That bread was truly some of the best bread I’d ever eaten. It was crusty and delicious and it had left me hungry for more. I’d just finished eating it when I heard the gentle mechanical hum of the lift rising to our floor.

Lift. I warned, pushing my half-finished tray to one side just in case.

They aren’t here for me. Cas said as the footsteps passed his door.

They stopped outside mine and I took a deep breath to steady myself.

No, they’re here for me.

The soft metal scraping told me they were unlocking my door and I stood carefully, ready to turn and place my hands on the wall when they shouted. The door was thrown open and two Guardians glared at me.

“Hands against the wall!” One bellowed.

I turned and did as they demanded, suppressing a shudder as their gloved hands roughly patted me down and trying to ignore the pain they caused. They forcefully turned me, cuffing my hands in front of me as I stumbled, the movement making me lightheaded.

Think I’m being taken to see the Councillor again.

Ew. I saw him a few time in hospital. You were right Cas, he’s a total asshole.

I smiled slightly at Gem’s words as I was marched into the lift. I realised I was standing taller, no longer cowering away from the Guardians. Having Gem back and knowing our trial was coming up had given me a reckless confidence. The doors opened and the familiar gaudy corridor greeted me. I attempted to stride faster than the Guardians, relishing in their haste, stopping outside the Councillor’s door as they knocked.

“Aries! You’re looking well.” He lied happily.

I lowered myself gingerly into the chair in front of his desk noticing that he didn’t ask them to uncuff me as he usually did.

“How have you been doing?” He asked me with mock concern.

God, I want to punch him.

“Fine.” I tried to sound flat, like before but I was too happy.

“Good! And have you remembered any additional details from the night you went to Irision?”

“No.”

His eyes narrowed at me, anger bubbling within them. I tried to remain calm but I could feel my own fury rising to meet his. The ferocity I felt almost took me by surprise.

“I’m going to need you to talk me through it again. From the start.”

“Why?” I asked recklessly, knowing it was dangerous to refuse but no longer caring.

He seemed slightly taken aback that I didn’t just start to tell him what happened like I normally did. He clenched his fist before releasing it and placing it carefully on the desk.

“Because we need to get your story straight.”

“I’ve told you the same details every single time.”

I looked down, trying to sound like I was whining rather than arguing. I knew he’d be furious if he saw how powerful I was feeling.

“Ah but you’re not the only one who I’ve been speaking to.”

“Yeah, I know. You’ve spoken to all my crew, haven’t you? I know they’ve all told you the same story. This is pointless, you just like making us suffer. You’re a monster for what you’ve done to Cas. He’s better than you will ever be.” I felt venom rising in me but I wasn’t done, anger still bristled within me.

“I’ve spoken to all of your crew except Gemini, obviously.” He ignored what I said about Cas but the twitch in his left eye told me it’d had the impact I wanted.

“Are you sure about that?”

A look of fake concern settled on his face.

“Aries, I’ve told you before. Gemini is dead.” He cocked his head to the side in a facsimile of sympathy.

“I’ve seen her. I saw her being walked down the corridor. You’re lying to us. That’s all you’ve done since we arrived.” I spat, wanting to stand and scream in his face.

“Oh, Aries. All of that time alone has affected your brain. That was a hallucination. Solitary confinement can do that to a person. If we didn’t have your trial coming up soon, I’d have you booked in with a psychiatrist.” He smiled at me but his eyes were cold and calculating.

“You’re so full of shit.” I felt the words spill out of my mouth.

I knew even then I shouldn’t have said anything but the months ofhatred I’d felt towards him overflowed. I wanted to hurt him, I wanted to kill him. I couldn’t look at his face any longer. I wanted him to know what a monster he is.

I still do.

He deserves to suffer.

“Remember who you are talking to. You are in a very dangerous position.” He threatened, leaning forwards over his desk.

“You remember who you’re talking to. You’re an asshole and you’re full of shit. You’re a shit father, you’re a terrible Councillor and I hope they find a way to kick you out.”

He stood suddenly, an ugly flush travelling up his neck and I realised I was standing too.

“Take her out of here.” He ordered the Guardians.

They grabbed me and dragged me towards the door but I ripped my arm from their grasp, hot pain stabbing my shoulder and roaming my body hungrily before turning back to look at him.

“Fuck you,” I said as I stalked out the door, my head held high.

Well, that didn’t go too well. I said, breathing heavily in anger and disbelief at what I’d just done.

You're done? That was quick. What happened? Cas sounded panicked.

I might have refused to tell him what happened again.

Ah.

And I called him an asshole.

Okay…

And I said that I’d seen Gem in the corridor…

This time I was met with silence and I winced before continuing.

And I told him he’s a shit father and a terrible Councillor and that I hope he gets kicked out somehow…

There was silence again.

Anything else? Gem asked finally, sounding torn between amusement and concern.

I said ‘fuck you’ then left.

That was brave. And a little stupid. This time Gem just sounded concerned.

The lift doors opened and I stepped inside, turning back to the Guardians and waiting for them to start beating me like they normally did.

You didn’t need to do that for me. Cas thought quietly, his voice troubled.

I know. It wasn’t just for you.

The lift jolted upwards and my eyes flicked between the Guardians, anticipating pain. It moved up smoothly. Neither Guardian reached for the controls.

Are you okay? Cas checked.

Yeah… They aren’t beating me yet.

Yet? Gem asked, her voice loud with concern.

The doors opened and I flinched as a Guardian reached out to my arm to lead me into the corridor. They stepped back, holding their hands up in front of them and let me walk out alone.

This is weird. What do I do? Anxiety was building inside of me in anticipation of the beating.

I don’t know.

I could hear scuffling noise from Cas room as he tried unsuccessfully to look through the edges of the covered window on his door as I walked ahead of the Guardian into my room and turned, expecting them to be following me. One did but only to uncuff me.

Aries, are you okay? Cas asked frantically.

Yeah… they're leaving? They didn’t hit me.

I watched as they shut the door, confusion racing through me. If I’d said anything like that to the Councillor before, they would have basically killed me. Maybe even actually killed me.

Maybe it’s because our trial is coming up? Peggy sounded unsure.

I guess so. It’s weird though.

I sat down on my bed, rubbing my wrists where the cuffs had cut into them, optimism and anxiety warring in my chest. Pain started to settle in my chest and shoulders as the adrenaline drained away and I slumped down against the wall.

Wait… so they’ve been beating you? Gem asked quietly.

I paused mid sit up. I’d only done a couple but it was the most I could manage. Even that was enough to leave me dizzy and lightheaded.

Footsteps. Two sets.

I listened intently. They were coming towards us.

It’s not lunchtime yet. Peggy thought, worry evident in her thoughts.

Why else would they be here though? Gem asked.

They stopped outside my door and I heard the jingle of keys.

They’re opening my door.

I stood slowly to meet the Guardians, certain that this would be my punishment for insulting the Councillor the day before. My hands balled into fists at my sides but I resisted the urge to raise them as the door swung open.

“Shower time.” One of them said.

I stepped towards them and held out my wrists to be cuffed.

Showers. I informed the others, trying to hide my fear.

Already? We showered two days ago. Peggy replied too quickly, sounding worried. Maybe they're getting us ready for the trial?

That would make sense. I replied, trying to sound calm even as anxiety raced through me.

The Guardian looked at my outstretched hands, seemingly uncomfortable.

“You’re not going to run, are you?” He asked.

“No?” It came out as a question.

Probably not anyway. I clarified internally.

“Then, you don’t need to be cuffed.”

My hands dropped to my sides. It felt weird. I didn’t know how my hands should move when I walked without being handcuffed, it’d been too long. They swayed in time with my steps but it felt wrong.

They haven’t cuffed me. I thought, confused.

I guess there’s no point with the trial tomorrow? Cas replied sounding uncertain too.

I followed the Guardians down the corridor towards the shower room and stopped outside it for them to unlock the door but they gestured for me to keep walking. They walked slowly instead of at their normal rapid march. I continued following them, the hairs on my arms standing up in alarm.

They’ve led me past the showers. I don’t know where we are going.

Which way are you going? Cas asked worriedly.

We went straight past the other lift. I’ve not been to this part yet.

Me either.

The Guardians stopped outside a door with a picture of a shower on it and pushed it open, gesturing for me to go first.

“This isn’t where I normally shower,” I said dumbly.

“I know. This is the officer’s showers but it’s rarely used and never in the middle of a shift.”

I stared at the Guardian, unsure of what to do. I shouldn’t have been using the officer’s shower. It didn’t feel safe, they could have taken me there to attack me for the Councillor.

What’s going on, Aries? Cas’ anxious voice asked.

One of the Guardians stepped past me into the room and the other gestured for me to follow. I stepped into the room, looking around nervously but there wasn’t anyone else in there.

They’ve taken me to the officer’s shower room.

Why? Cas replied quickly.

I don’t know.