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@esmeralda-gramilton @urwen-starial @mayacat @kayla-skywriter @dakota @emberynus-the-dragonslayer

Okay!!! This has taken me ALTOGETHER too long! I’m so sorry for holding people up for so long. At long last, here are my three characters’ parts!

___

Cold. Hard. Oh, that hurts. . .

Kiet’s eyes fluttered open as a breath of dank, musty air filled his lungs. His leg throbbed painfully, but when he tried to shift it, a sensation stopped him. He stifled a sharp gasp, glancing up and tugging at his arms uselessly. Thick, rusty iron chains clamped around his wrists and bound them against the cold, wet stone wall. A frigid shard of panic shot through his heart, and he struggled to suck in a deep breath. Calm down. Panicking won’t get you free any sooner. He closed his eyes and swallowed hard, trying to ease the trembling running into every limb.

After several minutes, he managed to open his eyes again as his head cleared. Right. They shot me in the leg and captured me, then they were going to interrogate me when. . .

His brow furrowed. What happened? What got in the way? He dug back through his memory, struggling to find a seedling of what had happened. That woman took care of my leg. They took me into the room, and then. . . Kiet’s eyes widened. Oh, right. There was a knife on the table. He shook his head. I must have panicked. . . but did I somehow go unconscious? Did they knock me out? A faint smile touched his lips. Well. . . at least they didn’t get a chance to press me for answers. Yet.

Heavy footsteps echoing off the stone walls broke through Kiet’s thoughts. As they grew closer, his heart raced. Don’t tell me they’re going to try again so soon. In the midst of his anxiety, weariness made his shoulders slump. I just need a break. Too much has happened tonight. I need a break. . .

The metallic screech of the cell door to his left ricocheted off the walls enclosing him. Kiet peered through the bars blocking off his cell but could see nothing from his position. A low, gruff voice muttered words he couldn’t make out as chains creaked and footsteps clacked. Finally, the door shrieked shut again, a lock clanked, and the footsteps retreated down the staircase.

Kiet swallowed and turned his head toward the left wall of his cell. “Hello?” he called softly.

___

Gerik gritted his teeth and winced as the bruises on his cheek pounded with pain. The voice from the other cell called again. “Is someone there?”

“Who’s asking?” he managed. Blasted Mockingbirds. Why does their first method of getting information have to be a bruising. . .

The other prisoner hesitated. “Just—a sixteen-year-old with—” The boy gasped with pain. “—unexpected trouble tonight.”

Gerik let out a harsh laugh. “Join the club.” He narrowed his eyes at the wet, grimy floor. “They caught me out in an alley and brought me here under suspicion of being a Sparrow.”

The prisoner caught his breath. “You too?” he whispered.

Gerik’s eyebrows shot up. “They’ve really been dragging suspects in after that crashed meeting. . .” His voice trailed off. Great. Now you’ve gone and basically told him outright you’re a Sparrow.

“So you are one?” the boy’s voice came softly. Before Gerik could try to back his way out of it, he continued. “I’m sorry you got caught. I’m. . . sort of one. I’m not sure. I was planning to decide at the meeting tonight. But. . . everything went south.” His words halted with a sharp intake of breath and a moan.

Gerik’s mouth twisted. “What, did they beat on you for information, too?” Sympathy twinged in his chest.

“Er—not quite. They haven’t really interrogated me yet. But they shot me in the leg earlier—it really hurts,” the boy finished with a whimper.

Gerik’s eyes widened. “Wait,” he snapped, “are you Kiet?”

“Um—yes. How do you. . .?”

Idiot. You’ve already given him too much information. “Keep your mouth shut about this if you know what’s good for you.”

“Huh—what? I’m not going to—”

Gerik shifted to face the wall he shared with Kiet. “I know your kind. Your people love to cause pain. So I’m telling you now—don’t you dare turn me or any of the others in, or you’ll regret it.”

“What do you mean?” Kiet’s voice turned seemingly bewildered and distressed. “Who are you? Why—”

“I’m Gerik,” he said, voice tightening. “And just because the people at home—and here—seem to trust you doesn’t mean I’m going to be fooled. I tried to protect our village from you, and I’m going to keep you from destroying the Sparrows if it kills me.” Gerik sat back, breathing hard. He can protest all he likes—say he’s not like the others, say he’s on our side. I’ve heard it all before.

“Believe what you want.” Gerik blinked as Kiet’s voice returned, stiff and low. “I’m done listening to your accusations. You took them far enough in Cresba.”

Both boys fell silent. The chains felt colder around Gerik’s wrists. Grinding his teeth, he glared at the ground, heart thrashing about wildly like a sparrow in a box in his chest.

___

Kedori’s eyes widened as Pasha’s hackles rose. The young woman paled and backed away. Kedori quickly patted his leg. As the dog looked at him, he threw a few rapid signs out. Don’t attack her. Slowly, the dog’s fur settled and he stepped back beside Kedori.

He let out a sigh, then gulped and looked back up at the woman. “Sorry,” he whispered. “He’s protective.” He cast a glance toward the Tower. “Is. . . he alright?” With a wince, he rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m sorry. We’ll need to sign or write. I’m—deaf.” Please, answer the question and let me go. . .

___

@dakota ^but please don’t. 😉 If you want to continue Rob’s part with Gamma 6.5 you can; you can honestly do whatever you want with that Gamma guy. XD Or you can just skip Rob to a future point after he splits off from him or something. Whatever floats your boat.

It’d also be interesting if Megyn helped Kedori break Kiet out. Do you think she might do that?