I stood there, paralyzed, as every eye slowly turned toward me.
Because I was the reason this was happening.
Not because I’d done anything—but because I existed. Because I was broken. Because they needed someone to blame.
My hands were trembling.
I tried to speak.
Tried to step forward.
But everything started spinning.
I heard someone call my name.
I heard Lilian scream.
Then the world tilted sideways.
And everything went black.
---
When I opened my eyes, I didn’t know where I was.
Stone. Cold. Damp.
I blinked slowly, my head pounding.
A dim light flickered from somewhere above. The walls were grey and rough. The floor cold beneath me.
Bars.
I was in the cells.
My body ached from the fall, but I wasn’t injured.
I sat up slowly, heart racing.
I didn’t remember what happe
