The Downfall

Chapter 8

It took them a total of eight days to release Nadia from police custody. 192 hours. 11,520 minutes. All for them to hear her story, and then see if facts lined up. Irritation crossed her mind many times during her solitude. Why wouldn't she be telling the truth? What did she have to lose? The only thing that she really had was her friendships; which were now strained, along with her life.

A life, when thought about, held many different meanings. While locked away, Nadia had often thought about the meaning of things. Such as the cards. Part of the reason why she was in the jailhouse in the first place. A way the government used to control the citizens, trying to keep crime at bay, at least crimes of passion. There was also the economic issue they were trying to bring the world out of, but the cards didn’t truly help.

It just caused more issues. She was still impressed with how they figured out how to invent the cards, how to use them. A single drop of blood to monitor a human's emotions? It should have been impossible, but, she had quickly learned impossible was starting to become the norm. At least they can't control them. Yet. It was true, they hadn't learned how to control them besides the basic fear for their lives. That was one emotion they let roam, as long as it was hidden by the cold facade everyone wore.

Nadia's stomach churned at the thought of her world. It was all so sick, so twisted. She hated every last being and fiber of it. She hated the people in charge, those selfish, evil people. She'd say that she didn't want to live in it anymore, but that would be a lie. Living would let them win, and she'd let them win when she was dead. When all three of her lives were gone. Yes, three. Another strange thing about her world. You were born with three lives, almost like a video game. Only, this wasn't a video game. As soon as you were killed the first time, you were to relive your darkest memories, thanks to the genetic modifying the government had done. The second time is said to be when you relive your happiest ones. Nobody knows what happens when you die the third time, as nobody comes back. Some say that they found relief from this hell, that they found the lord and savior. A bitter scoff left Nadia's lips at that thought.

“ Lord and savior my ass. " She muttered darkly under her breath. She argued that if there truly was an all forgiving lord and savior as all Christians endlessly preached about, where were they now? Did they support the government? Because if so, why? That shut them up quickly. They didn't have an answer, as much as they wanted one. Nobody had a real answer.

It was lunch when she was released. Eying the mushy prison food she was served, Nadia debated on whether it was edible or not. The doors to her cell were opened and she was, roughly she might add, led out. It took them long enough. Gratefully, the girl took her clothes and changed back into them, happy to be rid of the orange jumpsuit they gave her. Orange really was not the most flattering color on her. However, once she was released, the first face she saw was Seth. She debated on whether going back to jail would be a fair consequence for messing up his face. Deciding not, she just settled on a glare and tried to walk away.

A hand grasped her arm. “ Nads, wait. " He pleaded out. He did technically put his hands on her. A fair loophole in the law. At least, she considered it fair when she was swinging. Before either of them knew it, Nadia was swinging a fist towards Seth's face. Letting go of her wrist, he took three giant steps back, hands up to show that he meant no harm.

“ What the f**k do you want? " She hissed out at him, jaw clenched as she tried not to physically lash out at him again. Her wrist was already starting to throb, along with her knuckles, from the first punch. And while it was extremely satisfying, she wasn't about to ruin her body for him. He winced slightly when she cursed, and that gave her some form of petty satisfactory.

“ You'd think one would be wise enough to thank the person who got them out of jail. “ Seth muttered, matching her glare as he rubbed his jaw where she had hit. Nadia faltered. He got her out of jail? She dragged a hand over her face.

“ How? " She muttered quietly, exhaustion finally overtaking her as she stared at him. She was tired, not physically, but mentally and emotionally. She was tired of the back and forth with Seth. Trust, betrayal, trust, hurt. When would she learn her lesson? Seth's lips quirked up lightly.

“ How do you think, baby? " She glowered at him, the once affectionate nickname now bringing a fire of anger.

“ Don't call me that. Legal or not? " She already knew the answer to that question. It wouldn't have been legal with him. He should have been in jail as well. He should have been put on the death row. But there he was, standing in front of her. “ Actually, don't answer that. Let's go. "

She turned and was fully prepared to walk to the right, where they would be fine to hide in the trees until night until Seth grabbed her shoulder and turned her towards the left. “ Getaway car is this way, dear. " Her cheeks flushed lightly. Of course, he'd have a getaway car. He broke her out of jail for a good man's sake. Why wouldn't he have one? He wasn't an i***t, as much as she called him one.

“ Lead the way, before I kick your ass. " She huffed out, she was still angry with him. What would they do now? Hide between camps? Word would get out faster than they could drive. The strategist and her partner. The next Bonnie and Clyde. Only, it was only Clyde who really wished to do the evil here. His Bonnie, demanding a change.