The human world is no longer a mess; it’s spotless, clean and perfect.

It’s my world that’s the mess. It’s the obscure black night that peeks through the blanket of blue sky on even the brightest of days. But people around here have no idea how beautiful the darkness is.

However sometimes even the darkness can become too much; too scary, too intense and too lonely.

I heave run from my bedroom into the bathroom. I haul my upper body to meet the basin of the loo. My stomach empties itself until it’s satisfied. I weakly lower myself back onto the floor. I rest my sweaty forehead against the cool white tiles of my bathroom. Today is the day of my trial; the simulator will put me through a test to identify and attack my weaknesses. I can’t fail this one.

I let out a groan as I wretch. I’ve presumed my sickness is the result of my nervousness.

I just have to get through to the other side of day, preferably having succeeded.

Feeling slightly more at ease with my stomach and with the bile in my throat having settled down, I slowly climb up from the floor. Standing in front of the mirror I sigh. My ivory skin is ghostly, my cheekbones are hollow and jut out awkwardly and my hair sits limply upon my shoulders. What disturbs me most however, are my haunted eyes. The purple bruises act as a comforting cushion for the soul-less jade orbs; I barely recognise them as my own.

I waft my hand over the sensor and the cold water begins to flow. I splash the cooling liquid against my face, wiping the clammy perspiration off my brow. I cup my hand to scoop up some water and rinse out my mouth. I feel awful.

‘Stay safe’ He whispers.

A sickening shake racks my body and I shudder. Goosebumps form on the surface of my skin as I shiver from the suddenly chilly air. I clutch the rails of the sink and attempt to recover steady breathing. What is happening to me?

I must be more nervous than I thought.

The wave of nausea passes over me and I shakily shuffle out of the bathroom into my bedroom. The goose bumps rise on my skin again as I notice the change in temperature from my open window. The white satin drapes waft delicately in the wind. The atmosphere of my room has changed.

My eyes fall on my bed. In the middle lies a sealed envelope on top of scattered white rose petals. My mouth dries up leaving my tongue to feel as parched as sandpaper. I apprehensively stretch forward my arm to reach for the envelope. It feels thick in my palms as I weigh it up in my palms.

I sink into the plush bed as my fingers slide underneath the parchment of the envelope. Carefully I pull out a small white note and unfold it. I soon wish I hadn’t.

80 days left and counting down. You better get here soon, we will become bored of him soon and where will that leave you? I’ll see you soon.

Good luck Lara Hall.

My bottom lips trembles as I try and swallow the lump in my throat. How did this get in here? My eyes stray to my window. Something has been in my room in the brief few seconds I was in the bathroom. The realisation sinks in.

‘Iron’ I scream. The letter drops from my fingers as I scream myself into oblivion. My arms thrash wildly at my bed as the terror overtakes me, stealing my sanity and rationality. I shove the disgusting white petals off my bed, their potent aroma hits my nose. White roses, like Jared gave me before the first ball.

My fists begin to fly rapidly against the lilac pillows that rest against the headboard. Stupid Sicarii. White feather flurry around me as my fist makes one final blow at the strained seams of the pillow. I scream a torrid of incoherent curses. In the background I can hear footsteps pounding before two iron arms grip my waist.

“Lara hush” Iron soothes. “It’s going to be alright”

“No it’s not, they’re going to kill him” I scream still violently flaying my arms in every which direction. I kick at the note and it slides under my covers; hidden like the monster beneath my bed. Iron’s arms lock around my waist and begin to drag me out of my room. His warm bare skin makes me feel disgusted as they press against mine.

“Get off me” I shriek. Iron curses under his breath as I leave a trail of sharp crab pinches along his forearms. My tears blur and I feel myself begin to haze. I leave my body to go limp in Iron’s arms, trying my hardest to prevent him from moving me. Instead I’m lugged along like a sack of potatoes.

I won’t answer their questions, if I talk them they’ll see I’m not ready. They’ll see I’m not okay. I try and relax and let the darkness take over but for once it doesn’t. I let the image of Jared from the hologram enrapture my mind. I wait a few seconds but still my senses feel nothing. It’s as if my body knows I’m trying to haze and it rejects it.

“Iron what happened?” Ally cries frantically. My blurred eyes clear to see her running towards me. Iron’s arms suddenly release me and I grip to him in the idea that I will fall. My fingers scrabble but miss his shirt. I await the greeting of the harsh wooden floor and its splintered tongue yet instead I’m met by the comfort of the lime couch.

Ally and Iron both crouch down in front of the sofa, their pitiful looks mirror each other.

“Lara what happened?” Iron asks, his throaty voice is husky from sleep. His red lips are swollen and when I speculate Ally, I see her’s are the same.

“Nothing” I reply, my voice wobbles. “I’m nervous”

“What about?” Ally asks.

“My weakness test” I lie.

Ally and Iron both glance at each other before each clutching one of my hands. It’s almost as if they’re programmed to do it. They’re so synchronised, so perfect. I scowl.

“Is that all?” Iron probes. I nod my head slowly. I don’t trust myself to convince them.

Ally places a chaste kiss on Iron’s cheek and rises. Iron’s grin spreads across his cheeks and I roll my eyes. He grabs Ally’s waist and pulls her back down onto his lap where she begins giggling like an imbecile.

“Yes I’m fine” I reply in a strained voice.

“Do you want some coffee Lara?” Ally enquires cheerily.

“No” I grumble, wiping the remaining few droplets from my cheeks. “I should probably get ready now, I don’t want to be late”

Ally nods in understanding as I sigh and climb off the couch. I check my bleeping wristlet and switch off the pulsating rhythm. My trial starts in half an hour. I don’t really have to leave for another 25 minutes but I’ll do anything to get out of here sooner.

“When does your trial begin?” Iron asks from behind me. I turn to see him placing a kiss on the top of Ally’s blond head. I sigh heavily and grip onto the doorframe of the opening to my room.

“I’m not sure” I answer between gritted teeth as Ally places a lingering kiss on Iron’s lips. I growl angrily and storm into my room.  I can hear the giggles just before I slam my door shut. I march to my closet and tear my jumpsuit off its hanger. Beside it are 6 other identical suits; one for each day of the week.

They forget sometimes, they all forget occasionally that I’ve lost my bond mate. I can’t deal with their open show of happiness. It’s not Ally and Iron’s fault; they can’t help being oblivious to the issues before them.

I zip the front of my jumpsuit up and the zip disappears. The suit can only come off if I call for it. Black combat boots materialise to surround my feet; they’re part of the suit. I yank my hair into a tight ponytail after working the enormous knots out. There’s nothing I can do for my eyes though. They’ll only sparkle if the life comes back into them. I feel almost as if I’m a stranger within my own body. 

I head towards the door before momentarily glancing back. Sighing, my feet head back and I stoop down. My fingers grip the parchment of the letter as I return to my normal height. I don’t need anyone else finding it; I can deal with this myself.

“Pocket” I whisper. My suit responds immediately as a small pocket forms and opens on the left side of my waist. I slip the letter inside and immediately the pocket closes; locking my letter in the seams. How someone place the letter in room in the first place? The STO compound is patrolled regularly, there’s not way a Sicarius could have snuck in; they wouldn’t even get past the sensors. Which means one thing:

It was a Warrior or someone in the STO.

I feel bile rise in my throat. The chilly atmosphere of my room has me scared. I can’t stay here anymore. 

I tear out of my room and into the main living room of the compartment. Ally and Iron are in the exact same position as I left them; on the floor, Ally in Iron’s lap and cuddling closer than you could imagine.

They don’t even notice as I come into the room. They talk in hushed whispers with the most euphoric of grins on painted on their faces. My stony expression loses its fear and instead is replaced with anger and jealousy. I click my fingers but receive no reaction. 

“Hello?” I ask. They continue talking between themselves. I’m like the insignificant echo in the background.

“Iron I’m going to my trial” I state monotonously. Iron lets out a low chuckle.

I shake my head in irritation and stalk towards the door; my anger fizzles like a sparkler. I reach the door and activate the control pad. I plan to storm out and leave them to make my way to my trial. Only I make a mistake.

I turn around. I won’t be the echo in the background.

“I will have no weakness” I whisper as step out of the door.

I can only wish it’s true.

“Ready?” Vicarius asks.

“Run through it one more time?” I reply.

I stand in the Leto simulator as I have done so many times before only this time, there is a huge crowd of people watching from behind the glass screen. The majority are fellow Warriors but a few are some of the STO leaders. I recognise Zena and Carlisle within the swarm of people. There are all talking lowly with a few cries from the excitable new Warrior, fresh from yesterday’s public meeting.

My eyes narrow, searching for anyone particularly suspicious; someone, somewhere in this compound left me that note.

“The simulator will be set up as normal but once you’re in the simulation anything could happen. The simulator has been detecting your weaknesses for the past 10 days. There could one, there could be 10 but no matter what, you are designed to be able to get through it” Vicarius explains. I glance to the glass screen to see Carlisle heavily engrossed with the tech Warriors over the computer set up.

“So I just have to keep fighting until the simulation ends?” I ask. Vicarius nods.

“There are only two things that make this simulation different Lara” Carlisle’s voice streams through the overheard speakers. The viewing box is soundproof, I wouldn’t be able to hear a word they say without the active speakers.

“And they are?” I reply calmly trying to soothe my fluttering heart.

“They’re not much to worry about Lara’ Vicarius cuts in. “One is simply that this is trial to test how you deal when faced with your weaknesses, because the Sicarii will use that against you, and the second is that in this simulation, if you get hurt in there, you get hurt out here”

“Oh” The fathomed sound escapes my lips.

“Is that a problem Lara?” Carlisle asks.

“No” I reply a little too quickly. “That’s not a problem”

“Good luck Lara” Vicarius smiles.

“Thanks Vic” I grip tightly onto my baton and dagger as Vicarius strides towards the door of the viewing box. He gives me one final smile before closing the door and sealing me in.

There’s no going back now.

I take a deep breath as I feel the lights come down and the green fluorescents come up. I take one final look to the viewing box to see Carlisle nod me on. I nod back in response before his face and the faces of all the others behind the glass screen become obscure and disappear from my vision. I grit my teeth in determination. I will not get hurt, I will not become emotional, I will come out of this simulation victorious.

The scene begins to unfold before my eyes. A cold white room is conjured before my eyes. The white bed, the furniture, the whole layout of the room is so familiar.

I’m in the Leto palace.

A bloodcurdling scream has me running out of the room. I’d recognise it anywhere. I sprint down the white halls as the cries become louder. They beg and plead for help.

“Izzy” I scream. Her sobs and moans crescendo until I’m standing in front of pair of double doors. It’s the gas room.

I burst into the room to see my sister crouched on the floor, her eyes full of fear. She’s in her Bellos suit with her hair in a golden halo framing her face. She lies on the marbled floor in the same vulnerable position as last time, only her attacker is slightly different. My eyes widen and I grip my dagger as I catch sight of the enormous man on top of her; it’s a Leto. His tainted white scream in covered in splotches of blood.

“Get off her” I yell.

The Leto smirks evilly before turning his gaze back to my sister.

I then watched my sister die for the second time.

I throw myself at the Leto, my eyes blind with anger and revenge. He stumbles back and lands on the floor.

“You’re no weakness, you’re worthless” I hiss. The Leto disintegrates before me and I place my dagger back into my holder. I immediately jump up over to my sister’s side and clasp her freezing hand. Her chest rises and falls faintly; she’s just hanging on. Her right hand rests on her waist. Her wound is in the same place my scar from the Auctor is.

“Izzy” I whisper. Her blue eyes flutter open as they woozily take in my face. “It’s me Lara”

“Lara” She rasps.

“Izzy I’m so sorry” I press her limp palm to my face as I crouch over her frail body.

“It’s…not…fault” she mumbles incoherently. Her blue eyes begin to close and her palm begins to slip from my grip. “Stay…with…me” she breathes.

“Always” I whisper as the final breath leaves her lips and she becomes still. I don’t let the brimming tears fall and instead wipe them away with the back of my hand. I sit in silence for a few moments, gripping my sister’s detached skin, mourning the loss I never got to say goodbye too. She’s gone.

The silence echoes around the room until my ears detect a low humming sound. My chest begins to sting gently as I stare around with confusion. I hadn’t noticed before, the chains and the handcuffs. They’re empty but have manacled so many memories; they are the shackles that held Jared in place before we were gassed.

I let out a strangled shriek as I realise where I am. As if on cue the pipes that run along the walls seem to burst and the pungent green gas in unleashed.

I scramble up immediately. The green fog covers the room at an alarming rate, disguising and hiding any exits. I take one final look at my lifeless sister. She is one of my weaknesses.

But I have to let her go. This gas is real.

“Goodbye” I whisper.

The emerald gas is entirely misguiding. Although it’s colour is that of a precious jewel, I know exactly how damaging these fumes are. The thought has my heart rate picking up however, I must face my weakness.

Taking one last gasp of pure air, I envelope myself in the fog. It bites at my skin and itches at my eyes but I know if I breathe it in, the pain will be so much worse. I begin to panic as the fog seems endless. I cannot make sense of any direction.

“Lara Hall come out from wherever you are hiding” A voice pokes through the fog.

Immediately the goosebumps form upon my skin. The chilling voice that has been haunting my nightmares is waiting for me. The burning fog suddenly seems like a safe haven. A few torturous breaths could save me from my terrors. I begin to tremble as my lungs burn; not from gas but from my lack of oxygen.

‘Stay safe’ he whispers

I dash forward through the fog. I have to face my weakness, I have to do it for him. I sprint through the thinning fog until the cloud is behind me. I suck in huge gulps of the unpolluted air, enjoying the pleasant sensation.

“Good good, you’re here” The voice chuckles.

My head snaps up, my eyes alert. I’m in my bedroom, the one I was in just a few minutes ago. Except it’s different. It’s no longer perfect; it’s in chaos. The bed is smashed in half, the pillows are flat and featherless and most importantly, standing a few feet in front of me is the Auctor.

He smirks and lifts up his snowy arm, flicking forward his forefinger. I stare at him in confusion.

“Bring him in” The Auctor orders.

A few seconds of split silence increase the tension. I glance to the Auctor who is watching the door expectantly. Maybe I should kill him now? My feet begin to tread forward quietly.

“I wouldn’t kill me yet Lara Hall, you will want to see this”

My mouth runs dry as a figure is thrown into the room. My bond tingles as the shackled man in front of me is thrown onto the floor. He moans as his body collides with the white marble. My eyes take in his bruised and battered physique.

“Jared” I cry. I brush past the Auctor and fall to my knees by Jared’s side. His eyes don’t open as he rolls in pain. Tears spring to my eyes as I witness the full state of his abused body. My heart swells as my fingers skim over the skin of his forearm.

“Jared, can you hear me?” I call yet he still doesn’t not respond.

A sharp blow to the back of my head sends me flying forward. My baton flies out of my hands as I scramble onto my back. The Auctor stands above me grinning wickedly. The dull ache in my head brings me back to my senses. I need to focus.

Rules number 1 and 3, don’t turn your back on the enemy and don’t get distracted. To save Jared, I must follow those rules.

I bite my lip as I glance anxiously at Jared. This is the only way to help him.

I form a protective stance in front of Jared as I await for the Auctor to attack me. I hold my dagger ready for any kind of attack but my baton still lies upon the floor.

“Are you going to fight back this time Lara Hall?” The Auctor questions. My plentiful hatred for him glowers from my eyes, radiating my anger and vengeance.

“There won’t be much of a fight Auctor” I respond callously.

I ignore my usual techniques of waiting for the Leto to attack me as I spring forward, going for a foreswing followed by a backswing. The Auctor dodges the first and meets the second with his sabre. The weight of the thing sends me stumbling back but the Auctor is also sent reeling too.

We both regain our balance and this time the Auctor moves first. His eyes glint dangerously as his sword slices at the fabric of my jumpsuit, missing my flesh by mere millimetres. I growl as his arm loops around my neck. His grip tightens like a python and the pain of the pressure has me wincing.

“Open your eyes and say goodbye to your lover Lara Hall” The Auctor whispers venomously in my ear. “This is how it all ends”

“No” I choke. I will not die in a simulation and especially at the mercy of the Auctor. The airways to my lungs begin to constrict as my air supply is cut off. I have to move now.

I slam down all my weight on the Auctor’s left foot and then his right. His grip loosens and I grab a hold of his arms and kick him in the stomach as he lets out a gurgled moan.

“You’re wrong Auctor” I say, lifting my dagger. “This is how it ends”

One moment the Leto Auctor is standing in front of my very eyes and the next he has disappeared. I’ve done; I’ve overcome the Auctor. I collapse to my knees in relief as the tears spill from my eyes.

“Jared” I whisper.

“Lara” He cries. I blink back my tears in happiness and begin to crawl towards him. His assaulted body opens its arms to me and his obsidian eyes twinkle. His hair has been shaved closely to his head. My fingers are just about to reach his when suddenly Jared disintegrates.

I stare in confusion at the empty space in front of me.

“Jared?”

The room around me begins to spin and I feel sick with dizziness. Where is Jared? My broken room from the Leto palace leaves my sight and I back in the Simulator room. There’s no Izzy, no Auctor and no Jared.

No Jared.

No Jared.

The thought rebounds in my head. That wasn’t really him, it was the simulation. I place my head in my hands and wince from the pain of the Auctor’s blow. It’s my own evidence that my trial was real. I hunch my body into a ball, huge sobs rack my protected sphere.

My weakness is not water like Iron, it is the weakness of my heart.

The squeaking of a door vibrates around the dark room and the lights are switched on. The pounding of footsteps soon drowns out my sobs.

“Lara” Vicarius cries. “Lara it’s alright, you succeeded”

“Succeeded in what Vic? Torturing myself?” I snap.

“Lara, you knew the weakness trial would be challenging” Vicarius replies.

“I know” I sigh, brushing away the relentless flood of tears with the back of my palm. “I just didn’t expect that”

I glance up to the viewing box and my brow furrows in surprise. The huge crowd from earlier is absent from the their previous stations; even Carlisle and the tech Warriors have gone.

“Where are they all?” I question as Vicarius sighs.

“Carlisle sent them all out as soon as Jared appeared” Vicarius shrugs. “They haven’t all proved their completely trustworthy yet”

I swallow deeply as Vicarius waits for my reaction. A few seconds pass before I manage to choke out a fathomable answer.

“I’m fine Vic”

“I don’t believe you” Vicarius raises his eyebrow. One final tear plummets down my cheek, following the direction of it’s siblings.

“You shouldn’t” I whisper.