QUEEN'S eyes stayed fixed on Orlanda’s, that raw, cautious question hanging thick in the stale air between them. She exhaled slowly, forcing herself not to look away. She needed this girl to trust her, just enough to get her to step out of this cage.

“Why do I want to help you?” Queen echoed, her voice softer now, almost gentle, but her mind spun fast beneath the calm. She sank back onto the rickety chair, crossing one leg over the other, hands resting on her knee like she was weighing truth against convenience.

She gave a little shrug.

“Well, because you don’t deserve this. No one does, especially not for…...