Illuminate

Chapter 16

When all barriers between Aya and I had been broken down, it was nearly curfew. We quickly exited the basement and made our way up the labyrinth-like corridors to the barracks.

We burst into the room, bright-eyed and breathless. The supervisor eyed us with distaste but said nothing. I had the feeling she didn't really like her position anyway, so while she wasn't exactly kind, she never ratted us out when there were any slight misdemeanors.

Nighttime preparation was done hastily, as there were literally ten minutes until the alarm. After settling into bed, the light was snapped off, and I fell into a deep slumber almost immediately.

•••

When the first signs of morning peeked through the small, high windows, I was promptly awakened by the slivers of light. The barred slitlike windows were small but appreciated, as there weren't many other windows on the complex.

The morning alarm rang, and the remainder of the girls who weren't already awake groggily sat up, some rubbing their eyes.

The supervisor walked in and made sure we were awake, then walked out to stand by the door.

Aya joined me on my bed when she was dressed, announced by the groaning of the bedsprings as she sat down. We sat in silence for a while, either too tired or too overwhelmed to speak.

The buzz of the other girls increased ever so subtly as the breakfast bell sounded. Breakfast wasn't exciting in the least, and eating the same tasteless hot oatmeal every day was extremely monotonous. Still, it was probably the most interesting segment of each day because we were able to socialize.

I quickly devoured my oatmeal and waited to be released for work. Everyone else followed suit once they'd finished their meals.

As we marched down the way to the offices, I had the uncanny feeling of being watched. A quick glance around proved against my theory, but I still felt off.

"Hey!" I hissed to Aya, who was in placement just ahead of me. She subtly turned her head around and raised her brows.

"Do you-" I was cut off by my arm being grabbed.

I didn't have a chance to fight back as I was half-dragged into a dark doorway.

•••

The room was dark with a musty scent. A lamp clicked on. I zeroed in on the profile of the person.

"Liesl?" Astonished, my mouth hung open. I was expecting someone other than Liesl, maybe Dmitri. It seemed strange that Liesl would do that.

Speaking of Dmitri, I saw him emerge from the shadows out of the corner of my eye.

I whirled around. "Dmitri? Liesl? What's going on?"

They didn't say anything for what felt like an eternity. Finally, Liesl piped up. "Dmitri told me about what you want to do. He figured it'd be okay, since we're close. We're going to help you."

I glared at Dmitri, then spoke. "I trusted you. It's not like I mind that Liesl knows, but you shouldn't go around telling people information with explicit instructions not to!" I jabbed a finger at his chest, and he cowered.

"I'm sorry, Vey-" he started to say my actual name.

I threw my hands in the air. "Go ahead. I don't care if she hears."

"We just wanted to let you know that we're here to help," Liesl said.

"Well, thanks guys, but I need to get to work. I don't get special privileges like some people," I directed toward Dmitri.