The instant she was freed, Cody started to rise on legs that were shaking with fear, fatigue, and blood-starvation. Her movements were slow and deliberate, even more so she didn't startle their captors than because of the weariness which threatened to drag her to the ground. But she drew herself up proudly, and refused to buckle or show weakness before this trio of terror-mongers. Sweeping an angry, but fear-filled gaze across them, the now-freed catgirl moved over to Bryn and threw her arms around him, squeezing him tight. She didn't see the exchange between the thugs and the boss: They moving to stop her, guns coming up in concern that she was about to try something foolish, and their master waving them off to allow her to continue.

"I'm gonna get you out of this," she murmured, voice quavering with tears she wouldn't let herself shed in front of these cruel villains.

"Just do what they say," Bryn said back, his own voice firm. "Don't get yourself hurt." He looked up at her as she pulled back to release him at last. "I'll be okay." Cody felt a fresh pang rip through her heart as she saw the way Bryn held back his own shimmering tears...trying so hard to reassure her in spite of his own well-hidden-but-still-evident fear. Just one of her own trickled free and ran down her cheek, under the force of that courageous, caring gaze.

"All right," growled the shorter thug. "That's enough'a that. Get out of here, kid. Before the boss changes his mind." She couldn't help but notice how hopeful the sadistic monster sounded at that prospect. As if seeking a different outlet for his cruel impulse, the villain crammed the same soggy brownish rag back into Bryn's mouth which had filled it during their transport here, and whipped the former cleaving-cloth across his mouth, covering his lips this time instead. But the arrangement didn't look much more comfortable for that. Bryn winced and blinked up at Cody, not resisting his rough treatment in any way. Then the bigger thug took Cody by the shoulder and turned her around, giving her a little shove to get her moving.

"Farewell, my dear," the 'boss' said evenly as Cody started to go. "I do hope we never have to meet again."

The terrified young catgirl said nothing in return as she strode out of the room on shaking legs, not even looking back - for fear that she might not be able to continue if she laid eyes on Bryn once again...


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On to "Revelation and Reckoning", pt 12