(Ande's POV) I curl up tighter against the rough bark of the tree, hugging my knees to my chest. My pounding heart stills as unfamiliar noises echo in the darkness and more destitutes pour out of the forest. Three more join the two that were in front of my tree, bringing their number up to five. "There's no one here, just keep walking," I whisper under my breath. But as they pass below, the last one stops. He throws his head back and sniffs at the air, a low growl rumbling in his throat. My blood runs cold. Has he sensed my presence after all? Before I can react, searing pain explodes in my back. I bite my tongue hard to suppress a scream as a blade is yanked free, dripping with my blood. Whoever attacked me wishes for the Destitutes to find and finish the job. The metallic stench of blood fills the air, and I hold my breath, hoping against hope that the shadows will conceal me. The destitute must have sensed the spilled blood, because they immediately turn and
I trudge back to the dorms, my body aching with exhaustion. The horrors of the flag game replay endlessly in my mind, searing my eyelids every time I blink. I feel like liquid, my limbs heavy and unresponsive as I fumble with the door to my room. When I finally reach my room, I practically collapse through the doorway, stumbling towards the bed. I don't even have the energy to remove my bloodied clothes before I sink into the mattress. The fabric clings to my skin, a constant, nauseating reminder of the deaths in the game. Before I can process another thought, darkness overtakes me, and I slip into a dreamless sleep. When I finally stir awake, my mind is muddled, struggling to make sense of my surroundings. I sit up with a grimace, disgusted by the dried flecks of blood dotting my skin. The stench of iron and sweat clings to me, making my stomach churn. "Ugh, I need to get cleaned up," I mutter, peeling off the ruined clothes and tossing them into the garbage. Tr
My eyes widen in alarm as Everett turns around, a syringe clutched in her hand. "No, stop!" I cry out, straining against the restraints that hold me in place. "Get away from me!"Everett approaches calmly, her expression calm, almost serene. "Relax, Ande. This won't hurt a bit." I thrash against my restraints, my heart pounding. "I don't want your damn drugs! What are you trying to do to me?!"With a small sigh, Everett swiftly grasps my arm and swabs the crook of my elbow with an alcohol wipe. "Try to stay still," she scolds, slowly inserting the needle into my vein. I wince at the pinprick sensationWithout hesitation, she presses the plunger, injecting me with the clear liquid.I can feel the effects almost immediately - a warm, tingling sensation spreads through my body, and my muscles begin to relax despite my best efforts to fight it. "What are you doing to me?" I slur, my eyelids growing heavy."Just a little something to help you...cooperate," Everett murmurs, stepping ba
The room looks like it belongs in a facility.Frowning, I step forward, the soles of my feet whispering against the polished tile floor and echoing through the hollow chamber. My gaze darts around, searching for any sign of an exit, but the room appears wholly sealed off. A faint rustling draws my gaze to the far corner. My breath catches in my throat at the familiar mop of hair illuminated in the low light."Zane?" I whisper, hoping against hope this is some strange dream. But those sea-green eyes, usually alight with wicked calculation, meet mine with a detached emptiness that confirms my worst fears. He sits propped against the wall, long limbs are drawn up, and hands dangling limply between his knees like a marionette with cut strings. Dark shadows haunt his pale face, and sweat coats his skin. "Zane?" I called out cautiously, taking a few steps toward him. "What are you doing here?"Zane lifts his head, his expression curiously blank. "Ande," he responds flatly. "I should
As soon as she fades from view, I whirl to face Zane, still propped limply in his corner. Grasping his ragged sleeves, I tug him upright to meet my eyes, finding them startled but alert. "She said no one can enter without permission. Do you think that's true?" I ask low and urgent. He pins me with a look, his expression blank. "Yes. But no one's going to give you the permission to walk out of here. And no one is going to save you either. Like i said, no one can find you unless they turn the whole place inside out." He mutters.I release him with disgust, scowling."So you're just going to roll over and let them use us both?" I ask, my tone harsh.Zane scoffs, eyes bitter . "I don't know what else to do, Ande. I'm trapped, just like you."I shake my head in disgust. "Well, don't expect me to just sit back and accept whatever 'special plans' they have for me." I scan the room, searching for any potential means of escape. "There has to be a way out of this place."Zane watches me warily
But the man merely chuckled, eyes hooded, "Try to guess, my boy."I narrow my eyes at the tall man looming over my restrained body, trying my best not to show the fear building inside.Though my heart races like a stampeding herd, I keep my expression steely. "I said who are you?" I ask again, my voice coming out stronger than intended. He smiles, but it doesn't reach his dark eyes. "Now now, is that any way to greet an old friend?" Old friend? I wrack my brain but come up blank. Nothing about this man seems familiar. Before I can reply, the door slides open with a loud hiss. Everett strides in, head held high, though I notice a subtle tremble in her stride. "Father, a word if I may?" she says, her tone polite yet clipped. Father? A spark of recognition lights in my mind, followed swiftly by a flare of rage. I strain against the rough ropes binding my wrists, my words tearing from my throat in a snarl."You're the Principal? You bastard!"A flash of anger crosses his face, there
Unfortunately, I don't have time to dwell on these thoughts, however, as the doctors turn their attention back to me.They unclasp the restraints, and I slump to the floor, my muscles trembling from the ordeal. Exhaustion weighs heavily on me, and I can barely muster the strength to stand.How long had I been trapped here? What more did they want from me? As if on cue, the heavy steel doors slid open with a loud clang, the harsh sound grating against my frazzled nerves. I tense, dreading whoever or whatever has come to torment me next. To my surprise, it's not the principal that returns, but a female scientists clad head to toe in white coats. The woman immediately starts a brisk walk towards me, her jaw set in a rigid line that sends a fresh wave of fear through me. Sweat prickles across my skin as I scramble backward, putting as much distance between me and the doctors as the cramped space allows. "Stay back!" I cry, my voice cracking with defiance and dread."Don't you dare com
I finally look away from glass tube, feigning unconsciousness as the scientists as the scientists finish up their notes make for the exit. The door slides shut behind them with a soft hiss and I allow myself to breathe a sigh of relief. At least for now I am alone. I wait a few more moments to be sure they have truly left before slowly opening my eyes. The harsh lights of the lab assault my vision, causing me to squint as my eyes adjust. I glance around, taking in my limited surroundings, trying to ignore the way my body aches and throbs after what they have put me through. I shudder, hating how vulnerable I feel strapped down like a lab specimen. My gaze falls upon my bound wrists, raw and irritated beneath the thick leather straps holding me securely to the table. I experimentally tug at my restraints, grunting with the effort, but they do not budge."Come on, come on," I mutter through gritted teeth, yanking at the restraints until my wrists ache. I strain against them with al