**Chapter 5: The Asylum**

The cold, grey walls of the asylum loomed before Wren like a specter, its presence suffocating her. She had been transferred here after her interrogation with Xander, and the experience had been nothing short of traumatic. The agents had sedated her and brought her to this place, where the air reeked of disinfectant and despair. As she sat in her small, sparse room, Wren couldn't help but think about 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. The door to her room slid open, and a woman in a crisp white uniform entered. "Reine Green, I'm Nurse Pierce. You'll be staying with us for a while." Wren raised an eyebrow, her sarcasm automatic. "Oh, joy. Can't wait to get to know all of you." Nurse Pierce's expression remained neutral. "Let's get you settled in, shall we? You'll need to take your medication and cooperate with our staff." Wren's gaze narrowed. "What kind of medication? And what do you plan to do with me?" The nurse's smile was bland. "All will be explained in due time, Reine. For now, let's focus on your...adjustment." As Nurse Pierce left, Wren felt a sense of unease growing inside her. What did they plan to do with her? And what was this place, exactly? Later that day, Xander arrived at the asylum, his presence announced by the soft chime of the intercom. Wren's heart skipped a beat as she saw him walk into 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. "I'm sure it's not that bad," he said. Wren snorted. "You have no idea." The air between them was thick with tension, and for a moment, Wren thought she saw something in Xander's eyes - a flicker of curiosity, maybe, or even concern. 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. The door closed behind him, and Wren was left alone with her thoughts. She knew she had to be careful, that one wrong move could mean disaster. But she was determined to uncover the truth about this place, and about herself. And she was willing to do whatever it took to escape.