[[TRIGGER WARNING: abuse of her past is revealed and may upset certain readers.]]
Minx asked them both to sit at her table and handed them each a bottle of water. She also set some fruit on the table from her bag and a couple of pies from the storeroom for the weekend.
She sat opposite them without changing clothes. She stared at the bottle, took a drink then stared a moment longer.
"My brother and I were given to an orphanage at birth. From my earliest memories, I have been able to talk to trees which is why I say I was born with my ability. Around age 5 or 6, the orphanage came under new management. At first, Mrs. Fitts pretended to be nice. She wanted us to call her mom and all kinds of normalization types of things. The trees were telling me not to trust her."
"So, I listened."
"Midas, my twin, has always followed my lead. It wasn't long before we started hearing strange noises in the night. Within a month of that, the men in the white coats started coming. They would select a few children to spend the night with them in the basement. Their screams pierced the night. After that first visit, the trees started warning me when they were on the way so I could get myself and my brother out."
"There were a few times I snuck down and tried to get the code to the cipher lock. I wanted friends and we were surrounded by kids. They were my friends but over time, they were told not to be nice and not to play with us. We were not helping the nice men who visited us so we could not be part of the group until we did. That's what we heard Mrs. Fitts tell them."
"I did eventually get the code and snuck in when I was 8. The room was filled with torture equipment, medical tables and other things I couldn't identify. There was a table where I could see a hand hanging off by the opposite wall. The white coats had left so I crept over and found it was little Toby. He was four years old, and he was dead."
"I think they had cameras down there because the next time they specifically went for Midas and I. The trees said they were coming and I couldn't get him to wake up. I tried and I tried but they were already in the house when I finally got him to open his eyes. I managed to get him to climb down the side of the house and we ran toward the trees. Someone grabbed us both from behind and I screamed so loud my throat hurt."
"Next thing we knew, a tree came to life and grabbed us while another swung a branch and knocked out the men who grabbed us. At least I think they were knocked out because as far as I know, they never pursued us. We ran among the trees, along branches, I used my vine whip and momentum to move us in those heights."
"We stayed out there for three days. We knew we needed to go back. We valued what little education we were getting in school. Those three days were the best days we had while living in that wretched place."
"After a few years of abusing the kids, they started making the older kids abuse the younger ones. This abuse took place at night, mostly. When I asked one of the girls what was going on, at first she didn't want to tell me."
"Apparently, someone overhead her telling me they were training boys to beat people up for the fun of it. That night, the boys locked her in a room with them and took turns on her. She was screaming loudly. We could hear the boys laugh at her pain with each blow. I wanted to go in there so badly and save her, but Midas held me tight and refused to let me become their next victim."
Tears were streaming down her face and her words were coming out hitched. She took a good long drink from her bottle of water.
"They killed her for sport and as an example not to talk to us. The next day, Midas and I were moved to the attic. We were 10 at that point. They gave us a twin mattress to share and one blanket and pillow. The roof was in such ill-repair we could see the sky. We experienced all forms of weather. The one saving grace was that we could lock our door and sleep in safety."
"While we got out of there physically unscathed, I have mental and emotional scars."
Looking at Leo, "Quinn said I should give you some trust."
She took another slow, deep breath and more water, draining what was left.
"Leo, what life has taught us so far is strong adults mean us harm and weaker adults will allow the harm to take place ignoring it is happening. I trust Quinn. I do. But I'm not ready to spar with you. If you'd like, you can watch me spar with whoever. Monday through Thursday it happens right here after dinner. It's the best I can give you."
"Fridays are my day off from sparring since that is when I help Dr. Hayley. If you question the sincerity of my story, you can ask my roommate Raven how many nights she has been able to sleep through the night without being woken by my nightmares."
More tears leaked from her eyes and before she could wipe them away, Vorden came around the table and wrapped her in his arms.
"I thank you for sharing this with me and for trusting me. I think I will take you up on your offer and pop in once in a while. But I want this assessment to be your goal before the next portal outing."
She nodded.
"What practice did you get before you came here in fighting? Was it just gym class in school?"
"No. Midas was a level 1, no ability so he got bullied a lot. I always defended him and beat up whoever was stupid enough to touch him."
Leo nodded, "He's lucky to have you."
"That's what he says sometimes. Others he just finds me annoying," she displayed a small smile.
"One more question, then I will leave you to your practice. Do you think you are truly in danger?"
She nodded, "I made an example of a boy at breakfast on the first day. He has a second-year brother who wants to punish me for it. He's being protected by someone powerful in this school. He has a level 7 teleport ability. He has attacked me twice now."
Leo didn't look happy at that. He excused himself and bid them a good evening before leaving them.