"Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt you. Even if I wanted to, I'm in no position to do so. We've just come to apologize."
"W-what?"
"All of us, and me especially, deeply apologize for what we've done to you. I understand how much pain it must have put you through to not be in control of your own body. But I also hope that you can understand why we did it. It was necessary and no malicious intent was held at any level."
Wicke stared at Rekka, dumbfounded. Her still and formal apology didn't seem sincere at all. Rekka was just as nervous as Wicke was, but Wicke refused to see the way Rekka's eyes darted about as she fidgeted with her fingers beneath her coat.
Wicke had grown up with stories about the crimes and vices of humanity. All humans were greedy and manipulative and opportunistic. As soon as an opportunity presented itself, humans would do anything in their power to achieve their goals regardless of sustainability or ethics. What Rekka had done fit perfectly into that narrative. So why should Wicke believe her apology? She felt Rekka's presence press in on her, pushing her to accept the apology. She wanted something.
Wicke was tired of being pushed around. The voices grew louder. Wicke clutched her stuffed animal against her chest and hardened her gaze, giving Rekka the most menacing stare she could muster. Unfortunately, it only appeared like that of a frightened animal to the stoic girl.
"What do you want from me?"
"We were wondering if you could tell us about PSEF and what you were trained to do. More about your job and how things go to be this way. Why humans were eradicated, what they did, and how things used to be. Of course, this time the information will all be voluntarily given. We ask for you cooperation and forgiveness."
"And why would I help you?" Wicke blurted. "You just want to use me again, do you? You want to know what it's like to work as a scout? Well guess what? My coworkers died! They're dead now, to a bristleback. And you want me to talk about what they did, so soon? Are you out of your mind?"
Wicke felt hot tears stinging her cheeks. Did they understand how much of a traumatic experience it had been for her? Why did they think she was in the hospital wing? It wasn't just because she'd been blown back by the bristleback. She'd been relatively unharmed. What needed repair the most was her mental state.
Rekka didn't say a word. She backed away from Wicke, disappointment and a twinge of regret evident on her face. She bowed to Wicke and then glanced at the door.
"I'm sorry you feel that way-"
"Then get out, and leave me alone," Wicke blurted. She tried to sound fierce but only managed to sound desperate. Still, it was better than nothing. She missed her opportunity before. Now she had to assert herself, to stand up for her rights against the greedy, unethical human scum she'd grown up fearing.
"Let's go," Macy whispered in Rekka's ear, her voice frantic. "I don't want to start a fight."
"She's not going to fight us," Rekka whispered back. "She's not strong enough to."
"I don't want to risk it," Macy replied. Rekka paused, considering her for a second, then relented.
"I suppose we'll have to make do with the information our guides and Charybdis are willing to share," she muttered. She was disappointed, but her tone was more sad than frustrated or angry. She licked her dry lips and rubbed her tired eyes. Silas noticed a minute after Saya that Rekka had purple bags under her eyes. Even in the comfort of their rooms she'd not slept a wink.
"Get the fuck out of my room!" Wicke yelled at the top of her lungs. She howled, each word full of pain. Macy bit her lip and shot a glance at the glass window – she hoped it hadn't been loud enough to be heard outside Wicke's room.
"I'm tired of being used! Why does everyone think I'm so weak?" Wicke sniffled, her face contorting and twisting into a pitiful frown. "Why am I so weak?" she said, underneath her breath.
"I know what you're trying to do. I know. Just please, leave me alone. Why does everyone think they can just walk all over me just because they can?" Wicke was sobbing now, the echo of Rekka, Redd, Charybdis, everybody's voice rising to a cacophonous crescendo that drowned out all sound thought.
"I hate you. I hate all of you. Just get out."