Jane slumped in her seat, watching Maura sadly.

“What should I do?” Hoyt asked, as he stared at the detective. The hatred in her eyes pleased him. She truly was a worthy opponent, she would die spectacularly. “She disobeyed the rules Jane.”

He stepped back and regarded Maura with some interest. “You don’t want me to cut her?” he asked Jane over his shoulder. “Ok.” He said before she’d even considered answering. He drew back his fist and punch Maura square in the face, her lip exploding and sending blood spraying across the floor.

He heard Jane roar behind him, the sound of her shoes hitting the floor as she writhed and fought to get to him made him grin.

He turned and looked at her. Her swollen eye, the bruising that was forming around her jawbone the fire that flashed in her eyes, to his mind, she had never been more beautiful. Maura slumped forward, the impact having knocked her out cold.

Jane caught a sob in her throat and glared at Hoyt. “Tonight, you WILL die.” She promised him softly as he laughed and walked from the room, pausing in the doorway.

“Don’t worry Jane.” He said, ‘”I’ll be taking you with me.”

Jane tried to wipe her face on her shoulder, the awkward way she’d been sat made the task impossible but she needed to wipe the tears from her cheeks before Maura woke up. She watched as Maura slept a forced unconsciousness that was undeserved.

‘Broke the rules?’ Jane wondered, ‘what rules?’ She wondered as she pulled against the ropes holding her ankles to the chair and winced as they cut into her skin.
When many minutes of struggling didn’t yield any fruit, Jane slumped back in her chair. If she had a hair grip or something, she could pick the handcuffs and get herself and Maura the hell out of there. She studied her sleeping friend for any sign of the needed accessory but saw none. It didn’t surprise her, even if Maura was wearing one, she would never let it be seen.

“Maura.” She called softly. “Hey, Maur, come on sweetie, wake up.”

Maura remained motionless, her head hung as her chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. “Maura!” her voice broke with yet more unshed tears. ”Please wake up.”