DG was out on her balcony, lying on the cushions trying to muffle her sobs. The trail had gone well with Zero in custody and would be retrained like all the other ex-Longcoats in Central City. After two months, Azkadellia would reevaluate him and go from there. No, DG was happy for Zero, knowing he would be safe… well, as safe as any ex-Longcoat would be.
What was making the young Princess upset was the fact she had to tell Cain about the week she was gone. She was hoping he would have forgotten after the trial, but not with Wyatt Cain. God, why couldn't he have been like other men and avoid female drama?
DG didn't think she wanted to remember, but those nights had been what 'helped' her attack the Longcoats. He had pulled her aside, since the trial ended just after lunch, telling her he would go and get them some food. He wanted her to meet him in her room and DG believed she visibly paled. Azkadellia has asked her if DG was feeling ill, but DG nodded to her sister before heading to her room.
She had been on the bench ever since and even ignored the knocking on the door. DG knew she was probably being selfish, but at that time she really didn't care. All she wanted was to be alone in her thoughts, she hadn't even figured out all events in order. That wasn't helping her mood and another sob tore through her. DG had forgotten how long she lay there, but a gentle hand on her back brought her back to reality.
Turning, DG met the eyes of her sister. Azkadellia smiled sweetly, rubbing DG's back in small circles. Neither sister spoke for a few minutes, but Az stood and sat on the bench, forcing DG to lay her head on Az's lap. The elder Princess stroked the younger's hair, allowing DG to cry as much as she needed.
"I sent Mr. Cain away." She finally stated, "He was outside with some food, but I wanted to talk to you first."
"I really don't want to talk right now… or ever." DG said into Azkadellia's dress, "Maybe someday, but not anytime soon."
"That's not going to make you feel better, little sister." Az stated, "You said you would talk to Mr. Cain. You know he'll wait until your ready, but I think you should. I miss you, DG. Cain read the note to all of us and yes you have changed."
"I'm sorry, Az. I really am." DG cried harder, "I don't know what happened to me, but I'm just confused."
"My dear sister…" Az smiled down, letting a finger trace DG's cheek, "You have all of us: Glitch, Raw, Jeb, myself, and Mr. Cain. We will be here to help you. DG you must walk through the door, we can't force you through it. Now you need to get a drink of water, you've cried quite a bit."
Az didn't let DG decide and nearly dragged her young sister up and to the bathroom. Azkadellia drew a hot bath while DG got a drink of water and rinsed her face off. DG wouldn't complain, how could she? She knew, like Az, that a sisterly bonding was due.
Azkadellia let DG enjoy what she could of the bath while she washed DG's hair. Neither sister talked, but Azkadellia was nice enough to turn while DG washed herself. The splashing of water was getting annoying so she racked her brain on a decent and unstressful topic.
"So, little sister… You feeling any better?" She asked tentatively.
"I'm not really sure, but the bath is helping. Thank you, Az." DG replied, "The DG that was hunting down Longcoats was so brave and so rash. I think I'm coming to terms along with you all, which isn't helping anything."
"I'm sure you'll be fine, DG." Az stated, "But can I ask why you were crying?"
"I told Cain that I would tell him what happened to me. I think I made a mistake and not sure if I can now." DG admitted, draining the tub and wrapping a towel around herself, "You can turn now."
"DG, you are one of the strongest people I know." Az said hugging her sister, "It may take some time, but like I said, we're here for you. Maybe Mr. Cain is the one you need to open up to first."
"I don't know Az." DG said into her sister's shoulder.
"Why don't you go and take a nap? I'm sure Mr. Cain will understand and he can bring up dinner later?" Azkadellia suggested, maneuvering the two of them out of the bathroom, "Go get some sleepwear on and take a nap."
DG nodded and walked to her armoire as she heard Azkadellia take her leave and shut the door behind her. Taking out a pair of sleep pants and a loose tank top, DG dressed herself quickly and headed to bed. Maybe a nap would take the edge off and help her talk to Cain. Removing most of the covers, DG settled quickly and was soon fast asleep.
Dreams came easy to her as they always had. Though the dreams with her mother were mostly in haze and confusion, the dreams she had now were all to clear. The nightmares seeped into her subconscious, causing her to relive the week she wanted to forget…
"Well, well. If it isn't our dear Princess DG." One of the alchemist gloated through the cell bars, "You were foolish against the Sorceress and you are foolish now."
"Go to hell! When I get out of here, you are so going to get it!" DG screamed back, trying to grab the man with the bars stopping her attempts.
"Back you bitch!" Another alchemist yelled, poking DG with the shock prod. DG screamed in pain, cowering to the back of the cell, "Now, you'll see what we can do without a hormonal freak."
The first alchemist slapped the other, "You fool. She was a great leader; it was this one's fault why we failed."
"Wasn't everything her fault?" The second laughed, "I mean, we all were told that she released the witch in the first place."
DG ignored the taunts for she had dealt with that demon long ago. Most of the OZ had also come to terms. New regulations were up to prevent another such trapted evil soul to prey upon the citizens. Half of the OZ had forgiven Azkadellia, realizing her actions were manipulated since she was a child.
"We should be grateful of that and that also means she gets to try our new experiments." The first stated, nodded his head to the side.
The cell door lifted and the alchemist charged in towards DG. She tried to fight back and the second also came into the cell, holding the woman down. DG waited for the shock prod, but it never came and instead the men kept her down. She felt one of them shift around before a cloth was held over her mouth and nose.
"Breath, Princess or we get ugly." The first warned.
DG had no choice, her lungs started to burn from the lack of air. She breathed in and realized they were giving her Vapors. After a few breaths, the men got off and left her in the cell. DG started feeling a weird sensation going through her body.
The event happened every few hours and her body started shaking, in fear and confusion. The alchemists and Longcoats would also visit to either humiliate or beat her. One attack had gotten ugly. Normally, her beating visits would came after a Vapor run, but a few Longcoats weren't willing to wait.
DG did her best to fend off the Longcoats, but the alchemists were soon there with a prod and more Vapors. Those moments were a blur of confusion and pain and she was left on the floor.
DG had no idea how many days had passed, but after one event, the young princess heard her salvation, "Hey kid, time for paybacks…"
Cain had come to her, always there and always whispering in her ear. He would give her strength, listen to her cries, and comfort her through her beatings. Then one night, her cell door opened and DG waited for the blood lusted Longcoats, but Zero entered her cell. Looking just as raged as she felt and beckoned her to follow.
DG wouldn't have bothered if not for Cain's gentle advice to follow. So DG and Zero made their escape without meeting too many Longcoats. As they ran from the Tower, DG had spotted a guard and her blood boiled. It was one of the men that had regularly visited her.
Looking for any weapon, she saw Zero looking at her from the corner of her eye, but found a nice, two-fist sized rock. Stepping carefully, DG moved up behind the man and brought the rock down hard on the back of the man's skull. He crumpled to the ground and DG ransacked through his clothing.
Finding a gun and some extra ammunition, DG turned back to Zero. The look on his face was indescribable, but none the less DG walked back to him. She asked if he would like to come with her and help deal with the Longcoat threat, to which he agreed. Nodding, DG started walking away to find a shelter for herself and Zero…
DG jolted awake, feeling more tears fall down her face, "Guess the nap wasn't a good idea." She whispered, looking around her room and noticing the suns setting.
"What wasn't a good idea?" Someone asked from her doorway.
Turning, DG watched as Cain entered her room with a tray, shutting the door behind him before walking to her bed. Setting the tray on her nightstand, he sat next to her on the bed, looking her over.
"DG?" Cain asked, his voice laced with worry. He felt her forehead, but the fever was receding, "Bad dream?"
DG only nodded and took a few deep breaths before looking Cain dead in the eyes, "Vapors." The look on his face meant he didn't understand, "When I was captured, the alchemists gave me Vapors. I was so blinded that I forgot."
"They gave you Vapors?" Cain nearly lost the air in his lungs, "How much?"
"Three times a day along with getting beat by the Longcoats." DG admitted, slowly feeling better, but the tears still fell, "I started to hear your voice. Telling me to be strong, giving me comfort after both events…"
DG couldn't go on, collapsing into Cain's arms and cried into his chest. Cain gently rubbed her back and let the information sink in. No wonder she was so delirious and had a fever, the Vapors were the worst drug in the O.Z. Cain readjusted himself and DG, now cradling the distraught princess in his arms. Cain unconsciously started to rock back and forth.
DG calmed herself and lifted her head from Cain's shoulder, "That's all that really happened, Cain. I think that the combination of the Vapors, the beatings and the thought of you dead… was just too much."
"I see that now kid, but listen…" He said, placing her head over his chest again, "Here that? That is my heart, beating strong."
DG smiled as she looked back at Cain, "I hear it and I think I always want to."
Cain looked confused at DG, but it turned to surprise and DG closed her eyes and pressed her lips gently to Cain's.