Page 68 of Beyond The Maples
"They took Farra for questioning. I have to find her," I grit out.
He blanches.
"I know what rooms they use." Before I can protest, he's pulling me down another hall.
I feel sick. It's only been a few hours, but they wouldn't need long to break her. There are a thousand horrible things you can do to someone in that time.
Berk slows and I start to question why, when I see what's in his line of sight.
Captain Kethler walks towards us with several other officers in his wake. Farra is propped between two of them. I worry for a moment that one of the officers supporting her is Fallon, but feel a rush ofrelief when I see it's just some lower-level officer.
Farra looks awful, her hair slicked with sweat, and there's no colour to her face. Her eyes are squinted, like the dim lanterns lighting the dark halls are offensive.
I immediately run towards her, but Kethler moves in front of her, putting his hand up, Berkley grabs my arm. I glare at him and then turn my gaze to the Captain.
"Ahh just the cadet we were looking for. We had some intel that cadets were collecting contraband, and other unsavoury activities, and your room came up. Your bunkmate here volunteered for questioning, but I do wonder, Ms. Treow, where you've been all day?" He cocks his head like an animal, running his eyes over me.
I will my breath to come out even as fury folds over me in unrelenting waves. I glance at Farra and she widens her eyes just slightly, willing me to behave. She's barely conscious, and she's trying to protect me. My heart constricts in my chest. I begin to answer, but Berkley pipes up.
"She was with me, sir. We went into town, we were supposed to meet up with Cadet Denver and Cadet Solano in the square. When they never arrived, we came back." Berkley is standing tall, but submissive, and the look he gives has me grinding my teeth.
Kethler blinks, his thick, white moustache twitching slightly, and his eyes narrow. He doesn't fully buy the explanation. Berkley must see this, and slinks his hand down my arm to entwine our fingers in an intimate display.
What in the ever-loving fuck?I think, as I look at Berkley, about to rip my hand away but as I turn back to Kethler, recognition simmers on his face. Just perfect.
"Interesting. Well, I got what I needed to get today. But let me make this very clear, anything of note should be reported to officials immediately. If I find out cadets are harbouring illegal information, supplies, or taking part in prohibited activities, there will be worse consequences than that which were dealt today."
Berkley gives a gruff, "Yes, sir," but I staysilent.
My fingers itch, wanting to clench and connect with this beady-eyed, poisonous human. I will my feet to stay planted where they are, imagining roots taking hold from below the earth and keeping me in place, so I don't rush to get to Farra.
The Captain gives a quick nod, and the officers all move out. The one on the left that I vaguely recognize, has a smirk on his face. He lets go of Farra's arms roughly, not waiting for her to find her balance, and she slumps.
I watch her wobble as I lunge forward, scooping Farra up before she hits the ground. She lets out a little hiss of pain as I wrap my arm around her, the only indication that she's actually hurt. Berkley is there in another breath, on her other side, as we watch the officers all march off, like this is just another day in the office for them.
Once I'm sure they're out of earshot, I push back her hair so I can see her face.
"Are you ok? What did they do? Gods, I'm so sorry."
She gives a slight shake of her head.
I look at Berkley for guidance, silently questioning where to take her. I have no idea how bad her injuries are, but this doesn't seem like the time or place to investigate.
"Just take me back to our room," she mumbles, barely keeping her eyes open.
We both nod and start moving towards the dorms, careful to keep her steady.
We walk for some time before I hear chatter, and I pick up my speed, willing Berkley to move a little faster, so Farra doesn't have to bear seeing other cadets like this. We turn the corner and, just our luck, we find Tane and his legionary best bud, Vera. The ethereal woman who looks like she could take on ten soldiers at once. His eyes sweep over us, assessing the situation with no emotion, and marking Farra's worn face, but doesn't stop walking.
I swear to all the Gods, past and present, if he hadanything to do with this... I'll kill him myself.
I'm leaning against the wall, staring at the floor, when a knock comes at our door.
My head snaps to Leo, who is propped up beside Farra on the bed like a watchdog. She's face down, with her wet hair sprawled across the pillow. We managed to convince her to shower to clean the wounds on her back, but she refused to go down to the infirmary, saying she just wanted to sleep. Berkley left right after we got up here, and Leo had eventually calmed down.
Berk had been heading to a shift in the kitchen when I'd run into him, and he said it was probably for the best if all of us weren't huddled up here, looking like we were conspiring for the next rebellion.
I open the door hesitantly, glancing around, but the hall is empty. There's a small package plopped down by the door, and I bend to pick it up. Inside is medical supplies; wraps, antiseptic cream, pain relievers. Maybe Berkley sent it up. Odd though, because he didn't leave that long ago.
