I realized I never showed off the AWESOME Tessa. One of my favorite old people, I'll do Ash later on a different chapter, once I'm done kicking myself XD 

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A dense, suffocating cloud hangs over her, pressing heavily on her chest and dragging down her steps as she exits the storage room. The mental breakdown did little to ease her anguish; instead, it swelled her face and left her with a pounding headache. Angela, though showing signs of recovery, appears fragile and crestfallen, her eyes fixed on the entrance with a haunting emptiness. Valery forces a smile on her face as she walks in and sits on the worn cot beside Angela.

"You're looking a bit better." Valery winces, hearing how fake her attempt at sounding happy sounded, even to her.

"Thanks to you," Angela assures her, gratitude etched in her features. "But I can't say the same for you."

Valery's weary eyes meet Angela's, carrying the weight of hours spent mending wounds and an emotionally charged clash with Trent. "I've been at it for hours and just had a heated exchange with Trent," she confesses.

Angela sighs softly, her gaze understanding. "I overheard. It's a small miracle you didn't let slip the secret right then and there." With an unexpected swiftness, Angela delivers a firm smack to Valery's head.

"What the hell?" Valery snaps, instinctively rubbing the spot. "Is this how you thank me for healing you?"

"It's how I thank you for being reckless," Angela retorts, her tone stern. Valery takes a deep breath, her shoulders sagging as she exhales.

"You can't tell me anything I haven't already told myself," Valery reassures her, her voice holding a mixture of resignation and determination.

"Really?" Angela's voice is gentle but probing. "Have you reminded yourself that your dad just passed away? That you're hurting and feeling lost, not knowing where to turn? And what about the fear of letting people in, knowing the pain it can bring, and now being afraid to love?" Angela wonders aloud, her words hanging heavy in the air. Valery remains silent.

"You and Trent share more in common now. I think that terrifies you. You don't want to acknowledge it, so you're pushing him away. You're struggling with the overwhelming sense of loss that's taken hold of your heart," Angela continues, her insight cutting through the silence.

Valery's voice is a fragile whisper, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. She looks down at the tiled floor, avoiding Angela's gaze, unwilling to let her see the pain that lingers behind her eyes.

"Why do you understand me so well?" Valery murmurs.

"Because I know you," Angela replies softly, her arms encircling Valery in a comforting embrace.

Valery rests her head on Angela's shoulder, seeking solace. "What should I do?" she asks, her voice barely audible.

"Take the time to grieve," Angela advises, her voice steady. "Allow yourself to retreat, to lock yourself in your room. Take that pen to the journal you think no one knows about. Let it out."

"Angela!"

"Girl, stop. I've known for years. Did you really think you could keep something like this a secret from me? Don't worry, your secret is safe with me. What you need right now is time to feel, to grieve. Vent about how brutal and bewildering the world can be. Let it out before it consumes you and you end up pushing everyone away, only to look around and realize how truly alone you are. I don't want to see you throw your life away just because you're struggling right now," Angela advises, her words a steady anchor in the storm. She rises from her seat. "There shouldn't be anyone else in need of healing. Take this time for yourself, and remember not to be too harsh on yourself. You're going to be okay," she assures, offering a gentle smile, then quietly exits the room, leaving Valery to her thoughts.

The creaking of the door draws Valery's attention, and she immediately feels a surge of irritation as Cora steps through, clad in some of Tessa's old clothes. Despite the discomfort, Valery can't deny that Cora looks significantly better, her once-dirty face now clean, and her hair free from its previous grease. Her brown bob-cut hair shines, and her eyes hold a newfound clarity. Valery fights against a groan, unwilling to show any sign of weakness.

"What do you want?" Valery demands, her voice edged with impatience, not bothering to rise from her seat.

"Tessa wanted me to come in here, make sure I'm not coming down with something," Cora answers, her voice soft and unsure. "I think she mentioned pneumonia, but I'm not entirely sure. It's a lot to process. I'm sorry if I'm interrupting." Her gaze flickers with apprehension, revealing her unease.

"Sit next to me," Valery instructs curtly, patting the bed beside her. Cora nods in compliance, taking a seat on the cot.

"I wanted to talk to you," Cora begins, her words tentative, as Valery places a hand on top of hers.

"I suppose I have to listen," Valery snaps, her tone unforgiving. "You're here, and it seems I don't have much of a choice, do I?"

"I don't want to come between you and Trent. I would've stayed in my cell if I'd known," Cora admits, her voice tinged with regret. Valery remains silent, her gaze unwavering.

"Matt's been tasked with keeping an eye on me," Cora adds, her unease palpable in the way she fidgets slightly. The tension in the room is almost suffocating, the distrust between them hanging heavy in the air.

"Is everything he said true? Did you try to kill Darrel?" Valery's voice holds a mix of curiosity and a hint of compassion.

Cora offers a solemn nod, her eyes filled with deep sadness.

"He had my husband killed when you and Trent escaped from the north. He and a few others. Said they weren't doing their jobs and allowed you and him to escape," Cora confesses, her voice tinged with pain.

"I'm so sorry," Valery murmurs, "That must paint us in a rather grim light in your eyes."

Cora shakes her head. "I don't blame you. I understand you had to rescue him. Devil's Own were all too eager to have him locked up. It's not my husband's fault he was assigned to guard duty that night. So, when Darrel and the others decided to take matters into their own hands and punish those they deemed responsible, I took blood from one of the creatures I cared for and attempted to poison him with it. But I was caught with the blood in my hand. He wanted to make a point, and so did I. However, he succeeded, and I didn't," she explains, a mix of defiance and regret in her voice.

"I just lost my dad because of them," Valery confides, her voice carrying the weight of grief and anger.

"They take what they want, heedless of the pain they cause others. Many are left grappling with the endless ache of loss thanks to them. That's why I want to join your group, to try and prevent others from suffering as I have. I was ready to surrender in that cell, to give up. But when I saw Trent standing outside, I felt like I had a shot at redemption. A chance to make things right," Cora shares, her voice filled with determination and a glimmer of hope.

Valery nods.

"I'm not after your man. Not at all. I hope, in time, you'll come to see that. Maybe we can even be friends," Cora offers, a tentative smile on her face.

"Thank you for coming to see me," Valery replies, gently removing her hand from Cora's. "Your body seems strong, with no signs of any illness. Take some time, nourish yourself, and get some rest. Unfortunately, I can't heal the mind or soul."

Cora nods appreciatively, sliding off the cot.

"Thank you," she says sincerely, then quietly exits the room, leaving Valery grappling alone with her conflicting emotions. Her husband was killed because of us rescuing Trent. Does she see Trent as a connection to her own husband? Valery snorts, a spurt of smoke coming from her nose as she burns her own nose hairs. Well she can back off, he's mine and she needs to find someone else. Fuck her and her sympathy story. Trent only has time for one emotionally damaged female and that's me.   

Valery takes a moment, taking a deep breath, her breath interrupted by a knock on the door. She huffs again, feeling a burning in her nose. "What now?" She demands.

Tessa breezes into the room. Valery takes a deep breath before she opens her mouth."What's on your mind?" Valery inquires, her tone carrying a subtle edge, hoping to cover up the sharp greeting.

"I know you're not a fan of relying on herbs, but you must learn. Your power isn't an endless well," Tessa begins, her voice gentle but insistent.

"I'm guessing you're sending me out to replenish our supply," Valery sighs a sense of resignation in her tone.

"You've got it," Tessa affirms, a playful glint in her eyes. "And you get to choose a partner for the trip. We're implementing a buddy system for anyone leaving HQ."

Valery lets out another sigh, pushing herself up from the cot.

"Sometimes, it's frustrating not being able to say no to you," Valery laments, a hint of a smile playing at the corner of her lips.

Tessa chuckles. "Well, that's because you love me. And on a positive note, Matt's keeping an eye on Cora," she adds.

"Trying to give him a sense of purpose?" Valery wonders aloud.

"Exactly. He's a valuable asset to the team, and the sooner he recognizes that the better off we'll all be," Tessa concludes, giving Valery a reassuring nod before heading back down the hall.

"Tessa, wait," Valery calls, her voice tinged with apprehension. Tessa pauses in the doorway, her eyes fixed on Valery. Valery bites her bottom lip, her nerves evident.

"What's on your mind?" Tessa wonders, her gaze soft and full of concern, as she takes in Valery's demeanor.

Valery takes a deep breath, mustering the courage to speak. "Trent and I... we slept together," she confesses, the words rushing out in a blur. "I don't want to keep it a secret and let it fester."