Thread: A Game of Cat and Mouse [AlluringEnigma x Iron and Wine]

Crystal had to admit the self-titled Mastermind had a flair for the dramatic. Perhaps he had been some sort of underachieving actor in the local community theatre. Of course, there remained the fact that the vigilante was in deep water, and his almost corny performance still contained an undercurrent of danger as she witnessed the eager grins on his henchmen. However, if he had hoped to instill terror in the young superheroine, he had failed quite miserably. Quite simply put, it was hard to instill terror in cornered prey. Crystal had entered the business without any intention of being harmed. However, she had never been the type of person to cling on and pitifully beg for an extended stay on this Earth. If this was her last stand, she would go out with a defiant gleam in her eye. Being a rather perceptive, girl, despite her lack of foresight, she knew that the cameras were there to record her downfall. Crystal also knew that begging, crying, or mewling pathetically would play right into her captors hand. This was a message designed to instill fear and hopelessness in potential enemies, and any sign of submissiveness from her would only strengthen that image. So, the second Mastermind began to speak, she used the only tool left to her speech. I received a challenge from a heroine of our city. You know her as Crystal droned the booming voice, and an almost gleeful expression now lit up on the captured heroines visage, though it belied her true feelings of dread. This fucker had to bring an army to beat me. Imagine what just four or five of us could do this scum she rang out, her tone about as confident as she could muster, the wavering presence of fear still in its composition. I have a message for all these vigilantes who think the city belongs to them, who think that they are going to make some difference besides creating chaos he droned on, his tone not truly revealing any reaction to her comments. Despite the lack of an effect, she continued her taunting and rebelling, speaking directly at the camera. Hes trying to scare you, with this script of his. I know the citizens of this city are better than that, better than those who tremble at cheap melodramatics. Crystal was quite aware that her jabs werent exactly at the forefront of witty and incisive humor, but in her current state, it was the best she could manage. Theres only one power in this city that matters, one Mastermind he added, his thugs now removing her last modicum of modesty as he spoke. You can tell that to your boyfriend in county jail she yelled, masking the pain and fear that her exposing had caused. Now youre going to learn theres a price for trying to upstage me, girl he added ominously, and for once, the words rung true. A slight bout of terror gripped her as his henchmen began to surround her, their cruel grins and wandering eyes only adding to the dread she felt. Crystal knew she was going to beaten and abused, and every moment of it would be documented by the camera, a permanent mark of shame no matter how brave her words were. With her last bit of courage, her gaze deadest on the camera for the last time, she bravely remarked You cant kill a belief, no matter how many people you kill and rape