Chapter Two

My eyes fly open, and I gasp like I've just sprinted a marathon. My heart races, thumping against my chest like it wants to break free. Everything around me is pitch black—so dark I can barely make out the shape of the walls. Panic grips me, and for a second, I can't breathe. I can't think. I'm back in the Box.

Was that all just a dream? But everything feels so real. I desperately try to get untangled from the scratchy blanket that's somehow wrapped around me like a freaking snake. I move too fast, and suddenly I'm tumbling off the bed and hitting the cold floor with a loud thud. Pain jolts through my arm, but I barely notice. Fear is closing in, suffocating me.

I scramble to my feet, breathing hard, fingers clawing at the walls like I'm searching for something—anything—that proves I'm not trapped in that hellhole again. But no matter where I look, it feels like I'm stuck, trapped by the walls of this room.

Where's the door? I have to get out. I can't stay here. Not again. I stumble in the darkness, finally slamming my hands against the cold metal door, pushing with everything I've got. I strain every muscle, convinced that if I just try hard enough, it'll magically open. But it's locked. Sealed shut.

"No, no, no… please!" I bang my fists against the door, my voice rising in a panic. "Let me out! I'll be good! I promise! Please! I don't want to be here anymore!" My knuckles throb with every hit, but I can't stop. Words spill out like water from a broken dam. Maybe if I make enough noise, the guards will hear me. Maybe they'll let me out. Maybe I can escape—

Suddenly, I'm yanked backward, a strong grip wrapping around my shoulders and pulling me away from the door. I let out a startled scream, struggling against what ever is holding me. A hand slams over my mouth, muffling my cries. My heart races even faster, and all I can think is: *I'm caught. They're going to punish me. They're going to throw me back in the Box for real this time.*

"What the hell is wrong with you?!" a low, angry voice hisses in my ear. "Do you want the guards to come in here and drag you out?!" The grip tightens, pressing me against the wall.

Those words cut through my panic just enough to make me freeze. The guards. If they come in, I'll be beaten again. That's what they do. They beat you until you can't stand anymore, until you forget who you are. But if they come… maybe there's a chance I could make a run for it. I could be outside again, feel the sun and the wind—anything but this cold, suffocating darkness.

I try to break free, but the grip is too strong. My thoughts spiral out of control, and in a last-ditch effort, I bite down hard on the hand over my mouth. The taste of blood hits my tongue as there's a hiss of pain, but I'm still restrained. Heavy footsteps echo outside the door, and my body tenses, waiting for the door to fly open.

There's a loud bang as something hits the door, making me flinch, and the footsteps stop.

"Shut it in there!" a gruff voice shouts from outside, followed by another bang. What ever is holding me becomes still, not moving an inch, and the footsteps fade away. The guards aren't coming in.

I'm released with a rough shove, and rest my hands against the door, whimpering.

"Let me out..." I whisper, my voice shaky and raw. I barely realize the tears streaming down my face, burning hot against my cold skin. "Please, I'll be good…"

A frustrated sigh cuts through the darkness. "What the hell are you talking about?"

I dig my nails into the door, mumbling, "Please…" My voice cracks, thin and desperate, but I don't care. I can't be alone right now. "I can't stay in the Box… not again…"

A hand grabs my wrist, firm but not rough, pulling me back from the door. "Stop it," the voice mutters, sounding both irritated and… concerned? "You're going to get us in trouble."

I'm led back to the bed and pushed gently down onto the hard surface. I flinch, expecting the worst, but instead, something warm and heavy settles over me. A blanket. It feels thicker and softer than mine. Then, the figure climbs in beside me, their body heat radiating through the fabric, warming me in an instant.

"I'm sorry…" I whisper, moving to give them space, even though every part of me wants them to stay close. It's strange, feeling grateful for a presence I can barely see, but I don't want them to leave. I let my eyes drift shut, the weight of exhaustion finally pulling me down as the panic fades, replaced by the steady warmth beside me.

"Go to sleep, Vega," the voice murmurs, soft and low.

-April 17th-

(Jade)

I waited until she was fully asleep, her breathing steady and deep, before I slipped out of her bed and climbed back into mine. I was careful not to wake her, but sleep wouldn't come for me. My mind was racing with way too many thoughts. She actually bit me. Vega freaking bit me. It wasn't deep, but it sure hurt more than I expected.

I stare at the faint marks on my hand, rubbing my thumb over the tender skin. What the hell is the Box? Whatever it is, it messed her up badly. I'm already feeling guilty for beating her up during the fight, but seeing her like this… it's different. She's terrified. I can't shake the image of her panicking, clawing at that door like her life depended on it.

I let out a groan, pressing my hands to my face. What is wrong with me? Why did I lose it like that? I almost choked her. My stomach twists at the memory. I shouldn't have hurt her like that. Not when she's already dealing with whatever happened to her. And yet, I did.

I rub the bite mark again, feeling the sting more in my mind than my hand. I know it wasn't her fault. What happened to us wasn't her fault. We were so close to getting out…

I heard her fall. Even though I don't particularly like her, something inside me wouldn't let me just leave her there. It wasn't a conscious decision, but I chose to go back for her. So why did I freak out? Why did I pounce on her like a freaking animal the second I got close? I'm so angry at her, but I don't even know why. I didn't give her a chance to explain before I lashed out. Now, she looks like she's been through hell and back, and it's my fault. To be fair, she didn't look great to start with—like something was eating her alive from the inside—but that doesn't help my guilt.

A rough, wheezing cough drifts up from her direction, tugging at my gut like a hook. I grit my teeth, raking my fingers through my hair in frustration. Great job, Jade. Just perfect… I can't shake the image of her crumpled on the floor, bleeding and shaking. Why does it bother me so much? Why do I care?

The harsh click of the lights flickering on interrupts my thoughts, pulling me back to reality. I sigh, hopping down from my bunk just before the morning buzzer screeches through the air. It's the usual routine, but I barely register it because of the soft gasp and thud from the floor. I turn to see Tori, looking confused and disoriented, struggling to get up. At least she seems a bit more grounded today than last night. Her eyes aren't wild like when she thought she was back in the Box, just big. She's not clawing at the walls or crying out for someone to save her. Small progress, I guess.

"That sound!" she asks, wide-eyed and shaky.

I raise an eyebrow, wondering if she's seriously asking. "It's the morning buzzer, Vega. Duh," I mutter, trying not to sound too annoyed. She gets to her feet and stumbles toward the door, looking around like she's never seen it before.

"Morning buzzer?" Her eyes are wide and she looks like she found the answer to everything. "So that's what that is…"

I groan inwardly. It's way too early for this. "The hell are you talking about?" I snap, maybe a little harsher than I meant. Her face falls instantly, and she backs off, her head ducking like she's waiting for me to hit her. Guilt twists in my stomach. I roll my eyes and try to soften my tone. "The buzzer means it's time to start the day. Get up. Move around. When the lights go out, it means bedtime. Simple." I nod toward the door. "Just wait by the door. They'll let us out for showers first."

I can't help but wonder how long it's going to take before she snaps back to normal. This morning is hard for me; I can't imagine what it's like for her.

I almost feel bad for how lost she looks.

Almost.

Our cell door opens and one of the guards walk in. I start to tell Tori to follow me but I notice that she's staring at the guard.

"Efka.." I look at her, confused. Does she know this guy?

"Tori Veega, I am happy to see you out of Box." He hands her a towel and bar of soap. "Here, you get these. Now go,. and you," He points to me. "Keep her out of trouble." I fight the urge to roll my eyes because he's still a guard and grab Tori's arm, leading her to the showers. I'll ask her about him later.

When it's our turn to step into the showers, I can't help but notice how Tori's face turns bright red the moment she crosses the threshold. She freezes, her eyes glued to the floor like it's the most fascinating thing in the world, probably trying to avoid looking at all the other women walking around completely naked. Ugh. "No one cares what you look like naked, Vega. Just get in the damn shower already." She jumps at my words and darts into a stall, yanking the curtain closed behind her like it's a shield.

I follow her lead, stepping into the stall next to hers and quickly stripping off my jumpsuit. The water is cold, like always, but I'm used to it by now. It doesn't take long for me to wash up and get dressed again. By the time I'm done, Tori is still in there, taking forever. Finally, the sound of the water shuts off, and she emerges, looking all sheepish and small. "The other women get pissed if you hog the shower. Make it quick next time," I mutter, trying to keep my irritation in check. She just nods and dries off, mumbling an apology under her breath.

"Sorry…"

I wave her off, and we head back to our cells to drop off our dirty jumpsuits. That's when I notice how filthy hers is—covered in blood, grime, and God knows what else. Seriously, she doesn't even have a spare jumpsuit, and she looks like she's been through a war zone. Sighing, I march over to my bed and pull out one of my clean jumpsuits from under the mattress.

"Here," I say, handing it to her. "Put this on before we go to breakfast. You look like you've killed someone." I hold the door mostly shut to give her some privacy while she changes. She strips down quickly, and I can't help but catch a glimpse of her before she's fully dressed. Bruises cover her skin—dark splotches that look painful—and her leg looks like it's been through hell. Plus, she's way thinner than I remember. That's just what's covered up by the jumpsuit. She can't hide her face and it them that I notice the purple marks under her eyes and the bruising around her cheeks and nose. I knew I roughed her up pretty bad but seeing the aftermath made me feel a little sick. I quickly look away before she can catch me staring, but the image sticks with me.

"Thanks," she murmurs once she's dressed, her voice barely above a whisper. I nod, grabbing her arm again and leading her down the hall with the others. The corridors are packed with inmates, all heading in the same direction for breakfast. Tori stays close to me, her eyes wide as she takes everything in. Maybe she's never been in this section before. I wouldn't be surprised if they kept her isolated somewhere.

When we reach the cafeteria, it's not too crowded, which is a relief. We grab trays, and I notice she's mimicking me, picking the same food I do. She sticks right by my side the entire time, and while it's a little annoying, I let it slide. That guard told me to keep her out of trouble, so I can't have her wandering off. I catch her staring at the fruit selection, and I almost roll my eyes. I don't usually bother with the fruit, but I grab an orange, and as soon as I do, she grabs one too—only she doesn't put it on her tray. She cradles it close, like it's some kind of precious treasure.

I lead us to a table, and as I sit down, she starts to sit next to me. That's when her clinginess gets on my nerves. "Sit at the other end," I say, pointing to the far side of the table. She hesitates but eventually moves, taking a spot where I told her. The rest of the table fills up quickly, and I start eating, occasionally glancing over at her. She's eating quietly, no fuss, so I let her be… for now.

Things seem fine until I look up and my fork slips from my hand. My eyes narrow as I spot three women hovering around Tori, harassing her like she's an easy target. They're stealing food off her tray, and she's just letting them do it without putting up a fight. I see her trying to protect that orange she wanted so badly earlier, but one of the women snatches it from her hand and tosses it to the ground, crushing it under her shoe. I can see tears welling up in Tori's eyes, and something inside me snaps.

I stand up slowly, my movements deliberate. I walk over to them, shoving the women away from her, my voice low but firm. "Nobody messes with her. Got it? I'm not saying this again. Leave her alone." The cold glare I give them sends them scattering, but not before they make a mess of what's left on her tray, dumping food onto the floor. I scowl at Tori's now practically empty tray, and without a word, I order one of the women nearby to clean up the mess. Tori, for her part, doesn't move a muscle or lift her head once. She just sits there, looking small and defeated, and it irritates me.

I grab her arm and pull her to her feet, not giving her a chance to resist as I lead her back to my spot and make the women slide one spot to make room for her. "Sit," I command, and Vega obediently takes her place. I push my tray in front of her, nudging it toward her. "Eat."

She stares at me like she doesn't get it. "Did I stutter?" I growl, my patience wearing thin. "Eat the damn food, Vega." When she still hesitates, I shove the fork into her hand, waiting for her to take a bite before I finally relax a little. I grab the orange from my tray and start peeling it while she eats whatever's left on my plate. Once she finishes, I split the orange in half, putting one of the two halves on the tray for her. She looks at it like it's a live grenade, almost reluctant to pick it up. "If you don't want it, I can—"

She cuts me off, shaking her head quickly and whispering a quiet "thank you" before eating it. I don't say anything more, just finish my half in silence and collect the tray when we're both done. But when I return, there's someone new sitting in my seat, talking to Tori. Her body language screams discomfort and the other women at the table seem to be trying to get her to leave.

"Hey," I say, catching the woman's attention. She turns and looks me up and down but doesn't move. I've never seen her before, so she's either new or from the same area Tori was kept in. "I'm gonna give you the benefit of the doubt here since you obviously don't know who I am. Stay the hell out of my seat and leave her alone."

The woman rolls her eyes and ignores me, turning back to Tori. I take a deep breath, scanning the room to make sure none of the guards are watching. Then, in one swift move, I grab the woman by the hair and yank her back, sending her tumbling into the table behind us. She screams in a foreign language as she scrambles to her feet, drawing the attention of a nearby guard. She grabs the front of my jumpsuit and tries to hit me but is pulled away by a guard and I look at her, smirking.

"What happened?!" the guard demands, restraining her. The woman tries to tell him I attacked her, but I glance at the other women at my table and nod slightly. Without hesitation, they all start claiming she simply slipped and fell and is trying to get me in trouble for nothing. The guard, annoyed at having his time wasted, scolds her and makes her sit elsewhere before walking away. The woman glares daggers at me, furious that I escaped any punishment, but I just chuckle.

"Lesson number one: Don't mess with me," I say, settling back into my seat beside Tori. She's watching me wide-eyed, clearly shocked by what just happened. "Ask anyone here. You don't want to find out what happens when you get on my bad side." On day one, I made sure everyone knew I wasn't going to take any crap, and since then, no one's dared to mess with me.

The woman stares daggers at me from her new seat, but my focus shifts back to Tori, who's gone quiet again. Her face is bright red, and she's staring down at her hands like she's trying to disappear. "Vega," I snap, making her flinch. "What did she say to you?"

Her face turns an even deeper shade of red, and she shakes her head, refusing to speak. Silent treatment, huh? Fine. I turn to the women at the table, demanding answers, and they all start talking at once. It's chaotic, but I piece together enough from the chatter to know that the woman had tried to use Tori, claiming she knew all about what she did to the Chancellor and thought that she'd get on his good side and get let out early if she did something to her. Tori hadn't said a word back, and that's when I'd stepped in.

Tori's eyes dart around the table, like she wasn't expecting betrayal from the other women just for telling me what's going on. I grab her chin, making her look me in the eyes. "This isn't some luxury resort, Vega. It's a prison. You've got to stand up for yourself, damn it."

She glances nervously at the other inmates, her voice dropping to a whisper. "But… they'll send me back to the Box…"

Her anxiety is palpable, and I can tell she's scared of the guards overhearing us. I don't know much about this Box she keeps talking about, but the way she acts makes it sound like a nightmare. Just as I'm about to ask more, the guards announce breakfast is over, and everyone starts cleaning up to head out. I stand up, and that's when I realize Tori's already gone, slipping out of the cafeteria like she's trying to escape. Damn it.

I know she can't get into too much trouble in just a few minutes, so I decide to find out more about this Box. I stop a couple of women from my table before they leave and ask about it.

"It's a bad place," says Farashka, one of the women who's been here for two years. "I went once. They kept me there for two days. It's a tiny, dark cell, smaller than the ones we sleep in. No lights, just a thin blanket and a hard bed. Sometimes the guards come in and beat you. Other times, they only give you food once a day, and you have to make it last. The longer you stay, the crazier you get."

"Some people die in there," another woman adds quietly. "Some get sick from the cold or go insane. The guards don't care. If you're sick when they put you in, they leave you to suffer."

A pit forms in my stomach. Tori was in a place like that? What did she do to deserve this kind of punishment?

"How long was she in there?" I ask, already guessing the answer.

Farashka nods, her expression serious. "Everyone knows about Tori Veega. The Chancellor was furious with her. She was there for a whole month. First time too. No one gets sent there that long the first time."

A whole month? No wonder she seems so messed up. I can't even imagine what that must have been like. I thank the women and make my way out to the yard to find her. Now I understand why she's so afraid… and why she feels so broken.

As I step into the yard, I scan the area for Tori and spot her sitting alone by the back fence. At least no one's messing with her… for now. I roll my eyes and head over, but as I get closer, I notice she's not entirely alone. Efka, her guard friend, is hidden behind the wall, talking to her quietly. I stop short, hanging back where I can hear them but stay out of sight.

"I'm sorry you were hurt when you came back... Do you want me to punish her?" Efka asks, his voice low and soft.

Tori surprises me by laughing and shaking her head. "No… I deserved it. She has every right to be mad at me."

Wait, what? He hands her something, and I raise an eyebrow when I realize what it is. Tori Vega? Smoking? She takes a puff and hands it back like it's no big deal.

"How's your leg?" he asks next.

Tori rubs at her leg but shakes her head again. "It's better. I can walk on it fine. The bites haven't bled in a while, and the bruises are fading."

Bites? What the hell bit her? I push my way through a few chatting women and march over, arms crossed, ready to confront her.

"Vega, what the hell happened to your leg?" I demand, stopping her from pulling her pant leg down.

"It's fine. It's healing," she mutters, trying to brush me off.

"Doesn't look fine to me. Looks like something bit you," I insist, glaring at the bruises and scarring.

She hesitates for a moment. "Well... yeah. A dog did."

I turn to Efka, who just shakes his head before I can even ask.

"It wasn't in the Box," he clarifies. "One of our security dogs bit her when you both were caught trying to escape."

"You got bit by a dog and didn't say anything?" My voice rises a little, and I see Tori flinch as she pulls her leg closer to herself.

"It wouldn't have mattered," she mumbles, her expression dropping back into that defeated look. "It wasn't that bad."

"Not that bad?" I snap. "Vega, that could've gotten infected. You could've lost your leg or worse."

She doesn't respond right away, wrapping her arms around her knees and staring down at the dirt. There's something off about how she moves, like she's lost in thought about something painful. "Vega?"

"It's nothing," she whispers, trying to shrug it off, but I can see right through her.

"How bad was it?" I press. When she doesn't answer, I glance at Efka. "If you won't tell me, I'll ask him."

Tori shifts uncomfortably, biting her lip before finally sighing. "I… I got a small infection in my leg. Efka helped me out. Got me some medicine."

I look to Efka, and he nods, but he seems to be holding something back.

"There's more to it, isn't there?" I ask, feeling the pit in my stomach grow.

He takes a drag from the cigarette before answering. "Yes. She had no medicine for a week. It was bad… Fever, hallucinations. She did not eat for days. The infection spread fast, and without the medicine from my brother, she maybe could have died."

I stare at Tori, my shock evident. She wraps her arms tighter around herself, as if she's trying to disappear.

"She could have died," I whisper, a mix of anger and guilt swirling inside me.

"She was very close to death," Efka confirms. "My brother, he is a doctor. He got stronger medicine, but it was very expensive and took a long time to work. She's still recovering."

Tori frowns, snapping, "I'm fine. I just need time for the bites to heal."

I raise an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, but I don't push it any further. Efka hands her the cigarette again, but before she can take a puff, I snatch it out of her hand. "You almost died, Vega. Maybe don't smoke while you're still recovering."

I take a drag off the cigarette and nearly choke. Ugh, these Yerbanian cigarettes are awful. "And it probably isn't good for your throat either," I mutter through a cough.

She rolls her eyes, dropping her head, mumbling a half-hearted, "Sorry…" before staring off into the distance. Efka stands up, saying he has to continue his rounds, leaving the two of us sitting awkwardly by the fence.

"So, what's the deal with him? Is he like… your prison boyfriend now or something?" I ask, trying to lighten the mood.

Tori's face goes white, and she quickly shakes her head. "No! God, no! He's like 10 years older than us, and besides, he's gay." The last part, she whispers

"Whoa, alright, I wasn't expecting that," I admit, feeling a little taken aback.

Tori chuckles softly. "He's just a good guy. He knew Sikowitz, actually."

"You're joking," I respond, genuinely shocked.

"Nope. Apparently, Sikowitz saved his life years ago and got him out of a mess with some gang. Efka's been trying to pay him back ever since."

"Huh," I muse, still processing this new information. "Guess there's more to Sikowitz than coconuts and weird speeches after all…"

Tori goes quiet, her eyes clouding over as she stares at the ground. "I hope he's okay… Sikowitz, and the others… I hope they made it home."

Suddenly, I realize for the first time that she's been worrying about everyone else this whole time. I haven't even thought about Beck or anyone else since we got locked up. A pang of guilt hits me, but I quickly push it down.

"They're fine," I say, more to reassure myself than her. "We've got to worry about ourselves right now. You can't afford to get soft in a place like this. You'll get eaten alive if you don't toughen up."

I stand up, brushing off my jumpsuit, trying to shake off the uncomfortable feelings swirling inside me. "And you've got to stop relying on people to bail you out. This isn't high school, Vega. I won't always be around to get you out of trouble."

Without waiting for her response, I walk off, leaving her behind by the fence. But even as I try to distract myself by talking to the others, I can't help glancing back at her every now and then. She's still sitting there, staring at the ground, and it starts to get under my skin. I shouldn't care. She's not my problem. But that look on her face… it's hard to ignore.

Time seems to stretch on forever, and just when the yard starts to calm down, I feel this unsettling shift in the air. The usual chatter fades, and I know what that means—the Chancellor is here. I hang back, trying to blend into the shadows, but my stomach drops when I hear a familiar voice scream.

"No! I didn't do anything wrong! Please!"

My heart races as I push through the crowd, panic rising in my chest when I spot two guards dragging Tori to the front, towards that ridiculous throne the Chancellor likes to sit on. What on earth could she have done in just the last couple of hours?

One of the guards steps in front of her, forcing her down to her knees. "The Chancellor has arrived to ensure your punishment is delivered."

Then he appears, the Chancellor himself, that smug smirk plastered across his face. "Tori Veega… look at me."

But Tori refuses, her eyes glued to the ground. One of the guards grabs her by the hair, yanking her head up. I see something shift in her expression, but I can't figure out what it is.

He lowers his face to hers, holding her chin up with his cane. "Your eye… it's healed."

"While you were in the Box, my eye get better." He pushes her to the ground with his foot, and she pushes herself up a bit, her eyes darting to me for just a second.

The Chancellor notices and locks his gaze on me. "Ah, the other American buddy. Perhaps she too needs punishment?"

I then hear Efka's voice and see that he's one of the guards who were Tori when she was brought over. He must have been summoned to do so. He gestures to me and I look at him and the Chancellor.

"That American buddy is very angry with her. She was the one who did that to her face," he says. My stomach twists at his words and his eyes meet mine as he just slightly shakes his head. He mentioned that to try and keep me safe.. The Chancellor eyes me for a moment, a smirk creeping across his face before turning back to Tori.

"Even your American buddy friend has turned against you." he taunts, stepping closer to Tori. as the guards make her stand. He leans down, whispering something in her ear, and the sickening smile on his face makes my blood run cold. I can't hear what he says, but Tori's reaction is enough. Her tears start to fall, and it makes my chest feel weird.

Satisfied, the Chancellor strolls back to his chair, gesturing for the guards to take her away. Tori doesn't fight; she just looks defeated, completely resigned to her fate. As they drag her off, I finally exhale, realizing I'd been holding my breath. The crowd begins to break apart, and I rush to a woman who'd been near the front earlier.

"Where are they taking her? Are they bringing her back to the Box?" My voice is laced with urgency.

She shrugs, totally unconcerned and like this is normal. "Punishments are decided before the Chancellor arrives."

"What kind of punishments are there?" I press, my heart pounding with anxiety.

"The Box, running punishments, or beatings, but almost always, it's The Box," she tells me. My heart sinks at her words. If they take Tori back there, it's going to mess her up even more…

Frustration bubbles inside me, and I pace around until lunch finally rolls around. When we're herded into the cafeteria, I scan the room frantically for any sign of Tori. She has to be here… A woman notices how distracted I am and hands me a tray of food, but I can barely focus on it. Eating feels like the last thing I want to do. I manage to choke down a little bit, but I trade the rest for extra bread and fruit, stuffing them into the pockets of my jumpsuit. If Tori isn't here, that means she hasn't eaten. She may not be my friend, but even I wouldn't want her to starve…

A few women notice what I'm doing but stay quiet about it. One even discreetly slips me a small bottle of water. Lunch feels like an eternity, and when we're finally back outside, I still haven't seen Tori. Where are they keeping her…?

The next five hours feel like torture, but I try to distract myself with the small radio we have. Time drags on, and I can't help but wish I were back home, hanging out with my mom. Just thinking about it hurts. Thank God for the radio; we may not have many stations, but at least we've got a decent collection of CDs. The music helps keep my mind off everything until it's time for dinner.

This time, I manage to eat more than I did at lunch, but I save my dessert for Tori. It feels small, but it's something—maybe it makes up for taking her cookie yesterday. A couple of women pass me their rolls, and another gives me her apple. It's definitely not a normal meal, but at least she'll have something to eat. I know I'm being too obvious in my attempts to hide food, so I ask one of the girls to hold some for me, promising to return later. It's clear they all feel sorry for Tori. I overhear some women whispering that they've never seen anyone targeted by the Chancellor so cruelly. I can't help but think he's still furious about his eye and our escape attempt, like a child holding onto a grudge.

Dinner wraps up, and we head back to the yard for another three hours. The minutes crawl by, and as the day winds down, the guards gather us up, leading us back to our cells. The girl who held onto my food rushes up to me, handing back the rolls, water, and apple she had hidden before scurrying off to her own cell. I'm so grateful, and I quickly tuck everything away in my pockets as I make my way back to our cell, praying Tori is there.

"Vega?" I call out when I step inside, but the room is empty. Damn it… They must have taken her back to the Box… I pull everything out of my pockets and stash it under my pillow for now. What am I supposed to do now? I sit on Tori's bunk,thinking. If she's back in the Box, and it's as terrible as they say, I can't imagine what she's going through right now. I lie back with a heavy sigh, feeling frustrated.

The lights begin to dim, signaling the end of the day, and I realize I probably won't see her tonight. Just as I'm about to crawl into bed, I hear noise in the hallway.

"Let's go, you're almost there." Is that Efka? I jump off the bed and rush to the door just as it swings open. Efka is supporting Tori, who limps in looking completely worn out.

"Tori…" Efka helps her sit down, and Tori lays back on the bed, wrapping the thin blanket around herself. She won't look at either of us, her expression totally blank. I shoot Efka a worried glance as he prepares to leave.

"What happened? What did they do to her?" I ask, my voice trembling with desperation.

"They gave her a running punishment… She had to run for hours, with hardly any breaks. It's not good for her leg. They hit her every time she fell…" Efka shakes his head, disgusted. He pulls three items from his pockets: a pack of cigarettes, a lighter, and a bottle of water. He lights a cigarette for himself and hands me the rest. "Take care of her…" he says, leaving before I can respond. His footsteps fade away, and suddenly, I'm alone with Tori.

I quietly sit on her bunk, unsure of what to say. Running for twelve hours straight? I can't even begin to imagine how exhausted she must feel…

"Hey… y-you okay?" I stammer, cursing my nerves. I clear my throat and open the water bottle, offering it to her. "Here, drink something…" She glances at the bottle but doesn't reach for it, so I set it down and gently help her sit up. I guess we're doing this the hard way. She doesn't resist, so I manage to prop her up against the wall. "Come on, drink the damn water, Tori." I guide the bottle to her lips, and she starts drinking. Finally, I can breathe a little easier, letting out a sigh I didn't realize I was holding. She gulps down half the bottle before pausing to catch her breath.

"Damn it…" I mutter, relieved to see a spark of life come back to her. She finishes the water but just sits there, staring at the empty bottle.

"Tori." She looks at me, and even in the dim light, I can see how drained she is. "I…" I pause, not sure if asking if she's okay would be best. It's obvious that she isn't. "Are you hungry?" I ask, and her expression changes. She nods, watching me closely as I pull out the food I had stashed away. I hand it to her, and it's like seeing the food give her a rush of energy. "This is mostly from some of the other women," I explain, watching her pick up an apple, her eyes glued to it.

"That was really nice of them…" she murmurs, but I notice she hesitates to eat. I'm ready to force-feed her some bread when suddenly she starts crying. The tears catch me completely off guard, and I instinctively pull back, unsure of how to comfort her. I realize she's been through so much, and she just needs to let it all out. Slowly, I sit back down next to her, placing a gentle hand on her back. I don't know what else to do, but I'll stay here for her.

After a bit, Tori starts to quiet down, and I can see she's completely wiped out, but I won't let her crash until she eats something. I'm honestly surprised when she finishes everything I offered her. I guess when you skip two meals, even the smallest bit of food becomes a feast…

Once she's done, I gently nudge her to stand and climb up to my bunk, even though she protests like a little kid.

"Just sleep in the damn bed," I say, trying to sound firm but not my usual mean self. I help her lie down, and just as I'm about to hop off the bunk, she suddenly grabs me in a hug.

"U-uh… You're hugging me… Why are you hugging me?" My skin tingles at the unexpected contact. I'm not exactly a fan of being touched, and this feels way more uncomfortable than when she grabbed my arm yesterday.

"I'm sorry that you're stuck here with me… You should be home, yelling at people and drinking coffee with Beck…" The weight of her words hangs in the air, and I feel this knot in my stomach. Should I tell her it's fine? Because it's not. I miss home too, but what good would it do to make her feel worse about everything?

"Go to sleep, Vega…" I clear my throat, trying to soften my tone so I don't come off as a jerk. "Look, you've had a really shitty day, okay? Just get some rest…" I wait for her to let go, but her deep, steady breaths tell me she's already fallen asleep. I let out a deep sigh, trying to wiggle my way out of her grip, but she's surprisingly strong for someone so worn out.

Whatever, I guess I'll lay with her for a bit. I pull the blanket over both of us, and it's honestly not that bad. I didn't really want to sleep on her bed anyway. It doesn't even have a mattress. I sigh and rest my arms behind my head as I stare at the ceiling, doing what I can to fall asleep, though it's a while before that happens.