a strangled whine exits caroline's chapped lips when she hears the familiar sound of the look unlatching and metal creaking as the cell door opened. ❝ please... ❞ she whispers, eyes falling shut because she can't bring herself to look at her mother's face but not recognize the woman in front of her. her mom would never hurt her. she wouldn't try to make her own daughter take the chip. tears sting caroline's eyes as she listens to footsteps approaching her and she can't help but shrink into the chair she's been chained to for the past two days. ❝ i'm not taking it, okay? i-i'm not—you can torture me all you want, but i won't do it. ❞ she says, sounding defeated even to her own ears. hands grip her own and she startles, blue eyes flying open when she hears a familiar voice saying her name. ❝ s-stefan? ❞ caroline whispers, bottom lip wobbling slightly. ❝ am i hallucinating? ❞