Ellen’s cell was a cold, dimly lit room, the walls made of reinforced metal that seemed to absorb all light, creating a suffocating darkness. The only source of illumination was a small, flickering bulb set into the ceiling, casting long, wavering shadows across the room. The air was stale, tinged with a metallic scent that mingled with Ellen's own anxiety.

She sat on a narrow cot, her wrists shackled to the wall. The chains clinked with every movement. Ellen's mind raced with thoughts of escape, but the reality of her situation—confined and helpless—was a harsh contrast to her earlier freedom. She could still see the expanse of the sky bridge in her mind.

The door to her cell creaked open, and Ellen looked up to see Nissa standing in the doorway, her silhouette framed by the harsh light from the corridor outside. The woman’s presence was commanding, her face a mask of cold detachment that Ellen had come to recognize all too well.

Nissa stepped inside, the door closing behind her with a thud that reverberated through the small space. Ellen’s heart sank as she took in Nissa’s expression. There was a certain finality in her demeanor, a chilling calm that made Ellen's blood run cold.

"Hello, Ellen," Nissa said, her voice smooth but devoid of warmth.

Ellen's gaze hardened. "Nissa. To what do I owe this pleasure?"

Nissa's lips curled into a faint, almost pitying smile. "I wanted to see how you were faring in your new accommodations. I imagine it’s not quite the freedom you had in mind."

Ellen's eyes flashed with anger and confusion. "You... you were behind this? You’re the one who reported me to the guards."

Nissa's expression remained unchanged, but there was a flicker of something—perhaps guilt or regret—in her eyes. "Yes, it was me. I thought it would be better if you stayed here, where you’re safe. From yourself, and from the outside world."

The words echoed in the room, sounding hollow.

Ellen’s eyes widened. "Safe? You’ve put me in a prison! How is this supposed to be safe? I thought you were my friend," she paused, struggling to catch her breath. "I trusted you!"

Nissa’s gaze grew colder, her posture straightening as she stepped closer to Ellen.

"Trust?" she spit the word back. "You want to speak of trust while you lied to everyone about what you are? About the danger that you represent."

Ellen dropped her eyes. Staring at her feet, she blinked back the tears.

"I did what I believed was necessary to keep you from hurting yourself or someone else."

Her shoes clicked on the floor as she began to pace.

"Your powers are unpredictable. You cannot control them."

Ellen's breath quickened, a mixture of anger and disbelief flooding her. "And what about my freedom? What about the chance to escape this place and find answers? You stole that from me."

"Sometimes, we must make difficult choices for the greater good. I didn’t want to see you destroyed by the chaos you could unleash. You must understand that."

Ellen’s fists clenched, the chains rattling loudly in the silent room. "I understand that you betrayed me."

"Go ahead and paint me the villain in your personal drama. But you are the one who has lied to everyone about what you are, broken the laws and presents the danger to the camp. Lie to yourself, if you must."

Nissa’s gaze lingered on Ellen for a moment longer before she turned to leave. "I’m afraid that’s not something I can indulge any longer."

She knocked on the door and someone on the outside opened it for her.

"The guards have their orders. You will stand trial for what you've done and you will answer for your sins."

The door closed behind Nissa, leaving Ellen in the darkness with nothing but her thoughts to occupy her. They swirled in a cacophony of anger, confusion, and despair. Nissa’s words echoed in her mind, a bitter reminder of the broken trust and the harsh reality she now faced. She couldn’t shake the feeling of injustice gnawing at her. Why had she been imprisoned rather than allowed to leave? The thought that her chance for freedom, for finding answers and perhaps even control over her own powers, was so callously stolen from her left a deep, aching void.