The Visit (1)

Fo was nauseated. She was a special agent capable of taking down a small fortress by herself. She saw many gruesome sights before. She thought she was used to it. But the Facility proved her wrong.

Their team of twelve were here on an impromptu inspection. It was decided by the higher-ups on both sides as a show of collaboration. Only her brother and she had a different mission to accomplish. The squad had arrived the day before. They were sent to a camp for the night.

The Facility was like a prison that accepted the worst of criminals from any nation. The prosecuters only sent off the ones who were out of their control and could not be kept within their own prisons. They mostly made money by disposing off dangerous personas in the most painful of ways. There was no death sentence. Never a quick execution by hanging or beheading. They only inflicted pain until the persecuted died on his own. Even if they implored and begged for death, snivelling and screeching in wretched desperation, they didn't give them one. That's why it was also referred to as the Dumpyard by people of high standing.

It was said that even an S-ranked warrior wouldn't last more than three weeks. The longest record known was exactly thirty- eight days, four hours, twelve minutes and twenty-three seconds. That was the gist of the introduction.

The entire region was covered in a strange atmosphere. There weren't any creepy spires that reached the sky nor was there any fog or mist. There were no creepy dungeons either. The place was clean and orderly that almost seemed welcoming. But it was that vibe itself that made one's hair stand on ends. The entire squad was tense.

Today they were being shown around the base. The three guides were dressed in a plain black tunic and pants. The uniform was nothing special. It just looked a bit waterproof. 'Probably so it becomes easier to get the blood stains off.' , thought Fo.

The Facility was divided into three rings. The outer-most ring was where criminals below A-rank were kept. Rapists, arsonists, murderers, you name it. Some of them had to pay for damages by getting their organs removed. Fo didn't feel much as she knew that they deserved it although it was a tad bit too severe.

As they walked along the marked and well lighted areas, shrieks could be heard. Fo looked at her brother. His expression was carefree, as if he was simply out for a nice morning stroll.

But she knew that he wasn't as relaxed as he looked. She saw that his fingers were repeatedly being flexed as if it could draw out hidden weapons ever since they reached the vicinity of the Dumpyard.

The squad captain kept asking questions to the leader of the guides. From the guide's expression, she could see how uncomfortable and fed up he was with the incessant questions. "That's all for today." , said he, with obvious relief on his face that he would escape the enthusiastic Captain Pa Rrot. Yes, that was an alter name given to him as a testament to his parrot-like squawking. Fo felt it suited him very well.

" We will guide you to the middle ring tomorrow. You will have a different team of guides. I do hope you have a pleasant experience."

.......

" What do you think of the tour today?" Fo asked in the room they both were assigned. It had the bare minimum furniture.

"It was pretty much as I expected. Normal," Ruff sighed. "The real show will be near the innermost ring."

He didn't say it. But Fo knew what he was thinking about.

The White Tail was there. The one responsible for their grief was there.