Warning: Even when the first few chapters will be relatively light, the subsequent chapters could trigger some people. Themes like torture, human experimentation and even SA of a minor, discretion is adviced.

Turning point

The cold, fluorescent light buzzed overhead as Violet squirmed against the restraints, her wrists chafing against the coarse leather straps. Dash sat beside her, similarly bound, his breathing quick and shallow. The white-coated scientists moved methodically around them, setting up syringes filled with an eerie, iridescent liquid that glimmered under the harsh light.

Dash, sitting beside her, clenched his fists. His eyes were bloodshot from sleepless nights of anxious waiting, but he still tried to maintain his cocky, defiant facade. His eyes flicked to Violet, offering her a tight, reassuring smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Ready for the next round, sis?" Dash muttered, trying to sound nonchalant but the sight crack in his voice betrayed him.

They were both nervous, but they had learned to hide it from the scientists. The injections, no matter how often, always hurt—but today, something about it felt different.

One technician moved toward Violet, while the other approached Dash. The syringe was forced into Violet's arm first. She winced, feeling the cold sting of the needle before the substance was injected directly into her bloodstream. She barely had time to react before the technician moved to Dash, jabbing the needle into his arm as well. He flinched, but it was a reflex—he was used to the pain by now.

At first, there was nothing. A moment of eerie silence passed, and then—agony. Violet's body arched against the restraints as fire spread through her limbs. Her vision blurred, her heartbeat hammering so loudly it felt as if it would burst from her chest. She gasped for air, but it felt like her lungs were being squeezed by invisible hands. She turned to Dash, desperate to see if he was okay.

Only that his reaction was worse. His eyes widened in sheer panic as the drug took hold, his entire body convulsing against the chair. His breaths turned to gasps, and his skin turned a sickly shade of pale. Then his eyes rolled back, foam bubbling at his lips as his body continued to jerk uncontrollably.

Violet's heart raced as alarms blared, the calm demeanor of the scientists breaking as they rushed to him.

"Subject A001 is crashing!" one of the scientists shouted.

"Get the crash cart!"

Violet strained against her restraints, the burning in her veins now secondary to the terror gripping her. "What's happening to him? What did you do?" she screamed, her voice cracking.

They ignored her. Dash's body convulsed harder, then suddenly went limp.

"DASH! PLEASE, STAY WITH ME!" She screamed, pulling so hard against the restraints that the leather dug into her skin, drawing blood.

One of the scientists began chest compressions while another prepared a defibrillator. Violet could only watch in helpless horror as they pressed the paddles against Dash's chest.

Dash's body jerked violently with the first shock, but nothing changed.

"Dash," she whispered now, her voice trembling. "Please…" She begged… or rather prayed.

"Again!"

Violet's vision blurred with tears as she heard the second shock. Memories flooded her mind, vivid and unbidden.

A tiny hospital room, her mother holding a pink, wriggling bundle wrapped in a blanket. She was four years old, wide-eyed as her father knelt beside her.

"Meet your baby brother, Violet," he'd said gently.

"You are a big sister now Vi," her mom had said, smiling warmly. "It's your job to protect him." She'd leaned over to touch his soft cheek, and the tiny baby had grabbed her finger.

"One more time!" The scientist shout brough her back to reality.

The third shock jolted Dash's body again, and this time his chest heaved as he gasped for air. Violet let out a sob of relief, sagging against her restraints as the scientists moved to stabilize him.

Back in the cell, the dim light flickered weakly above them. Dash was slumped against her, his body trembling and weak. His breaths were uneven, his face pale as a ghost. Violet cradled him, her arms wrapped tightly around his frail frame as if holding him together.

"You're okay," she murmured, her voice breaking. "You're going to be okay."

She looked at the thin cracks in the concrete walls, at the dim lightbulb hanging above. She'd spent months trying to come up with a plan, always hesitating, waiting for the right moment. But now she realized time was no longer on their side.

If they stayed any longer, one of them wouldn't make it. And she wasn't going to let it be her little brother. She stroked his hair, her fingers trembling.

"I'm getting us out," she whispered, her voice steady now. "No more waiting. No more second-guessing. We're getting out of here, Dash."

He stirred slightly, his hand weakly gripping hers. It was all the answer she needed.

Violet leaned her head against his, her mind racing. The time for hesitation was over. They were running out of time.