Chapter 28: Preparations

"Ahhh Wendy, what a nice name isn't it? 'Wendy Celeston..' You find yourself in an unfortunate predicament because I think I can agree with everyone here that we want to give the Celeston's a Taste of their own medicine. You are going to learn what it feels like to be on the receiving end of a brutal assault just like every woman in this shower."

Wendy's heart pounded in her chest. The red-haired girl's touch turned from uncomfortable to painful. The girl's grip tightened, and a cold shiver ran down Wendy's spine. She could feel the malice emanating from the girl which is when she realized that she was dealing with someone who had been deeply scarred by the Celeston family's actions. What could should say to stop them? What could she do? She felt afraid.

"Stop it!" Wendy managed to say while also trying to keep her voice steady despite the fear and pain she felt. "I know my family has done terrible things, but I'm not responsible for their actions. I want to make things right, to fight against the injustice that's been done to all of us."

The red-haired girl laughed darkly, the sound sending chills down Wendy's spine. "Words are cheap, little princess. Let's see how committed you are to our cause. If you're serious about fighting with us, prove it. Show us you're willing to endure the same pain we have."

The red-haired girl grabbed Wendy's face to her hands. With a sudden twist the girl's grip grew even more hard, causing Wendy to wince in pain. The other women in the shower room watched in tense silence being unsure of how to react to the escalating situation.

Dr. Kozaky hesitated for a moment, torn between her own concerns and the plight of her newfound ally. But while this woman touched Wendy in a threatening manner, a flicker of concern crossed Dr. Kozaky's face. She knew the consequences that awaited Wendy if she fell victim to their rage. She had to do something.

"Wendy!" Dr. Kozaky stepped forward shouting loudly, "That's enough, let her go! If you want revenge against the Celestons, then use your heads. Beating Wendy and won't accomplish anything!"

The room fell into a momentary silence as Dr. Kozaky's words resonated with the women. They paused, considering the truth in her statement. It was clear that their anger had clouded their judgment, leading them down a path of blind vengeance rather than seeking true justice.

The red-haired girl turned her eerie gaze toward Dr. Kozaky, her smirk never wavering. "Oh, so you're raising to defend her, huh? "

Dr. Kozaky continued. "I understand your pain. I understand the desire for retribution. But we need to be smart about this. Wendy here, she's willing to help us. She wants to expose the truth and bring down the Celestons. If we stand together, we have a chance to make a real difference. Look, I offer an opportunity here to unite, to expose the truth, and to bring about real change. If you want to fight against the Celestons, then let's channel our anger into something productive. Let's work together and make sure they face the consequences for their actions."

The Creepy Red-hair girl spoke up while now holding onto Wendy's cheek with her hand, and applying some level of pain. "And why should we trust you? How do we know you're not a Celeston Pawn trying to use us?"

Dr. Kozaky met her gaze with a stern look of her own. "I can't force you to trust me, but I can promise you this: I am not a Celeston pawn. I've seen the atrocities committed by their hands, and I've suffered because of them too. "

She paused. "Trust is hard to come by in this place, but look at Wendy. Look at her eyes and tell me that's the same look of someone who enjoys making people suffer. You can't do that, can you? She has risked her own safety and has been betrayed by her own family here, and now, she is willing to join the fight against them alongside us. She witnessed firsthand the evil that is going on in her family and she wants to destroy it herself. I believe in her, and I believe in us, if we choose to stand together."

The red-haired girl tightened her grip on Wendy's cheek contemplating Dr. Kozaky's words. The other women watched intently,

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the red-haired girl slowly released her hold on Wendy, her gaze shifting between the two women. "Fine. We'll give you a chance. But remember, one false move, and you'll face the consequences."

The room exhaled a collective breath, the atmosphere eased slightly. It was a small victory, but it was a step forward.

Wendy's fingers gently touched her stinging cheek feeling the residual pain from the encounter, but amidst the pain is where she found solace in the presence of Dr. Kozaky, who had stepped in to defend her.

She turned to Dr. Kozaky with sadness in her eyes. "Thank you," Wendy whispered while holding her hands up to her chest, "I thought I was alone in this, but you stood by me, even when it meant risking your own safety. I won't forget that."

Dr. Kozaky's cheeks flushed with a faint blush as she averted her gaze. Her voice was now awkwardly more high pitched. "W-Wendy, I...It's not like I like you or anything. I was simply looking out for the success of our plan! It was about personal safety."

She paused for a moment, gathering her thoughts, before continuing. "You're an important asset in our fight, Wendy. Your likely a strong warrior being a Celeston after all. I want to see justice served just as much as you do so we have a common goal there and that's why I believe we should help each other. It's only a fair calculated assessment."

Dr. Kozaky turned her gaze back to Wendy, "I don't want you to get the wrong idea here. We're just partners, allies fighting for the same cause, not 'buddies', got it?"

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Wendy and Dr. Kozaky, having finished their shower, found themselves with 30 precious minutes outside of their cell. It was a small window of freedom within the confines of the prison walls, but they intended to make the most of it.

After stepping out of the shower room they were greeted by the sight of the prison yard—a bleak, fenced area surrounded by high walls. It was a place where inmates were allowed to briefly mingle and breathe in a taste of fresh air.

There were groups engaged in intense conversations, some exercising to maintain their physical strength, and others finding solace in solitude. Wendy and Dr. Kozaky decided to approach a secluded area where they could have a moment of privacy to discuss their next steps.

Wendy and Dr. Kozaky engaged in some of the casual conversation with some of the other inmates, subtly trying to extract any valuable information that could aid their cause. They listened to stories of injustice and cruelty, making mental notes of potential allies within the prison. One woman, in particular, caught their attention. She was older, her eyes weary with the weight of the hardships she had endured. She seemed cautious at first, but as Wendy and Dr. Kozaky spoke with empathy and sincerity, she began to open up about her own experiences.

"I was wrongfully accused of treason," the woman said while trembling. "I tried to ask them about helping out the poor people, I made a good point to them, and yet they silenced me by throwing me in here. My family, my children, they suffer because of me..." The woman begins to cry, holding her hands in over her face

Wendy placed a reassuring hand on the woman's shoulder. "You're not alone," she said gently. "We're all victims of the system, but together, we can fight back. We're planning to expose the truth and bring justice to those who have been wronged. Will you join us?"

The woman looked at Wendy and Dr. Kozaky, her eyes shining with a newfound glimmer of hope. "Yes," she said firmly. "I'll stand with you. It's time we show the Celestons that they can't silence us forever."

Wendy and Dr. Kozaky walked side by side, their minds focused on their mission. They knew they had limited time and needed to use it wisely. They continued searching, gathering as much allies as possible.

They settled on a bench tucked away in a corner, away from prying eyes and ears. Wendy took a deep breath."We don't have much time, but we need to make every second count. We need information—about the prison, about the Celestons, about anyone who can help us expose the truth. We have to be resourceful and smart."

Dr. Kozaky nodded. "Agreed. We should start by gathering information discreetly. We'll need to approach the right people without drawing attention to ourselves. And we need to be cautious as there may be spies or informants among the inmates."

As Wendy and Dr. Kozaky were engrossed in their discussion, they were caught off guard by the unexpected approach of the Creepy Red-haired girl. She appeared before them, her gaze filled with curiosity.

Without wasting any time, the girl spoke with a hint of excitement in her tone.

" Wendy Celeston... There's actually a lot I know about you.." She paused for a moment, sizing Wendy up. Then, with a mischievous grin, she reached out and playfully grabbed Wendy's face, causing Wendy to flinch in surprise.

"W-Woah there, no need to be so touchy!" Wendy exclaimed, trying to free herself from the girl's grip. "Who are you anyway, and why are you so interested in me?"

The Girl released Wendy's face, her grin widening. "I'm Reddera, but you can call me Red. And let's just say I have a bone to pick with the Celestons. They ruined my life, just like they ruined many others'. When I saw you, I thought maybe I could get a little taste of revenge before my time is up."

Wendy, still recovering from the unexpected encounter, took a step back, eyeing Reddera with caution. "Revenge won't solve anything. We need to focus on exposing the truth, seeking justice and making sure My Family face the consequences for their actions."

Reddera's playful demeanor shifted slightly growing more serious. "You think I haven't tried that? They're too powerful, too .... 'well-connected'. No one listens to the likes of us. But maybe, just maybe, if we join forces, we can make a dent in their perfect little world."

Dr. Kozaky, observing the exchange, interjected. "Reddera, we need to approach this strategically, with a plan. If we can escape and gather enough evidence, expose their corruption, and find allies within and outside these prison walls, we can make a difference."

"I understand your desire for freedom." Wendy said while looking her straight in the eyes," I promise you, Reddera, I'll do everything in my power to find a way to help you. We'll gather evidence and expose the truth. When the time comes, I'll stand by you to ensure that justice prevails."

Reddera for a moment flashed a sadistic smirk. She then went to a neutral face and nodded in agreement. "Alright, Celeston. You've got yourself a deal. But remember, actions speak louder than words. Prove to me that you're willing to fight for all of us, and I'll be right there beside you."

The bell rang out, signaling the end of their allotted time outside their cells. Wendy's heart sank. She quickly turned her head, and Dr.Kozaky was missing.

A surge of panic coursed through Wendy's veins. She couldn't understand how she had missed Dr. Kozaky's absence while engrossed in conversation with Reddera. Had something happened? Was Dr. Kozaky in danger? Questions swirled in Wendy's mind, clouding her thoughts.

Frantically, Wendy approached the nearest guard. "Excuse me, officer! Have you seen Dr. Kozaky? She was here with me just moments ago, and now she's gone!"

The guard furrowed his brow, his gaze scanning the area. "I haven't seen her. Are you sure she was with you?"

Relief washed over Wendy as Dr. Kozaky suddenly reappeared, endy's eyes widened in curiosity and anticipation as Dr. Kozaky approached her.

"Dr. Kozaky, where did you go? I was so worried!"

Dr. Kozaky offered a reassuring smile. "I apologize for causing you concern, Wendy. I had to seize an opportunity when it presented itself."

Wendy and Dr.Kozaky made their way back into their cells. On the way back, Wendy couldn't contain her curiosity any longer.

"Dr. Kozaky, what is that?" she asked, nodding towards the material Dr.Kozaky took out and held into her hands.

"It's a piece of titanium. I managed to acquire it discreetly," she explained while lowering her speech to a whisper. "With this, I can create something that may aid us in our quest for justice. But we must be cautious and keep it a secret for now."

Wendy's eyes sparkled with intrigue. "What can you create with titanium?"

Dr. Kozaky smiled, a glimmer of excitement in her eyes. "Titanium is a strong and versatile material. With the right tools and ingenuity, I can fashion it into a key or a lockpick that might help us gain access to restricted areas or unlock certain doors. It's a small but significant step towards our goal."

Wendy's admiration for Dr. Kozaky grew even more as she realized the scientist's resourcefulness. "That's incredible, Dr. Kozaky. You're truly amazing!"

Dr. Kozaky cleared her throat, a small blush appearing on her face briefly. "Well, it's just a small skill I've picked up over the years, nothing too impressive, but it comes in handy" she mumbled, still avoiding Wendy's gaze.

Once nightfall hit, Wendy found herself drifting off to sleep, She knew that tomorrow would bring new challenges but she was no longer afraid. Wendy felt a glimmer of hope that justice might one day prevail not just for herself but for everyone who had suffered at the hands of the Celestons.