Chapter 6: Wren's Past

The cold, grey walls of the asylum seemed to press in on Wren, suffocating her with their oppressive weight. She sat in her small, sparse room, her mind wandering back to her encounter with Xander. His piercing blue eyes and chiseled features still lingered in her mind, making her feel a flutter in her chest. She had tried to appear defiant, but the truth was, she was scared. Scared of what they wanted from her, and scared of what she might be capable of. As she sat there, memories of her past began to surface. Wren's eyes drifted closed, and she was transported back to her childhood. She was a small, scrappy thing, always getting into trouble. Her parents, though well-intentioned, had been strict and emotionally distant. They had never understood her, never seen the depth of her emotions. Wren's memories flashed back to a particular incident, one that had left a lasting impact on her. She was eight years old, playing in the park with her best friend, Sophie. As they chased each other around the playground, Wren had suddenly felt a strange sensation building inside her. It was as if her emotions had coalesced into a physical force, one that she couldn't control. Sophie had stumbled and fallen, and Wren had felt a surge of fear and panic. In that moment, something had happened. The swings and slides around them had begun to shake and rattle, as if moved by an invisible force. Sophie had screamed, and Wren had been left standing there, frozen in terror. Her parents had rushed to the scene, frantic with worry. They had never spoken of that incident again, but Wren had known that something was wrong with her. She had felt it, deep down, a sense of power and unpredictability that she couldn't contain. As she grew older, Wren had learned to suppress her emotions, to keep her feelings locked away. But the incident had left its mark, a sense of shame and guilt that she carried with her. Wren's eyes snapped open, and she was back in her room, surrounded by the sterile walls of the asylum. She felt a pang of sadness, knowing that she was still trapped, still unable to escape. The door to her room slid open, and Nurse Pierce entered, a tray of medication in her hand. "Time for your meds, Reine," she said, her voice soft. Wren's gaze narrowed. "What's this stuff do?" she asked, her voice wary. Nurse Pierce's expression was bland. "It's just a little something to help you...adjust." Wren's eyes flicked to the medication, and she felt a surge of defiance. She didn't want to take it, didn't want to be controlled. But she knew that she had to play along, for now. She took the medication, swallowing it down with a sip of water. As she did, she made a silent vow to herself. She would escape, no matter what it took. And she would uncover the truth about her past, about her abilities. The door closed behind Nurse Pierce, and Wren was left alone with her thoughts. She knew that she had to be careful, that one wrong move could mean disaster. But she was determined to take control of her life, to forge her own path. As she sat there, Wren felt a sense of resolve building inside her. She would not be held captive, not by the asylum, not by Xander. She would break free, and she would make them all pay. Later that day, Xander returned to her room, his eyes scanning her face. "Reine," he said, his voice low. "I see you're settling in." Wren's expression turned acidic. "Oh, yeah. I'm just loving it here. The food is great, the company is fantastic, and the decor is just...wow." Xander's gaze lingered on her face, his expression unreadable. For a moment, Wren thought she saw something there, something that gave her hope. But it was quickly extinguished, replaced by his usual mask of control. "I'm here to talk about your...abilities," Xander said, his voice firm. "We need to understand what you're capable of." Wren's eyes narrowed. "And what if I don't want to talk about it?" Xander's smile was small, a cold, calculated thing. "I'm afraid that's not an option, Reine. You see, you're a...rarity. A person with unknown abilities. And we need to learn more about you." As he spoke, Wren felt a shiver run down her spine. What did he mean by "unknown abilities"? And what did they plan to do with her? The questions swirled in her mind, but Xander just leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving hers. "I'm willing to make a deal with you, Reine," he said, his voice low. "If you cooperate, I might be able to...help you." Wren's laughter was bitter. "You? Help me? You're the one who brought me here." Xander's gaze lingered on her face, his expression unreadable. For a moment, Wren thought she saw something there, something that gave her hope. But it was quickly extinguished, replaced by his usual mask of control. As he stood to leave, Wren felt a spark of determination ignite within her. She would not go down without a fight. And she would not let Xander, or anyone else, control her.