ATARAXIA • BELLAMY BLAKE

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I glance at a broken clock on the dusty shelf next to me, impatiently tapping my foot on the hard metal floor of the broom closet I'm currently hiding in, waiting for Aidan to meet me. It smells like fish in here—or what I'd imagine fish smells like. We don't really get a lot of those in space. With a scrunch of my nose, I refrain from looking at the bin the questionable smell stems from in the corner of the small space while absentmindedly fiddling my necklace in between my fingers.

My head whips around to look at the door when it suddenly opens and Aidan steps inside, taking in my appearance. I have switched my usual work attire out for something more casual, or at least what I imagine is similar to what the prisoners will be wearing. I tug my necklace back under my sweater.

"God, you even look like a child," he practically spits, shaking his head before taking a cautious look behind him to check if anyone had followed him there. No one had.

I find his insult amusing to my own surprise. "Charming as ever, Aidan." I have always looked younger than my age, and today I will use it to my advantage.

"Let's just do this," I tell him, pushing past him to exit through the closet door only to be pulled back by the fabric of my sweater.

"If we're gonna do this you better quit being a brat and do as I say, or we're gonna get caught. And I'm sure as hell not getting floated for helping you."

I meet his stern eyes, pondering whether or not the fight is worth it, before deciding that it's not. Instead I gesture for him to walk out first while taking a step back. Aidan steps back out into the hallway, taking a cautious look around before gesturing for me to follow.

"We probably won't pass anyone on our way there since the guards all are gathered in the Skybox, but if we do just act like we're taking a nice walk as a family," he tells me. He then picks up his pace, his action forcing me to do the same.

"Yeah, cause that would be believable," I mutter under my breath. I don't know whether Aidan heard my comment or not, but if he did he doesn't bother responding.

We roam the hallway without being seen for a few moments, a perk of having chosen to meet up close to the Skybox itself. When we reach a door that is unfamiliar even to me, Aidan grabs my wrist harshly, pulling me in front of him.

"Hey!" I protest at the sudden yank.

"Just act normal." He opens the door and pushes me inside, pretending that I'm just another teen getting escorted to the drop ship.

We're met by the sight of dozens of delinquents being forced out of their holding cells, all of them screaming and yelling in protest. My eyes sweep over the many people in search of Octavia's face, but I don't get much time to do so before I'm pulled away from Aidan and off to the side.

"Hey! Who do you think you are to—" hisses Aidan, undoubtedly ready to throw his authority in their face as he grabs the perpetrator by his collar and slams him against the wall.

"What the hell!" exclaims Jaime with surprise at Aidan's action. Then he clears his throat awkwardly. "I mean...Lieutenant Avery, sir," he corrects himself.

"Walsh," sighs Aidan in disappointed realization. When he doesn't loosen his grasp on Jaime, I do it for him, prying him off.

"What are you doing here, J?" I ask, still a little startled from his sudden entrance.

"Really? What am I doing here? You left without saying goodbye, knowing damn well that we may never see each other again," he whisper-yells in a scolding manner—a manner in which I can't recall him ever having spoken towards me before. The hurt in his eyes churns my gut.