The longer I dwell on it the more I debate whether or not the “cards” are even real. Sure, Nolan showed me a piece of paper with a barcode. But does it carry the worth he claims it does? This whole underground operation might just be a farce to use us like weapons until we’re burned out and ready to be disposed of.
People will do a lot of crazy things for a drop of hope.
I undo my braids and try to ignore the men gawking at my naked body. It’s uncomfortable, but I’m unfortunately used to it. Cameron doesn’t look; he keeps his body facing the other direction, a small book in his hands holding his attention. At least he knows how to keep himself occupied.
As I wash my hair, I think about my predicament. How do you trick a psycho into not killing you? He’s crafty and seems reasonable, but his problem is being incapable of stopping himself. His charm makes him even more lethal. It’s easy to let your guard down around him.
I let out a long, frustrated breath. The only thing he seems to care about is being special. His ability to not die from the drugs like everyone else sets him apart, but what happens when they’re done with the experimental phase?
I wonder why that one trait is so precious to him. Who is he trying to justify his worth to? Who hurt him so badly that he’s resorted to this method of approval?
I let the cold water run over my aching body for the better part of fifteen minutes. Everyone else has left the showers besides Cameron. He’s still waiting with a book in his hands and a black tactical uniform on his lap for me.
He extends his hand out with the uniform folded neatly when I finally approach him. I keep an arm wrapped around my towel and take the clothes with my free hand.
“Did you have to take your sweet-ass time?” he says sardonically, letting his eyes move from his book to me. The towel drops as I put on the sports bra. His face immediately reddens as he takes me in. He forces his eyes away after a moment, hands clenching the pages of his novel.
Hm. At least he’s not immune to a woman’s body.That’s the first time I’ve seen any color in his face. I store that knowledge for later.
I laugh as I finish getting dressed. “Well, if that jerk hadn’t challenged us for the bed, maybe I would’ve been a lot quicker.”
He huffs. “You did punch him first.” That careless tone will be the end of me.
“He’s the one who tried to drag me to the ground.”
Cameron glances back at me, forgetting that I’m in the middle of getting dressed, I assume by the way he quickly turns back around. “Uh-huh,” he grumbles.
After I’m clothed, he shows me around the Under.
It’s enormous. The arena alone surprised me with the sheer height of the ceilings, but this place is a maze of hallways and large rooms consisting of the barracks, a small library, cafeteria, weapons rooms, and a shooting range. It’s like an entire civilization underground. I can’t help but wonder how long this secret military operation has been running.
How long have they been keeping an eye on my family and just waiting for the chance to capture me? Or did they happen upon me by chance from reading the daily newspapers? It makes me dwell on how deep this truly goes.
The thought is sobering, so I try to shake it off the best I can.
We stop near a glass door as we wait for a line of jogging cadets to pass, inside the room are a handful of soldiers lounging and chatting.
“This is where the Dark Forces soldiers without squads stay.” Cameron moves on quickly, as if he doesn’t want to catch their attention.
I spot one that’s dressed a little differently and ask, “Who is he? The one with the black baseball hat?” He looks a little too young to be the drill sergeant and has one of the meanest expressions I’ve ever seen on a person. Like one of those people who’ve been scowling their entire life and have permanent lines to prove their misery.
Cameron doesn’t even have to stop and look. “That’s Drill Sergeant Adams. Trust me when I tell you that youdo notwant to be on his shit list. Just hang low and keep your mouth shut. You only have a few weeks before the trials, so you can probably get by unscathed.” He sounds like he speaks from experience.
“Do you know him?”
The silence is answer enough, so I don’t press him on it.
“That’s all there is to the Under. They’ve already finished drills today and lights-out is in thirty minutes, so I suggest getting everything you need done before then,” Cameron says thoughtfully, as he guides us back to the barracks.
“Let me guess, it getsreallydark,” I muse. Nolan already made it clear that it does. Darkness has never really held weight over me, though, not like it does most people. I find we become more instinctive in the shadows. I glance at Cameron, and my jaw clenches with the idea that I have to sleep beside him tonight.
Instinctive in many ways.
He grins. “The darkest night you’ll ever know, love.”
That’s reassuring.
The rest of the cadets are already in their cots by the time we get back to the barracks. Some are reading books or playing cards with a group around their beds, others are?—
