Page 225 of The Doll and The Domination

63. Midnight Rescue

Dessin

I’ll admit, it’s taken me too much time to figure this out.

The object they use to throw off a prisoner’s equilibrium is not a magnet. Every day in the showers, I tilt my head to let in water. Once I’m out, I let the water drain, and it carries away the residue of a white solidified chemical. The same look as taking a pill and watching it dissolve in water.

This entire time, they’ve put a slow-releasing capsule in our inner ears, working with the natural chemistry of our body to release on moments of defiance to authority. This must have taken their savants years to test out and learn the correct way it would filter into the bloodstream. Once the frontal lobe of the brain displays an impulsive action to misbehave toward authority, the capsule is triggered by the change in brain chemistry. It releases into the bloodstream, affecting the cerebellum, which is what gives us balance and coordination.

Before our cages close, I create a funnel with items I found in the stadium and commissary and a bubbling solvent that I first test out on myself. Only a few drops, and it sizzles the inside of my ears like crinkling paper. It burns, is uncomfortable, and I’m having trouble hearing now. But the dissolving white substance comes pouring out of the side of my head.

One by one, I extract it from Marilynn, Warrose, Niles, and Ruth. The only one to give me a hard time is, of course, you guessed it Niles. Warrose and I are the only two who complain of hearing loss, but it’s fucking worth it. We’re no longer tied down by a choking collar and leash.

I give Marilynn and Niles a list of supplies we’ll need for the journey. Protective wrapping for Ruth’s legs, water, food, and a few other items. And as I secure a bag in my cage, a strip of black leather and shiny metal catches the light of the red and yellow bulbs in the far corner. Hidden in the shadows is my weapons belt.

“Shit,” I exhale slowly.

“What’s wrong?” Warrose leans against the entryway of my cage.

I turn on my heels and dangle the belt in front of him. Those hazel eyes sparkle with childlike giddiness as he realizes what it is.

“How the hell did you get that back?”

I examine the sharp tools and weapons with pride and have visions of myself using them to break us out of here. They’re flipping images in my mind, slashing through sentinels, sending throwing knives through the air to take them out one by one. I haven’t felt like myself in a long time. I’m a wild animal that is not used to being caged without a way to freedom.

How did it get into our cage? Kane asks.

But he’s quickly swept away from the front as I recall Kaspias’s body, or what was left of it, being gawked at and defamed on the main stage.

It was him, wasn’t it? Kaspias really was trying to help us.

I secure the belt around my hips, standing eye to eye with Warrose.

“Looks like Kane’s brother did one last good deed before getting Skylenna out.” I wish those droplets of emotion didn’t enter my voice without invitation. But my tone is edgy and weighted like I need to clear my throat. Warrose lifts his chin in understanding as he hears it, too.

Before he can say something to try and get me to open up about the whole ordeal, I hold up my hand to stop him. “I’ll be ready to talk about it when we get the fuck out of here.”

The calm smile that used to comfort me after a beating when we were children spreads across his cheeks. He rubs his hands together, making a dry, sandy sound. “When do we leave?”

Niles and Marilynn return to their cages, hiding the supplies they’ve gathered.

“Midnight.”

~

In the exact moment our ward’s night sentinels switch shifts, Niles picks each lock in impressive silence.

Sneaking into Ruth’s cage, we all agree it’s best if he carries her for this. The rest of us will need to fight if it comes to that. Without exchanging any words, Niles gently circles his arms under the backs of her thighs and around her ribs, lifting until they’re out first. The rest of us—form ranks around them. Warrose is in the back to defend if anyone sneaks up on us, and Marilynn and I lead the way.

In the community shower, there’s a laundry chute. A tunnel that drops down to a washroom. In the washroom is a plumbing drain that filters out on the ground behind the east tower. From there, we’ll run through the courtyard, and I’ll rig the pulley of the iron gate to lift. I believe there are dangerous creatures guarding the courtyard, but those can be dealt with by using a sentinel as bait.

It’s all laid out. There, of course, is room for error, but we’re running out of time. Ruth won’t survive another Fun House Night.

Shuffling quietly through the prison halls, we pause mid-step as a Blood Mammoth crosses over to the next hallway. The giant being drags his feet lazily across the serrated floor. Chains clink together. And his oily hair sweeps behind his footsteps.

We hold our breath, then continue on, dashing on our toes to make it to the community shower. Each moan, grumble, or snore from the sleeping inmates that we pass makes us flinch with heightened senses. The crackling music, flickering lights, I dig my nails into my palms, scraping my teeth against each other.

You’re going to get them out, Dessin. No one is as masterful at escapement as you, Kalidus says coolly.

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