The Million-Dollar Heart

In Rivenwood, in the depths of an off-the-grid prison unlike any other, the inmates were not your garden-variety criminals. Not even the hardened murderers found solace within these walls.

At present, this prison housed a mere trio of prisoners.

Flynn, Scott, and Fiona Ellington.

Fiona, though her body was a patchwork of decay, possessed sensory faculties that rivaled a healthy man in his prime. However, this heightened perception meant she also endured agonies far beyond the ker of ordinary humans.

Flynn, too, lived each day in excruciating pain, a modern-day Prometheus, his vitals ravaged daily, only to regenerate each dawn anew. This was Vivienne's brand of retribution.

Scott, in contrast, seemed almost content. Free from the physical torment, his punishment was a Sisyphean task of endless paperwork. He accepted his fate with a disarming calmness, even pointing out errors for correction by his wardens from the Vanguard Agency.

Many said Scott was the quietest of the three.

Vivienne and Karen arrived to find Soren and Anna waiting at the gate.

"Ms. Vivienne, Ms. Karen," Anna greeted as she adorned their wrists with security bands.

Back then, Vivienne was Percival's wife, and Percival was the deputy. Thus, she had never needed such measures before, but times had changed.

Soren collected all their communication devices, casting curious glances at Karen. She gave him a playful warning, "Hotshot, any more staring, and you'll be crossing a line."

"My apologies, Captain," Soren blurted a tad too quickly.

His curiosity stemmed from wondering why Percival respected Karen so much to call her master.

"Don't call me Captain; I have no plans of returning to the Vanguard Agency," Karen said with a smirk before stepping through the threshold.

was what Karen thrived on, and the Agency was anything but. "Mom, this way," Vivienne gestured

eyes were drawn to the left, to a cell secured with a state-of-the-art

boss of CK,

cell made her skin crawl-a reluctance mingled with

offered, "Mom, do you want to take

reality. "No, let's move

at Scott's cell to find him making the most of

seem to be enjoying yourself," Karen

stand-in, he and Karen might have been good friends, like she was

voice, Scott froze, his body tensing up. Without turning, he knew it was her. But he could not bring himself to look, fearing the disappointment

strong Scott's feelings toward Karen were, or he would not have gone easy on

about that

considered Karen's old flame, it was only

"Old friend, long time no

turned, his eyes wide with disbelief. Approaching the bars that separated them, his hands shook as currents zapped

her. She was

welled up, reaching out as if to touch her face like old times, but the electric barrier was a cruel reminder of the distance between

characteristic smile. "Looks like I'm

nerves. "Karen, have you been well

voice cracked, betraying his

been fine, thanks

chuckled sadly, words failing him. Thousands of thoughts choked

silence for a moment before Karen