𝑻𝑯𝑬𝒀 𝑻𝑯𝑹𝑬𝑾 𝑯𝑬𝑹 in the pit. Ryan made the insightful suggestion of binding her arms and legs and gagging her; Alby threatened to throw him in the Pit as well if he didn't keep his mouth shut.
She could understand why everyone was in a foul mood with her; she'd woken half the Glade before the sun had properly risen yet. Now everybody would be grumbling about their lack of sleep and having to wake up early. Emis empathised with them. She'd probably feel the same way, if she wasn't her.
She was barely conscious of the other people around her. She couldn't stop replaying the image of herself in her head. Over and over again like a stuck tape. The fear that washed over her was icy, freezing, and chilled her to the bone. Funny, how the external cold didn't touch her, but inside she was rounding on developing hypothermia if she wasn't careful.
She slumped down against the wall, partially in defeat, mostly from fatigue. She'd never experienced such a thing; at least, her body didn't particularly remember it.
And she couldn't believe it. That her eyes actuallyglowed red. Like anything about that was natural. Well, healing yourself isn't exactly natural, is it? She reminded herself, but brushed it off.
After everything, she felt filthy. She could see the layers of grime underneath her nails. It didn't feel like she'd showered the day before yesterday. The humid, sweltering air that gust around the Glade seemed to carry dirt with it as well. Her clothes reeked of sweat, and she could feel the knotty tangled mess of what had been a braid clinging to the back of her head. She swallowed. A shower would be nice. But they probably hate me now, she reminded herself. Showers are a luxury no one wants to give away anymore.
She heard the crunch of footsteps on dry grass coming towards her from at least ten feet away, if not more. She was already stood, leaning against the bars for support, waiting for whoever it was coming to visit her.
Jeff crouched down in front of her shakily, trying to balance a bowl in his hands. It was filled with the same steaming broth as before. He knelt in front of the bars, sliding it through.
"You gotta keep your energy up," he said simply. "Those screams gotta hurt, right?"
She nodded. "Thanks," she croaked. She took the bowl, tilting it to her lips. She didn't bother to blow as she drank it piping hot. It didn't matter. It was surprisingly soothing. It warmed her up on the inside until the chill was almost gone. After she'd drained it, he handed her a tin mug filled with water.
