The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Ah yes, bonding over getting punched. My fav. (19)

Aru woke up and opened her eyes before immediately closing them.

1. She was afraid she'd have to see that ugly face again.

2. The room was white.

Aru opened her eyes again, drinking in the room that surrounded her. White walls. Windows. And that abstract painting.

Aru sat up when she realised. There was no doubt about it.

The room she woke up to after getting brainwashed.

She started hyperventilating. Fear creeped up into her mind and brain. Her stomach started swirling in anxiousness.

Did she still have memories? Hell if she'd know. Her fingers curled around the blanket.

The door opened.

Aru's head snapped to the door. Who was it?

Thankfully, only Mini and Brynne entered the room.

"I know what you're thinking. You didn't lose your memories. Who can you remember?" Mini asked.

"Uh," Aru thought. "Aiden, you, Brynne, Boo, Julia and Kyle-"

Mini smiled. "See?"

"Hey," Brynne smiled. "The last time I saw you, you looked pretty banged up. You feeling alright?"

Aru smiled weakly. "All good."

"She is not all good," Mini butted in. "He poisoned you. Mercury poisoning. After that CNCI, some of your white blood cells were destroyed, which is why directly after ingesting mercury, you collapsed. Usually, you'd probably be able to go on for 5 more minutes before collapsing."

Aru nodded, breathing slowly.

"I suggest keeping away from poison," Brynne joked.

"Really? No shit!" Aru mimed mind explosion.

"So," Mini started. "Aiden causing you trouble?"

"No, why would he?"

"I told you!" Brynne said. "He's my best friend."

"Okay," Aru blinked. "So?"

"Well," Mini smiled. "He kind of kicked down the door to find you. He interrogated for you. He almost killed for you. What do you think?"

"Very heroic," Aru deadpanned before realising what she said. "Wait really?"

Brynne smirked. "I think-"

"No, shush," Aru held up a hand. "This is already too much to ingest this morning. I don't remember all that. I remember-"

Aru stopped.

"Hm?" Mini said, amused.

"Oooooooh," Brynne cooed.

"Shut up."

"No," Brynne poked her side repeatedly. "Tell usssss."

"No!"

"Queen?" Someone asked outside the door.

"Queen?" Aru asked.

"Um," Mini fiddled with her fingers. "I'll go take care of that."

She got up to leave but Aru held her back. "Who's that, Min?"

"No one important."

"I'm not important?" The person asked outside the door.

Aru and Brynne exchanged looks before pulling Mini back, pushing her into the chair and answering the door despite Mini screaming no.