Nathan’s broad chest heaved, his copper hair sticking to his forehead. “Take me back to my wife and son, you bastard! I won’t say a word about this to anyone!”
I was struck by his words.A wife and a son?
“We’re not getting into this now,” The Director hissed. “Derek, get him ready.”
“Sure thing, boss.” Master Derek walked to Nathan and smashed his fist into the side of his head. I flinched and looked away as they dragged him to the front of the room. With the sound of a loud impact, I jolted and turned my head to see that they had accidentally knocked over two cameras.
The Director rubbed his face. “Dammit. Jonah.”
I hurried to where the cameras were being raised and began to check on them, Nathan’s shouts and curses relentless in the background. It dawned on me how much easier it had become for me to tune out others’ suffering.
I love seeing what a cold motherfucker you’ve turned out to be.
I made the mistake of locking my gaze with Nathan’s. He spat blood on the floor, his hands tied to the ceiling, barely allowing him to stand on his tiptoes.
“What are you looking at, you fucking traitor?” The hatred in his eyes paralyzed me. “You like selling out for perks? Hey, don’t look away! You’re just like them, you know that? Hell, you’re ten times worse!”
I let go of the camera and walked away, on the verge of throwing up. Air failed to reach my lungs, and I could feel all eyes on me.
“The traitor can’t handle the truth!” Nathan’s voice followed me like a shadow.
“I want to go,” I said, and since I wasn’t sure anyone heard, I shouted,“I want to go!”
“Bo,” The Director said, “take him to his room.”
Without waiting for Bo, I ran out of the basement.
*
Hours later, I lay in bed, curled up and shivering.
In Nathan’s eyes—in all of their eyes—I had switched sides and become a part of this sick operation. But I couldn’t fathom going back to how things had been. My guilt couldn’t trump what I was getting out of this arrangement.
Bo entered my room as I lay tucked under the blanket. “Get up, Prey.”
I’d been expecting The Director to want to see me after I embarrassed him in front of a High Council member. I pushed myself out of bed, but before I could take a step, Bo said, “Mr. White is waiting for you.”
“What? Why?”
He shrugged. “No idea, but you better act extra careful with him.” His nasty smile widened. “After your little meltdown, he might stop your sweet arrangement with The Director. I’m sure Nathan would be happy to hear that.”
I clenched my fists, hating how well he knew my buttons. “Should I tell Mr. White you’ve been keeping him waiting?”
He smacked the side of my head, but at least he stopped yapping and led me out. We walked down familiar hallways until Bo took a turn onto a path I’d never seen before, through a hallway with brick walls. “Where are we going?”
“The lab.”
“What lab?”
“The one they use for experiments, duh. Didn’t The Director tell you about that?”
My stomach tightened. “You’re lying.”
“Am I? Guess you’ll find out.”
I tried racking my brain for any mention of a lab, but I got nothing.
We climbed up a flight of stairs, making me question my perception of the estate’s layout since I never thought there was a second floor. At the top of the stairs was another short hallway with a single white door at the end. The faint sound of classical music echoed between the walls, and my heart drummed faster with every step I took.
