The fall

Chapter 25

Penelope

I've been in this damn room for 360 minutes, that is 21 600 seconds I've tried breaking this motherfucking glass wall. I've lost count of how many times I've smashed my hands against the cold surface. But it's like I'm hitting steal and the collar around my neck is a constant, suffocating reminder that I can't even use my powers to break free.

It's been six whole hours since I woke up, and my hands are raw from my slamming while my body is exhausted, but the more I try, the more It feel like I'm losing my mind. I can't think straight anymore, I just need to get out of here.

"Doctor Fray,"  I call out the third time this hour. My voice hoarse and tired. "You promised—just let me go. I don't care what you want from me. Just let me leave."

He stands there, watching me through the glass, as usual. His expression is calm, studying me—like it's all some kind of game. "Penelope," He replies, his voice eachoing through the thin layer of the wall. "You're not in a position to make demands. If you agree to our terms, we'll let you go. But we need your cooperation."

I slam my fists against the glass again, the sound reverberating through the room. "I will not betray the sylvanian people," I say, my voice shaking with both fury and desperation. "Even after everything, I won't work for you. I won't help you."

Fray tilts his head, eyes narrowing. "You think you have a choice? They've abandoned you. The sylvanians, the people you fought for—they're not coming for you. We are giving you the opportunity to avenge your mother, to join us. Think about it."

I grit my teeth, and every fiber of my being screams in protest. I want to scream at him, to tell him he's wrong, but the words won't come out. I feel...betrayed by them all. Betrayed by a system that I've given my life to. But I can't bring myself to agree with the valortorians, not after everything that's happened. Not after all the lies.

Just then, the door to the hallway opens, and I freeze. I don't know who's coming, but I already feel a shift in the air. My heart races as a tall figure enters the room, his presence unmistakable.

Commander Richard.

Our eyes meet through the glass.
I want to move, to say something but the words catch in my throat. I wasn't expecting him to actually come and show himself.

Without a word, he excuses doctor Fray, dismissing him with a short, clipped motion. Doctor Fray hesitates for a moment but then leaves, the door clicking shut behind him. Now it's just me and Richard in the laboratory.

I don't know whether to call him a traitor, a bastard or a son of a bitch. The panic rises as he steps closer to the glass wall, his gaze never leaving as if he's figuring out if he should comfort me or treat me like any other prisoner.

I can't stand it, the silence—like he totally isn't a spy among the sylvanians. The anger I've been holding back causes me to slam the glass once more, harder this time. It still doesn't break.
"You lying, two-faced asshole. How could you fucking do this?" I yell.

His eyes don't flinch. He watches me, his posture calm as he suddenly speaks in a firm, gentle tone to break the silence after the slam and my yell. "Penelope," He starts, "I apologize for the inconvenience. But you have to understand—you're not going to find what you're looking for by fighting everyone around you. You're not alone. Not anymore."

I can barely breathe, the words hanging in the air like an unwanted cloud. Not anymore. He doesn't get it. No one does. They don't know what it's like to feel so trapped, so betrayed.
My fists clench at my sides. "I've fought for the people of Sylvan, Richard. I've bled for them. And you expect me to just—give up? To join you and betray them how they betrayed me? I can't. I won't."

"Pen." He says in a steady tone. "The world isn't as simple as you think. Once they find out you were supposed to be a weapon we created, they will come for you. And you killed the former commander, didn't you?" He crosses his arms naturally as he continues. "We already took the blood test on your old clothes, you killed the former commander. You're already considered a traitor."

I shake my head, feeling my chest tighten as I recall Mr. Laurens blood on me.
"I don't trust you, I don't trust you nor anyone else right now."

He doesn't argue. Instead he pulls out a chair and sets it on the other side of the glass. He sits, his posture still commanding but not aggressive. "You don't have to trust me," He says finally, "But I won't give up on you. I don't give a fuck what your past is or what you've done. You're more than just a weapon. You're more than just part of some project. You're Penelope Dorothea, know who you are because I'm not leaving without you."

I meet his eyes again, feeling that familiar doubt in my chest. I hate that I feel a sense of hope, but I can't ignore it. I'm trapped. Trapped in this room, trapped by my own decisions, trapped by the very people I fought for.
But his words are calm, steady and truthful. I don't know If I can believe him, but ever since I woke up in his hellhole I want to.

He notices my hesitation and sighs.
"Listen, I know you aren't able to trust me. Especially since I was a spy In Sylvan for so long, but I promise you—I never had the intention of hurting you, Penelope. Trust me when I say I care about my people." He mumbles under his breath "And Gabriella would never forgive me if you died here."

I look down, clenching the shirt to stop my panicked heart.
"Just answer me one thing and we are even."

He nods in confirmation.
"Of course, anything."

"Was that man—Doctor Fray...really my biological father?" I mumble.

He looks down, clenching his cargos with a sigh. "Yes. He is." The words hit me like punch before Richard tilts his head back to continue. "Doctor Finn Fray was enchanted with your mother, or at least that's what I heard. Even though she was his patient, he was immediately attracted to her."

I look down, I'm about to cry again as he continues.
"She was the second in line to have the red moon sovereign, which happened to be you. But after the accident we thought you two were gone forever."

"So you knew all this and didn't bother to tell me? Does Gabby know?" I ask as my voice breaks.

He shakes his head, some pressure lifts off my shoulders as he says so.
"I wanted you to live a normal life, that's why I didn't report back to my people that you were in Sylvan's hands." He looks away regretfully. "But you ended up being heartbroken by the family who took you in, my apologies for not stepping in sooner."

"So how long are you keeping me here?"

"Unfortunately, I can't let you out. You'll have to stay here until you're under control." He breathes out in a tad annoyance. I look down, which causes him to immediately stand up, knocking on the glass to get my attention. "Hey—I'll see what I can do, I'll bring it up with the Valortorian council."

I nod in confirmation as he leaves, leaving me alone in the laboratory before I sit down on the mattress. Gathering all the information I recently gotten, trying to process everything.