Day: 85

Days Left: 5395

Lives Saved: 0

Harmony's ears flicked as she heard the sound of someone outside the house. She recognised the footsteps and turned to see Corinna enter and close the door behind her.

"Hi," said Harmony.

"Hi," answered Corinna.

The two both stood silently, gazing down at the floor. Harmony knew she was responsible for their lack of communication in the past few days. Some part of her wanted to keep away from Corinna. It told her to avoid her. She would never escape if her mind was so distracted. But there was that swelling and churning motion in her stomach as if her organs were being twisted. The only time she got relief from the pain was from talking to Corinna.

Harmony's eyes darted up and saw that the young woman had donned her mask of indifference and vacancy. She wondered if it was because of her. It probably was. Corinna was still avoiding her gaze.

"How was your day?" asked the chimaera, almost stuttering out the words. She glanced back and saw Corinna's expressionless facade almost break as the young woman hesitated to reply. "The portal didn't open again," Harmony continued, wanting to fill the silence. She let out a small chuckle. "Obviously, you'd guess that since I'm still here."

Again, there was silence.

"I'm sorry, about before..." mumbled Harmony, her talons gripping onto the kitchen unit. She looked back at Corinna, seeing the confusion on her face. "I mean about a week ago when I... I suppose it's a bit too late to apologise now." She sucked in a short breath then looked up at Corinna. "I'm just sorry for how I've been acting lately. I know that the tower could come down any day now and it's just been agitating me. I feel like I'll never be able to escape, but I know I will one day."

Corinna did not respond. Harmony saw her lips move as if wanting to speak, but they then shut firmly closed.

"Even if the tower collapses there are other portals," Harmony continued. "They might be more difficult, but I'm sure I'll work something out. The important thing is that we know it's possible to escape. I almost have a couple of times now, almost made it. Guess I've just had a bit of bad luck."

Glancing back at the young woman, Harmony noticed how Corinna held her arm wrapped around her waist. Even from this distance, the chimaera could hear Corinna's stomach grumble.

"You've been skipping meals," said Harmony. She had hoped that Corinna was being fed at Ivette's, but that hope was now dead.

"We didn't have enough food for the both of us," replied Corinna, her voice cracking. "I tried to trade for more with Ivette, but I couldn't get enough."

"She would have fed you for free if you had told her, you know?" Harmony paused. "Why didn't you tell me?" She spoke softly, trying not to sound angry, for she truly wasn't.

"I-" Corinna gazed down at the floor as she scrunched up her hair in her palm. "I don't know why. I think I just didn't want you to worry. I wanted to make sure you were strong enough to escape. Didn't want you to be distracted and worry about our food shortage, so I tried to sort it out by myself." Corinna let out a long sigh. "My plan wasn't exactly great. I'm sorry. I should have told you."

Harmony nodded. "It's okay. Tomorrow's the drop-off. We'll make sure to get enough food this time."

After they both ate half a packet of food each, Corinna got ready for bed. She curled up underneath the covers like a ball, hugging her legs into her chest. Her eyes drooped closed then fluttered open when the bed springs' creaked. Corinna glanced back and saw Harmony attempting to quietly slip in the double bed.

"Hi," said Corinna.

"Hi," answered Harmony. She wriggled underneath the covers then flopped onto her front. "You were right. My back really hurts from sleeping in the tent."

A small giggle escaped the young woman's lips as she rolled over to face the chimaera. Harmony mimicked the laugh in a squeaky high-pitched growl. Corinna scowled which quickly melted into a grin.

"Night," she said, rolling back over and shutting her eyes.

"Night."

*

"So, you have finally learned the truth, Miss Warren?" Queen Corinna, as usual, sat upon her throne inside of Corinna Warren's mind.

The young woman nodded. She had already known about Harmony's past from the queen a few months ago. Back then, it was a revelation that barely affected Corinna but learning about it now... It seemed that her self that remembered the conversations with the queen was starting to diverge from her normal self. It almost scared her the fact that in her dreams, she could possibly change into a completely different person, one that she would be unaware of when she was awake. Corinna dismissed this idea for the moment, knowing that her memories of this would be returned after she was released.

"Why won't you release Harmony and Salim?" she asked.

After a moment of silence, the queen eventually answered, "the country makes a significant profit from them. In fact, the whole world does. If, Miss Warren, you are asking Us to release them, then We cannot. They are not of this country, and thus We do not have the power to free them."

"How long does Harmony have until her sentence is finished?"

Queen Corinna did not respond.

"Is it long?"

"We bid you goodnight, Miss Warren." The queen's image disappeared, leaving Corinna alone in her thoughts.