No Longer Spring - Writings of Yesterday

7th of October

We entered, walking through a very dark corridor.
The air was humid and I could feel the despair emanating from the walls, from the roof and the floor. It was a truly horrible place, full of cells and chains inside some of them, ready to threaten everyone daring to insult their big, fat ego. I was glad that they didn't lock me into any of the first ones.
Honestly, I wasn't even sure of how much time had passed. I just tried to remember every turn and take note of anything worth remembering as the torches lighted our way.

"Where are we going?" 

"No use in asking."

I wasn't going to anything out of them, that much was clear. I kept walking, feeling the cold get through my clothing, piercing my bones. It was truly chilling.
Focusing on my breath again to pass the time I was obliged to being quiet. There was nothing worth asking, anyways. I wanted to be there in the first place. They had already taken my sword and I was entirely helpless in their territory. I had to give in and let the flow move at its will for once.

"Do you think they'll find out?" A voice rang around us, my heart skipping a beat. I stopped walking, feeling the guards urging me to keep going.
She sounded like you. Her voice was a little lighter, but who knew how you'd change after three years? 

"Mei Lin?"

"Keep walking," said the guard.

"Let's check first," continued another, as we started walking towards the voice.

I knew I was dreaming and making things up. I wanted to hear you so desperately that I started hearing your voice.  My heart was pumping like crazy inside my chest even though I didn't mean to fall for it. There was no chance of it being you, was there? Even so, I just couldn't help but feel a surge of expectation arise within me.
As we passed by the corner,  I saw her. The hair was the same rare color. She was wearing purple, just like you'd sometimes like do. She had an elegant hair pin keeping her bangs up, allowing us to see her face as she turned to face the guards.

Looking so fresh she must have been pretty new as well.

"What is there to find out?"

"I'm sorry," she said, "I was hungry, so we ate some seeds."

Another woman stood face to face with her, both staring at us with some sort of reluctance. Together, they looked as if the sun and the moon stood next to each other.
That's when I realized. It was none other than your sister. A part of me was disappointed, but I was relieved to see her well.
Mei Yang waved at me, getting up, excitement splattered across her face.

"Jiang Yun!" Hearing my old name resounding around sent shivers down my spine. Not many people called me that anymore. Shen Xiao was the second name I had chosen when we've left the Jiang Sect together.
Even so, I bowed my head as she smiled at me.
Why was someone like her there, anyways?

"Keep up the work."

"Of course," Mei Yang said respectfully, even though I realized that it was a rather mocking tone.

"You'll join them for now."

They pushed me, opening the gate to their room. They had no idea how happy I was to share a cell with someone I knew. It also turned out to be a more spacious place than it seemed, housing more people than the two. That was the workplace, perhaps.
The rest of the room was hidden behind the corner, so of course there was no way for me too see it.

"We're sorting these lotus seeds."

Mei Yang patted the ground for me to join as she sat down herself.

The whole room was dark just like the rest. I could still smell humidity in the air, the only source of light being a few, faded torches and a small window at the highest point of the wall. The few people sending me curious glances simply continued their jobs, quietly talking to each other after hearing the guards take some distance. There was no other place to sit but the ground, still dusty and morbid and, as I finally sat, even the last of eyes staring moved away. I was one of them, apparently.