So you must be wondering why I'd come back with a brand new story, when I haven't finished the last one yet. I have a very good explanation for that. You see, I- *flees*

Chapter 1

-Mar 18th-

(Tori)

So, I finally worked up the guts to ask the Chancellor for a chance to apologize. I even suggested putting on a new performance to make things right, but honestly, I didn't think he'd take me seriously. To my shock, he did. This unexpected opportunity could actually be our ticket out of this nightmare. But it has to be perfect. We've faced tough situations before, so what's one more challenge, right?

The same nice guards who escorted me to the Chancellor now lead me back out to the yard, and my heart leaps when I spot Cat dancing with her Prison Gang again. With our guidance and Sheema's no-nonsense attitude making sure everyone pays attention, I think we can actually pull this off. I make my way over to the group huddled by the fence and start breaking down our escape plan. Their faces show a mix of skepticism and disbelief, but even Sikowitz, who's been blending in undercover as a guard, seems to think we have a solid strategy. Seriously, how does he manage to blend in so well?

As I lay out the details, it doesn't take long for us to gather enough people for the performance. Teaching the choreography actually goes way smoother than I thought it would—thank you, Sheema, for threatening anyone who messes up until they nail it! As we approach the moment of truth, a wave of confidence washes over me.

"Okay, so as the song winds down, we'll slip out the back and make a run for it," I explain, huddled behind a group of other inmates as we finalize our plans. Everyone seems on board, but of course, Jade is still her usual negative self, casting doubt on our plan. But even if she doesn't believe, I'm convinced this will work. It's foolproof! The guards will be so wrapped up in the performance that they won't even notice us slipping away until it's way too late.

"Are you really sure this will work? Your ideas haven't exactly been gold, Vega," Jade shoots back, her tone dripping with skepticism. I glare at her, frustration bubbling up inside me, and our big friend, Sheema, jumps in with a swift jab of her 2x4.

"You better listen to Tori Veega, or you'll be making friends with dirt again," Sheema warns, her tone leaving zero room for argument. Jade just scowls and crosses her arms.

"Whatever. If this doesn't work, I'm kicking your ass before this giant over here kills me," she mutters, a hint of humor creeping into her voice.

"It'll work, but only if you stick to the plan. We've got one shot at this, and we can't mess it up. Just trust me." My words hang in the air as the guards start blowing their whistles, signaling the Chancellor's imminent arrival. The other inmates scramble around, and for a split second, my confidence wavers as I worry we didn't have enough time to practice. But it has to be perfect! Everyone is counting on us.

Standing backstage, the curtain slowly begins to part, revealing the stage in front of us.

"Make clapter Tori Veega and the kids from Hollywood Arts!" The announcement echoes, and we step out to scattered applause. My eyes immediately dart around the crowd, landing on the Chancellor, sitting on his throne. He looks as stone-faced as ever—like, does this guy ever smile?

Clearing my throat, I gather my nerves and speak up. "People of Yerba, we dedicate this performance to you and your esteemed Chancellor!" A surge of applause and cheers fills the air, lifting my spirits as I see the Chancellor wave at his subjects, prompted by his Second-in-Command. "What a swell guy…" I think, rolling my eyes at the sarcasm.

The lights dim, leaving just our spotlight shining, and the music begins. With a determined nod, we launch into "I Want You Back" by the Jackson 5. Our routine unfolds perfectly; every step and move flows together like we've been practicing for ages. As the song hits its peak, we start moving toward the back, letting the other inmates take center stage for their dance.

The curtains close behind us, and as the music continues, I feel a rush of exhilaration—this might actually work! Soon, we'll be free from this nightmare, and I can finally go home to my family. God, I can't wait to see my parents again. This whole ordeal has been the most stressful thing ever, and I'm so ready to leave it all behind.

"Come on, guys! I can see the way out!" I urge my fellow escapees, adrenaline pumping through my veins. But just as hope starts to swell in my chest, the ear-splitting sound of an alarm blares through the air. They've realized we're escaping! Trina is practically glued to Beck, and Andre has Cat cradled in his arms, while Jade and I are neck and neck as we sprint toward Sikowitz and the duck truck. We're so close to freedom…

Excitement surges through me as I glance back, only to see a couple of guards hot on our tail, a dog right there with them. They've found us?! Panic grips my chest, and I turn to shout a warning to the others to run faster, but in my rush, I trip over my own feet and crash to the ground. No, no, no!

"Vega, get the hell up and let's go!" I hear Jade's voice slice through the chaos. Just as I start to collect myself, she grabs me and helps me to my feet. Before we can start running again, she's tackled to the ground. I fall with her, and I feel sharp teeth sink into my calf. A cry of pain escapes my lips as I clutch my leg, instinctively trying to crawl away, but the guards grab us and start dragging us back.

"Hey!" A familiar voice calls out, halting our movements. Sikowitz, still dressed as a Yerbanian guard, rushes toward us. "What's going on?!" He puts on this thick, exaggerated accent, and thank goodness the guards seem to buy it.

"The American buddie's were trying to escape. The others went that way. You, get them back while take these two," one guard says, tugging on my arm to start dragging me again. I lock eyes with Sikowitz, my expression pleading as I shake my head frantically and mouth the word 'Go.' If he tries to rescue us, the others will get caught. I can't be the reason our whole group gets discovered…

Sikowitz hesitates, slowly taking off his hat and staring at us, frustration clear in his gaze. Then he punches the wall, his face twisted in anger as he yells words I've never heard from him before. The guards don't even flinch, probably thinking he's just mad about the escaped prisoners, and they keep dragging us away.

Before long, we find ourselves back in the courtyard, forced to stand before the Chancellor. Just as I open my mouth to plead for mercy, the guards grab Jade and drag her away.

"Put the other one in her cell. Leave Tori Veega," the Chancellor orders. Jade shoots me a look that could kill, her expression filled with rage. I can almost feel the weight of her impending wrath. One of the guards puts a heavy hand on my shoulder and forces me to my knees as the Chancellor looms over me, all intimidating and scary.

"You! You tried to trick me!" he bellows, and I instinctively lean away, doing my best to hide my shaking.

"I-I just wanted—" My voice falters as the Chancellor's partner slaps me hard across the face, cutting me off. I recoil, shock and fear flooding me. He... he hit me…

"Silence while he speaks!" the partner snaps, tapping the Chancellor's arm. The Chancellor's anger erupts again.

"You lie! You make me look like a fool!" he shouts, swinging his cane wildly in my direction. It barely misses me, but the next swing connects with my side. I yelp in pain, trying to move away, but a guard keeps a foot pressed firmly on my back. The Chancellor continues to hit me repeatedly with the cane, hurling cruel insults while I desperately try to shield myself. When he finally stops, I slowly lift my head and look at his face, pain radiating through my body. He hands the cane off to his right-hand man, and I cradle my side, wincing at how tender it feels. Tears threaten to spill as I blink rapidly, trying to clear my vision.

"1 month. You will spend 1 month in the Box. That will teach you not to make a fool of me." I'm seized again, and the guards drag me away, forcing me to struggle against their hold.

"Wait! No! What's the Box!?" I call out desperately, but my pleas go unheard. They keep ignoring me, and when my flailing slows them down, one guard just lifts me off the ground. The other inmates watch in silence, and I notice a few look genuinely worried, which only heightens my anxiety. "Please! I-I'm sorry! I won't do it again!" My words get muffled as one guard covers my mouth, silencing me as they carry me away.

Eventually, we reach a heavy door, and the taller guard releases me to unlock it. Inside, I see a bed, a sink, a shower, and a toilet—that's it…

"Get in!" the guards bark, shoving me into the room. I turn around, desperately clutching the doorframe as they slam it shut. Panic sets in as I press my back against the door and slide down to the floor, trying to catch my breath.

This can't be happening. I've got to find a way out of here…

The longer I sit here, the more I realize just how totally messed up my situation really is. I got caught… Everyone else managed to slip away, but I was the one who got snagged, and now Jade's in trouble too—all because of me. If she ever gets her hands on me, I know I'm toast. Especially if they put her in a place like this… I can't even imagine what she would do to me. My best bet is to avoid her until we can finally get out of here. We may have gotten caught, but I seriously doubt my parents would just leave me here.

I didn't even meet Jade's mom, and I only saw her dad once, so I can't be sure if they'd care enough to look for her. But I really hope they would. The thought of trying to escape again flickers in my mind, but I push it aside. That would only make everything ten times worse, so that is definitely not happening. For now, we'll have to deal with this awful situation, even if it means sitting in this dirty cell, surrounded by these dull, lifeless walls.

As my eyes adjust to the darkness, I shuffle over to the door, trying to check out my leg in the faint light seeping through. After several trips to the sink and using up the other sleeve of my jumpsuit as a rag, I finally manage to clean the blood off my leg. When I see the bites, I realize they're not as bad as I feared—just a few puncture wounds—but they hurt like crazy. Gritting my teeth against the pain, I decide I need to do something. I grab the blanket and tear off a strip to wrap around my leg, keeping the wounds covered. If I can just keep it clean, I should be okay.

I plop back down on the hard bed, leaning against the wall with my legs pulled up to my chest, trying to find some comfort in this nightmare.

They can't really keep me here for a whole month, can they? The Chancellor was furious, but surely, they'll eventually forget about me and let me out. A month feels like a lifetime... Maybe I'll only be stuck here for a few days. Once I get out, I'll figure out a plan to get back home, because there's no way I can stay in this hellhole, and I know Jade isn't going to be happy if we stay stuck here.

-March 25-

I'm so hot… Where the heck are the guards with dinner? I'm dying for something to drink... With a struggle, I pull myself up from the bed and check my leg again. It looks a little better than yesterday, but it's still super swollen. I know the bites are infected, and that's what's causing this awful fever, but there's nothing I can do about it until the guard doing tonight's rounds gets back. He promised he'd ask for some medicine, but he warned me I might not get it. The Chancellor is still fuming over my little stunt, and he's out for revenge, but he can't be that cruel, right?

... ... ...

I really need to stop assuming things. My luck hasn't been great lately...

Just then, I hear a soft tap at the door, and the small slot where they slide my food open. I limp over and grab the tray that gets pushed through. Bread and potatoes again. Seriously? It's like the same boring meal every night…

"Tori Veega," the guard calls, and I peek through the slot to see him standing there. He looks a bit guilty. "I asked everyone I could, but they all said no to giving you any medicine. The Chancellor said it was a waste on you." Ugh, I let out a heavy sigh, and my shoulders droop as I look down at the sad tray. So much for my hopes...

"I understand… Thanks for asking anyway…" I take a step back so he can close the slot, but instead, he reaches his hand through.

"Take this. I got it from my brother, and I'll bring more soon. It'll help." He hands me a small pill before shutting the hatch and leaving. Wait, he actually got me medicine from home? I didn't expect that at all… Should I even take it? This is literally everything my parents warned me against. Rule number one: Don't accept things from strange men. But if he really wanted to trick me, he could have swapped the pill for something worse. No, he's been the only nice guard, and if I want to get better, I have to trust him.

Carefully, I make my way back to the bed and set the tray down before popping the pill into my mouth and washing it down with some water. After I finish eating, I lay back down, unbuttoning my jumpsuit a bit to get some air. I'm way too hot with all this on… If this fever would just go away, I'd feel so much better…

As I lie there, using the blanket as a makeshift pillow, I can't help but think about what my friends back home must be doing. They must have made it back by now. I know they didn't get caught because if they did, the guards would've definitely said something. I know they wouldn't just forget about me or Jade, but there's probably not much they can do to help us right now, so they must be back in school. I wonder what they're up to... I think Robbie mentioned something about there being a 12-hour difference between Yerba and Hollywood, so if it's night here, it's morning there. I think it's Saturday, so no school. They're probably all heading to Karaoke Dokie, just like we always did on Saturdays. I wonder what songs they'll pick...

Singing… That's what got me into this whole mess in the first place. If I had never performed that first song for the Chancellor, I wouldn't have ended up kicking him with my shoe. Then again… if I hadn't taken Festus' offer, I wouldn't have come here at all… Ugh, I shake my head, curling up to block those thoughts. No reason to dwell on the past; that won't help me get out of here. I'll just have to wait and see if my parents can bail me out.

-April 15th-

I'm digging at the leg of my bed with a rock, carving little doodles into it. It's literally the only thing keeping me from losing my mind, and I definitely wasn't the first to do this. I found Yerbanian phrases and random drawings all over the bed after Efka, my guard friend, brought me a little flashlight. It's not super bright, but it's a million times better than sitting in the dark every day, driving myself crazy. I try to use it sparingly because I don't want the batteries to die. Efka already risks a lot for me, and I don't want to push my luck. I allow myself 20 minutes each night to carve a bit before turning it off and putting it away, returning to my bed. At least it keeps me from pulling my hair out… Being stuck in this dark, tiny space for who knows how long really messes with your head. Is this what solitary confinement is like back in the States? If it is, I genuinely feel for those inmates. It gets so lonely in here. The only person I can talk to is Efka. The other guards just ignore me, but he's been a ray of sunshine in this otherwise dark place.

He even snuck me medicine for a while until my fever finally broke and my leg healed up, mostly. It still hurts when I walk too much, but honestly, I think it's as good as it's going to get. Efka has even brought me extra food when some of the other guards decide to be extra cruel and drop my food tray right before I can grab it. I've had to swallow my pride more times than I can count and eat whatever I can salvage. I owe my sanity to him… He's seriously the only one I trust here. The other guards like to throw rocks at me through the hatch at mealtimes, and once, even the Chancellor came down to yell at me, reminding me that I'm getting exactly what I deserve. This place really is hell. The less I think about it, the better, which is why I draw.

When it's finally time to sleep, I shut off the light and set it aside before crawling into bed. At least in my dreams, I can escape this nightmare. There, I'm back home with my friends and family, and everything turns out okay. One of the weirdest dreams I had while dealing with the fever was this bizarre recreation of *The Breakfast Club* complete with dancing and foot archery. It was so strange... But my absolute favorite dream is when I get picked to perform at this huge award show. It's awesome until mean Jade shows up and steals my spotlight, but I always manage to make her nice again before it's too late. That's so not like the real Jade, though. She would never let me have a chance like that. I mean, she even pulled some dirty tricks just to keep me from playing Steamboat Susie that one time. There's no way in the world she'd give up a chance to sing at an award show, and I always wake up right after the best part. I close my eyes, wrapping the blanket around myself. As I start to drift off, I think about all the amazing dreams I've had, hoping I'll get to relive one of them again.

-April 16th-

This is a bad day… I can feel the weight of it pressing down on me like a heavy blanket, suffocating and inescapable. I'm pacing in my cell, the cramped space closing in around me. Every footstep echoes against the cold concrete walls, amplifying my sense of dread. I need fresh air. I need to see the sky. I crave sunlight more than I've ever craved anything, and I can't stand this confinement anymore. It's like I can feel my sanity slowly slipping away, a fragile thread fraying in the dark, and the anxiety of that realization only tightens its grip on me. When are they going to let me out of here? Hasn't it been long enough yet?

Finally, I reach my breaking point. My heart races as I pound on the door with my fists, shouting, desperation leaking into my voice. "Hey! Let me out! I want to come out! Please!" I kick the door with my good leg, the sound reverberating through the silence. Almost on cue, I hear shouting and hurried footsteps. Just a little closer… Come on… There's a slamming sound outside the door, and my heart leaps—bingo. The door flies open, and a guard storms in, swinging his baton down toward me. Wait, they always warn first! Why did they just rush in this time? Panic surges through me, and I curl into a ball, trying to shield my face while the blows rain down. The body shots sting, but the strikes aimed at my face are the ones that terrify me the most. Still, I take it silently, knowing that I'll get a glimpse of the outside world, a mere minute or two of reprieve that makes it all worth it.

I lay on the cold floor, the rough concrete biting into my skin as the guards strike me over and over. The pain is familiar now, a bitter companion I've grown to accept, but it's the light that beckons me—just to see it, to feel the gentle breeze on my skin. The fading warmth of daylight brings a strange comfort amidst the chaos. When the guards finally slow down, I can sense they're about to leave. A few more seconds, and I'll be trapped in the dark again. As the beating halts, they bark orders at me in Yerbanian before demanding I get up. I struggle to comply, but one of them roughly grabs my arm, yanking me to my feet. He shoves a threadbare blanket into my hands, and I'm pulled from the room.

The sunlight hits me like a rush of adrenaline, overwhelming and blinding. I squint against its brightness, my first instinct to retreat back into the shadows of my cell. But I'm led toward another building, and as we walk down a long hallway, a wave of recognition washes over me.

"Why am I-"

"You have finished time in Box. You go back with other inmates now." The guard's voice is devoid of any empathy, but my heart races. Hope flickers in my chest like a fragile flame, and my eyes widen as I process his words.

"Th-that's it? I don't have to go back there?" My voice trembles as I stare at him, pleading for confirmation. He simply nods and pushes open the door to the main yard, shoving me outside. I quickly check to make sure the flashlight I managed to hide is still in the pocket of my jumpsuit before stepping out.

The chaos of the yard hits me like a tidal wave. Other female inmates are scattered about, some talking, others engaged in various activities. It's so loud, so overwhelming that I feel a surge of panic rising in my throat. Seeking solace, I shuffle toward a corner where there are fewer people, desperate to gather my thoughts and figure out my next move.

"Vega!?" The sudden shout pulls me from my thoughts, and I turn to see Jade standing a few feet away. She looks the same—her familiar features are etched with a mix of shock and exhaustion, and I can't help the smile that spreads across my face despite everything.

"Jade… Oh my God… It's so good to—" My words die in my throat as she rushes toward me, and before I can react, she tackles me to the ground. A cry escapes my lips, but it's cut short when her fist slams into my face. The shock of pain is immediate, sharp, and I'm left gasping as she pummels me, landing blows that I can barely deflect. "Jade! Wait! Stop!"

"This is all your fault!" Her voice is filled with rage, and I can feel her hands tightening around my throat. Panic surges through me, and I realize I can't breathe. Blood from my nose pools in my throat, and as I struggle to free my arms, I know I'm close to passing out. My vision blurs as darkness edges in, but just when I think I might slip away, her grip loosens. I roll onto my stomach, coughing out the mouthful of blood violently as I gasp for air. Each breath burns like fire, but I welcome it, pulling in the precious oxygen.

When I manage to look up, I see one of the guards from earlier holding Jade back. Relief washes over me, but it's quickly overshadowed by the throbbing pain in my face. I drag myself away from her, wiping the blood from my mouth as she glares at me, practically growling as she strains against the guard's hold.

"You just had to go and ruin everything! I actually started to believe we'd get out, but you forgot to factor in what a huge fucking klutz you are!" Her words stab at me, and I feel a lump form in my throat.

"I'm sorry! I didn't—"

Another guard strides in, grabbing me roughly and pulling us both away. We're lined up against the fence with our hands on our heads while one of them yells at us, the words blurring together in my mind. Jade doesn't look at me, and I lean against the fence, feeling weak and shaking from the adrenaline and fear.

"No fighting! You fight, you go to Box," the guard growls, pointing at Jade, who rolls her eyes. Then he points at me. "And you go back to Box! Understood?!"

Suddenly, my hands drop, and tears spill down my face as I collapse to my knees, grabbing his arm in a desperate plea. "Please! Don't send me back! I won't fight, I swear!" I cough again, my throat tight as panic sets in. He grunts, and they drag us back inside, leading us to a cell and pushing us in before slamming the door shut.

"No fighting. You stay here for the rest of the day." The large guard stops and points at me. "This is your cell. American buddie's go together. No fighting." I feel a fresh wave of fear as he leaves, and I slowly turn to face Jade, flinching when she steps closer.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean for you to get caught! It was an accident!" My voice trembles as she grabs the front of my jumpsuit, pushing me hard against the wall.

"I could fucking kill you for getting me stuck here again. I could just tell everyone back home that you pissed off some bad people and they killed you…" Her voice is icy, and I close my eyes, raising my hands instinctively to protect my face. She nearly strangled me before... she means every word of it...

"I'm sorry… I don't want to go back to the Box… Please… If you're going to hit me, then do it somewhere they won't notice..." Jade grips my face, forcing me to look at her. My heart races as I scan her expression, ready for the next blow. She stares at me, her eyes filled with a whirlwind of emotions, before finally releasing me. She turns away and strides toward the bunk beds.

"Don't even think about touching the top bunk. That's mine. Stay the hell away from me." She climbs up and disappears under her blanket, leaving me alone in the dim cell.

"Okay…" I murmur to myself, standing there in stunned silence. After a few moments, the throbbing in my face becomes impossible to ignore. I limp over to the sink, turning it on quietly as I wash my face. Looking into the mirror, I nearly stumble back in shock. My eyes are bloodshot, my left cheek swollen and discolored, and my whole face is dotted with bruises. Jade really got me good…

I move my hair and catch a glimpse of the bruises forming on my neck where she had choked me. I swallow hard, glancing over my shoulder. I can't get mad at her; I brought this on myself by getting her stuck here with me. After I wash away most of the blood, I shuffle back to the bunk beds. The bottom bunk is bare, just an empty frame that reminds me of my bed in the Box. Jade, on the other hand, has an actual mattress that looks like a small slice of heaven. I sit on the edge of the bed, staring around the room, feeling lost.

There's nothing else to do right now, and after getting my ass kicked twice today—twice!—and almost blacking out, I'm in a lot of pain and feeling utterly exhausted. I only have the scratchy blanket I came with, so I keep my shoes on to keep my feet warm. Wrapping the blanket around myself, I close my eyes, trying to find some semblance of comfort. But it takes forever to settle in.

The noise in this place is relentless, a constant hum of voices and distant shouts that gnaw at my nerves. It was quieter back in the Box, except for the occasional loud buzzing that would echo through the door. All the excess sounds make me feel really overwhelmed.

Jade gets up a few times, wandering around the cell or taking care of "things," but I don't really pay much attention. I'm too lost in my own thoughts. Nothing seems to change until I hear the sound of keys jingling outside the door. My heart races at the sound, and I sit up, hopeful yet anxious. A guard unlocks the cell door and barks at us to stand against the wall. My stomach twists with apprehension as he and another guard step inside, each holding a tray.

The moment I catch a glimpse of the food, my disbelief nearly knocks the wind out of me. Gone are the greasy meat slabs and lumpy potatoes from the Box. Instead, I'm staring at a colorful array of food: a sandwich, a small cup of what looks like soup, a handful of crackers, crunchy carrot sticks, an apple, and even a cookie wrapped in plastic. There's water and milk to drink, too. It's like a feast compared to what I've been eating, and I can't help but stare in awe.

After the guards leave, I stand there, frozen in disbelief, unable to process how different this meal is from the food I've had to eat. I turn around and see Jade perched on my bed, devouring her food like she's been starved for ages. I cautiously sit on the floor by the bed, maintaining a safe distance between us to avoid provoking her.

Picking up the sandwich, I bring it close, ready to savor my first bite, but a hand lunges toward me, making me jump. Jade snatches the cookie off my tray and plops it onto hers, a fierce look in her eyes that tells me not to challenge her. I had been looking forward to that cookie—thinking of it as a sweet reward for enduring all of this—but I can't risk making her mad. With a resigned sigh, I forget about the cookie and focus on the sandwich instead.

It's just a simple turkey and cheese sandwich, with no fancy toppings like lettuce, tomato, or mustard, but the taste explodes in my mouth. I can't remember the last time I enjoyed something so simple. I feel my eyes prickle with tears, and I let them fall freely as I eat, overwhelmed by the comfort of something that feels almost normal.

I take my time with the sandwich, savoring each bite until it's gone, and then move on to the soup and crackers. I can't remember the last time I felt this full and satisfied. By the time I drink the last of my milk, I realize I've finished my meal faster than Jade, who's still working on her carrots and has now moved on to one of her cookies.

What do I do with my empty tray? I hold it awkwardly and decide to wait, hoping to see what Jade does. After a bit, she finishes her food and stands up. I instinctively scoot back to give her space, my heart racing as she walks in front of me. Instead of attacking me, though, she sets her unopened milk on my tray before leaving her own tray by the cell door.

I watch her as she walks over to wash her face. I guess she must have felt my eyes on her because she turns around, glaring at me like I've committed some unforgivable crime.

"What?" she snaps. "I don't like milk, and I hate wasting food. Either drink it or I'll take it back and throw it away. Be glad I even gave it to you."

I nod quickly, not wanting to push my luck any further. I pop open the milk carton and gulp it down, remembering that Jade hates milk. It's cold and refreshing, and I finish it quickly, placing my tray next to hers.

After that, I make my way to wash my face, feeling a little bit better. Jade doesn't say anything else for the rest of the night, and she crawls into bed when the other inmates are led to their cells. The lights dim, and I slide into my bed, wrapping the blanket tightly around myself to keep the draft out.

Even so, I struggle to fall asleep, the pain radiating throughout my body making it nearly impossible to relax. I glance at Jade's bed above me, and a wave of guilt crashes over me. She's so pissed at me… I got her stuck in here with me while everyone else got away. If I hadn't tripped, we'd both be home right now, and she'd only hate me the normal amount.

Is she sleeping? If she is, this could be my only chance to get everything off my chest without her trying to kill me again.

"Jade…?" I call out, but there's only silence. I swallow hard, the lump in my throat growing. "I guess you're sleeping…" I sit up, moving to the far corner of my bed, staring at the cell door. "I'm… I'm so sorry, Jade… I didn't mean for you to get caught. I never wanted anyone to get caught, but I tripped over my dumb feet, and you came back to help me…"

My eyes water, and I hastily wipe my tears with the blanket, feeling utterly lost. "Why did you help me? Why didn't you just save yourself?" I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts, but the sobs bubble up anyway. After a bit, they begin to subside, and I take a shaky breath, feeling slightly calmer. "I want to go home… I want my mom and dad… God, I even want my sister. I… I'm scared…"

The cell feels emptier than ever, as if it's closing in on me, and all I can hear are the crickets chirping outside, along with the soft, rhythmic breathing coming from the bed above me. The darkness is overwhelming, and I can only wish for the comfort of familiarity, for the warmth of my family, for a life that feels like it's slipping further and further away.