I really uploaded the wrong chapter and and not even for the same story lol that's a first for me. I apologize for the confusion. Mobile lags a bit and I must have mis-tapped and not realized. Please excuse the roughness of this chapter, if it's that bad. I'm working on my phone due to PC issues and google docs does like like my phone. I guess I could have waited, but I'd been toying with this chapter all week D: If there are any issues, please let me know in the comments and I can fix them as soon as my PC is fixed. -Mercy

Chapter 7

-July 25th, 2013-

Two and a half years. That's how long we've been stuck here. Some days feel like they drag on forever, but oddly enough, after a while, you get used to it. You learn to find comfort in the little things, the routines, the small victories, the way the sun comes through the bars just right some mornings. Tori's smile… It's taken me a while to sort out my feelings, and I'm still working on it. All I know is, I don't feel complete unless she's beside me…

Having Tori is what's gotten me through all of this, and everyday, I find myself falling for her more and more. She doesn't push. She's let me go at my own pace to figure things out. I've even gotten to the point where I can almost ignore the constant noise and the smell of dirt and stale food, as long as she's with me.

But not today. Today, everything feels different.

I'm sitting with Tori in the cafeteria, picking at my food, but neither of us is really eating. Something's in the air, like when a storm is about to hit but hasn't quite started. Tori's tapping her fork against her tray as she leans against me, and I know she's feeling it too.

"Do you feel that?" she asks, her voice low, like she's afraid to say it out loud.

I glance around, but everything looks normal. Guards are walking by, the other women are talking in low voices, and the clattering of trays fills the space. But there's something off. A tension. "Yeah," I say, looking back at her. "I feel it."

Then, just like that, the sound of heavy doors opening interrupts everything. It's the kind of noise that makes everyone pause, like we're all waiting for something. It's not the usual noise of the guards moving through; this one is different. I feel my chest tighten as I glance at Tori, who's already looking at me with the same question in her eyes.

"American. Jade," a voice calls from the doorway, and it sends a chill down my spine.

I stand quickly, the fork still in my hand. "Yeah?"

"You have visitor. Come."

My heart skips a beat. No one ever comes for me, not really. Maybe once, a year ago, my mom tried to send some stuff through, but that was it. The guards never let anyone past those gates unless they have a reason, so the fact that they're calling me... it's unexpected, to say the least. I glance back at Tori, and she gives me a small, uncertain nod.

"Good luck," she whispers, and I feel like the air between us is charged with that same strange tension.

The walk to the gates feels like a blur and my mind races, trying to figure out who could be here for me. My mom? I haven't heard from her in so long, I stopped expecting anything. But who else would it be?

The gates screech open, and I stop in my tracks when I see her.

It is her… Mom.

It's like the whole world just stops. My heart drops, then beats a million times faster. I blink, unsure if I'm seeing things. She looks the same but… different. Older, more worn. But it's her. It's really her.

"Mom?" I croak, the word barely leaving my mouth.

Her face lights up when she sees me, relief washing over her. "Jade... Oh my God," she breathes, taking a step toward me and reaching through the bars and holds my face. Her eyes scan my face and I know it's because I'm older now, nearly 20… We've lost out on so much time… She does her best to kiss my forehead, something I used to hate, but for once, I let her. "I've been trying so hard to get to you… We're trying to get you out of here."

I freeze. "Wait, what? How?" I'd truly thought we were forgotten about here…

She glances over her shoulder at a group of people standing off to the side. One of them steps forward, a serious-looking woman in a suit.

"We've been working on this for a while now," She says, her voice calm but urgent. "Your mother and a team of us have been fighting for your release. The Chancellor... he's been the main obstacle. He has a personal issue with Tori, and that's made things a lot harder. But we're going over his head. We've pushed for a meeting with the President. We have a chance. A real chance to get you out of here."

The words hit me like a wave. A chance? It doesn't feel real. For so long, I've just accepted that this place was my life. But standing here in front of my mom, hearing her talk about getting me out… I can't help but think, maybe?

"What do you mean, a chance?" I ask, my voice shaking. "How?"

The lawyer's face softens. "The Chancellor's been blocking any release. He's holding onto some vendetta he has against Tori, and he's been refusing to even consider it. But your mother and her team… we're trying our best for you girls. We have a meeting with the President tomorrow morning. He seems much kinder than the Chancellor. If we can get him to back us, we can override the Chancellor."

It's almost too much to process. My brain keeps spinning, the words tumbling around in my head, but they don't make sense. "You're serious? You really think you can get us out?" My voice is almost a whisper.

Mom takes my hand and squeezes, her face filled with that familiar determination. "Yes, I'm serious. The president just has to listen to us. We're not giving up, Jade. Not now. We've had lawyers working day and night. You just need to hold on, and we'll make this happen."

I can hardly breathe. A chance. A real chance to leave this place. To be free.

The end of mealtime buzzer goes off and women come out to the yard. I turnand see Tori, who's standing back by the door, watching us quietly. Our eyes meet, and there's something in the way she looks at me that I can't quite place. She doesn't know… she's just giving me time with my mom…

"We're going to do everything we can to help you," another one of the lawyers says, cutting through the heavy silence. "But we need to be prepared. The Chancellor will fight this tooth and nail."

I turn back to them and my mom runs her fingers through my hair, searching my face. "But we won't stop. I won't stop. You'll be out of here soon. I promise."

"We'll be ready…" I whisper and try my best to hug her through the bars before she and the lawyers leave.

Once the gates close behind them, the lawyers and my mom disappearing through the heavy steel doors, I find myself standing there, speechless for a few moments, still trying to process it all. Tori comes up and takes my hand in her's, squeezing.

"Jade?" she asks softly, her voice tentative. "What happened?"

She pulls me down to sit, my breath still a little shaky. "They…" I pause, unsure of how to say it. It's all so surreal. "They're fighting for my release. For both of us. My mom... she's been working with a bunch of lawyers. They've got a shot at getting us out of here."

The words come out in a rush, like I'm trying to convince myself too. I watch her face carefully, but all I see is silence at first. Her eyes narrow slightly, like she's processing, maybe trying to figure out if I'm lying, or if this is real.

But then, slowly, she looks away, her hands clenched and her fingernails digging into her skin. "A shot." Her voice is low, almost too low to hear, and I catch a hint of bitterness there. She shakes her head, glancing up at me with something unreadable in her eyes. "Jade… you know the Chancellor will never let that happen…"

The words hit me harder than I expect. I know Tori's been through so much, but hearing her say it so plainly makes something cold settle in my chest. The truth is, she's right. We've been stuck here for years, and no matter how much we hope or how hard we fight, it always feels like the walls close in even tighter.

"Maybe not," I reply, my voice softer, but I can't back down now. "But they're going to try. My mom won't give up on us. She'll keep fighting. I'm not just going to sit here and let the Chancellor win."

Tori doesn't say anything for a long moment, and I can see her weighing the words in her mind. When she finally looks back at me, her face is unreadable, guarded. She's bracing for disappointment, for the inevitable. "I want to believe you," she says quietly, her voice almost a whisper. "I really do. But I can't keep doing this, Jade. I can't keep hoping, only to be let down over and over."

My heart clenches. I want to argue, to tell her that this time it's different, that we actually have a chance. But her words hang in the air like a cold warning. We've seen how things fall apart, how the promises get broken, and I can't blame her for being so wary.

"I get it," I say, my voice low, swallowing the knot in my throat. "I'm scared, too. I don't want to get my hopes up, but I can't just pretend this doesn't matter. I want to leave with you, Tori. I want us to go home. We'll figure this out. We'll do it together, okay?"

Tori's eyes flicker with something, a flash of hope maybe, but it's quickly masked by the resignation in her face. She takes a deep breath, nodding slowly, though I can tell she's still trying to prepare herself for the worst. "We'll see, Jade. We'll see."

I squeeze her hand tighter, trying to push away the doubt, the fear. "I'm not giving up, Tori. Not now. Not ever." I kiss her hand and hug her to me. We're going home, I can feel it…

We spend the afternoon in our routine, trying to ignore the whispers from the guards and the other prisoners who've caught wind of my mom's visit. We know better than to acknowledge it, both of us moving through the motions of this place to get through another day. Tori's been quiet, even for her, and she's walking with more confidence with this strange look in her eye…

hen the evening rolls around, there's a change in the air. A ripple of tension cuts through the yard as the guards start barking orders, lining up everyone with practiced, harsh efficiency. Tori and I exchange a look, but before we can even whisper a word, a voice rings out, cold and commanding, silencing everything.

It's the Chancellor.

We're called forward, summoned from the line like we're the lowest, filthiest creatures in this place. He strides in, flanked by two guards, his expression twisted with disdain. "Ah, my two troublemakers," he sneers, his eyes narrowing as he zeroes in on Tori with a look that makes my skin crawl. "Thought you could outsmart me, did you? Thought your American buddies would come in, plead for you, and I'd just let you go?"

He chuckles, low and mocking, his gaze flicking over to me. "I have spoken to your so-called 'allies,' and let me make clear: I do not answer to them. This is my prison. You are mine to do with as I see fit."

I clench my fists and I can feel Tori tense beside me. I steal a glance at her and I see her standing still, silent, her jaw tight. My stomach drops. This isn't like Tori. She always keeps her head down to avoid angering him. Now, she won't look away. The Chancellor must see the defiance in her stance because his eyes narrow further, and his lips curl into a cruel smile.

"Tori Veega," he drawls, as if savoring her name. "Since you seem so keen on making yourself a nuisance, I think a reminder is in order. You wanted to test my patience. Now you will learn what happens when you get out of line."

He gestures to one of the guards beside him. "Now."

The guard grabs Tori by the shoulders and forces her down, her knees hitting the ground with a thud. I move instinctively, about to step forward, but the other guard holds me back, his grip iron-tight on my arm.

The guards rip the top half of her jumpsuit down, pulling it down over her shoulders until only her tank top remains, leaving her upper body exposed. The room is deathly silent, every prisoner holding their breath, waiting for what's coming next. I'm shaking, my entire body tense with the urge to do something, to stop this, but I have no chance of getting away from the guard.

"Tori," I whisper, my voice barely a breath, but if she hears me, she doesn't respond. She's already looking down, her face pale but steely.

The Chancellor steps closer, pulling a thin rod from his belt and tapping it in his hand like it's nothing more than a pen to him, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

"Let's see how long you can stay so defiant, shall we?"

Then, before I can prepare myself, the first lash cracks through the air. It's so sharp, so forceful, that the sound echoes through the yard, making everyone flinch, even the guards. Tori doesn't make a sound. Not a single whimper, not a cry. She simply clenches her jaw, her fists tightening and her whole body stiffening from the blow.

The second strike lands harder, and I see a line of red streaking across the white of the tank top. Blood wells up immediately, but still, she doesn't make a sound.

The third strike is just as brutal, and I can feel my heart breaking as I watch her take it, her body jerking slightly from the pain but not giving him the satisfaction of hearing her voice.

"You thought you were clever," he taunts, another vicious strike landing on her back, where the thin fabric of her tank top is already darkening with blood. "You will learn, Tori Veega, that people like you do not get happy endings. You do not get out."

"Stop it!" I scream, struggling against the guard's hold, my voice breaking. But he only smirks, as if pleased by my reaction.

The Chancellor pauses, casting me a sideways glance. "You will be next if you keep making noise." I flinch back and turn my eyes back to Tori.

I watch her face, the way her jaw is clenched so tightly that it looks like it might break. Her eyes are fixed straight ahead, unwavering, but then they flick to mine for a split second, a silent plea. In that instant, I know what she's telling me without speaking a word: Shut up. Don't you dare try to stop this.

Her eyes are heavy with something I can't quite place, a kind of strength almost, but also a plea for me to stay out of it. She's taking this. All of it. For us both.

I want to rush forward, to shove the Chancellor off her, to scream at him to stop, but the look in her eyes stops me. I take a small, hesitant step back. My body is trembling, my heart racing, but I stand frozen, unable to do anything but watch.

The Chancellor's blows land hard across Tori's back, each one harsher than the last, and I can see her skin reddening and splitting under the force. I'm barely able to hold back the shouts building inside me, watching her knuckles go white against the ground, her shoulders trembling. But she stays silent, refusing to give him a single sound, not even a gasp.

The Chancellor's smirk fades as he circles around to face her, his gaze narrowing in irritation. He pauses briefly, gripping the rod tightly as if expecting her to beg or scream, but she remains still, her eyes hard and defiant. I see the frustration flash in his expression, and his lips press together in a tight, angry line as he raises the rod again.

The air thickens with each blow, every strike landing with a sickening crack that makes my stomach turn. I keep my eyes locked on Tori's face, searching for any sign that she's breaking, but she's unyielding. Her expression is pained but determined, refusing to give the Chancellor the satisfaction of seeing her crumble.

"Still nothing?" he spits, his voice rising. "Still no cry? No scream? You think you are better than me? You think you are strong? You insolent girl!" His voice is cold and venomous as he stares her down.

In a sudden fit of fury, he raises the rod high, and before I can even blink, he strikes Tori across the face with it. The sound of the blow is sickening, and I watch in horror as the thin metal slices across her cheek and jaw, leaving a raw, bloody line that stains her skin and trickles down her neck. I feel my own body jolt as if I were the one struck.

I hear her inhale sharply, see the pain flare in her eyes as the blow knocks her head to the side. But she still doesn't scream. Her jaw tightens, and she straightens up, even with the blood dripping down her face, her expression refusing to break.

He raises the rod to strike her again, but one of the guards hesitates, eyes flickering between him and the thin line of blood now staining the floor. The Chancellor catches the hesitation and sneers, lowering the rod with a look of disgust. "Pathetic," he spits, stepping back. "You will rot here. We will see how long you keep up this little act of strength."

Finally, with a grunt of frustration, he snaps the rod over his knee, the sound like a bone breaking. He hurls the shattered pieces to the ground and kicks them aside. He barks orders and gets on his chair, being carried away as his eyes never look away from Tori.

The guards release their hold on me, and I'm at her side in an instant, pulling her close and gently wiping the blood from her face. Her shoulders are trembling, her breaths ragged, and when she meets my gaze, I can see that fierce, defiant spark still there. She didn't let him win.

The guard who was holding me comes over and gets my attention. "Take her to the infirmary." His tone seems cold, but when I meet his eyes, they say something different.

I nod, my hands shaking as I move towards Tori. She doesn't look at me, doesn't speak, but I can see the strain in her posture, the way her body trembles ever so slightly from the effort of holding it together.

As we head inside, I glance around and see a few other guards standing around, shaking their heads. I don't think they knew how far he'd go. If the usually emotionless guards are disturbed by this, that's not good…

We begin the long walk toward the infirmary. Her silence is deafening. I want to say something, to ask if she's okay, to let her know how sorry I am, but I know better than to push right now. She's holding it all in, bearing it without a single sound, and I can feel the weight of her pain in my chest, making it harder and harder to breathe.

When we finally reach the infirmary, the attendant is there, waiting for us. His eyes flick over Tori's wounds, then to me, he doesn't say anything but he looks sad. I help Tori sit down, her back stiff with the effort of walking.

"I'm fine," Tori finally speaks, her voice soft but heavy, like it's being dragged out of her with every word.

The attendant's movements are precise and practiced as he directs Tori to lie on her stomach. Tori doesn't flinch, doesn't hesitate, though I can see the slight tremor in her shoulders as she lowers herself onto the bed. Her breathing is shallow, but steady, like she's trying to keep her composure, trying to hold onto that piece of herself that the Chancellor couldn't break.

I stand by her side, close enough to offer a touch, but I know she doesn't want me to. I can tell she doesn't want to appear weak and show that the Chancellor got to her. And as the medic cuts away her tank top with careful precision, I see just how far her resolve stretches.

The sight of her back, torn and bloodied, makes my stomach twist in a way I can't put into words. The marks left by the rod are dark, angry welts that crisscross her skin, the deepest ones leaving lines of red and bruised flesh, and I can't tear my eyes away as the medic gently cleans the blood from her skin, his hands steady as he swabs away the mess, revealing just how much damage the Chancellor caused.

Tori doesn't say a word. She doesn't react to the pain as he cleans her wounds, doesn't make a sound as the disinfectant stings against her raw flesh. She simply lies there, her eyes closed, her breathing slow and controlled. The medic moves methodically, securing tight bandages onto her back, his hands working with practiced efficiency. Every now and then, I see him glance up at me, gauging my reaction, maybe looking for any sign that I need to be pulled away, but I don't move. I don't even look away.

I watch Tori's face, her expression as calm as it's ever been. Her jaw is tight, her brow furrowed just enough to show the faintest hint of discomfort, but there's no sign of breaking in her eyes. There's nothing that gives away the pain she's feeling as the bandages are carefully applied to her back. I see how the medic adjusts her bandages gently, treating her like she's made of glass, but Tori doesn't flinch, doesn't pull away. She just lies there, still, her mind seemingly somewhere else.

I can't stop watching her. She looks so still, so composed, but there's something in her eyes that tells me she's not as unaffected as she seems. I see it, in the way her pupils dilate ever so slightly when the medic presses down just a little too hard against the tender spots on her back. But even then, she doesn't make a sound.

When the bandaging is done, the medic steps back, taking a quiet breath as he surveys his work. Tori's back is covered in fresh, clean wraps, and the slice on her cheek is clean and taped as well. She remains on the bed, her eyes still closed, her body stiff beneath the bandages. I can see the faintest hint of tension in her hands, clenched into fists at her sides. But she doesn't show any other signs of weakness. Not a single tear or word of complaint.

When the medic leaves, he gives us a final glance, but doesn't speak. It's not like we need words. I think he understands.

I sit down beside Tori, brushing her hair back from her face gently. I don't say anything at first, just watching her, letting the silence hang in the air between us. The quiet of the room feels like it's pressing down on us, but I don't mind it. Not right now.

Finally, Tori shifts, turning her head slightly to look at me. Her eyes are focused, intense, but they hold something else too. Something softer, something that almost cracks me. She might be in pain, she might be broken on the inside, but she's still here. She's still strong.

As soon as the medic leaves, Tori pushes herself up, despite the stiffness and pain clearly written across her face. I reach out, trying to steady her. "Tori, please...just lie down for a bit, okay? You need to rest."

But she shakes her head, her expression calm, determined. She meets my eyes, and there's a hard glint there, something fierce and unbreakable. I haven't seen that look since… since before everything went dark for her. After Denora died, Tori retreated so far into herself that I was afraid she'd never come back.

But here she is, meeting my eyes with a strength I thought she'd lost. "Jade," she says, her voice soft but unwavering. "This… it's nothing. It's not the worst pain I've been through. Not even close." She takes a deep, steadying breath, and for a moment, I see the Tori I used to know.

"But your back… Your face." My eyes flicker down to her cheek as I gently touch the bandage, pulling away when she winces. She grabs my hand and shakes her head.

"He was already planning to do this. He'd never had that thing with him before." She sighs, leaning to the side a bit, perhaps to ease some of the pain. "It was inevitable."

I shake my head, still furious. "You didn't have to take all of it then. If he'd taken it out on me, you wouldn't have been hurt so bad. Tori, you need to think these plans through more."

But Tori raises a hand, calm and collected. "Jade, stop," she says, her voice firm but quiet. "He only has it out for me. If he's focused on me, he'll leave you alone. It's better this way." Her eyes are steady as she says it, like she's already weighed all the consequences and accepted them.

"You shouldn't have to," I whisper, my voice strained. "Why does it always have to be you? Why do you always-"

And then I can't hold back anymore. I reach out, grabbing her hand with mine, and I pull her close, my lips meeting hers before I even realize what I'm doing. The kiss is fierce, more desperate than I'd intended, but I don't pull back. I need her to understand how much this hurts me, how much I hate seeing her in pain, how much I…

When I finally do pull back, Tori is staring at me, her eyes wide with shock, her cheeks flushed. She blinks, her hand still clutching mine, like she can't quite believe what just happened. Her lips part slightly, and for a second, she just breathes, staring into my eyes.

I give her hand a squeeze, taking a steadying breath. "Just… think it through next time," I say quietly. "I don't want to keep seeing you hurt. I can't."

Tori looks at me, her expression softening. She reaches up, her fingers brushing against my hand where it still rests on hers. "I'm sorry, Jade," she says quietly. "I didn't mean to make you worry like that. I just didn't want to see you hurt, and if I could take it instead…" She pauses, but her meaning is clear.

I open my mouth to argue, to tell her again that she doesn't need to take everything on herself, but she cuts me off. "But I promise you," she continues, her voice steady, "it won't happen again." She meets my eyes, and this time, there's something in her gaze—a conviction, a spark I haven't seen in a long time. "We're getting out of here, Jade. We're going home."

I freeze, caught off guard by the certainty in her voice. My heart skips a beat. "Tori…" I murmur, not sure what to say, not sure if I believe it.

Tori's grip on my hand tightens, her eyes never leaving mine. "I trust your mom," she says, her voice low but resolute. "She's going to get us out of here. And we're going to make it."

The attendant comes back after a while, the door clicking open as he steps inside with a small glass in hand.

"You earned a drink, kid," he says, his voice casual but with a slight edge of approval. "Keep it secret."

Tori's brow furrows, her gaze flicking from the glass to the attendant. "I'm not old enough," she says, trying to push the drink away, but he just chuckles softly, shaking his head.

The attendant gives a chuckle, shaking his head. "The drinking age is 18 here. And after what you just went through, I think you've earned a drink. Trust me." He pushes the glass closer, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

For a moment, Tori hesitates. I see just a flicker of uncertainty and I can't blame her. But then, after a long pause, she takes the glass. I watch her smell the drink and glance at me, unsure, like she's looking for some kind of permission or maybe reassurance. How can she go from taking a beating without a sound, to looking so innocent about a drink? Only Tori Vega…

I give her a nod, smiling at her as I place my hand on her leg for support. She's been through enough today. Hell, she's been through enough these last few years. If she wants this, if it's going to help her forget for even a moment, then who am I to stop her?

"Go ahead," I tell her, my voice gentle. "It's your choice."

Tori nods, her shoulders squaring as she lifts the glass to her lips. The first sip she takes is slow, cautious, but then she seems to relax, like she's finally letting go of something for the first time in a long while. She takes another drink, and this time, she doesn't hesitate as much, even though I can tell it's strong. Her face contorts just a little as the burn hits the back of her throat, but she doesn't stop. She takes the whole drink down in silence, and when she finally lowers the glass, her cheeks are flushed, and there's a moment of silence between us.

I'm a little surprised, honestly. Not because I don't think she could handle it, but because I never thought I'd see her like this. I remember sneaking drinks with my mom back home, but Tori? She never once showed any interest in alcohol. She didn't need it. She never seemed like someone who'd want to blur the edges of her mind.

But now, with the alcohol starting to settle in her system, I watch as she lets out a slow exhale, her shoulders relaxing just a bit. Her eyes are distant, but there's something new there, maybe it's relief, or maybe just the warmth from the alcohol taking the edge off the pain, but she doesn't seem as tense as she did just a few minutes ago.

"You... okay?" I ask, my voice cautious.

Tori's smile is faint but genuine. "Yeah," she says quietly, her tone a little steadier. "It burns. But... I kind of like it. It's... distracting."

I can't help but raise an eyebrow. I don't know why, but seeing her unwind, even if only for a moment, gives me a sense of comfort I didn't expect. Tori's usually so focused, so guarded, and it's rare for her to let herself relax, even for a second.

The attendant clears his throat, and Tori glances up. "You know, if Efka were here, he'd probably warn you to be careful with that stuff," he says, chuckling lightly.

At the sound of Efka's name, Tori sits up a little straighter. "Efka… I haven't seen him in ages. You know him?" she says, her voice a little softer. "What's he been up to?"

The attendant's face shifts, his smile fading. "He is my brother. He left the country. He had to run. The Chancellor found out he helped prisoners. They were going to arrest him, make an example out of him."

My heart drops at that, and I glance at Tori, whose face is tense with worry. "He escaped?"

The attendant nods, his expression both proud and cautious. "Yes, he got out in time. It was not easy, and they are keeping an eye out for him now. If he ever returns, he knows they will take him." He pauses, meeting Tori's eyes. "He wanted to help. He knew what it would cost him. You two were not the only ones he looked out for. A lot of prisoners owe him for what he did."

Tori lets out a slow breath, her fingers tracing the edge of the empty glass. "I remember. He got me medicine once… when things were really bad."

The attendant nods. "He got that from me. He knew you needed it badly, so he asked me." He pauses, then looks at Tori.

I glance over at Tori, remembering when she told me how he smuggled in medicine she desperately needed for her leg. That was a lifeline in a place that barely allowed us to survive, and the thought of Efka risking everything to get it for her makes my chest hurt all over again.

Tori's fingers trace the edge of the empty glass, a quiet gratitude in her eyes. "If you can get word to him, please tell him thank you," she says softly. "And… thank you, too. For the medicine and for this," she adds, nodding at the glass.

The attendant nods, giving her a small, warm smile. "Just keep that secret. Guards don't take kindly to special treatment." He smiles before heading toward the door, looking back one last time before slipping out.

When he's gone, Tori carefully leans back against the bed, the faint flush from the drink still on her cheeks. She doesn't say anything, just lets her eyes wander around the room, like she's taking in the warmth of something she hasn't felt in a long time.

For a moment, I sit quietly beside her, just feeling the strange calm that's settled over us both. The drink, the talk of Efka, the reminder that we aren't alone in this place—it's enough to let hope slip back in, however small.

There's a soft knock at the door and one of the women, Sherana, walks in.

"Tori Veega… I bring you this." She holds out a clean jumpsuit and tank top. Tori takes it, graciously, happy to get to change out of her ruined clothes.

"Thanks…" Sherana lingers for a moment, looking at Tori with concern, and then leaves. Tori gets up and tries to change, but she can't bend. I help her, being as gentle as possible, and we get her in fresh clothes before she decides she's ready to get up. I trust her judgment and we stand, Tori leaning on me a bit as we walk out.

We leave the infirmary slowly, Tori's steps a bit uneven as we make our way down the hall. Between the strong drink and the pain lingering from the whipping, her movements are less steady than usual. She catches herself against the wall with a wince, holding herself until the pain stops.

"Come on," I murmur, slipping an arm around her shoulders to help her along. "Let's get some air."

We make our way toward the yard, the noise of the other women growing louder as we approach. The chatter, the laughter... it all feels so far removed from what just happened. It feels wrong, like the world should be quieter, more somber, after what just happened.

But as we step outside, something catches my eye. Something I wasn't expecting. The other women, a group of them, are gathered around the spot where Tori's blood had spilled, in the middle of the yard. At first, I think they're just talking, maybe gossiping, but as I look closer, I see what they're actually doing.

They're covering it up. Gently, they're throwing dirt over the patch of earth where her blood soaked into the ground. The motion is slow and deliberate, like they're giving the spot a kind of respect it doesn't deserve. It's like they're erasing the memory of it, or maybe trying to bury the pain for her.

The sight hits me harder than I expected, and I have to swallow the lump in my throat as I watch them work. It's so quiet, almost like a funeral.

As we approach, I hear the whispers. Low murmurs, barely audible, but enough for me to catch snippets of their conversation.

"That rod… it has not been used in years."

"The Chancellor brought it back for her."

"Just for her..."

I catch Tori's eye for a brief moment, and she's still, her expression unreadable, but I know what she's hearing, too. She can hear the whispers. And I know she doesn't like it. She doesn't want their pity, their sympathy. Not like this.

I can't help myself, my eyes narrowing as I listen. There's a flicker of anger in my chest. The Chancellor's decision to bring it back, specifically for Tori… He's gone mad with power, over his sick obsession with Tori, just because she hurt him by accident…

I want to ask her if she's okay. I want to say something to make this all feel better, but I know her. I know she won't let me. She'll just brush it off, pretend like it doesn't matter, even though it does. It all matters.

Instead, I say nothing, just keep walking beside her, my hand holding hers as I guide her to a spot to sit.

When we reach the far side of the yard, I look back one last time, watching the women finish covering the spot where Tori's blood had soaked into the dirt. The air feels heavy, like the earth itself is holding onto what happened here, unwilling to let it go.

But eventually, the dirt settles. The spot is hidden, erased from view, and the whispers die down.

And I wonder—if that's all they can do. If that's all anyone can do in a place like this.

Erase the pain.

Cover it up.

Move on.

But I can see, in the way the other women move now. It's quieter, more subdued. They know. They know the Chancellor went too far this time.

Tori leans against me and I can feel her trembling a bit. The alcohol might not be numbing the pain as much, and I know her adrenaline is wearing off. I squeeze her hand and she rests her head against me, breathing hard.

"If you want to go lay down, you tell me," I whisper to her, brushing my lips against her forehead. Tori nods, but just closes her eyes. I know she must be exhausted. Might as well let her rest before feels her injuries completely.