Sorry to make you wait so long for this chapter. I went on vaction to Austalia and New Zealand. What amazing places to visit! Then my mom had some health problems. This chapter is long so I hope that makes up for the wait. Enjoy!
Onyx's head felt heavy as she opened her eyes. She pulled on her arms that were suspended on each side of her. It took a moment for her to clear the fogginess in her mind enough to realize she was dangling from chains that hung from the ceiling. As she began to glance around the room, she squinted when she looked into the bright light overhead.
Her attention was drawn away from the light when the large door to her right was opened. Two men in white coats entered the room dragging someone between them. Onyx quickly realized that someone was Daniel. He had been stripped out of his shirt and the light revealed large bruises on his chest.
The men soon had him chained across from her. His body hung awkwardly as his arm with the missing hand hung limp at his side. His blue eyes slowly traveled around the room until they met hers.
Both looked toward the door when they heard it open again. This time a tall slender man, also dressed in a white overcoat, entered with a clipboard in his hand. A large man followed behind with a whip curled in his hand. Onyx looked toward Daniel when she heard his chains jingle. He was standing even though his body was slumped over.
The man with the clipboard walked over to stand in front of Daniel. He looked at his bruised body and shook his head. He jotted a few things down before looking Daniel in the eyes, "If only you would listen, 152. We wouldn't have to do this."
The man in the white coat stepped back and eyed Daniel again before making eye contact with the man holding the whip. The man cocked one bushy eyebrow, "Now, Dr. Samil?" The doctor nodded once, then the man with the whip turned and chuckled darkly as he let the whip slowly unfurl to the floor. The other two men went over to turn Daniel so he was facing the wall then they backed up a few feet.
Onyx's eyes grew large as she watched the whip fly through the air and strike Daniel. He arched his back but did not cry out. Onyx began to pull on her chains as tears streamed down her cheeks. This was all her fault, if she had only let Daniel leave when he had been called.
After being struck 15 times, Daniel's body dangled limply from the chain. The man with the whip turned to the doctor. The doctor came over and looked at Daniel. Daniel looked up at him as his chest heaved in the stale air. He shook his head once and his voice sounded cold as ice, "I think it will take more to teach you your lesson. You're a very slow learner." With that he turned and walked back to the side. "Whip the girl."
Onyx's eyes shot from Daniel to the man with the whip. He sneered as the two assistants came and turned her so she was facing the wall. She closed her eyes trying to ready herself for the first blow. She was determined to not make a sound like Daniel.
With the first strike, she remained quiet but at the second, the force and the pain were too much. The next blow caused a garbled cry to escape her lips.
When Daniel heard her cry, he began to pull on his chain. He repeatedly yanked on it even as the cuff dug into his skin. The doctor watched in morbid fascination, as Daniel pulled using all of his body weight as the next lash brought another cry from Onyx. Blood began to trickle down his arm as the cuff scraped at his hand on both sides. His eyes closed tightly as his face grimaced against the pain.
Finally his body jerked to the ground when he was finally free of the chain. He lay crumpled on the floor for only seconds before he heard Onyx's next cry of pain. He pushed himself to his feet and stumbled over to Onyx.
Daniel grabbed hold of the chain just above her right hand then wrapped his other arm around her waist. As the whip lashed into his already raw back he buried his face in the crook of her neck.
As the blows continued, Onyx felt the puffs of his breath on her neck, the jolt of his body, but his grip stayed secure around her. His left arm trembled as he used all his strength to will his body to stay against her to protect her. His hand though slippery with blood and sweat held tightly to the chain even after the blows stopped.
"Five more for interfering," came the doctor's stone cold voice and the whip again bit into the skin on his back.
Only when the doctor dismissed the large man with the whip, did Daniel slowly loosen his grip on Onyx. She felt his body slowly sink to the floor. Through the blurring tears she looked over her shoulder to see Daniel's body crumpled on the floor. Onyx barely heard the men's conversation against her own sobs. "Should we take them back to their cells?" one of the men asked.
"Leave them. She's no use to me, and I doubt he will make it through the night with all the blood loss."
When Onyx was released she dropped down next to Daniel. She pulled his bloody and bruised body up into her lap and cradled his head in her arms. She held him close and glared at the men as they all ambled out the large steel door. It was only when they were left alone that she allowed her gaze to drop to the man she held.
Onyx lightly brushed Daniel's damp hair out of his face then gently stroked his cheek. When he remained motionless she felt her throat begin to close and a tear roll down her cheek. She closed her eyes and leaned down so her cheek rested on his forehead.
Onyx only opened her eyes and lifted her head, when she felt his hand come to rest on her cheek as he lovingly wiped away the tears that rolled down them. She looked down at Daniel's blue eyes gazing up at her. He even managed a small smile.
Onyx pressed her hand against his, to keep it against her cheek, but pulled away when she felt the wetness. His hand was red with blood from the areas where the cuff had scraped away the skin. She saw where the blood streaked down his arm. She swallowed away more tears as she carefully laid his hand to rest on his chest then reached down and ripped a long strip of the torn material that made up part of her dress. She tenderly wrapped the scrap around his hand and lightly kissed his fingers.
Daniel's eyes began to glance around the room as if he had forgotten for a moment where they were. His face took on a worried look as he reached his hand down to brace himself as if to sit up. As soon as he moved his back, he made a noise as if to cry out in pain.
Onyx scooted over so she could see his face. His eyes were closed tight and his jaw was set. His breath became shallow as he tried to use the wall to stand. When she feared he would fall, Onyx quickly stood and took his arm to try to steady him.
Daniel only managed a few steps before falling to his knees. When Onyx tried to pull him up he shook his head and motioned toward the door. Onyx knelt down next to him and took his cheeks in her hand to make him look at her and slowly shook her head. She had no intention of leaving him behind. He swallowed with determination and held onto both the wall and Onyx's arm as he stood again. Daniel managed only a few steps before stumbling again.
This time he stayed on the floor with his eyes closed and his chest rising and falling raggedly. Onyx lay next to him and took his hand in hers. She closed her eyes too, thinking this was it. There was nothing she could do. But then her eyes opened and she stood shakily to her feet. She reached down and pulled on his hand as if to encourage him to try again.
Daniel opened his eyes but didn't move to get up. He looked as if he had given up. His body just could not handle any more. The tears quickly blurred Onyx's vision as she shook her head vigorously. She would not give up. She looked around the room hoping to find something to help, but she couldn't see anything. The room was bare except for the chains hanging from the ceiling.
Onyx looked back down at Daniel's bruised and bleeding body. She had already seen that Daniel was willing to do anything for her. Then she squared her shoulders and took a deep breath.
Without warning she reached down and pulled Daniel into a sitting position. Before he could slump back down she took both of his arms and slid his body so he was on her back with an arm over each shoulder. Then she groaned as she pulled with all her might. She cried out as she managed to stand with his full weight even with the immense pain pulsing in her back.
Onyx blinked several times to clear her pain blurred vision before trudging to the door that slid open automatically. She breathed through her nose as she tried to calm herself from the panic rising as she wearily looked down both halls, not sure where to go.
Daniel just barely lifted his head off her shoulder, then pointed a finger to the left down the long dimly lit hallway. Onyx nodded once, pulled Daniel a little higher on her back, and headed the way he pointed.
Finnick was relaxing on the couch in the living area on his level of the training center when he heard the familiar ping and watched as the elevator doors slid open.
In the door stood Onyx. Finnick jumped up and hurried over when he saw the blood that streaked her face. "Onyx, what happened?" he said as he neared her. He noticed her torn dress and the large blood stains. He then saw that she was holding onto arms and a crumpled form hung from her shoulders. It was not until he eased the form to the floor and the head lolled back that he was able to tell it was Daniel.
"Here. Let's get him to the bed." Finnick lifted the bloody body and Onyx followed. He took the Avox into his room and laid him on the bed. As Onyx sank down on the bed next to Daniel, Finnick hurried to get towels and water. With shaking hands, Onyx dipped the towel in the water and began to gently wipe the blood from Daniel's body.
Finnick changed the water several times as Onyx slowly wiped down Daniel's face, shoulders, and finally his chest. When she was finished, they moved the dirty sheet so they could remove it as they carefully rolled him over.
As they turned him over, Finnick gasped at the long lashes on his back. Onyx dipped the towel in the clean water to begin the cleansing process again. At the slightest touch to the gashes, Daniel winced and grabbed the sheets. His body became tense and his knuckles white. "I'll see if I can get some numbing cream."
When Finnick returned, Onyx's cheeks were stained with fresh tears as she continued to clean the marks. Daniel's head was turned to the other side as he pressed it into the sheets. A groan would escape when she hit an especially tender spot and occasionally his body would jerk, but he did his best to stay still.
After several hours a pile of stained sheets lay next to the door and Daniel lay still on the now clean bed. Large white strips wound around his chest covering the wounds on his back. His hand was neatly bandaged and rested at his side. His eyes were closed and his breathing seemed relaxed. Onyx knelt beside the bed with her head next to his. Her eyes were also closed. Finnick quietly left the room to let them both rest.
When he returned, most of Onyx's jet black hair had fallen to the side revealing the four red lashes on Onyx's back that were raw and irritated. He also noticed the dress that was once beautiful, was now stained and dirty.
Finnick walked over to the still Avox. "Onyx," he said quietly touching her shoulders, "Maybe we should get you cleaned up too."
The avox's green eyes blinked open, and she shook her head as she went to sleepily push his hands away.
"Onyx, you have gashes too."
Onyx ignored Finnick as she cocked her head so she could look at Daniel and reached to gently brush his bangs across his forehead.
"Onyx, please," Finnick said.
She lifted her eyes to glare at him and shook her head harder.
Finnick reached down to firmly grasp her by the arms and lift her to her feet. "You need to," he said with a little force. He could see the tears forming in her eyes as her face changed ever so slightly from hurt to anger. She then looked back at Daniel and tried to pull away from his grip.
"Listen to me," his voice rose as he shook her slightly. She shook her head violently and pried at his hands. "Onyx," Finnick shouted tightening his grip more.
When she turned to face him tears ran down her cheeks, though her green eyes meet his with disdain. His voice softened immediately, "Trust me. I know what you're feeling."
Onyx looked on at him as if she didn't believe him, but he continued anyway, "I would do anything to help Annie." Her hands fell to her side as she looked away. "But I've learned that to take care of Annie, sometimes it means first taking care of myself."
Onyx sighed as her eyes came to focus on his. She held his gaze for a while until she finally nodded in understanding. "Let me help you. A hot shower will help you feel better." Onyx nodded her head again. Finnick held her for a second longer before letting go and leading her to his bathroom. He flipped on the light then turned to see that she had actually followed him.
"I'll get the ointment," he said stepping around her and heading back to the side table. He found the tube empty so he went in search of more.
Finnick returned to find the door closed and he could hear the water running. He opened the door cautiously and peeked around it. He found Onyx standing in the shower still dressed. Her head was bent low and her hair pulled over her shoulder. The water cascaded down her bare back sending red rivers to further stain her dress. He couldn't see her face, but he was sure it was painful as her body trembled and her hands were fisted at her chest. He watched silently not sure if he should go in to help wash the lashes or just wait for her to finish.
Suddenly Onyx crumpled to the shower floor. Her hands gripped her head as she curled up into a ball. Finnick could tell she was crying even as the sprinkles of water slid down her face.
Finnick stood motionless until she started coughing as she breathed in the water puddled around her. The bottle fell to the floor as Finnick dashed into the shower fully dressed. He twisted the knobs to shut the water off and quickly scooped up the small girl. He held her close not seeming to notice the water soaking his shirt. She coughed a few more times then lay still in his arms.
When she didn't open her eyes Finnick leaned against the wall and slid down until he was sitting with Onyx cradled in his lap. "Onyx," he whispered quietly as he reached up to pull a towel down and wrapped her in it. He used the edge to dry off her face. She turned her head into his body, tried to pull her legs in, and put her hands over her face as she started to sob again. "Shhh," Finnick comforted as he pulled her in close and rubbed his hand down her soaked hair.
After a while her sobs quieted but she stayed curled up and tears continued to trickle down her cheeks as she left her head on his shoulder. "Daniel will get better. You'll see."
Onyx only shook her head then started to sob again thinking of how she had ignored him at first. If she would have smiled at Daniel instead of trying to make him feel bad maybe he would have stayed doing his job instead of coming to her. It was her fault he had been punished.
"You saved his life, besides you couldn't have done anything to stop them," Finnick tried to comfort her. Onyx just lay in Finnick's arms and blinked her large green eyes at him. Finnick closed his own eyes and just held the frightened Avox.
Finally exhausted from the day's pain and all the crying, Onyx drifted to sleep still held in Finnick's arms. She didn't know how long he held her but she woke when he gently laid her down on a soft bed. Onyx opened her eyes to find Daniel sleeping soundly next to her. She rolled to her side so she could face him and noiselessly entwined her arms around his arm with the missing hand. She moved so her cheek just barely rested against the stub and then again allowed her eyes to close.
Finnick watched for a moment before he pulled the door to his room closed until there was only a small crack then he went back down the hall and into the large living area. He pulled the lap blanket that Mags always used in the evenings off of her chair and laid down on the couch. He fell asleep thinking of Annie and glad that she was safe in district 4.
Finnick woke to the smell of something sweet. He blinked his eyes and rolled over nearly falling off the couch. Still a little groggy from sleep he managed to stand. He looked toward the kitchen to see Onyx standing by the oven. "What are you doing?" he asked sauntering over. She smiled as she held up her hands showing him the baking dish. "Are those cinnamon rolls?" She nodded. "Wow, they smell wonderful."
Onyx hurried over to the cabinet and pulled out two plates. Then she dished out a roll for each of them. "How is Daniel?" Finnick asked.
Onyx met his concerned sea green eyes and shrugged. She set the second plate down then led Finnick to the bed room. She pushed the door open and stepped inside. Finnick followed. To be truthful, Daniel looked about the same as last night and seemed to be sleeping soundly.
"Let's let him rest while we eat." Onyx nodded and followed him back to the kitchen. Finnick polished off three cinnamon rolls while Onyx just picked at hers. When Finnick realized she wasn't eating much, he went to the drawer and pulled out the screen. "What happened anyway?" he pushed the screen toward her. She looked at it then looked at him with sad green eyes. "Obviously you were both whipped but why?" Onyx sighed before turning on the screen.
I believe that Daniel was punished because he was seen at the ball with me. After you left Daniel came to me and showed the collar he was wearing. It is one that shocks you if you go where you are not allowed. We had not seen him because he was being kept away. When they called him to go, I would not let go.
After reading Finnick nodded, and without looking up asked, "What happened to his hand?" Finnick noticed her hands trembling when she started to type again, then he looked up to see a tear slide down her cheek and her bottom lip trembling, but she continued anyway.
He pulled himself free from his chain, so he could protect me from being whipped.
Finnick looked up again when he heard Onyx stifle a sob. He stood and wrapped his arms around her as he pulled her in close.
Finnick held her until the phone rang. Onyx lifted her head and turned to look at the phone. "I better answer," Finnick said softly as he let her go. "Hello?" he said picking it up.
"Finnick, I'm so glad I caught you." It was Celeste's voice on the other end, "I was wondering if you had seen Onyx or Daniel? Lilia came over this morning and said Onyx had not come home after the ball."
"Actually, they're both here with me."
"Really?"
"Yeah, it's kind of the long story, but Daniel was hurt pretty badly, so Onyx brought him to me."
"Is he okay?" There was instant concern in her voice.
"Weeeell, I think he will be, but he'll need somewhere to heal. I don't think the training center is the best place…"
"Finnick, you know we would be happy to have Daniel stay with us."
"Thanks, Celeste, we'll bring him over soon."
"Tell Onyx she can stay too if she likes."
"I will."
"See you soon then."
Two hours later there was a knock at the door. Celeste stood from her spot on the floor with the girls. When she opened the door, Finnick and Onyx stood on the porch with Daniel slumped between them. His eyes were still glassy with pain, but he managed a weak smile.
"Come in, come in." Celeste held the door open wide as the three shuffled in the door. "The spare room is ready."
All three girls looked up as they walked to the stairs. "Momma, what's wrong with Daniel?" Oceana asked when she noticed the bandages around his chest.
"Daniel was treated very badly by some mean people. I'll be back down in just a minute. We need to get him in bed so he can rest."
After they had eaten lunch, Finnick left to get ready for his evening engagement. Onyx went upstairs to see if she could get Daniel to eat some soup. "Can we see Daniel?" Stella asked.
"Maybe later, honey. Daniel is very weak."
"But I can be quiet," she whispered and crouched down a little as if to be unseen.
"Okay, but just for a minute. Do you all want to see him?"
"I do," said Oceana and Stella at almost the same time."
"What about you, Frost."
Frost looked almost a little scared when she answered quietly, "No, maybe later."
Celeste took Oceana up first to see Daniel. Oceana just looked at him from the doorway. Onyx had him somewhat sitting up between her legs. He was leaning against her chest as she awkwardly tried to give him some water to drink.
"Here, let me help. Some things are more easy for two people to do," Celeste offered as she went over to take the bottle. She put it to his lips and cupped her hand underneath. Daniel was able to take several sips. She then helped Onyx lay Daniel back down so he could rest. Celeste smiled as she took Oceana's hand to lead her back down stairs. Onyx followed behind.
"Is it my turn?" Stella piped up when they came into the living room.
"Not right now, sweetheart. Daniel is resting." Stella stuck out her bottom lip, which made Celeste smile a little. "I promise I'll let you see Daniel later." Stella huffed but started coloring again with Frost. Onyx sat on the other side of the couch by Frost.
After a long silence except for Oceana's humming, Frost looked over at her mom, "Is dad okay?" Even though she nodded Onyx still had concern in her eyes.
Celeste spoke from her seat, "It will just take some time for him to heal, but we'll take good care of him." Onyx met Celeste's gaze with a small smile as if to say "thanks".
After supper Celeste and Onyx finished the dishes. When they went into the living room they found Frost and Oceana playing a board game. "Where's Stella?"
"I don't know, momma," Oceana stated as she moved her game piece and pushed the dice to Frost. Frost looked up but just shrugged.
Celeste looked up the stairs with a sudden thought and noticed the door to the spare room was opened slightly. Without a word she hurried up the stairs and peeked inside. She relaxed instantly and smiled at the sight of what she saw. Stella was sitting on the bed next to Daniel's head. She had one of her books opened on her lap and she was softly "reading" him a story even though his eyes were closed and his breathing seemed very relaxed. Celeste leaned against the doorway and listened.
When Stella was done she set the book aside and snuggled very close to Daniel. She reached down to wrap three of his fingers in her little hand then closed her eyes to go to sleep. Daniel opened his eyes just a bit and moved his head so it was just touching Stella's. "Night, night, Daniel," she yawned and pulled her legs up into a ball.
Daniel had been with them for two days and Celeste had noticed that Frost had still not gone in to see him. She wished Matthew was home. He would know what to do. Should she force her to go in or just let her wait until she was ready?
Once Oceana and Stella were tucked into bed for the night, Celeste cleaned up the kitchen. When she went into the living room she glanced up and caught sight of Frost in her wheelchair sitting outside of Daniel's room. She opened the door and pushed it open a little as if to go inside. But as soon as she saw Daniel with all the bandages, she quickly pulled the door shut again.
Celeste turned away when Frost moved onto the lift and came downstairs. Frost maneuvered herself so she could sit on the couch across from Celeste. She picked up the book she had been reading.
After a moment Celeste looked up at her and spoke quietly, "I'm sure Daniel would really like it if you would read to him." Frost looked Celeste in the eyes momentarily but then quickly looked back down to her book. "You know he loves you very much."
"I know…I love him, too," the girl answered quietly.
"Then why don't you go visit him?" Celeste continued to watch the girl as she fidgeted with the page of her book.
Finally Frost looked up and sighed, "Because it scares me."
When she hung her head and wrapped her arms around herself, Celeste crossed the room and sat close to the girl. She reached over to put her hand on her arm, "Frost, what scares you?"
Frost leaned over and rested her head on Celeste's shoulder and looped her thin arm with hers until she entwined her fingers with Celeste's. She rubbed at Celeste's wedding ring with her other hand. She could feel Celeste's gaze stay on her, so she slowly lifted her face and spoke tentatively, "When I see dad, I think of when I was little and kept down below. They were always torturing someone. There was always screaming."
"But you're safe now," spoke Celeste as she took the small girl's hand. "And didn't Daniel comfort you when you were afraid?" Frost nodded. "Well, this time Daniel needs you." Celeste squeezed her hand but didn't wait for Frost to say anything. Then she simply kissed her gently on the forehead and said, "Goodnight."