Visitors

Aurelie had paced the cell several times, her eyes hunting for a way out. Her hands and arms writhed as she tried to work them free, but the metal bonds on her wrists and elbows were implacable. Finally she returned to her blanket and sank to her knees, trying to focus her mind on finding a solution to her dilemma.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of metal sliding, then a moment later the door opening inward. She watched as her boss and Ed stepped into the cell, her boss smiling cruelly while the other man regarded her impassively.

"Not so haughty now, are you bitch?" her boss spat. "That precious mouth of yours will be wishing it sucked my cock when it had the chance." He turned to look at the other man. "When does it begin?"

"When she is prepared," the other said with calm indifference.

"You can't just kidnap me," Aurelie said, trying to keep the fear out of her voice. "People know I came here, came with you. And when I don't fly back they'll check."

"But you will fly back my dear. Right now a young woman who looks very much like you is in your room at the hotel. She will fly back, using your passport, and clear customs without difficulty. And somewhere between the airport and your apartment she will disappear. Any search that happens will happen in France, not here. You will be a mystery, remembered by a few friends for a while but forgotten all the same. As if you never existed."

Aurelie looked up at him, horrified by the raw hatred in his face.

"But I will not forget you. They will send me recordings of your torment. And I will savour every flinch and scream and plea for mercy that you make. That will be your legacy." He took a few steps forward and leaned over her kneeling form before glancing back at Ed's impassive figure.

"When she is finished, dispose of her as you see fit," he said with cruel hiss.