Finding Eden by Megan Dinsdale

the rifle from his grip and did him the same favor he had done for me back at the cave. I slammed the butt of it into his head, knocking him out cold.
    I kept the rifle at my side, my finger hovering over the trigger. I slowly opened the door, and before I could check if the hallway was clear, I was ambushed by the same two men from earlier. The plain one sucker punched me, which caused me to loosen my grip on the gun, while the scarred one stole the opportunity, and retrieved my weapon, turning it back on me.
    As I fell into a dreamless slumber, I found myself counting the number of times I had been hit in the head over the last week.
     
    I woke up in a smaller, square room. My arms and legs were chained, leaving me completely incapacitated. I was currently suffering from the mother of all migraines and the bright lights seemed to increase the roaring pain.
    “ Girl.”
    “ Oh, God.” I groaned, refusing to look in the direction of the voice.
    “ I’m going to ask you one more time,” Leonard spoke slowly. “Will you or will you not submit to this plan?”
    “ Will not,” I spat out. “You evil, disgusting, vile piece of inhuman scum.”
    “ So be it.” Leonard waved at one of his henchman, a man I hadn't had the honor and privilege of meeting yet; the new guy came in, dragging Tex behind him. He was overly secured with chains that were quickly connected to the wall.
    “ Jenson?” Leonard spoke with authority to Tex’s captor.
    “ Yes, sir?” Jenson said, a little too much awe in his voice.
    “ Did you bring the clippers?”
    Jenson patted his back pocket.
    “ Begin,” Leonard commanded.
    Tex began to move around in every which direction, trying to escape his bonds. He was sputtering out obscenities I’d never even heard before. Scarred Face and Plain Face, who I soon learned were Morris and Larry, shoved their guns into Tex’s face, which made him sit still pretty darn quickly. His face was red with hot anger.
    Jenson clenched Tex’s forearm between his, and he slowly brought the clipper above the knuckle on Tex's index finger. I was waiting for the bluff to end as the razor sharp sheers began to cut through the skin, causing blood to trail down his fingertip. His jaw was taught; his eyes were sewn shut. I could feel the pain emanating off of him, but he refused to acknowledge it with any sound.
    “ Stop!” I yelled. “Please, just stop. I’ll do whatever you want. Just don’t hurt him.” I fell limp in my chains, not wanting to give up or give in, but knowing I didn't really have much of a choice either.
    “ That was easy,” Leonard shrugged. “Now, don’t look so glum, Jenson. I’m sure there will be other chances.”
    My look shot daggers in the torturer’s direction. He looked disgustingly unhappy. I would kill him after I killed Leonard.
    “ Girl.” Leonard looked back at me. “You made the right choice. Besides, if this didn’t work, we had a backup plan anyway.” Everyone chuckled but Tex and myself. We seemed to be the only ones out of the loop.
    “ You son of a bitch! Don’t you dare!” Tex rattled the chains. He had a knowing look in his eyes now. Why was I the only one oblivious to what was being spoken of?
    “ Alright!” Leonard clapped. “Those not needed, please leave.” Only he, I, Tex, and Jenson remained.
    “ Why do you need that man here?” I glared at Jenson.
    “ Just in case you don’t cooperate.”
    “ I said I would!” I growled.
    “ Yes. Yes, you did. Which is why I’m going to reward you. We’re leaving your boyfriend here with you just so you know we’re not clipping his fingers in the next room. Unfortunately, since you weren’t cooperative at first, we’re going to hand you over to one of my men. I originally planned on repopulating using you and him ,” he pointed to Tex. “But,” he shrugged, “that one is your fault.” He smiled. “Frank!”
    A stout man came in that looked around the age of Tex. He was plain, not ugly—thin, but