"To your feet, prisoners!", the voice of the woman from the day before filled your ears.

In a disciplined, trained way she walked up to the gate of the cell and turned to examine the two of you. Half naked, Vi returned her sceptical gaze with a flick of the corner of her lips and a snort.

Even though it embarrassed you, you couldn't help but let your eyes wander to the side for a second and catch a glimpse of her exposed chest.

Pale skin and rosy nipples formed goosebumps because of  the cold air. Her collar bones were sharp, framed by muscles along her neck that reached up to her pointed chin.

She was pretty, that was a fact hard to deny.

Despite the fact that she was more on the bulky side of figures she still had a fair amount of breast to show off, just the right amount to compliment the flow of her frame.

Even though you did not want to admit it, you felt attracted to her. She was a beautiful woman. If only she wouldn't have talked so much.

"I sound like a man...", you muttered to yourself with a frown. "Is that sexist? Am I the problem?"

"Yes.", smirking, Vi tilted her head and gifted you one of her very charming winks. "I'm so glad you finally came to terms with that. I hope you can overcome the issue. I'm here for you."

All she got as an answer a roll of your eyes.

"Awake?", the enforcer looked at you before her attention was caught by Vi's nakedness". Prisoner, you're undressed."

Sarcastically, Vi crunched her nose.

"Really? I almost didn't notice.", she shrugged. "Didn't get any new clothes yesterday. Old ones are done for."

Agreeing, you peeled the sleeve of your shirt from your shoulders.

"You still owe me.", you reminded the enforcer.

She frowned, perhaps offended. It was hard to tell with the mask on. That was something strange you had noticed: most enforcers these days kept their faces covered. That wasn't the case before.

Or rather rare. There were always a few paranoid people.

"We don't owe you anything.", the tone in her voice was kinda cocky, a bit threatening, reminding you to stay in your lane.

You'd be lying if you had said that this did not rub you the wrong way. Not even Grayson had been allowed to talk to you that way. Granted, the old sheriff had always been rather respectful anyways.

"We won the fight.", you walked up to the bars to meet the enforcer face to face, your eyebrows knitted together. "You gotta honour the rules of the arena."

"The rules don't mean shit. It's just a concept."

A huff of amusement escaped your lips. The corners of your mouth curled upwards in a sarcastic yet angry expression.

"Oh?", you tilted your head, strands of (H/C) hair fell over your shoulders. "Are you really trying to define unwritten law?"

She frowned.

"You might overestimate the power that the arena has in these walls.", she came so close that you could have reached through the bars and tear the mask off her face.

But that would have been unwise. Stupid even. An attack on an enforcer meant war. Even though most of them just did their job to earn money they were connected through a sense of community.

Their group against the prisoners. It was a matter of power and status. And just like everybody else on this planet they were under the assumption that they were the ones supposed to be at the top.

Unless you wanted to wage war and tear everyone down with you it was better to not touch one of the uniformed.

Not yet at least.

So instead of giving into your anger you just chuckled slightly to yourself before taking a step back. Your gazes locked, each trying to assert dominance.

In the end it was the enforcer who cleared her throat and turned away her eyes first.

"Go ahead.", you shrugged as if this little power battle hadn't meant anything. "Try and take away the one thing that keeps the rats from rioting."

Within the next second her shoulders stiffened. Eyes jumped through the small cell, from your satisfied expression over to Vi, who looked so grim it could have killed a man.

"Tsk...", the enforcer turned on her heel and rushed off.

"Hmph.", you crossed your arms in front of your chest.

Vi frowned, glanced at you from the corner of her eyes.

"That was weird.", she muttered and turned to go back to her bed, only to realise that there were no clean clothes to change into and no blanket that she could have wrapped around her shoulders.

With a sigh, you walked over to your own, grabbed a blanket and threw it over her.

"I'll let you hold this for now.", you kneeled down in front of her and grabbed her hands. "How are your knuckles?"

She frowned.

"Why?"

You pushed a few of the bandages away to have a look at her skin. It was still damaged, torn and flakey but it started to heal, slowly but steadily.

In a few days the old layers would crust and fall off. Or she'd peel them herself. Judging by her patience that was probably not out of the question.

But she'd be able to pull some punches. Which was good, perfect even for what was about to come. With a quick glance you examined your own arms and hands.

Not too shabby considering that you had been affected by the electricity for a much longer time than her. It still itches every now and then but you'd manage.

"You should put your shirt back on.", you got back up.

Still frowning, Vi glanced at her rubbish clothes. The sheer sight made her shiver all over. She looked like she would rather run around naked instead of putting it on again.

Lucky for her, that day seemed to improve. Steps approached the cell once more. Next thing you knew a pile of fabrics was tossed before your feet.

"Get dressed.", the enforcer ordered.

"Congrats.", you pulled a shirt out of the pile. "New clothes. I envy you."

Vi grabbed another bundle.

"And a blanket.", she smiled.

"And I had to share mine... unbelievable..."