Personal Investigation Into Athena
April, top reporter for the state of Cruella, lives a double life. On the surface, she is known for her sharp wit, fearless pursuit of truth, and iconic presence in the world of journalism, but beneath that polished veneer lies a secret investigation; one that could destroy everything she’s worked for, if exposed. Her subject: Athena, a powerful figure tied to the highest echelons of the state.
Athena, though publicly revered for her contributions to science and technology, hides dark secrets, or so April believes. It’s not just a hunch; April’s instincts, honed through years of investigative reporting, scream that there’s something sinister at play. Her target’s rumored connection to the Royal Family of Ferocia is suspicious, especially with whispers of illegal operations swirling around. These operations, if true, would involve the trafficking of slaves; women from Ferocia; who are subjected to brutal experiments.
In Cruella, a state that champions the prosperity of women above all else, such cruelty would be unthinkable, especially since laws protect women from harm. Male experiments, while grim, are tolerated for the “greater good.” But if Athena is indeed experimenting on women, it would be a direct violation of Cruella’s most sacred laws, and exposing this would unravel a web of corruption that stretches to the top.
April’s investigation is not officially sanctioned. It’s a personal mission, born out of a deep sense of justice. She can’t trust her superiors, who might be compromised by Athena’s powerful allies. Every day, she walks a dangerous line—one wrong conversation, one careless lead followed, and she could be “disappeared.” Athena’s reach is vast, and her protection extends into the deepest corners of the state’s elite. Any misstep could silence April forever.
But April is relentless. The thrill of uncovering hidden truths courses through her veins. Late nights spent pouring over documents, secret meetings with informants in shadowed alleys, and long rides on her motorcycle—these moments define her. The risk is immense, but the possibility of bringing Athena’s crimes to light fuels her every move. The truth is her only compass.
What drives her is more than the allure of a headline. It’s a calling. Exposing Athena’s illegal practices would not only bring justice to the rights of women but would shake the very foundations of power in Cruella. April knows she may be risking her life, but for her, being the best reporter isn’t just about prestige—it’s about doing what’s right, no matter the cost.
Still, she must be careful. She needs concrete proof, irrefutable evidence that Athena is connected to these heinous acts. One wrong ally, one leak of her intentions, and Athena’s allies could crush her before the story ever breaks. But April has never been one to back down from a fight. The road ahead is treacherous, but she embraces the challenge, the danger, because in the end, exposing the truth is the only path she knows.
The rain falls steadily in the misty alleyway, the sound of droplets hitting the concrete almost drowning out the sharp click of April’s thigh-high boots as she approaches her target. The city’s dim lights cast flickering shadows, but the figure of Mistress Lynne, standing nervously by a wall, is unmistakable. She’s been avoiding April for days, and now, there’s no escape.
April’s breath fogs the cool air as she steps into the alley, the gleam of her leather outfit catching the faint glow of the nearby streetlamp. Lynne’s eyes dart nervously, knowing what’s about to happen. But April has no time for games; her investigation into Athena has been compromised, and Mistress Lynne, a subordinate under Lady Jenna’s control, holds the key. April needs to know just how much Lynne has told Lady Jenna about her investigation.
Without warning, April grabs Lynne by the collar of her sleek jacket and slams her hard against the damp brick wall, her voice low and dangerous.
“You’ve been talking,” April hisses, her face inches from Lynne’s. “What did you tell Lady Jenna about my investigation?”
Lynne shakes her head, her voice trembling. “I—I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
April’s eyes narrow. She isn’t buying it. She roughly spins Lynne around and forces her to the ground. The wet concrete soaks into Lynne’s clothing as she lands with a grunt. With swift precision, April plants the sharp heel of her boot onto Lynne’s back, just between her shoulder blades. The heel digs in, and Lynne cries out in pain.
“You’re lying,” April growls, pressing harder. “I don’t have time for your games, Lynne. What. Did. You. Tell. Her?”
Lynne gasps, her body trembling under the pressure of the heel, but she stays silent, stubborn in her defiance. April smirks, knowing exactly how to break her. She lifts her boot off Lynne’s back for a moment, only to drive the sharp point of her heel into the soft flesh of Lynne’s leg. The pain shoots through Lynne’s body, and she screams, her resolve beginning to crack.
April straightens up, cool and composed, pulling a cigarette from her pocket. With a click of her lighter, the tip ignites, and she inhales deeply. The red glow from the cigarette illuminates her face as she gazes down at Lynne with cold, calculating eyes.
Leaning down, she exhales a cloud of smoke, letting it drift lazily in the rain-soaked air. “You’re going to tell me everything,” April says quietly, almost sweetly. She takes another drag, then lowers the lit cigarette towards Lynne’s exposed skin.
The glowing ember hovers just above Lynne’s face, the heat radiating from it in warning. Lynne’s breath quickens, eyes wide with terror as she realizes what’s about to happen.
“No… please—”
But April’s mercy has long run dry. She presses the cigarette against Lynne’s face, the searing pain causing Lynne to shriek and squirm in agony. The tip sizzles as it burns into her flesh, but April remains unmoved.
“Talk,” April commands, her voice dripping with menace. “Or this gets worse.”
Lynne breaks. Tears mixing with the rain, she gasps for breath, the pain overwhelming her defenses. “Okay! Okay! I told Lady Jenna… I told her everything! She knows you’re investigating Athena! Please, stop!”
April’s eyes flash with satisfaction, but she doesn’t move the cigarette just yet. She leans in closer, her voice barely above a whisper. “Everything, huh? What else did you tell her?”
“I—Lady Jenna’s working with Athena! They’re involved in transporting the women from Ferocia. Experiments… it’s all true! That’s all I know, I swear!”
April pulls the cigarette away, satisfied with what she’s extracted. But she isn’t done with Lynne yet. Standing over her, April watches as the woman crumbles beneath her, a pitiful sight in the rain.
“You should’ve kept your mouth shut, Lynne,” April says coolly.
She drops her cigarette onto Lynne’s face and before it rolls off she places the sole of her boot onto it, trapping it onto her delicate skin. She holds it there and very slowly crushes it. Lynne cries in pain. Females rarely feel pain, if ever, so any kind of pain is almost agony from hell to these delicate creatures. Little wonder that it is so easy to get them to talk. The scar would serve as a grim reminder of being a tattle-tale.
The truth is out, but now, April knows she’s walking an even finer line. Lady Jenna is aware of her investigation, and things are about to get a lot more dangerous.
But April’s used to danger. It fuels her, keeps her sharp. As she disappears into the mist, her mind is already calculating the next steps. Now that she knows Lady Jenna’s involved, the stakes have never been higher.