Chapter Text
They always took the letters I wrote, at least Keons did. I knew they were being burnt, but I at least had a letter from Torch, which I couldn’t stop reading.
Clancy,
If we’re separated again, I want you to hold onto this. I will wait for your return no matter how long it takes. I love you, and I’ll love you no matter what happens. The Banditos will welcome you back and I’ll be with them.
You are strong Clancy, and I’m so glad that I can share my life with you. Our connection is stronger than the Bishops think it is.
I love you.
- TB
Sotidnab era ew
I hid the letter under the bed in my cell as I heard footsteps. Another Good Day Dema broadcast.
I was brought out of my cell and dragged down a hallway before being thrown into the broadcasting room, then I was drugged, but that was the least of my problems.
They needed me to seem happy, and I couldn’t act well enough. I had to entertain.
Torch wouldn’t leave my mind though, I missed him, I was staying alive for him.
Lisden and Sacaraver introduced me to the viewers, and I just complied with their questions. Even in my drugged state I never mentioned Torch, only things that would let him know that I wasn’t a traitor, even though the Banditos probably saw me as that now.
“Last broadcast we asked the viewers to send in questions for Clancy!” Lisden said, and I snapped back to reality. “Sacarver, do you want to read them?”
Sacarver nodded.
At the end of every week they did a QNA with me, to use me even more. Maybe the neon gravestones weren’t such a bad idea after all.
“A resident of Keons’ district asked ‘what is your favorite color?’”
I paused at that, it was yellow, the bishops couldn’t see yellow, but I said it anyway.
“Yellow.”
I remembered the yellow flowers that Torch would give me, and I accidentally said that out loud.
“He would give me yellow flowers.”
The drugs were fully kicked in now, and I couldn’t think.
I answered all the questions asked before the broadcast was over, and I was dragged back to my cell. I knew that something bad would happen to me because of what I said on Good Day Dema.
I had about 4 hours until I was going to be exploited for my creativity again, so I might as well take a nap while I can and hope that the nightmares don’t torment me again.
It was easier said than done however.