A dangerous plan

The moment the doors locked, murmurs spread through the dormitory. Some girls stared at the floor, refusing to make eye contact. Others clutched their blankets, as if seeking comfort where none could be found.

Alexa sat frozen, her mind racing. Isolation. No one returned from it. The medic had taken the fall for her. If she did nothing, their fate was sealed.

Alexandra stirred beside her, groaning softly. Her fever hadn't broken. Alexa's heart clenched. She had stolen the vials for her, and now someone else was paying the price.

She needed a plan. Fast.

The Risk of Trust

That night, when the lights dimmed for sleep, Alexa waited. Minutes stretched into an hour. Two. When she was sure no guards were patrolling, she turned to the girl on the bunk beside hers—Amira.

Amira was fourteen, older than most, with sharp eyes and a quiet presence. She didn't talk much, but she noticed everything. If anyone could help, it was her.

Alexa leaned in, voice barely above a whisper. "I need to get into Isolation."

Amira stiffened. "Are you insane?" she hissed.

Alexa glanced around. Most of the girls were asleep. A few tossed and turned, haunted by nightmares they never spoke of.

"I owe them," Alexa murmured. "They took the punishment for me."

Amira exhaled sharply. "And what do you expect to do? Walk in and ask nicely for them to leave?"

Alexa didn't flinch. "I'll figure it out. But I need to know where it is."

Amira studied her for a long moment. Then she whispered, "The basement."

Alexa's breath hitched. The basement. No one went down there except the guards and the Head Instructor.

"How do I get in?" she asked.

Amira hesitated. Then—There's a maintenance hatch behind the training hall. I've seen the guards use it."

Alexa nodded. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

Amira grabbed her wrist. "Alexa. If you get caught…"

"I know."

Silence stretched between them. Then, reluctantly, Amira let go. "Be careful."

Alexa lay back down, staring at the ceiling. The plan was reckless. Stupid, even.

But she had no choice.

The Descent

The next evening, Alexa made her move.

The girls were marched to the training hall as usual, forced to spar until exhaustion. Alexandra had been left behind—too weak to fight.

Alexa pretended to stumble, falling behind the group. The moment she was out of sight, she slipped toward the back of the building.

The maintenance hatch was there, just like Amira had said. A rusted metal handle, barely noticeable against the concrete wall.

Her pulse pounded. If she got caught now, she wouldn't even make it to Isolation—she'd disappear like the others.

She grabbed the handle and pulled. The hatch groaned open, revealing a dark, narrow tunnel.

One breath. Then another.

Alexa slid inside.

The Basement

The tunnel smelled of damp concrete and metal. Pipes lined the walls, dripping water onto the grimy floor.

Alexa moved carefully, listening. Silence.

Then—footsteps.

She pressed herself against the wall, heart hammering. Two guards walked past an opening up ahead, their boots echoing. They were close.

She crept forward, keeping low. The corridor opened into a dimly lit hallway lined with metal doors.

And then—a voice. Weak. Hoarse.

"…please…"

Alexa's breath caught. The medic.

She followed the sound, stopping in front of a door. There was a small barred window near the top.

She stood on her toes and peered inside.

The medic was slumped against the wall, wrists shackled, their face swollen from fresh bruises.

Alexa's stomach twisted. I have to get them out.

But before she could think—

A cold voice rang out behind her.

"Well, well."

Alexa froze.

She turned slowly.

The Head Instructor stood there, arms crossed, a slow smirk on her lips.

"Breaking into Isolation?" she mused. "Now that is bold."

Guards flanked her on both sides.

Alexa's heart pounded. No escape. No way out.

The Head Instructor took a step forward. "Tell me, child." Her voice was almost amused.

"Do you really think defiance will go unpunished?"

Alexa clenched her fists.

She was about to find out.