Rai lay sprawled on the cold concrete floor of, the metallic scent of blood mixing with the stale air. His body felt like a ragdoll, limbs heavy and unresponsive. Each time he regained consciousness, it was to the dull ache of pain radiating from every part of him.
The shadows danced around him, whispering the horrors he had experienced—electrical shocks that coursed through his body like fire, the searing pain of nails being ripped from their beds, the sickening crunch of bones snapping under relentless blows.
He blinked against the harsh light, forcing his eyes to adjust as the darkness faded. Faces loomed over him—figures dressed in tactical gear, their eyes cold and unyielding. They surrounded him like vultures, waiting for a shred of weakness to exploit.
"Wake up, soldier," one of them taunted, a twisted smile plastered on his face. The man leaned in closer, the stench of sweat and malice washing over Rai. "We have some questions for you."
Rai clenched his jaw, refusing to show any sign of weakness. He had learned long ago that showing fear was akin to inviting death. Instead, he let the pain wash over him, focusing on the heat of his rage.
"And here I thought I was at a welcoming party," he shot back, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Where are the balloons?"
The man's expression soured. "Funny guy, huh? Let's see how funny you are after we start our little chat."
As they began their interrogation, they tried every method to extract information about Eli's research—information that could be weaponized for their nefarious plans. Electric shocks coursed through his veins, jolting him awake with agonizing intensity.
"Fuck!" Rai cursed under his breath.
They used every method imaginable, from physical torture to psychological manipulation, but he remained resolute, his silence a wall they could not breach.
"Just tell us what we want to know, and this can all end," one of them hissed, the frustration evident in his voice. Rai's heart raced with adrenaline, but he kept his gaze steady, refusing to betray Eli.
"Right, because spilling my secrets is definitely going to earn me a first-class ticket out of here," Rai replied, wincing but refusing to break. "I'll take my chances with the torture; at least it's more entertaining."
In the darkness, Rai overheard snippets of their plans.
Whispers of Eli's research—her groundbreaking work that had the potential to save humanity—were twisted into weapons of destruction.
The very thought sent a chill through him. They intended to use her, to manipulate her genius for their twisted agenda.
"Once we have her, she'll be the key to our success," one of the captors stated, a gleam of sadistic anticipation in his eyes. "We can't just break her spirit; we need her to want to help us."
Rai's heart thundered in his chest, panic clawing at him. They can't have her. I won't let them. Beneath the layers of pain and despair, a plan began to form.
Feigning agreement with his captors was a risk, but he needed to buy time. He had to stay alive long enough to escape and warn Eli about the danger looming over her.
"Alright," he said, his voice hoarse but steady. "I'll help you. Just let me out of here."
The men exchanged skeptical glances, but his resolve seemed to spark their interest. "Interesting. Let's hear your ideas," one of them said, leaning in closer, intrigued.
As they listened, Rai carefully crafted a story—one that would buy him the time he needed to devise an escape plan. He spoke of betrayal and cooperation, feigning compliance while his mind raced to strategize his next move.
"Look, I know Eli better than anyone. If you want to get to her, I can help you," Rai continued, forcing a smirk onto his face. "After all, I've got a personal stake in this. I'm like your inside man… except, you know, not as soft and cuddly."
"Tell us how," the man said, narrowing his eyes. "And make it good, or we'll just go back to the fun part."
Rai could feel the weight of their anticipation pressing down on him. "Well, you need to understand her motivations. She won't respond to threats. If you really want to play her, you have to make her think you're her ally. I mean, everyone loves a good backstab, right?"
The captors shared a look, intrigue growing. "Go on."
"If you can convince her that you're on her side, she'll be more likely to cooperate. You've got to play the long game. Get her to trust you, and she'll give you everything you want."
"Why should we trust you?" another captor interjected, skepticism etched on his face.
"Trust is a fickle thing, my friend," Rai replied with a sly grin. "But if you're looking for information, I'm your best shot. I'd hate to see Eli get hurt because you're too impatient."
With each passing moment, he observed their routines, the guards' patterns, and the layout of the dimly lit chamber. He noted the way they chained him, the precise placement of the guards stationed outside. The desperation fueled his determination, a fire igniting within him.
In the hours that followed, as they continued their twisted games, Rai silently counted down the moments, his heart racing with anticipation. He could sense their growing impatience as he spun his web of lies, and he seized every opportunity to sow seeds of doubt among them.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of torment, the captors left him alone for a moment, the door creaking shut behind them.
Rai wasted no time.
Drawing on every ounce of strength he had left, he struggled against the chains, the metal biting into his skin.
Rai gritted his teeth as he worked, forcing his aching limbs to cooperate. The plan was set. If he could free himself, he could reach Eli and warn her before it was too late.
Outside, the echoes of distant laughter mingled with the chatter of his captors, their ignorance of his intent fueling his resolve.
He would break free; he would fight for Eli, at least as a friend. Because he planned on getting a divorce.
With a final push, Rai felt the chains loosen, his breath quickening in exhilaration.
The time to act had come.
He would escape this nightmare and save Eli, no matter the cost.
*