Take Over Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Kim clung to Stefani. She had lost her father, her mother, her friends and she wasn’t about to lose another. She began to cry, “Stefani, they killed my dad.”

“What?” Stefani felt her chest tighten.

“They shot him in our house just before they took us.”

“Who did?”

“Whoever the people are that put us in this prison. They shot my dad and sprayed something into the air. I passed out and woke up here.”

Stefani wished they had light. She was scared, very scared but she wanted to comfort her friend and it seemed that, while they were still holding each other, the darkness was keeping them apart. If I could only wake up from this nightmare, she thought. She began to pray. God, please help us, was all she could manage.

Just then there was a scraping sound of metal on metal and then a dim light came from the ceiling.

Stefani squinted, her eyes watering. The new light was not very bright but after being in such complete darkness for so long it might have well been the sun. She attempted to look around the room and could not see clearly enough to determine the size of the room or how many people there were. The scraping returned behind her and she turned to see where the sound was coming

from.

                                            

There was a door about ten feet from her.  It began to open.  Ali came to her side and spoke

in her ear, “Do not look at them.  Keep your eyes to the ground and don’t speak unless they speak to you.”

That’s ridiculous, Stefani thought.  She was about to say so when she felt Kim elbow her in the ribs and nod vigorously at her as if to say, “Listen to what Ali says.”

Stefani just could not, no… would not comply.  She wanted some answers.  Her best friend’s dad dead, her parents were God knows where and she was stuck in some dark room, hungry and afraid.  Her stomach was in knots. The anger welling up in her seemed to lift her head. 

She saw two men at the inside of the door staring straight ahead in some military stance.  Then through the door came a cart pushed by a blonde girl.   The girl was about Stefani’s age.  Her was hair pulled back.  She felt a tug on her sleeve.  Ali leaned into her.  “Stefani, please,” she begged in a whisper.

Through the door came a tall slender woman in a military outfit, high leather boots, and a very, very stern look on her face.  She wasn’t ugly, but not beautiful either.  Her eyes met Stefani’s and Stefani quickly diverted hers; courage she had had was gone.

She felt rather than saw the woman approach her.  The woman grabbed Ali by the arm, “Didn’t I make myself clear?  You were to instruct every one of the rules.” 

Ali did not reply but let out a small whimper. 

“I see I will have to teach you obedience.”

With that she turned Ali’s back to her and began to strike her.

Stefani could hear a whistling, like the sound of a small branch being swung rapidly through the air, then sound of something striking flesh. She winced and then began to cry.  The sound was then mingled with sobs and horrible moaning sounds from Ali.

The beating seemed to go on and on. Ali fell to her knees. This gave Stefani a clear view of her back, welted and bleeding. Her shirt was torn through.  It was too much. Who were these people?

A shriek.

Stefani fell over Ali, shielding the girl with her own body. She felt one strike and then another.  “PLEASE!” she yelled.

She waited for another strike… it never came. “

“That is enough,” She heard a man’s voice say.  Stefani kept her eyes averted.  She would not make the same horrible mistake again. “Miss Welds. I thought I explained to you that these young ladies were not to be harmed. They are our guests.”

There was no response from Ms. Welds. Stefani for the third time felt a hand this one heavy but gentle rest upon her shoulder. “My dear.  Would you forgive my colleague? While she is a very competent soldier she can get out of hand when it comes to discipline.”

“What is your name?”

“Stefani,” she managed to sob out.

“Stefani. Such a pretty name. Well, Stefani, I can see you are a brave and unselfish young lady. You see, we have rules here and we expect them to be followed. If you obey then it will go well with you and your friends. If you do not… let’s just say Miss Welds will have to insure that does not happen. Do you understand?”

Stefani could hear the smile in his voice and it gave her a chill, “Yes.”

“Very good. Miss Welds, please inform them of the rules and then give them food and water.”

Stefani heard his heavy steps leave the room. She still did not dare look up. She felt Ali shaking with sobs below her. She lifted herself off so she would not pressure down on the poor girl’s back. Their blood mingled. Kim slowly knelt beside them both and gingerly put her arms around them.

Stefani put her hands to her face and rocked. Kim heard her whisper over and over, “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”