Chapter 11

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Ella hadn't slept. She'd tossed and turned all night, unable to stop worrying about Nia. Was she okay? What if something went wrong? Fear clawed at her insides, as she stared up at the damp ceiling when the shrill of her alarm finally cut through the silence, pulling her from her thoughts.

With a groan, she forced herself to her feet, her body feeling heavy and defeated as she stumbled to the bathroom with no choice but to go about her duties. Turning on the tap, she splashed cold water over her face, catching sight of her reflection in the mirror. She looked as tired as she felt. Dark circles clung beneath red-rimmed eyes, her blonde hair tangled from the restless night.

Pulling on her uniform, she stepped out into the corridor, the halls already bustling with soldiers and scribes as they went about their business but to Ella, everything felt different, muted somehow. Too queasy to stomach breakfast, she bypassed the mess hall, heading straight to class. The walls blurred as she walked, wondering if anyone else felt the way she did or if they were used to the waiting, the uncertainty. She didn't think she'd ever would.

The ache in her chest seemed to grow as she approached the classroom, where Jake stood outside, his expression mirroring her own.

"Hey," she greeted him softly.

Jake looked up, stifling a yawn. "Hey."

"Rough night?"

"You could say that." He forced a tight-lipped smile "How are you holding up?"

Ella shrugged, "Have you heard anything?"

Jake shook his head "No. But my brother mentioned a patrol heading to a low hostility area last night" he said quietly. "It could be Nia."

Ella smiled softly, feeling a flicker of hope in her chest but it was faint. "Let's hope so."

"Nia's strong" Jake reassured her "She'll be okay."

Ella forced a smile, praying he was right as she headed inside. The room feeling emptier without Nia beside her as she fell into her seat. Thorne entered moments later, the uneven thud of his footsteps announcing his presence. His sharp eyes scanned the room, demanding their attention before landing on Ella.

"Well, look who decided to grace us with her presence today" he sneered.

Ella barely heard him, too consumed by her thoughts. Thorne's eyes narrowed but turned away, beginning the lesson. She tried to focus, but his voice faded into the background, her mind returning to Nia. She tapped her fingers anxiously against the desk, trying to stop herself from unravelling when Thorne's voice cut through the air.

"Initiate!"

Ella blinked, pulled back by Thorne's icy tone. He stood at the front of the room, his cold eyes locked on hers, a look of irritation flickering across his face.

"Something on your mind?" he drawled, his eyes zeroing in on the empty chair beside her. "And where is your fellow initiate? I expect this kind of negligence from you, but not of the others."

Her throat tightened as the entire room seemed to zero in on her. "Initiate Nia has been assigned a mission," she managed. "She's currently serving the Brotherhood in the field."

A murmur rippled around the room, the initiates turned to one another, whispering in hushed voices. Field assignments were the pinnacle of Brotherhood training. The final step in earning a place among the elite. The fact that Nia had received hers meant that they too, could soon be out there.

Thorne's lips curled into a cruel smile. "Ah, the wasteland," he said slowly, his voice dripping mock sympathy. "A perilous place for anyone. Especially a novice."

Ella's stomach knotted, trying to remain calm. She knew he was trying to bait her, searching for any sign of weakness but his words cut deep, preying on the fears she tried to push aside.

"She's trained hard for this," she said, her voice tight with emotion. "She'll do just fine."

Thorne's eyes gleamed, sensing her vulnerability like blood in the water. He stalked towards her, every word slow and deliberate, meant to cut deep. "The wasteland is merciless. Raiders. Mutants. Radiation. There are countless ways for the weak to perish. Let us hope your friend is not one of them."

Ella's jaw clenched, her hands balling into fists beneath the desk. "You don't know anything about her" she snapped, "She'll make it back."

Thorne raised a brow, intrigued by the unexpected bite in her tone but it quickly melted into something darker, more calculating. He leaned in, his voice low and cold, meant for her alone. "The wasteland doesn't care about your friend or your misplaced hope, initiate. Out there, only the strong survive. Some people… they don't have what it takes. They become a liability. Perhaps the Commonwealth is better off without her."

Ella's anger flared, his words hitting her like a slap across the face. How dare he?

The chair scraped loudly against the floor as she stood abruptly, fury simmering in her chest. As the other initiates turned their attention towards her. Thorne's smile faded, his eyes darkening as he stepped forward.

"You seem to have forgotten your place," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Sit down, initiate."

Ella's heart hammered against her ribs, every instinct screaming for her to sit down, apologise and put an end to this. But she couldn't. Not after what he'd said about Nia.

A sharp crack shattered the silence as Throne's crop slammed down upon her desk, the sound echoing through the room. Ella flinched, the impact rattling through her bones.

"I will not tell you again" he hissed. "Sit. Down."

Ella looked at the crop, anger surging through her as she met his gaze, lifting her chin in unwavering defiance.

"No."

The word hung in the air, deadly and final. Gasps echoed around the room, the initiates shifting uncomfortably, their eyes wide with shock. No one defied Thorne.

Thorne's face twisted in fury. "No?" he spat. "There is no such word in the Brotherhood. I am your superior, and you will obey me."

Ella held his gaze, pulse racing but she didn't waver. Without a word, she turned and walked towards the door, her steps loud against the silence.

"You walk out that door and you'll regret it" Thorne barked, quivering with barely controlled rage.

Ella paused, her hand on the handle and glanced back, meeting his furious gaze. "I'd rather face the wasteland than spend another second listening to you."

Throne's eyes blazed, rage radiating off him as she opened the door, his venomous voice following her into the corridor. "There will be consequences for this insolence initiate! This disobedience will not go unpunished. Clearly, that Paladin of yours has failed to instill discipline in you-!"

The door swung shut behind her with a deafening slam, cutting him off mid-sentence. Ella stood in the empty corridor, her heart pounding. She knew there would be consequences. But right now, she didn't care.

XXX

Ella paced back and forth, her boots thudding against the floor as she twisted her hands nervously. The defiance she had felt standing up to Throne was long gone, replaced by a cold gnawing dread.

She replayed the scene in her mind over and over; the flash of fury in Thorne's eyes, the slam of the door as she walked out. At the time her anger had felt justified but now it just felt like a mistake. A big one.

Her hands shook as she twisted them together. Thorne was a superior officer, and she had openly defied him. The Brotherhood didn't tolerate disobedience. It was the foundation of everything they stood for. There would be consequences for this.

'What did you do?' The thought swam around her mind, relentless and unforgiving. What would happen now? Would they kick her out? If they did, where would she go? She had nowhere else to go. Not anymore. And what about Danse? She'd been so caught up in her own anger that she hadn't even considered how her actions might affect him. Her heart clenched. What if they punished him because of her? She buried her face in her hands, the thought hitting her like a punch in the gut. He had done so much for her—trained her, trusted her—and she had thrown it all away in an instant. How could she have been so stupid?

A sharp knock at the door shattered her thoughts, the sound reverberating through the room. Ella froze, dread pooling in her stomach. Was this it? Were they coming to punish her already?

A knock came again, harder, more insistent this time. Ella swallowed, her stomach tightening. There was no escaping this. She needed to face whatever came next and pray they would be merciful. With a shaky breath, she got to her feet and opened the door.

An officer stood on the other side, expression his face stern and unreadable.

"Initiate," he said, his voice clipped. "You are to report to Captain Kells immediately."

XXX

Ella trailed behind the officer, her mind racing as they made their way through the upper levels of the Prydwen. The air felt different here, quieter. The usual hustle and bustle of the main deck was absent, replaced by an eerie, oppressive silence that set her nerves on edge.

They rounded a corner, the metallic clang of their boots echoing off the walls as they bypassed three doors. The middle of which was more imposing than the others, flanked by two large crimson banners, bearing the Brotherhood's insignia. Maxson's room.

Ella's pulse quickened, her stomach twisting into knots. What am I doing here? The command deck was hallowed ground, reserved only for the most trusted and senior members of the Brotherhood. Not initiates.

Her breath quickened, her unease growing with every step. What if this was the end? Lost in thought, she almost collided with the officer as he stopped abruptly before a heavy metal door. He scowled at her but said nothing as he nodded towards the door, indicating she should enter.

Shit.

With a final shaky breath, Ella stepped inside, the door closing with a resounding clang behind her, sealing her fate.

The room was dimly lit, casting long shadows across the walls. A large wooden table dominated the room, its polished gleam catching the light. Behind it sat Captain Kells, his face carved in stone. To his right was Proctor Quinlan, his glasses reflecting the low light. But it was the figure seated between them, half-hidden in shadow, that made her blood run cold.

Maxson.

Her heart plummeted as the Elder's piercing blue eyes fixed on her. He sat partially in shadow, but she could feel the weight of his eyes on her, hard and unyielding like he was peeling back every layer of being, every flaw, every fear laid bare for him to see.

The silence stretched, growing thicker and more oppressive with each passing second. Ella shifted, her mouth dry. What was she supposed to do? Should she salute? Was she supposed to speak first? Her mind scrambled for the right response, willing someone – anyone - to begin whatever the hell this was but men said nothing. The weight of their stares making her feel small and exposed, like she was barely worthy of the air they were breathing. She opened her mouth, unable to bear it any longer - when the door creaked open behind her.

Her heart lifted as Danse entered the room.

His posture was rigid, his gaze fixed straight ahead, as he came to stand beside her. He was the epitome of discipline and authority, his face calm and composed but her relief was short-lived. Why is he here? Were they going to punish him too?

Kells broke the silence, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "Initiate" he began, his tone clipped and formal. "Given your commendable progress in training, you have been selected for a field assignment."

Ella froze. The words hit her like a punch to the gut, knocking the air from her lungs. This wasn't a disciplinary hearing. She wasn't being punished. They were sending her into the field.

Her breath caught as his words sank in, the room seeming to spin but a glance from Danse steadied her, reminding her to stay composed. She forced herself to take a breath, willing her heart to slow as Kells continued.

"This is a great honour" he stated, "bestowed only upon those who have demonstrated unwavering commitment and capability. In light of this assignment, you will be issued a full set of combat armour and a rifle, both of which are yours to keep."

Beside him, Quinlan cleared his throat, adjusting his glasses as he looked up from the data pad in his hands. He was smaller, less imposing but there was no mistaking the sharp intelligence in his eyes as he leaned forward "Your mission is to accompany one of my scribes to University Point. Your objective is to oversee the successful extraction of pre-war data and to ensure the scribe's safe return to the Prydwen. Do you have any questions?"

Ella shook her head, her mind racing.

Maxson got to his feet, stepping from the shadows. The light fell across his face, illuminating his stern features, his icy gaze pinning her to the stop. She'd forgotten how intimidating he could be.

"This mission is not only essential to the Brotherhood" he stated, his voice like iron "but pivotal for your standing within it." He glanced at Danse. "Given the nature of the location, Paladin Danse will accompany you on this mission. His guidance has been instrumental to your development thus far, and I expect you to continue to follow his orders without hesitation."

Ella managed a shaky nod, not trusting herself to speak.

Maxson's gaze softened slightly, as he placed a closed fist over his chest in the Brotherhood's salute. "Good luck, initiate. Ad Victoriam."

"Th-thank you, sir."

She forced her legs to move, the door closing with a thud behind her as she stumbled into the corridor. Her heart hammered, her breath coming in short, shallow bursts as the reality crashed down on her. 'This is happening. I'm going into the wasteland.'

She leaned against the wall, the metal cold against her back as she struggled to catch her breath, the corridor suddenly too warm and bright. She leaned forward, pressing her palms into her thighs as she tried to steady herself but it was no use. Her chest tightened, her vision blurring when a familiar voice cut through the haze.

"Initiate?"

She looked up to see Danse watching her, his brows drawn together in concern as he took in her half-slumped against the wall.

"I can't do this," she stammered, her voice cracking. "They made a mistake. I'm not -"

Danse didn't hesitate. In a moment, his hand was at her back, steering her away from the door so the others wouldn't overhear. "Come with me," he murmured, his voice steady and calm.

He led her down the corridor, his hand firm but warm against her back as he guided her toward one of the rooms at the end of the hallway—his room. Ushering her inside, he closed the door behind them, shielding them from the outside world. His room larger but just as sparse as hers, reflected his disciplined nature—bare walls, a perfectly folded bed, lockers meticulously organised.

"Sit," Danse instructed gently, gesturing to his bunk.

Her legs gave way beneath her as she sank onto the edge of the bed, panic swirling in her chest. "I…I can't do this" she whispered, her voice barely audible. "They made a mistake. I'm not ready–"

"You are ready," Danse interjected, his voice steady. "You've trained hard for this. You've proven yourself capable over and over."

Ella shook her head, her hands twisting in her lap. "I'm not like you. I'm not a soldier. I'm…. I'm just a girl from a farm. What if I freeze out there? What if I get someone killed?"

Danse crouched before her, his gaze steady as he reached out and placed a warm, grounding hand on her knee. The touch startled her, cutting through the haze of panic. Danse was always so guarded and closed off; he rarely allowed any emotion to slip past the armour he wore around himself. But his hand on her knee felt personal—a gesture of quiet reassurance that steadied her in a way that words couldn't.

"I wouldn't put you in a situation I didn't think you could handle," he said quietly, "You have your training. You have your instincts. And you have me."

Her breath caught, her heart pounding as she looked at him, feeling the weight of his words. She'd always seen him as this unshakable figure, a pillar of strength and discipline. But now, she saw something deeper—something that spoke to the trust he had in her, the faith he placed in her abilities.

"We're a team," he continued, his voice a low, calming murmur. "I won't let anything happen to you out there. But you need to trust yourself. You're stronger than you think."

Ella took a shaky breath, her eyes locking onto his steady gaze. He'd given her so much—his time, his guidance, his trust. She couldn't let him down now, no matter how scared she was. She owed him that much.

"I'll try" she whispered.

Danse expression softened a faint smile on his lips. "That's all I ask."

Ella felt her pulse begin to slow, the edges of her fear beginning to blur. But Danse was right, she wasn't alone. She had him. And maybe, just maybe…with him at her side, it would be okay.

AN: Apologies for the delay in uploading, my files corrupted and I lost a few chapters so had to redo them including this one but hoping I'm back on track now. Anyway, hope everyone had a nice Halloween. I was going to upload a silly one-shot Halloween special of Ella and Danse carving pumpkins but then everything broke and then the day passed. Anyway, hope you are all enjoying it so far, until next time!