One day earlier…
Linneya stood before the mirror and fussed over her hair, combing and re-combing the same few strands like they might magically fall into place if she tried hard enough.
She’d been unusually busy all morning, but her mood was bright. Today was the day they set off on that absurdly long mission.
Ever since she’d arrived here, she hadn’t seen a real “daytime” once—not in the way she used to understand it, anyway. And now, finally, she was about to witness this world’s version of “day.” It was ridiculous when she thought about it, but she’d been waiting for this moment for far too long.
Lord Dalton had promised her himself: once her surgery was complete, she’d be allowed to go to Edean. Instead, after the operation, she’d been effectively placed under house arrest inside this tower. She couldn’t go anywhere. Eisen always seemed to have endless work. Every time she asked, he apologized, told her to wait a little longer.
Linneya understood why. No.54—certainly because of her, and maybe because of the Gentleman as well. Whatever the full truth was, she’d endured it.
Even though the ones leaving today were Little White, Bit, and Merc, Eisen had still promised her this: the moment he found an opening, he’d take her to Edean. She held on to that promise like it was a lifeline.
A few characters flashed across the screen of her wristband.
“Linneya, come to the terrace. I need to talk.” (Little White)
Linneya dropped the comb and bolted out the door.
When she slid the terrace door open, she found Bit leaning against the railing with a cigarette between his fingers. Little White and Merc were nearby.
“What’s going on?” Linneya asked, almost bouncing on her toes. “I heard you’re leaving—when? What time?”
Bit exhaled a ring of smoke. “Yeah. We’re heading out in a bit.”
“Wait—what? Then I’m late?” Linneya froze, panic rushing in right behind the words. “I haven’t even said goodbye properly! How can you already be leaving?”
“Aren’t you doing it right now?” Little White teased, a small smile tugging at her lips.
“But I didn’t even prepare gifts…” Linneya said, guilt twisting in her stomach.
“Relax,” Merc said. “We’ll be back soon.”
“Really?” Linneya’s eyes widened.
“Of course.” Merc nodded.
Bit and Merc both looked calm. Little White didn’t look especially cheerful either. Linneya’s heart sank a little. She knew what kind of mission this was—she knew what kind of danger it carried.
“Be careful,” she said, her voice turning serious. “All of you.”
“We’ll,” Little White replied. Then she gave Linneya a strange, almost secretive smile. “I didn’t call you out here just to say goodbye.”
Linneya blinked. “Then why?”
“Starling’s body repairs and enhancements are finished,” Little White said. “She’s on the medical level.”
“What?!” Linneya’s face lit up. “That’s amazing!”
Then worry hit her. “But… will they lock her up?”
“No,” Little White said. “She’s free.”
“Then I’m going to see her right now!”
Linneya spun to run, and Little White called after her, half exasperated, half fond: “Slow down! Your foot isn’t healed yet!”
***
One hour later.
In a small room on the medical level, Linneya and Starling clung to each other and cried like the world had ended and restarted all at once.
They’d both grown thinner. And yet, in each other’s eyes, they somehow looked even more beautiful than before.
“I’m sorry,” Linneya sobbed. “I couldn’t save you.”
“Don’t say that,” Starling said, wiping at her tears. “The fact that you’re alive at all is a miracle.”
Something about Starling felt different. The girl who’d once seemed so fragile now carried a quiet, undeniable strength. Her skin looked smooth and luminous, almost like white jade, and there was a steadiness in her gaze that hadn’t been there before.
Linneya stared at her eyes—and realized the change.
“Your eyes…”
Starling smiled faintly. “Side effect of the enhancement. I can see clearly from twenty kilometers away now.”
“Wow,” Linneya breathed.
“And you’ve changed too.” Starling took Linneya’s hand and squeezed gently. “You look healthier.”
Linneya nodded. “Eisen saved me.”
Starling fell silent for a moment, then said softly, “Linneya… you need to remember something. In this tower, there aren’t any truly good people—except the ones being forced to do bad things.”
Linneya swallowed and nodded again.
“We’ve to leave,” Starling continued. “We can’t stay here.”
“How?” Linneya asked, her voice dropping. “How do we get out?”
“Someone is helping us,” Starling murmured.
Linneya’s heartbeat quickened. “CST?”
Starling nodded.
“And No.54?” Linneya asked immediately. “What about her?”
Starling’s expression tightened. “They caught her. But she’s breaking out tonight.”
“Tonight?” Linneya’s face went white. “Then we’ve to help her!”
“No.” Starling grabbed her shoulders before she could surge up. “CST said it’s their plan. We can’t be part of it. We’ll only drag them down.”
“She’ll die,” Linneya whispered, voice cracking.
“I know,” Starling said. “But if we expose ourselves now, we’ll die too.”
Linneya’s mouth opened—and nothing came out.
Starling reached into her pocket and pulled out a folded note. “She asked someone to get this to you.”
Linneya unfolded it with trembling fingers. The handwriting was hurried:
“Got the card, but things aren’t looking good. They spotted me. Worst of all, they seem to know CST and I are planning to run. No matter what, you and Starling can’t come. Please—please don’t come.”
Linneya gripped the paper, and the tears came again.