Chapter 3

Anna Amaruso slowly drove up the dirt track and parked outside the two storey building. It was a large dark building, built mainly from red-brown stone. The windows had been boarded up as requested. The sun was starting to rise, highlighting the other two smaller wooden buildings to her right. The high trees and bushes shielded them from the outside world. Anna smiled to herself and entered the building carrying to large cases.

"What the hell we're you thinking?" Strauss almost shouted "The droid, almost killed her"

"But it didn't" Anna calmly answered placing her belongings on the ground.

"That's not how I work. It was too messy. You should have stuck to the plan"

"The plan was to capture Danvers and we did. So what if she has a few extra bruises."

"You're telling me you wouldn't be mad if it had killed her after months of planning?"

"Enough" Anna held up her hand. How dare Strauss question her, she could feel her rage building "Where is she?"

Strauss hesitated for a moment "This way" he replied as he picked up her cases and made his way down the corridor. "Everything you requested is in here" Strauss began "you can set up over there" He indicated a small desk to her right. The room was small and dark; to her left was a one way mirror. She looked through it and stared at the unconscious women on the opposite side.

"Let me know the moment she's awake" Anna said before moving away and unpacking her cases.

Alex heard a loud bang. It was like cymbals crashing beside her. Memories of the sewer and car crash came flooding back. Her head shot up, the pain exploded and stars swam before her eyes. She slowly lowered her head back down.

"Come on sleepy head, it's time to wake up" came an unfamiliar voice. She felt a hand under her chin and lift her head up. "Hey" Strauss shouted and clicked his fingers close to Alex's face. She opened her eyes and stared up at him. "There you go, that wasn't so hard" he said smirking.

He reeked of tobacco. A wicked smile spread across his face as he turned and walked to the opposite side of the room. Alex watched as he tapped on the one way mirror and slowly dragged a metal chair across the room and placed it in front of her.

The door to the room opened and Anna walked in. She sat on the chair in front of Alex, their knees inches apart.

"I've waited a long time to meet you face to face, Alex" Anna said coldly.

Alex looked at Anna but did not answer; she didn't recognise the woman. A bang caught her attention and she turned to see the man setting up bits of equipment.

Suddenly Alex's head exploded with pain once more as Anna slapped her across her face.

"Look at me" Anna snapped.

Alex fought to refocus. Her head was pulled up forcing her to look at Anna. Alex said nothing and just stared back at her. Alex didn't know what Anna wanted but whatever it was; she wouldn't give it to her.

"You have no idea who I am; do you?" Anna tilted her head and looked at Alex. She slapped Alex again "Answer me".

"No" Alex shouted through the pain.

Anna smiled. She enjoyed seeing Alex in pain. And she was just warming up. "Eight months ago, you murdered the man I love...loved". Anna corrected herself.

The memory of shooting Dr Morrow came flooding back to Alex. "Tom Morrow" Alex asked.

"Don't you dare say his name" Anna interrupted. "You murdered Tom, you took him from me". Anna was now standing over Alex. Her body was shaking with anger.

"I tried to reason with him but..."Alex interrupted.

"You killed him". Anna snapped.

Anna wrapped her hands around Alex's throat. Alex couldn't breathe. She felt the pressure building in her head. The lack of oxygen was slowly turning her world dark. She kicked out with her right foot. She knew she hit something as she heard Anna scream and fall backwards. Alex bent over coughing and gasping for air. She looked up to see Anna on the floor, clutching her knee. Strauss rushed over to Anna, checked she was ok before making his way over to Alex. Without warning the man raised his foot and stamped down onto Alex's knee. Alex was certain she heard something crack but she refused to cry out. Nausea rose in her throat but she pushed it back down.