My feet scrape against the hard floor, my raw skin peeling back more layers as the guards drag me back to the cell. I don't fight back, I don't protest, I don't even cry out in pain. I'm not sure my body feels any pain other than the one in my chest.
Of all the people who could have betrayed us in the end, it was Thietian. The one we had been following all along. The one who had been directing our moves and battle plans all along. The one person I never thought we'd have to worry about because of Cass. Thietian must have taken over, because Cass would never let Thietian get away with this otherwise. Thietian must have done something to him and now he's locked up inside with no way out. I saw the flash of Cass in Thietian's eyes for a moment. He's still in there, I know he is.
I'm thrown into my cell, where my spigot still drips, my corner that I defecate in still reeks, but this time, they don't chain me up. They just throw me in and shut the door.
'This is different.' I try not to think too much about it as I just continue to lay there on the floor. There's no point in moving and wasting what little energy I have. I weep silently, my heart in agony over what's happened to Cass. He was always like the kid I wish I could have had with Mary. He was my nephew, my son, my friend, and now I'm not sure what's happened to him.
He said once that I was his hero.... Now, look at me. What kind of hero am I now?
I must be the most disappointing hero ever. I couldn't keep Mary safe, myself safe, or him safe. I am pathetic. I should have stayed dead.
I fall asleep and wake up several times, drinking water and eating a few bites of the food jammed into my pockets. Thankfully, nothing seems to have spoiled yet, because who knows how long it's been since I even grabbed this food. After I fall asleep and wake up a few more times, my food is long gone, and only water fills my stomach. My corner of waste is disgusting, and I've tried breaking bits of the walls off and floors to cover it, but I can never break off enough to even look like anything is on it. Plus, it takes too much energy.
I can't even move anymore without becoming winded and weak and have forced myself to stay near the spigot and therefore closer to the vile stench of my toilet corner. I'm probably going to die soon. I just hope I don't wake up again.
The sound of my door being opened wakes me up, only enough to open my eyes.
The familiar sight of Turk is in the doorway looking at me shocked.
"Turk?" I mutter, "shit, I'm dreaming again." I let my lids fall, ready for the crazy haze of my dream to change into something new. Instead, I'm lifted up, in arms, like I was a small child again.
"Don't worry, John, I'm getting you out of here. I'm going to put you in this bag and I just need you to stay quiet. Alright?"
"Whatever you say Turk." I mumble, peeking through my eyelids, as I'm placed into a large messenger style bag. The top is closed and warmth envelopes me along with the darkness.
The smooth and steady rocking motion rocks me to sleep, even though at times, I'm jolted awake from a sudden stop, or movement forward. I quickly fall back asleep though. Then I'm being bounced awake, like I was in one of those kids toys that you push around making the balls bounce inside of a dome.
Suddenly, something clicks in my brain.
'They're really saving me!? Oh, please, oh, please, don't let this be a dream!'
I remain quiet, even though I'm bounced along like crazy, I'm pretty sure I'm going to have brain damage after this.
I hear Turk's breathing becoming labored, since we've been moving like this for a while now.
A feeling spreads over me, we must have snapped somewhere else now. Next thing I know, I feel the bright, hot, blinding sun on me. I hiss and close my eyes, covering my face with my hands.
"Sorry, John. Here let me help you with that." Turks voice soothes me as I feel shadows block some of the light from behind my lids and hands.
I gently open them, and even though it's still bright, my eyes are slowly adjusting as I blink tears away. Everything is blurry but I can tell I'm alone in a room with Turk, alone. When Turk comes into focus, I look around and realize I'm still in the bag.
"Uh, Turk? Can you take me out of this thing? I don't think I can stand on my own."
Turk looks stunned at me, before shaking his head, "Yes, of course." He lifts me up out of the bag and sets me down on a bed. He snaps his fingers and a bowl of thin chicken noodle soup appears in his hand with a few crackers.
"Can you feed yourself or do you need some help?" Turk offers the bowl to me but I shake my head.
"I'm not hungry. Just tired." I go to close my eyes again, exhausted, "Thank you, Turk." I whisper before falling asleep again.
I'm awoken by a soft beeping and as I open my eyes and look around, I realize I'm now in hospital room with an IV in my arm.
"When the fuck did I get here?" I sit up and look around for a nurse or a room mate. Seeing nothing and hearing nobody, I move my legs over to the edge of the bed. I'm in a gown so I see my legs, and pause.
'Are these my legs? They're so thin and sickly.' I look down at my arms and see that my arms are the same. My heart monitor starts beeping faster and an alarm is triggered as I stand up.
A male nurse, one that was too good looking to be human, comes running into the room as I attempt to walk to the bathroom that's merely three steps from the bed. My legs tremble under me and I know I am going to hit the ground, my arms not strong enough to hold me up that hold onto my IV stand.
"Sir!" The nurse catches me just in the nick of time, his knees hitting the floor hard under me, his arm catching my head and arm from smacking the floor. "Whew! That was close. What were you thinking, Sir? You really could have hurt yourself. Do you need to use the restroom, Sir?" He looks down at me in concern and I have to ask.
"Where am I?" I know I'm in a hospital, but I'm not familiar with this one.
He shakes his head, "You're in a hospital, sir."
I sigh, "I know that. I mean where?" I go to get up and the nurse calms me down.
"You're in the ICU of the Canadian compound, Sir. Colonel Turk brought you here about two days ago." He gets up with me slowly, making sure I don't fall over.
"Where is everyone then?" I inquire, motioning towards the quiet halls.
"Mandatory meeting, everyone except skeleton crews for each department are there. Something happened over in Libya. So everyone is being briefed on it. I'll get told about it later, when everyone comes back." He gets me back into the bed as I pause in fear.
"What happened in Libya? Is Major General Sin alright?" I grip on to the collar of his uniform.
"Um.. I don't know, sir. I'm not at the meeting, remember?" He says with a grim, tight lipped, smile.
"Are you hungry? Can I get you something to eat?" The nurse asks and I shake my head.
"Not hungry." I ask the nurse something else that has been bothering me. "What is todays date?"
The Nurse looks over at the dry erase board, "It's right there for you, Colonel LaCroix, sir. It's the twenty-first of April. I'm going to still go grab you something to eat. You should at least try. Those IV's may keep you alive, but you need real nourishment."
As soon as he is gone, I look down at my arms and legs, "A month?" I whisper in disbelief.
'This happened to me in a month?! How?!'