Miranda King (Trigger)

"Santiago?" I glanced at Stephanie as she stared at her brother.

Is this worth it Miranda?

Is it?

You could be killed right now.

Your father would be so disappointed.

"Trigger, what's wrong with him?" I could sense Stephanie's distress as she waved her hands in front of his eyes. He was blank, like all of the others down here.

All the other prisoners.

This could be you if they find out.

Their skin was pale, grey even. Even the ones that were known for their bronze complexion.

"Trigger!" The girl was frantic.

"They've been drugged."

I could see the questions written across her face.

"Where else are they going to keep them?" Her eyes widened with understanding, skin growing even paler. I glanced at my watch. Shit.

"We have to leave. Now."

"We can't just leave him!"

I almost felt pity for the girl. Her eyes were welling with tears, hands shaking.

"Unless you want to be here, too. Come on, you can stay with me."

Really Miranda?

Where are you going to keep her?

You're just going to get caught.

You're never going to be accepted by your father.

This is worse than your dating scandal with Bruce.

Stephanie wiped her tears, looking up at me.

"Really?"

"Yes. Now hurry up."

As we made our escape, I could only feel my worry rising.

How are you going to explain this to Bruce? As we neared the end of the hallway to get to the ladder, voices echoed from above.

"Hey what happened to the door?" Fuck.

"We might have a little rat problem." My skin crawled as I recognized baldy's voice.

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

I pulled Stephanie away from the exit, racing back through the hall. We approached the gate. Squeezing through the bars, I unlocked it from the other side, pulling the girl through.

"Come on!" On the other side of the gate was a never-ending set of stairs. Immediately, I started running, momentarily forgetting about Stephanie. Glancing back, I saw that she had barely started.

"Unless you want to end up like your brother, I'd suggest you hurry up." Whether or not the girl heard me, she quickened her pace.

When we reached the door at the top, it occurred to me that I had no idea what was on the other side.

Why do you do this Miranda?

You just keep disappointing him.

Hesitant, I held the handle.

"Trigger?" Stephanie stood behind me, curious. Her oblivious behavior seemed to have dulled after I called her out earlier.

Good.

She needs to understand.

I forced the door open, only to find a very familiar room.

"Why didn't we just go through here?" The girl cut in front of me, taking in the dining hall as if she hadn't seen it before.

"Miranda, what the flying fuck is going on?" Bruce's tall figure had been propped on a table. She had, no doubt, seen the whole spectacle.

"Because of that," I sighed, gesturing to Bruce.

"You!" Stephanie was too focused on the woman to hear me.

"Hey! You're still alive." Bruce turned to me, "What are we even doing?" I couldn't really answer her. Somehow both of us ended up on the same side. One that we promised we wouldn't take. Any move could kill us, or worse, trap us in the kitchen until we die.

"Honestly, I didn't expect to get this far." I turned to the redhead. "We can just keep her in my room."

"Excuse me? I'm not a pet!"

Bruce sighed, her expression as bored as ever.

"And I thought I was the impulsive one. I'll be right back." She took off, leaving the two of us awkwardly huddled in the empty room.

Anyone could waltz in here.

What are you going to do then?

I shoved my hands in my pockets, on edge. Stephanie was too busy raking her hand through her hair to care.

"Want me to cut it when we get back to my room?" I surprised myself with the question.

"Yes please."

Before long Bruce entered with a small bundle. She threw a hoodie at Steph.

"For your hair. Also just put these on top." In her hand were a very familiar pair of pants.

"Those are mine, aren't they?" There was no way they'd fit Bruce, she was too tall.

"You left them in my room one night so they ended up in my dresser. Along with a few other things," Bruce smirked. Of all the people, why her?

"Why were Trigger's pants in your-" Realization dawned on Stephanie's face. "Oh my go-"

"Not now."

We made our escape back to the rooms, Stephanie trailing behind us. Without warning, Bruce grabbed my hand.

"I missed you."

"I can't believe you fucked up this badly." Inwardly, I cringed at my words. Hurt flashed across her face, but it was gone just as quickly.

Really Miranda?

You're a terrible girlfriend.

She's going to leave you anyway.

"I missed you, too." I squeezed her hand. She glanced down.

"You picked the nail polish off." Sighing, I recalled the incident.

"It wasn't intentional."

"Was the voice-?" I dug my nails into her slim hand. No one else needed to know about the little voice inside my head. Or the things it tells me.

As we neared the rooms my skin began to crawl.

They found you, Miranda.

I told you you were going to be caught.

"Hey." I turned to the guard, keeping a neutral expression on my face. I'm ranked higher than him. I can do this.

Can you though?

"What can we help you with?" Bruce stepped forward, arms crossed. I had always admired her attitude, along with her height.

"Oh, Trigger and Castle," he looked behind us, "who's the third?" Praying that Stephanie had her hair covered, I brought her forward, arm draped across her shoulders.

"Newbie, we're showing her around."

He knows, Miranda.

You're not fooling anyone.

"Alrighty. I'll be off, then." As soon as he turned the corner, we took off running.

Eventually, we made it back to my room, Bruce quickly shutting the door. Stephanie had sprawled out on the floor, about to pass out.

"I've never worked out so much in my life."

Knock knock.

"Trigg? Are you in there? I need to talk to you."

Shit.

Bruce practically shoved the girl into my closet as I opened the door.

"What's up?"

Minhyuk stood in front of me, arms crossed.