Chapter Text
Grace slept for a while. But in his dreams, he was back on Erid, with Rocky, Adrian and the pebbles. In his dreams, he was home. It felt so incredibly real, that when he woke up in a sterile, distant lab he was confused. This wasn't his home. Where did it go? Looking around the lab, the memories of the day before came rushing in.
Grace felt a deep sorrow at the loneliness that followed the realization he was so far from his home. Then it was even worse when he realized he was alone. Like he was before he was shipped off on Hail Mary. He hated being alone. He hadn't been alone since he met Rocky. And he had always had company from there. Being alone was something of the past for so long. He hated it. He itched for company, for his friends---
That's when it clicked. Where was Simon?
Grace jumped up from the makeshift bed, feeling the quick and potent rise of panic in his chest. "Simon? Simon??" He whispered, looking around in panic. He walked the whole length of the room, looking for Simon desperately.
He was alone.
He wandered around, hoping that Simon would just magically show up. Obviously that wasn't how it works. Simon was gone. But where? Why? And when? While he was sleeping? That made him feel guilty. He slept through his friend getting taken. How much worse does it get? Someone should've stayed up to keep watch. He lost his only company in this horrible place.
Grace didn't get to dwell on it much longer, because the door opened. He turned around, hoping it was Simon. That it was not. A group of men he didn't recognize came in. "Um... Hello?" He took a small step back, eyeing the men warily. He didn't like this. It was different. That made him nervous.
There was no answer. Just one man shutting the door while the others closed in on Grace. He felt the panic in his chest flutter like a trapped bird. This was way too familiar. He wanted to run, to scream, to do anything. But he was frozen in his spot. The rest of the whole ordeal was a blur of painful familiarity and memories.
He was tackled, wrestled down. He felt something sharp in his back. And just like that, he was back on the ground, staring at the sky with his face in the dirt. Getting betrayed by the people he thought were his friends. Being given the illusion of choice just to be forced into it despite his answer. A fox trapped in the jaws of hunting hounds. It would have been poetic if he was running for a better reason than just being scared. But no, it was only an act of cowardice.
And this time he couldn't even fight. He was caught in a snare.
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Simon woke up in a dark room. Alone and tied to a chair. He must have dozed off and got taken. He couldn't say he was surprised. Being locked away should've been more than enough of a hint that they were prisoners here. Interrogations were in order. Where was Ryland? Good question. Probably in a similar but different room. About to get the same treatment as he would.
He wondered what they would question him about. How he got Ryland? What he saw in the blood ocean? Some secret third option? Who's to know other than them. All he could do was wait while he pondered possible answers. Should he risk lying? That depends on what's asked. Just in case, he had one version of the truth and one lie formulated for the most likely questions.
Simon waited for an awfully long time before someone came in. He tilted his head back to see who it was. He was less than surprised to see Ava. She was the most likely option, after all. "Oh look who decided to visit. Took a while." He wasn't gonna show any weakness here. He had to appear cocky and assured. The more in-control he seemed, the less leverage they had.
"Convict." Ava said curtly, going and sitting across from Simon. She kept her face blank, and he did the same. "I have a few questions to ask you. I suggest telling the truth here. We've already spoken to the doctor. Anything you say that does not align with what he's told us will be met with punishment. Are we in the clear here?"
"Crystal." Simon felt the anger rise in him, knowing that Ava had gotten ahold of Ryland. If he was harmed, Simon would make them pay. A man that sweet didn't deserve to ever feel pain by someone's hand. It may as well be sacrilege. To harm an angel had to be punishable by God, right? "Ask away."
"How did you find the doctor?"
"He was just there when I woke up. I have no idea how he got in."
Ava frowned, but didn't do anything. At least Ryland knew to tell the truth as well. "Understood. What did you find during your expedition?"
"That was more of an execution than anything. But I'm sure you're well aware." Simon felt a mild pride in the annoyed tick of Ava's jaw. "But regardless, nothing particularly important. Not what you were looking for, and nothing useful."
Ava sighed and rubbed her temples. "I see. Alright, one more question for you. We don't need much more information from you than we already have." She pursed her lips and leaned her elbows on the table. "...Dr. Grace mentioned a siren. While you were down there, you did report abnormal activity in your logs. I have to know... Is this siren you both mentioned real?"
Simon wasn't sure how to answer that. Was it real? If it was, what did that mean? Would people still be sent down there if he said no? But in the back of his mind, a familiar tone whispered to him.
It couldn't have been real. It had to be a fluke. It's perfectly fine to send others down to visit. You and Ryland are just crazy. It's okay. All safe down there.
"...No. There was no siren."