Page 27 of The Order: Rise of the New Empire

"And the second?" he questions, tugging at his shirt to eye the tape.

Touching the glass with a shaky finger, I land my pointer above Number Thirty, giving him a warning look.

"Don't ever speak to her."

Number Thirty

Having been let out of confinement hours ago, I rack my brain trying to sort out how I could have been more efficient in triggering a way to use my Deception.

Time and time again, the woman in the lab coat has asked me to push myself, using every form of fear or adrenaline she could to get me to phase in and out of all the abilities she thinks I am capable of using.

Cold baths, the frequency, guards. Anything she can to drive enough fear into me to fight back.

Initially, I thought showing her the mercy I carry for others would be enough for her to leave me alone.

Forcing the empty promise of one day meeting my mother, the patience to stay here has been near impossible, making it harder to exert the energy needed to get results that would help me see the light of day.

Staring at the food left for my dinner rations, I kick the tray across the room, eyeing the bland mush meant to keep me in optimal physical condition.

Glaring at the dozens of children's books lining the small rickety shelf in my room, I envy the families plastered on the covers of each book, wondering if normalcy is ever a reality that I will ever be able to obtain.

"Deception," I scoff. "Why don't you show me what a real family looks like?" I question, driving a small tennis ball into the wall, watching it clatter around the space, knocking over the empty cup once filled with blood nestled on my nightstand.

Sometimes, it feels as if that is the only thing that makes me happy down here.

"Bad day?"a voice questions, my body immediately whipping around, my hands grabbing at the metal detention collar around my neck, forcing back my abilities.

Startled once I see no one, I gulp back my confusions, keeping all of my senses on high alert.

"Was that you?" I question, eyeing the camera in my room, its light red.

Everyone has gone home.

"I'm not with the lab coats,"the male's voice says, his voice void of the age most of the other males down here have.

Touching my temple, I replay the sound of the voice in my head.

I'm losing it.

I told that woman-

"You're not losing it,"he retorts, some humor lingering in his tone."At least I hope you're not. Who else am I going to talk to while I'm stuck down here?"he questions, a smile creeping along my face.

Thinking of my words mentally before speaking out loud, I creep around the space.

"Where are you?"I question, a warmth flooding my chest.

"I believe on the other side of this wall."

Hearing a loud bang, the wall closest to my bed rattles, my body moving closer, pressing my ear against the layered drywall.

"Can you hear me now?" his voice questions, the smile growing across my face.

"So, they dragged someone new down here?" I question, suddenly much less interested in ridiculing myself.

"Dragged? More like I was given up," he laughs.

What a nice laugh.

---