Hannah’s eyes jolted open. A sharp, throbbing pain-like white-hot needles-stabbed into her skull. Not the rudest of awakenings she’d had, but close. A soft groan escaped her lips, and she reached for the back of her head, trying to soothe the pain. Her heart pounded, each throb a painful reminder of the blow that had taken her out.
Startled, she realised her gag and rope confinement was taken off her. She was in a different kind of confinement now. Squinting against the dim light that filtered through a barred doorway in front of her, Hannah saw the silhouettes of tall men standing guard. Their shadows seeped into the cell, casting long, ominous shapes across the cold, rough stone floor. The coarse surface pressed against her cheek, grounding her in the reality of her situation once more. The chill of steel around her neck, made a shiver run down her spine as she realised, she was wearing a collar. There were only two reasons they would place a collar on her, domination or their own enjoyment. Neither option sounded good. Her hands reached for the metal, intending to feel its ridges and (hopefully) get this thing off her but as she did a sharp pang of electricity coursed through her body with a jolt. She huffed, tears welling up slightly. The collar would have to wait.
As Hannah propped herself up, low murmurs filled the air, mixed with soft sobs and the subtle rustling of movement. Her vision finally adjusting to the dark lighting revealed she was in a small and cramped cell. The dim lighting and murky shadows of the cell made it difficult to identify everything around her, but she could make out general shapes well enough. At least thirty people of varying ages were crammed into the tiny space, all bruised and wearing tattered clothing like her own. Each face a mask of fear and exhaustion. It seemed that they had all been taken from off the streets. After all the best way to get away with taking people is taking those who won’t be missed.
Nearby, a boy sat with his back against the wall, knees drawn tightly into his chest as if afraid they might fall off. Bruises marred his face, and his eyes were wide and haunted. He looked a little older than her, but that may have been because of his gaunt expression. When he caught Hannah’s gaze, he offered a faint, sad smile.
“You’re awake,” he whispered voice barely audible over the murmurs, “I’m Atlas,”. He took a shaky breath, “Are you... are you okay?”
Hannah managed a nod, wincing as the movement sent another spike of pain through her skull.
“What... where are we?” she croaked, her voice hoarse and dry.
Atlas glanced at the door, where a shadowy figure stood watch, the glint of a weapon visible in the dim light. “I don’t know exactly,” he said softly. “But... it’s bad. It’s not safe here.”
“Any idea what these collars are? I touched mine and got a nasty shock just now” Hannah whispered, yet Atlas just shook his head, “You weren’t the only one”. As he shook his head, she noticed the anxiousness the motion carried. Afraid the collar would shock him again for daring to move. Hannah thanked him with a knowing nod before a soft whimper drew her attention.
In the corner behind Atlas sat a small girl, curled up with her arms wrapped around a tattered soft toy. She seemed to be trying to make herself disappear behind Atlas’ presence, clutching the toy tightly. The teddy-bear, once yellow, had faded to a dull grey, its eyes hanging by threads. Even in the dim light the stains on it were still visible.
The girl’s eyes trembled with fear, silent tears streaking down her cheeks. Hannah’s heart clenched at the sight. She shifted closer, reaching out a hand.
“Hey,” she said gently. “It’s going to be okay. What’s your name?”.
The girl looked up, her lip trembling. “Ellie,” she whispered. She took in a shaky breath before looking up at Hannah, “I’m scared.”
Hannah swallowed, her own fear a heavy knot in her chest. She wanted to say they would be fine, that they’d all get out of here, but the words stuck in her throat. Instead, she wrapped an arm around Ellie’s shoulders, offering what comfort she could.
Ellie’s eyes stayed downcast, so Hannah continued further. “What’s this guy’s name?” she questioned, glancing at the bear.
“…Buddy.” she mumbled; voice soft spoken but with a hint of a smile touching the edges of her register. “He’s been with me forever, haven’t you Buddy!” Her eyes lit up ever so slightly, as she motioned with Buddy’s hands. “That’s right, Ellie,” Atlas chimed in keeping the pain out of his face as much as possible, “He’s family.”. So they were siblings, or something akin to it Hannah mused. Atlas confirmed before she could think more on it, “She’s my sister,” a smile graced his face as he tousled her hair affectionately, “Aren’t you, you rascal”. Ellie erupted in quiet giggles in response, looking up at the two of them. Hannah looked enviously at the sight, the two had a tight bond that much she was sure.
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The guard’s clothes rustling became audible against the backdrop of quiet despairs and sobs of the rest of the cell. A quick glare pierced through the bars, cold eyes meeting hers, before turning back to his watch. Hannah, Ellie and Atlas fell silent at the pressure, eyes meeting the floor.
“We’ll figure something out,” Hannah said softly, more to herself than anyone else. “I promise.” Even still, Ellie’s eyes met hers, her face softening.
Ellie hadn’t known what to think of the strange girl suddenly talking to her. She hadn’t really understood what had happened before this point. She was walking around with Atlas at the usual spot, scavenging for anything edible at the alleys behind some low-rate restaurants when her head started to hurt. Unsure what was happening she clung to Buddy, he would surely rescue her. She’d felt Atlas ram his body into hers, the warmth of his hug and then she’d woken up here.
A promise. What a truly foolish move on her part. How could she promise the safety of others when she was stuck in here with them? How could she act all friendly now, offering hope in the first five minutes of meeting these strangers? Yet, something about the two of them-Ellie’s desperation to hold onto her bear-sparked something in her. Compassion, pity, who knows?
Outside the door, the guard shifted, the floor creaking under his heavy boots. The movement cast a shadow over them, the dark silhouette loomed large against the flickering light. Hannah’s heart pounded in her chest, and she tightened her grip on Ellie, determined to keep her promise—even if she didn’t yet know how.
Suddenly, leather boots kicked the barred door in from the outside with a resounding CLANG. The heavy creaking of the cell door cutting through the low murmurs and sobs, drawing every eye towards the entrance. A guard stood in the doorway, his silhouette filling the frame like a dark storm cloud. Furrowed brows and thick facial hair blurred his features. He loomed in the opening, a hulking figure, broad shoulders nearly brushing the sides of the door. A scowl twisted his face as the stench of the room reached his nose. All was silent.
For the brief second, the added light from the open door helped Hannah to see more of the room around her. The cell was clearly musty but appeared to be used somewhat frequently. Stone walls enclosed them, with the only entrance being the heavily guarded door from which the figure had just entered from.
Hannah noticed the guard appeared to be wearing a uniform of some kind. Something different to the patrol guards around the slums though. He wore a white collared shirt, with a navy-blue blazer decorated with strange symbols of some kind threaded into fabric. She’d just managed to make out what looked like a snake eating itself on his breast pocket when the light disappeared. Gone just as quickly as it had come as the door shut firmly behind the guard.
He moved with a surprising nimbleness for his size, boots thudding against the stone floor. Each step was a deliberate sound that sent shivers down Hannah’s spine. His cold, flat eyes swept across the room, lingering on each person as if assessing them. His very presence seemed to shrink the cell further, the air thickening with fear.
Hannah instinctively pulled Ellie closer, the girl trembling beneath her arm. Atlas gave her a thankful look, discreetly propping himself up to guard Ellie from the guard’s view. Around the group the other prisoners shrank back, pressing themselves against the wall as if trying to meld with the stone. The guard’s lips curled into a sneer that didn’t reach his eyes, satisfied with the fear he could so easily invoke.
“Quiet,” he barked, his voice a deep rumble that seemed to shake the walls. Hannah recognized it as the cool, calculated voice she had heard during her capture. The pain in her head throbbed, a reminder of the power he had over her.
The last whispers died away, replaced by a tense silence that hung heavy in the air. The guard took another step forward, his gaze promising nothing but cruelty. Hannah’s heart pounded in her chest, mingling with the pain in her head. Her eyes flickered to Ellie, who had opted to clench her eyes tightly, wishing to not even see the immense and intimidating man in front of her. She clutched her worn teddy-bear with all her might, tiny nails sinking into the stuffing of the toy.
Atlas had gone sheet white, his hands trembling as he tried to maintain a protective stance in front of Ellie. Even so, he held his ground, shielding the young girl. This was not what he signed up for, but it was the cards he was dealt with, and he wasn’t about to lose Ellie. He had no defence, no plan of attack, and no-where to run but he could offer his body as a protection.
The guard’s gaze finally landed on Hannah, narrowing as he noticed her protective hold over Ellie. Hannah willed her face to look as terrified and pitiful as possible, fighting to keep the bubbling rage from showing in her expression. She needed to appear unremarkable, to make him see them as no threat.
His eyes lingered on them a moment longer, assessing, before turning away to face the group as a collective. Hannah, Atlas and Ellie breathed quiet sighs of relief.
“Initiates,” the guard barked, his voice echoing off the walls, “Line up.” The words were a command, sharp and undeniable, leaving no room for defiance.