Nikki runs out of luck

       Nikki runs out of luck

       Sorry if the  spelling is not always the best, english is not my native language. I  hope you will enjoy reading this story

       Some people believe in luck, others don’t, yet  everyone agrees  when luck runs out, bad stuff starts popping up all over  someone’s life.  For most people, in an average country, this " bad stuff "  includes, business, financial, marital or health related problems. This is bad enough, we cant deny that. But there are obscure countries out there, with people involved in activities so undesired by their governments, that once their luck runs out, the price they pay is measured in amount .of pain, rather then Dollars or  Euros.

       Nikki, a 29 year old   Doctor with long brown hair, green eyes, average yet  pleasant body belongs to this second category of individuals. Individuals who would sacrifice everything, everything including their lives, to bring  the freedom their people   crave to have for so long.

       Five years ago, Nikki a young beginner in the respected craft of healing people could have been described as a poster child of a life and career going as well as anyone could wish. Being one of the brightest in her generation at the university Nikki was quickly admitted to one of the better  hospitals in the Capital. There she quickly rose  thru the ranks, from an intern at the emergency ward, to a cheaf surgeon of the night shift in just two years.

        The love life had  been good to her also. Though she never got married, it wasn’t for the  lack of interest coming from the opposite sex,  quite in the contrary. However Nikki was to dedicated to  her career and profession  to be able to concentrate on forming a family of her own. There is always time she foolishly used to say. There is always time... I have studied, I have worked hard, so for now I want to enjoy my life. And so she did, until one day. Until one day five years ago when her older sister was arrested  and held incommunicado for nearly a month. All hers and hers family attempts to learn about Sylvia’s  whereabouts were met with silence or threats by the authorities. Infact one day Nikki was called to a police station where it was explained to her that she  and her family are undesired elements, so it was strongly suggested they leave the country as soon as possible... or else.

       Not  wishing to find out if the rumors about the torture are true or not Nikki left. It was hard  for Nikki to leave her country behind, but the opportunities waiting for such a skilled Doctor abroad were even better then the best she could hope for back home. She knew she is going to rebuld her  career quickly, and this proved to be correct. For a while it seemed Lady luck  held Nikki in  favor once more.

       Then just as everything settled down, Sylvia, the sister Nikki presumed to be dead, showed up quite suddenly on her door step. She  had no money, no place to go, not even a country to go back to. Worse, the former cheerful art teacher has been reduced barely to a ghost of her former self. Of course Nikki took her in, and this is when  the naive Doctor learned how brutal the regime back home really is. The more Nikki learned, the  angrier she become, infact to say  angry is to put it mildly. She saw the marks left on her sisters body by the " intense therapy ", she heard her  screams at night while she suffered the nightmares, she heard the descriptions of the horrific torture. No Nikki wasn’t angry, Nikki was enraged, enraged but also ashamed of herself. It took just one intimidating  visit to the police station to send her flying out of her country, while her poor sister  held on thru several unspeakable sessions before she finally broke.

       Despite her sisters strong objections, Nikki  decided to join the resistance. She isn’t going to be an actual fighter, her  Oath forbid her to take lifes, even the lifes of  the scum who called itself the " legal government ". Besides  as her sister explained, the resistance wont benefit much  by adding one more person to their ranks who hasn’t even fired a gun before. However they were in a very short supply of trained medical personnel, especially surgeons. And so the new  chapter in Nikkis life began.

       Nikki retained her position in the private hospital where she worked, while under  assumed identity Nikki often crossed back into her country, where she  smuggled medicine, supplies or treated all sorts of wounds sustained in the battles between the rebels and the government forces. There were a few relatively close calls, but even under this new surcamstancies lack still held her in  its grace.

       Well, but as we said in the beginning  luck is a commodity  which tends to run out... sooner , or later. Thinking back on her life, Nikki knew her luck has lasted for quite a while, but as she invane once  again tried to free herself from the shackles holding her secure to a sturdy chair, she realized  her life has turned  for the worse... much worse... assuming it even lasts for much longer.

       Her downfall was swift. Somebody has talked, under duress or not, Nikki knew not, but the results are all the same. The  authorities were informed of who she really is, so as she  made her way back to her  country, they were waiting for her. Nikki was arrested at the border crossing itself, before she could alert anyone of her capture.  Handcuffed, then  blindfolded  she was thrown in a truck along with two guards for a long ride to the unknown location of  the interrogation center. The long ride on the floor of a army truck proved exhausting, but her captors showed no intention of giving her any respite.

       Right after the truck stopped in some sort of underground garage, they pulled her out dragging her still cuffed to a sparsely furnished office where a  Man in a military uniform  sat behind a desk. As she was positioned before his desk, each arm held in the strong grasp of the guards, Nikki braced herself for the mind games she expected  are going to follow. All an attempt to coax information out of her as soon as possible.

       There were no mind games. Instead after  putting aside the file he was leafing thru, then looking her up  and down a few times the guy simply introduced himself as Colonel Sanchez. He informed her that he has been appointed the interrogator on her case. He  did not ask any specific questions, instead he told her they know who she is and why she is here ( to her horror the information they had was dead accurate ). He also informed her that her full cooperation is  required if she is to leave this place, soon, and without any criminal charges. At the end of his short speech the Colonel presented some papers for her to sign. Naturally Nikki refused outright. As she did so, Nikki  expected some more  " persuasion " talk to follow. However cold shivers ran down her spine when he simply addressed the guards saying " I am going to talk to her later... soften her a little "

       The guards knew exactly what the Colonel had in mind.  Each  holding  her by the elbow, they took the captured rebel into a room devoid of anything but a  sturdy looking wooden chair  positioned in the middle.  To Nikkei’s mild surprise, instead of  the brutal rape she was  mentally preparing to face, the guards in a quite professional way ordered her to  take her blouse, shoes and jeans off. It took few moments of hesitation, followed by the repeat of the order in a harsher tone, for Nikki to comply with the instructions. She  was  very aware of what sooner or later is going to be happening to her, but  if her compliance is going to mean  the delay of the worst, then she is going to play by their rules... for now. Besides, what  can a small woman do against this brutes ? Fighting one of them  is equal to a death wish... while four ...

       And so under the  gaze of the watchful guards,  her silky blouse slipped off her shoulders revealing smooth brownish skin covered only by the flimsy black tank top. A minute later the young  Doctor stood  with her legs spread,  arms folded behind her back,  her black garters, nylons, , panties and her tank top  the only protection against the ultimate humiliation of total nudity.

       With her skin covered in Goosebumps, Nikki had to endure the indignity of  the hand search as  one of them ran his hands all over her body. Supposedly searching for hidden transmitters, suicide pills or weapons.  She tried not to show her discomfort  when  his hands stayed unnecessarily long  over her breasts, on her thighs and over her genitals. He was taking his time while she stood there, eyes locked to a point un the far wall, body stuff but as of yet not trembling. Satisfied with the search, the guard declared her clean, so roughly Nikki was dragged to the chair in the middle. They practically pushed her into the chair, but not before  she had a moment to " appreciate " the  peace of furniture  she is going to spent an unknown time tied to. The chair appeared to be quite ordinary high backed verity, with exception of one detail. The part she is supposed to sit on had a deep groove  going all the way to the back, making it look like the letter " V "  when looked from above.  Her thighs are going to be kept open the entire time, leaving the parts she most wanted to protect, open for whatever they plan to do to her in the next hours.

       With well practiced movements, nether gentle, nor overly brutish,  the guards pushed the young woman back against the back support. Her arms were pulled tight behind the back rest locking them into a pair of high security shackles built into the lower part of the chair itself. Already, this position forced her body to arch, pushing her chest forward while pulling her strained shoulders backwards. Despite the slight discomfort Nikki did not complain, she is not going to give them the satisfaction  of pleading, its a waste of energy, energy she is going to need later.

       However the guards  were far from finished. They secured her feet in the leather straps attached to the lower parts of the chair's legs, then they used tough leather belts to secure her thighs to the arms of the " V ". The belts were tightened so hard they cut deep into her  skin. Her  thin sexy  stockings not able to offer much  protection. The guards pushed her arched body back against the  back support by tightening a leather belt  across her chest, just under her breasts, the belt went all the  way around the chair pinning her arms to the back rest effectively restricting her movements, as well as her breathing. Infact so tight the belt was, that Nikki had to struggle for each  intake of the chamber's  stale air. She noticed the amused grins  on the guards faces  as her  attempt to hide the  discomfort failed  miserably.

       For a minute they stood around their beautiful captive, leering in the tantalizing glimpses of nudity her scent clothing offered. Then just as Nikki  assumed they are going to leave her alone, or will start to do whatever it is they want to do to her, one of the guards pulled a simple nylon cord out of his pocket.        Stepping behond the chair he grasped  her upper arms, pulling  them closer together  then she felt the nylon being wrapped around them. He tightened the cord till her arms touched each other, but he continued making sure  the cord cuts into her skin. When he couldn’t tighten it further with his  hands he threaded a stick thru the naylong and twisted it until they got the first audible gasps from their victim. This last addition to her bondage was  for pure torturous reasons. Her arms already felt numbed as the guards left the room after turning the lights off. The door slammed shut leaving  the  young   prisoner with her thoughts and dreads.

       The wait proved as torturous as it was long. Her  struggles against the bonds seized long ago since they retaliated by tightening further, creating deeper, redder, more painful  bruising. Nikki surrendered to them realizing its a battle she is not going to win. So instead she turned her attention to creating a cover story. To her chagrin, even on this front the situation  was equally grim. The years of success made the young woman  lower her guard. She tended to see her opponents as sloppy incompetent fools, who only manage to capture someone by sheer luck, or thru information extracted by torture. There must have been a flaw in her thinking. Sitting there  half naked it dawned on her that her opponents while brutal, are not as stupid as she wanted to believe.

        Nikki had little in  the way of cover story. There were the standard excuses  for why she is traveling back and forth thru the border, or why she is smuggling drugs, but even to her  they somehow sounded hollow. Nikki needed something more solid, and while her attempts to create one right now  were admirable,   they however ended in a frustratingly poor results. Her arrest was just to sudden!

       And so she waited for something to happen, while hoping nothing  is going to happen. Perhaps this is a wicked ultra realistic nightmare. Or perhaps they are going to release her, for reasons  not known to her, or, she wishfully hoped, her commutates are going to storm this place... guns blazing,  as she is untied and whisked to safety. Empty hopes, It is not going to happen... and she knew it.

       It must have been five or six hours before the door of her nearly dark prison slammed open. Hearing the heavy boots coming towards her Nikki summoned every last bit of courage she possessed stiffening  even more so then her  rigid restraints were already forcing her to. Part of her was actually happy, finally they are here, finally what ever happens, happens, just sitting here waiting  for what ever is in store  is becoming unbearable. Yet a small part of her was terrified. The stories she heard about what happens to those who " disappear " were just to terrible to ignore.  Pushing her fears deep into  the darkest recesses of her mind, the young woman fixed her gaze to the far wall forcing herself not to look  over her shoulder at the men standing there.

       No questions asked as of yet. The room sank into a foreboding silence punctuated only by the soft cracking of their boots, and the rapid breaths of their victim.

       C'mon... ask  me something! she thought  to herself. Let me see what you know, and how I can put you on a wrong track! This was a war of nerves, one Nikki ordered herself to win.

       Despite the cold, a film of sweat already covered her body even though she was not harmed in any way. Unfortunately for Nikki, this wasn’t to last. 

       They robbed her of the ability to see what is coming as out of nowhere someone pulled a hood over her head. This  was followed moment later by a mighty blow across her face. Her head snapped sideways as her world exploded in  sudden pain.

       OOOWWWwwwww!!!

       Her yelp more the result of the sheer surprise rather then the actual pain, Nikki tasted the first drops of blood on her cut lip signaling the start of her suffering ... more is to follow. The next blow came before the ringing in her ears  made by the first could even stop, snapping her head to the opposite direction. Another blow, then another.  Once started the beating has been kept on relentlessly. For the most part she managed to take the blows stoically, her head up, her reactions minimal, but her strength was  not going to last forever.

       It wasn’t just her face. Soon after the beating started she felt something rubbery slamming her side. Nikki realized  in addition to their fists, the guards are using rubber hoses, so her beating is going to be long and  arduous. The hoses produce pain but do little damage so the interrogation can go on for hours. Her innicial stoic demeanor could not  go on for hours however. From under the blood soaked hood, her strained voice shouted all sorts of obscenities towards  the brutes as some of the blows found their way between her legs. Her new behavior did not go unrewarded. Laughing the guards realized she is particularly sensitive down there so they directed more of the attention to punishing her genitals and lower belly.

       Streams of tears mixed with blood dripped down  the young rebels face  as she endured  the constant blows  directed all over upper body. Her bare shoulders  already  covered in blue and black marks shone with sweat  as the  explosions of pain erupted across her breasts, belly, face, and  sides.

       The  headache threatened to overwhelm her despite the adrenaline induced alertness. She so wished to faint, but her  strong young body kept her aware, and exposed to the savage beating directed at her.

       The  rubber hoses continued to hit her over and over again, her  respiration came in short tortured breaths. That is when  they were not hitting her on her stomach. Nikki was already winded several times just in the past fifteen minutes of  the continuous beating

       Owwwww !!!OOOwwwww!! Stop this  you bustards !!!

       Her remarks served to enrage them even more. Blood streamed down her neck from under the hood  when they attacked her  already  swollen face with renewed intensity. Her torturers  walked around  their victims like wolfs around  a lone sheep, using the hose, hitting against her head, face or breasts, no mercy was shown for any part of her body, nothing was to sacred, nothing is to be spared. The dull sounds of a human body under assault continued to fill the chamber. They would raise  their arm in the air before slamming the implement of torture against  the young woman’s body...

       Thump.... thump... thimp,  terrible sickening blows, followed by even more sickening groans... OOOWWWwww... owwwww... stop !

        After nearly an hour of non stop beating her body finally could not take it, she fainted.

       Seeing their subject is out cold, the guards used this down time to have a smoke and catch their breath from the hard work. They  gave her some ten minutes of rest before one of them had the bright idea to use the cigarette for further torture. He  lifted  the  sticky wet hood off her head revealing the once beautiful  face has been  transformed into a grotesque collection of blood sweat and bruises. Grabbing her wet hair in one hand he pulled her head backwards violently so he can enjoy the  grimace of pain  when his cigarette touched the  part of her chest not covered by her bloodied tank top.  Her body stiffened as the red hot pain of the glowing cigarette brought  the poor woman back into conciseness. The following scream echoed in the cold chamber,   unrestrained, barely human, while the smell of burnt flesh filled the dimly lit interrogation room.

       AAAYYYUUUGGGHHHH!!!!.... what... what... who !!!!

       Not yet fully realizing where she is, and why it feels like she has been run over by a truck, the young woman’s left eye opened wide to look at the blurry vision of the laughing torturers, her right eye was to swollen, she couldn’t open it.

       Welcome back you Communist bitch ! came the greeting of the guard followed by a slap over her cheek. Nikki spat  the gob of thick blood collected into her injured mouth, unfortunately for her it landed on the uniform of another guard. Enraged beyond himself he smashed his ankle into  the helpless woman’s side, then followed this by a mighty kick between her legs. With the agony radiating between her thighs, Nikki went rigid loosing control of her blouder, a stream of piss soaked her silky panties as it dripped into the drain under the chair. The guards laughed amused.

       AAAAUUUUGGGHHHH!!!!

       She nearly fainted  again before  they poured cold water over her then following the  example of their commerade  the brutes surrounded the  bound woman then proceeded to use their cigarettes  burning her all over the exposed skin until their cigarettes burnt out.

       Nikki could not remember clearly for how long the beating has gone on.. It must have been hours, and she must have fainted more times, because  the next thing she knew was slowly waking up  crumpled on a bare concrete  surface. At first she did not bother to move or even  to look around. Her body just wanted to rest on the rough cool surface because every  inch ached feeling stiff or swollen. The throbbing headache  had eased but was still there. The moment she tried to move, a wave of nausea washed over her forcing  the young woman back on the floor where she remained moaning.

        With her senses gradually coming back, Nikki opened her eyes, the swelling  has subsided  so she could use both of them though it wasn’t easy to keep the right one fully open.  Looking around she spotted a  dirty concrete wall and part of a heavy metal door. What little  light came inside  this new room penetrated thru  the small barred window high in the door. She realized they must have thrown her in here after they deemed her softening has been sufficient.  For how long she has been in this cell, how long the beating lasted, Nikki knew not. She did not dwell on it, it wasn’t important. However it appeared she has been  in here for a while because some of her strength has returned and she  appeared to be hungry.

       Moaning and groaning, as shooting pains pulsed thru her body, the young  Doctor crawled to the  far wall, not trusting her feet to stand up, she just propped herself against its cool surface where she could breath more easily.

         Finding herself in a more comfortable position, Nikki  searched the empty cell for  source of water. She found none while realizing for the first time that she is completely topless. Her tank top was gone, as well as her stockings. Her last peace of dignity protected only by the blood and urine soaked panties as well as parts of her ripped and ruined garters. After the beating she  has been made to endure, and considering  what is likely in store for her next, the young woman could not afford to be bothered much  by finding herself nearly nude.  Nikki knew, exposing her nakedness is just another of their twisted ways  designed to break her. She is not going to fall for it.

       As  the captured rebel moved to inspect the damage to her body, the patchy blurred memories of   her arrest, followed by the subsequent beating flooded back. It felt like a life time ago, when handcuffed but not ashamed she was escorted out of the bus by the border guards, under the pitiful  gaze of the other passengers. Then the humiliating ride in the back of a truck fit only for a sack of potatoes rather then for a human being.  And then the beatings, the savage beatings, the blows, the darkness of the hood, the unrelenting kicks... no part of her body was considered to feminine or to  sensitive to be spared. Quite in contrary, as one can expect of  male sadists, her feminine parts received the worst treatment. With shame Nikki remembered her pleading, her own cries, the way she lost control of her bodily functions... so embarrassing... so humiliating... so unrevolutionary! But there is nothing she can do about it now, it was just to awful... or so she believed. Nikki hasn’t tasted the real awfulness, yet.

       And then there were the cigarettes, the beating might have been barbaric, but she could still consider it humaln compared to the cigarettes and their glowing tips. They seemed to favor her face as their target. Even now  her lips are covered in semi healed blisters inflicted methodically by four guards at a time. One of them, obviously more sadistic  then the rest,  amused himself by putting the cigarette against the swallow eyelid of her black right eye. The pain, the pain... and then the screams. Shuddering, even now Nikki hardly believed her screams could be so inhuman, so desperate. Is  she just a wimp who thinks herself a fighter ? Was she pushing her nose at  things where she doesn’t belong ? No...  doubts  have no place in her  mind, Nikki is not going to allow herself the luxury of self doubt. One of the last things she could  recall as the brutality against her body continued, is when the guards tiring of working on her front, turned her around in the chair. Then the blows landed on her back, so many of them, so painful... until she blacked out to wake up in this cell.

       While resting her beaten body against the dirty cell wall another thought entered  into her tortured conciseness. A terifying one. Not for herself, not for  what might come next, but for the safety of her friends. Has she talked ? Has she betrayed anyone? The  young woman’s  felt her guts twisting  at the terrible possibility. Nikki just couldn’t bare the thought of betraying her friends. It nauseated her just to think about it. She cant... she simply cant condemn anyone  else to suffer the way she suffered, no matter what they do to her. The thought of betraying   her friends  was terrible, yet in a strange way it gave her strength, strength to resist further.

       Deciding to use  the respite afforded to her productively, rather then to dwell on issues  she cant control, Nikki went on to  do a check on her body.

       As a highly skilled Doctor she could easily  spot broken bones or other serious injuries to her body. Amazingly she found none. Those guards may be monsters, but they know their stuff, they knew how far they can push their victim  before real damage is done. Despite the patches  of caked blood mixed within her  once neatly trimmed  pubic hair, even her genitals, so savagely kicked by  their boots, appeared to be in a reasonable  condition. If they release her now, its likely her body  is going to heal completely leaving little or no trace of the nightmare  she has endured.... if they release her...

       Her medical check up, as well as any further wishful thinking came to an abrupt end by the commotion  outside the cell. Instinctively she pulled her hands  from under her panties,  crossing her arms across her chest to protect her private parts from the lustful gaze of the approaching guards. Her earlier resolve not to be bothered by the forced nudity, did not appear so easy to uphold as the booted feet came to a stop  very near her door.

       The guards were not coming for her however. Somewhere near  a door swung open. The gruff voices shouted insults  while a woman pleaded in a pathetic barely audible voice.  Huddled in the furthest corner of  the tiny cell Nikki listened intently to what is going on outside. For a moment the insults stopped, but she could still hear the guards moving  around doing something, then the woman became nearly hysterical.

       NOOOO... no !!!... Noooo please no ... no more torture... no torture !!!, I told you  what I know... noooo!!! There was an audible  thud of a boot slamming into a human body, the guards  continued to laugh while  speaking to the  still sobbing woman, but by this time  they were to far away  for Nikki to overhear. The short lived silence was shattered by the inhuman screams that came from somewhere not far away. They were torturing the poor woman..

       Not long after, with the guttural horsier screams of the poor woman still ringing thru the corridors, the guards returned. Nikki heard the booted  feet as they stopped right before  her door. She set up as straight up as   her battered body  could afford her, trying to project a picture of confident innocence, as the metal door opened to allow two burly guards to enter the cell, while a third stood outside as back up.

       She is awake, they called to someone outside. A nurse, or rather a nurse from hell appeared on the door, dressed in a crisp white coat, but with a face only her mother could like. One would not need a long time to realize this woman is not going to have the best bed side manners in the world, a fact Nikki  found confirmed as the large woman barked down at her.

       Get up !

       Despite her effort to do so quickly, the nurse wasn’t satisfied, after a  vicious kick against the prisoners side she ordered the guards to lift her up. Roughly they did  so each holding one arm firmly pinned behind her back as they turned Nikki to face her new tormentor. The  nurse, took in the bruised and beaten appearance of  the woman before her then with a slight smile  picked up a stethoscope and a blood pressure cuff.

       Can I have some water... please... just... The icy glare she received was more  then enough  for Nikki to decide she doesn’t need the water after all. Not wanting to provoke any more beating she just lowered her head not saying anything more. The smile on the nurses face grew wider.  Not very gently, but relatively professionally she put  the stethoscope against Nikkei’s chest then listened for a while.

       Breath deeper,   she growled. Nikki complied, this bitch  might be as sadistic as the guards, but  she at least knows how to do a basic check up, Nikki thought as the nurse removed the stethoscope.

       Any shooting pain inside  your chest  when you breath deeper ?

       No Ma'am...

       Good, the nurse put away the stethoscope then just  as she was to  check Nikkei’s blood pressure, a new barrage of screams came from the woman  tortured not far away. The nurse as well  the guards did not even flinch, but Nikki despite knowing better could not just stay silent.

       W.... what are they doing to her... why she is screaming...

       Screams ? What screams, I don’t hear any , do you guys hear any screaming, she addressed the guards.

       They shrugged, nope...  we don’t hear anything... it must be the Colonels... Operas.

       It must be, concluded the nurse as she continued taking Nikkei’s blood pressure readings.

       Satisfied with the  results she growled again, spread your legs! And don’t even  think of doing anything stupid! Pulling on white latex gloves  the nurse kneeled down  in front of Nikkei’s obediently spread legs. Despite  the prisoners cooperation the guards took no chances though. Each one used one of his legs to step over her bare small feet, eliciting a sharp gasp of pain as the boots  pressed down on the unprotected  toes. To immobilize her even further, the guards pulled her upper body backwards while pushing her genitals towards the nurse. Satisfied with the immobilization of the prisoner, the nurse  slipped Nikkei’s panties down then using a pen light inspected  the inside of her vagina, while murmuring something to herself.

       Her cunt has taken some beating... you guys  really play rough don’t you ?

       Yes Ma ' am, the Colonel says our guests wont  go for anything less then rough.

       Yes they do... they think they are showing courage or something by not cooperating. But all they accomplish is to start cooperating... very willingly... after a slap or five.  Shutting  off her pen light the nurse could not resist  but to twist her victims clitoris which has grown larger as a result of the intimate touching.

       Gritting her teeth Nikki gasped... oooouuuccchhhh!

       Pleased with the pain she gave to her " patient " the evil  nurse carelessly pulled Nikkei’s panties back up then standing up she took  the  prisoner chin in her  hand making sure  her face is just centimeters away  from the young woman’s.

       You think you are brave... she hissed, you think you are going to feed us false information perhaps ? Oh yes my dear, others have tried... and failed , miserably I might add. Or you just think  you can  hold on forever... fool !

       Nikki made the mistake of answering. But Ma ' am... they... they haven’t... She never finished because  the nurse  give her a sharp smack across her face , drawing  blood from a fresh cut in Nikes lip, shut up bitch !

       All of you crack... later... or in most cases sooner. Unless you are really innocent, which you are not. And for those of you who are not, there are just two outcomes, one is to die under torture... or  answer anything... still under torture. The choice... well the choice is not yours actually... its ours, she added laughing.

       Turning to the guards she said. I deem her healthy enough to be chained to the wall, the usual way she  clarified as the guards took her to the far wall.  With well practiced moves  they  handcuffed Nikki  in front then raised her arms above her head to be connected to a ring she has not noticed before. The ring was positioned at a height where the prisoner was forced to alternate  between hanging nearly freely by her wrists, or standing  strained  on her toes. It did not took long for Nikki to see the diabolical predicament they have put her in. She looked pleadingly at the departing nurse, only to get an amused grin in return. I know my dear.. not the best way to spent the next day or two, but the colonel decided to give you some more time to think about your situation. This position is going to help your mind focus... you know. Oh no... don’t even try to sleep, its impossible  in your situation, just think, think hard. With  those words still ringing in her  mind, Nikki found herself alone, chained and  worried, her feet already tired, her wrists already  in pain. The bitch of a nurse is right about one thing, she needs to think, think hard.

       Colonel Sanchez paced across the tiled floor in one of the interrogation rooms, listening to the wet sound of  the whip cutting into the sweat drenched bare back of a young female prisoner. He wasn’t pleased and he wasn’t trying  hard to hide it. The questioning was  going nowhere with the woman stubbornly refusing even to scream properly. All the redhead did in response to the severe whipping  were grunts or moans squeezed thru her tightly clenched teeth.

       It wasn’t the lack of answers  the source  of irritation for the Colonel, she is unlikely to be of any real importance. Probably just a  low level  message courier. He wasn’t even angry with her, as always  The Colonel had nothing personal against his prisoners. They would do anything to withheld the information, while his job is to extract it, nothing personal, just a  job he is entrusted with. What nagged at his nerves was the unacceptably unimaginative ways the two   young trainee interrogators used in an effort to break a woman who is obviously used to physical exertion or even pain.

       As the whips  continued to add red angry stripes to the  glistening body chained before them,  the Colonels assistant came over to his boss  shaking his head while speaking  quietly. They will fail, wont they ?

       They will, he sighed. But I am going to let them fail. This  brutes are obviously sadists... perhaps to much so for their own good. But will they ever become real interrogators ?... I don’t know. However we don’t have a choice,  The  Generalissimo himself is their uncle or something, I think. Glancing  towards  the two young trainees as  the latest whip hell  they unlashed against the woman’s back, met with little in a way of reaction, the Colonel  continued. They might do well as ordinary guards... but interrogators... I am not sure. 

       Yeah, being sadist is desirable for what we do, but extracting  information  out of  determined terrorist females... well that is a craft learned over long practice.

       True, nodded the Colonel, which is why I am going to let them fail. Even the failure can teach them something.

       So do we order them to stop ?

       Yeah, I will do it, Believe it or not, I nearly feel sorry for the girl, they are trashing her for over two hours now, a simple water boarding would have made her spill what little beans she has ten times by now. But go and tell this to the Generalissomo brats...

       Glancing at his watch the Colonel remarked.  our shift is almost over, do we have anyone else scheduled for today ?

       There was this... Doctor, we arrested her last Friday I believe...

       Ah yes, Doctor...

       Mendez, his assistant helpfully supplied after consulting his papers. As per your orders she has been  softened the same  day she arrived, I also took the liberty to order for her to be chained to the wall of her cell and kept on minimum water.

       Ah yes, the rebel surgeon, you have done well my friend, but I believe she has enjoyed our hospitality for long enough.

       Yes Sir, but just so you know she  has not shown any signs of giving up.

       Not yet perhaps, have her brought to the bath tub room, and have the water specialist start on her, I will join them shortly.  She is going to reconsider her unwillingness for cooperation soon enough. 

       Yes  Sir, right away Sir !

       After that you are free to go home, I am going to take over from here.

       Thank you Sir ! As his assistant departed to see about  the orders, the Colonel turned to his young trainees.

       Ok  Ensigns... that is enough ! Hearing the polite yet resolute order given by the prisons commander, the two  youths put down their whips, then departed to the sink to wash their faces. The Colonel  grinned  seeing his trainees are  almost as sweaty as their victim who sagged a little in her bonds sighing with relief.

       He waved them outside in the corridor where he turned to the older of the two. Ensign Carlos , your report ?

       Sir, the prisoner is very resilient, however we are  making a slow progress... she has reveled that the letter found in her possession was supposed to be delivered in a specific  spot at the city park.

       I see, and how would you proceed to obtain the rest of the information ?

       Well... I would  like to continue for a while longer with the whips. If this doesn’t work  then... perhaps we could try a more passive method.

       The colonel nodded approvingly, go on.

       We could hang her by her feet for a day or two. If that doesn’t work, then  we can decide according to her condition.

       Perhaps there is some hope for this one, thought the Colonel. Aloud he ordered. All right, she had enough whipping for now, take her away and hang her as you think is best.

       Yes Sir, the young  man saluted crisply.

       The two guards pushed the metal door open, entering within the  small space where the young woman has been chained to the wall for over two days with out respite. She stood, or rather hung by her wrists slumped against the wall. Her head resting forward against her chest, her legs bent in the  knees, not having any more strength  to fight the relentless pull of the gravity, denying the woman’s  arms the possibility of rest.

       Ah the gravity, give it enough time and the gravity always wins. No matter how strong the subject is. Mused the Colonels assistant as he appreciated  the  fine film of sweat, covering the woman’s sexy body. Whipping, electricity, beatings, all this is fine. Yet the assistant always  had this thing for a slow.. passive torture sapping the strength of his victim,  relentlessly, a little bit at a time, drop, by drop.

       Jerked out of her restless semi slumber Nikki raised her head blinking at the assault of light entering the false safety of her cell.  Straining her barely functional muscles, she  straightened herself refusing to concede any  defeat to this monsters.

       There is no need  for a pretence Ms Mendez... we know you are tired, we know you barely have  the strength to stand.  But its all right... we know, this position is designed to keep you tired and sleep deprived

       Yes Sir,  I am tired but I can stand just fine.

       Feel free  to slump back, this guys are ready to drag you  away, you need all your strength because the Colonel intends to question you  today.

       Shuddering Nikki realized it is her turn to scream. She nearly fall into the waiting arms of the guards  as  her bruised bleeding wrists, so long  held prisoner by the cruel cuffs found themselves released. Before Nikki regained her footing properly the guards  turned her  around then roughly pushed her against the wall, the girls unprotected, still aching breasts took the full force of her body slamming into the concrete.

       OOOOOOoooowwww!

       Not taking any notice of her pain, her tormentors  pinned her arms behind her back cuffing there. Then flanked by  the guards she  was escorted outside towards  one of the interrogation chambers. Nikki held her head high, not letting them see her fear.

       A man, wearing rubberized coveralls, as well as a  full coverage hood on his head, stood up  pushing aside the daily papers he was reading, upon hearing the door to his work place open. Watching  the tired disheveled woman being  lead into his chamber, the man only known as the Beta shift, water specialist, smiled under his hood as his eyes took in the bruised, yet beautiful appearance of Nikkei’s near naked body.

       Thanking for the millionth time to whatever deaty who lead them on the path to his currant position, the  man behind the mask got right to the point addressing the guards while  speaking in short no nonsense, no " small talk "  manner.

       Has the  Colonel  any special wishes for this one ?

       No, you can proceed   as you think is best, the Colonel is going to  join you soon, so I guess he wants her in a condition  where she can actually answer some questions.

       Understood, turning to the guards he ordered, get suited, then bring her to the tub here.

       Having one more look at the nakedness of the captured rebel, the Assistant  retraced his steps towards the  door. If there is nothing else... I will take my leave of you, said the Colonels assistant who  never really get used to the creepiness of this un named guy.

       You may leave, thank you  Lieutenant.

       Knowing this guy is not going to inquire about their health or other issues not related to the interrogation at hand, the guards simply put on identical  rubberized coveralls, just without the hoods, then went to pick up Nikki who was left kneeling in one corner. Still handcuffed, Nikki  did not resist as she was made to climb the two steps positioned at the foot of the large old-fashioned bath tub.

       Taking in  the surroundings, first she noticed how slippery the step she is standing on is. So much so that one of the guard actually held her arm making sure she wont  fall in a way or direction they don’t want her to. Next, her tired eyes  looked at the foul  semi transparent brownish water filling the tub nearly to its rim. With disgust she noted the faint smell of urine and ammonia  emanating from  it. Despite the raging thirst, the young woman did not want to be anywhere near this water. Yet there was no doubt in her mind that very soon, they are going to use this  very water to torture her... somehow. Lastly  Nikki noted  the chains hanging above the tub at different location and different lengths, again, there was no doubt their purpose is going to be made clear to her, the hard way.

       The little voice deep inside her mind, the voice of  her coward-self, momentarily grew louder, demanding  her surrender,  pleading for the  suffering to end. This voice  of self preservation was there since the moment her wrists got locked in the cuffs back at the  border crossing. But Nikki always managed to overpower it, asserting her will to resist for as long as she could.

       Watching her new tormentor opening an express freezer, Nikki knew the days of constant discomfort have chipped away at her strength, but thru sheer will power she managed to put her fears aside concentrating on the currant situation and how to avoid being overwhelmed by it.

       In a deliberately slow manner  the water specialist walked over the the freezer where he brought out a large tray full of ice cubes.  In a well practiced move he dislodged  the cubes into the water, noting how his victim is following his every move thru her wide eyes, he took a short stick then starred thru the water  distributing the ice evenly around the surface.

       Still not showing any signs of haste, the torturer refilled the ice tray, putting it back into the freezer to be ready for the next victim... or perhaps this one. Giving the ice a  minute or two to lower the temperature of the already cold water, the water specialist had  the guards tie a rope around the prisoners feet then one of them took the unused end in his hands  obviously knowing well what is coming next.

       Crossing his muscular arms on his chest, the specialists eyes met those of his victim. For what seemed like eternity to Nikki they just  looked at each other in the thick silence which enveloped the room, the silence  broken only  by her own rapid breathing  as well as the gentle splashing of the ice filled water. Torturer and his victim, sizing each other up for the incoming battle of wills        

       Then he simply nodded. The guard holding  Nikkei’s arm let go, while  the other tugged at the rope pulling her tied  feet from under her. Nikki shrieked in surprise, as her body tumbled towards the icy surface. She splashed down chest first, her cuffed hands unable to break the fall in any way. She gulped large amounts of the foul water before realizing it,  it felt like million knifes  have been stubbed into her chest, as the  cold water gripped  the  young rebel in its deadly  embrace, gripped her and pulled her down.

       But the young fit body recovered  very quickly. Mildly surprised the guards watched her  head pop out, mouth agape spilling and spitting the water out while trying to take a gulp of the life  giving oxygen. The prisoner wasn’t going to get any, not yet at least. At the signal  by the water specialist  strong hands pushed her head and body back under even before she could take one proper breath.

       The water might have been shocking to her system, but it  also served to reinvigorate it.  With  water splashing in all direction the young woman struggled mightily against their grasp, they had to use both their hands to keep her under.  But Nikki was not a match for them. They were two large  well rested men, while she  was an average woman who could not even take a breath, the outcome was never in doubt. Soon her struggles grew weaker, if they wanted her drowned, they could have done so  right then and there.  Unfortunately for Nikki this was torture, not an execution. At the signal of the specialist  the guards let go, even helping her out. Her head popped out, her eyes wide, her mouth even wider. gulping at the air while she could, because she knew they are far  from finished.

       Nikkei’s assumption proved correct  when after letting her have few breaths the strong hands pushed her head back under. Again their victim thru everything she had in her struggle. Feet splashing and bruising themselves  as they occasionally hit the tubs edge, hands fighting the unyielding steel of the cuffs, while her upper body struggled against the guards strong grip. Her struggles completely useless, Nikki knew this well, but the instinct to live was to strong to override it by rational thinking, and so the young woman fought on.

       Her torturers continued to  do this over and over and over again with different variations designed to make it impossible for her to guess  what is coming. Sometimes they gave her longer respites, followed by short stays under water, other times there was less then a breath for her before she had to  endure a long  dive which nearly  brought her to the point of opening her mouth under water. After what appeared  as eternity to Nikki, but was actually less then ten minutes of continues  suffering, the  specialist decided she needs rest. Her trembling wet body was finally lifted out of the tub, and then unceremonicaly dropped to the concrete floor where she rolled on her tummy vomiting violently as she convulsed. The sadists just stood around, indifferent to her plight, no pity to be seen on their cruel faces. For them, this is just another interrogation, of yet another woman.

       At about this time the Colonel entered the water chamber. Draping himself in a water proofed suit to avoid having his expensive uniform stained after the torture resumes, he approached the woman still laying on the floor breathing heavily.

       How is she doing, he inquired.

       Typically as a rebel. Struggling  when she must, keeping her dignity and conserving her  strength when she is not in an immediate  discomfort. Would you like to question her now, or shell we give her another or two rounds ?

       Give her one more round, then I will see. As he was speaking the Colonels boot flipped the body of the tortured woman, turning her on  her back. He looked down on his captives wet shining  body. Nikkei’s long black hair hung in wet clumps over her face sticking into her eyes. She did not care, she cared even less for the nudity  they forced her to endure, the shame  was gone, the shame  is a commodity she cant afford now. Her panties the only remaining peace of clothing, protecting the last shreds of dignity  the young woman had. The Colonel was going to let her have them... for now. Turning towards  the specialist he commented.

       A young, attractive and obviously intelligent  girl... pity she is on the wrong side.

       Pity indeed concluded the man behind the mask as the guards lifted Nikki off the floor taking her back to the step.

       Stepping  further away from the tub because he knew the splashing is going to start in a moment, the  Colonel observed his victim as  they were positioning her  for another  round. The specialist got it right he thought. This woman is  with the rebels, and she knows stuff...important stuff. He is not going to rest until Mrs Mendez shares this knowledge with him, sooner, or later.

       The second round begin just like the first,  her feet pulled back from under her  the  young Doctor plummeted towards  the icy hell bellow. Though better prepared this time because she knew what is coming, Nikki still felt  slamming breasts first into a tub full of foul icy water is not an experience she would wish to her worst enemy. The force of the impact combined with the stabbing sensation of the icy water around her knocked the air out of her lungs before she even sank.  Going into a survival mode her body quickly overcame the first shock, Nikki  tried to open her mouth, but by then the strong hands pushed her under. She noticed the patches where the white  coating of the old tab has peeled away coming closer as her face was pushed  against the bottom. Nikki struggled with all the energy left in her system, muscles spas med, her feet  splashing. As before, the futile activity resulted in nothing but a rapid use of the oxygen she still had. Her lungs on fire, demanding air, her head pounded, she knew her blood pressure must be dangerously high.

       Even before the second round started Nikki considered not fighting  the guards this time, but she was afraid they are not going to fall for her trick. All they are going to do is keep her under for longer until she starts to struggle, or drowns.

       Now, drowning  should have been desirable to Nikki It could be an easy way out. At this point, however her mind was still not broken, her will to live still to strong... and so she kept fighting their strong hands, wiggling, spacing, then air!

       She felt the breeze on her face, they must have pulled her out. One gulp, two gulps, three gulps, forth... water surged into her mouth, before she closed it. The bottom came into view once again as she forced herself to swallow the water before it choked her.  The few gulps allowed to Nikki were nowhere near enough to satisfy her bodies needs, her lungs felt like they are going to burst,  her heart pounded as her muscles tried inane to push her to the surface. This time instead of uselessly waving her legs outside the water Nikki tried to use them as leverage against the tubs bottom. It did not work, the tub must have been coated in some sort of oily substance preventing exactly what she was trying to accomplish. All she managed was to hit her elbow against the metal bottom nearly opening her mouth in the process. They repeated this technique once or twice more before the specialist decided to try something else.

       Not being aware of this Nikki was surprised to find herself lifted out so soon. Is it over ?, had they decides she doesn’t know anything ? A wishful thinking one Nikki did not dare to believe, and rightfully so.  Kneeling near the tub, she spat some of the foul water, while taking as much of the chambers stale air as her lungs could accommodate. Her body needed rest, Nicky prayed for one, even if this rest  means going back to the wall on her cell, anything is better then this.

       Unfortunately, soon it become clear to the young tortured woman, her prayers  have gone unheard. A belt was  tightened  all the way across her chest then around her restrained arms, pinning  them firmly  against her  back. Her head snapping up in surprise  she met the unsympathetic  eyes of the torturer looking  back at her as the guards took her back towards the step. Dreading what they might do next, Nikki Decided this is a good time to  plead. Perhaps offering her body can stop the torture.

       No !... no more... please, I don’t know  why I am here ! please, I am just a Doctor! nooo!, I will drown, I cant take this! no... use  me, fuck me ! fuck me please !

       Her pleading died down as soon as it started, nobody  was interested in hearing it, or even interested in using her  sexually.  They haven’t even asked any question ! For God sakes what are they doing !

       The entry in the water did not differ from the previous splash downs, this time however when her body resurfaced  nobody  tried to push her head back under. Instead they propped her  against  the tubs rim, not doing anything to prevent her to breath. Soon this changed. In a detached morbid  fascination Nikki watched the chain nearest to the foot of the tub being lowered until the ring on its end hung some half a meter over the water. Turning her around until she faced up, one guard held her by the shoulders ensuring her head is above the surface, while the other with the help of his boss  connected the rope around her feet to the ring in the chain. Satisfied with the preparations the water specialist addressed his victim for the first time  since her arrival in this  hell.

       Pay attention now Nikki. For this next " exercise " we are not going to  prevent you from keeping your face  above the surface, its entirely up to your strength, or rather the strength of your tummy to hold you up, try not to disappoint us, ok ?

       Before her  tired mind could process the new situation, the guard let go of her shoulders denying  the support she enjoyed  until now. Nikkei’s head, as well as her upper body sank like stone leaving a trail of  air bubbles in their wake.  Water surged into her lungs threatening to drown their victim before somehow she found the  energy to sufficiently tighten her abdominal muscles. As her face broke the surface  she coughed violently fighting to  take some air while maintaining herself above for as long as possible. Just one hand under her shoulders could have helped her greatly.

       Of course they were not here to help, instead her torturers just stood around watching the plight of the young woman as she struggled to stay afloat. They enjoyed listening to  Nikkei’s terrible gurgles as more often water went  into her open mouth then air.  Denied the use of her legs, as well as her arms the girl  tried  some pathetic  attempts to swim  by wiggling her  body  as much as her bonds allowed while  putting all the energy she could find in keeping her muscles tight. It wasn’t going to last, she knew it, her torturers knew it even better.

       Stop this, Nikki pleaded between gasps...  please...  you are killing  me... stop... I don’t know what you want from me! For  Gods sake stop.... I..... I cant. As before nobody listened.

       The water specialist let his fingers move across her tummy, so tight, so fit, and yet  her muscles are already trembling,  they will let her down, any moment now. Nikki might have been fit, but she was not an atlet. Gifted with  naturally slim body  which never seemed to gain weight, she did not feel much need to exercise hard. She jogged regularly, some light exercise also, but rarely anything more effort demanding  than that. Feeling she cant hold herself up any longer the tortured woman took one last breath, before  her face got enveloped by the freezing water  once again. With  her abdominal muscles burning, Nikki just floated there looking  at the distorted cruel faces above her. Her body demanded air, air she could not provide, ten seconds... twenty.. thirty, she needed the air desperately, but her tummy was to tired. Eventually, the young  body tapped into  yet more energy reserves, her face broke the surface. Luckily her tormentors kept their word. Nikki was allowed to take all the air she could, but it was not nearly enough because after some twenty seconds she could not hold herself any longer.

       The session lasted for over an hour, each surfacing shorter then the last, just few breaths before  going down to suffer into icy hell. By the end the specialist instructed the guards to  actually help her out.  Giving their victim a minute or two respite while supported by their hands, before leaving the  woman to her own devices anew. Of course, Nikki knew well the rests are not signs of mercy, quite the opposite. By allowing her to recover just enough energy to be able to continue, the torturers ensured she is going to suffer for longer before giving up  despite the  fear of drowning.

       In a way Nikki  has been forced to torture herself. Despite pleading with them to let her drown, once under water Nikki did everything she could to prevent  the nightmarish death. She hated herself for this, a sign of cowerdness, no doubt !

       The suffering continued...

       

       The Colonels original plan to question his newest prisoner right there in the water chamber changed because several high ranking military officials requested an urgent meeting with him.        Fortunately, the meeting wasn’t as long as it was boring, so as per his instructions, Nikki has been brought to his office for further questioning. Sipping at the hot steaming coffee  while seated comfortably behind the desk, the Colonel observed the  exhausted young woman brought to him.

       Stumbling, Nikki had to be half dragged to a chair where they made her sit with her hands cuffed behind the  chairs back. The guard recommended some more restraints but the Colonel said its ok demising them until they are needed later.

       Left alone and before opening the file with the documentation of her case the Colonel  allowed himself some more leering. He had to admit the two plus decades he spent doing this same job were not enough for him to get fully used to the sight of a young beautiful woman chained before him, left at his mercy. Subject to whatever wicked  whims he  might dash out against her. For the prisoners, this place was a nightmarish hell, for him a dreamland. The Colonel could not have wished for a better job.

       As before, stripped of all clothes but the remains of a garter belt along with her soaking wet panties. Nikki sat there looking quite out of place in the Spartan yet tastefully  furnished office.

       Her face as well as her  chest although partly obscured by  the clumps of wet  dripping strands of hair, still revealed the fresh red whip marks present on  the woman’s firm small breasts, as well as the rest of her naked body. They must have used the whips on her wet skin... it hurts more then, the Colonel approved.

       After finding the necessary documentation, the Colonel stood up from behind his desk approaching the  helpless prisoner.  Her shallow breaths quickened as the person responsible for her, as well as the suffering of many others came close enough for her to smell his cologne. Nikki, to tired to move  just remained slumped waiting  for what ever next  torment he is going to deliver against her. He stood there for a moment or two, but new  pain did not come.

       Grasping the girls chin gently yet firmly with his left hand, he lifted  her face up to face his. With his other hand the Colonel brushed aside the clumps of wet hair  revealing a pair of  reddened glossy eyes which their owner could barely hold open. His prisoner is so tired, so open to what ever little pleasures he is  willing to allow her. So far they were using the stick, lets see what happens if he tries the carrot ? Making sure the woman’s shaky attention is mostly on himself the Colonel commenced the mind games so characteristic of an interrogation in a Dictatorship  regime.

       Ms Mendez ? Are you with me Ms Mendez ? He shook her head slightly until he got her weak response.

       Y... yes...

       Very good Nikki... ah can I call you Nikki ? This interview is going to go easier if we are on first person bases...

       Yes... call me what you want, I don’t care...

       Letting go of her chin he stepped back leaning on his desk while still facing his subject. For her part Nikki managed to hold her head up, but she wasn’t looking at him, instead her attention remained on  the carpet and his shiny  army boots.

       Are you cold Nikki ? Perhaps a little thrusty, yes I know they  tend to forget to water the prisoners... for days, not very nice is it?

       True...

       Would you like a cup of hot chocolate ? Tea perhaps ?

       This time he got more of a reaction. The girls face looked up, her eyes full of hope. Nikki had no doubt this is all part of a  sadistic plan, she hated herself for  giving him the satisfaction of seeing how much  he had made her suffer, but in the same time she needed the water. A small sacrifice  Nikki decided, it cant hurt to try.

       Yes... some tea please... I am so thirsty.

       Half expecting  the Colonel to burst into laughter, Nikki  prepared herself for the onslaught of humiliation. But to her relief  he simply picked a new disposable cup from the pile on his desk,  dropped two sugar cubes inside before filling it with fresh hot tea to the top. Approaching her he  picked up a straw which he brought to her lips.

       I am afraid the cuffs are going to remain on, so I will help you drink.

       Nikki nodded  weekly.

        The rich aroma of a fresh black tea tickled at her senses  as she parted her  cracked bluish lips to take in the straw. It felt like the hot sweet  beverage is coursing thru every vain of her tortured body. The first pleasant sensation granted to her in days. Nikki cursed herself, you pathetic  wimp of a woman ! how could you let him humiliate you like this ! You should hate him, not let him feed you the stupid tea ! Her mind screamed, her body continued to gulp at the preferred liquid. In no time the cup was empty.

       Disposing of the cup, the Colonel could not hide the smile  as he heard the sigh of relief  escaping  his subjects... no his enemies lips.

       Feeling better now ? can we proceed with the interview ?

       A little yes...

       Good. He paused for the effect before continuing to sweet talk his pray into a false sense of safety. Now, I know what happened the past few days is not the most pleasant experience one can wish for. I am sorry we needed to put you thru this, but it was your fault...

       Sir...

       He cut her off, let me finish Nikki. Pausing to recompose his thoughts the Colonel went on. So... he drawled, with your help, and your cooperation we can end this... mutual..inconviniance as soon as possible, ok ?

       The voice of self preservation practically roared in her head, " just tell him what he wants ! you are a dead woman anyway ! You have resisted enough, you have given your sacrifice ! Now seek salvation, seek to end the pain, cooperate ! Her  desire to end the suffering may have been strong, but the feminine stubbornness and her determination to hold on  were far stronger.

       That depends... of what you... want answered... I  have not done anything wrong.

       Not showing any signs of irritation, the Colonel continued. Hmmm you think ? Let me be the judge of that, all right ?

       Fine...

       So... Nikki, why were you going back to this country... you do know you have been deemed undesirable element.

       My country Colonel... this is my country as much as it is yours. I was chased away, for reasons not fully known to me. However, my passport was not taken away from me, neither I was strictly forbidden to come back for visits.

       An unfortunate necessity, he conceded. Although I have ... theories of my own, for why you  come back, I would like if you give me your side of the story.

         I was here in the capacity of a Doctor. I needed to  make diagnoses for a relative of mine. He had a rare  case of a heart condition  and was unable to travel abroad. Though technically truthful, the  statement sounded rehearsed even to Nikkei’s own ears. The Colonel kept his poker face however, not giving any hints  of how her story is holding up.

       I see... This must have been some real bad illness, because we found over five kilograms of medicine hidden around your  stuff. If your visit is of such... ordinary nature, why hide  the medicine ?

       Ok, I admit I smuggled the drugs in. They are not illegal, they are just not available and not yet approved in this country. The administration is way to slow, while  there are people who desperately need the drugs.

       You decided to take the matters into your hands.

       I did, something had to be done.

       I see... He looked at his notes before continuing. And so it happens of all things, our people so desperately need, anesthetics are at the top of the list, strange, wouldn’t you agree  ?

       Those are not anesthetics, they are  latest generation of pain relief drugs, normally used in patients with terminal diseases...

       Or as improvised anesthetics for emergency  surgeries under improvised conditions. Added the Colonel. I may not be a Doctor  Nikki, but I do know this much from my military training.

       The young woman shook her head dismissively. You might as well dull  the patients senses by getting him drunk. This  drugs don’t work the way you think Colonel.

       Aha... I see. While there might be a grain of truth in what you are saying... somehow you are not very convincing  Nikki. I am sorry but you would have to try harder. There was a pause where they just looked at each other, no one willing to speak, so the Colonel decided to  confuse his subject by side tracking the questioning for a minute or two.

       How is it going with the small clinic you run in the woods ? Her face went pale,  an involuntary reaction his well trained eyes did not miss. But she  made a valiant effort to recover.

       Wha... what woods, what clinic ? I don’t run any clinic, I just work in one...

       Strange, I have written confessions of prisoners  who claimed  They have been treated for gun shot or other similar  injuries, by yourself... along with other  sympathetic Doctors or nurses. Why would they point  at you ?

       Her jaw clenched Nikki knew the noose is tightening... fast. Cold sweat appeared over her face. But panicking now is not going to help.

       I.... I... I have no idea... I... perhaps they have said so to stop the torture... Look, even I  am willing to confess and sign anything to stop the pain...

       Even if it means going to prison ? Nikki could sense the amusement in the Colonel voice.

       Well I was hoping you were going to keep the promise you gave me the first day I arrived here... but if I have to face prison then yes.

       Sorry Nikki, it was a one time offer, you should have taken it then. Besides you just admitted to smuggling drugs, that is a series offence, you ought to be aware of this right ?.

       I guess...

       He wanted to tease her a little longer. So Nikki, would you agree to confess if the punishment is execution, we do have death penalty you know...

       His victim swallowed nervously before her eyes met his. Look Colonel, as a Doctor I am bound by the Oath I gave to help people, no matter who they are. So yes I might have treated some gun shot wounds, but I did not inquire much for how they have got it. For all I know some of them might have been rebels. It was not my place to inquire to much.

       After you give the individual in need, the help he or she requires, you were supposed to inform the proper authorities for the possible  suspicious activities this individuals might have been involved  at.

       Failing to come up with a good answer after a prolonged silence she just blurted out. I was afraid... for them, she clarified.

       Oh? Do continue... please

       I... I was worried, they are going to end up in the  situation I am in, right now. Obviously my worries were justified.

       This is another criminal offence you are confessing to Nikki. You are not doing much to improve your situation.

       Yes Colonel, I confess to  withholding the information  from the proper authorities, such as they are. Now,  to answer your earlier question, I am ready to face the firing squad. Put me to death  if that is what you desire all along. Or perhaps you  want a bribe ? I  am ready to pay. You want me in prison ? put me into one,  don’t even bother with  a trial ! Or if you just want to make an example out of me... then... then let me go, I promise you wont hear or see me again, ever... just please end this torment!

       Weathering out her onslaught patiently the Colonel spoke up softly. Offering a bribe to a government official is yet another offense Nikki. Your mistakes are adding up.

       Seeing his subject is not going to answer the Colonel decided on one more question before switching to a different topic.

       He helped himself to a cigarette, while noting the way  her eyes are following his every move. There was  fear in there, hidden behind a facade of defiance, yet the fear was present. He so craved to see this cocktail in the eyes of his victims, Nikki certainly did not disappoint.

       Answering her unspoken question the Colonel laughed. No my dear, I am not going to torture you with this. As you know by now, we  have other facilities, where we do what we must. Oh, he held out the package, you care for a smoke ?

       No thanks, I don’t smoke.

       Very  wise of you.  Seeing  the girl  has relaxed some, her tormentor continued. So where did you treat this people ?

       Huh ?... ugh... well... mostly in their homes.

       Can you tell me the addresses ? or at least the approximate locations ?

       No, I cant do that.

       You sure you don’t want to tell me ?

       Yes,  they wanted privacy, I gave them my word.

       Sighing the Colonel made some notes in his papers before looking up. Pretty much out of the blue he put his next question.

       Who is Meron ?

       Wha... ummm... I have no idea, what gives you an idea I would know him ?

       Him ? hmmm I was under the impression this is a code name for a female individual. Thanks for clarifying this to me, he added a note in the papers, while Nikki silently cursed herself for the slip up.

       I don’t care, who she or he is, or if it is a code name or  whatever....

       Aha...  Where is the location you deliver the  medicine you have smuggled ?

       I cant tell you that to protect the safety of those other involved ?

       You mean the safety of Mother Matilda ?

       How... you bustards, Nikki hissed realizing where he is going with this.

       I am afraid  she has been arrested... and she has become very cooperative after a prolonged bath in the very same tub you were in...

       You  ... monster, how could you do this to her, she was a good woman.

       So I was told, but those who work with the terrorists... well. Anyway,  She was the one who told  us when you are coming, and why. We also learned about your other activities in connection with the rebels, thru hers... rather long confession.

       Then, why  I am here ? if you know so much... then just shoot me ! I am of not use to you!

       Oh my dear, you may not be of use to me  right now, but very soon... well

       Who are the other Doctors you work with ?

       You expect me to tell you ?

       Yes... if you want to avoid   further discomforts.

       What  this other... discomforts might  be ?

       Do you really want to know ? I take it, the continuation of this  questioning is going to be quite fruitless... right ?

       Yes, and yes.

       Inhaling deeply from his cigarette the Colonel pressed the button on his desk to summon the guards.

       I am not going to lie to you Nikki, you are scheduled to be tortured on the perrila tomorrow. Do you know what the perilla is ?

       Don’t bother with the dramatics, Colonel, I have heard the stories. I am innocent.. so none of your toys can make me talk.

       If you say so. Be sure though, the next time you  sit in this office, you are going to be devolving all the information I want.

       The guards entered taking position beside the prisoner. Take Mrs Mendez back to her cell, don’t put her on the wall, but leave the cuffs on her for the entire time.

       Yes Sir.  Pulled roughly to her feet, the guards turned her towards the door getting ready to leave when the Colonel spoke one last time.

       How is your sister Nikki ?

       Speaking over her shoulder the brunette captive spat back. Not good thanks to you !

       Sighing in a mock show of regret he  spoke. Strange, she insisted she is so innocent... until she got the taste of the perilla. I wished  you don’t have to go thru the same  experience, but I guess shit happens.

       Seeing the Colonel has nothing more to say the guards pushed their captive forward, move bitch !

       

       AAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUAAAAUUUGGGHHH!!!

       Nikkie snapped off the narrow bed  as yet another wave of electrical power surged thru her  spread eagle body. She shook there rattling the old bed , screaming wildly as her muscles  tensed in an uncontrollable spasms.

       AAAAAAUUUUUUAAAUUUUUGGGHHH!!!

       Speak  Nikki, speak, you don’t have to go thru this, came the Colonels voice struggling  to be heard over the young woman’s  desperate howls. He gave a sign to the electrical technician who increased the power, feeding  stronger blasts of electricity into the already ravaged nervous system. The desperation of the screams went up a notch.

       NNNOOOOOOOAAAAAAaaagghhhh!

       Her screaming died down, as her jaw locked in  an half open position while her lungs  ran out of breath, the sweat drenched young woman just trembled  violently on the metal bed  not able to comprehend how the already horrific pain could actually get worse.

       The interrogation has been going on for over half an hour now, with little in the way of progress.  The Colonel wasn’t worried though. This is just the first phase, they have plenty of time, and many more settings to try before, having to consider the subject to be actually innocent.

       

       Early  that morning  they roused Nikki  out of a fairly restful sleep summoning her  to the torture chamber. Once inside the darkened room, the guards immediately took her to a sturdy looking narrow but long metal bed, located in the middle under a bank of powerful lights.

       With the offer to avoid the  pain by full cooperation, immediately declined, Nikki  stoically, with no resistance allowed them to put her down on the bed frame. First the  straps to her wrists and ankles were tightened followed  by the attachment of  the wires. Wires  poised to deliver the currant which is to give her immense pain.

       The Colonel ordered  for the torture to start in a low setting  applied thru wires attached  to her toes and temples. Later if she still refuses to give in, they can  proceed to shock her nipples or genitals.

       For her part, Nikki, despite the fear made obvious by her wide eyes  and the fine film of sweat covering  her body, thought she is ready, she thought she can take this. Eventually  her tormentors might break her, but they are going to work hard if they are to achieve this goal. Nikki planned to hinder  their progress every step of the way.... foolish thoughts. Very foolish thoughts they were, as she very soon found out, the painful way.

       As the technician  flipped the red switch on  the control board, her body came alive  with a mind of its own. In sadistic fascination her tormentors watched  her body strain against the bonds, razing off the bed while the  screams of surprise, as much as pain erupted out of her wide open mouth. Almost none of them  actually realize how much  the electrocution hurts, thought the Colonel while watching his latest subject  from the darkened sidelines of the torture chamber. The blinding pain quickly erased every thought of dignity replacing it with sheer agony. Agony destined to become far worse. And so the  long torture of Nikki  the captured freedom fighter, had began.  This time  her screams are going to be terrifying the other prisoners forced to listen to them. The same way she was tormented by having to listen to the howls of  all those before her.

       Half an hour, and several blasts with different degree of intensity later, the interrogation was in full swing. The currant cut off allowing her tired body to slump back to the bars  bellow. Her heart pounding in irregular beats, while she fought to take as much air as  possible  before her ragged shallow breaths came to a stop by the next wave of hot electrical power. Slick with thick coating of sweat, her body shivered despite the absence of electricity, Nikki just couldn’t believe how much it hurt, she could never comprehend such pain can exist until actually  experiencing it.

       Her barely functioning mind spotted the Colonel standing over her, his appearance saluted like dark shadow against the powerful lamps  above. The Colonel was speaking... asking questions, questions  she actually had answers to. For how long Nikki is going to be able to keep those answers  away from  their derty paws, under this onslaught ?

       ... tell... tell us... who  is involved.... who give you the letters... where... how....who assassinated the Commander in  Laguna Port.... where.. who is Meron... It sounded as if  the questions are coming from somewhere far away, she could not concentrate, Nikki could not answer even if she wanted to. An abyss had opened  beneath her, pulling her in. Is it  better to actually give in, death is preferable then betrayal, right ?

       Seeing the subject isn’t quite  with him  he gave the technician an order for a short but powerful blast. It came seconds later, resulting in fresh and invigorated screams  as spittle flow out of Nikkei’s wide open  mouth....

       AAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUAAAAUUUUUUGGGHHHHH!!!

       For ten seconds, which must have seemed like ten hours to Nikki, the Colonel enjoyed the delicious view of  her firm breasts bouncing around like jelly pudding, while the woman lost control of her blouder for the third time pissing  thru her panties in the bucket bellow. Shaking violently Nikkei’s screams quickly deteriorated to disgusting gurgling noises while her eyes turned back into her head. Just then the shock ended letting her wracked form slump back with a loud thud.   Lifting the woman’s head by her wet hair, the Colonel called out for her attention.

       Nikki !, listen to me Nikki... all you need...

       There was no reaction, until  she gurgled in a sickening way  vomiting all over her chest and face.

       Nurse !  He called out  fearing his subject is going to choke on her own vomit.

       The Nurse, the same one who humiliated Nikki several days earlier, rushed over holding a surgical vacuum pump. Expertly, she  parted  Nikkei’s tightly clenched jaws  inserting the long tube deep into her throat. The pump did its job quickly so Nikkei’s breathing  returned to something which could be described as normal... under the surcamstancies. After  wiping the vomit with a wet sponge the nurse jibed a syringe with a large needle  into her necks artery.

       A mild  stimulant,  the nurse explained to no one in particular. This should keep her more focused.

       Nikki moaned pathetically her eyes opened taking her back into the surroundings she desperately hoped is just a  part of a nightmare.

       Wake up bitch! The nurse slapped the exhausted girl rather harshly across her face, The Colonel is asking you a  question ! The evil nurse smacked her captive once more, just for the fun of it before stepping aside  to allow her superior full access to the bed.

       Nikki... Nikki, do you know where you are ?

       Coughing, the young woman slowly turned her head towards the source of the question, a small croaked smile forming on her bloodied lips.

       Y... Yes... yes Colonel... in your.... favorite playroom...

       He practically sighed in relief. The electric torture is a wonderful method for turning uncooperative bitches into a very cooperative whims. But it is a tricky one. If you are not careful you can turn the subject into a mindless bubbling  lump of human flesh not fit even for  the guards to use as  their rape puppet. For a moment he feared  they have pushed Nikki to far to soon. But judging by her answer  the Colonel knew she is still well within her limits. Hoping, his, subordinates haven’t noticed his sigh, the Colonel continued. Nikki, I must know who assassinated the Commander....

       Fuck you Colonel.... she squired thru clenched teeth turning her head to the side.

       You are making a mistake Nikki. Shaking his head he turned  to the technician, higher  doze... half minute.

       Nodding  the masked  man behind the controls adjusted the machine...

       AAAAAAUUUUUAAAAAAUUUGGHHHH!!!!

       Forming a perfect arch, the young beautiful body leapt of  the metal bars looking as if it is going to snap in half any moment. Streams of blood came out of her nose as yet more powerful jolts ruptured the tiny capillaries in her nasal cavities and eyes. Her wrists also bloodied tugged at the straps like those of a wounded animal. There was no a trace of coherent thought into her once sharp intelligent mind. All there was there is a  blob of pain  wracked nerve cells, able to feel just one sensation, pain. Excruciating pain... no it is beyond excruciating, but Nikki  did not know this on a conchies level, yet her inability to think did not spare her from feeling it.

       AAAAAAAAAUUUUUUUGGHHHH!!!

       And so  the torment continued for  some more time when despite the stimulant she fainted.

       This time the nurse strongly suggested giving the subject a longer rest.

       The Colonel agreed. I will  get some breakfast, he declared. We are continuing in twenty minutes, and we are going to phase two.

       

       Returning in the room, holding a cup of freshly brewed coffee, the Colonel  immediately noticed his victim  waiting for him stark naked still  secured to the bed as before. Nikkei’s panties were gone. Instead a thick  black wire protruded  between the lips of her sex ending in a large shiny phallus like object. The metal dildo had been lodged deep inside her sex,  ready to deliver the shocks  to the most sensitive spot of the captives body. Though he could not see it from his vantage point the Colonel knew there is a slightly larger electrode inserted into the victims anus. Applying the  currant thru the nipples and genitals is ok, it gives adequate results, however it is always best if the interrogator has  one or two more options... just for a variety. Another benefit we must not underestimate is the humiliation factor. Having something, something large, pushed up your ass while you are straining to  maintain your cool or salvage wiat little dignity you can is not helpful at all.

       Which is why he suspected,  the naked woman on the bed is groaning and moaning in frustration, unable to fully accommodate the anal probe without feeling  as if it is tearing her apart.

       The Colonel smiled knowingly, he  watched in sadistic amusement the technician  massage  her left nipple in a preparation to apply the alligator electric clamp. The right nipple had already been fitted, crushed  between the sharp teeth of the large steel implement. In a moment the left will follow.

       Seeing  another shadow appear above her, Nikki instinctively know it was her primary tormentor. Despite  herself  the young woman blushed, realizing he can see the way her body has betrayed her. She knew this was just the part of the torture, it is not suppose to bother her, she is supposed to look him in the eyes without feeling any shame. Instead Nikki found herself turning her head sideways in an attempt to hide her reddened face.

       The gentle massage  on the nipple suddenly stopped to be replaced moment later by a sharp  bite that send  waves of pain radiating  throughout her breast and chest.

       aaaauuugghh! She yelped as the second clamp came on dogging into the soft  yet rubbery firm rod. Involuntarily Nikki turned her head in this direction of the pain only to  came face to face with the monster. He was leaning   above her, close enough for Nikki to  smell  the tuna fish in his breath which the coffee wasn’t able to completely cover.

       They looked at each other for  what seemed like eternity. He had to admit Nikki looked even better in her tortured state, infact there is something about the suffering  which makes the females look even better then  they already are. The Colonel did not know exactly what it was, nor he cared to find out. He is here to extract information, not to dwell on philosophical questions. Still he allowed  his hand to glide up and down the tout ribcage of his victim, marveling at the smoothness of her well maintained skin,  then he fondled her firm clamped breasts forcing her nipples to swell even more.

       Understandably Nikki  was in a far less relaxed mood. Yet, grudgingly, she had to admit to herself the guy knows how to touch a woman.  A moan escaped  between her lips before Nikki realized what she has done, in the presence of her tormentors, her enemies! The momentary pleasure quickly turned into disgust as she  recalled just how he has acquired the knowledge to apply this " expert touch "

       Banishing this sinful thoughts, Nikki  savagely forced her mind to go back to hating  the man who is about to hurt her more. She went right to the point not wanting to suffer the smell of his breath any longer.

       Colonel... can you... skip the theatrics for once, and just do what ever you plan to do to me next ?

       Are you really so eager  to give in to our demands Nikki? Don’t you enjoy  the new toys they have  applied  in to all those sensitive places ? Don’t you enjoy my touch Nikki?

       No  I don’t, yelled Nikki, bursting into tears. You plan to hurt me even worse.... you might as well get your wish to see me spill out names of innocent  individuals. You... you, she could not continue as her words turned into sobs.

       Sensing his captive is about to crack, the Colonels hand gently brushed the wet hair off Nikkei’s face caressing her tear stained cheeks  as a lover would do. My dear... there is no shame in admitting defeat, yes just do it, just stop the pain, all this can stop right now. We have seen tougher women then you cry as they finally give up, we don’t blame them, having to suffer thru electric shocks is horrific I know. Just give in to your fear Nikki... I know you are terrified deep down, I know there is a little inner voice howling for the pain to end, listen to it and the pain will end.

       Stubborn silence was the only reaction he got from his victim. But just as the Colonel said, deep inside her mind, the terrified voice indeed screamed  for salvation.

       Look Nikki, I am about to order for the continuation of your torture, this time it is going to be worse. Just say the word, and we can go to my office where we can talk like two civilized people. Or if you so prefer  I can give you the taste of the next phase, after which we are also going to my office to talk like civilized  people.

       There is nothing civilized about you Colonel... so fire away, I am ready.

       You better be ready Nikki, because I guarantee you, in five minutes you are going to be broken.

       The answer consisted in silence punctuated by her soft sobbing.

       He nodded to the technician who flipped the switch.

       Two streams of molten agony seemed to surge into her chest thru  the most sensitive part of her breasts. The pain ripped thru her chest squiring around her heart, tormenting her very essence. Before the pain chased away the coherent thoughts Nikki  thought her body had exploded.

       Eyes wide, not seeing anything, but a  white blinding light, accompanied by the hellish pain was all  Nikki could be aware off. She couldn’t even scream at first, her body  shaking wildly on the bed, while her eyes looked like they are going to pop out of their sockets. New sweat covered her already slick body, followed by the less powerful but not so human sounding screams.

       Her tormentors knew the victim is  slipping, loosing her mind, loosing the very thing that makes her human.... any moment now...

       increase the power, he ordered calmly watching the tortured creature loosing control of her bodily functions.  A stream of piss came from between her legs closely following by the empting of her bowels. No one cared about the smell, or the mess, the woman writhing  in its bonds, cared even less.

       Knifes, red hot knifes had been stabbed into her chest... taken  out only to be reshaped turned, twisted and taken out again for a new stabbing. And stub they did, breasts, nipples, anus, then breasts once more. Over  and over and over... until her resolve snapped.        Just like that, in under five minutes, the electricity turned the brave freedom fighter into a body whose only purpose was to stop the pain.

       Nikki did not care any more, she wanted this to stop, and she  was already ready to do or say anything to stop it. There was just one problem... Nikki could  not communicate her will to cooperate. Her muscles locked in a constant spas am kept the well toned body in a perfect  twisting and shaking arch  above the bed.

       Blood poured out of her nose, mixed with  the spittle and mucus, coming from her mouth. The screams of his victim died down as no more air  was left in her lungs. All the young beautiful woman did now is gurgle while the electricity  surged thru her body, destroying it slowly. The nurse approached holding the vacuum pump but the Colonel held up his hand signaling her to wait. He intended to give Nikki a full minute of pure hell before he even considered  stopping the torture. The  seconds moved slowly even  at his perspective, while for Nikki, they were not moving at all. He doubted his victim is even sane right now, this kind of takes away the fun of hurting her, but hey, an honest sadist cant have  everything his way!

       With the  timer reaching zero, the puppet which was once a capable Doctor  slumped back to the bars bellow. The choking gurgles got worse, the nurse quickly pushed the pump  inside her throat making sure no vomit gets into her lungs. With her airways cleaned the girl gulped of the air greedily before managing to mumble her agreement  to cooperate fully.

       Y.... I will... yes... I will.... I can tell you.... anything... anything ... I

       The poor thing hoped by saying this the pain will stop. Wrong! Only now Nikki is going to discover the real wickedness of her tormentors.

       The Colonel turned to the nurse, Do you think she wants to talk ?

       Shaking her head in mock sadness the nurse looked down at the  pleading eyes of the tortured woman. No... ummm I think we need to give her stronger... she is stubborn.

       No... NOOOOOOOOO... I willl...

       Nikki never got to finish ,  At a nod by the Colonel the technician adjusted the controls, sending a jolt  of even more powerful electricity right thru Nikkei’s  clitoris and anus.

       AAAAAAAAUUUUUUGGGHHHH!!!!!

       There was an indescribable pain  before everything went dark. There was no rest. Waking up to the  smell of something disgusting under her nose, Nikki saw the Colonel over her speaking, but his voice barely understandable...

       Not... cooperating... must... you... cant... you ... we need to... give you.... torture you more.

       Ok the last  word made sense, panicking, she wanted to scream  her willingness to talk only to find her mouth well gagged, uuuummmmmm... mmmmm. Shaking her head the  young woman desperately tried to give him a sign, however The Colonels shadow disappeared,  replaced by the  explosion of blinding blue light announcing the continuation of the pain....

       And so it went on. All her cards open, all of her will gone,  this time  Nikki had nothing to bargain with.

       Several days later two guards entered Nikkei’s cell, finding the young broken woman half asleep on the bare  concrete floor. Her long disheveled dark  hair covering the tear stained face, while the plate  containing the meager prison rations stood near by, untouched. The clothes have been returned to Nikki, so she could appear in court. Now soiled and tethered they  covered her bruised and beaten nudity from the eyes of the evil guards.

       There were no cuffs, no mind games or  unbearable positions for her, there was no need... All there was  left now of the once vibrant lively woman was an empty bruised shell, shell  destined to face the firing squad this very morning. The young woman actually looked forward to it.

       Poking  her with his foot one of the guards spoke almost with sympathy in his voice.

       Ms Mendez... it is time.

       Raising slowly to her feet, Nikki didn’t, show fear, she was resigned to her fate. All they saw in her eyes was sorrow, not sorrow for herself, but for those she betrayed. Placing her hands behind back for the cuffs  the broken rebel asked.

       Will at least be quick ?

       I believe so, answered the guard nudging her outside the cell.

       The corridor they led her thru was  already busy with soldiers or other personnel. Most of them  ignored her completely, for them seeing a young woman in handcuff  walking to her doom, was just a normal every day occurrence.  Few others though, gave her looks ranging from disgust, thru contempt, while one or two  actually showed a mild degree of sorrow.

       With her head lowered in an unbearable shame Nikki missed most of this. All she could think about right now, were the events leading to the cowardly way in which she betrayed her friends

       The events of  her incarceration played thru her mind, the arrest, the savage beatings the first day, then the terrible torture in the tub, a torture that proved bearable compared to the final horror of the electricity.        Nikki shivered uncontrollably recalling how the Colonel gloated as she set chained to a chair in his office... cooperating, fully. Giving away name after name, location after location, information after information. She did it hastily, willingly and selfishly. She should have tried harder, but the pain, the pain was just to great. And to top it all Nikki  remembered how she cried as the Colonel picked up the phone instructing his  men to start arresting the  people whose names she has just blurted out. Nikki hoped they wont blame her, just as Nikki did not blame the person who  give her name to the police. The young woman hoped, once they feel  the pain  they are going to forgive her, because no one can take  the pain... no one. Its only a matter of time  when the pain is going to win over the strongest of resolves, she so craved to be forgiven.

       After they took all the information the broken captive could offer, her captors organized what  could barely pass for a trial. Nikki wasn’t given any chance to defend herself.  There were no witnesses or any evidence presented against her. She just stood there for like half an hour while the judge recited all the accusations and all of her crimes, then he simply declared her guilty and sentenced her to death by the firing squad. According to the law, those accused and found guilty of terrorism do not have the right for an appeal or defense, which was supposed to explain the show of a trial  Nikki was given.

       Handcuffed  they dragged the young sobbing woman out of the court room  to be placed into her cell where she is going to await her execution, the execution which came this morning.

       The sensation of  fresh cool morning air, accompanied by the gentle rays of the sun brought her reverie to an abrupt end. Nearly startled Nikki raised her  head to see  that  the guards have brought her to a sort of a  large courtyard surrounded on all four sides by high walls. Looking around, she immediately spotted the ten sturdy wooden posts arranged   beside the far wall. Bags full of gravel have been piled up behind them, to prevent any of the bullets to bounce back off injuring the squads soldiers. The posts and the courtyard itself held her attention for just a moment.        Nikki  momentarily shivered realizing, she is not going to meet her fate alone. The first three of the posts are already occupied  by young women  about her age. Each of them had been stripped topless, their  arms raised  above their heads, hands tied to a ring near the top of the post. Sets of strong ropes secured their feet, as well as their waists  firmly to the post, ensuring the soldiers have a good aim when the time for the execution comes.

       Not inclined to give their charge to much time for sight seeing, the guards pushed  her forward to the post number four. Nikki did not resist, not at all. She made a promise to herself not to show any fear when the time comes  for her to go, she is going to be dignified, dignified to the end. Not that her dignity  accounted for much after the way she betrayed everyone. But what is done is done. The fresh clean air allowed to her in the last minutes of her life must have helped to clear her mind, so Nikki decided hating herself now is not going to accomplish anything. And so Nikki  walked towards the post, her steps firm, her head high.

       They released her hands from the cuffs, then one ordered her to take her blouse off. Nikki complied slowly opening her dirty wrinkled garment, baring her shoulders for the gentle caress of the early morning  sunshine. She then let it slide down her slander body, once again revealing her tortured nakedness  for the scrutinizing  gaze of the soldiers.

       Standing there topless Nikki watched as another guard kicked the now useless peace of clothing to a growing pile near the first post, her last clothes. Nikki would never  again have her top covered, not until the rest of her life. The thought almost amused her considering that, she glanced at the wrist watch of one of the guards... she has less then twenty minutes left till the rest of her life, lovely!

       Step against the post and raise your  arms above your head, commanded the guard.

       Nikki did so, pressing her back against the well worn wood of her post and raising her  arms until her wrists came in level with the ring. She never lowered her head or awarded her eyes while with quick expert moves the guard secured her wrists to the ring, her hands are never going to be free again.  As the last rope, the one they tightened around her waist came into place, she felt herself being pressed against the post even more then she was before. Her  ability to breath was restricted somewhat, giving Nikki the idea that this is meant to torment her. She wasn’t sure in this, because if it was it failed. Instead Nikki found the feeling of the warm wood  pressing against her back to be pleasurable. Nikki relaxed allowing the bonds to support her. The early morning sun had warmed the wood behind her as it was doing so to her half naked body, a body destined to be riddled with bullets just minutes from now.

       Her head pointed up  so her eyes  could gaze into the crystal clear blue sky above. A beautiful morning, she thought, not a fitting one  for what is about to happen to me, but hey, shit happens, sometimes shit happens big time! A helpless tortured girl cant do anything about it, so why not just go with the flow ?        Looking up toward  the cloudless sky  Nikki hoped soon she will be up there. Up there nothing would matter, she will be happy, just as she was not so long ago, when her life was going  very well, when she knew not of pain or suffering. A good life indeed.

       Was it worth throwing it all away ? Wasn’t it better to listen to her sisters advice and pretend  she doesn’t notice  what the dictatorship is doing ? No !, Nikki forced those thoughts out of her mind, or should  they be  forced out of her mind ? After all with  her time in this world sleeping rapidly away, a girl has the right to express a doubt or two, right ? Well... no, Nikki is not just a girl, she is a fighter. They might have broken her body, made her spit out names, but she is still very much convinced into what she  was... no, IS, fighting for. And so the thoughts of doubt were banished, never to return again.

       Returning to the present Nikki realized more prisoners have been brought for execution. To the post right next to her a redhead with some serious whip marks spread around her body stood silently as the guards were putting the finishing touches of her bondage. At the same time  another girl was being " helped " by the guards to remove her top because she wasn’t very willing to do it herself. The young brunette sobbed pathetically, pleading for her life, while the guards ignoring her completely  tore her shirt off  revealing  the skinny body with just a few signs of torture. Intact this one  has the least signs of torture then all the others present.  Looking to the other side Nikki confirmed this  observation  as her gaze briefly passed over the naked tops of the other prisoners. The  thirty something, blonde tied to the first post had severe burn marks covering large parts of her skin, there were also whip marks and dried blood still present. The short haired brunette  on post number two seemed barely able to stand without sagging into  her bonds. She had the  same burn marks Nikki had, a result of electric torture,  however her left breast was missing, an ugly poorly healed wound  testified to the less then professional way in which it was removed. Nikki did not need to look any further, it was depressing.

       Only now Nikki noticed the  girl on post number three, a brunette with rather large breasts, is looking at her, a sad smile on her face. Nikki returned the smile, Hi, I am Nikki...

       Blushing slightly  the mid twenties girl alerted her eyes but  continued to look at Nikkei’s general direction.

       Ogh... sorry for my gawking... ummmm I am Malina...

       Nice to meet you Malina... not that it will last.

       It sucks I know... such a short life... so many plans,  so many aspirations... heh... so naive. Not really waiting for a replay  the boxom brunette continued. I won a scholarship to go to the States and specialize in Astronomy... my childhood dreams were within my reach. But just then my parents disappeared... So when I learnt about their deaths instead of continuing my education I picked the largest kitchen knife I could find at home, sliced the throat of the first policeman I could  lure into having sex with me, then after helping  myself to his  gun  I  joined the rebels.

       There was fire in the woman’s  eyes as she spoke, Nikki realized Malina is a radical.  As far as Nikki knew, the majority of the rebels were willing to negotiate with the government if the terms for ceasefire  are acceptable. But she also knew, there are  more radical elements who would not stop until the currant regime is completely destroyed. Not just the regime or its soldiers, some of them would  be willing to go after their families as well. Malina is clearly one of this radicals, but after what she herself went thru Nikki could not really blame her. The brunette continued.

       For over six years I managed to allude  the bustards... guess, it never really occurred to me  all can end like this, she momentarily looked at the soldiers chosen to kill them. I tended to be on my guard  all the time, it kept me alive and away from their filthy hands...  The constant vigilance may helped to  keep me alive, but at a price, it saps your energy, it  strains your nerves you know...

       Nikki nodded knowing this herself for a fact.

       Having survived  so many firefights, I figured I can  afford to relax one  time or two... wrong !

       So how did you get caught, Nikki asked with genuine interest, she took an instant liking of the girl next to her, a real pity they wont be given a chance to expand  the newly born  friendship.

       I had  an assignment in the Capital, nothing  very important, just had to deliver some messages. Ok I  finished  my assignment with no problem... and found myself with lots of time to spare until the bus I was supposed to catch was to depart for  my hometown.  So the stupid little me decided this would be a good time to give myself the relaxation I have been craving for a while, it really looked like a good idea at the moment.        The standard procedure in cases  when the operative has finished  the task earlier, and has nothing else to do is  to lay low, to avoid  spending to much time in public.

       Instead following the procedure I went shopping! Can you believe it, shopping. I haven’t had the opportunity to do so in like years so I thought ok Malina you deserve to live a live for ones.....bang!

       Busted, tortured and, well you see for yourself! The shitheads must have had information on me  from earlier. So they were waiting for me to make a mistake, which I so stupidly did !

       Don’t be so hard on yourself advised Nikki, you have made lots of sacrifices, everyone can make a mistake. I myself  am no better, got careless, and they got me.

       Sacrifices, Malina humphed dismissing it. I don’t see it as sacrifice... its , its a duty. If  we ourselves don’t stand up to those monsters, who will. Exhaling she let her head slump back against the post.. sorry I am rumbling... I am not afraid of what is about to happen, I am just pissed that I cant shoot back. Leaning  towards Nikki as much as the bonds allowed she spoke in a low conspirator voice. I was quite a shot with a sniper you know... sixteen confirmed kills , if those guys know, they will make sure I die slowly.

       Don’t  worry, Nikki whispered back, I will take this secret to my grave.

       Oh... I have no doubt. Were you a rebel fighter yourself ?

       Not directly, admitted Nikki, as a Doctor  I cant harm others, even our enemies. So I mostly treated the  wounded of the rebels, or smuggled medicine when necessary.

       Wait, aren’t you Doctor Mendez ?

       Yeah, that’s me... do we know each other ?

       Unfortunately I haven’t had the opportunity to meet you under better  surcamstancies, but I have heard lots of good things about you.  You have saved the life of my resistance cell leader, also a friend of mine had to seek help from you since she could not go to a regular hospital. I ... am so sorry  you were caught... but.

       Thanks for the good words, its nice to hear them at this time, a reassurance that  my  efforts were worth it. Momentarily  drifting away in her thoughts, Nikki looked down at her ruined nipples... they broke me... I so tried to resist, but... did you experience the electricity ?

       No... the big breasted woman admitted blushing, her earlier " tough girl " posture melting  somewhat. I have heard such a horrible stories about it... In... in my case they did not have to use it I guess... I... I cracked while they waterboarded me, I just cant stand the feeling of drowning...  The burning, the whipping, all were terrible, still I managed to hold on. But drowning... I just could not, I gave all I know to them...

       Perhaps you did a good thing of giving up before the perrila. Resisting for to long is not worth it,  they will eventually break you, so why prolong the suffering when you will tell them everything anyway? This is why I don’t blame the person who gave me up, said Nikki as she noticed the squads commander entering the courtyard. No one can stand the torture forever.

       Looks like its about to happen, remarked Malina.

       Yes, it  was nice meeting you Malina.

       Same here, perhaps, she added hesitantly... if  we meet on the other side we could be more then friends..

       Realizing what Malina was suggesting, Nikki smiled. Oh... sure... I mean, I am mostly into guys... but it cant hurt to try.

       Malina nodded straightening herself  getting  ready for the bullets, Nikki next to her did the same as   did all the other  prisoners. The commander barked some orders bringing his troops in line.

       It was obvious the soldiers in the squad are well trained, and they have done this before. Quickly  they arranged themselves in pairs  about ten meters away from the prisoners. Two soldiers were assigned for each woman, assuring  a hit and a quick death. Seeing his soldiers are ready, the commander  pulled out a peace of paper from his pocket  then in a bored voice read the accusations, and the prescribed sentence for each of the girls. As the procedure required he asked each in turn if they have any questions, but none of them  dignified him with anything but a faint shake of their heads.

       Satisfied  with the conclusion of the formalities he stood aside then barked out.

       Soldiers! Get ready !

       The young professional soldiers quickly raised their weapons to their shoulders, aiming at the designated woman, their fingers on the triggers.

       In the sickening silence  prior to his next command, Nikki raised her head to see the sun for the last time, a bird was chirping somewhere. Such a beautiful day...

       Aim ! Something was missing, Nikki decided she is going to her death to meekly... in moments like this those really dedicated to what they believe  in are supposed to, they are supposed to... yell... yes !

       As the commander opened his mouth to deliver the final order, Nikki shouted in a clear, strong unvivering voice.

       Victory for the  Socialist revolution !

       Her  new friend Maline wanted to follow the example, but she was a moment to late...

       Fire !

       The time has slowed. Nikki saw the flashes  at the opening of each rifle, she could almost see the bullets hurtling towards her. Then after what appeared to her as  eternity  she noticed her left nipple exploding into a bloody mass, followed by a much cleaner wound  appearing right in the middle of her chest. The pain hit moments later, bad, very bad, however Nikki decided this pain is not as bad as the later stages of the electric torture. Transfixed she watched the two streams of  blood dripping down across her bared chest, her knees felt weak, it wont be long now she thought. Just as the Commander ordered the soldiers to get ready for another  shot, Nikki glanced to her side at Malina. Her  face with a  smile the   rebels sharp shooter was looking back at Nikki, her mouth opened...

       They are a lousy shots....

       Fire! the Commander barked cutting her evil comment in mid sentence .

       A New pain exploded into her chest, this time Nikki knew her heart has been shattered,  feeling cold and powerless the young Doctor sagged into her bonds. Her vision  soon become  blurry, the colors disappeared, and soon there was just darkness.

       Prisoner No. 4112, Nikki Mendez, was dead.