You cannot run [CLOSED]

[akingalways]

Who| Jack and Penny; CLOSED
What| Jack has been arrested. He doesn't know why. But have no fear; Penny will...enlighten him.
When| Just after the aliens' plot, and the week after.
Where| Unknown.
Warnings/Notes| Cold-blooded torture. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Once their man was in custody, the Peacekeepers wasted no time. They drove, using their usual tactics of going in circles, making u-turns, going down different streets here and there. It always ensured that whoever was in their custody, whoever was bring brought to their ultimate fate, would be unable to figure out where they were.

It added to the fear and uncertainty, which made everything that would follow that much more heightened.

After some time, the van stopped in front of that nondescript building, and the prisoner was escorted inside, hood still on. Still clothed in what the Capitol had given him when he'd been hunting for monsters mere hours ago, though unarmed now. Without a word he was strapped to a gurney and rolled through the building, hood still on him, even as he struggled initially. As he was rather tall, the gurney was an extra-large one, just for him.

Naturally, the office workers in the building didn't look up. They knew better than to be curious, especially when they one in charge could come in at any time.

For his part, Jack couldn't understand. He stopped struggling against the restraints, but it didn't stop his mind from racing. What was happening? Where was he? What were they going to do to him?...

His heart was pounding fast as the questions kept repeating and echoing in his mind. This was impossible. He'd been a good citizen, had obeyed, been loyal and unquestioning. He wasn't rebellious, had no reason to be. He'd even allowed his body to be given to the cause of the Capitol, good and bad. Numbed himself to it, so he could be what they wanted of him.

It was all he had. And because of that...he hadn't done anything wrong.

He hadn't.

Comments

[fearisinthemind]

"Because you're here to be punished." As if that could be any more obvious. She sticks the needle into his elbow and takes her sweet time finding a vein.

[akingalways]

"GNNGHK!!" Jack's eyes widened as the needle just...went...in. "I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING! DAMNIT, I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!!"

[fearisinthemind]

"I told you not to lie to me." Penny pulls away from Jack, brushing hair from his forehead. "But I've just put truth serum in you."

She hasn't. She's put a hallucinogen in. "Tell me, Jack, is there anyone you care for here?"

[akingalways]

"Wh--" Jack gasped. "BUT I'M NOT LYING!! YOU JUST PUT SERUM INTO ME THAT MAKES ME TELL THE TRUTH!! SO YOU SHOULD--"

That next question.

"WHAT DOES THAT HAVE TO DO WITH ME!?"

[fearisinthemind]

"You will not raise your voice to me." Penny reaches over the edge of the table he's on and ruffles his hair with her hands, relishing the sweat of fear in his scalp. "Not if you want them safe."

The hallucinogen she's put in him is a mild one, one meant to cause aural disturbances and issues with balance and perspective. It's how she tends to start these things off, subtle and slow, enough to make people doubt the reality of the situation before she nails it home.

[akingalways]

"Safe? Who..." Jack shook his head in confusion. "What are you..."

Ah, the lights. Suddenly so bright. He shut his eyes, trying to get the brightness out of his eyes, to no avail. What did she inject in him...

[fearisinthemind]

"Look, Jack. My role here is to get information out of you. My parameters are far more broad. I just want you to think about that." She brushes his forehead again. "Why did you do it? Do you hate the government?"

[akingalways]

"...Wh..." Right. Why did he do it. An it he was innocent of. "But I didn't! DO! anything. What point...would there be?"

[fearisinthemind]

"What did I say about yelling at me?" Penny's face creases, an ugly line forming in her forehead. "Look. People with clean hands don't get referred to me. Now. How do you feel about the government?"

[akingalways]

"I'm fine with it!" Jack squeaked at that ugliness. It wasn't a good sign, was it? Not when it seemed to pop out like it did. "Its treated me well! I have no reason to do anything wrong!"

[fearisinthemind]

"None at all? Even after they threw you into the Games?" She steps back. "Even after all the screaming, the dying, the bloodshed?"

She pulls at the effects of the hallucinogen like a puppeteer with strings.

[akingalways]

"It was ne--" What--what was that in the corner of his eye? Aah, it was leaving his line of sight, whatever that strange shape was. "It was necessary. For the sake of peace!!"

[fearisinthemind]

"And how do you suppose that is?" She starts to pace around him again. "Do you suppose there isn't a single way they could have managed peace without sparing a loyal citizen? Did you doubt, ever? Did it make you angry when you thought of alternatives?"

[akingalways]

"Wh..." More confusion. "What are you talking about?! What alternative?! I never doubted...!"

But everything was so confusing. Suddenly, so bright and harsh and even Penny's voice seemed to boom in his ears, making them ring.

[fearisinthemind]

"You've never once considered the Games unnecessary?" Penny sighs as if bored and leans over the back of the table, looking at him upside down. "You still haven't told me about your loved ones."

[akingalways]

"My--" Jack shook his head. "The King of Victors has no loved ones!"

[fearisinthemind]

Penny leans forward and whispers in his ear. "Does he want them?"

[akingalways]

"Ghhk-" Jack lurched his ear away from Penny. "He doesn't!"