53. A Fantasy...

**Melissa**

Sirius visibly withdrew himself. He shook his head, releasing a humorless chuckle. “That doesn't make any sense. Ester would never do anything like that.”

“It's the only possible explanation.” I marched over to him and grabbed the metal bars, staring right into his face. “She's the one who gave me the secret phrase and gave me hints on how to find the place. Telling me that all this information are things she ‘heard’. I should have known something was up. There was no way someone as high up as her would casually hear such accurate information about a movement that wasn't even large enough to be relevant.”

Sirius still seemed to be in disbelief. He asked, “Why would she do something like that?”

“I don't know!” I ran my hands through my hair. Why is he asking me this? Did I look like a mind-reader? “Maybe she found out where you've been going at night. But I'm telling you, it's no coincidence.”

He shifted his gaze. I wanted impatiently for him to say something, anything. My foot started tapping impatiently. At last, he sighed and lifted his head. 

“Ester is not the type to do something like this out of pity,” he stated. “Regardless, I'll look into it. Stay here in the meantime, and don't cause any trouble to the guards lest it complicates things.”

Not exactly what I wanted to hear, but what choice did I have at this point? I drew in a deep breath. “Alright, do what you gotta do. I'll just rot here with the starving rats.”

“Don't be silly. The rats are well-fed.” With a chuckle, Sirius walked away from my cell and disappeared from view by turning around the corner. I flopped into my bed. At least I was at a place where I didn't have to share the air with other prisoners.

They've placed me in some corner with no other cells in sight. A barred window sat right outside my cell, too high for an average human to reach.

I flopped onto the mattress and turned my back to it. In all honesty, it could have been much worse. 

There was a clock above the metal table. Seconds ticked away into minutes. It hadn't even reached an hour when I felt the presence of someone standing outside my cell. I groaned. It had to be Sirius, no one else would risk visiting me and the guards were a good distance away.

“I don't want to be bothered,” I said loudly. “Go away. Didn't you say you had something to do?”

“I did, but I had to come and see for myself.”

That voice, it couldn't be. 

I spun around and it was exactly who I feared it was. My eyes widened. It took me a while to let the words escape my mouth.

“Dean…”

There he was, all decked out in partial armor. The dark, blood red breast reflected light off its metallic surface. The intricate and unique design couldn't have been made by hand. I could feel the energy radiating off it. It must have been one of the armors that knights manifest after they have earned their abilities. 

But nothing about his expression was radiant. 

“Tell me.” His bare hands wrapped around the bars. The air became tense. I felt a part of me drawing back deeper into my own mind. “What were you doing there, Mel? Tell me that you were there by accident. Tell me you only went to that bar for a drink and a night of freedom.”

I found it hard to get any words out. From the tip of my head to the end of my toes, no part of my body could move. 

Finally, I was able to tear away my gaze and point it to the ground. “It's not what you think…”

“Then tell me what it is!” He raised his voice.

My fingers gripped the sheet. I found myself frozen once again.

I wanted to make him believe me. Tell him what I went there for. That would be the only way out of this predicament that I've got myself in.

But that would mean telling him about Sirius’ plan. He would end up being involved even if he does nothing. 

From what I learned about Dean, he would never be able to forgive himself if he stood by and did nothing. And I wouldn't be able to get him to betray his morals.

I couldn't bear to look at him, so I turned around completely, my back facing him. 

“No matter what anyone says, I'm not a part of the rebel group.” I chose my words carefully. Why did it feel like I would choke to death if I lied now? “But I am not a good person either.”

Neither of us said a word further. My lips pressed tightly together. 

“Is that it?” I could practically see his hold on the bars tighten. “After everything, that's all you're going to say to me?” 

“You shouldn't be near me.”

“And yet we've both been close to each other, multiple times.” Dean paused before he continued. The reason for the hesitation was clear. “Were you using me this entire time?”

I didn't say anything. Dean scoffed.

“I should have suspected something when you appeared out of nowhere and developed such a sudden interest in me.”

Unable to stay still, I wrapped my arms around me. It was the only way I could hold back from spilling out my true thoughts. The desire to reject his statement was railed in. Even if it was that way before, now I…

Dean pushed himself off the bars, then he said something I never expected.

“... Why couldn't you just let me live in that fantasy?”

By the time I turned around, he was gone.

And I was left with a feeling of despair I had no way of getting rid of.