Chapter 127 - Black Stranger (Part 1)

Riley took a hot shower in the hospital bathroom, hot steams coming from it, she allowed the water wash upon her head, the hints of red in her hair becoming more evident, she placed her hand on the cold wall y+tiles, her expression stone cold and distance, her eyes trembling as she recalled.

***

Two years ago 

Unknown Facility 

Riley was seated on the cold floor wearing only a white cloth that reach her knees, her head against the cold wall, her knees to her chest, her cheeks still wet with tears after the shocking news that the baby was gone. She awoke in this strange facility after she thought she died in Liam's arms only to have survived and trapped in this place under Barbra Jones, there was no escape for her, she could feel it, she placed her hand on the Steel around her neck, keeping her Claw at bay.

She could only imagined what Liam was passing through, how lost he will be without her, she could still hear his cries after she gave out breath and what's worst she felt his pain, the certain desire and urge to be in his arms again was overwhelming, she regretted not telling him she was pregnant, she knew that now, she thought she was doing the right thing but in the process made things worse.

Tears filled her eyes once more.

"Forgive me Liam" she sobs.

The doors slide open as Barbra walks in.

Riley quickly sat up in alert facing the bitch with furious eyes.

"Dr. Steve is amazing, he literally brough you back to life, truly amazing, even a bullet to the heart, you still lived" she said in amusement.

"What do you want? " Riley said in distaste.

"A game".

***

Riley and Barbra were both seated in a confined room just the two of them, a chessboard in front of them, half way over.

"Wow you are good at this" Barbra said in amusement.

"Aren't you scared I'm gonna snap your neck" Riley said checkmating her king once more.

"Well obviously you're in no position to move, the Steel around your neck is not just any Steel, it produces a liquid that is injected into your body, that's why you are constantly weak like you're wasted, and can't seem to think straight".

"You really are prepared for this aren't you".

"I'm always prepared Riley" she shrugs, striking a pawn leaving no room for her to escape.

"This is beacuse of Seth isn't it" Riley said, she saw her body tense a bit by her words.

"It must have broke your heart to see the monster you created dead" she said in a mocking tone.

Barbra just forced a smile.

"You know Liam's really becoming a pain in the ass" Barbra said shifting her gaze from the chessboard to meet hers. 

"He's driven to the point he's taking down my branches one by one".

A small smile forms on Riley lips.

"And he won't stop until every last one of the building you built with your heart and soul is nothing but pieces" Riley spats.

"And you're gonna stop him for me".

Riley froze at her words.

"You will make the perfect pawn" she adds with a burst of evil laugh.

Riley shouts as she pushed the table away, the chess pieces scattering on the ground. 

Barbra kept laughing.

Riley felt dizzy, she tried to walk away but she stumbled to the ground, struggling to get up but she couldn't.

"What are you gonna do to me?" she asked feebly, her body trembling. 

Barbra laughter seize as she rise to her feet, her heels making a haunting click that echos in her head, she struggled to get away but where to, there was no where to run to.

"I'm gonna break you" she said.

Tears filled Riley's eyes.

"I'm gonna groom you"

Riley futile struggle stops as her vision fades, her body was giving out.

"I'm gonna reshape you until you're the perfect weapon".

Riley gasps as she drops flat to the ground, her eyes closing.

"Go to sleep Riley".

That was the last thing she heard as darkness consumed her, asleep ever since.

***

Present day 

Until now...

They wiped her memories, installing false ones, making her think she was an agent giving her a false identity and then using her to bring down Liam.

Her fist clenched hard, she offed the showers walking out as she got dressed.

She put on a pair of jean, a white long sleeve thick sweater, she packed her hair in a high pony tail.

A sound came in behind her, she instantly reacts, spinning the arm aiming a loud cry and then kicking the leg, making the person drop to the ground in a loud thump.

"Jesus Lorna, what's up?" Jesse said groaning in pain.

"Jesse" Riley said quickly helping her up.

"I'm so sorry Jesse, I didn't know it was you".

"Jesse?" she said blinking puzzled, while rubbing the back of her neck.

"You call me Jess" she adds forcing a smile.

Riley looks away packing her stuff.

"You're leaving already?" she asked.

"Yeah have some stuff to do" Riley forced a smile facing her.

"But you just recovered, shouldn't you rest some more? I will order Chinese" Jesse said giggly.

Riley stops her action sighs.

"Lorna you okay? " Jesse asked at her sudden silence.

God how she hated that name Lorna Hart.

She faced her.

"I really have to go, it's important" she said sternly.

Jesse smile slowly fades.

"Okay then" Jesse said with a skeptical look watching her, she was acting strange.

Riley heads for the door.

"Lorna".

Riley instantly halts, she sighs, as her fist clenched hard.

"You seem odd, and what's with the hair colour I didn't know you had red hair" she said puzzled.

"I'm fine Jesse, I really have to go, will call you" she left, the door shutting close.

"You said Jesse again" Jesse said with sad eyes, something was odd, she felt it but she couldn't place what.