September 6, 2017

2.20 am, Cancun, Mexico

Fire is rudely shaken by powerful forces, awakening him from unconsciousness. He finds himself stuffed in a cage only large enough to barely stand. Bars surround him as if to entrap a wild beast. Yet even in his weakened state, he is still keen on escape.

The metallic voice of Mad Scientist booms overhead, "Fire, are you with us now?” He further inquires, “Still in terrible agony?"

"I’m not that easy to kill!" Fire replies, struggling to stabilize his breath.

His breathing echoes across the charred walls. He is nauseous. His heart races wildly while his mind tries to figure out an escape. The disgusting after-scent of burnt rubbish assaults his nose. The room beyond his cage is poorly lit by the single bulb attached to the ceiling.

"Not yet but soon. This is nothing compared to what I have planned for you. Do you like turkey or chicken? No matter, after getting roasted you decide!" Mad Scientist rattles on. "Now that you are a bit more conscious I can tell you a little secret. The kidnapping was a trap set just for you."

Mad Scientist says, stopping briefly to cough and then continuing, “Right now you are on a live TV show so smile for the camera. Too bad you can not see how photogenic you are.”

“How dare you?” Fire shouted, “How dare you endanger others to get to me?!”

“Blame yourself! I searched for you but you were unfindable. No hired hands wanted to track you down. And those who did all disappeared mysteriously.” Mad Scientist says, “The only way to draw you out was by making an issue impossible for you to resist.”

Fire digests the information then asks, “Why me?”

“Because I want my revenge.” Mad Scientist says, pausing briefly... “And you are the single greatest threat to my goals! How many have you thwarted? How many have fallen because of you? You single-handedly pose the gravest of challenges that I must overcome to succeed!”

“But this operation was too well organized for an impatient man like you.” Fire says.

“Haha! I will pretend that did not hurt.” Mad Scientist says, “But you are right. This operation is a perk of assembling a powerful organization.”

Fire asks doubtfully, “An organization?”

“Even you have not heard of it. Well, since you are going to die, no point hiding it.” Mad Scientist brags, “We are Skull Reich!”

Fire’s mind connects the dots, “Are you the cult with a tattoo of a snake, nazi emblem, and a skull?”

“That is our symbol! The cult was a cover-up. Oh oh oh! It feels so good to have out-smarted the mighty Fire!” Mad Scientist adds, “For decades we've existed. Working behind the scenes worldwide. We are very real and your capture is proof of our effectiveness.”

“What are your demands?” Fire asks.

“Demands? We are not terrorists. We are futurists. Working together with the common goal of rebuilding this world.” The Mad Scientist answers.

“How would you do that?” Fire prods.

“Why ask? Well, you are now a part of it.” Mad Scientist deliberates, “The gas you inhaled was an experimental serum. This facility is just one of the many where it is developed and tested.”

“What is its purpose?” Fire asks.

“To solve the oldest human problem, time. Wastefully, all test subjects die within six hours.” Mad Scientist says, “Oh don’t worry, you will be dead soon but your team will suffice for science.”

“You won’t escape!” Fire shouts.

“Oh, you mean the FBI? We will be long gone before they arrive.” Mad Scientist says, “But you have amused me for long enough, what are your final words?"

“You are insane!” Fire says.

"Ha! Oh, how the simple-minded fail to comprehend. Call me delusional. But, would a crazy person have survived as I did? Most important, would a lunatic have captured you?” Mad Scientist says in between gleeful coughs, “I am not a psycho. I am a true genius!”

For the first time in a long time, Fire felt defeat. Death had finally caught up to him. He saw no escape. But his biggest regret was his broken word to the President and his team.

“Someone asked me to simply kill you with a bullet but it is so much sweeter that the man who calls himself fire be killed by it.” Mad Scientist says, “Good-bye Fire!”

If only I was stronger… Fire thinks.

Suddenly, an intense heat wave then waves of pain strikes Fire. He shuts his eyes in agony. His screams grow mute. Head splitting headaches and cracking of bones force him to his knees. Blood tears of pain fall, quickly evaporating. Flesh cooks. Organs roast. Blood boils. Yet the inferno continues. Then, unknown to him, his eyelids flash open and his eyes glow crimson.