The question hits exactly where it should. I look down at my hands. “Because retaliation isn’t simple when they control your supply,” I say quietly. “When withdrawal is weaponized.”
His mouth closes.
Kami frowns. “Did they ever do that to you?”
I nod once. “Yeah. Locked us in a room once when we disobeyed. No drugs. No water. Just each other and the worst kind of sickness imaginable.” My throat tightens. “We shared a bed and prayed to die.”
Her eyes fill with tears.
“Not long after that…we tried.”
Both of them go still.
“Adriana found us before it worked. Called the ambulance. But…” My eyes burn. "But we tried."
Finnick exhales like he’s been punched. “Jesus, Micah.”
“Please,”Kami says softly. “If there’s anything we can do. We have connections. We’re not powerless.”
“I’ll let you know,” I say. “I promise. But hey, don’t talk about this with anyone. Jude is inrealdanger. Nolan and Adriana threatened to kill him if we went public about any of this.”
Kami’s bottom lip trembles. “Do you believe them?”
I hesitate. “I honestly don’t thinkNolanwould kill Jude. Or Adriana. But I do believe that Alexei would.”
“Alexei’s last name...do you have it?” Kami asks.
“Don’t get your father involved, Kam,” Finnick warns.
She ignores him. “Give me the name if you can?”
I sigh. Kami’s father, Levi Fitzgerald, is one of New York’s finest criminal lawyers. He’s represented some of the biggest and most controversial names in recent history. He has a knack for protecting those who stand up against an unjust system. He works with activists a lot.
“Alexei Morozov,” I whisper, as if the fucker can hear me.
She nods. “Please stay in contact, okay?”
“I will. I’m sorry, guys. Truly.”
We end the call, and the screen goes dark. The house is too quiet. It wasn’t long ago that we were all here, drinking, laughing, and living a peaceful life. Well, mostly peaceful. I close the laptop and sink back into the couch cushions. My phone lights up, portraying a few texts from Heather.
Heather:
I miss you, Meekah.
Please let me know how your video chat thing goes. I’m keeping Emma company. She seems like she’s doing a little better today.
Scratch that. She’s crying again. I hate this so much.
Yeah, I hate it, too. But I smile when I read her nickname for me. She only gave it to me when I told her my favorite movie character was Timon from The Lion King…who’s a meerkat. My thumbs hover over the screen before I type a response.
I miss you, too. I’ll be over soon. I just need to clean and lock the place up. Just pour her someJeppson’s Malort. That’s what I always drank to feel better.
She responds within seconds.
Heather:
Ew, Micah. I love that you’re a Chicago boy, but that stuff is disgusting. You need to leave it behind.
