My left hand pulses with pain as I try to grab the taps in the shower.

My bruises and cuts are more prominent now but thanks to the ice compression there is no swelling. But it still hurts like a bitch.

I take a deep breath and move as quick as I can and turn the taps. It stings but I manage to get the shower on and when the water beats down against my sore body I instantly feel relaxed.

I lather my sponge with non-scented soap and rub the bubbly mixture over my damp body.

I rinse the soap off and just splash some water onto my face further waking me up. I switch the water off and climb out dabbing my body with my towel.

Getting dressed proves to be a painful task, but I manage to bite my lips through it like the shower.

The glorious aroma of breakfast fills the lower level of the house. Of course, it is just scrambled eggs again.

"Morning." I smile.

I take a seat across from Susan and pull my plate of watery eggs closer.

"Oh God, Beatrice your hands look horrible!" Susan gasps.

She reaches out and gently takes hold of my hand and examines my injuries.

"I barely notice it." I shrug, hoping that they will accept my answer and move on. 

But I know them better. They will not simply let this go they are too caring to do that.

"Well, then you must not be able to feel pain because this looks painful." Susan said.

"Okay, I will admit it stings a little." I admit.

It is such a lie, it is SO painful!

"How can a wall do this much damage?" Robert asks. 

Too many questions.

"Well, you know a wall of made of very strong materials and that can cause more damage than one can suspect."

Good answer Beatrice!

"Okay well, I think you should take something or maybe cover it up." Susan suggested.

"Yeah, you are probably right," I shrug," But only after my breakfast. I think Robert's scrambled eggs are my new favourite food." I smile.

No, they are not, scrambled eggs will never be my favourite food. 

A blush creeps up his face, he says nothing just looks down and keeps eating.

Right before we leave for training I rush to the medical supply and take a pain pill as Susan suggested.

Pain pills have always worked very fast in my body, so they will take effect within a few minutes.

***

The air is sharp with cold and a breeze hits us from all directions. I pull my jacket tight against my shivering body, it manages to keep me warm.

We enter the hall and are shocked to see that there is nothing on the information board.

"What is going on?" Robert asks.

"I have no idea." Susan replies.

A screeching sound of a microphone being tapped echoed through the room.

We all look up to the stage where Marcus is looking back down at us.

"Good morning everyone. Now I am sure you are all wondering why there are no assignments posted on the board. That is because today we have decided to give you a day off due to no available trainers in all the jobs. Most of them have day-long meetings. So enjoy your day off and please remember to be selfless. Thank you."

He walks off the stage and out of the side door.

I turn to look at Robert and Susan.

"What do you guys want to do?" I ask.

Robert shrugs.

"I have no idea." Susan says.

"Well, I'm sure we can think of something." I said and lean back against a wall.

We remain in silence and then it hits me.

"Let's just go to the cafe and relax." I suggest.

"Yeah, why not." Susan smiled.

"Sure." Robert said. 

The wind has picked up and bashes against us as we trudge to the cafe. Daniel smiles at us as we enter.

"Morning."  

"Morning." We say in unison.

"Aren't you all suppose to be at training?" He asked swinging his finger at us, a playful expression on his face.

"We were given the day off." I said.

I slip into a seat by the window, Robert and Susan swiftly following me.

"Well, then can I get you anything?" He asks.

"Nothing for me." Susan says.

" I'm fine thank you." Robert said.

"An ice pack please." I said.

His brow furrows in confusion but he didn't say a word and walked off.

"They still hurt?" Susan asked pointing to my hands. 

Daniel arrives holding an ice pack. He hands it to me and then hurries off to the new customers who had just arrived.

"No, but I just need to make sure they don't swell." 

I wince as I place the ice pack across my injured knuckles. The cold makes my skin turn ghastly white but I need it.

I lean my head back and look out the window. I just want to be swept into a sea of my imagination.

"Are there any new articles?" Susan asked.

"Yes and I read it." Robert said.

And just like that my curiosity spikes and I look back up.

"What did it say?" Susan asked.

"Probably the same stuff as always." I shrug.

"I thought it would too but there was some new stuff. They are now saying that one of their reporters met with Tobias and he says that he ran away because Marcus and Evelyn were beating him."

Susan and my eyes widen with a mixture of shock and horror.

"That can't be true." Susan said.

"Well, obviously not." Robert scoffs.

"We know that but people will still believe what they are saying. And if they do who knows what that will mean for our government and relations between the factions."

I am so shocked by how political I sound and Robert and Susan show the same surprise.

"You should work in the government Beatrice it will suit you." Robert smiles.

I chuckle and shake my head.

"I am not a leader just someone who has a lot of opinions."

Opinions that can get me killed if I don't learn to keep my mouth shut.