No Strings Attached

Chapter 40: Let the Torture Begin!

Resting my back against the walls, I slid my hand through my messy afro. According to James, we have been in this hellish nightmare for at least seven months.

Nurses and doctors deliver breakfast, lunch, and dinner to our cells.

Sometimes, they give us injections or words of encouragement. Other times nurses treat us like the gum stuck underneath their sneakers.

Sighing, I said to James: "We have to get out of here." 

"I know,"  James agreed.

For the past ten hours, I have never felt this scared in my entire life.

My room didn't have any air conditioning, food, or even a napkin to conceal the blood running down my left pant leg.

"I hope Aria and Marco are okay, " I say quietly. "They must have been scared."

"I am sure they can take care of themselves." reassured James. "They're a lot stronger than you think."

Closing my eyes for a bit, I rest my head back.

"Do you have any idea where we are?"

James let out a low grunt.

"Funny, " he chuckled sadly. "I was going to ask you the same question."

Sighing, I got up again then took another walk around the white room. Hands slithered through my curly brown afro as I struggle to come up with an escape plan.

I attempted to remove the chip inside my neck; but whenever I touch my neck, the torturing shock always returns.

"FUCK!" I cried in anguish.

Terrified, James had asked me if I was okay.

"Yeah, " I answer. "It's just this stupid—"

Mr. Jefferies returned to the white room, sporting a white bandage across his thin nose.

He carries a medium-sized apple, but this time it has the color of blood red.

"Hello, Nadine."  the doctor greeted in a kind manner. "How are you?"

I am hungry, annoyed, and sleep-deprived because of you, asshole.

"Oh, I don't know, " I say coolly. "How's your nose? Is it still broken?"

The scientist's enthusiastic smile vanishes.

He placed the red apple on the table, ignoring my taunting question.

"Are you ready to do it again?" he asked quietly.

"I am, " I started to say. "But—"

"But what?"

I cross my arms like a spoiled child. "I am not going to do your test until you tell me where the hell I am."

I spoke louder so James could hear me from the other side.

Rolling his eyes, Mr. Jefferies snorts: "Nadine, we have already talked about this."

"No, we haven't."

"Yes, we have. Now, lift the apple—"

I set my jaw. "No, tell me where I am!"

Mr. Jefferies' hands twitched as if they wanted to strangle me, but the scientist tucks them inside his pockets.

"You know, I could electrocute you," says Mr. Jefferies in a threatening tone. 

Shrugging, I sat down on the blue-tiled floor.