Objective Consequence (Book Two of the Subjective Justice series)

Chapter Four: Blood lust

Throbbing agony coursed through Indra's body with every breath. How many ribs had that hit broken? Would she still be able to fight?

Phantom jaggles of chains accompanied the sharp pain, bringing her further into the darkness that haunted her mind. Insect-like, pin pricking sensations slithered across her body, she could feel his hands on her, reaching beneath--

Pull yourself together!

Starshit. Now was not the time to fall apart. Hiam taught her better than to be weak. Weep when the doors are closed, not on the battlefield. Even if it means losing a part of your soul, leave your tears unshed.

Pungent body odor wafted from the surrounding false fugitives, it was as though they had bathed in a pool of sweat. Stars, did pretenders ever bathe? This was taking the whole act a little far.

Pressure on Indra's leg jerked her back to the situation with full force. Her hearts thrummed loudly in her ears when it increased. Time. She needed time. Indra was still trying to figure out where she was. Without knowledge, she was helpless.

"Tell your leader to surrender, and I will let you keep your legs," the elder hissed.

Indra forced herself to laugh to hide the fact that she was shaking. Allowing a smirk to pull at her lips she propped herself up on her elbows. "Do you think that she'd care enough to give up everything for one measly pawn? As a soldier yourself, you should know better than to think our movement comes without willing sacrifice."

A loud crack echoed off the canyon walls.

Crying out, Indra fell back to the ground, trying not to pass out. The bone pierced through her skin. It was a compound fracture. Starshit, she couldn't stand on that. But, at least they had chosen to attack the same leg that her ankle had already broken beneath.

They would pay. Indra would make them regret their decision to hurt her.

For every bone they break, I'll break three. 

"How much pain I cause is up to you, little Se'li," he said, his footsteps coming beside her.

Two more approached, getting uncomfortably close. One brushed against the thigh of her injured leg. It was as if the world became a box, a prison, an inescapable hell the instant they surrounded Indra on all sides. 

Her chest rose and fell in erratic pants. This wasn't good. She had to get out of here. She wouldn't allow herself to be weak. Why couldn't she make herself move?

Starshit move! You weak piece of mamock feces.

Weakness brings suffering to those too foolish to be strong. I have to be strong. There isn't a choice.

There was always a way out, she would never be trapped again. Indra reached for her breast bone, her fingers grazing the self-inserted capsule. The temptation to rupture it grew with each passing moment, but what about Akio?

A hand reached out, roughly grabbing Indra by the forearm, nearing pulling her shoulder from the socket as they pulled her hand far away from her escape. "We know exactly who you are. The weapon will surrender if she knows we have her girlfriend. Call her off--" the butt of a gun slammed into Indra's forearm, shattering the bone. "Now."

Indra bit her tongue till it bled to keep from screaming. "Well, you see--" she paused simply to breathe. "We're in a rough patch. She might actually thank you if you got rid of her problems."

It was a half-truth, but more convincing than a full lie.

Reaching out her other arm, Indra slowly felt around the ground.