Athena didn’t see the monsters again after they left her and Ewan alone—to rest and decide for themselves how they wanted the interrogation to go, according to Herbert—until the next day.
Monsters who hadn’t let them use the restroom or drink water, not even when Zane suggested it.
And this time, she was woken by the sharp sound of a slap. Not on her... but on someone else.
Who could that be? Ewan?
No. Not again.
She opened her eyes weakly, exhaustion consuming her to the marrow. Her tongue felt dried to dust, her hands and legs numb beyond sensation.
She couldn’t even move her head. Only her eyes—her tired, burning eyes—obeyed her, and even that hurt.
What she saw left her speechless, in her already speechless state.
It was Victoria, being slapped by Antonio. What?
"How dare you? Do you think you have a say here?" Antonio barked.
Victoria hissed, holding her cheek. Anger flashed in her eyes, and her free hand was clenched in a fist like she would strike back in a second or two.
Athena would have told Victoria that it was a bad idea to talk back, to think of slapping back, but she had no strength. No voice. No zeal.
Not when she could see now that Victoria had been working with the monsters—maybe recently, maybe just contacted for that stunt of hers that had almost wrecked her and Ewan’s relationship.
"The deal was that I got Ewan," Victoria snapped, fury filling her voice. "That I get to brainwash him like Fiona did, and have him for myself... Why can’t you keep to your words? Or aren’t you a real man?!"
Athena couldn’t believe her ears. She willed her hand to check if the recorder was still working, or if the battery had died from being left on for too long. But she felt nothing. She couldn’t feel anything.
At this rate, she thought bitterly, she would lose her hands and legs even if she was somehow rescued.
She tried turning to look at Ewan, but her neck was stiff. Still, she knew he was awake, felt his gaze on her.
Yesterday, after the monsters—as she had chosen to call them—left, she and Ewan had only communicated with their eyes, too wary of cameras or hidden recorders.
She had told him silently that she was fine, that he mustn’t tell Herbert anything. There had been no sign on his face that he understood—but she knew he did. Knew he might not listen.
But he should.
They couldn’t let that research get into Herbert’s hands. If they died... so be it. Her grandparents would take care of her children.
Not like Herbert will let them go even if they let him have the research...
Athena exhaled faintly, letting go of those dark thoughts, refocusing weakly on the spectacle unfolding.
"...you are getting nothing out of this," Antonio spat. "I suggest you leave here. I don’t even know why Herbert let you come here... you are useless..."
"Useless?" Victoria snorted darkly. "If I am, then you are stupid!"
The words were barely out before her throat was slashed in a clean, horrifying sweep by Antonio—by a sharp knife Athena hadn’t even seen in his hand.
Victoria’s mouth opened in a shocked gasp as she clutched her neck. She staggered back, shocked, but Antonio was smiling.

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