The unbreakable bond

The days inside the facility blurred into one another, a never-ending cycle of training, studying, and painful experiments. The walls of their world were cold, metallic, and unyielding, just like the people who ran the institution.

Alexa had learned to suppress her emotions, just as Alexandra had taught her, but the ache in her heart never faded. Every morning, the blaring siren ripped through the dormitory, signaling the start of another brutal day. There was no time to rest, no time to breathe—only survival.

But today was different.

As the girls lined up for morning drills, Alexandra swayed slightly beside Alexa. Her breaths were shallow, her usually sharp eyes dull and unfocused. Her skin, already pale from the lack of sunlight, had taken on an almost ghostly shade.

Alexa nudged her gently. "Alexandra?" she whispered, keeping her voice low to avoid drawing attention.

"I'm fine," Alexandra muttered, though her voice trembled.

But she wasn't fine. Alexa could see it—the way her friend's shoulders shook ever so slightly, the way she clenched her fists as if trying to anchor herself.

The instructor, a tall woman with piercing gray eyes and an expression as cold as ice, stalked down the line, scanning for the slightest sign of weakness. Alexa stiffened, knowing what would happen if Alexandra showed any.

Then, the order came

.

"Combat drills. Now."

The girls scattered into their sparring pairs. Alexa squared off against an older girl, muscles tensed, mind sharp. But her focus kept drifting back to Alexandra, who struggled against her opponent. Her movements were slow, her stance weak. Then—

A sharp gasp.

A thud.

Alexandra crumpled to the ground.

The room fell silent. All eyes turned to her motionless figure, and a wave of dread crashed over Alexa. No one was allowed to show weakness. The weak were punished. The weak were discarded.

The instructor's boots clicked against the concrete floor as she approached. She stopped beside Alexandra's limp body, staring down with a look of disgust.

"Get up," she ordered, voice cold.

Alexandra didn't move.

Alexa's heart pounded. This wasn't just exhaustion—this was something deeper, something worse. Alexandra's breathing was too shallow, her body trembling even as she lay still.

The instructor sighed. "Useless. "She raised her hand, signaling one of the guards. "Take her to—"

"Wait! "Alexa's voice rang out before she could stop herself.

The instructor's gaze snapped to her. The room tensed. No one spoke out in defiance. No one.

Alexa forced herself to meet the woman's eyes. "She just needs a minute. Let me help her."

The instructor arched an eyebrow. *"You think I care if she needs a minute?"

Alexa swallowed hard. She had to think fast. She couldn't let them take Alexandra—not when she didn't know what would happen to her.

"Give me a chance," Alexa pleaded, stepping forward. "She's been pushing herself too hard. Let me take her place today."

A tense silence filled the air. The instructor studied her, then, after what felt like an eternity, nodded once. *"Fine. But if she collapses again, she will be dealt with accordingly."

The unspoken words sent a chill through Alexa. Dealt with. She knew what that meant.

She knelt beside Alexandra, gripping her ice-cold hands. "Just hold on, okay?"

Alexandra's eyes fluttered open briefly, filled with something between gratitude and fear. Then, they shut again.

The rest of the day was pure agony. Alexa took on double the punishment—running, fighting, enduring blows meant for Alexandra. Every hit she took was a silent promise: I will protect you.

By nightfall, Alexa was barely standing. But Alexandra was still alive.

Back in their shared room, Alexa helped Alexandra onto their thin mattress, brushing damp hair from her face. Her skin burned with fever.

*"You're… always fighting for me, "Alexandra whispered, her voice barely audible.

Alexa forced a small smile, though her entire body ached. "You're my sister. That's what sisters do."

Tears welled in Alexandra's eyes, but she blinked them away. "I don't want to be a burden, "she murmured.

Alexa shook her head. "You're not. You never will be."

But as she lay awake that night, watching over her sleeping friend, a horrible fear gnawed at her.

If Alexandra's body kept failing her, there might come a day when Alexa wouldn't be able to save her.

And that thought terrified her more than anything