The Maimed Alexa Quest

Description: I slip into the room as quietly as a shadow, wearing fitted jeans, heels, and a sports bra, my hair pulled tight into a bun. my bag rests beside my feet as i search the space for hidden goods, but i realize too late that they were expecting me. a short fight breaks out. i move fast and fight hard, but they outnumber me. the next thing i know, i’m aware of the cold chair beneath me, my arms bound behind my back. they tell me there’s a stick of dynamite fixed under the chair and then they leave, the sound of time ticking in my ears. i strain every muscle trying to free my arms, then try to hook my bag with my legs, searching for something sharp or anything that could save me. the seconds slip away too quickly. black.when i enter the room again, i’m wearing the same outfit, but with my jacket over it. a patch covers my right eye, and the right sleeve of the jacket hangs empty, a brutal reminder of the explosion. i sit down and open my bag with one hand, steady and determined. i peel a banana and eat it slowly, then struggle with the cap of a water bottle, refusing to let frustration take over. my eyes constantly scan the room for more hidden items. every attempt to open them with one hand is a challenge, but i don’t give up. i’m damaged and scarred, but i’m still me, still the hunter. still alexa.