Chapter 13: Breaking Points (Ji-woo)

Chapter 13: Breaking Points (Ji-woo)

Ji-woo closed the door to the barracks quietly, making sure the lock clicked shut behind her. Only then did she let her shoulders slump as she let out a sigh.

Mai had finally passed out after almost ten minutes of crying, which wasnt particularly surprising. No, the part that worried Ji-woo was how quiet the girl had been through the whole thing. Other than sniffling, Mai hadnt let out a single sound as she started shaking, tears spilling from her eyes uncontrollably. It was almost as if Mai had been more scared of letting people see her cry than what had caused the tears in the first place.

If that wasnt concerning enough, then how she reacted to Ji-woo trying to comfort her certainly was. It was a miracle that Ji-woo had managed to get Mais permission to bandage the girls calf afterwards.

Ji-woo shook her head. It wasnt incredibly surprising the poor girl had broken down, and in fact it was probably a good sign that she was processing her ordeal. Still, the way she had fallen apart had set off the alarm bells that had been steadily building in Ji-woos head as she spent more time with the girl. Ji-woo desperately hoped she was wrong, that she was jumping at shadows and what she was seeing was just Mai processing the traumatic experiences she must have faced to survive.

But for some reason, Ji-woo couldnt shake the feeling that there was more to it than that, even if she had nothing but her gut and a few odd observations about her behavior and mannerisms. Even then, it wasnt like Ji-woo had any idea what the problem could be. She could make any number of guesses, but in the end, she just didnt have enough information.

With another sigh, Ji-woo turned and went to the command center. It wasnt a long walk, but it did give her a few moments to get her thoughts straightened out. As she slid her access card across the rooms security console, she wondered if maybe the person inside would have any insights.

Sergeant Markus OMalley was already in the room, waiting for her. The command center was a vaguely rectangular room with the far wall occupied by a desk facing dozens of computer screens while a long conference table and chairs lined the length leading up it. Markus sat in front of the consoles at the far end, typing on a keyboard while frowning at one of the screens, and he looked over his shoulder to give Ji-woo a small nod as she entered. For her part, she didnt waste any time pulling one of the conference table chairs out and throwing herself into it.

Markus plucked at some keys for a bit longer, tapped one of the screens, then let out a disgusted sigh before he slowly spun the chair around to look at Ji-woo. Seeing her slouching against the chair with her eyes closed, he gave a wince of sympathy.

That bad? his granite and gravel voice rasped.

Not exactly, Ji-woo sighed, rubbing at her face. Though I did manage to make her cry, so go me, I guess.

Theres a reason part of the instructions for survivor intake is to get an emotional reaction, Markus shrugged with a lopsided smile. Most people just arent built for life or death situations, and nobody is ever really ready for one. Even though it feels like crap, getting them to cry and at least open up that much is a good thing. Doesnt feel great, but dont go beating yourself up about it.

I know, Ji-woo groaned, frustration creeping into her voice. But its not that part that worries me.

Markus frowned and leaned back in his chair. Ji-woo took the moment to gather her thoughts, then turned to face her sergeant.

Mai held herself together the entire time, except for the very end. It was only after I told her how amazing it was that she managed to make it here, let alone do it with a little kid, she broke down. What gets me worried is that the second she started crying, she also started apologizing to me over and over again. Then when I reached out to hug her, she flinched. Then she just kept saying sorry over and over again.

Markus looked thoughtful for a moment, scratching at his chin.

You think shes just shying away from physical contact after well, if the boy she brought back is to be believed, going toe-to-toe with an Anathema with just an axe?

I Ji-woo started but bit back her words as she forced herself to consider the possibility.Follow current novels at novelhall.com)

It was possible, she supposed, and even seemed like the most likely explanation. But that didnt explain all the other little things nagging at Ji-woo. Like how stapling and later bandaging Mais leg had made her realize just how thin and small the girl was. Or the mannerisms Mai displayed when interacting with people, always bowing her head to look at the floor and apologizing at the slightest mistake. Then there was the outright fear that had flashed through her when Ji-woo asked if she could see her bruises. Even when Ji-woo had first seen her, the girl had looked ready to run or fight at the slightest provocation, like she was some sort of cornered animal.

But most of that could be explained by the fact Mai had just been through a traumatic experience and was probably in shock. She had every reason to be on a hair trigger, and it was no surprise how defensive and quiet she was, especially if she really did come face to face with an Anathema.

And yet Ji-woo couldnt shake that there was something more, that every little interaction had just been the slightest bit off.

I dont know, Markus, she finally shook her head. I just dont know but, I did give her my card.

Markus looked up sharply at that, his eyes narrowing. Markus was one of the few people Ji-woo could count on to get the significance of that. Officers usually carried courtesy cards with their name and their precincts number on them, but Ji-woo also carried cards with her own personal phone number. It was something she learned from Markus, and like him, she only ever gave that card out to people she would drop everything to help. For anything else, she gave out the precincts general card.

In a way, it was part of her code, that if she was going to personally offer her help, she really was going to commit to it. Maybe it was idealistic and nave, or even unrealistic, but of the other six times Ji-woo had given her card out, she had never come to regret the fact that she had tried to offer help.

And Ji-woo had a feeling that one way or another, Mai needed all the help she could get.

The silence in the conference room stretched on for a moment before Markus finally gave Ji-woo a steady nod.

Well, then youve done all you can, and shes in the best of hands if she ever does need somebody.

Ji-woo thought about it, then nodded in agreement. Even though her ankle wound was nothing to sneeze at, it hadnt been particularly dangerous other than the constant, slow amount of blood loss it was causing. It hadnt quite finished clotting when Mai had arrived, meaning the injury couldnt have happened too long before she arrived, either.

All of that is to say, we dont really have any more information than when we started, Markus shrugged. Which, if we consider it has been almost forty minutes since those two arrived, Im afraid that means Prices team failed.

Ji-woo felt the bottom of her stomach drop out, and she felt herself pale.

Just like that? she asked, her voice weak. Were just going to give up on them?

Theres nothing else we can do, he responded softly. Except follow through on her contingency. We still have her access card, and if nothing changes in the next four hours

He trailed off, and Ji-woo felt every muscle in her body tense as she realized what he meant.

What about Guardian Command? We cant contact them again and ask if they have any help available?

They were pretty clear about the situation when we first contacted them, and Prices security card doesnt give enough clearance on its own, he grunted. No. We cant rely on any help coming in time from that direction. Im afraid were on our own.

Silence reigned in the command center as both of them sat in their chairs. For a while, neither of the two officers spoke or even dared to look at each other. It had been a desperate plan, the one Price had developed, and she had only been willing to take volunteers with her. Nevertheless, every member of the shelters security detail had stepped up, and so Price had taken eight other people with her, two having been former magical soldiers like herself. It left the shelter understaffed and at the absolute minimum of security forces, but there wasnt much of a choice in the matter.

At the time, Price had been confident they had a decent chance of success. Still, she had left the remaining five officers with a backup plan, just in case. If Price and her team somehow failed to fight their way through the Anathema and restart the mana generator, the only thing left to try would be sending one person a few hours later when the Anathema had hopefully dispersed outwards. In reality, one person sneaking through probably had about as good a chance as the first team did, but it would all depend on just how many Anathema had decided to stick around.

It wasnt a good plan, but it was better than doing nothing at all.

I never thought something like this could happen in Arcadia, Ji-woo whispered quietly. I thought it was impossible, that this was supposed to be a sanctuary. Sure, the occasional Usurpation might break through the islands countless barriers, but its always contained and dealt with. Hell, its more surprising when somebody does get hurt in an Usurpation. This, though Its a little hard to believe, isnt it?

It certainly is a shift from how the Anathema usually operate, Markus agreed. Though if that Magical Guardian we got in contact with is to be believed, the situation is well in hand. Its just going to take them some time to regain control.

Which is the one thing we dont have, Ji-woo said bitterly.

No No it isnt Markus looked up at Ji-woo then, his eyes hard. Ji-woo, in four hours, if nothing changes, Im going to follow through with Prices backup plan. But if I want to have any hope of success, Im going to need all the information I can get. That means waking up the girl and getting as much as I can from her as possible about what shes seen.

Ji-woo stiffened, her mouth opening to protest. Markus interrupted her with a raised hand, urging her to wait.

I know, believe me, I do, but if theres even a chance she has any information that could help me survive out there, I need it. However, I do realize what shes been through, so I want you to be there too. You seem to have a decent connection with her, and you can make sure I dont push too hard.

Ji-woo slowly shut her mouth, then gave a reluctant nod. Inside, her heart was racing as she thought about how straightforward Markus seemed to think things were. She wondered if it really even occurred to him how dangerous what he was planning to do was or if he had just chalked it up as his duty and moved on.

Though, I suppose Im not much better in that regard, Ji-woo thought to herself with a frustrated sigh. She knew she wouldnt hesitate to go out there, either. Not with how many lives were at stake. Hell, if Markus didnt manage to restart the generator, she might just do exactly the same thing.

After a moment, she gave Markus a glance.

How much time do they have left? Ji-woo asked, and Markus swiveled his chair around to check the control station.

The system estimates about eight hours, Markus shook his head. Then things will get critical for them.

Ji-woo winced. Eight hours was nowhere near enough time if the Magical Guardian was right in his estimates. Not unless they managed to pull out even more miracles out of their magical bag of tricks, that is.

If we dont get that generator online, they really dont have a chance, do they? Ji-woo asked, already knowing the answer.

Markus shook his head grimly, then looked up at the ceiling, as if directly at the people responsible.

Those dumb bastards who locked Mai and Brian out wont even realize they killed everyone in their shelter the second they activated their shield.