Mannik had lost this fight. It was apparent. He wasn't intimidated by Zenon standing over him, or the sneers, but his words cut far too deeply. Mostly because they were true. Mannik barely knew Adelmar. Maybe that was why he wanted her? She was something so much better than him. Something unattainable. Zenon would get all of those things in his life, and not even realize how lucky he was to have them.

He lowered his head, once again thankful for the long, thick strands of hair that fell over his face, unable to think of a response. Before he could collect his feelings, Adelmar was in the room. He had lifted his head instinctively, and immediately looked away. His emerald eyes remained on the wall, though he listened intently. The only movement was when her bruise was mentioned, at which point Mannik risked a quick glance to her.

All it did was dig the knife in deeper. She looked gorgeous. And happy. He looked away again, not noticing when she glanced back. He heard the order, and slid from the chair. Good, something he could channel his anger into. Screw it. Why behave, all he was was a captured savage.

When the soldiers entered the room, it took quite a while to subdue the soldier from Below.

It was the same at mealtimes now. Mannik had a habit of attacking anyone who entered the room. Instead of laying numbly on the mattress, he moved around the cell, jogging in place, sit ups, push ups, any form of exercise that could make his muscles scream. He wanted to be too tired to think. And it worked well, for the most part.