Bette couldn’t stand it anymore, she popped up and stepped in front of Alice taking the attack head on with her arm. The guard looked at her in surprise and said, “so the newbie wants to defend people does she? I’ll let the boss take care of you.” With those words he walked away and Bette looked down at her bleeding arm which hadn’t registered the pain yet.

She looked down at Alice and Shane who were looking at her appreciatively then at the other two women at the table.

“Thank you,” Alice said grimacing as she stood up, “I’m Alice Piezeki.” Bette shook her hand slowly because her arm was starting to sting.

“Shane McKutchen,” the skinny brunette said from her spot on the floor.

“Helena Peabody,” the British woman said, “thank you so much for doing that.”

“Dana Fairbanks,” the light haired brunette said, “I can’t believe you did that.”

“I just couldn’t stand it anymore,” Bette said sadly.

“Well you’re gonna have to get used to it,” Shane said sitting up slowly.

Bette sighed deeply as Alice said, “what’s your name?”

“Bette Porter,” Bette answered.

“Wait a minute,” Helena said, “aren’t you that famous gallery owner?”

“And aren’t you that British woman that owns almost everything?” Bette said, “and you’re the tennis player.”

Dana looked distraught as she said, “they tied my wrists for weeks. I can’t play anymore.”

Bette sighed deeply at the horror and said, “I’m sorry.”

“And I’m sorry that now you have to get punished by Faye Buckley,” Alice said sadly.

“That bitch is brutal,” Shane said wincing in pain.

Before Bette could say anything else there was three guards surrounding her. They grabbed her arms roughly and dragged her away. Bette looked back at the four women, who looked at her sadly.

Bette was pushed into a dark chamber where there were long chains attached to the floor. The guards shoved Bette in and locked the chains around her wrists and ankles. Bette had heard from some of her cell mates that Buckley was very strict on her guards and she never allowed them to do anything more than physical punishment, so she didn’t feel scared.

Then all the guards, except for one, left the room. Bette looked at him warily. She was mentally preparing her body for pain, but at the same time distracting her mind by studying the young guard.