Brave New World: Part 1

Adrian nodded. "Sounds good... but first, I'll need to test something. If you'd be kind enough as to replace the gag." Adrian said.

Akahando sighed. He couldn't do anything until nightfall....

Adrastea held her breath. She knew she wasn't going to like this at all, but she couldn't say anything.
Dianne tied the gag back around Adrastea's mouth.

Ming finally caught up to Akahando, "I did as you asked." she panted.

Akahando glared down at her and bulled her down into the bushes. "What are you doing here?!"

Adrian smirked and drew his fang across her shoulder, cutting her. "Okay, I'm checking for a healing factor."

Adrastea winced, but the wounds started to heal after about ten minutes.

"I-I came in case you needed me." Ming said softly.

Adrian smiled. "Interesting... well, I'll give you one more chance to spill before Dianne and I go to work."

Akahando sighed and looked at the village then at Ming. "Come on, I'll take you back... I can't do anything until nightfall anyway... if it means anything, you can wait with me when we get back." He said, picking her up over his shoulder and carrying her back to the villag in a sprint.

Ming pouted the whole way there, but sighed, knowing she couldn't do anything to stop him.

Adrastea shook her head no as a tear formed in the corner of her eye, anticipating what was coming next.

Akahando set Ming down in his hut. "So...."

Adrian sighed and broke Addy's hand. "Just nod and it'll be over. You'll have to answer us, of course, but it will end."

"I don't want anything to happen to the new girl... I like her." Ming whined.

Adrastea's whole body tensed up with the pain as tears rolled down her eyes. She shook her head in a no, still, remembering that if she talked, the others could die because of it.

Akahando sighed a little bit. "I do too, but I can't do anything now... I'm as weak as you during the day. No offense, of course."

Adrian sighed. "Which next, Dianne?" He asked.

"None taken..." Ming muttered.

Dianne thought, "The other hand, perhaps. You don't want to kill her." Dianne smirked, "Yet."

Akahando sighed and shrugged, hugging Ming. "I'm sorry."

Adrian nodded and crushed her other hand.

Ming nodded, "It's OK. It's not like it's your fault that I'm human."

Adrastea tensed again, trying to cry out, but she couldn't because of the gag. She couldn't breathe, either, so her mind was getting fuzzy. Even still, she didn't say anything.

Akahando sighed. "No... but if it helps, it's a lot of work doing this stuff."

Adrian sighed. "What next, Dianne."

"I just want to help." Ming sighed.

Dianne thought, "You could try breaking a foot, or her arm."

"Her arm." Adrian said, snapping the bone.

Akahando sighed a bit. "I know... I'll try to find things that you could help with... if it means anything, I'd make you a skinwalker. Well, when you were older at least."

Ming smiled, "Thanks, Akahando."

Adrastea's screaming was muted by the gag, but her head fell forward as she passed out.

Akahando smiled a bit. "If there's anything I could do, just say so."


Adrian sighed. "Damn...." He said. A few hours later, when night had almost fallen and Addy had awoken, Adrian walked up to her. "Would there be anything we could do to make your stay more enjoyable? A different dress? Take the gag out for your sleep?" He asked, actually being serious. If Addy requested her brace to be taken off she would be able to shift and escape....

Adrastea was too weak to think, much less speak. She could barely breath, with the gag over her mouth, and with her rib broken already, even that was tiring her out bit by bit.

Ming looked out, "It's almost night. Can you go for her yet?"

Akahando sighed. "Almost."

Adrian sighed. "Nothing?"

Adrastea's eyes looked up at Adrian with a look that almost resembled begging, but she was too tired to speak.

Ming paced back and forth, clearly worried.

Adrian pulled Addy up a little bit, taking the gag out. "Can you speak? If so, you have one request."

Akahando sighed. "Calm down, please. You're making me tense."

Ming blushed, "I'm sorry..."

Adrastea exhaled, "This... is better... I-I couldn't breath..."

"I could see how that could be a problem. Anything else?"

Akahando nodded as he looked at the falling sun. "So... what's new in your life?" He asked, trying to calm his, and her, nerves.

"Mom is pregnant again, so she's expecting another baby." Ming said simply.

Adrastea shook her head, "I-I can't think of anything..."

"Nothing?" He asked. The brace, if she wanted freedome... though Akahando could save her.

"Oh, uh, congrats?" He said.