A Beautiful Reflection From Firework Eyes

Desperate Times and Desperate Measures

Kellin's powers are working now. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. They sometimes drag me in to hurt me, but mostly they stick to other guards. I know they're still hurting him, though.

He's been so exhausted lately. Coming back, dried blood caked in his hair, half-healed cuts lining his body. I do my best to make him comfortable, but there's not much I can do.

I hear his screams, even from our room. It hurts me to hear him in pain. I pace across the room, wishing everything will just stop. I don't want to imagine what they're doing to him. Slicing open his skin, breaking his bones, forcing himself to heal himself over and over again while watching him curiously. While they monitor his progress with plastic contraptions and shiny screens, he's covered in his own blood.

I want to help him. I want to take his pain away, but I can't. There's nothing I can do while I'm trapped in the cell. I desperately wish they'd take me back, make Kellin heal me instead of himself. Let them do whatever they want to me. As long as he's safe.

His screams stop, and I sigh. A few more minutes and he's gonna be back. I need to be strong for him.

The door opens on time, and Kellin is pushed in. He looks even worse than last time, his hair matted with blood, dried blood staining his clothing. He stumbles in, and I move to catch him, cradling him in my arms.

We don't say anything as I bring him over to my bed, helping him lie down. I run my fingers through his hair, untangling it and smoothing it out as he leans against me, closing his eyes. He's asleep before I know it, his breathing steady. I sigh, getting a better look at him.

In addition to the bruises and cuts from the past week, he has a new one across his cheek, half-healed. Bruises litter his shoulders and arms, disappearing below the collar of his shirt. I can see the faded marks from other cuts and bruises, ones that weren't there yesterday. He's covered in marks, ones that make my stomach twist. I hate the idea of him getting hurt.

I haven't talked to either Jack or Alex ever since the day I told them to stop planning the escape. I don't know if they're avoiding me or not. Maybe they're disappointed. They thought I was a fighter, but I'm really not. I'm just trying to stay alive here. I used to be—maybe we would've teamed up if it were five months ago. But I lost hope. I stopped trying. I saw no end to this place, no escape from this misery.

But now all that's changed.

I don't know why I'm so nervous. Probably because I never thought I'd try again. Not after what happened last time. I never thought I'd want to, but I have to. For Kellin's sake, I have to get him out. He's going to die here, eventually if he stays. They'll crush the life out of him, take the spark of life he has away until there's nothing left. So I'm doing this for him. He has to get out of here, and I'm willing to do whatever that takes. Even if that means facing my nightmare over and over again.

I knock on Alex and Jack's door. The door creaks open, and I see Alex's curious face before he pulls me inside.

I take a deep breath, pressing my hands together. "I want to help you escape."