The moment’s relative serenity was pierced by the high-pitched shriek of a phone demanding attention. At the sudden sound, the captive resumed his ineffective thrashing and moaning serving only to mildly annoy Ruth who had been focused on cleaning her nails with a long sharp knife. After all, this same knife had easily controlled the meat puppet currently trembling on her kitchen table and the distinct smell of urine permeating the room made that fact hard to forget.

Ruth raised the phone to her ear in a smooth practiced motion but after listening for a moment her lashes swept down. When she raised them all traces of serenity were gone.

Ruth turned to glare at the quivering sack of sweaty flesh that was now worthless to her. No ransom, no reason to keep him around. Still, her gaze turned speculative, she couldn’t bear to waste all that valuable meat. Maybe someone could use make use of his liver or kidneys. After all, everyone has a purpose, even fat and sweaty politicians.