My eyelids fluttered open, the light almost blindingly bright. My vision was extremely hazy, so identifying my surroundings was not an option. Trying to move my arms and legs, I realized I was tied down. Panic set in. I began thrashing against the restraints, causing pain to shoot up my arms and legs. This didn’t make sense. I usually could handle pain and break restraints. What did they do to me? I closed my eyes again and focused on controlling my breath and heart race. Panic was not going to help me. I decided to use my hearing as my main sense, because my eyes were not functioning well enough to see. I began to hear footsteps and voices. Bits and pieces of the conversation became clear to me.
“This will help figure out how she… Yes, she’s much stronger than the average… I don’t know how she… The tests will help us know.” The voices became much closer, almost in the same room. “As soon as she wakes, we can question her, and then send her to be tested. We’ve only had few like her.” Questions tumbled through my mind. Tests? What are they going to do to me? I tried to slow my heart race, acting like I was asleep. Footsteps echoed off the walls of my room. They were here.
“Looks like she’s still asleep.” That voice was very familiar. Disgust filled my mouth, anger bubbling inside of me. Max. If it wasn’t for the fact that I was tied down, I would have tried to attack him. “Maybe we can let her go since she isn’t waking up. She’s harmless out of consciousness,” Max offered questioningly, messing with the restraints on my arm. Rage was not easy to keep inside me. My heart raced, adrenaline coursing through my veins. As soon as he let me go I could catch him off guard and maybe make it out of here.
I guess that will be fine. It’s on you if she escapes. Keep that in mind, boy. I’m not getting in trouble for something you do,” the man said, walking from the room, his footsteps fading. Now there was only one person to get through. This was going to be easier than I originally thought.
“You can open your eyes now, Alex. I know you’re awake.” All hope of getting out of here vanished. I opened my eyes, only to meet his directly above me, his face inches from mine. He had a grin on his face that made the rage come back. My arms now free, I reached up and shoved him back, barely able to move enough to sit up on the bed. The room was almost like a hospital room, a heart monitor and different wires connected to me. I ripped them from myself and flung them across the room. I tried to stand, stumbling because my strength had not yet returned. Max jumped and caught me before I fell, his arms wrapping around my waist.
“Get away from me. I will kill you,” I grumbled through clenched teeth, yanking his arms from my waist. He stepped back smirking.
“With what, princess? You have no weapon, no strength. I’m just as strong as you, if not stronger. I wouldn’t even try, sweetheart,” he said mockingly. He was right. Until I figured out what was wrong with me, I couldn’t do anything to defend myself. Fear filled me, replaced with anger as soon as I remembered what Max did to me earlier.
“Why would you do that to me? I trusted you,” I whispered, tears stinging my eyes. I would not allow myself to cry in front of this jerk. I composed myself as best I could, and focused on being angry.
“Listen, I just wanted to gain their trust so that they would allow me to guard you. If they wouldn’t have let me, I wouldn’t have the chance to get you out like I do now. There was no way you were going to get out of the institution through the pits, so this allows you to actually escape. I can get you out. You just have to trust me,” he spoke softly, so he could not be overheard. Doubt flickered in my mind.
“Why should I even think about trusting you,” I exclaimed. “You betrayed me once, why should I trust that you can-” His hand covered my mouth, silencing me.
“If they hear you, there is definitely no way I can get you out. Just listen to me. I can get you out. I know the way. If you don’t leave, they will kill you when they realize you’re awake. I heard the plans. Please just trust me. I want to help.” Max held out his hand. My options were slim. Die or try to get out of here. My survival instinct took over. I accepted Max’s outstretched hand, fear and dread turning my stomach. The door slammed behind us. It was too late to turn back now.
“This will help figure out how she… Yes, she’s much stronger than the average… I don’t know how she… The tests will help us know.” The voices became much closer, almost in the same room. “As soon as she wakes, we can question her, and then send her to be tested. We’ve only had few like her.” Questions tumbled through my mind. Tests? What are they going to do to me? I tried to slow my heart race, acting like I was asleep. Footsteps echoed off the walls of my room. They were here.
“Looks like she’s still asleep.” That voice was very familiar. Disgust filled my mouth, anger bubbling inside of me. Max. If it wasn’t for the fact that I was tied down, I would have tried to attack him. “Maybe we can let her go since she isn’t waking up. She’s harmless out of consciousness,” Max offered questioningly, messing with the restraints on my arm. Rage was not easy to keep inside me. My heart raced, adrenaline coursing through my veins. As soon as he let me go I could catch him off guard and maybe make it out of here.
I guess that will be fine. It’s on you if she escapes. Keep that in mind, boy. I’m not getting in trouble for something you do,” the man said, walking from the room, his footsteps fading. Now there was only one person to get through. This was going to be easier than I originally thought.
“You can open your eyes now, Alex. I know you’re awake.” All hope of getting out of here vanished. I opened my eyes, only to meet his directly above me, his face inches from mine. He had a grin on his face that made the rage come back. My arms now free, I reached up and shoved him back, barely able to move enough to sit up on the bed. The room was almost like a hospital room, a heart monitor and different wires connected to me. I ripped them from myself and flung them across the room. I tried to stand, stumbling because my strength had not yet returned. Max jumped and caught me before I fell, his arms wrapping around my waist.
“Get away from me. I will kill you,” I grumbled through clenched teeth, yanking his arms from my waist. He stepped back smirking.
“With what, princess? You have no weapon, no strength. I’m just as strong as you, if not stronger. I wouldn’t even try, sweetheart,” he said mockingly. He was right. Until I figured out what was wrong with me, I couldn’t do anything to defend myself. Fear filled me, replaced with anger as soon as I remembered what Max did to me earlier.
“Why would you do that to me? I trusted you,” I whispered, tears stinging my eyes. I would not allow myself to cry in front of this jerk. I composed myself as best I could, and focused on being angry.
“Listen, I just wanted to gain their trust so that they would allow me to guard you. If they wouldn’t have let me, I wouldn’t have the chance to get you out like I do now. There was no way you were going to get out of the institution through the pits, so this allows you to actually escape. I can get you out. You just have to trust me,” he spoke softly, so he could not be overheard. Doubt flickered in my mind.
“Why should I even think about trusting you,” I exclaimed. “You betrayed me once, why should I trust that you can-” His hand covered my mouth, silencing me.
“If they hear you, there is definitely no way I can get you out. Just listen to me. I can get you out. I know the way. If you don’t leave, they will kill you when they realize you’re awake. I heard the plans. Please just trust me. I want to help.” Max held out his hand. My options were slim. Die or try to get out of here. My survival instinct took over. I accepted Max’s outstretched hand, fear and dread turning my stomach. The door slammed behind us. It was too late to turn back now.