I could tell Braken was upset. He wanted to go back to Leo - he wanted me to apologize. And I wasn't going to do it. Was I at fault? Probably a little. But Leo was the one who had used me for pity over and over again, and I was tired of it.

Braken was sitting on a blanket pile, looking down between his knees. He wasn't wearing his skirt today, and kept smoothing his pants down over his legs. Even when I tried to talk to him, he wouldn't look up, and he yanked his hand away every time I asked him to explain.

"Braken, don't do this to me," I said, trying once again to communicate. He just ducked his head and hugged himself around his waist, avoiding eye contact. "I want to help you. You know that."

He just snorted and rubbed his face with the sleeve of his hoodie. 

I sat next to him, brushing against his side. He tensed up for a moment, but didn't move, so I put my arm around his shoulders, hoping to seem comforting. I don't think I accomplished that, because even though he didn't move away from me, he turned his face away and pulled his knees up to his chest to try and make himself smaller. "Tell me what's wrong," I murmured. "Does your back hurt?"

He grabbed my wrist tightly, writing more aggressively than usual. I WANT TO SCREEM AT YOU.

"Wh -"

I KNOW LEO HATES YOU BUT YOU DONT HAVE TO MAKE HIM HATE ME TO. He shoved me away and climbed to his feet, his shoulders tight in anger. I tried to call after him as he stormed away, but he cut me off with a sharp gesture and I went quiet.

I knew he was going back to Leo, and as much as I wanted to stop him, I knew that that would only cause more problems, so I let him go. I didn't want Braken to get hurt, but he wouldn't listen to me. I didn't want to fight him.

So I went back to wandering the camp. I had a massive breakout to plan, and I couldn't be this distracted. I could get Braken away from Leo later. Gus could already be dead. I didn't want to let anymore of them down. 

Eventually, the burns on my arm began to hurt again, so I decided to find something to wash up with. The bandages were getting old. The wounds searing my flesh looked eerily like Braken's burnt hands had, and I shuddered as I unwrapped myself, throwing the bloody bandages away. As I moved across the kitchen to get some more, I heard something. Leo's voice.

"Answer my question," he growled. He didn't get an answer - not a verbal one, anyway. He was talking to Braken.

I quickly found the bedroom they'd shut themselves in, and almost pulled open the door, but then I paused. Maybe Braken would do something I couldn't. Maybe he'd actually reach him. I should've left them alone, but instead, I sat down next to the door and listened.

"Why don't you love me anymore?" Leo demanded. "We grew up together. We've been through so much, and now you're replacing me with Joel." 

Pause.

"No, that's not true! You're using all your love up on him. You don't have any left for me." His voice cracked and he cleared his throat.

Pause.

"Stop it. Stop saying that! You're lying to me! I can see it on your face! You're afraid of me, too, aren't you? You're following him everywhere he goes because you're afraid of me!"

I wanted to interject. I wanted to protect Braken, but something stopped me. I found myself pressed up closer to the door, my chest tight in anticipation. 

"Shut up and get out of here. I don't want to see your lying face anymore."

This time, I heard Braken squeal softly. He didn't sound hurt - at least not physically - so again, I didn't move.

"What - get off - stop touching me! Let go! Get off, Braken! Get out of here! Don't touch me!"

Now I could hear a struggle - the sound of something being moved. Both of them made strange noises - fight noises. They were fighting each other. I started to get up, ready to jump in and protect him.

And there was a loud cry of pain, a crack, and a thump as someone hit the ground hard.

"I said don't touch me!" Leo shouted. He threw the door open, startling me, and then hesitated for a second as he saw me there. His eyes darkened in anger and he shoved me out of the way, snapping over his shoulder at me. "So you're a spy, now, huh?" Before I could answer, he was gone, and the only thing left was the echo of the door slamming. 

I stared after him for a moment and then quickly spun around to face the bedroom. Braken was crumpled on the floor with his head in his hands, his shoulders shaking with silent sobs. 

I ran to him and slid to my knees next to him, quickly putting my arms around him to let him know I was there to help. "What happened?" I whispered. "What did he do to you?"

Braken just shook his head and tried to curl up in a tight ball, leaning against my chest. He had his hand pressed tightly against his forehead, and wouldn't let me see when I tried to move it.

"He didn't do anything?" I asked.

He nodded, then shook his head again, and then let out a shaky sigh and dropped his hand into his lap. His fingers were covered in bright scarlet blood.

I gasped, feeling that anger rise back into my chest as I saw what had happened. He must've fallen - Leo shoved him, no doubt - and he'd hit his head hard against the nightstand, cutting it open on the corner. The gash wasn't long, but it was deep and bleeding heavily.

"Come on, let's get that taken care of." I helped him stand up, keeping my arm around him to protect him, and led in into the kitchen. The pain in my arm was steadily growing worse.

He wouldn't let me wash or bandage him; instead, he just stuck a bandaid over his gash and slumped down at the table. He looked exhausted. His face was flushed in anger, embarrassment, sorrow, or maybe all three, and while it hid the small freckles, it darkened the bags under his eyes and the bruise on his face where Leo had ...

Where Leo had hit him.

"That's it," I growled. "Stay here, Braken. I did not break you out of the games to have him treat you the same way."

I stood up from the table and took a furious step, but Braken jumped up and grabbed my hand, pulling me back. His hands were shaking, and I could see the panic in his expression. DONT HURT HIM. HE DIDNT MEEN IT.

"What are you talking about?" I threw my free hand out, gesturing to his face. "I'm not going to let him treat you like that. Let go."

He shook his head, planted his feet firmly, and tightened his grip. I WONT LET YOU HURT HIM.

"I'm not going to hurt him." I tugged hard on my arm, pulling him forward.

This time, Braken's nails dug into my wrist. I could feel the rough, mangled parts of his skin tight against mine, and I shuddered uncomfortably. He had a determined expression now. He wasn't going to let me go.

"Alright, alright, I won't. Just let me go," I grumbled. He released me and waited expectantly for an apology. I wasn't going to give it. Not yet. "I'm just going to talk to him, alright?

He shook his head angrily.

"Yes. If you want to come, you can, but you can't stop me."

He took a step to try, and then hesitated, wincing in pain and pressing his fist against his bleeding forehead. The blood turned his blue bangs an disturbing shade of brownish purple. He needed to get that cleaned up before it got worse, but I had to talk to Leo before he disappeared like he always did.

"I won't hurt him, I promise," I said. "I'll be right back. Stay here." Braken didn't answer, so I turned and left, climbing back down into the alley.

There were more people up and about now than there had been before. Most of them gave me wary looks when I pushed passed them, but I ignored them. I had a job to finish.

I finally saw him walking toward the entrance. "Leo!" I shouted.

He glanced over his shoulder and his eyes widened as he saw my furious expression. He broke into a run, heading straight for the entrance, and suddenly, it hit me.

He was running away for good.

"Leo!" I repeated, but I was afraid this time. He was going to be killed out there. "Leo, no!"

He didn't look back as he ran right through the illusion of the wall. I forced myself to go faster, but when I reached the wall, I slammed into it full force and fell over, my vision going white and then black with barely enough time to register the pain.