A Beautiful Reflection From Firework Eyes

Burst Into Flames, Scream In The Dark

(Five months ago)

"What did they do to you?" Jaime gasps as soon as the door shuts behind me

"It doesn't matter," I groan, struggling to stand up. Pain washes over me, and I find myself back on the ground where I started. My fingers are slippery with blood as I clutch at my stomach, even though there are stitches there now. It hurts so much to breathe—like there's a burning knife stabbing into my skin every time I try.

I scream out in pain as Jaime slips his arm under mine, hoisting me up.

"Sorry," he mutters as he maneuvers me over to my bed. I grit my teeth, my breaths shallow as he eases me on it. I don't know if he says anything else—I'm gone by then, lost in the sweet nothingness of unconsciousness.

---

I wake up in darkness. As my vision slowly clears, I can make out the familiar ceiling above me. I'm back in my room. I try to sit up, but I'm unable to, my head swimming with pain. I close my eyes, forcing myself to take shallow breaths. Breathe, I tell myself. Just breathe. It feels like I can't catch my breath, my skin burning up. Eventually, the pain subsides enough for me to re-open my eyes.

"Jaime?" I croak out.

"Hey," I see a blurry shape come closer until I see his face coming into focus. "How are you feeling?"

I try to take a breath, then regret it instantly as I feel a thousand burning needles stabbing into my abdomen. "Like absolute shit."

He lets out a small laugh. "God, you scared me. I thought you were going to die."

"Me too," I say.

"Actually, I thought you were dead," he says. "You were gone for three days."

"Three days?" I stare at him incredulously. It's been three days?"

Jaime shrugs. "I'm guessing they were stitching you up or something. They came in a while ago and pumped you with some painkillers, so the pain is probably somewhat manageable right now."

"Can't wait to see how I feel when it wears off," I joke. It hurts enough right now, and I'm on painkillers. I will probably pass out when they wear off. I grimace at the thought.

"What did you even do?" he asks. "I've been here for much longer than you, and I've never been injured that badly."

"Guess I win then." I let out a laugh, then stop when it hurts too much. I wince as I try to prop myself up on my elbows. Pain sears through my front, making my eyes water, so I let myself lie back down, gasping for breath. "I refused to kill someone."

"What?" Jaime looks horrified. "They were going to make you do that?"

I nod. "I think they wanted to test me or something."

He shakes his head. "That's messed up."

"Honestly, I'm not too surprised," I say. "I mean, they are keeping us trapped here, aren't they?"

I expect him to respond, but he doesn't, just staring at me. He opens his mouth, then closes it, chewing on his lip as he watches me.

"Jaime?" I ask. "What's wrong?"

He looks away from me, hesitating before he looks back. "I'm leaving," he says.

"Leaving?" Maybe it's the pain from my wound that's not letting me think straight. "What do you mean?"

"I'm escaping from here. I have a whole plan figured out. I was going to wait, but tonight will work."

I nod, still processing the information. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Come with me," he says. "We'll escape together. You're injured—you need better medical care than what little they gave you and what I tried to do."

"I'll just slow you down," I shake my head.

"I think the wound is infected," Jaime says softly. "Vic, it looks really bad. I don't think—I don't think you'll survive here much longer without proper medical treatment. You need to get to an actual hospital, not the makeshift one they have here."

"I can't," I say. "I won't be able to make it two steps. You said it yourself—the wound is really bad. Just go."

"Vic, please," Jaime begs. "I will never be able to forgive myself if I leave you here to die. I can't be responsible for your death."

I shake my head, but he cuts me off. "I'll carry you if you agree or not," he warns. "I'm kinda past asking for your permission at this point. This is just a courtesy. I'm getting you out of here, whether you want me to or not."

I hold his gaze for a few moments longer, pondering my options. On the one hand, if I stay, I will most likely die from infection or something else worse. But if I go, he has less of a chance of freedom. I almost tell him to go, but the pain in his eyes is what finally makes me give in.

"Okay," I breathe out slowly, my heart pounding in anticipation. "Let's do this."