SILAS

Shiloh has to don an oxygen mask before guiding me through the Cargo Bay; or what she and others sometimes refer to as the 'main hall'.

We pass by dozens of workers, all wearing oxygen masks of their own. Diligently laboring to patch up all the damage Daimon and I both managed to inflict on this place. I wonder how long it will take to get this place normal and habitable again. They're still riveting together the metal sheets to board up that gap in the wall. And who knows what the plan is for that hole I put in the ceiling.

Maybe I can pitch in to help, if I have the time. It's the least I can do, after everything.

I notice some of the workers glancing over at me as we head on through. No waves, of course. No nods, or friendly expressions. I am still a novelty, certainly, but one that the community has to come to accept as a fixture, at least for the time being. They understand I've saved their house from being destroyed, despite the damage. But they don't seem too at ease.

And they shouldn't be. This is all far from over. Anyone could tell you that.

Shiloh leads me out of the main hall, and through a set of double doors, which we shut behind us. After walking for a bit, we reach a second set of doors, beyond which is a checkpoint where Shiloh can take off her mask.

She leaves her mask and oxygen tank on a rack by the doors. We continue on.

"I don't understand why the air's toxic to you," I say. "Is it radioactive? Some kind of poison?"

"That was part of my father's research. He didn't have the tools and data necessary to get to the bottom of it."

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"And that's what you're after," I say, as she leads me down a corridor, taking one turn after another. "You want to understand why this is happening?"

Shiloh shakes her head. "Not just that. I'm going to stop it. I'm going to turn the clock back to how the world used to be."

A lofty ambition. One that I suspect not many people share, in this place. I get the feeling the Cloister's denizens are just living their lives day to day. I get the feeling they don't understand or care about the way things used to be. They're safe, hidden away in their hole in the ground. They're certainly not trying to better their situation.

Although, after the events of the past few days, that might start to change.

We turn another corner. There's a tall, lanky guy with terrible posture, sitting in a rusty folding chair, next to a door. As soon as Shiloh and I come into view, he jumps to his feet. Alert. At attention.

"Miss Darvin."

"Cole."

I half expect him to offer a salute. Instead, he holds out a ring of keys. No questions asked.

"Thanks, Cole."

"No problem, Miss Darvin."

Shiloh uses one of the keys to unlock the door. She waves me inside after her.

When I first heard the name 'Death's Row' as a kid, this is what imagined. Just a long hallway, dotted with dozens of tiny cells.

The hallway is more than wide enough for a jailor to avoid the reach of the cellmates, grasping through the bars. Although, one of these guys might try, anyway. There's only a handful of 'the Watch' left, but if looks could kill, I'd be dead a dozen times over.

Even Gavin manages to summon a scathing expression for me, despite his injuries. He sits slumped with his back to the wall of his cell, shirt unbuttoned, bandages covering his abdomen.

I'm tempted to drop a remark. I don't exactly have sunshine-y feelings for the guy. But I decide against it. It's not what I'm here to do, and there's no point in rocking the boat right now.

Daimon's cell is just beyond Gavin's. The Biodroid is positioned in a way reminiscent of how Gavin imprisoned me, hanging from chains connected to the walls and ceiling. The difference here is that, unlike my time in captivity, his arms are both severed halfway. His legs are also crumpled and broken-looking. I doubt he'll have good use of them anytime soon.

His mutilated body sways slightly, chains rattling with every slight adjustment. His head is lolled forward, face obscured by a mop of dark hair. I can't tell if he's conscious or even alive.

Shiloh unlocks the cell door, without being prompted. "After you."

I move past her. Into the cell.

As soon as I'm inside, Daimon raises his head.

And smiles.