Rosalyn

When Malakai took off, Rosalyn was quick to follow.

She was swift on her feet as she trailed behind Malakai. He ran into the woods with a mission on his mind, but Rosalyn could not tell what he was doing. Running away was not an option; he would never leave Sebastian and Hyemi, plus he was excited for Ingrid's plan. So where was he going?

Rosalyn kept slight distance as he swung himself around a tree and leaned down, and Rosalyn crouched down as she saw him pressing his hands on someone. She saw Malakai wince as he took pain from a girl's arm, which was cut open pretty badly. The event quickly ended as the girl was healed and Malakai gritted his teeth, inviting the pain.

The girl sneered moments later. "You gifted son-of-a-bitch."

Malakai grinned like a proud boy, and it was obvious that these two knew one another. This girl was another one of the subjects, captured by the West side. It had to be.

"First of all, you're welcome."

"Yeah, yeah," the girl sighed. She stood up as she checked her arm, slapping it clean. Malakai looked at her with hopeful and eager eyes, awaiting her next moves.

The girl was a portrait of fierce beauty. Her hair was short and blonde, with lined brown streaks, and her hair sculpted around her face. Her figure was long and toned, and she carried herself as such. Her face was structured by a strong jawline, but the most prevalent feature were her eyes; an icy blue, almost grey color. They were brighter than Malakai's green ones, and they sparkled as she looked at him. Rosalyn almost felt intimidated by the girl.

"Have they gotten your powers out of you yet?" the girl asked. She reached up and pulled a curl away from Malakai's face. Rosalyn was surprised when he didn't flinch.

"Had to hurt Seb in order to do so," Malakai said.

"Then why are you hurt?" the girl asked, staring at his bruised under-eye.

Malakai hesitated, but not in the scared, terrifying way he did at the East Capitol. "Someone was eager to throw a few punches. How about you? Did you show them your power?"

The girl chuckled. "Honestly I was eager to. They were pretty afraid, righty so."

Malakai grabbed the girl and shifted, making sure they were hidden. Little did they know, Rosalyn could see everything.

"How are the others?" Malakai asked.

"So-so," the girl shrugged. "Hanging in there. I didn't know people could be as psychotic as Benedict. I thought he was the only bastard I hated. Turns out I hate just about everyone."

"That doesn't shock me," Malakai said, a smirk appearing on his lips.

Miriam rolled her eyes before letting out a small expression. "Oh, and also, we're escaping."

"You're what?"

The girl leaned against the tree and crossed her arms. Her dried blood looked odd when it wasn't oozing out of her now-healed injury. "You think we wouldn't escape? We're hoping to within the next day or so, before we go back West."

Malakai gripped the girls shoulders firmly. He was unable to hold his excitement. "That's perfect! We're escaping sometime this week. There's a place in Kentucky, it's called—"

Malakai fell silent as the girls icy eyes peered into his. She cocked her head and grinned after a moment. "Sandy Hook. Some lady's cabin?"

Malakai took a step back and grabbed his head. "Geez, Miriam, I was just about to tell you."

The girl, Miriam, sneered again. "Benedict said we always had to practice, no?"

Malakai shook his head before focusing back to the subject of the matter. "We'll meet you there within the week? I'm sure this'll work."

Miriam nodded. "Whoever gets there first will check town every evening. We don't make our next move until we're back together."

Rosalyn could tell who was the leader of the subjects. Miriam demanded to be heard, and even though she was shorter than Malakai, she stood taller in pride. Rosalyn was still shocked what her eyes did to him. Did she posses his mind? How did she know about Sandy Hook?

Faded voices from the hills drifted through the trees. Echoes of death shuddered with the leaves, and cheers of victory vibrated Rosalyn's feet. She did not know which side defeated the other, but the battle was over.

"We should go," Malakai said. "Make sure to tell the others—"

Rosalyn's foot shifted on uneven ground, and leaves crunched. Miriam craned her head towards her direction, and she pounced before Rosalyn could move an inch, to even think to move.

She had no time to pull out her gun. Miriam's small hands scrunched Rosalyn's shirt and shoved her up against a tree. Rosalyn struggled as Miriam wrapped her hands around her throat and pressed firmly. The girl's hands tightened with no mercy.

"Hey, Miriam!" Malakai yelled, but he was ignored.

"She heard all of it," Miriam snarled. She raised an eyebrow at Rosalyn. "Kill her off, Kai."

"No, no, no, Miriam." Malakai flicked his wrist, and Miriam shrieked and pried her hands off of Rosalyn's throat. He had used his power on her. Not enough to leave a mark, but enough for Miriam to retreat.

Miriam gave Malakai her deadliest glare. "Alright, then. Let the girl rat out your plan of freedom."

Rosalyn froze as Malakai stood next to her, grabbing her shoulder as Miriam took a step forward at her. He put his body between the two. "She's the one getting us out. Step back, Miri."

"Oh!" Miriam exclaimed. She clasped her hands together. "Since when did we rely on others to do the saving for us? You're a changed boy, Valadao. You need help. You. Seriously?"

Rosalyn gently touched her throat, which burned at every breath she took. She had never seen Malakai so defensive, so rough. He flicked his wrist again and Miriam yelped.

"Ah, so you're practicing too."

"Miriam," Malakai said. "Enough, please."

Miriam stepped back, pinning her arms behind her back while eyeing Rosalyn up and down. For once, Rosalyn felt like she was not the one in the position of power. Miriam had a presence to her that ultimately scared her. Her narrow face locked straight ahead, and her blue eyes stared.

And all of a sudden, Rosalyn's mind began to spin.

She held onto the tree to keep her balance, but her mind was captive in a daze. Things were a blur for a few more seconds until Miriam hummed.

"Hmm. Looks like you got yourself a little helper, Kai."

Rosalyn exhaled as a sharp ache racked her brain. "W-What did you just do?"

Miriam smiled, a vicious smirk on her pink lips. "I just read your mind."

"It's her power," Malakai said flatly. He didn't seem all too thrilled that Miriam used it on her.

"I'd be careful with this one, Kai," Miriam said. "She's going back and forth on helping you escape. On a good note, she thinks you're very kind. Oh, and the best part? She's afraid of me."

Rosalyn was frozen in place. How did she do that? She read her mind so easily, and it frightened her.

Malakai grabbed Miriam's hand. "I'll see you soon, alright?"

She nodded before sharing one last glare at Rosalyn. She turned her gaze back to Malakai and held his arm. They stared at one another for a moment, both nodding slightly. She squeezed Malakai's arm before turning around, crouching through the woods as she made her way back to her side. Their goodbye was quick, small, but Rosalyn sensed a connection between the two. Miriam did not seem like the caring type, but Malakai radiated it. It seemed all the subjects had a strong relationship with one another, no matter how different their personalities were. Then again, for three years they only had each other.

Once she was out of sight, Malakai quickly turned to Rosalyn. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah," Rosalyn sighed. "How did she—"

"None of us can explain our powers, or at least, how we do it," he said. "But we can control it like it's a part of us. How are you feeling?"

"My mind felt like it was buzzing. Everything got so dizzy."

Malakai nodded. "That's when you know she's in your head, trying to read your mind. Were you spying the entire time?"

Rosalyn nodded, but she was too intrigued with Miriam's power. "Is that how she knew what town you were about to say? She went into your mind?"

He nodded once more. "Feels weird, doesn't it?"

It did feel weird. Malakai seemed like he was used to it, though. She wondered if Benedict made Miriam practice her power on the subjects.

"So, Miriam. She's—"

"Vicious? Callous? Cold-hearted? The list goes on." Malakai pinned his lips together, shaking his head a little. "She's got a soft spot, it's just—nearly impossible to reach it."

"Yeah, well, she out-soldiered me."

Malakai's eyes trailed to her neck, and her face reddened. His gaze did not leave as he narrowed his eyes, observing the damage.

"Is it bad?"

"It'll leave a mark," he said. He took a slight step forward, his body hesitant. Without Miriam here, he fell back to his tentative self. "Can I heal it? I don't want anyone to get suspicious."

Rosalyn stiffened. "Ah, sure. If you're okay with it."

Malakai slightly smiled, shaking his head so his curls moved off of his forehead. He stepped forward and lifted one hand, and for some reason Rosalyn gasped and pushed herself up against a tree in protest.

"It's okay," he said, urgency in his tone. He retreated his hand for a moment. "I'll heal it. You won't feel any pain."

What if you kill me instead? What if Miriam wanted me dead after all? Rosalyn swallowed down bile. It all came down to trust. Did she trust Malakai? Was his kindness only an act?

"She read my mind correctly," Rosalyn confessed. "I'm going back and forth on helping you guys escape. I don't know why I think business is more important than helping people—"

"Help us or not, I believe you'll do what you think is right. You know this world better than I do. You know what would be best."

He trusted her. He trusted her. How? How could he possibly trust her?

Malakai gently placed his palm on Rosalyn's collarbone, his fingertips trailing up to her lower neck. She looked at him; his eyes were so bright, so inviting. His narrowed face was sharp, his high cheekbones and jawline strong. A few curls always seemed to be falling over his forehead, and Rosalyn wanted to reach out and touch the flawless curls. Though Malakai was lean, Rosalyn felt small standing next to him. She felt safe. He was strikingly beautiful, and Rosalyn couldn't help but stare as her face reddened.

She didn't realize he was waiting. He began to focus as she nodded at him for approval.

It was almost as if his hand was buzzing, or maybe it was the satisfaction of pain being released from her body. She watched as his veins protruded dark blue, and she took a deep breath of relief as Malakai winced a little. The process was quick, diligent, and only seconds later Rosalyn felt the uncomfortable pressure in her throat vanish. Malakai released as he took a gasp of air.

"Geez," he panted. "Miriam wasn't taking it easy on you."

Rosalyn's wide eyes opened even wider. "I don't feel a thing."

He was taken aback. "Well, good."

"Like, it's—" Rosalyn could hardly comprehend what just happened. "I feel nothing!"

Malakai raised an eyebrow. "That's how it works."

"But that's—insane!"

Malakai laughed at his veins shrunk back to normal. "So people have told me."

Rosalyn pressed a few fingers to her neck, and she felt no ache. Her jaw dropped at the realization that his powers were real, and he healed Rosalyn by just touching her. She had seen this done on her father, Sebastian, Miriam, but she could never really tell what it was. Now she knew. Now she knew why people like her father would kill to have Subject Zero in their hands.

However, Rosalyn got to see the other side of Subject Zero; she got to see Malakai Valadao.

"I feel like I should be apologizing but I don't know why." Malakai's face was a picture of concern and confusion. "Did I freak you out?"

"Well, yes, you freaked me out," Rosalyn puffed. "But holy—you're just, you have a cool power."

Malakai kept his grin, and it almost looked like it hurt with how long he was smiling. "Thank the scientist."

He was not hurt by her comment. Rosalyn had grown to learn the humor behind the subjects, a lot of it directing towards Benedict Lee. Nonetheless, it wasn't her place to joke or comment about Benedict; she was learning to be careful.

"We should go back, maybe?"

Rosalyn nodded. The battle was small, but she could still see some men and women being dragged back to the tents, and they will expect Malakai to help heal some of them.

"Walk behind me. I'll make it look like you were following an order by me."

"Wait," Malakai jumped in. "I'm aware I told Miriam about Ingrid's cabin, and I wasn't thinking—"

"It's a good idea. Ingrid would be more than happy. I'm glad you told her." Rosalyn paused. "She'd probably get the information from you, anyway."

"Right," Malakai replied. "Thank you. Truly."

She smiled in return, but deep down she knew she was the one who should be thanking him.

———

The flight back to the Capitol felt long.

Rosalyn sat alone. Her father and Vivienne were on the other side, holding a conversation with some of the soldiers. The subjects were on a different jet, so Rosalyn lowered herself in her seat and closed her eyes, attempting to welcome rest but failing miserably.

She could not stop thinking about Miriam, the other subjects, her family, Ingrid, everything. She could not pinpoint where her mind wanted to reach, so she let the running thoughts overflow. Memories traveled back to Malakai's panic attack, Sebastian's humor, and her fathers dominance towards his captives. Finally, her mind settled on something Malakai had said.

'You're lonely here, I can tell.'

She did not understand his question at first; she was a soldier coming from a successful family. She knew her purpose and did not doubt herself.

Now, she was beginning to understand. She felt like her life here was in order, but she was trapped. She had been a captive in the East Capitol since she arrived at thirteen. Freedom was shattered as she was expected to hold a certain image. Her captivity was nothing like Malakai's; Rosalyn's was more of a metaphor, but she finally understood. She was lonely here, cornered.

And she realized she would do anything to get herself out.

•••

Chapter song: I Would Do Anything for You // Foster The People

Sup, y'all—also SUCH FAST UPDATES who am I?! Actually, I try to be at least 3-4 chapters ahead when I publish! That way I am keeping myself accountable and hoping I don't fall behind—we'll see if that works!

More Kai & Rosalyn time! I hope you guys enjoy the two. Also, a new character introduced!

Miriam gives me Johanna vibes from the Hunger Games and I'm NOT mad about it.

Thoughts??? Anything??? Please vote, comment, and all that Jazz

Until Next Time,
Grace