ADAEZE
"You want us to what?!" the five of us shrieked.
"It's not as bad as it seems" Sensei Zhang; our self-defence teacher told us.
Sorry, let me go back a little for you to understand further.
Sensei Zhang is a Chinese man who has mastered the art of king fu inside and outside. He teaches us everything you need to know about king fu, martial arts and the rest. He's Chen's mentor too. She admires him a lot.
"This is your next mission" he had said "Each of you will be assigned to a different terrorist. Ask them questions about their mission and who sent them. We need details. Torture them if you have to. We need to know what their next plan is"
We stood in the middle of our dojo all dressed in our karate uniforms. We thought we were going to have classes but instead, he explained that we were on a mission to interview our terrorists.
"What if they try to attack us?" Victoria asked.
"They are properly secured" he answered "But in case of anything, we will manage the situation".
"Still-"
"Let me get this straight. You've disarmed a ticking time bomb, taken down these people and practically saved the country from a mass murder yet you're so scared to talk to them. How?" he sounded amused.
"The scary part is that we're doing this alone" Chen explained "When we took them down, we did it together plus I don't want to sit in a room with a serial killer and talk. That's creepy. I'd rather fight"
"You have to learn how to do things on your own" he said.
He handed each of us clipboards and pens. The clipboards had their passport pictures attached on top and their personal information below.
"Go get started"
We looked at each other, fear evident on our faces.
"Now!" he ordered.
That was when we skedaddled.
*
After changing into appropriate clothing, security guards escorted my teammates and I to the torture section. It was an inside prison for the terrorists we captured.
I stared at the clipboard in my hand as we walked. I was assigned to talk to the man who attempted to bomb the protest ground the first day we went. His picture was attached to the board along with his name; Subomi Johnson
I gulped in fear. Fighting them is one thing. I mean, the adrenaline is there to help coupled with the need for survival. Being put in a room with a serial killer and talking to them are two whole other things. These psychopaths play mind games with people.
I remembered how he was tortured badly by Lumi...still he didn't budge. Will he be willing to speak to me?
My teammates and I stood in front of the room doors we were all assigned to.
"At least I'll get to see the cutie again" Victoria joked.
She must be talking about the guy I fought.
"Is that the guy you're assigned to?" she was asked.
"Yeah"
I wish I was in her position. At least, talking to someone in the same age group as you would be a bit easier.
"In case of anything, you can scream for help" the guards told us "We'll be here waiting for you"
I took a deep breath. As the leader, I should be able to lead without showing fear.
"We'll go in on the count of five" I instructed.
"Five " Chen started.
"Four" Choi continued.
"Three" Victoria spoke'
"Two" Mike said.
"One" I finished.
We opened the doors and entered the rooms at the same time.
The smell of blood hit my nose instantly.
I looked forward at the sight of him. He was tied to a chair. There were fresh wounds all over his body and he had a swollen eye.
I took a seat across him. In therapy training, we were taught to make the interviewed person feel at ease in the best way possible. Standing up will feel more like a threatened interrogation but sitting down will make it look as if I'm just having a casual conversation. It might even make them open up a bit more.
"Start off easy" she taught "With a greeting, if possible. They're humans too and deserve to be spoken to nicely sometimes. They are just people who made bad choices"
I cleared my throat before I began.
"Good day sir"
He chuckled.
"What's so good about the day?"
His voice was raspy, as if he hadn't drunk water in a while. I wonder if it was a torture method or if he refused to drink.
"Well...you're still alive. That's something good"
"Trust me, it'll be better if I was dead"
"You won't be if you cooperate"
"How old are you child?" he asked "Aren't you supposed to be in school?"
"I'm older than you think"
I had to sound confident as if I knew what I was doing but I sure as hell didn't.
He laughed loudly.
"Is this what my life has become? I'm being threatened by a child! My last daughter should be about your age or even older"
I noticed he spoke very good English. He was obviously educated which is weird.
I also noticed how he could easily make eye contact with me.
"What's the next move for your group?"
"Why should I tell you that?
"Use his family to threaten him" Mr Davis said through the ear pods
For a second, I forgot there were cameras and that our teachers were watching us.
"Because I know where your family is" I replied.
In that instant, his face became filled with rage. I became terrified but calmed down when I remembered he was tied up.
"Don't talk about my family!" he tried to get out of the ropes.
I shuddered in fear.
"Calm down" Mr Davis told me "He's properly secured"
"Just tell me what I need to know and I'll make sure your wife and kids are safe"
"Why should I believe a thing you say"
"I have no intentions of hurting you or your loved ones...if you co-operate"
"How do I know that"
"You'll just have to take my word for it"
"Very good"
I crossed my legs in order to look as if I was in control and felt confident.
"I don't believe you" he said.
"Why not?"
"You think this agency cares about you? They put you in the same room with a killer, not caring about the consequences. They send you and your friends on suicide missions. Wake the fuck up!"
"Don't listen to him Ada. Take the remote to electrocute him. Torture him!"
"I'd find a way to leave them if I were you" he said.
I looked at the man.
"I'll have to do this the hard way"
He laughed.
"You think I'm scared of pain? Think again. I've been living on the streets all my life. You wouldn't know anything about that, would you? I've been through pain in the most brutal form. Please, go ahead and do your worst"
"He thinks you're bluffing"
That was when I realized I couldn't torture this man. No matter what, I could never do anything to hurt anyone. What happened to not being weak anymore?
I sighed.
"I don't want to do this"
I really don't.
"Please go ahead"
"Just tell me who sent you and what the plans are!'
He spat at me. I gasped.
That was when I got mad. I took the remote on the table nearby. I was about to electrocute him until he lunged at me.
I screamed.
I thought those ropes were secured. How did he loosen them?
"Help!"
He grabbed me by my neck and pushed me to the wall. The security guards came just in time to take him off me. I fell to the ground in shock with my heart beating fast.
What the hell just happened?