Rosalyn

Every morning, Rosalyn's mother made her and Vivienne sit down and converse before the day started.

Ever since the Bonavich family came to the Capitol, Rosalyn's mother required sit-down time with her daughters. Rosalyn thought her mother was just bored, but really, it was to spend time with her daughters, and not her soldiers in training. Rosalyn and Vivienne were busy all day and never stopped moving, so in the morning before they left, the three women would chat.

Rosalyn sat in her usual spot; a velvet maroon couch next to the fireplace, her legs crisscrossed on the seat. Vivienne and her mother sat across from Rosalyn, sharing a longer couch. Rosalyn cupped her hands around her mug, sipping on coffee with a little too much creamer.

She didn't mind this part of her day. In fact, she enjoyed it. However, Rosalyn was on edge today. Soon, her father would see Subject Zero, and the outcome would not be good. She wanted to go and see if Malakai had understood her warning.

"I'm throwing that dress away that I wore last night."

Rosalyn looked up at Vivienne, giving her a glare, but she was not paying attention to her sister but rather their mother.

"Why?" Rosalyn's mother turned to Vivienne, a clear shocked expression on her face.

"It was so ugly. It made my body look like an actual box—"

"Welcome to my world," Rosalyn stated, gesturing to her frame.

Vivienne smirked, but their mother shushed the two. "No more of this nonsense, girls. Viv, try the dress once more."

Vivienne shrugged while setting down her coffee, and their mother scoffed. Serenity Bonavich was a portrait of beauty. Her skin was smooth, its brown complexion bringing out the golden hues in her eyes. Her buzz cut hair was still thick and rich, and since there was no hair outlining her face, her jawline stuck out. Their mother had sharp features, and she was a strong woman, but she was also gifted with the presence of grace and peace. She was alluring, and she gained the respect she deserved.

"Where did you sneak off to during the party?" Vivienne asked, her eyes rested on Rosalyn.

Her mother subtly nodded. "I recognized your disappearance as well, Rosa. Were you feeling unwell?"

Her mother always had the benefit of the doubt. She set up the excuse well for Rosalyn. "I left early and went to my room. I thought it was maybe something I ate."

"We ate the same thing," Vivienne said, crossing her arms as she leaned back into the couch.

"I went back for seconds."

"I'll warn the chefs," their mother said. "You should take it easy today, Rosa."

Rosalyn shifted in her seat. "I was planning on it. I was just going to observe the subjects—"

"She's just making an excuse to get out of the work and into the fun. I can catch a lie like that from anywhere."

"Viv," their mother said. She rested a hand on Vivienne's shoulder. "I'm sure you both can see the subjects, but your father has a lot on his plate right now. Just be cautious of that."

"Of course," Rosalyn said. She set her coffee down. She had enough energy already from last nights events. She rarely lied to her family. Seeing Subject Zero was a big deal, and it was something her father would be very upset about. She could barely understand why she went and saw him herself. And the fact was, she enjoyed talking to him. He seemed kindhearted, and it made Rosalyn realize he was only an innocent boy trapped with a monstrous power.

Vivienne was cautious of Rosalyn, and she kept a cold stare on her. She could never hide a lie from her sister. But for now, she didn't know what Rosalyn did.

"I'm going to go now, actually." Rosalyn looked up at her sister. "Come along, Vivie?"

"I'll catch up later."

Rosalyn nodded as she stood up. She walked over and planted a kiss on her mother's head. Her mother grabbed her hand before Rosalyn could walk away.

"Rosa, wait."

Rosalyn looked down at her mother. "Yes?"

"Your father talked to me about today," she began. Little did her mother know, she already knew about today's events. "It may be a bit more gruesome."

Rosalyn could only smile. "Your daughters beat each other up in a wrestling ring, mother. I can handle something like this."

"She's not wrong," Vivienne said, taking a sip of her coffee. Their mother only nodded and smiled before she let Rosalyn go.

———

Sebastian was about to enter Subject Zero's room when Rosalyn arrived.

Her father was sitting on the edge of his seat as he looked at Malakai, who was still cuffed up and tired. There were more people than usual around; some with clipboards, some dressed to walk in the room with Sebastian, and other observers. Rosalyn stood to the side, her eyes on Malakai.

The small steel door opened, and Malakai's eyes turned and lit up immediately. He pulled tightly on his restraints, enough to cause him pain, but it was as if he didn't feel a thing. His mouth parted as his jaw dropped, and his pale face flushed with red. Rosalyn nearly saw tears well up in his eyes. She had never seen him this relieved and excited.

"Holy—Seb!"

Rosalyn saw Sebastian come into view. He tried to reach Malakai, but the soldiers pulled him back forcefully. The two didn't seem to care about their circumstances. They were grateful to see one another.

"Kai! Are you alright, man?"

Malakai ignored his question. "You're here! I can't believe it—"

"You didn't know I was here?" Sebastian asked. It was as if these boys were in the room alone having a casual conversation. Rosalyn could tell they were close, which meant all the more trouble. Her father perked up.

"No." Malakai pressed his lips together before he spoke again. "Who else?"

"Just Hyemi," Sebastian looked at the wall and merely grinned. "Oh, she heard me. She's just over there." He pointed to the wall, but the soldiers brought his arm back by his side forcefully.

Malakai nodded, but suddenly his body language shifted. He grew tense as he looked at Sebastian. The look on his eyes were almost pleading. Rosalyn knew what he was thinking. He knew what her warning meant now.

"Wait, Seb."

Sebastian averted his glowing eyes to the mirror and whistled, the pitch falling from high to low. "We've got quite the audience here, Kai. They're like children at a zoo. I wish you could see them all, man."

"Seb, listen to me—"

"We'd better put on a good show," Sebastian blurted, a teasing spark in his voice. "I'm getting a little jittery, actually."

Rosalyn observed his behavior; he was ignoring Malakai because he knew what he was going to say. Sebastian knew why he was in the room. He knew.

Malakai looked away from Sebastian and at the mirror. "I'll show you, okay? Just leave him out of this."

"Oh hell no," Sebastian said. "You aren't showing them anything."

Rosalyn's father pressed the speaker. "We need to know what your powers are, Subject Zero. Now, you can either share with us, or we'll have to use force."

"Get him out of here," Malakai said. The plea in his voice practically slapped Rosalyn across the face. Her stomach churned at the panic that settled into Malakai's body.

"I'll kill you if you tell them."

Malakai ignored Sebastian's threat. He kept his stare at the mirror, as if he could see Rosalyn's father past it.

"It's all your choice, Subject Zero. Either show us your power, or watch the consequences," Rosalyn's father said.

Rosalyn grabbed her elbow and she watched Malakai's racing thoughts. She knew what was coming, and her mother had warned her, but this felt wrong nonetheless.

"Kai, look at me. Hey. Look at me."

Malakai finally averted his stare and looked at Sebastian. Rosalyn could see their silent communication. Tears appeared from Malakai's eyes, but Sebastian was calm, collected.

"You haven't used your powers for too long, Kai. It's borderline dangerous for you to do this. Who knows what'll happen if you use them now. You could get hurt, do you understand that?" Sebastian said.

"Is that true?" Rosalyn asked. Her father shrugged, not bothering to look back at her. Someone took note of the detail Seb said.

"They're going to find out eventually," Malakai said.

Sebastian shook his head. "If they know what's good for them they wouldn't force it out of you. They don't want you hurt but they also don't know any better. I know better. I know that using your powers out of the blue after not using them for a while is not healthy. You listen to me, not them."

"Father, I think he's telling the truth—"

Rosalyn jumped at Malakai's cry. A solider swung his arm, his fists connecting with Sebastian's ribcage. Sebastian stumbled, his back hitting the wall. His glowing eyes dazed, but he was quick to stand up straight again.

"This is none of his business!" Malakai shouted. Rosalyn hadn't heard this tone before. His voiced raised as he shouted, and it was caught by high-pitched cries. Rosalyn pinned her lips together as the soldier kicked Sebastian in the stomach.

Malakai's breaths grew short and quick. "Seb, no. I can't do this—"

"For the love of all things good and holy, Kai, don't do it—"

Sebastian was cut off by another punch, and he stumbled to the cement floor. Sebastian groaned and spit, and Rosalyn saw a patch of blood splatted on the ground.

Sebastian stood up again and looked at the mirror, and he laughed. Rosalyn saw blood stained on his teeth and gums. "They're enjoying the show. Freakin' kids at a zoo, man."

As Sebastian took another punch, Malakai cried out again. Rosalyn watched as he rocked back and forth on the chair, his skin bleeding as he rubbed it raw from the cuffs. Tears finally fell from his wide green eyes, and he looked at the mirror as his lips parted. He was about to share.

Sebastian stopped him. "Don't! Don't you dare!"

Veins bulged from Malakai's forehead and neck as his face grew red. He pressed his fingers into fists together as his legs began to shake. "I will not watch you suffer, Seb." His voice trembled as tears hit the floor. "I've seen enough of that. I won't do it anymore. I won't."

He was talking about Benedict, and Rosalyn had to press her eyes shut to prevent any watering eyes. She didn't know what kind of pain they endured, but she could tell there was trauma behind it. Seeing Sebastian getting hurt was only giving Malakai unhealthy flashbacks. And that was all part of her father's plan.

Sebastian grunted as he was thrown against the wall. He was strong, but the soldiers hits were merciless, and after only a few more punches and kicks, Sebastian could be swirling in and out of consciousness anytime.

Malakai lowered his head as he sobbed. He was trapped in a situation with no good outcome, and Rosalyn felt for him. She warned him, and she knew he understood, but it didn't make it any easier.

The door behind Rosalyn opened, and Vivienne walked in. She looked at the scene and opened her mouth, her hazel eyes wide. It was not a look of shock; it was a face of excitement. Rosalyn turned away and hid her watering eyes from her.

"Stop, please," Malakai whispered, shutting his eyes and shaking from panic as Sebastian received another punch. He was on the floor, for good this time. Sebastian could no longer comfort Malakai; he was groaning with his own pain, his body falling into defense mode.

"Come on," Rosalyn's father murmured. He stood up from his chair and rested his hands on the counter, leaning close to the mirror.

Sebastian was taking constant kicks to his stomach, and he could not hold in his cries. Rosalyn had seen worse than this, but she was left with a distasteful feeling in her stomach. She saw Sebastian's orange eyes begin to narrow.

Malakai raised his head and looked over at Sebastian and the soldiers, and he clenched his jaw, his eyes focused. Something changed in him; anger was now prevalent on his face. Rosalyn saw a quick moment with his right hand as he opened his shaky fingers slowly.

"Father, look." Vivienne nearly gasped. Everyone leaned forward.

Malakai's hand laid wide open. He furrowed his eyebrows as he glanced from his hand to the soldiers. He twisted his hand, despite the tight cuffs, so his palm faced the soldiers. Sweat glistened on his face as he winced, twisting his palm more. Rosalyn watched as Malakai inhaled deeply, his eyes narrowed and set on his targets.

As he jerked his hand, an invisible forced left Malakai's palm and traveled to one of the soldiers. The room fell silent as the soldier began to shake uncontrollably, and it looked like he was having a seizure. The soldier screamed before falling to the ground, and groaning before slipping unconscious. It all happened in a matter of seconds. Rosalyn couldn't comprehend what just happened.

Malakai grunted as he flicked his wrist again, and another soldier fell from the force. Rosalyn watched as the soldiers fell from, what? What was he doing? Malakai's chest was heaving, but he moved his hand and the last soldier shouted in pain. The three soldiers were passed out, and Sebastian was left breathing heavily on the ground.

Malakai rested as he threw his head back. He was panting and couldn't catch his breath. His face fell pale, veins visible on his cheeks and temple.

"Get the care team, now!" Rosalyn's father shouted, and a few soldiers rushed out of the room.

Suddenly, Malakai closed his eyes and his body fell limp. Rosalyn gasped. Sebastian was right; this was too much for him, and it was dangerous.

The care team appeared in the room right after, all of them around Malakai. They checked his pulse and one turned to the mirror.

"Incredibly low heartbeat, sir."

Rosalyn covered her mouth with a hand as her father slammed the table with his fist. The care team began to work, and everyone watched in silence. Sebastian rolled onto his back, pushing a soldier's arm off of him.

"He'll live, sir."

The tension in the room subsided, and her father sighed and nodded.

Rosalyn looked at Malakai, who looked peaceful, while just seconds ago he was using his dangerous power. Rosalyn couldn't grasp the concept of what he just did, but Benedict was right.

He had created something deadly.

•••

Chapter song: Elastic Heart // Sia (listen to the slowed version on YouTube—it hits different)

Hello, hello!

We finally get to see some *wink wink* of Kai's powers! I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I felt,,,weird writing it, maybe just unmotivated, but I hope you still enjoyed :)

Please vote, comment, and all that Jazz

Until Next Time,
Grace