Above

10

Annaliesee
Five days. Roughly one hundred twenty hours. Seven thousand two hundred fifty-four minutes, that's how long since I've been captured.
My hands had been caged in some carpal-tunnel looking casts, so I wouldn't burn anyone.
My glasses had an annoying crack in the left lens.
The cell neighbors are the most annoying people in the world.
I've lost count of how many times I'd counted the ceiling tiles.
I've lost count of how many times I've cried. Around fifty, if I'm guessing.
I can't sleep, and I won't eat, even though I should.
Estelle would probably arrive soon, like a knight in shining armor, or they'd already cracked into the wills I wrote.
After the first battle, September, Luca, Logan, and I all wrote wills to everyone we cared about.
"Citree." Someone's voice says from the door.
I look up from my fetal position, my eyes tired.
I take in the appearance of a soldier, dressed in uniform.
"You have to sleep." He says. "We'll put you out again."
My head falls back into my knees.
The only sleep I could get was an empty void of screams.
"Do whatever you need to." I croak.
He sighs, walking in and shutting the door. "I know it's hard."
"You don't know shit." I snap. "You'll never understand, ever."
He steps back, shocked by my outburst. "Anna, please."
"Keep it Citree." I say. "No one calls me Anna."
"I know what it's like to spend the holidays away from family." He says. "But you've gotta make the best of it."
"I'd like to spend the holidays alone, if that's an option." I murmur.
"Well, it is, but we put all the lights out." He explains. "We move all the POWs into a room where they can chat."
"I don't want to talk to a bunch of anxious oldies." I say. "Besides, Christmas alone would be amazing."
"It'll be dark." He points out.
"Even better." I murmur.
He sighs. "Fine. Have fun."
If automatic doors slam, mine would've.
I sigh and look at the ceiling.
If I'm here for another day I may explode.
***
Estelle
Gabrie is out of rehabilitation in the hospital, and was almost fluent in English, good job Jackson.
We have rescue missions scheduled Christmas Eve through Christmas Day, which is a week away, so now we just have time to wait.
Currently, I'm sat on the floor in my living room, Leeciy in front of me, playing his guitar, which used to be September's.
"I feel useless." I say.
He looks up. "You're not, you should know that."
"Annaliesee's like my little sister, I feel like I should be doing something." I sigh.
"We are going to help." He says, nudging my foot with his own.
"I know, but still." I say, huffing. "What if something bad happens to her?"
"I doubt they'll hurt her that bad." He comforts.
"She's a prisoner of war, which are usually ISIS militants, and they torture them to get information." I ramble. "What if they're torturing her?"
He sets down the guitar and scoots toward me. "Don't worry, we'll torture them if they torture her."
I bite my lip, tapping my foot rhythmically on the ground, a habit I had picked up from September and Leeciy.
"Lets talk about something else, get your mind off her." He says, stroking my arm comfortingly.
"Okay, what should we talk about?" I ask.
He looks off in the distance, thinking.
Reiba walks past us, her white fur colored with a pink marker.
"Let's talk about you." I say.
"Well, I'm twenty-three, single, my favorite color is grey, I have the Mark Of Aegis, so my hair is white, if I didn't have the mark, it would be black. I enjoy long walks on the beach, talking late into the night, and I hate snow." He explains.
"Wow, you should sign up for Tinder." I joke.
"Oh, and have to explain to everyone of my matches that I have an adopted child who's favorite activity is hacking into people's heads?"
"It could be our little secret." I say. "No one has to know she's a mega-genius."
"Tell me about you." He says.
I shake my head. "We always talk about me."
"Yeah, but that's because you're interesting." He replies. "And being a mystery is sexy, and I enjoy being enticing." He cracks into a fit of laughter after that last part.
"Oh, you entice so many people, Leeciy." I say, holding back laughter.
"Yeah, tell me about it." He grins.
I hide my face in my hands and laugh.
The front door opens, and footsteps follow.
I look up at September.
"Gabrie's causing a commotion, she's requesting Leeciy."
Leeciy pushes himself up, lending me a hand. "We should probably check this out."
I nod, bushing off the back of my pants.
Leeciy grabs his coat, and we're off.
***
Gabrie found a soapbox, and was standing on it, screaming nonsense.
Leeciy seemed like he recognized her, but I decided not to question it.
She sees us once we walk onto the snowy backyard of her house. "Why do we follow Estelle!? Who decided that?! She's good for nothing! Her own father hated her! She was even attacked by Norisks, which spells out pansy for me!"
I ball my hands into tight fists, biting my lip.
"You were attacked by Norisks?" Leeciy asks softly, eyes wide.
I nod. "My dad used me for bait."
"That's terrible." He murmurs.
"What can she do?! Lift a pebble? How menacing! I think I might wet myself! Seriously, as a race, I thought we were smarter than to elect someone so weak." She yells.
The crowd that gathered weakly backs me up, but honestly, they seemed pretty amused by this girl trying to tear me down.
The cold suddenly attacks me through my sweater. I shiver, tightening my fists.
Leeciy touches my back. "Are you oka--"
"Don't touch her, Leeciy!" Gabrie screeches.
Leeciy, who has never been one to follow directions, wraps an arm around my shoulder.
"Estelle is a whore! She stole my fiancé!" Gabrie yells.
Fiancé?
My stomach twists for some odd reason at the word.
Gabrie looks shocked. "Oh, they don't know? Leeciy, should I explain your past or do you want to?"