Jade entered the community bathroom, the facility dark. Long shadows were cast across the floor as she entered, feeling uncomfortable without her armor protecting her vulnerable flesh. She shivered, her bare feet slapping against the wet ground. She peered down the aisle of showers.

“Hello?” she called. When no one answered, she turned and locked the door to the bathroom. Anyone needing to shower would have to wait.

Jade let her towel fall to the ground and looked over her naked flesh. How easily that woman had torn through her armor. How easily she had ripped and mutilated her flesh. Jade’s eyes closed as a shiver licked her spine. She couldn’t let this happen again.

She strode over to the first stall, opening the door to the shower and starting the water. Despite being alone in a locked bathroom, she still felt the need to close the shower door and lock it as well.

The water warmed up fast due to the nature of the desert planet. Steam rose around her ankles and quickly filled the stall. Jade stepped into the water and felt it run across her freckled skin.

The water rushed over the contours of her back, bubbling over the upraised scar tissue. She closed her eyes and lifted her face towards the water, trying to wash away the memories and the fear.

The doctors had called it the Lichtenberg design. Whatever the hell that meant. The scars spread out as it followed the blood vessels in her back, the lightning burning them and making a perfect trail for A’doxia’s blade to follow.

Jade felt A’doxia’s cold hand touch her back and her lips near Jade’s ear. “What beautiful skin, Private.”

Jade whirled around, throwing herself against the back wall and out of the water. Her heart thundered in her ears and her eyes flickered back and forth, wild. She covered herself, terrified of what might happen if A’doxia found something else that she found beautiful.

But there was no one there. No one stood with her in the stall. Jade slumped against the wall, her heart slowing.

She would never let herself be tortured like this again. She would never be vulnerable again.

Jade forced herself back into the water, doing her best to keep her mind away from what had happened just a week ago. She hadn’t been on patrols since then. She hadn’t seen Aris. She had been kept in the hospital ward for a while until her outbursts of terror seemingly passed. Jade learned how to fake being sane. Jade learned how to be strong. Jade learned to be alone.

Jade closed her eyes as they started to burn from unwanted tears.

A knock came at the bathroom door and Jade’s eyes shot open. “Let me in!” Someone shouted. “This is a public bathroom!”

Jade’s shoulders rose to her face protectively, like they would if she were about to fight. She reached up and ran her hand through her unwashed red hair, feeling the water wash away the sand and grease that had collected there. It was Aris who stood outside that door, angrily demanding to be let in.

Jade reached and felt the scars on her back. Her flesh itched at her touch. She ran her fingers across the curves and lines of scars. For a moment, she was reminded of how A’doxia touched her. Soft and gentle, running her fingers across the open wounds in her back and licking her fingers free of Jade’s blood. Jade jerked her hand away and swallowed hard, tears burning at her eyes. She wouldn’t let this happen.

Never again.

Jade walked out of the stall after Aris and other angry women had left to go get dressed and talk to an officer. She pulled her shorts on and a large, baggy shirt over her head. She grabbed her sunglasses and placed them over her eyes to keep them hidden. They fogged up instantly, but it didn’t bother her much. She peeked out the door, saw no one there, and strode down the underground hallway. She turned right down the next, then left, then right again. Eventually she arrived at the dorms. The second one on the left was the one she shared with Aris.

Jade opened the door and peered inside, seeing Aris pull at shirt over her head and cursing under her breath about no-good bathroom hogs. She turned around at the sound of the door opening and her face went slack.

“Jade?” She stood frozen, uncertain of what to do. Jade walked inside and closed the door behind her.

“Hey, Aris.”

Aris eyed Jade, still uncertain of whether she should hug the cold-shouldered woman or leave her be. “Where have you been? I haven’t seen you in a week.”

So they didn’t tell her Jade was in the medical ward. Just like Jade had asked.

“I got caught in a sand storm when I was out in patrol. I managed to get underground through one of the collapsed tunnel systems and stayed alive long enough to get back.” She smiled. “Luckily I didn’t run into any Thrax.”

Aris’ face lit up with worry. “You were—oh Vix, I’m so happy you’re okay. I was so worried.” Deciding against leaving Jade be, Aris rushed forward to hug her. Jade put her hands on Aris’ shoulders and pushed her aside.

“Um.” Jade muttered, shifting uncomfortably. Aris pulled away and smiled.

“I’m just happy you’re okay.”

“Yeah. So am I.” Jade’s eyes flickered to the space to Aris’ left, where A’doxia stood, smirking. “So am I.”