Chapter Text
Hideo woke up in a confused daze, unnaturally groggy and in no small amount of pain. He had a headache, and felt slightly dizzy, but that really seemed like a faint issue in comparison with his overall situation.
It was cold, to the point beyond a simple discomfort. The sort of cold that was going to end up seeping into his bones and robbing his core body heat after not too short of time. Soon enough he would be shivering uncontrollably if the temperature didn’t increase significantly.
He wondered vaguely if his breath would be visible if only there were slightly more light in the environment to illuminate it.
There was a distinct sound of a howling wind hitting a nearby window, which just further drove home the chilly temperature. He opened his eyes and stared up at a dimly lit rusty green metal roof, back to a bare and tattered spring mattress.
He warily sat up on the mattress, which sat plainly on the floor without even a box frame. He looked around and saw the only other furniture was a dripping sink and decrepit commode that sat behind a slight wall outcropping.
One wall of his containment held a window much too tiny and high-set to consider escaping through, and the wall opposite was set with sturdy looking prison style bars across the whole length of it.
Slowly getting up from sitting, in deference to the slight throbbing pain of headache and his general dizziness, he carefully made his way to peer out of the bars.
Across the hallway in the shadow, Hideo could just make out a pacing figure, similarly in a cell behind bars. He could faintly hear a muttering in what sounded like Spanish, and made out that the shadowed figure was rubbing their face in what looked like agitation.
Hideo took a steadying breath, hopefully whoever this was they were disposed to be friendly… and would also share a common language.
“Hello?”
The figure abruptly stopped pacing and jolted over to the bars.
“Oh thank goodness you’re awake!” A woman’s voice rang out in obvious relief, “When you were brought in here by those villains I had feared the worse. I only briefly saw you, and couldn’t make out whether or not you were still breathing.”
“I—think I must have been knocked out. I don’t remember anything of how I got here.”
“Those cowards also must have used some way of knocking me out, probably knew that I would put up a fight.” She huffed out an annoyed sigh, “They also took off my Luchador mask—” she broke off into what could only have been a few Spanish expletives, then shook her head agitatedly and continued on in English, “Apologies, are you alright all things considered?”
“I believe so, I’m not in any pain but I am getting rather cold.”
“You’re telling me. I’m used to a much warmer climate. Judging by the snow outside I’m no longer near Veracruz. Where were you, last you remember?”
“At a museum in Mexico City, I was accompanying several Japanese cultural masks that were being featured on display.”
“Ah, I had wondered about the accent. Well, we’re probably not in Mexico anymore...unless we’re on the snowy peaks of Popocatepetl I suppose. Other than that Mexico isn’t exactly well known for places with snow all year around.”
“Well, wherever we are, I hope we get rescued soon.”
“I’ve actually got a pretty good idea that they want that somehow.”
“What… do you mean?”
“First tell me, is this rescuer possibly in a red trench coat and fedora?”
“... You have met her too then. It is not just her, I also expect a compatriot. ” He said, then paused considering the two red-heads with very prominent Boston accents, “Or three.”
“You met one more than I did. Not sure whether I should be jealous or not.”
“I’m not sure we should discuss it further.” He cautioned, “The walls might have ears.”
“Very fair, but we can at least know the other’s names, I figure those who have us must know that at least. I used to be named Carlotta Valdez, but now I go by Lupe Peligro.”
“I am Hideo Nakamura, good to know you Ms. Peligro.”
“Please, feel free to call me Lupe. Is it okay if I call you Hideo?”
“Yes I—” before he could finish his sentence there was a loud clunk down the hall, and light flooded in.
There was a buzz as the overhead light flickered on, illuminating the hallway and cells enough for Hideo to see Lupe for the first time.
In walked a man in what looked like a full body uniform that reminded Hideo of Neal the Eel, but with more green. Most of his face was obscured by a helmet and visor.
“Well well, about time you woke up, I did wonder if they used slightly too much chloroform on you.”
Hideo did his best to school his face to a grim neutral expression, he didn’t want to give this vile man the satisfaction of a reaction.
Lupe snarled audibly, “ Chloroform?! ”
The man turned to face her with a repugnant grin wide on his face, “If it isn’t the pauvre Luchadora.” he chuckled darkly, “Unmasked at last.”
Lupe grimaced, but grit her teeth and didn’t dignify the taunt with any further response.
“Oh the silent treatment. Tisk, tisk. What is this, primary school?” He laughed indulgently, “Well no matter, a night in the cooler ought to get at least one of you in the mood to talk.”
Neither captive spoke. Lupe crossed her arms defiantly across her chest, with her posture best described as looming. Hideo remained stock still, straight-backed, hands folded behind his back.
“And... if neither of you are in the mood to talk then? Let’s just say; I beat whichever of you I think knows the least to see if the one who knows more will part with the information to spare the other.”
His smile turned more menacing, as he turned back towards Hideo, “For the record, right now you’re the guy who I think knows the least. Stew on that overnight.”
With that, he stormed out and the door closed with a sickening thud. Blessedly, the overhead hallway light remained on.
Now that he could see more of his environs Hideo took a good look around. There were only the two cells, and the hallway, with the door down one end, and a giant screen at the other.
The screen lights up suddenly, and now it displays the security footage of their two cells.
Hideo tensed, “So, conformation we’re being watched.”
Lupe growled in frustration, “That oaf,” more of what must have been Spanish expletives muttered under her breath, “If I ever get my hands on him!”
Hideo nodded in sympathy, “I am frustrated as well, but all we can do is hold strong.”
Lupe offered him a watery smile, “Not too good at patience, unfortunately...but being strong?” Lupe sits on the floor in a classic lotus position, arms still crossed, “Being strong is something I can do.”
Hideo offered a mirrored smile, copying Lupe and joining her in sitting in the lotus position, but with his hands folded in his lap. “I certainly believe it Lupe, if those who have captured us fought fair, they would not have ever taken you—of this I am sure.”
Lupe smiles a genuine smile this time, “You got that right Hideo.”
Nodding silently to the other, they both settle in for the long wait, perfectly content to offer their captors no further pleasure of listening in on them—lest they accidentally give the villains whatever information they’re looking for.
If they wanted information, they were going to have to try a lot harder than that.