When he released her, Nia staggered out of the stall, drenched, trembling, fury humming through her veins.
Maddox adjusted his belt as though wrapping up paperwork. โYouโll keep your mouth shut,โ he said evenly. โYouโll graduate, and youโll thank me for toughening you up.โ
Her vision swamโnot from fear, but from the sharp realization that this wasnโt โone bad moment.โ It was a structure designed to erase her.
She wiped her face with shaking hands and walked out, water dripping onto the floor, leaving behind a trail too visible to ignore.
As she passed the hallway camera, something caught her eye: the red recording light wasnโt on.
Who had switched it offโand what else had disappeared long before she arrived at this academy?
For illustration purposes only
PART 2
Nia didnโt return to the dormitory. She headed straight for the infirmary.
The medic on shift, Officer-Paramedic Lyle Benton, took in her soaked hair and the bruises already darkening her wrist. โWhat happened?โ
Nia parted her lips, closed them, then tried again. Shame tasted metallic. โI need this documented,โ she said. โExactly as it is. Photos. Notes. Time stamp.โ
Benton pausedโjust long enough to show the academyโs silent code: avoid trouble. Then he gave a small nod. โSit. Iโll do it right.โ
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