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xp_logsTopaz barely has time to start adjusting before rescue comes. Supposedly.
Warning: Emotional Manipulation
Dark. Silent. Topaz had tried to feel, tried to find something, but the air was empty on all sides, and she was afraid to stand from the position she had curled into when the Destines had tossed her into… wherever she was. She was trying to stay logical about it. They had been at a house. They were still at the house. They hadn’t teleported. She was just in another room at that same house.
She was deaf and she was blind. Focus on the logical. All those hours spent learning sign language with Artie suddenly seemed ironic. She couldn’t hear herself breathe or see her hand in front of her face.
“I am not afraid,” she whispered, more for anyone who might be listening than for herself. She couldn’t see, and she couldn’t hear, but her empathy was still intact. She closed her eyes (out of instinct more than anything else), and let her mind reach out, determined to find out where the Destines were. I’m not afraid, she thought fiercely. Focus on logic. Focus on empathy. I’m not afraid. I’m not-
Something brushed against Topaz’ hair. Her head snapped up, eyes widening. “Who’s there?” She demanded, shuddering internally at not being able to hear her own voice.
Another shift in the air, a brush of fingers against her cheek. ~I can’t believe I finally found you,~ came Amanda’s voice, not in her ears but directly in her mind. ~We’ve been looking ages.~
What the hell? Topaz shook her head, still probing the air psychically. “Amanda?” She dared to ask. She couldn’t hear her voice shaking, but she could feel it in her chest.
~Who else would it be?~ There was almost a chuckle in Topaz’s head and a hand cupped her cheek. ~I’ll always be there to get you out of trouble.~
A shiver ran through Topaz, and she closed her sightless eyes, intending to pull away. But something kept her in place. “I don’t… need you to save me,” she mumbled, knowing perfectly well she sounded pathetic. “Wait, what do you mean ages?” That didn’t make any sense. It had only been a few hours… right?
~It’s been days, Topaz. Everyone’s been going crazy looking for you.~ The fingers stroking her skin were cold, somehow hard. ~We’ve all been so worried. Again.~
Topaz shook her head, still unable to pull away from Amanda’s touch. “No you’re… what’re you on about?”
~Don’t tell me you don’t know.~ Amanda’s ‘voice’ turned chiding, but still kept its playful edge, which made it all the more chilling. ~This is what, the fifth time we’ve gone through this? You get yourself grabbed, I turn the place upside down looking for you… It’s a bloody recurring game of hide and seek with you.~
“I…” Topaz’ shoulders hunched up slightly. “I don’t bloody ask you to help me,” was what she finally settled for.
~You don’t have to. It’s my job, isn’t it, taking care of you. You and the rest of the ducklings. You wind up dropped in my lap and I have to make sure you get some training and stay out of trouble. The life of the one you save and all that bollocks.~
This time Topaz did pull away, using the wall to help her stand. She wasn’t going to lie on the floor like a scared child. “So what, I’m - we’re your guilty burden?” All logic was screaming at Topaz to ignore the voice. It wasn’t real. It wasn’t real. It wasn’t real. She needed to stop indulging it.
She ignored logic.
A snort, the exact noise Amanda made when she was ironically amused. ~About time you realised it, kiddo. Besides, if I left you to your own devices, what other mess would you get into? Taboo and the Destines would have had well before now.~
Topaz’ shoulders hunched up to ears, her face burning. “What do you care what I do?” she asked bitterly, trying to ignore the tears stinging at her eyes - or whatever mess had been left in their place. “Not like anyone’s going to hold you responsible when I die.” Her voice wavered as she tried desperately to hold to herself together. No matter what she had said, she had always trusted Amanda and at least tried to believe she meant something to the woman. “Or do you just really enjoy looking at me and feeling superior?”
~Every hero needs a sidekick,~ came the mocking reply. ~Face it, kiddo, the only reason anyone wants you around is so we have a spare. An inferior spare, but what can you do?~
A spare. Topaz’ jaw twitched, betraying how deep those words struck. She didn’t have an answer, and didn’t trust her voice. Telling herself it wasn’t real wasn’t working. Of course Amanda thought of her like that. How many times had she been the second choice, number two, the one trailing behind Amanda while she saved the day? They weren’t equal. Not even close. And if Topaz knew that then of course Amanda did.
~What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?~ Again that hand on her cheek. ~Truth hurts, kiddo. I thought you were grown up enough to hear it. Looks like I was wrong about you. Again.~
Somewhere underneath the hurt, Topaz found enough anger to shove away, inching across the floor. It was a cruel parody of the first time they had met, when Amanda had offered comfort and Topaz, fifteen and battered and abandoned and lost, had allowed herself to accept it. She didn’t have anything left to lose. What would it hurt to take comfort in one stranger’s hand on her shoulder?
“If I’m such a disappointment, why’re you even here?” She snapped - or tried to at least, but she was shaking, and she was hurt, and there was no hiding any of that.
~I already told you. You're my responsibility. I have to make sure you don't get anyone else hurt with your drama.~ She seemed amused by Topaz' withdrawal. ~Someone has to clean up your mess.~
“Not your responsibility if I’m dead, am I?” Topaz had thought she’d be prepared for the day Amanda gave up on her. Hell, she had been pushing for it. But now it was here. And it felt like someone had carved a hole in her chest. “No one’ll fault you for leaving me here.”
~Huh.~ There was a pause, a thoughtful silence. ~You know what, you're right. No-one would fault me. And ducklings all have to leave the nest sometime.~ There was a suggestion of movement, then cold lips pressed against Topaz' forehead. ~Goodbye, kiddo. I really did try with you.~ And then the presence was gone as suddenly as it had arrived.
Alone again. Topaz felt strangely empty as she stared blindly ahead, the cold kiss lingering against her suddenly flushed skin. She opened and closed her mouth a few times, as if debating trying to call Amanda back, but what was the point? She'd made her feelings clear. Topaz was nothing to her. Had never been anything to her. Just a burden, a responsibility, a bother. Nothing.
She curled into herself, pressing her forehead into her knees and rubbing the skin forcefully against her jeans. Nothing. She was going to die here, and no one would miss her. Not even - or perhaps especially - Amanda.
She was nothing.
* * * * * * *
Still reeling from the encounter with “Amanda”, Topaz isn’t particularly prepared for what the Destines have in store for her next.
Dark. It was dark. It was silent. The longer it went on, the more the world seemed to tilt, like she was off balance. She rested her forehead against her knees, taking a deep breath. She wasn’t scared. She wasn’t scared. She was shaken by the encounter with… Amanda? No, it couldn’t have been. It wasn’t real. None of this was real. Except being blind and deaf. That part was definitely real, the pain hadn’t been imaginary. Amanda wouldn’t have said those things, and she certainly hadn’t been gone for days. She rested her head against knees, arms wrapping her legs.
Her head was shoved against the bricks next to her. Blind and deaf left her with tactile functions and those were quickly overwhelmed by physical violence.
Topaz was sure she made an undignified noise, even if she couldn’t hear it, and she curled up tight, shaking as her hands moved to cover her head. She wasn’t going to beg. She wasn’t that desperate. Yet.
“This stupid bitch.” Her hands were snatched from her head. She couldn’t hear, but the vibration of the cutters was loud in her ears as her hair was cut away roughly from her head.
Her… hair was being cut? For a moment that riled something up in her, and she managed to growl out, “Stop!” as she tried to kick whoever it was.
Her head was slammed into the brick wall for a second time. “You stupid bitch. I should make her suck a dick.”
“She’s too fucked up. That’s doesn’t work.”
Topaz winced as she was slammed back again, and stars burst to life in the blackness. She thought for a minute about fighting back, but what was the point? She had surrendered for a reason. If she made it difficult, people would suffer. She went limp, the tension draining out of her. She didn’t even try to reach out with her empathy to find out which of the Destines it was.
“For now. Once she's properly used up, I’m renting what's left out for ten quid a session.”
She couldn’t hear, but she could tell whoever it was was still in the room. She curled back against the wall, trying not to look too scared. She wasn’t afraid. She had turned herself over. She had accepted this fate. She had no right to complain.
“Mate, you’ve been brought in for your specialties. She’s not yours until we’re done with her. That was the agreement.”
“Only a short time from now. Right, here we go.” Something was settled around her head, over her ruined ears. There was a shooting pain as a strap was tightened around her brow. A couple of light slaps hit her cheek, forcing her head up. “You hear this, love?”
His voice was muffled; buzzing and seeming to come from a great distance, like being at the bottom of a well. It took a moment to realize it was the vibration she was picking up more than the sound.
“I think it worked. You can turn it off and on when you want.”
“Perfect. I think it’s time to get started properly, Topaz. Don’t you?”
Topaz jolted, even the slightest bit of sound, jolting. What in the hell? “What did you do?” At least she didn’t stutter.
"Conductive headphones. It's not a good replacement for hearing, but considering the damage I did did, it's the best I can do for now." Adam said. "This is your new friend, Mister Smith. Mister Smith is an old friend of ours. People like to tell him things. And it occurs to me that you can tell us all sorts of things about that big mansion you live in and the people there. Things that other people will be gagging to pay for. So, I'm going to leave you and Mister Smith to talk for a little while. You be a good girl."
She could just make out the click of his shoes on the stones as he walked away. A hand lightly touched the side of her head, near the headphones, where the connectivity would help amplify the vibrations.
"Well, finally alone."
Topaz yanked away from the touch, scowling. "Brilliant," she gritted out. "I was getting sick of him anyways."
"The question of when he'll be back is entirely up to you, you know. So, tell me about the people you live with?"
"The what?" Topaz said, a bit stupidly, before remembering what Adam had said. "They're mutants. What else do you need to know?"
"We'll start with their names. Take your time."
Topaz' lips twitched. "Yeah, can't help you. I don't really socialize much, ya know? It's more of a hotel that you just don't get charged to stay in."
"If that's your decision. We'll talk again later." He said, getting up and walking out without so much as another sound, leaving her alone in the dark.
* * * * * * *
Alone.
Silence was the worst.
She hadn’t realized how use she had grown to the general din of the mansion, in her head and in her ears. The absolute nothing seemed to press in on all sides, suffocating Topaz. She hid her face in her knees, curling up tight, Shaking and completely unaware of the passage of time other than how tired and hungry she was, but those things couldn’t be measured in hours.
~It’s been days, Topaz. Everyone’s been going crazy looking for you.~
Topaz shook that off, shuddering. An illusion. It wasn’t real. She knew it wasn’t real. It hadn’t been days. It was impossible.
It made her wonder how long Adam planned on keeping her here, though.
* * * * * * *
Alone again….
It was cold. Topaz wasn’t sure if it was in her head, or if the air around her was really cold, but it didn’t matter. She shivered fiercely, struggling to keep her breathing under control. “I’m not scared,” she said out loud. “I’m not scared.”
Of course you’re not, a voice whispered in the back of Topaz’ head. Alice. It was Alice. It wasn’t even a faint, vague likeness — it was her mother’s voice, crystal clear. You’re my brave little gem, aren’t you? Nothing ever scares you.
“Shut up,” Topaz snapped, her hands tangling in her hair and gripping tightly. “You’re not real.”
What’s wrong, baby girl? Talk to Mummy… A cold, bony hand cupped her cheek, and Topaz’ head snapped up. For a moment, she swore she saw the dead, rotting corpse of her mother standing over her.
“No!” Topaz screamed, swinging her arm, and her magic lashed out. The image disappeared, and Topaz stumbled up, staggering, grasping desperately to try and find a door. Instead she tripped and fell, crashing into the floor. Her shoulder connected hard, and she barely managed to catch herself before her head snapped against the floor as well.
All was silent again.
* * * * * * *
The talk continues....
WARNING: Torture
Topaz was jolted awake as the buzz of vibration returned to her ears. A door had opened, and she heard a clack as a metal plate was dropped on to the stones near where she was lying. Her explorations of her cell had revealed only a stone covered floor and walls, a steel door, and a metal bucket for her waste.
She sat up, doing her best to scowl. Talking, even if it was just to keep the pretense of being brave, didn’t do her any good and was liable to get her smacked depending on who was delivering. She kept her head down, groping blindly until she found the plate.
The food was the same as the last two times she'd woken up; cold scrambled eggs and beans on a limp piece of toast. There was a cup of water nearby, surprisingly clear and cold.
Food was food, Topaz thought as she ate without much enthusiasm. Just because she had surrendered didn't mean she had to suffer and starve. It was tempting, if only to annoy the Destines - they needed her alive to get Taboo, after all. But starving to death didn't get much fun.
She finished the food, slumping back against the wall again. Her mind wandered back to the mansion. Were the curse victims okay? Had Adam reversed what he had done to them? She wasn't entirely sure he was a man of his word. What if there were more people cursed now? What if he was just fucking with them? What if...
Her mind wandered further, beyond the ability to think, her head spinning. She blinked uselessly, each longer than the last, before finally she slumped over, asleep again.
Consciousness came back in steps. Topaz frowned, probing her the floor beneath her as she sat up. She didn't remember falling asleep....
"Hello Topaz. It's time for a chat. I know you didn't want to talk to me the last few times I've dropped by. Which disappoints me." The man introduced to her as Mister Smith had taken a seat in the only chair in the room. "Why don't we start at the beginning again. Give me the names of the people who live at your mansion. Their real names, mind you."
"What...?" It took Topaz a moment to get her bearings. She shook her head, not out of refusal, but trying to clear it of the fog. Although once she realized what was happening, it became a gesture of refusal as well. "It's a big place. Mansion and all. I don't socialize much." Same answer as always.
"I'm afraid that answer has lost its appeal." He said, sounding almost sad to her limited hearing. She could sense him move slightly and suddenly found herself twisted to the ground as he grabbed her wrist. Pulling and rotating it outward, he took hold of her pinkie and ring finger with his larger hands and twisted, wrenching them back hard enough to snap with a wet gristly sound.
Topaz screamed. Her pride was basically gone anyways. There was no point in trying to be strong. Her fingers burned with pain, and she whimpered, trying to breathe through the pain. She'd been hurt plenty of times before. She thought she knew how to handle pain.
She was pretty sure she was wrong.
He stepped back and sat down again. "The names, Topaz."
Pained tears stung her eyes, and she took a couple of deep breaths to steady herself. Her voice still shook as she gritted out, "Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger...."
"So it would seem. I should point out, Topaz, the longer you hold out doesn't change things. I'll continue to hurt you and over time, without treatment, those injuries will become permanent. You will be crippled and that is before I even start to move on to more interesting things. It is entirely your choice. Many people like to think that they are the unique ones that can handle torture. But, the reality is, no one can. There's literally no one who cannot be subjected to enough different types of pain not to eventually beg to tell them everything they know. So, this is the question you want to ask yourself? If I'm going to get what I want eventually, how broken do you want to be to spend the rest of your life? Because the one thing I won't do is accidentally kill you. I'll make sure you get to enjoy whatever pain you force me to inflict on you for decades before you get the release of death." He got up. "It's something to think about." And like before, was gone without another word. As he closed the soundproofed door behind him, Adam huffed from his chair in front of the one way window into the cell.
"You've been at this for hours."
"Can take days. Breaking her quick is easier, but you'll get far less useful information to sell that way. But, you're the boss. Say the word and I'll get me blowtorch and have names in minutes."
"No, no... the market is potentially huge." Adam growled, hating the delay. "Is there any way to speed it up?"
"She's young. The forced day/night routine every hour or so with the drugs will be more disorienting. We can speed that up a little. Add a dose to induce nausea, migraines..." 'Smith' shook his head. "Unless you're expecting to be found shortly, it's just a matter of time."
* * * * * * *
Something isn’t quite right...
Warning: Mild Self-Harm
The world seemed to tilt. Topaz blinked, wobbling slightly where she sat, and pushed herself up, half standing. Her hand was pressed back against the wall - and she paused. It didn’t feel like stone anymore. Her fingers didn’t hurt anymore.
She stumbled back, sitting again. The floor was wood. Not stone. She flexed her fingers. Her unbroken fingers. Maybe Jasmine had healed her? A broken toy was no use. But she hadn’t felt any magic…
Topaz dug her nails deep into her arms, until they broke the skin. It wasn’t the same, burning pain as the broken bones, but it was something. She could feel something
How long had it been? The question kept coming back to her, and she kept pushing it down. What did it matter? It wasn’t like she had anywhere to be. They were all happy she was gone.
At least she couldn’t cause them trouble anymore.
* * * * * * *
Help can come from the most unlikely of places.
Warning: Mild Self-Harm
What time was it? How long had it been since she'd left the mansion? Hours, maybe? Ages, Amanda had said, but Topaz didn't believe that. It was impossible. She buried her head in her knees, shaking and wrapping her arms tight around her legs. She had honestly thought they would just kill her and leave her on Taboo's doorstep. Why couldn't they do that?
Jasmine threw a quick glance over her shoulder before unlocking and entering the room they were keeping Taboo's girl in. Inside she had to pause when she saw the state the girl was in. Bloods dripped in down her arms and legs in small trails amidst fiery red scratches and trails of flaky, dark red blood that had already dried.
Topaz didn't hear or see the door open, but she could feel the presence of someone else in the room, and that was enough to send her into a panic. In her current state she had no way of even trying to distinguish one Destine from the another or if it was him, but did it really matter? They all wanted to hurt her. "Don't, don't, don't," She whimpered trying to find another wall to back against. It was pathetic. She didn't care. Unless they were here to kill her, she didn't care.
Of course, with the girl blind and deaf... Jasmine reached for the thread that kept her connected with her element, drawing from her solid surety of earth to an as calm state as possible. The four rings on her fingers flared briefly as she pulled a bottle of water from the bag she had brought with her and knelt down next to the girl. Moving slowly, she touched her shoulder and urged her to sit up a bit.
Topaz' magic tried to lash out - instinct - but at best all it did was nudge the Destine slightly. It wasn't like Topaz had any strength left. Certainly not enough to summon a coherent spell, or even a chaotic but effective one. "Why can't you just kill me..." It was little more than a moan.
Ignoring the small flare of power, Jasmine this time pulled Taboo's daughter up right. With a flick of her fingers she uncapped the bottle and dribbled a little of the water on the girl's lips.
The water shocked Topaz for a moment, shaking her out of her frenzy, and for the first time she actually focused, frowning faintly. No aura of crazy.... Jasmine? What was she doing? Topaz leaned against the wall, but didn't fight any further. The calming emotions were nice. An anchor for a moment.
Jasmine tipped the water bottle against the girl's lips, urging her to drink. After a long moment she pulled it away again, but instead of tucking it away she wrapped the girl's hand around the bottle so she could drink for herself, while she took a look at the scratches on her other arm. She frowned at the number and depth of them... healing them would be easy... but Adam and Grace would most likely freak out unless she found a good reason to do so...
Topaz was too stunned to react for a moment. After a moment she touched the scratches with her free hand, wincing at the sting. Yup, they were real. This was real. She didn't understand, but there was water, and she was thirsty. She hadn't realized until Jasmine had given her the water. She immediately gripped the bottle and began drinking, nearly chugging it.
Well... she could always try to explain it as trying to keep their toy intact longer for their pleasure? Jasmine pulled a pair of scissors from her bag and gently taking the girl's free wrist and quickly cut the sleeve up to her shoulder. Pulling the bloody fabric away, she studied the damage a little closer before closing her eyes. Her fingers wove a complex pattern of green light, her rings flaring even more brightly as she muttered in ancient Aramaic. The field complete, she opened her eyes and gently stroked the arm in front of her. Where her fingers passes the green light seemed to eat away both the scratches and the blood, leaving behind only vague red line that she knew would fade.
Panic came back immediately when Jasmine grabbed her wrist, and Topaz nearly pulled away again, until she felt the calm sensation of magic. Jasmine was a healer. She could feel the scratches knitting back together. No more pain. It was like nothing had ever happened.
Jasmine glanced up from her work to check how the girl was handling it and the water bottle was clearly almost empty. Once more reaching into her bag, she pulled out two energy bars and removing the wrappers she tucked them in the hand of the arms she'd just healed.
Topaz' fingers closed around the energy bars, assuming from the texture. She ducked her head, whispering, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry about your brothers. I wish I could say I tried to stop him, but I never did." There were plenty of excuses. Topaz didn't say anything about them. It didn't matter. "I'm sorry."
She froze at those words, fighting to push down the grief that still surged forward at the thought. It was nothing she could deal with now. After a deep breath to recenter herself, Jasmine took the water bottle and tucked it away before once more taking up the scissors and cutting this sleeve. It was pretty much the same sight as the other arms, so she closed her eyes again as she wove the green web and healed the scratches.
There was no way to know how Jasmine reacted to that - she could have very well told Topaz to go to hell. But she was healing her other arm, so she can't have been too angry. "Thank you," Topaz said quietly when she was done.
Just a small pat on the hand was all the reply Jasmine gave as she packed up her supplies and rose to leave. A moment later the door locked behind her with a soft click.
Warning: Emotional Manipulation
Dark. Silent. Topaz had tried to feel, tried to find something, but the air was empty on all sides, and she was afraid to stand from the position she had curled into when the Destines had tossed her into… wherever she was. She was trying to stay logical about it. They had been at a house. They were still at the house. They hadn’t teleported. She was just in another room at that same house.
She was deaf and she was blind. Focus on the logical. All those hours spent learning sign language with Artie suddenly seemed ironic. She couldn’t hear herself breathe or see her hand in front of her face.
“I am not afraid,” she whispered, more for anyone who might be listening than for herself. She couldn’t see, and she couldn’t hear, but her empathy was still intact. She closed her eyes (out of instinct more than anything else), and let her mind reach out, determined to find out where the Destines were. I’m not afraid, she thought fiercely. Focus on logic. Focus on empathy. I’m not afraid. I’m not-
Something brushed against Topaz’ hair. Her head snapped up, eyes widening. “Who’s there?” She demanded, shuddering internally at not being able to hear her own voice.
Another shift in the air, a brush of fingers against her cheek. ~I can’t believe I finally found you,~ came Amanda’s voice, not in her ears but directly in her mind. ~We’ve been looking ages.~
What the hell? Topaz shook her head, still probing the air psychically. “Amanda?” She dared to ask. She couldn’t hear her voice shaking, but she could feel it in her chest.
~Who else would it be?~ There was almost a chuckle in Topaz’s head and a hand cupped her cheek. ~I’ll always be there to get you out of trouble.~
A shiver ran through Topaz, and she closed her sightless eyes, intending to pull away. But something kept her in place. “I don’t… need you to save me,” she mumbled, knowing perfectly well she sounded pathetic. “Wait, what do you mean ages?” That didn’t make any sense. It had only been a few hours… right?
~It’s been days, Topaz. Everyone’s been going crazy looking for you.~ The fingers stroking her skin were cold, somehow hard. ~We’ve all been so worried. Again.~
Topaz shook her head, still unable to pull away from Amanda’s touch. “No you’re… what’re you on about?”
~Don’t tell me you don’t know.~ Amanda’s ‘voice’ turned chiding, but still kept its playful edge, which made it all the more chilling. ~This is what, the fifth time we’ve gone through this? You get yourself grabbed, I turn the place upside down looking for you… It’s a bloody recurring game of hide and seek with you.~
“I…” Topaz’ shoulders hunched up slightly. “I don’t bloody ask you to help me,” was what she finally settled for.
~You don’t have to. It’s my job, isn’t it, taking care of you. You and the rest of the ducklings. You wind up dropped in my lap and I have to make sure you get some training and stay out of trouble. The life of the one you save and all that bollocks.~
This time Topaz did pull away, using the wall to help her stand. She wasn’t going to lie on the floor like a scared child. “So what, I’m - we’re your guilty burden?” All logic was screaming at Topaz to ignore the voice. It wasn’t real. It wasn’t real. It wasn’t real. She needed to stop indulging it.
She ignored logic.
A snort, the exact noise Amanda made when she was ironically amused. ~About time you realised it, kiddo. Besides, if I left you to your own devices, what other mess would you get into? Taboo and the Destines would have had well before now.~
Topaz’ shoulders hunched up to ears, her face burning. “What do you care what I do?” she asked bitterly, trying to ignore the tears stinging at her eyes - or whatever mess had been left in their place. “Not like anyone’s going to hold you responsible when I die.” Her voice wavered as she tried desperately to hold to herself together. No matter what she had said, she had always trusted Amanda and at least tried to believe she meant something to the woman. “Or do you just really enjoy looking at me and feeling superior?”
~Every hero needs a sidekick,~ came the mocking reply. ~Face it, kiddo, the only reason anyone wants you around is so we have a spare. An inferior spare, but what can you do?~
A spare. Topaz’ jaw twitched, betraying how deep those words struck. She didn’t have an answer, and didn’t trust her voice. Telling herself it wasn’t real wasn’t working. Of course Amanda thought of her like that. How many times had she been the second choice, number two, the one trailing behind Amanda while she saved the day? They weren’t equal. Not even close. And if Topaz knew that then of course Amanda did.
~What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?~ Again that hand on her cheek. ~Truth hurts, kiddo. I thought you were grown up enough to hear it. Looks like I was wrong about you. Again.~
Somewhere underneath the hurt, Topaz found enough anger to shove away, inching across the floor. It was a cruel parody of the first time they had met, when Amanda had offered comfort and Topaz, fifteen and battered and abandoned and lost, had allowed herself to accept it. She didn’t have anything left to lose. What would it hurt to take comfort in one stranger’s hand on her shoulder?
“If I’m such a disappointment, why’re you even here?” She snapped - or tried to at least, but she was shaking, and she was hurt, and there was no hiding any of that.
~I already told you. You're my responsibility. I have to make sure you don't get anyone else hurt with your drama.~ She seemed amused by Topaz' withdrawal. ~Someone has to clean up your mess.~
“Not your responsibility if I’m dead, am I?” Topaz had thought she’d be prepared for the day Amanda gave up on her. Hell, she had been pushing for it. But now it was here. And it felt like someone had carved a hole in her chest. “No one’ll fault you for leaving me here.”
~Huh.~ There was a pause, a thoughtful silence. ~You know what, you're right. No-one would fault me. And ducklings all have to leave the nest sometime.~ There was a suggestion of movement, then cold lips pressed against Topaz' forehead. ~Goodbye, kiddo. I really did try with you.~ And then the presence was gone as suddenly as it had arrived.
Alone again. Topaz felt strangely empty as she stared blindly ahead, the cold kiss lingering against her suddenly flushed skin. She opened and closed her mouth a few times, as if debating trying to call Amanda back, but what was the point? She'd made her feelings clear. Topaz was nothing to her. Had never been anything to her. Just a burden, a responsibility, a bother. Nothing.
She curled into herself, pressing her forehead into her knees and rubbing the skin forcefully against her jeans. Nothing. She was going to die here, and no one would miss her. Not even - or perhaps especially - Amanda.
She was nothing.
* * * * * * *
Still reeling from the encounter with “Amanda”, Topaz isn’t particularly prepared for what the Destines have in store for her next.
Dark. It was dark. It was silent. The longer it went on, the more the world seemed to tilt, like she was off balance. She rested her forehead against her knees, taking a deep breath. She wasn’t scared. She wasn’t scared. She was shaken by the encounter with… Amanda? No, it couldn’t have been. It wasn’t real. None of this was real. Except being blind and deaf. That part was definitely real, the pain hadn’t been imaginary. Amanda wouldn’t have said those things, and she certainly hadn’t been gone for days. She rested her head against knees, arms wrapping her legs.
Her head was shoved against the bricks next to her. Blind and deaf left her with tactile functions and those were quickly overwhelmed by physical violence.
Topaz was sure she made an undignified noise, even if she couldn’t hear it, and she curled up tight, shaking as her hands moved to cover her head. She wasn’t going to beg. She wasn’t that desperate. Yet.
“This stupid bitch.” Her hands were snatched from her head. She couldn’t hear, but the vibration of the cutters was loud in her ears as her hair was cut away roughly from her head.
Her… hair was being cut? For a moment that riled something up in her, and she managed to growl out, “Stop!” as she tried to kick whoever it was.
Her head was slammed into the brick wall for a second time. “You stupid bitch. I should make her suck a dick.”
“She’s too fucked up. That’s doesn’t work.”
Topaz winced as she was slammed back again, and stars burst to life in the blackness. She thought for a minute about fighting back, but what was the point? She had surrendered for a reason. If she made it difficult, people would suffer. She went limp, the tension draining out of her. She didn’t even try to reach out with her empathy to find out which of the Destines it was.
“For now. Once she's properly used up, I’m renting what's left out for ten quid a session.”
She couldn’t hear, but she could tell whoever it was was still in the room. She curled back against the wall, trying not to look too scared. She wasn’t afraid. She had turned herself over. She had accepted this fate. She had no right to complain.
“Mate, you’ve been brought in for your specialties. She’s not yours until we’re done with her. That was the agreement.”
“Only a short time from now. Right, here we go.” Something was settled around her head, over her ruined ears. There was a shooting pain as a strap was tightened around her brow. A couple of light slaps hit her cheek, forcing her head up. “You hear this, love?”
His voice was muffled; buzzing and seeming to come from a great distance, like being at the bottom of a well. It took a moment to realize it was the vibration she was picking up more than the sound.
“I think it worked. You can turn it off and on when you want.”
“Perfect. I think it’s time to get started properly, Topaz. Don’t you?”
Topaz jolted, even the slightest bit of sound, jolting. What in the hell? “What did you do?” At least she didn’t stutter.
"Conductive headphones. It's not a good replacement for hearing, but considering the damage I did did, it's the best I can do for now." Adam said. "This is your new friend, Mister Smith. Mister Smith is an old friend of ours. People like to tell him things. And it occurs to me that you can tell us all sorts of things about that big mansion you live in and the people there. Things that other people will be gagging to pay for. So, I'm going to leave you and Mister Smith to talk for a little while. You be a good girl."
She could just make out the click of his shoes on the stones as he walked away. A hand lightly touched the side of her head, near the headphones, where the connectivity would help amplify the vibrations.
"Well, finally alone."
Topaz yanked away from the touch, scowling. "Brilliant," she gritted out. "I was getting sick of him anyways."
"The question of when he'll be back is entirely up to you, you know. So, tell me about the people you live with?"
"The what?" Topaz said, a bit stupidly, before remembering what Adam had said. "They're mutants. What else do you need to know?"
"We'll start with their names. Take your time."
Topaz' lips twitched. "Yeah, can't help you. I don't really socialize much, ya know? It's more of a hotel that you just don't get charged to stay in."
"If that's your decision. We'll talk again later." He said, getting up and walking out without so much as another sound, leaving her alone in the dark.
* * * * * * *
Alone.
Silence was the worst.
She hadn’t realized how use she had grown to the general din of the mansion, in her head and in her ears. The absolute nothing seemed to press in on all sides, suffocating Topaz. She hid her face in her knees, curling up tight, Shaking and completely unaware of the passage of time other than how tired and hungry she was, but those things couldn’t be measured in hours.
~It’s been days, Topaz. Everyone’s been going crazy looking for you.~
Topaz shook that off, shuddering. An illusion. It wasn’t real. She knew it wasn’t real. It hadn’t been days. It was impossible.
It made her wonder how long Adam planned on keeping her here, though.
* * * * * * *
Alone again….
It was cold. Topaz wasn’t sure if it was in her head, or if the air around her was really cold, but it didn’t matter. She shivered fiercely, struggling to keep her breathing under control. “I’m not scared,” she said out loud. “I’m not scared.”
Of course you’re not, a voice whispered in the back of Topaz’ head. Alice. It was Alice. It wasn’t even a faint, vague likeness — it was her mother’s voice, crystal clear. You’re my brave little gem, aren’t you? Nothing ever scares you.
“Shut up,” Topaz snapped, her hands tangling in her hair and gripping tightly. “You’re not real.”
What’s wrong, baby girl? Talk to Mummy… A cold, bony hand cupped her cheek, and Topaz’ head snapped up. For a moment, she swore she saw the dead, rotting corpse of her mother standing over her.
“No!” Topaz screamed, swinging her arm, and her magic lashed out. The image disappeared, and Topaz stumbled up, staggering, grasping desperately to try and find a door. Instead she tripped and fell, crashing into the floor. Her shoulder connected hard, and she barely managed to catch herself before her head snapped against the floor as well.
All was silent again.
* * * * * * *
The talk continues....
WARNING: Torture
Topaz was jolted awake as the buzz of vibration returned to her ears. A door had opened, and she heard a clack as a metal plate was dropped on to the stones near where she was lying. Her explorations of her cell had revealed only a stone covered floor and walls, a steel door, and a metal bucket for her waste.
She sat up, doing her best to scowl. Talking, even if it was just to keep the pretense of being brave, didn’t do her any good and was liable to get her smacked depending on who was delivering. She kept her head down, groping blindly until she found the plate.
The food was the same as the last two times she'd woken up; cold scrambled eggs and beans on a limp piece of toast. There was a cup of water nearby, surprisingly clear and cold.
Food was food, Topaz thought as she ate without much enthusiasm. Just because she had surrendered didn't mean she had to suffer and starve. It was tempting, if only to annoy the Destines - they needed her alive to get Taboo, after all. But starving to death didn't get much fun.
She finished the food, slumping back against the wall again. Her mind wandered back to the mansion. Were the curse victims okay? Had Adam reversed what he had done to them? She wasn't entirely sure he was a man of his word. What if there were more people cursed now? What if he was just fucking with them? What if...
Her mind wandered further, beyond the ability to think, her head spinning. She blinked uselessly, each longer than the last, before finally she slumped over, asleep again.
Consciousness came back in steps. Topaz frowned, probing her the floor beneath her as she sat up. She didn't remember falling asleep....
"Hello Topaz. It's time for a chat. I know you didn't want to talk to me the last few times I've dropped by. Which disappoints me." The man introduced to her as Mister Smith had taken a seat in the only chair in the room. "Why don't we start at the beginning again. Give me the names of the people who live at your mansion. Their real names, mind you."
"What...?" It took Topaz a moment to get her bearings. She shook her head, not out of refusal, but trying to clear it of the fog. Although once she realized what was happening, it became a gesture of refusal as well. "It's a big place. Mansion and all. I don't socialize much." Same answer as always.
"I'm afraid that answer has lost its appeal." He said, sounding almost sad to her limited hearing. She could sense him move slightly and suddenly found herself twisted to the ground as he grabbed her wrist. Pulling and rotating it outward, he took hold of her pinkie and ring finger with his larger hands and twisted, wrenching them back hard enough to snap with a wet gristly sound.
Topaz screamed. Her pride was basically gone anyways. There was no point in trying to be strong. Her fingers burned with pain, and she whimpered, trying to breathe through the pain. She'd been hurt plenty of times before. She thought she knew how to handle pain.
She was pretty sure she was wrong.
He stepped back and sat down again. "The names, Topaz."
Pained tears stung her eyes, and she took a couple of deep breaths to steady herself. Her voice still shook as she gritted out, "Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, Hermione Granger...."
"So it would seem. I should point out, Topaz, the longer you hold out doesn't change things. I'll continue to hurt you and over time, without treatment, those injuries will become permanent. You will be crippled and that is before I even start to move on to more interesting things. It is entirely your choice. Many people like to think that they are the unique ones that can handle torture. But, the reality is, no one can. There's literally no one who cannot be subjected to enough different types of pain not to eventually beg to tell them everything they know. So, this is the question you want to ask yourself? If I'm going to get what I want eventually, how broken do you want to be to spend the rest of your life? Because the one thing I won't do is accidentally kill you. I'll make sure you get to enjoy whatever pain you force me to inflict on you for decades before you get the release of death." He got up. "It's something to think about." And like before, was gone without another word. As he closed the soundproofed door behind him, Adam huffed from his chair in front of the one way window into the cell.
"You've been at this for hours."
"Can take days. Breaking her quick is easier, but you'll get far less useful information to sell that way. But, you're the boss. Say the word and I'll get me blowtorch and have names in minutes."
"No, no... the market is potentially huge." Adam growled, hating the delay. "Is there any way to speed it up?"
"She's young. The forced day/night routine every hour or so with the drugs will be more disorienting. We can speed that up a little. Add a dose to induce nausea, migraines..." 'Smith' shook his head. "Unless you're expecting to be found shortly, it's just a matter of time."
* * * * * * *
Something isn’t quite right...
Warning: Mild Self-Harm
The world seemed to tilt. Topaz blinked, wobbling slightly where she sat, and pushed herself up, half standing. Her hand was pressed back against the wall - and she paused. It didn’t feel like stone anymore. Her fingers didn’t hurt anymore.
She stumbled back, sitting again. The floor was wood. Not stone. She flexed her fingers. Her unbroken fingers. Maybe Jasmine had healed her? A broken toy was no use. But she hadn’t felt any magic…
Topaz dug her nails deep into her arms, until they broke the skin. It wasn’t the same, burning pain as the broken bones, but it was something. She could feel something
How long had it been? The question kept coming back to her, and she kept pushing it down. What did it matter? It wasn’t like she had anywhere to be. They were all happy she was gone.
At least she couldn’t cause them trouble anymore.
* * * * * * *
Help can come from the most unlikely of places.
Warning: Mild Self-Harm
What time was it? How long had it been since she'd left the mansion? Hours, maybe? Ages, Amanda had said, but Topaz didn't believe that. It was impossible. She buried her head in her knees, shaking and wrapping her arms tight around her legs. She had honestly thought they would just kill her and leave her on Taboo's doorstep. Why couldn't they do that?
Jasmine threw a quick glance over her shoulder before unlocking and entering the room they were keeping Taboo's girl in. Inside she had to pause when she saw the state the girl was in. Bloods dripped in down her arms and legs in small trails amidst fiery red scratches and trails of flaky, dark red blood that had already dried.
Topaz didn't hear or see the door open, but she could feel the presence of someone else in the room, and that was enough to send her into a panic. In her current state she had no way of even trying to distinguish one Destine from the another or if it was him, but did it really matter? They all wanted to hurt her. "Don't, don't, don't," She whimpered trying to find another wall to back against. It was pathetic. She didn't care. Unless they were here to kill her, she didn't care.
Of course, with the girl blind and deaf... Jasmine reached for the thread that kept her connected with her element, drawing from her solid surety of earth to an as calm state as possible. The four rings on her fingers flared briefly as she pulled a bottle of water from the bag she had brought with her and knelt down next to the girl. Moving slowly, she touched her shoulder and urged her to sit up a bit.
Topaz' magic tried to lash out - instinct - but at best all it did was nudge the Destine slightly. It wasn't like Topaz had any strength left. Certainly not enough to summon a coherent spell, or even a chaotic but effective one. "Why can't you just kill me..." It was little more than a moan.
Ignoring the small flare of power, Jasmine this time pulled Taboo's daughter up right. With a flick of her fingers she uncapped the bottle and dribbled a little of the water on the girl's lips.
The water shocked Topaz for a moment, shaking her out of her frenzy, and for the first time she actually focused, frowning faintly. No aura of crazy.... Jasmine? What was she doing? Topaz leaned against the wall, but didn't fight any further. The calming emotions were nice. An anchor for a moment.
Jasmine tipped the water bottle against the girl's lips, urging her to drink. After a long moment she pulled it away again, but instead of tucking it away she wrapped the girl's hand around the bottle so she could drink for herself, while she took a look at the scratches on her other arm. She frowned at the number and depth of them... healing them would be easy... but Adam and Grace would most likely freak out unless she found a good reason to do so...
Topaz was too stunned to react for a moment. After a moment she touched the scratches with her free hand, wincing at the sting. Yup, they were real. This was real. She didn't understand, but there was water, and she was thirsty. She hadn't realized until Jasmine had given her the water. She immediately gripped the bottle and began drinking, nearly chugging it.
Well... she could always try to explain it as trying to keep their toy intact longer for their pleasure? Jasmine pulled a pair of scissors from her bag and gently taking the girl's free wrist and quickly cut the sleeve up to her shoulder. Pulling the bloody fabric away, she studied the damage a little closer before closing her eyes. Her fingers wove a complex pattern of green light, her rings flaring even more brightly as she muttered in ancient Aramaic. The field complete, she opened her eyes and gently stroked the arm in front of her. Where her fingers passes the green light seemed to eat away both the scratches and the blood, leaving behind only vague red line that she knew would fade.
Panic came back immediately when Jasmine grabbed her wrist, and Topaz nearly pulled away again, until she felt the calm sensation of magic. Jasmine was a healer. She could feel the scratches knitting back together. No more pain. It was like nothing had ever happened.
Jasmine glanced up from her work to check how the girl was handling it and the water bottle was clearly almost empty. Once more reaching into her bag, she pulled out two energy bars and removing the wrappers she tucked them in the hand of the arms she'd just healed.
Topaz' fingers closed around the energy bars, assuming from the texture. She ducked her head, whispering, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry about your brothers. I wish I could say I tried to stop him, but I never did." There were plenty of excuses. Topaz didn't say anything about them. It didn't matter. "I'm sorry."
She froze at those words, fighting to push down the grief that still surged forward at the thought. It was nothing she could deal with now. After a deep breath to recenter herself, Jasmine took the water bottle and tucked it away before once more taking up the scissors and cutting this sleeve. It was pretty much the same sight as the other arms, so she closed her eyes again as she wove the green web and healed the scratches.
There was no way to know how Jasmine reacted to that - she could have very well told Topaz to go to hell. But she was healing her other arm, so she can't have been too angry. "Thank you," Topaz said quietly when she was done.
Just a small pat on the hand was all the reply Jasmine gave as she packed up her supplies and rose to leave. A moment later the door locked behind her with a soft click.
