Leaning against each other, we stagger down the corridor, my sister repeatedly touching the cold rock wall to examine it with fine threads of her ice magic. However, as on all previous occasions, our search remains unsuccessful. Not to mention that she can only draw on a fraction of her powers, as we have only just been released from the torments of our special training. I can still feel the heat in my veins, while my sister radiates an unnatural coldness. But our touch balances out the extreme temperatures and makes it at least somewhat bearable.

How I wish I could help her in her search. But her ice, as fine as it may be, is solid and can therefore move through the rock, allowing her to perceive differences in the stone as if the ice threads were her own nerves. Giving my fire a solid form that has the same capabilities would be much more difficult. And so I have no choice but to give her support and encouragement so that she can do her best. Besides, it doesn't hurt that I have some energy reserves today, as we have another goal besides finding a way out of this labyrinth of torment. Although it would still be wonderful if we could discover an escape route this time.

Fortunately, we are now able to search for a way out, even though the adults are usually constantly keeping a watchful eye on us. But after all this time, we have discovered that their surveillance has gaps immediately after our special training. They seem to rely on the fact that we cannot escape their control or even plan an escape, as we can only muster minimal strength after the exertions of the training. They're not entirely wrong about that. It's absolute torture to search for a way out and prepare our escape when we're so exhausted. But that doesn't change the fact that it's our only chance. And that's why we won't give up and let our exhaustion hold us back.

Do the adults still feel so safe because they have cast a spell on us that causes the other to suffer terrible pain or, in the worst case, die if one of us even harbors rebellious thoughts against the Organization? For several years, we have had to experience firsthand the terrible consequences of this magic, precisely because in the past we were never able to completely control our anger toward the Organization. After all, we couldn't bear to see the other one of us being tortured without wishing the worst of deaths on the adults. And yet that was the reason for nothing but further torment. Over time, we learned to focus our thoughts as little as possible on this and obeyed every order of the Organization without question or resistance, down to the smallest detail, even when anger filled every fiber of our bodies.

They probably think that we have now fallen completely under their control. Besides, they have no idea that it was they themselves who enabled us to turn against them and look for a way to escape. For it is the magical energy they feed us during our special training that gives us a certain level of immunity to their control magic. It was like a miracle when we suddenly realized that our rebellious thoughts and actions no longer caused each other pain. So perhaps there is something good to come out of the cruel daily torture after all. Nevertheless, we must remain vigilant and cautious. The spell cast by the Organization has not been completely broken, and if they were to find out about our plans, it would mean certain death for us. We can only escape when the adults can no longer use the magic inside our bodies to locate us. But that moment is not far off, as we have finally found a way that will hopefully free us from the invisible chains of the Organization.

I hold my sister tightly in my arms, who has lost her balance for a moment due to exhaustion. Through my hands, I send some of my pure magic into her body so that she can regain at least some of her depleted strength. She smiles briefly at me and then leans against me while I seek additional support from the wall. It hurts me so much to see her in this state, but there is nothing I can do for her except be by her side. Why can't I be the one who can use ice magic? Why does she have to be the one who suffers so much? On the other hand, I know that she would feel the same way if I had to exert myself like this.

"Let's begin," she writes in my palm with her fingers.

Even though the adults aren't watching us directly, that doesn't mean we should speak up just because we feel safe. Because the walls here literally have ears.

With all my remaining concentration, I scan our surroundings with my senses and then lead my sister to a corner that is at least a little less visible than other parts of the corridor due to the rocks. Even the slightest bit of extra secrecy could prove to be a lifesaver for us. Once we are there, I help her sit down as comfortably as possible and then sit down opposite her. We take each other's hands and rest our foreheads against each other. As with every touch from her, I feel such a calming and soothing warmth. A feeling of safety, security, and connection, even if she may only radiate coldness to others because of her ice magic. We smile at each other to give ourselves strength for what lies ahead. Because we both know that here and now, we will most likely have to endure absurd pain once again, and we will not be allowed to make a sound that could alert the adults.