Breaking Free: Hell's Waiting Room

I opened my eyes to a flickering light bulb swinging from the ceiling. I could see the filament burning a dim orange as if it were going to burn out at any second. For all its effort to illuminate I could barely see anything else. The walls around me reflected an orangish glow against their gray darkness. Were it not for the shivering cold, I would have assumed I’d made my way straight to hell.

My head throbbed, resting against the hard cement of the floor. I closed my eyes only to open them to the same reality. Resigned to it, I pushed myself up into a sitting position and immediately regretted the rash decision. My eyes stung with tears as the painful consequences of my actions wracked their way through my nerves. My chest felt like it was on fire and I could barely breathe. The hellish room began to spin and blur as if I were suddenly at the eye of a tornado. I tried to lie back down and felt a helping pair of hands reach out and grab me.

“Careful V. You should try to lie still. You’ve been through a lot.” Kyra whispered.

I turned my head toward her voice, but all I could see was her silhouette in the darkness. Her hands eased me back down to the floor. It struck me that her hands offered no warmth only the same bone chilling coldness already present in the air.

“Where are we?” I asked.

“I’m not sure but I think we’re underground.” Kyra replied.

The lack of sunlight and warmth certainly didn’t contradict her theory.

“I think we’re on one of the smaller islands.” Gina said.

I was surprised to hear her voice from the corner. Our captors must have connected her to me and taken her thinking she could be used to persuade me into helping them. I tried to look toward her but Kyra gently pushed my head back down. She was clearly worried about me and that seemed like a very bad sign.

“What happened?” I asked.

“You don’t remember?” Kyra asked.

“It’s all a little fuzzy. I remember Jack and I found the medallion only to find the boat had been overrun. I wanted to make a rescue attempt but Jack considered it too risky.”

“It was.” Kyra said.

“We swam to shore and then when we got back to the hotel they were apparently waiting for us. Jack tried to give me a chance to get away but I guess I blew it.” I said.

“According to Mark you almost made it but they cut off your routes.” Gina said.

“Mark’s here? Is he alright?” I asked.

“Better shape than you. He got a nasty bump on the head but otherwise he was fine.” Gina said.

I closed my eyes and rejoiced in the relief that small piece of news brought. My worst fear was that in my recklessness I’d killed him.

“I seem to have all my fingers and toes still.” I said.

It was a desperate attempt to add some levity to our dire situation but it sounded bad even to my ears. Gina gave a halfhearted laugh that was probably based out of sympathy or her own attempt to help lighten the room. Kyra’s hand brushed the hair back on my forehead giving away her concern.

“I’m guessing you’ve got a cracked rib maybe worse and you took a pretty solid hit to the head. You should try to get some rest.” Kyra said. “It doesn’t look like we’re going anywhere right now anyway.”

“How long have we been here?” I asked.

“Too long.” Gina said.

“Tom, Gene and I were brought here a few days ago I think. It’s hard to say for certain without any way of tracking time. Mark and Gina showed up a few hours after us and then you were dumped here a couple hours ago, maybe a day already but no more than that.” Kyra said.

“Any ideas on how we’re going to get out of here?” I asked.

“Not a one.” Kyra said. “But you aren’t in any shape to walk let alone think about escaping.”

“I’ll manage. If we get an opportunity you have to be prepared to take it.” I said.

“So far they’ve just left us alone.” Gina said.

“Did either of you get a look at them? All I’ve seen is a bunch of masked soldiers in black.” I said.

“They’re Chinese. From what I gather they’re some sort of religious fanatics.” Kyra said.

“So Independents?” I asked.

“I think so. With the way the Chinese government works it’s hard to be certain.” Kyra said.

“They’re of an ancient order. The Chinese government denies they even exist but they’ve shown up from time to time in China and here in the Philippines and also in Eastern Russia.” Gina said.

“Sounds like you know a little about them.” I said.

“A very little. Mostly stories and the accuracy of them is definitely questionable.” Gina said.

“We’re all ears.” I said.

“From what I hear they think they’re entrusted with protecting secrets of the universe’s creation. Pretty much they’re zealots with money and weapons. A dangerous combination.” Gina said.

“Are they killers?” I asked.

“It’s hard to know for certain. Those who tangle with them usually disappear but whether they’re still alive or not is open for debate.”

“We’re alive so far.” Kyra said.

“That’s just because they want something from us.” I said.

“You were able to hide the medallion?” Kyra asked.

“No, I suspect they have it, but the medallion is just a means to an end. No one actually wants it. It’s what it unlocks that they want.” I said.

“Did Joe tell you something before we left?” Kyra asked.

“No, I’m guessing it slipped his mind.” I said.

“What does it unlock?” Gina asked.

“The tomb of some long dead Chinese guy.” I said.

“Fu Xi is no more dead than the rocks that surround you.” A man said from outside our box.

The three of us fell silent. It was unnerving to realize someone had been listening in on us and we had not even a clue they were there until he wanted us to know. I decided I might as well find out how much he was willing to share with us.

“Who is Fu She?” I asked.

“Fu Xi.” He corrected.

“He is the creator of all that is and all that will be.” He said.

“If he’s not dead then why is he locked in a tomb?” I asked.

“It is not a tomb. Fu Xi has been resting and waiting. He foresaw your coming from centuries ago and your arrival marks the end of this age. Soon Fu Xi will honor us with his wisdom once more.” He said.

“If this a good thing then why am I prisoner?” I asked.

“You are a prisoner because Fu Xi knew you would never willingly participate.” He said.

“If it secures the freedom of my friends, I’ll do anything you ask, willingly.” I said.

“Your cooperation will be gained through pain. It is the only way to truly ensure your will is in alignment with our cause.” He said.

“I don’t know the first thing about your legend but I don know if you hurt me or any of my friends I’ll never help you.” I said.

“You will do what you must. It is that simple.” He said.

The sound of a lock being turned echoes in our small cell. I strained to look toward the sound but I could see only shadows in the dimness. A door squeaked open and a pair of falling footsteps approached our cold corner of the world. I felt unimaginably scared and wanted to shrink back and disappear into the darkness.

“It is time.” The man said. “Take her.”

I trembled fearing I was her. It was not that I wished any harm on Gina or Kyra but I also wished none on myself and these men meant harm. I was certain of it.

Gina screamed. Kyra held me down or perhaps she was just gripping me for support. Either way I was helpless to do anything. I caught only a glimpse of her in the orangish light as she was pulled away from us. With an earth shattering shudder I realized at once just how cruel these men were and why I was so cold; We were all naked.

As quickly as the door had opened it slammed shut again. Gina was gone and Kyra and I were left alone in the cold cell I dubbed Hell’s waiting room. I considered asking questions that Kyra probably had no more answers to than I did, but in a rare moment of wisdom I realized the questions would only accentuate the already tense situation.

It wasn’t long before I learned some of what I would have asked in any case. The cold air carried with it the unmistakable sound of a person being beaten. Had I any thoughts it was someone other than Gina, her soon to follow screams corrected them. The walls echoed with her yelps of pain which were soon followed by cries for mercy. With every hollow crack against her flesh I grew angrier. Silently, I swore to extract revenge for every blow, every single bit of pain endured by my friends or myself.

My blood boiled in my veins and just when I thought I could contain myself no longer, the screams stopped. My teeth were clenched together so hard my jaw was aching. I tensed every muscle and told myself soon they’d bring her back and when they did I would attack. They would die or I would but either way their reign of terror was going to end.

I counted the seconds until I heard distant footsteps and then I counted the footsteps, determining there were at least six of them. I imagined them all smug and satisfied with themselves having beat a defenseless girl to unconsciousness. Outrage filled every fiber of my being and when the door gave its first creak signaling it was opening, I launched myself at it, strengthened by pure fury.

“V!” Kyra yelled.

It was the last thing I heard before the world went dark again. I don’t think I was out for long, but in utter darkness time is hard to keep. When I opened my eyes again, I was lying on the cold floor staring up at the swinging light bulb again. Gina was lying a short distance away, softly crying. I reached out to her and she pulled away.

“I’m sorry.” I said.

I had done none of it to her, but I felt the burden of responsibility on my soul. The things happening around me might not be directly my fault but in a way they were. If I had not added my thoughts and opinions to the search we might not have found the medallion and if it were still lying at the bottom of the ocean, none of what was happening would have come to pass. I could blame others but to do so felt dishonest.

“Why are they doing this?” Gina asked.

Her voice was barely a hoarse whisper but it reverberated against the walls of our cell. I searched for the words to say that would both answer her question and provide comfort, but I came up empty. Any explanation I could give her would make me sound insane.

The sound of another beating replaced the silence between us. I closed my eyes and fought back tears of frustration as Kyra screamed in obvious pain. It continued for longer than with Gina. Kyra’s own tolerance for pain undoubtedly made her treatment all the worse. When she finally fell silent and the beating stopped I resigned myself to the probable reality that I was next. I could throw myself at them again but they’d no doubt make certain I was awake and alert before they began.

When the door opened I stayed on the floor and remained silent. The men threw Kyra into the cell and she slammed down onto the floor like dead weight. I wanted to reach out to her and check her pulse to make sure she was alive, but fear kept me still.

“Your turn.” The man said.

Gina wailed in distress. I was touched that she cared.

“It’s alright.” I said. “I’m going to get us out of here. I promise.”