Two days passed before either of them woke up. Maya was understandable with the fact she had been poisoned. Eve was concerning. It wasn't that hard to explain it, though. Neither of them were in the best condition.

Ever since Hina had been outed as a traitor, the other girls had noticed a change in how they were treated. They weren't given as much food. Their clothes were not taken care of as much. They were sent on simple missions instead of their normal ones. Everything had changed for them.

It was just turning to morning when Eve woke up. She groaned in pain. Everything was sore and her head hurt a lot.

She opened her eyes and quickly shot up. She was definitely not in the cave. She relaxed a little when she saw Maya beside her and that both of their wounds had been treated.

Eve didn't see anyone around. She tried calling out, but found her voice was gone. She ended up having a bit of a coughing fit instead. That got someone's attention, so she did what she needed to do.

Moca had been in the kitchen putting things away. Everyone else was in bed already. She came to investigate with a glass of water. Once Eve calmed in her coughing, Moca gave it to her and helped her drink it.

Eve was unsteady and her vision was swimming a bit. She closed her eyes and tried to calm herself.

"How are you feeling?" Moca asked.

"I'm alright. Just dizzy." Eve replied and opened her eyes again.

"Will you explain what happened to you guys?" Moca questioned. She very much wanted to know that as soon as possible.

Eve hesitated. Sure, Moca had been nice to her for now, but would that last? After everything they've had put them through, would any of those demons truly trust them? What if she talked herself into a trap and that made her hated?

"We... we ran away..." Eve wasn't sure about going into detail, "Chisato and Aya are most likely dead."

Moca's eyes widened at the news, "What? What happened to them?"

"They were... shot..."

"It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you. I can see you're scared of me. You've paid for what you did by helping us escape." Moca said.

"Will the others feel the same way?" Eve was worried the answer would be no.

The way Moca hesitated answering made Eve worry. Did that mean she couldn't confirm if they would or wouldn't do it? If she knew she would say so, right? Even if the outcome was negative.

"Well..." Moca said, "I don't know how much everyone else has forgiven you guys."

"Please... we have nowhere else to go..." Eve begged, "Please say we'll be able to stay here. At least for a bit."

"I don't know. If Himari doesn't like you, we can't stop her from kicking you out."

Eve tried not to let on how scared thar made her. If they were kicked out the moment Maya woke up, they were doomed. Neither of them were able to function as well as needed in this world. They'd be easy targets for demons who wanted to fight.

"I'm sure she won't be as cruel as to kick you guys out while you're hurt." Moca tried to reassure her.

Truth was, she didn't know if that was the case. They had discussed how they felt about the group after the rescue. Himari still seemed quite distrusting. Tsugumi was the only one who seemed to actually think they had changed for the better. Moca herself was conflicted.

"H-Hina. I-is she with Roselia?" Eve asked next.

"Yes. We were still there when they rescued her." Moca nodded, "She's doing well. We haven't told her about you guys being here."

"There hasn't been any news about our escape, has there?"

"Not that we've heard." Moca shook her head.

Eve let out a sigh, "It's hard... knowing that Chisato and Aya are... dead..."

"Are you positive?"

"Huh?"

"Did you see them die?" Moca questioned.

Eve shook her head, "No. But... Chisato was shot in the chest and arm by arrows..."

"And they could've been poisoned. That's what happened to... Maya here. The nick on her shoulder was full of poison."

Eve's eyes went wide as she quickly looked over at Maya. That was an alarming discovery.

"We had the antidote for that particular poison, so she'll be just fine." Moca said, "But that is worrying to know..."

"Yeah..."

"Moca? Are you coming to bed?"

Tsugumi came into the room. She smiled at Eve.

"Good to see you finally woke up."

She came and sat down next to Moca. Eve didn't feel worried about Tsugumi. She seemed nice.

"How long has it been?" Eve asked.

"We found you guys two days ago." Moca replied.

"Two... days?" Eve was shocked.

"Yeah. You both look pretty rough, so it wasn't that surprising." Tsugumi commented, "Do you want something to eat?"

Eve hesitantly nodded. Tsugumi moved to get back up, but Moca held her down.

"Why don't you check their wounds? I'll get her some food." Moca said.

"O-okay." Tsugumi agreed.

Moca left the room. Tsugumi didn't have much to look over for Eve. Eve really didn't have any injuries.

"Does anything hurt?" Tsugumi asked, "You didn't sprain anything running, did you?"

"No. I'm pretty good." Eve replied.

"Then I'll just focus on Maya."

"Um... she will be okay, right? The poison didn't do anything?" Eve questioned in worry.

"She should recover fully." Tsugumi replied, "I don't see why she wouldn't."

Eve let out a sigh of relief, "Good."

"Where are the other two of your group?"

"Most likely dead..."

"I'm so sorry. That must be hard."

"It should've been me..."

Tsugumi didn't know how to reply to that statement. Did she want to ask?

"You should be glad you're alive." Tsugumi stated, "Isn't it better?"

"Two of my closest friends are dead. Why should I keep living on?" Eve replied in a blank voice.

"But... but what about Hina and Maya? Aren't they worth living for?" Tsugumi questioned.

Tsugumi obviously wasn't aware of the feelings the two girls had for each other. Hina had confided in Sayo about it, but that was all. No one else knew yet.

Even if Tsugumi didn't know, hearing Hina's name struck Eve in the heart. Hina would be crushed if she died. That was... that was why she was alive. Because Chisato knew Hina needed her.

"Maybe..."

"Eve? I don't know what you're going through, but I'm here if you want to talk." Tsugumi stated.

Moca returned with a bowl. Soup was the easiest thing to eat right now for Eve. However, she wasn't steady enough to feed herself. Her hands shook with every movement.

"You've done enough for tonight, Moca. You can head to bed. I'll handle the rest." Tsugumi said.

"Okay." Moca kissed her on the cheek, "Just yell if you need any of us."

"I will." Tsugumi returned the kiss.

Moca left the room. Eve was staring at Tsugumi. Her eyes were wide from what she had just witnessed.

"Oh... yeah. Moca and I kinda started dating. I don't know if you really care, but there you go." Tsugumi seemed happy to talk about it.

"I... I love Hina... and she knows. I... don't know her answer, though." Eve mumbled.

"I'm sure she loves you back." Tsugumi replied, "Have faith."

Eve didn't seem very reassured by that. Tsugumi wasn't sure what else to say to help.

"Well, let me help you eat. You need to gain strength." Tsugumi decided it was probably best to just drop the topic for now.

"Okay." Eve was a little embarrassed to have to get help to eat. It wasn't like she could do anything about it, though.

DIVIDER--

That night, Maya stirred. Eve was cuddling against her. She had taken up that position out of the feeling of needing to protect Maya. They were vulnerable and at the mercy of Afterglow right now. She had to keep them both safe.

"Eve...?" Maya's voice was rough.

"M-Maya?" Eve jumped awake at the noise.

She was filled with relief to see Maya awake. That meant she hadn't been lied to. Maya was going to be okay.

"Where are we?" Maya questioned.

"In Afterglow's base. They found us and took us in." Eve explained, "Though... I'm not sure if we're very welcomed here yet."

"How are you doing?" Maya asked as she sat up.

"I'm okay. How are you? Apparently that bullet that grazed you was filled with poison. Thankfully they had an antidote to stop it."

"So that's why I was feeling weird..." Maya sighed, "I should've known they'd play dirty like that."

"We know they're dirty cheaters. But even we didn't assume they'd play like that." Eve replied.

"Eve, you don't get it. I know how they work. Because... that was supposed to be my job. They were training me to become one of those snipers. But... after I... lost my eyes... that obviously failed." Maya said, "I never brought up my past jobs because I didn't see a need to."

"It's okay. I mean, my job was going to be a medic for the higher-ups. Don't really know why they sent me to this group instead, though." Eve said.

"So that's how you know so much. I just thought that interested you."

"Well, it does. That's why they chose me." Eve replied.

They fell silent as they heart footsteps coming toward their location. Who was it going to be this time?

"So you're both awake now." It was Ran this time.

"Yes. Um..." Eve wasn't sure what else to say.

"Himari wanted to talk to you both once you woke up. I'll be going to get her."

Eve gulped. From what Moca had said, it didn't sound like Himari was all that fond of them. What if this was it? What if they were going to be kicked out? Or worse... what if she ordered them to be killed?

"Eve? You seem scared." Maya said.

Eve let out a shakey breath, "Himari doesn't seem to like us."

"Oh... you think she'll kick us out now?"

"I don't know. I'm scared she will, though." Eve replied.

Himari didn't take long to arrive. Ran was beside her. Himari was staring down Eve and Maya with a cold gaze. She didn't seem happy to have them here.

"H-hi?" Eve nervously said.

"Moca told me you said you escaped the organization." Himari said, "Do you truly denounce them?"

"Yes." Eve stated, "We've known they're corrupt since day one. But, failure to comply meant death. We just... we're always too afraid to speak out against them until now."

"Yeah. They tried to kill Hina. We couldn't work for them as easily. Not after knowing they'd dispose of us without a second thought." Maya added.

"And she said the other two may be dead." Himari said.

Eve sighed and nodded, "Yes... Aya was shot. We didn't see her so we don't know where or how severe it was. Chisato was struck by two arrows. One right below her heart and one in her arm. Seeing as Maya's bullet was poisoned, it may be likely theirs were too."

Himari sighed, "I still don't know how much I trust you, but seeing the shape you're in, it would be cruel to throw you out on your own. You will be allowed to stay. But, if you so much as make me think you're suspicious I will not hesitate to kick you out."

"Thank you. We'll be on our best behavior." Eve promised.

"Um... do you know anything about our escape? Have they said anything?" Maya asked.

"Yes. That all four of you were executed privately." Ran stated, "Seeing as you two are alive, I am having my doubts that the other two were killed."

"You think?" Eve asked, her eyes wide.

"Yes. Knowing what we do, they wouldn't disposs of your friends while you two can still be alive. They'd want to make sure you're dead too. But, it confuses me why they'd say those two are dead." Ran said.

"Maybe so the general public doesn't panic?" Himari suggested, "Maybe they will send someone to try and kidnap you guys? Or somehow get a message saying if you don't return they will kill your friends."

"I... I hope they're alive."

"Shall we tell Hina of you guys? Roselia must've heard the news by now. We should try to ease Hina's worry." Ran suggested.

"Yes. Tell her. And we'd like to meet with her if you wouldn't mind. We... need to discuss things now that we're runaways." Maya said.

"Who do you want to go?" Ran asked Himari.

Himari thought it over, "I'll go myself."

"Okay."

"Why don't you go help Tomoe cook? I bet Maya is starving." Himari prompted.

"Of course." Ran nodded and left the room.

Himari looked over Eve. Eve felt intimidated.

"Is there anything I should tell Roselia or RAS?" Himari asked.

"RAS are still with Roselia?" Maya questioned.

"Yes. They don't have an actual base, so Roselia allowed them to remain." Himari nodded.

"Um... just tell them all we're alive. And, that they should be wary. They'll know we would've gone to find Roselia. They are most likely being actively hunted more than ever before now." Eve said.

"Alright. I shall do that. Rest up. You'll need to recover as fast as you can. I doubt we'll get the luxury of peace. Not if they're coming for you."

"I'm sorry we dragged you all into this." Eve apologized.

"No need. We chose to help you. We could've left you out there. And I could've ordered them to toss you out when they brought you here. We're willing to take the risk as long as you prove you are fully on the rebellion's side." Himari replied.

"Thank you. We'll do what we can to help as repayment."

"I'll head out now. If they are actively being hunted down, we must warn them as soon as possible."

"Stay safe. Who knows how fast they move." Maya called as Himari started to leave.

"Thank you. I'll make sure to stay in the shadows." Himari promised.