Chapter 26: Symptoms

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The roaring sewer river stretched the long tunnel from Good to Evil, interrupted only by the Doom Room at the halfway point between the two schools. The beats had long guarded the halfway point, where clear water from the lake turned to roiling sludge from the moat. But for the last two weeks, Sophie had trespassed unchecked and would no doubt return tonight as promised. Y/n's only hope was to stop her before she crossed back into Good.

As Y/n hugged the tunnel walls, approaching the Doom Room, her chest tightened. Sophie had never spoken of her punishment there. Had the Beast left invisible scars? Had he hurt her in ways no one could know?

"Wait until they're about to kill him."
Y/n's head whipped down the tunnel.
"Tedros has to think you saved him from death," echoed Anadil's voice.
Sweating through her dress, Y/n nudged along the sewer wall, until she saw three shadows crouched in front of the dungeon's rusted grating.
"All the Evers will think it's Anadil's attack, not yours," Hester said, voice resounding above the river's roar. "Tedros will think you saved him. He'll think you risked your life."
"And then he'll love me?" asked the third shadow. But the voice didn't sound like they truly cared at all.
Y/n stumbled back in surprise.
Hester spun. "Who's there?"
Y/n inched backwards, but her wrist was caught by a familiar whip made out of water, dragging her out.

For the first time in weeks, Y/n saw Sophie again. She was still very alike herself, yet so different. But maybe it was just the dim light. Because Sophie looked bloodless, sunken, and a good deal thinner.
"My, dear, dear Y/n."
Y/n's body went cold. "What's happening?" she rasped.
"We're helping a prince keep his promise."
"By attacking him?"
"By showing him how much I love him," Sophie answered.

From the Doom Room came a clamor of loud grunts and squeals. Y/n reeled back. "What was that?"
Sophie smiled. "Anadil's been working on her Circus Talent."
Y/n tried to move to the cell, to see what it was. But Hester held her back, her wrists still constricted by water. Over her shoulder, Y/n glimpsed three giant black snouts jutting from the gates, baring razor-sharp teeth. They were sniffing something just out of reach.
An Everboy's necktie with an embroidered T.

"Can't see very well, poor things," Sophie sighed. "Target by scent."
Y/n lost all color in her face. "But that's–that's Tedros'--"
"I'll stop them before they do any harm of course. Just give him a good scare."
"What if they attack other people? What if you can't stop them?"
"Isn't this what you wanted? For me to find love?" Sophie said, unblinking. "Unfortunately, this really is the safest way after all that's happened."

Y/n couldn't even speak.

"But oh how I have missed you, Y/n," Sophie said softly, the first thing she said that sounded wholly genuine. "I really have." Her head cocked. "Still, it's strange. I thought I would feel like killing you once we meet again," she let out a sick laugh, "I guess not."
Another violent grunt from the dungeon. Y/n ran for a door, but Anadil pulled her back with the whip and caught her against a wall.
"Sophie, you can't do this!" Y/n pleaded, fighting her restraints. "You have to ask him to forgive you! It's the only way to make everything right again!"
Sophie's eyes widened in surprise. Then slowly she grinned.
"Come closer, Y/n."

Y/n was let go by Anadil, her hands finally free, and stepped into torchlight leaking from the Doom Room.
"Sophie, please listen to me–"
"You still look so pretty," Sophie said and caressed Y/n's cheek.
"Ever supper is almost over, Sophie," Anadil pressed, prompting impatient grunts in the cell.
"Sophie, you can apologize to Tedros at the Circus," Y/n said, raising her voice over them. "When it's your turn onstage! Then everyone will see that you're Good!"
"Oh, I just love that you always have such innocent hope, Y/n, but that isn't a solution anymore."

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