Vespera kicked the chair across the room.
Neurosis flinched as the metal furniture crashed into the wall.

Vespera took a deep breath. "And she's gone."

"Yes." Neurosis nodded. "She left not long ago. From the looks of it, she doesn't intend to come back."

"And you're sure SHE killed Gethen?" Vespera was balancing on the edge of fury.

"Yes ma'am." Neurosis confirmed. "Nothing and no one else touched him and... his neck was broken."

Vespera sighed. "Pity. She had so much potential." She cleared her throat. "I think it's time we officially deem Project Balefire a failure."

Neurosis hung her head. "Of course ma'am."
————
Neurosis walked back to her room and flopped onto her hard bed. She ran her fingers along the scar under her eye, the scar that Gisela had given her. Was this really worth it?

Valerie had people who cared about her, friends and family. She had something to fight for, something she believed in. And she was willing to and almost had died for it.

Neurosis sighed. What was she fighting for? What did she believe in? Was she just Vespera's little puppet?

She'd come here because she thought she'd be safe, but now, she felt trapped, like the walls were closing in and, if she didn't find a way out soon, they would crush her.