Everyone is sleeping.
Alyss is curled up between the twins, her head pillowed on Aiden’s chest and her hand in Kayden’s.
I stare at her for a long minute, before I tear my eyes away.
Crossing to the locked door, I tap on it as gently as I can.
Once.
Twice.
Lips pressed together, I knock harder, glancing over my shoulder.
Finally, a crack opens. I’m met with a gun barrel, pointing in my face.
I keep my voice low. “I want to see Red. Tell her.”
The door closes.
I wait for long minutes, leaning against the door and tensing at every moment. The door finally opens again.
A guard motions at me to follow. Another trails behind, a gun pointed at my back.
They take me up in the elevator, pulling me out into the games area.
“Wait here.”
I wait. For nearly an hour, I stand, running over my thoughts, picking them apart.
When she finally arrives, her hair is slightly tousled. “Hatter.”
“I’m sorry to wake you.”
Red tilts her head. “Are you? I was surprised to hear that you wanted to see me.”
Her dress is more of a robe, her clothes hastily thrown on. “Did you want to see me?”
Her mouth parts at my words. “What is this about?”
I rock back on my heels. “Tomorrow. Do they all die?”
Her eyes dip. “You know I can’t—.”
“Tell me,” I say hoarsely. “Please.”
Slowly, she shakes her head. “There have been offers. Several, in fact.”
The heaviness settles in my chest. “You’re putting them up for auction?”
She nods. “Everyone. Aside from Alyss, that is. The offer I received wasverygenerous.”
The words lash against my skin like bullets, each one scoring a direct hit.
There will be no group.
They’ll be sold, each of them. Like cattle. Branded and shipped off to who fucking knows where.
Red stiffens when I take a step. Another.
