Isabella's stomach gnawed with hunger, her body weak from two days of deprivation. The relentless routine of daily training, enforced by Madam Gift's unwavering decree, added to her agony. "Toughen up if you want to eat," Madam Gift's words echoed in Isabella's mind, a constant reminder of the harsh reality she faced.
As the third day dawned, the shrill sound of the siren pierced the air, signaling the long-awaited opportunity for sustenance. Isabella's heart raced as she sprinted to the cafeteria, her eyes ablaze with desperation. She knew she had to fight fiercely to claim her share of the meager rations.
Arriving at the food tray, Isabella's hands trembled with anticipation. Yet, she found herself met with resistance. A peculiar-looking young man, with wild hair and a mischievous grin, blocked her path. "Well, well, if it isn't Princess de la Robert herself," he sneered, his voice dripping with mockery.
Isabella's jaw tightened as she resisted the urge to lash out at the insolent stranger. "I'm here for food, not your mockery," she retorted, her voice tinged with defiance.
The young man chuckled, unfazed by Isabella's response. "Oh, but Princess, don't you know? Only the strong survive in this world. And from what I've seen, you're looking rather weak," he taunted, his words like daggers aimed at her pride.
Isabella's cheeks flushed with anger, but she refused to let the stranger's insults deter her. With a steely resolve, she squared her shoulders and met his gaze head-on. "I may be hungry, but I'm not weak. And I'll prove it to you," she declared, her voice ringing with determination.
Madam Gift observed the exchange from a distance, her keen eyes taking in every nuance of the confrontation. There was a glimmer of admiration in her gaze, a silent acknowledgment of Isabella's inner strength. She watched, her expression unreadable, as Isabella stood her ground against the young man's taunts.
The cafeteria buzzed with tension, but Madam Gift made no move to intervene. She simply watched, a silent observer to the battle of wills unfolding before her. And when the confrontation finally ended, with Isabella standing tall and the young man retreating, Madam Gift turned and left without a word.
Just then, the woman Isabella had been hoping to find appeared, moving swiftly through the crowd. She was tall and imposing, her presence immediately commanding attention. Without a moment's hesitation, she sent a powerful punch straight at the peculiar young man's face, knocking him to the ground.
"Beat it, douchebag," she snarled, her voice fierce and unwavering. The young man scrambled to his feet, clutching his bleeding nose, and retreated quickly, his earlier bravado gone.
Isabella's face lit up with relief and gratitude as she watched her unlikely savior. She was so weak from hunger that she could barely stand. The woman turned to her, her expression softening. "Go ahead, Princess," she urged, her voice now gentle. "Eat."
"Thank you," Isabella mumbled, her voice barely a whisper as she hurriedly took her meal. The woman followed her, ensuring no one else would dare interfere. They found a corner of the cafeteria and sat down together.
Isabella devoured the food with desperate speed, her hunger driving her to gobble down the meal almost frantically. "Eat a little more slowly," the woman advised, watching Isabella with a mix of concern and amusement. "You'll make yourself sick."
Isabella paused, taking a deep breath before continuing to eat more cautiously. After a few moments, she finally felt able to speak. "I'm Isabella," she said, her voice steadier now. "What's your name?""Mia," the woman replied, a small smile playing on her lips. "I've been looking around for you. Thanks for the hint the other day."
Isabella's mind flashed back to a brief encounter earlier in the week, when she had told her to run to the cafeteria for food at the siren when nobody noticed her.
Mia leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Listen, here there's no real friendship. It's every person for themselves. But I've been watching you, and I think we can help each other out. Let's watch each other's backs, Issa."
Isabella felt a surge of hope and a flicker of camaraderie. In this harsh environment, having someone to trust, even a little, was a rare and precious thing. "Agreed," she said, her voice filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Mia. I don't know what I would have done without you today."
Mia nodded, her eyes serious. "Just remember, it's a tough world out there. But together, we might just make it through."
As Mia stood up to leave, Isabella felt a renewed sense of strength. She watched Mia walk away, feeling the weight of the past few days lift slightly. Despite the hardships and the constant struggle, she knew she had found an ally. And in this place, that was more valuable than anything.