptonite circulated through her body. Every limb felt like it was on fire, and her heart was thumping unhealthily quick. The burning sensation spread quickly to every part of her body, and her throat started to ache from screaming.

Lillian smiled with glee and turned to the camera. "I believe we have just perfected our liquid kryptonite serum. As predicted, the weaponized form was different from the liquidated form, however it seems we have managed to nail down both of them. Liquid Kryptonite Mark 4 was a smashing success!" She couldn't seem to contain her excitement at perfecting her newest torture tool.

Kara was on the floor, writhing in agony. There was sharp pain everywhere, and it seemed to intensify as time passed, rather than dull. Her vision blackened around the corners, but she was thrown back into reality by a vicious backhand from Hank.

It cleared her vision right up.

Kara shook her head, in an attempt to clear the stars from her line of sight. When she was finally able to focus a little, she tuned back into what Lillian was saying to the camera.

"Exterior pain tolerance and Kryptonian physiological strength have successfully been tested. Perfected countermeasures against both. Now I believe it's time to move on to the next test... Testing durability, resilience, and strength of the Kryptonian respiratory system."

Kara blanched. That definitely didn't sound like it was going to be a pleasant experience. But truth be told, she was at least relieved to be moving away from the injections. Those were horrifyingly painful.

One of the scientists watching asked Lillian,"How do you plan to test her respiratory function, without removing her lungs? You wanted to keep the subject alive? Sounds difficult."

Lillian beamed. "Well, I am glad you asked! We will see how our little alien here handles inhalation of aerosolized kryptonite. I know I said I wanted her alive, but there really are not guarantees on this one. It's fine though, since we've already finished what we really needed." She punctuated the last sentence with a sinister laugh. Thoroughly enjoying herself.

Kara's fear was at a peak level. At least with the injections, she could breathe, barely. Having kryptonite in her lungs was surely going to kill her. She was also understandably offset that the prospect of her dying didn't seem to faze or upset Lillian.

So far, she had been surviving mostly off of the fact that Cadmus needed her alive to test her. As much as she may have felt like dying during the torture and suffering, she was terrified of death and what it could actually mean.

Kara wouldn't be so bothered if Alex wasn't a factor. She could die in peace knowing everything was taken care of. But now, she couldn't die without seeing her big sister one last time. She refused.

That's why she felt a flood of relief when Lillian turned towards the camera and stated. "Respiratory Trials begin tomorrow. Need time for the injection to clear out of her bloodstream, and for the effects to wear off."

When everyone was gone from the room, Kara pulled out her picture and looked straight into Alex's eyes. As if staring hard enough would establish some kind of direct communication link.

Kara had never felt more hopeless, and the only reason she still hung on was because of the prospect of Alex coming to save her.

If there was ever a time to be saved, it was now. Come on, Alex. You said you would save me. It's been two weeks and it's gotten bad. Real bad. So where are you, Alex?

Kara tucked her head into her knees and sighed.

Where are you?

She woke up the next day, and no one was there. Alex wasn't there. She thought to herself.

I am never getting out of here.

As soon as she finished that thought, Lillian walked in with an oxygen tank and a breathing mask.

"Well, Kara. I think it's about time we get started, shall we?