Badge of honor

Meanwhile...

Deborah exhaled heavily, forcing her eyes open despite the blur obscuring her vision and the aches coursing through her body. She reached out and grasped at something nearby, her hand holding a cold metal. Grunting, she surveyed her surroundings.

Blinking repeatedly, she fought to clear her blurred vision. Gradually, the metal bar she clung to came into focus. As if unlocking a Pandora's box, she rattled the bar, the sound echoing in the dark and silent room.

"No," she muttered, catching sight of another nearby cage. She turned her head slowly, her gaze trembling as she spotted Hunter, curled up and unconscious. "Hunter!"

Deborah shook the metal bar of her own cramped cage, realizing she was confined in the same manner as Hunter, knees bent to fit within the small space intended for animals.

"Hunter!" she called through gritted teeth, her movements restricted. "Hey, Hunter, wake up!"

"Ugh..."