The hours that followed were a haze for Aidi. She counted every minute, every second, refusing to let the crushing silence consume her. Her body screamed for rest, but her mind wouldn't let her stop thinking. What was Hetri's next move? How could she turn this around?
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of muffled voices outside the door. She sat up, straining to catch even fragments of their conversation, but it was impossible to make out the words. Then the door creaked open, and two figures stepped in—Hetri and a woman Aidi had never seen before.
The woman was tall and poised, her sharp features framed by jet-black hair pulled into a tight bun. She wore a tailored black suit, and her presence radiated authority. Unlike Hetri's mocking demeanor, this woman's expression was calm, controlled, and unreadable.
"Is this her?" the woman asked, her voice smooth but commanding.
"Yes," Hetri replied, leaning casually against the wall. "She's been... resistant, but I'm wearing her down."
The woman stepped closer to Aidi, her heels clicking softly against the cold floor. She studied Aidi with piercing eyes, her gaze sweeping over her as if assessing every weakness.
"You've caused quite a bit of trouble," the woman said, her tone devoid of emotion. "Do you even understand the magnitude of what you've done?"
Aidi didn't flinch under the woman's stare. "If by 'trouble' you mean standing up for what's right, then yes, I know exactly what I've done," she said, her voice steady despite the dryness in her throat.
The woman's lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Courage. Admirable, but misplaced," she said, turning to Hetri. "Are you certain she knows where it is?"
"I'm sure she does," Hetri said with a shrug. "She's just too stubborn to admit it."
Aidi's heart skipped a beat. Where it is? What were they looking for? She forced herself to keep her expression neutral, but her mind was racing. Whatever they wanted, it was something important. Something worth fighting for.
"I see," the woman said, turning back to Aidi. "Then let me make one thing clear. This isn't a game. You may think your defiance makes you strong, but strength without purpose is meaningless. You have one chance to tell us what we need to know. After that, your pain will be entirely your own doing."
Aidi met her gaze, refusing to back down. "Do your worst," she said, echoing her earlier defiance. "I won't tell you anything."
The woman's expression didn't change, but there was a flicker of something in her eyes—annoyance, perhaps. "So be it," she said simply, stepping back.
"Hetri," she continued, her tone brisk, "increase the pressure. I want results by tomorrow."
Hetri smirked. "With pleasure."
As the woman turned to leave, Aidi couldn't help but feel a chill run down her spine. This wasn't just about Hetri anymore. Whoever this woman was, she was pulling the strings—and Aidi had just become her primary target.
When the door slammed shut, Aidi was left alone once more, her mind buzzing with questions. What were they looking for? Why was she so important to them?
Whatever the answers were, Aidi knew one thing: She couldn't afford to break now. Not when the stakes were higher than ever.