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“Do you all know why you’re here?” Dr. Strauss asked calmly.

No one answered. Even the guards averted their gaze.

“No takers?” Dr. Strauss slowly walked down her line. Khalani stared at the ground, willing herself to stay upright.

“You’re here because you are impulsive. Disobedient.Rebellious. Like spoiled rotten children,” he spat. “You’re here to be guided into a better life. One with meaning. But some of you just…refuseto be saved.” He threw his clipboard to the ground, and everyone flinched, staring at the floor like their lives depended on it.

As if remembering himself, Dr. Strauss took a deep breath, picked up his clipboard, and straightened his white lab coat.

She lifted her head and suddenly, his cold gaze met hers.

Khalani froze, feeling like razor sharp claws had suddenly latched onto her. But for some reason, she refused to look away.

He placed a hand on his chin, slowly drumming his fingers as he studied the only prisoner who dared to stare back at him.

The audible sound of crying filtered through the space, breaking Dr. Strauss’ concentration. He turned to a younger girl with long, mousy brown hair, her shoulders trembling as tears streamed down her face.

“What’s this? Are you crying because of your sorry deeds on this earth, or do you want to be saved?” Dr. Strauss stepped in front of her.

The girl didn’t answer, she just sobbed harder, her back bowing and her limbs quaking.

“Take her,” Dr. Strauss commanded, and the guards quickly moved to action.

“No! Noooo!!Please!”

No one responded to her wails. Everyone seemed to bend closer to the ground, trying to disappear through it.

“Get to work!” the Dealers yelled as the girl was dragged further away, her cries slowly receding, never to leave the forsaken cavern.

Khalani shakily rose to her feet, wiping the gravel off her knees. Takeshi’s brows were drawn in a deep scowl as he strode over to her.

“You’re paler than normal,” he said, almost like an accusation.

“Thanks. I didn’t get much sun growing up.”

“Kanes.”

“Takeshi.” She met his dark stare head-on.

“You shouldn’t work while you’re still injured.”

“Because I’m sure if I ask for a break, they’ll happily comply and fetch me a rocking chair.” She rolled her eyes and turned to follow the prisoners, trying her best to walk in a straight line even though it felt like she was trudging through thick mud.

Takeshi gave herthatlook. The one that said she was insufferable and begging for punishment.

But he begrudgingly marched by her side, close enough to catch her if she fell.

“Not sure why you’re upset,” she remarked, inhaling deeply to ward off the nausea. “What would you have done if I asked for a break when I was your prisoner?”

“What do you think?” he deadpanned. “I would’ve fetched you a rocking chair.”

She laughed out loud, a sound rarely heard in the prison camp, and several prisoners shot her odd glances.

Even in the midst of pain and impending doom, the quiet and distant Captain who loathed her the first moment he set eyes on her was the one to make Khalani laugh.

The world had definitely gone mad.

She took a deep breath as she grasped the thick pickaxe, the guards watching every movement with sharp eyes.