Freja POV

The darkness started to disappear. And so did the pain for the most part. I still felt really uncomfortable, but there was almost no pain. I was more or less alright. My eyes were still closed. I was afraid to open them. All my senses came back. I could feel something on my right hand. Something warm. Overall it was cold. I was laying on a flat but very soft surface. Maybe a bed. And I could hear the birds outside. Was that heaven? I needed to have a look. I took all my courage together and slowly opened my eyes. The light was bright and hurt my eyes so I closed them again.

"Hey Freja. You are awake? Are you feeling better? Can I get you something? Try to open your eyes again." I heard a voice. I was scared, opened my eyes in a sudden movement and tried to get up. Heavily breathing all the pain came back. Someone grabbed onto my shoulders and pushed me back onto the bed. I began screaming. "Shh, don't scream. It's alright. You are save. You are in the institute. I found you in a basement. Don't worry, I won't bring you back." It was Jace.

I shook his arms away from my shoulders and tried to control my breathing, I didn't trust him. He may saved my life but took someone elses. The scenario popped back into my head. I looked him in the eyes. "Do you need something? Are you hungry, thirsty, cold, too warm?" He looked very insecure and didn't dare to touch me again. I shook my head and once again tried to get up.

I needed to go. "No, no, no. Stay. At least until you feel better. I swear I'll let you go if you are healthy again. But please, stay.". I saw something dangling down from a hook in the wall onto my left arm. It was a needle. I wanted to grab and pull it out but Jace grabbed onto my hand.

Jace: "Freja, let it in. You need it. Your kidneys are infected. You are dehydrated and slept on the cold floor in a windy building. You need antibiotics and fluids."

Freja: "I don't need anything."

I tried to set my hand free but couldn't do it. With his second arm Jace pushed me back into the pillow. I didn't have the strength to riot. He still held onto my hand. I stared onto the dripping fluid in a bag. I've seen things like that in the movies but never in real life.

Jace: "You definitely need it. It will help you. What exactly happened? Why did you lock yourself into the basement? Why were you in that house in general?"

I didn't want to answer. I felt a hand on my chin. He turned my head and forced me to look at him. I closed my eyes.

Jace: "Hey, open up your eyes. I asked you something. I want to know. Did you want to die?"

Freja: "No." My voice sounded hollow and weak and I was ashamed for it.

Jace: "Then why did you lock yourself up to die?"

Freja: "It doesn't matter."

I heard someone entering through the door but Jace still held onto my face so I couldn't turn. He looked at someone and nodded. I could feel a warm touch on my arm bend and something cold going into my veins. Some seconds later my eyes closed again.

Some hours later I woke up, feeling much better than before. Jace was still there. Through the window I could see the fading sunlight. The night was coming.

Jace: "Hey little girl. Better?"

I remained silent.

Jace: "I thought you maybe wanted to shower. The hot water will help. I already prepared a towel and some new clothes from Izzy, my sister. They are in the bathroom. Let me help you get up."

I didn't want his help but I needed it to stand up. Once I was standing it became better. The tube from the IV was gone but the needle was still in. Jace offered me a hand but I didn't want it. I went to the bathroom on my own. I really wanted to shower. After I closed the door and locked it, I undressed myself, revealing more scars on my legs.

I stepped under the water. It felt so good. I slowly showered. When I was finished I wanted to dress again. I put on a dark skinny jeans but noticed that the provided crop top was way too short and would reveal too much of my body so I put the shirt from before on. It was probably the shirt of a man. I tucked it into my jeans and dried my hair. Then I stepped outside again. Jace was sitting on the edge of the bed. He held a cup and some bread in his hands.

Jace: "Come on. Sit down. Have a drink and eat something."

I sat next to him but didn't want to drink or eat. I was neither hungry, nor thirsty.

Jace: "Come on. If you eat, you will get stronger and can go earlier. I mean, not that I want you to go but you probably want it."

I emptied the cup, it was tea, and took a bite of the bread. More wasn't possible. I was still tired.

Jace: "You should go back to sleep. I'll let you alone. Please, stay. I trust you."

Freja: "Why?"

Jace: "Because you are a nephilim. Just like me."

He stood up and went away, closed the door behind him. I decided to follow his request and get some rest. The moment I laid my head on the pillow I fell asleep.