Alive but not really living.
“Get in here,” he growled into his comms. They needed to get this woman out, not only did she deserve to be rescued and returned to her family, but she might have valuable intel that would help them finally catch Dr. Gardner.
Maybe that sounded cold, that he was worried about using her for information, but the way he saw it, she had every bit as much reason as the rest of them to want the man responsible for locking her up here dead.
Not just dead.
Tortured first. It was only fair that after all the pain and suffering he’d caused to so many, the man endure his own pain and suffering before he was gifted the blessing of death.
“What the hell?” Steel said softly as the others filed into the room.
Someone flicked on a light switch, and the room was suddenly too bright. Quickly removing his NVGs, Thunder kept his attention focused on the woman, but she hadn't moved an inch. She didn’t seem to react at all to the sudden light after being kept in the dark.
“Find keys to get her out,” Thunder muttered as he reached between the bars of the cage to brush his fingers along the woman’s long blonde locks. Like he was beginning to expect, she didn't react to his touch, and his concern for the woman’s mental state ramped up several notches, along with his anger on her behalf.
How long had she been there?
What had she suffered in that time?
What had she suffered before winding up there?
“To hell with keys,” Steel muttered, and he stalked toward the door to the cage.
“Hold on,” he whispered to the woman, stroking her head with his fingers. “We’re going to get you out and get you back home with your family. You're safe now.”
There was no response to his words, nor did she respond when Steel used his enhanced strength to literally rip the door to the cage off.
“I’ve got her,” Thunder told Voodoo when their healer moved to slip inside the cage and collect the woman.
For some reason, it suddenly seemed important that he be the one to get her.
After all, he was the one who found her, and he felt a … responsibility of sorts.
Pulling his hand back out, he stood and circled the small cage, then stepped inside it. The woman still hadn't moved, remained in the same position, legs spread, staring at the ceiling, waiting.
Waiting for Dr. Gardner to use and abuse her.
There was a fine tremor in his hands as he reached for her. She was thin, her skin dirty, old bruises were layered with newer ones, welts and cuts littered her body, and her vacant eyes were terrifying.
Were they rescuing a person or the empty shell of what was once a human being?
Regardless, this woman deserved a chance. If her mind was already too far gone, then at least she could be sent home to her family, and they could get her every treatment possible to see if she could recover. They weren't leaving her behind, she was another victim of Dr. Gardner, and that made her one of them.
“We’ve got you now,” he whispered as he gathered her into his arms. “You're getting out of here. I need you to fight for me, okay? I need you to try to fight your way back. Don’t give up, don’t let him win.”
February 22nd
12:18 A.M.
She was being touched.
Moved.
It didn't matter.
Maya allowed her mind to drift from her current situation, blocking it out as best as she could.
Voices spoke, but she didn't care what they were saying, she’d trained her mind to listen out for key words. For instructions she needed to follow so she didn't find herself in more trouble.