Ready…

~ ZARA ~

I tipped my head back and released a bloodcurdling scream, panting a little bit after. My voice was growing hoarse. But that would only help them believe, I hoped.

Hildie nodded her approval. She still hadn't put that knife down, but she was picking at her nails with it now, and her tone in her questions had become more professional than threatening.

"Quickly, again. I don't want there to be too many long silences. Generally as people are tortured we increase the pressure, so the screams get more frequent until they stop."

I watched this woman with a mix of fascination and horror. She spoke so baldly about things like this—and just as baldly about her admiration for Stark, her devotion to David…

I knew if she would trust me, we could really appreciate each other. But frankly, she scared the shit out of me.

Hildie looked impatient and flapped a hand for me to scream again, which I did, adding a few shrieks and coughs at the end.