31. Echoes
Author: Decim
last update2025-11-14 03:44:22

Year Thirty-Five arrived with spring thaw and unexpected visitors. Three scholars from the Western Academy, carrying authorization from their dean and impressive credentials.

"We're studying long-term psychological effects of sustained imprisonment," the lead scholar explained. She was middle-aged, sharp-eyed, carrying herself with academic authority. "You're a unique case, thirty-five years confined, but mentally stable. Most prisoners deteriorate. You haven't. We need to understand why."

"Bec
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