I have absolutely no ideas for the next chapters. All I have 'properly' planned is the climax, and I have a few moments I want to happen too.

So...

I reread until I got an idea.

But I still don't know what's happening in Scar's perspective...

Ok, I now have a plan... :)

The Cuteguy outfit arrives remarkably quickly. It's only after a couple days of pacing the room I'm trapped in that there's a knock on the door and a painfully familiar voice calling for me to come on.

Iskall.

Reminding myself again that this is for Scar, I leave the room. A black and pink suit is lying at my feet.

'Get changed.' Is all Iskall says. I don't look at him. I can't. With a small nod, I reenter the room and change.

The suit is tight, almost itchy. The best - and only good part - is the admittedly cool black boots. I struggle to do everything up, hoping I have as I leave the room. Iskall narrows his normal eye.

'You've not done it up properly.'

'I know.' A sigh.

'Turn around.'

Iskall finishes zipping the suit up. Even more uncomfortable, I have to run to follow his long paces, catching sight of myself in the window. I look away quickly, self-conscious that look awful. But it doesn't take long to reach a the training room. Iskall locks the door behind.

'Warm up. 5 laps.'

'5?!' I stare at the cavernous room in front of me

'Grian, if you don't do it, Ren will hurt both of us. He can go for Scar as much as he can go for Mumbo.'

'Mumbo's dead.'

'Exactly.'

I pause, his words sending a cold prickle down my back. Iskall brings me back to reality quickly

'5 laps! Go!'

I go. And I don't get very far, panting by the end of the first. After only 3 laps, I feel I'm about to faint.

'Stop.' I do, collapsing on the ground, gasping for breath. 'Very good.'

'I've only done 3 laps.'

'Scar only managed 2.' Iskall hands me a bottle of cold water. I drink, grateful.

'Next exercise, actual training. Do you know how to fire a gun?'

'Yes.'

'Shoot that.' He points to a target in the distance, then hands me a gun.

'What?'

'Ren won't let us go until you're consistently hitting it.'

'I can't do this.'

'Ren wants you to. You signed up for the worst job in the Crastle, now you've got to do it.'

I aim the gun, eyes narrowed at the target. I can't even see it properly, or the bullet as I fire.

'Miss. Again'.

I'm stuck there the rest of the day aiming at the target. It's only midday that I first hit it. Iskall offers no encouragement. With every missed shot, I have to remind myself why I'm here. So Scar doesn't have to be here. I'm doing this for Scar. He stays safe and... I'm stuck here.

The small windows at the top of the room are black with night by the time Iskall takes the gun back and tells me to do another 3 laps of the track. I barely manage 2. Then I'm sent to bed, exhausted, barely managing to tear off the suit and change into pyjamas before collapsing on the bed, instantly asleep.

The rest of the first week only gets worse. Iskall stays cold, the exercises stay tiring and repetitive. Soon I can hit the target perfectly every time with not just a gun but a bow and crossbow too. And then, panting as I finish only 1 lap, Iskall doesn't even arm me before commanding.

'Fight me.' I notice the knife in his belt with unease. But I've learnt to obey by now, and punch at him.

He dodges easily, attacking back. I hit the ground, scrambling to my feet to miss another blow. Every time I try to fight back, he hits me first, demanding for me to be better. I yell back that I'm trying my best, almost crying from frustration and pain, bleeding from his constant punches. But doesn't back down, even after what feels like hours.

Iskall shoves me to the ground and I snatch for his knife. I let out a yell as he pins my hand to the ground with his foot.

'Grian. Try. Harder.'

'I- OW- can't!'

'You don't have to play nice.'

'I'm not! I'm trying as hard as I can!' I sob back. 'Please!'

'Get free, and fight me.' He doesn't let my hand go. I try to twist it free. Nothing but more pain. So I don't move, taking the moment to recover then lunging for the knife again. But it's not in its sheath. Iskall's drawn it already.

Agony flares across my face. I scream.

'Fight back!'

'I CAN'T!'

I kick him, crying. Blood blinds me and I try to wipe it away before aiming another punch. Iskall's still quicker. My hand is still trapped and remains there as I fail. Iskall lets it go at last. I lie there holding it.

'Get up.'

'No.'

'Grian, training is over. You failed. Get up.' I glare over. He's holding his hand out for me to take. After a moment I begrudgingly accept. He easily pulls me to my feet.

'There's no training the next two days, but I suggest you practice anyway. Your first mission is right after.'

I follow silently out of the room, fighting tears. Everything hurts. I've given up trying to clean away the blood. All I want is to get back to my room. And to my utter surprise, there's someone else there.

'Here.' Cub holds out a small bottle of pink potion. I blink at him.

'Why are you here?'

'I couldn't let you suffer alone so I snuck in through the window... You look awful. Come on.' Cub sits next to me on the bed, unscrewing the potion bottle.  'Let me help.'

I do, sitting there, wincing with pain as he dabs the cuts across my face. Tears blur my vision, throat jammed with emotion until I can't help but start crying. Cub stops.

'I keep- I keep thinking of him whenever I'm hurt or exhausted... He had to do all of this too.' I sob, and he hugs me.

'It'll be alright.'

'My first quest is in 2 days time.' I mumble. 'I'm scared I'll be killed.'

'I'll come too. Cause a distraction... help if you get caught.'

'What if they catch you too?'

'Don't worry about me.'

I shuffle out of the hug, staring at the ground as I ask.

'Why do you care so much about me?'

'You gave up everything for Scar. You deserve to have someone who'd do the same for you.'

'I don't know you. You don't know me. I got you caught...'

'I'm fine now. And Scar's doing alright too, all thanks to you. Jimmy, Scott and a small child joined him in his home.' I look up, wiping away tears.

'Really?'

'Yeah... I'll come back tomorrow to help more. You need sleep. You're exhausted.' And, with a nod of support, Cub crosses the room, jumping through the window and out of sight.

Originally Grian won the fight with Iskall... Then I decided he shouldn't.