chapter 4

The workshop was a labyrinth of sharp metal, humming devices, and shadows that seemed to move on their own. Mia sat in a corner, her knees pulled to her chest, feeling the weight of her situation. The man—the one with the sharp eyes and the rasping voice—had barely spoken to her since the capture.

He hadn’t even told her his name.

All she knew was that he had power, and Powder was slipping further into his grasp.

Mia clenched her fists, trying to block out the sound of the machinery around her. She had to stay calm, had to think. There had to be a way out of this.

The door creaked open, and Mia’s head snapped up. Her breath caught as Powder stepped inside, her small frame barely illuminated by the dim, flickering lights. For a moment, relief flooded Mia. Her sister was here, unharmed—or so it seemed.

“Powder,” Mia called, her voice soft but urgent.

Powder paused, her expression unreadable. “You’re awake.”

Mia frowned, standing slowly. “Where have you been? What’s going on?”

Powder’s eyes darted away. “He’s been helping me,” she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Helping you?” Mia repeated, her chest tightening. “Who is he? What does he want from us?”

Powder didn’t answer. Instead, she walked to a workbench and began tinkering with a strange device—a mix of wires and glowing shards that hummed with an ominous energy.

“Powder,” Mia said again, stepping closer. “Talk to me. Please.”

Powder’s hands stilled for a moment, then resumed their work. “You wouldn’t understand.”

“Try me,” Mia pressed, her voice trembling. “I’m your sister. I’m on your side.”

Powder turned to face her then, and Mia’s heart sank. There was a hardness in her sister’s eyes that hadn’t been there before.

“You think you’re on my side?” Powder’s voice cracked, but her gaze didn’t waver. “You left me, Mia. You left me when I needed you the most. He didn’t.”

Mia’s stomach twisted. “I didn’t leave you. I’ve been fighting to protect you.”

“Protect me?” Powder laughed bitterly. “You couldn’t even protect yourself. You still can’t.”

Mia flinched as if struck. “That’s not fair,” she whispered.

“Life isn’t fair,” Powder said, her voice cold. She turned back to the device, her movements sharp and mechanical.

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Hours later, Mia sat in silence, her mind racing. The door creaked open again, and this time, it wasn’t Powder.

The man stepped inside, his footsteps slow and deliberate. His presence filled the room like a shadow, and Mia felt her pulse quicken.

“You’re adjusting well,” he said, his voice smooth but sharp enough to cut.

Mia glared at him. “Who are you?”

He tilted his head, a faint smirk playing on his lips. “Does it matter?”

“It does to me,” she shot back.

He chuckled, his mismatched eyes gleaming in the dim light. “You’re bold. I like that.”

Mia clenched her fists, refusing to be intimidated. “What do you want from us?”

“Us?” he repeated, raising an eyebrow. “I already have what I want from your sister. She sees the truth now. She’s stronger because of it.”

Mia’s heart pounded. “You’re lying. You’re using her—manipulating her.”

He stepped closer, his smile fading. “You should be thanking me. I’ve given her purpose. Something you never could.”

“She’s just a child,” Mia hissed. “She doesn’t need purpose; she needs her family.”

“And where was her family when she was falling apart?” he asked, his tone calm but cutting.

Mia’s breath caught in her throat.

He leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. “You failed her, Mia. But don’t worry—I’ll make sure she never feels weak again.”

Mia glared at him, her voice trembling with fury. “You’re a monster.”

He smiled then, a cold, chilling smile. “Perhaps. But even monsters have their uses.”

He turned to leave, pausing at the door. “You’ll understand soon enough. Until then, get comfortable. You’re not going anywhere.”

As the door closed behind him, Mia felt a wave of helplessness wash over her. She didn’t know his name, didn’t understand his plans, but one thing was clear: if she didn’t act soon, she would lose Powder forever.

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