Even in Darkness She Chose to Rise (Tatiana and Jasper) novel Chapter 259

**TITLE: Even the Night Couldn’t Silence Her Light**
**Chapter 259: The Rookie**

Caitlyn’s voice cut through the heavy atmosphere like a knife. “Why help her? She’s beyond saving. That was an incredibly reckless decision.”

Tatiana, however, countered with a seriousness that surprised even herself. “She didn’t deserve to be treated like that.”

Though she was far from a saint, Tatiana found it impossible to turn a blind eye to the suffering around her. It gnawed at her conscience, a persistent whisper that urged her to act, to care.

Caitlyn’s gaze bore into her for what felt like an eternity, her expression unreadable.

“Let’s move. We’re running out of time,” she finally said, urgency creeping into her tone.

As they pressed forward, Tatiana was bombarded by horrific sights that clawed at her insides. Blood splattered across the cold floor, and the sight of mutilated bodies twisted in grotesque positions sent chills down her spine. Each step felt heavier than the last, the weight of despair almost suffocating.

She didn’t intervene again. She had learned that kindness, when it endangered your own life, was a surefire path to doom.

Caitlyn’s voice dripped with sarcasm as she surveyed the scene. “Every year, countless people meet their end here. It’s a tragedy, really. Most of them are just ordinary souls. A little cash can easily disguise their deaths as mere accidents. That’s the way it’s always been.”

Tatiana remained silent, her thoughts swirling like a storm within her.

In a desperate bid for mobility, she tore away the luxurious fabric of her gown, the heavy train falling to the ground like a forgotten memory. She snapped off the heels that had once made her feel elegant, tying her long hair back in a haphazard knot. Blood and grime painted her face and body, transforming her from a radiant beauty into a disheveled warrior.

Yet, to Caitlyn, she appeared more captivating than ever. This was no delicate flower; this was a wild rose, fierce and brimming with life.

With a teasing smile, Caitlyn remarked, “Whoever had the heart to toss you in here is truly something else.”

Tatiana shook her head, a firm conviction settling in her heart. It wasn’t him.

She couldn’t accept the notion that he would ever allow this to happen. It was an instinctual feeling, one that coursed through her veins like an unshakeable truth.

They continued navigating the treacherous terrain, skillfully evading the hunters that lurked in the shadows. The journey was fraught with danger, yet they finally approached the edge of the hall, their destination almost within reach.

However, the area they needed to access was currently occupied by a group of men, gathered around another individual, subjecting him to unspeakable torment.

His screams pierced the air, mingling with the men’s laughter, creating a chilling symphony of suffering.

Tatiana and Caitlyn crouched behind a sturdy pillar, their hopes sinking as they took in the gruesome tableau before them.

Caitlyn gestured toward the wall behind the men. “That’s one of the exits. If you turn the wall sconce, it’ll open. But those men? They won’t let you through without a fight.”

After delivering this information, Caitlyn made no move to assist. Instead, she leaned back, her expression inscrutable, eager to see how far Tatiana was willing to go. Though she had her own motivations for escaping, she wasn’t about to drag a liability along with her.

Then, to Caitlyn’s astonishment, Tatiana pulled out a piece of human skin.

With a steady hand, she stretched the skin and pressed it against the back of her hand. She tore a strip from her gown and wrapped it around the edges, leaving only the tattooed center visible, a grotesque badge of survival.

Caitlyn’s eyes widened in disbelief. “So you didn’t cut that off for revenge…”

Tatiana examined her hand, her expression calm. “I’m not that petty.”

Their attention returned to the man they had surrounded. He lay on the ground, a sieve of wounds, waiting for death to claim him. Prey that didn’t fight back was the most tiresome.

The group lost interest quickly, ready to seek out their next target.

“I heard Janus is on the hunt for that ‘most beautiful prey,’ but he hasn’t found her yet.”

“He’s the ‘Best Hunter.’ How could he not find her?”

“The woman’s clever. She left early. God knows what corner she’s hiding in.”

Hiding? They’d be activating the thermal imagers in ten minutes. Hiding was futile. I can’t wait to drag all those little hidden rats out one by one.

The group erupted in laughter, the sound chilling and triumphant.

“Caitlyn, come on. There’s no prey left here.”

Panic surged within Caitlyn. Refusing would raise too many eyebrows. No hunter would willingly pass up a hunt. If she aroused suspicion, it would mean the end for her.

Suddenly, Tatiana spoke, her voice intentionally rough and gritty. “I like corpses. Since you’re done, can I have him?”

She gripped the sharp dinner knife, pointing at the man on the floor. “I’m a forensic pathologist. I thrive on the feeling of cutting into flesh. The outside world has always held me back.”

A sinister grin spread across her face, and the men’s laughter faded, replaced by a tense silence as they registered the change in her demeanor.