Sitting at the edge of a long table in the newly set up canteen, Sienna is talking incessantly to fill the empty silence I'm leaving. Since we've entered, power-hungry wannabe leaders who want our support in the upcoming elections continually approach us with false promises. Apparently, this is what happens when the people who will lead are not dictated to you; you actually have to find out what these aspiring leaders intend on changing then you have to vote for your favourite. It's strange.

From the people who have spoken to us so far, I can't help think they all seem the same; great talkers who are promising more than they can deliver. The few who are realistic in their goals seem pathetic in comparison and I'm already convinced they won't win this contest. They're not crowd-pleasers.

Sienna smiles, nods and asks questions as they tell us their goals. I remain silent, forcing myself not to run back to the cupboard Sienna dragged me out of this morning.

Normally, I'd make some effort to at least seem interested but I'm struggling to focus. All their words are muffled against the pounding of my heart and the clinking of cutlery and crashing of bowls. Stirring the bowl of mush in front of me, I watch the door intently as I wait for Officials to storm through. It could happen at any time. How long do I have until I'm imprisoned again?

Currently, Terrell is talking to us or maybe he's finished because he pats Sienna on the shoulder. He looks like he plans on doing the same to me which makes me recoil causing him to stop and frown before leaving us alone.

Staring at the mush, I remind myself the sooner I eat this, the sooner I get to return to the cupboard and get away from these traumatised inmates who are playing pretend and acting like everything will be great now the Officials are gone.

"Do you mind if I join you." Teddy stands in front of me.

"Sure," I say as my body goes rigid.

Teddy sits in front of me. "You should be resting in bed after everything that happened."

"I'm fine," I say a little too harshly.

Teddy nods, his wide shoulders slump forward. A heavy tension fills the air between us and my insides twinge. I want to return to how we used to be; when everything was simpler between us.

"I see the leaders have already started trying to persuade you to support their campaigns," Teddy says, glancing over his shoulder at Terrell who is slapping people on the back in false camaraderie, trying to generate more shallow popularity.

"It's kind of exciting all this voting stuff. I liked the woman who spoke about getting rid of all the current rules and restarting, allowing us to vote for each new law that is implemented," Sienna says leaning towards us.

"Letting everyone vote on everything sounds like chaos to me," Teddy says flatly.

"Exactly what I was thinking," I agree.

Teddy smiles at me. I frown. Don't think I've forgiven you.

"Who do you like Cady?" Sienna asks.

"I don't trust any of them." I shrug. I look at Teddy. "Who are you thinking of voting for?"

"I don't get a vote."

"Why?"

"I may have rejected The State but I'm still an ex-Official. They associate me with everything that went on here, regardless of whether I knew about it or not which means I get no say in future plans."

"Why stay here then?" I ask.

"I'm not allowed to leave in case I decide to rejoin The State and fight for them." Teddy shrugs. "There's nothing for me out there anymore anyway. I have family members high up within The State. Once they find out I was one of the Officials who helped inmates take over a labour camp, they'll have me hung."

"You can't be sure," I say. My words are hollow because it wouldn't be the first time a family member has chosen The State over their own family. It's common. Now people are going against The State, even more families will be split apart; not only due to fighting but beliefs too.

"They'll soon forget you were an Official, Teddy." Sienna waves her spoon, gesturing towards Teddy's face and neck. "You're one of the lucky ones, you don't have the circular markings like the others. I feel sorry for them, especially once The State are gone."

"Are there other ex-Officials here?" I ask quickly.

"A few. I don't really speak to them. I don't need people to start spreading rumours that we're conspiring together on The State's behalf," Teddy says flatly

Glancing around the room, I search the crowds of people for circular marking. Could any of them be the ones who helped keep me prisoner? Who held me and Grey down as we watched the other be punished? The recognisable feeling of everything closing in returns. My breathing is too shallow and I'm running out of air.

"Cady, are you ok?" Teddy's voice sounds distant. I force myself to come back to the now. Teddy leans forward. "Cady, what's the matter?"

"I remember I'm meant to be meeting Doctor Annabelle," I mumble. Standing, my hands tremble and I tuck them behind me as I stumble away.

I don't head towards the makeshift hospital ward with a perfectly comfortable bed. I go straight back to the cupboard and surround myself in comfortable darkness.