Fourteen

New York. Nowadays.

The odor of rotting flesh made its way up to my nose again, as I knew right away I’d be in one of my nightmares. Chills crawled all over my skin and I broke out in sweat once I heard the screams and moans of dying people. Shivers washed over my body as the agony to see all those decayed corpses falling around me barged into my mind. In the middle of those flying debris and dust there he was, dominating the battlefield, undaunted and powerful, staring straight at me with those forest green eyes that carried the weight of the world, and his decisions heavy on his shoulders.
I didn’t know who he was, and I was sure he gave me the creeps with such an intense gaze upon me. But there was also something else. I didn’t know how to explain, as my soul longed for him somehow. How many times in the middle of my nightmares he took me in his arms appeasing my distress, and it felt so right! How did you explain longing for a person who is a figment of your crazy mind? I didn’t even go to the erotic ones. He was a barbarian, for Christ’s sake! Gosh, this shit had no end?
It was funny how I controlled these dreams, and knew exactly when to wake myself up, but this time something was wrong. Maybe the drug they injected me with, and my body heated it wasn’t a good sign. I had to wake up or things would get out of hand. It was when cold water splashed over my face. I coughed and opened my eyes, trying to focus on what or whom I was dealing with. Something prevented me from moving my hands and feet. They suspended me in some sort of metal bars. The thing felt like a skeleton of a spring mattress behind my back.
“Come on, sleeping beauty! We don’t have the entire day!” A rough voice mocked me, followed by another wash of freezing cold water. What the hell?
“I’m up… I’m up…” I said, lolling my head from one side to the other. The room spun out of control, making me nauseous. “What did you do to me, you freak? Who are you?” Little by little, I sobered up.
“Tsk, Tsk, Tsk. I’m the one with the questions here.”
“Shit, I knew it was a setup!” I couldn’t hold back the eye roll that followed. “Ok gentlemen, let’s end this soon, shall we? What do you want from me?” Sorry, I get sarcastic when I’m pissed, and I swear, the way my hands would turn into fists said it all. At last, my neck seemed to work again and keep my head up straight without moving, so I checked on my bearings. It was a plain white room, with stained walls, the stench of mold itching my nostrils. In front of me there were two cheap chairs, one bulky guy slanted on the wall to my right, another guard dog by the door, and the tall asshole in front of me.
“Ok princess, let’s get down to business.”
“Oh, I’m a princess now. I thought I was your bitter sugah, babe.” I couldn’t help but snort.
“You think you’re funny, huh? Let’s see if you find it hilarious when this little precious thing touches it there.”
“Not at all, on the contrary…” My eyes widened when I saw the high voltage wire he had between his fingers. The son of a bitch covered his eyes and I couldn’t see them behind his mask, but believe me, once I freed myself, I’d make him eat those wires.
“What brings you here, Alexandra?”
Wow, wow, wow… They knew me! I was in more deep waters than I imagined, and the way he said my name sounded familiar to my ears. I had to be cautious and think about my words.
“Why the stupid pet names if you knew who I was all along?” I hate this kind of endearment. Then he moved the wire. “Ok, ok! I don’t know who sent me!” Honestly, I didn’t know. “They gave me this job with little information.”
“And you just accept it without questioning?”
“Yes, I’m their collector. I’m given a job, and I deliver, no questions asked.”
“Wrong answer, princess.” Gosh, my entire body trembled, expecting what was about to come. I’ve never been in this position before.
“Please, please, I don’t know!” Then the first electrical wave sizzled over my body. My eyes bulged, and I gritted my teeth, trying not to scream while the pain coursed through me. After a few seconds, I sagged against the bars. “I’m telling you…” I stuttered, breathing heavy. “I have no clue who sent me.” Then again, that excruciating pain.
“Tsk, tsk, Alexandra! If you keep this up, I’ll have to fry you a little more. Who sent you, princess?” He came closer to my face, and I detected the mix of mint and lemon of his aftershave, and I had smelled that before, but at the moment I couldn’t place it. I glared at him with contempt.
“I know you, and I just can’t figure out who you are, but be certain if I leave this place, you’re dead!” My voice was low and cold, devoid of emotion, and that rendered me one more jolt as I braced myself and held tight. He would never have the pleasure of hearing me yell in pain. Numbness took over my skin, sweat bathed on my face, pouring down my neck and plastering my hair on my scalp. My muscles cramped in a way I’d never thought possible. I felt being torn apart limb by limb, then a sudden peace, and once more my body slumped to the metal.
“Last chance, what did you come here for?” His patience slipped away. I could tell by his tone and harsh breathing.
“Papers!” I shouted. There wasn’t much to tell. “Documents in a safe box…” The hard part was to talk. I couldn’t find my breath, and believe me, the fun had flown through the window, and I didn’t feel like getting shocked again. Anger took over me, and that was no good. “I don’t know what type of documents they are. I just had to get them and bring them back with me.” My voice shook.
“Sorry to tell you, princess. There’s no safe box in this cabin, neither documents.” My head snapped up, and I faced him, puzzled. “I see… They sent you on a kamikaze mission.” His laugh penetrated my pores, sending a shiver up my spine. My hands turned into fists and sparkles crackled there.
“Then?” More laughing, I heard that laughter before. Why couldn’t I remember? “You know, my auntie always told me not to play with electricity, because you can get shocked, and it’s lethal.” My words came as a warning growl through the room taking the two wallflowers there to stare at each other, and then back to the tall asshole, but he didn’t seem to care that much and to teach me a lesson he charged the wire to the metal again.
The pain that surged through me got so horrendous that this time I didn’t fight it, but embraced it with all my being. My heart became erratic in my chest and my skin heated so much I thought I’d combust in place, but never once I let go of that cretin’s face. The coward, seeing that things got out of hand, back paddled to the door, giving me one last look. Then it happened.
A huge electrical wave washed away from me, smashing everything in its path. The sound was as deafening as a nearby thunder after a lightning crash; shattering glasses, splintering chairs, doors and whatever was on its route, and I collapsed to the ground, drained, and once more, darkness engulfed me.