The Questioning

The Questioning
Romain 
The chains are wrapped so tight around my wrist that my hands feel numb. 
They're not made of silver, at least, which is a relief but I have no expectations, not at this point. I'm trapped and there's no way in hell I'll be able to get myself out of this situation, not with the hatred Soren feels toward me. 
I've already started making peace with the fact that I'll die in this place. 
I only have two concerns: Emmalee and the kid. If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have cared about what happened to me. But Brent is still in Soren's hand—I failed to convince him to head out. I refuse to hope. Hope is a dangerous thing, especially for someone in my position. 
It's easier to accept all the shit than hope for its end. 
I've been there before and it took fifteen years to be free. 
I don't think I'll have all those years this time around, and even if I did, I'd rather be hanged than endure all that again. 
I'm tired. 
Tired of fighting. Running. 
I focus on everything but the pain. There's more than enough to distract me around here. My cell is dark but there's light a few rooms away, which is where the guards are all seated, playing a game of cards. I can hear their laughter followed closely by arguments and accusations of cheating. In an hour or so, they'll be back, raining fists down on me among other things. Soren's orders, no doubt. 
For a moment, I back out. Actually, I'm sure I do. Because one moment, my eyes are on the dimly lit hallway just outside my cell, and the next, I blink and Brent is standing in front of me, eyes roaming my face. 
The sight of him startles me and I jerk backward, the chains pinching my skin. "What the hell are you doing here?"
I realize how aggressively my words came out and immediately seek to make amends. Brent doesn't respond—he simply watches me, a curious gleam in his eyes. "I didn't mean that. You scared me, that's all."
"Who did you think I was?"
"My executioner, perhaps."
"You're afraid to die, then?"
I meet his gaze steadily. "Is there a particular reason you're here, Brent?"
"Yes," is his reply. "I wanted to know more."
"About?"
"You."
"Me? What about me?"
"My father says you're a rogue," he begins, and just like that, Brent lets me know he didn't buy my story. To him, Soren is his father. "But according to what I heard, you were also related to my uncle. And my mother. How so? They never mentioned you before."
"We grew up together," I explain as I shift my weight from one knee to the other. It relieves the pain only slightly. "Cade was like a brother to me."
"Yet you claim to be my father?" There's an edge to his voice. 
"Things happened, alright? I didn't ask to fall in love with Emmalee. Where is she? Have you heard something? You didn't go to the woods, did you?"
Brent chooses not to reply. Instead, he asks, "And where does my father come in this story?"
"I already told you who your father is. You can choose to ignore the truth, even when it's staring you right in the eyes, but Soren isn't your father. I am."
"Is that so?" he asks coldly before stepping closer to me. "What's a father to you? A sperm donor? Were you there when I needed you the most? Where were you!?"
"In prison paying for a crime I didn't commit," I retort. "That's where I was. I didn't even know about your existence until I was told about you. I'm sorry I wasn't there. All I can say is that I would've been there. Every second of every day. If I had the chance, I'd try to be a good father to you. And I'm sorry, Brent. I'm sorry that fucker raised you. I'm sure he didn't give you the love you deserved."
"How can you be so sure of that?"
"You have my face," I remind him. "And Soren and I? We go a long way back."
The boy falls silent and I briefly wonder if anything I'm saying means something to him when suddenly, someone appears at the cell door. 
A familiar face.
"Trudy," I exhale, not believing my eyes. 
The old woman looks back and forth between the two of us before entering the cell carefully. Brent left the door open. Putting the basket she's carrying down, Trudy asks, "Brent, what are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing," he claims, and as I watch their exchange, I'm once more reminded of the past. I see Trudy scolding us endlessly, day and night, warning us to play nice and be respectful. 
The memories come to me so quickly that they burn. 
"The guards seem to be distracted," she claims. "Besides, I told the ones outside that the Alpha sent me. They didn't question it."
"You could get in trouble," I cut in. 
"Worse has happened to me and I survived it," she stubbornly declares. Her eyes soften when they land on me. "I needed to come see you. I imagined what would be happening to you. They're monsters. Look at the sight of you."
"I've had worse done to me," I assure her, hoping my words will be enough to lessen her concern. "How are you managing up here by yourself? It seems we all abandoned you."
"Yes, you have," she says a little bitterly. "But times are hard and we're left with very few choices. Here, I brought you some water."
Brent watches our exchange. I don't take my eyes off Trudy so I can't imagine how he looks like or if any of this is affecting him. What I do say is, "You'll have to beg Brent here to keep your secret. He might just tell his father you're helping his enemy."
Trudy looks up, surprised. "What? But I thought...I thought he knew?"
"He doesn't believe it," I mumble. 
Trudy looks over at Brent. We both do. His expression is haunted. He doesn't say a word in response—in fact, it's like he can barely hear us. 
"By the goddess," she mutters as she pours water down my throat. "You're all a complicated lot. I can't keep up with you."
"Thank you, Trudy," I say, smacking my lips. "I needed that."
"We have to do something," she says desperately before glancing at Brent as if remembering my words. "I know this is hard for you, Brent, but we don't have time to stop and explain things. Soren will kill Romain as soon as he gets the chance!"
"And why should he live?" Brent questions. "He killed Uncle Cade, a man who was allegedly a brother to him."
"Your uncle made his choice," Trudy hisses. "He knew what he was doing and chose to betray your mother. I know you're too young to understand any of it now, but we're all in danger. And now that Emmalee's back, there's no predicting what Soren will do."
I nearly vomit all the water she's given me. "What? Emmalee is here?"
My lips are numb as they form the words. 
No, this can't be. 
"You didn't know?"
I close my eyes as pain surges through me. I moan in pain and Trudy reminds me to stay silently or the Gammas will hear us. I look at Brent, anger blinding me. "Why didn't you mention it!? Why didn't you tell me?"
"Romain, please," Trudy whispers harshly. "You can't make this noise. You'll get us all killed!"
"Where is she? With him!?"
Trudy doesn't even answer my question. Gritting my teeth, I begin pulling at the chains, hoping to rip them from the wall, using all my strength. Trudy watches me, horrified, before trying to stop me. "Don't! You'll only hurt yourself!"
I ignore her. I need to get out of these chains. I have to help her. 
He'll punish her for Cade's death. 
He won't take mercy on her. 
Goddess, how did she get here? How?
The energy in the room shifts suddenly and Trudy slips from the door, leaving Brent behind. I meet his gaze, breathing harshly, and he says, "Apparently my father is on the way."
Damn him. Damn Soren. Damn him to the very depths of hell. 
Brent steps toward me suddenly, and when I meet his gaze, I see concern gleaming in his eyes. "Is my mother in danger?"
"You don't know how much!" I growl. "She probably came here for you. Because you refused to head out there like you were told!"
I don't care that my words are harsh. This is his fault. 
"My father would never—"
"Your father is a monster!" I yell. "He's a maniac and he'll punish Emmalee hard for Cade's death. You don't know what you've done, Brent! He could kill her!"
I try once more to free myself but it's no use. I'll rip my arms off before breaking these chains. 
And Soren is on the way. 
Goddess, could this day get any worse?