REID

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Reid’s heart beat hard as she sat down in the chair opposite Captain Vitton. They were alone in his office, and although the meeting had been scheduled, part of her still felt like she was imposing on him. She took in a quiet, deep breath and steepled her fingers.

“So, Reid,” he began, leaning back and staring straight at her, “what business forces you to request a meeting with me, the hated and feared Vitton, cruel captain of the administration.”

“I think I have a lead,” Reid said in a low, professional voice.

Captain Vitton raised a nonchalant eyebrow. “A lead? Where? Hurry up, doe.”

“I know someone who has repeatedly been coming home well after curfew. This rabbit says that its master has merely been giving it assignments that extend into the night, but it’s been happening too often for that to be the only reason.”

“That’s all?” Vitton asked, frowning in disgust. “You don’t have anything else to share?”

Reid clenched her jaw and straightened. “This rabbit could lead me to places we don’t know about. To rabbits who are scheming against us.”

“Who is this rabbit?” Vitton asked, leaning closer.

A slow, self-satisfied smile began to tilt Reid’s mouth as she surveyed the scene before her. Vitton was leaning ahead, his attention fixed on her, filling her with pride. She knew something he didn’t. She was worth something to him. For a moment, she was the master, and he the slave.

“My sister,” Reid said.

Vitton’s eyes narrowed into slits. “Your sister.” He made a dismissively approving face. “Very well indeed. Not many would be traitors to their own family, but you are showing that your loyalty goes beyond the bonds of family. You are loyal to the administration, and I commend you for that.” He leaned back again, shrugging, but Reid knew his interest had been piqued. “Go,” he said, shooing her away. “Find out what you can. Bring word to me personally if you find anything. And you better had find something, Miss Reid.”

The sharp-toned warning was clear. “I will. Thank you, sir,” Reid said, although she felt a rush of nervousness. She didn’t know anything for sure, and if this ‘lead’ was a mere dead end, she would be in trouble.

Reid rose and turned to go.

“Oh, and Reid!” Vitton halted her in her tracks. “What’s your sister’s name?”

Reid stayed where she was, her back to him. This was a last chance to protect her sister, to show that she had at least a modicum of honor. Reid opened her mouth, then clamped it shut, her mind made. “My sister’s name is Ember,” she said clearly, almost defensively. She spun around, her face set, as if to prove to Vitton that she could do it. She could turn her family in if needed.

"I have two younger brothers as well," she went on, her breath coming fast. She stepped forward until she was looking down on him. "Twins. They're not in school yet. But they will be soon, I promise you. If not..." she trailed off intentionally.

Vitton nodded, smiling crookedly. "You've been taught well," he whispered. Reid regarded him for a moment, the thumping passion in her blood slowly dying down. Then she turned and left.

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I hope you enjoyed this! Please give feedback if you have any, whether it be about plot, writing, or grammar, or whatever. Also, sorry if it’s weird how I’m describing the settings - I don’t know for sure if the administration had like a head building or if rabbits had offices, so I’m really just making that up, and if you have any suggestions I’d like to hear them, lol. Bear the Flame!