Mori is leaning against a wall, having just finished warming up his aim and cutting up the ballistic dummies. He lights a cigarette and lets his eyes linger on me as I look over the selection of heat-producing smoker grenades andDF-labeled flares.
It’s impressive what they have down here that might never see the light of day. I’m still not convinced that the plan Bridger devised will be all that effective so I might bring some of these in case an opportunity arises. I find a selection of white smoke and red. A mischievous grin spreads over my lips.
“You and me are going into the simulation room later. Make sure you take a few pills beforehand so you don’t get sick. The simulation can cause massive headaches without the proper pain relief,” Mori grumbles as he moves to walk beside me, analyzing what I’m so interested in over here. His arm brushes across my back as he slowly strides by. I inhale sharply and fix my jaw so I don’t give away what he does to me.
“Four every four hours isn’t enough?” I say smugly. He just levels me with a steady look before continuing to survey the weapons. “What’s the sim for anyway?” I ask, moving on to the combat knives display. It’s fucking beautiful. The blades sit atop opaque white glass with lights shining up from beneath them so each weapon is shiny and tempting to grab.
“It’s a mental test to make sure we’re properly sane before going out into the field.” I give him a look and he grins briefly before forcing it down. “It’s also used to test the effectiveness of the drugs.”
Ah, yes. How easy it is to forget that we are nothing but lab rats to them. This will be my first official checkup with a machine to process my brain waves. Is that all it is, though, or is it more? A thread of fear spikes my heart rate.
“Is it dangerous?” I ask quietly. I’m not a particular fan of anyone hearing my insecurities, even if they are on my squad. We aren’t exactly afforded the luxury of weaknesses in the Dark Forces.
Mori thinks on it for a moment. “Well, if I’m being honest, yes. Many soldiers have died due to the test drugs. But you and me…we’re different.” He sounds hopeful, but there’s also doubt in his voice.
Blood trickles down my lip as he finishes speaking, his eyes moving there as quickly as I am to brush the back of my hand over it. I’m used to it by now. Most of my sleeves are stained red.
My blood is darker than it should be, almost black. But if I’m in pain, I can’t feel it.
“Do you really believe that?” I ask, hollow. There’s nothing for me to be sad about. The only thing I remember from my past is a shitty family situation. I’m a killer. A criminal. I’m better off dead.
Mori’s expression is sullen, but he manages a small smile. “Yeah, I do. Before this new injection series, I thought I was a goner. You even said as much once.” He laughs, but I don’t find it nearly as amusing as he does. “But the worst of the side effects have faded. The pill and injection combo seem to be pretty steadied out. Now, I only get a few bloody noses here and there. I even feel more stable mentally.”
“Mm.” I grunt as an acknowledgment as I spot a handful of Under soldiers walking by the weapons room. One of them has dark red hair, and it catches my attention. He glances into the room and spots me looking at him. His eyes instantly grow with recognition, and he rushes to the door.
It swings open loudly and he runs to me. “Emery?!” he sputters the words as he crashes into me, wrapping both arms around me and squeezing me tight.
My body stiffens.He knows me.Well, I’d guess as much by his reaction to seeing me.
When I don’t return the hug, he loosens his hold and backs up to look at me. He sees the confusion written all over my face. His expression drops into shock.
“It’s me, Damian,” he explains, looking at Mori with quizzical eyes.
“I’m sorry… I don’t remember you.” My words are genuine. He seems like he really cares about me. Were we friends in the Under? My chest seizes at the kinship I feel with him. No one has had this response to me too. It gives me a breath of hope.
Damian’s mouth drops and he looks me over as if he will find something familiar about me. “Oh, Emery… I had no idea. It’s okay though, we can get to know one another again.” His eyes flick distrustfully back at Mori before returning to me. “Are you all right? How is your new squad?”
Mori shifts on his feet, giving off an irritated air around him.
“They’ve been great,” I say awkwardly. “You made it through the Under Trials, I’m assuming? I’d love to catch up more. I’m trying to remember as much as I can about my past.”
Damian lights up, even though there’s misery in his smile. “Absolutely. I don’t know how we go about scheduling fucking coffee dates down here, but it looks like you guys have a bit more freedom than we do,” he chirps. I’m not so certain we do. I glance at Thomas who’s still working with Mikah and Erik. We’re constantly supervised. Controlled. “Maybe I’ll get on a squad soon too. I’m sure I’ll see you more often once that happens.”
I eagerly nod and smile. “I’d like that.”
“We have to get going,” Mori interrupts, nudging me toward the door.
My brows knit, but I force a cheerful tone as I mutter, “We are leaving for a mission tomorrow, but I’ll find a way to be in contact with you when we get back.”If we make it back.I quickly discard those thoughts.
Chances are he might be replacingme.
Damian gives me a hopeful grin, but his expression sours when he looks at Mori. Why does he keep doing that?
General Nolan is waiting outside the room for us. He guides usdown a few hallways before we come to a metal door with a keypad to the right of it. A rush of cold sweeps into my bones.
I’ve seen this door before.An image of two men standing in front of it and going inside surfaces in my mind. I look at Nolan and Mori with wariness.
The room is similar to the one I woke up in at the trial’s bunker. The walls are painted black, it’s dimly lit in here, and medical tables and chairs are lined up along the left side of the room. Syringes are prepped and set on top of trays. An assistant waits patiently behind a computer, entering data for our session maybe.
