“When will Crenshaw be back?” I asked, needing more information. I had to keep Cipher safe.
“We can’t tell you that at this time.”
“You’ll take care of him, right? You won’t hurt him, will you?” I was begging, glancing between Cipher and the soldiers, afraid to let him go. Macon laid a hand on my shoulder, probably sensing my growing desperation.
The soldier’s stiff composure softened ever so slightly. “We’ll do what we can.”
ELEVEN
CIPHER
Lights.Too bright.Hurts.Can’t see.
Pain everywhere, stabbing like knives. Can’t breathe.Can’t breathe.
Why can’t breathe?
“Huuurrrrttsssssss. Pleeaaaassssseee. Hurrtssss.”
Coughing, bad cough, chest rattling. Warm but not for long. Smell of piss. Gagging, retching, choking.
“Please.” So hard to breathe.
Another smell, like flesh and blood–food. Food? Where?
“Huuuuunnngrrrry.”
Trapped. Must fight. Must find food. Must get free. Yanking. Hurts so bad.
“Let go.Letgooooooo.”
Voices. Human voices. Food?
Where is the pack? Why alone? Why so cold? Why so much pain? Why trapped with food but so hungry?
“Feeeeeed me.” Begging. Must fill the empty.
Where is food? There, a person. Meat. Smell it.
Trapped. Teeth biting at nothing. Must fill mouth. Must bite.
Heart beating so loud, light too bright, trapped. Screaming, a ragged cough, can’t breathe, can’t breathe.
Groaning, begging.
Hunger too much.
Hungereverything.
Must find meat.
Must eat.
So thirsty.
So much pain.
Lights too bright.
