The next few days were painful, both physically and emotionally. Her wounds were still tender for the most part, and it caused her much anguish whenever she tried to move. Her mind was screaming at her to cry, to release the aching feeling in her chest, but she would not allow herself to show any form of weakness. As days went on, she found that complying to every order made things a hundred times easier. She stayed as low as she could, dodging the ever constant radar of the Warden and the Pedagogue. She figured that if she kept her mouth shut and her mind void of any dangerous thoughts, she could make it through without any trouble. And she was right for the most part. 101505B and 81305B both threw her questioning looks from time to time, surprised and confused that she had completely gone silent. But she refused to even speak to them, lest she say something that would get her in trouble again. Fear ruled her life now. There was not a glimmer of joy nor a sliver of hope in her entire being anymore. She was just a mindless robot going through the motions of the daily schedule, nothing more than a blank slate.

One morning during the daily inspection, the Warden smiled at her. But it wasn't a comforting expression. It was an expression of victory, as if he was proud that he had finally beaten her into submission and sucked the life out of her. She could almost feel him soaking in the pleasure of her misery. As usual, she stayed silent.

"12505A," he spoke in his gravelly voice. "I haven't heard you speak in a while."

She remained speechless. He struck her harshly on the side of her face in a futile attempt to make her step out of line. But she still did not make a sound. She simply bit her lip and quelled her violent emotions which were threatening to break down the walls of her sanity.

"Answer me!" he ordered, his voice sharp and commanding.

"Yes, sir?" she finally said, her voice soft and weak.

"Why are you acting like this?" he asked, his voice laced with mockery and contempt. "Why has this sudden change taken place in you?"

He already knew the answer, and she knew he was just trying to rile her up and make her snap. He wanted her to play his sick little game, and she knew she could not win if she joined. She inhaled deeply in calm herself down before speaking.

"I've learned my lesson, sir."

"And what made you finally understand?"

"The punishment, sir."

"Are you angry at me for making you go through that?"

She bit her lip. Yes, she was angry. Yes, she wanted to say that. She wanted to scream and shout and release all her fury and rage on the man who ordered her to go through so much pain. But she withheld from saying anything. It was another trap.

"No, sir," she spoke slowly.

"You're lying."

"No, sir. I'm not."

"Why aren't you angry?"

"Because it taught me a lesson, sir."

"And what lesson was that?"

"To obey any and all rules without complaint, sir," she answered, reciting the rule that she had broken so many times prior. The Warden was surprised by her answer, but pleased nonetheless. Another sinister smile began to stretch across his face.

"Good," he spoke, his voice no longer harsh. "I'm glad that you have become a changed girl. Perhaps you will serve as a warning to the others who dare to defy the rules. Am I right?" he asked now addressing the class.

"Yes, sir," the whole class responded in unison.

"Excellent," he spoke before nodding to the Pedagogue and exiting the classroom.

Her dark eyes moved to look at her pale, frail teacher. She internally sighed. Maybe it would do her some good if she actually listened and absorbed the material he was teaching for once. Kicking all of the distractions out and trying to untangle the mess of her mind, she tried to concentrate on the Pedagogue's words.

"The first rebellions were minor attacks," the Pedagogue spoke, pointing to text in the book. "It was only in the year 2481 when the Insurgents launched their first major raid. You were not born yet, but that was when Despot Wes was assassinated. This sparked a period of unrest and turmoil with our country. This lasted for about 20 long years. The government back then underestimated the power of the Insurgents and did not act as quickly or as diligently as they should have. If they took action right away, they could have stomped out the spark of rebellion before it even caught fire."

The Pedagogue paused to examine the expressions and behavior of his pupils. After he was unable to find another tyro to berate, he continued on with his lesson.

"When Despot Sarin came to power, major changes were made to how everything was run. He instituted a stricter and more rigorous set of policies, but they proved to be effective. He led raids on many of the Insurgents' hideouts, and executed those he found. He confiscated all the weapons of the general public and strengthened the military occupation of major cities. Of course, there is still work to be done to completely end the work of those repulsive crooks, but Despot Sarin has made marvelous progress in stabilizing this country."

The Pedagogue's beady eyes turned to her. She was puzzled why he attention had suddenly turned and settled on her, but she remained calm and expressionless. The teacher's eyes bore into her for another minute before he spoke.

"12505A."

"Yes, sir?"

"What rebellion did we talk about yesterday?"

"The rebellion of 2505, sir."

"Good. 81305B?"

"Yes, sir?"

"What was significant about that specific rebellion?"

"Some people inside the city aided the Insurgents."

"101505B, who led these traitors?"

"Jace and Lia Lowell, sir."

"Good."

Pedagogue looked at her again. This time, he stood in front of her, so she was forced to look into his deep, dark eyes. There was something in them that told her he knew something she didn't. He was trying to taunt her over something she had no clue about. What was he trying to do? She knew she couldn't ask, but the question had already formed in her mind and had begun to commandeer her senses. After what seemed like forever, the Pedagogue moved away from her and addressed the class again.

"I have been very pleased with your behavior and diligence the past few days. And for this reason, I have decided to reward you for your actions," he spoke slowly.

It seemed like the entire class held back a gasp of shock. She herself had to swallow her surprise and force it back down her throat.

"I will grant you an hour outside and shall allow you to converse with one another. But remember, you are still being watched and listened to. Watch your words and your actions."

The class remained speechless.

"Well?" the Pedagogue asked, raising his voice slightly.

As if having the same mindset, the entire class immediately responded with a resounding, "Thank you, sir." All tried their best to contain their smiles, some succeeding better than others.

Following the Pedagogue's instructions, the students lined up and filed silently out of the classrooms. As soon as the first ray of sun touched her skin, she couldn't help but feel a tiny bit better after all that happened. She closed her eyes and let the gentle wind blow back her hair and tickle her skin. The students spread out across the field in little groups, most people staying with their dormitory partners. She stayed close to 101505B, because she did not know much of the others. But she was slightly shocked (and secretly pleased) to see 81305B approach her.

"Hey," he said softly. His voice was nice to listen to. It was sweet and calming, much different than the harsh, rough voices of the Warden, Pedagogue, and the Sentinels that she was so used to hearing every day.

"Hi," she said in reply.

"How are you feeling?"

He gently laid a hand on her shoulder. She was not used to any sort of physical touch, so this made her feel a little out of place. An odd, tingly feeling spread from the place he touched to all across her body. This was...strange but not uncomfortable.

"I'm doing alright, thank you," she said in reply.

"Does it still hurt bad?"

"Not as bad anymore. It's okay."

"That's good to hear."

She simply nodded in response. She didn't know what else to say, still fearing that she would accidentally slip up again and say something against the rules. Instead, she turned her eyes to examine her surroundings. The blue sky was blanketed by white fluffy clouds. The sun peeked out from its peaceful bed in the sky and smiled down on them. A light breeze rustled the grass they stood in. The only word she could use to describe it was peaceful. If only she could spend more time out here.

The sound of an explosion ripped her out of the peaceful tranquility she had managed to slip into for just a moment. She and the other students looked in horror at black smoke filling the air from one of the buildings.

"Everyone!" the Pedagogue called, his voice sharp and urgent. "Follow me. Now."