Chapter 63: Chapter 63: The Chambers, Part 1

The council speaks, but their voices fall before reaching my ears. All I can focus on is her, Thirteen, the timid blonde who slept on the mattress beside mine, the girl who fought for the mustard-coloured dress. The Unfortunate I grew up with but never knew.

“The council will take Kaden Sario’s word as fact until Michael Sario says otherwise.”

“I find it convenient, brother, that Michael is unavailable—”

“Shut up,” Kade snaps under his breath.

The moderators leave, and Thirteen lies still on the floor, her breathing laboured, her blonde locks stuck to the blood on her face.

“Unfortunate Thirteen, do you recognise the Unfortunate kneeling before us?” Rita asks.

Thirteen surveys me with her one good eye. She shudders, then nods.

“You spoke to this Unfortunate prior to fleeing from the manor, did you not?”

She nods.

“Did she aid or encourage your escape?”

Thirteen closes her eyes, and her body settles. My heart stops. Is she...?

“Unfortunate,” Rita probes.