Part 3 Ch.17

I wake up to the sound of my door opening. For a split second I forget where I am; unfortunately, it all comes rushing back. Two guards come in, a man and woman. I can tell from their uniforms that they're both in the regular police force. "Stand up slowly and put your hands on your back." He says. silver handcuffs flash in his hands. The woman's hand hovers over the gun protectively.  I stare them down for a few, they seemed relieved when I finally stand up and do as they say. The cuffs snap painfully around my wrists, going as tight as they can. When he's done, he pushes me forward. "Move, prisoner." The woman orders. We walk through the halls with them at my back until we reach a different room from the interrogations one I was a few hours ago. It's a small room without the see-through window. There is a single chair bolted to the floor in the middle with another one facing it. My heart speeds up, they must be done playing nicely then. As soon as I enter I notice that there is no AIM on these walls. I'm relieved, the amount of AIM in the walls of my room was beginning to make it unbearable. It's no secret that the metal affects with the body but they don't care enough about that for prisoners. "Sit down." I narrow my eyes. I don't like the tone in his voice. A split second later, I whirl around and headbutt the guy. They get their guns out in a fluid motion and point them at me, but I'm already sitting down on the chair. Blood is running from the man's nose, definitely broken. "You've got a little something there, Officer Espinoza." The guns don't waver. "Enough. Tie her up and leave." I recognize this voice, it appears the Sheriff has come to my rescue. They move aside for her as she walks in. Both tie my legs and hands tighter than necessary, going through the process slowly and carefully. I see why. The handcuffs are the only thing keeping me here right now, they have to tie my wrists to the chair first and then take the handcuffs off. The leather straps seemed to be woven with strips of AIM metal too. Once they've made sure I'm fully secure, they leave, glaring at me as they go. The door is still open and another man walks in, followed by what looks to be an assistant. They wheel in a small table with them and a metallic suitcase. I watch them warily as they set the suitcase on the table. "We've been looking for you for some time, Ms. Santos." Sheriff Newman says. The older man straps on white gloves and glances at me. There is only scientific curiosity in those eyes, no sign of any emotion besides interest. He scares me much more than Newman ever could. "You've slipped between our fingers many times. I'm sure you understand that we don't want that to happen while you're in custody. The whole worlds knows by now that you've been captured." She smiles thinly. "I don't want you to make an embarrassment of ourselves." "Don't worry," I say, trying to control the rising fear. "You can do that one your own." Her smiles fades and she nods at the men. "Do it." They approach from the sides. The younger man holds me head down, exposing the back of my neck. I struggle but his grip is too strong. I feel some cold liquid brush against my skin and the sharp smell of antiseptic reaches my nose. It happens so fast I don't even realize exactly what they've done. There's a sharp pain on the back of my neck and a cold feeling. It starts from my neck and spreads throughout my body. I throw my head back but the men have already stepped away. "What have you done." I growl. My powers don't even feel muted anymore- at least then I could still feel them. Now they're gone. "What have you done." I repeat. Sheriff Newman's attention shifts from me to the men. "That would be all, thank you." "Of course." The men gather their stuff and leave, closing the door behind them. She finally turn her attention to me, as if she has all the time in the world. "I've done what needed to be done. Why worry about AIM covering you all the time, when we're completely assured it has?" She spreads her arms. "I'm sure you would have done the same in your position." "No. I would have killed you." I try to reach for my powers but nothing comes. Is it gone? Forever? My throat closes up and I concentrate on breathing. I can't panic--not here. Not now. "Are you willing to give us information on the activities of the Yellow Thorns? Your trial is tomorrow- not that you will be attending. But we need to know what you have or haven't done." She says. I glare at her but don't say a word. After a moment she sets her jaw and nods as if she was expecting the answer. The Sheriff sits in the chair across from me and leans forward, looking into my eyes. Instinct, born from years of experience, makes me throw up my Mind Wall a second before her consciousness collides with mine. She gives a start and her eyes widen. "You've developed a defense." But I'm not listening, I'm strengthening the wall, concentrating on making it impassible like Avan taught me all those years ago. My eyes are closed but I feel her try again and she sighs in frustration after the fourth try. I hear her yell out orders but don't register the words. An indeterminate amount of time passes and the door opens. A new voice says something. My eyes fly open and I cry out in pain. Another wave of electricity shocks my body and it takes everything-every shred of self control- to keep the Mind Wall up. "Again." Someone says. The man besides her holds his hand up, electricity shoots from them. I feel my muscles stiffening up. Someone screams. The Sheriff's consciousness tries to wiggle through but the Mind Wall is all I have. I cling to it. There's a pause. "Again." This time I recognize that it's me who's screaming. I force myself not to pass out. If I do, I don't think the wall will hold up. I feel intense rage against her-stronger than anything I've ever felt. I welcome it, and feed it to my wall. It's the only strength I have left. My head slumps forward and I don't open my eyes. Another wave of electricity and I grit my teeth to keep me from biting my tongue. The anger that was so prominent before starts to feel muted and I fight to keep it alive. Just a little more. Don't pass out now. The voice sounds like Carson's. Just a little more. Just a little more Just a little....