Page 43 of The Last Ultimatum: Part 2

“Yes,” I confirmed. “But it’s probably best if Elise and Patrick share their good news.”

They all groaned, but there was no way I was going to tell them that our boss, head of Westin Force, Patrick O’Connell, originally of the strong and stubborn Irish Clan, just fainted at the sight of his daughter’s birth.

But I would certainly tuck that bit of information away for a rainy day should I ever need another big favor like this again.

“Looks like we’re on our own for this plan.”

We stayed up late rehashing every step until each and every member present was comfortable with the plan. I knew I wasn’t going to get any sleep tonight.

At daybreak, we’d move.

Tilly

Chapter 13

Having taken two long naps during the day, by the time bedtime rolled around, I was wide awake and feeling caged in by these four walls. I had to get out of here. Fairly certain it was nighttime, I wondered how many people were actually awake.

I got up and went to the door. It was even easier to open this time.

I crept out into the hallway. Most of the lights were off this time, but I channeled my dingo vision and could see clearly.

With silent footsteps, I ventured away from my room, but was sure to leave the door cracked should I need to get back to it quickly.

To the left were the labs like the one with the metal table I’d been strapped to. To the right I knew was the room of cages and the mystery room Helen had avoided. So, I turned to the right. I needed to get the hell out of here.

I went straight to the door and pushed my ear against it to listen. When I didn’t hear any voices, I gently pushed the handle and cracked the door open.

My stomach dropped and I started to gag.

The room was filled with piles of bodies. The only light coming from a fire on the other side.

Panic filled me and I couldn’t force myself to walk through that door.

Behind me a small child wailed.

The cages.

Heavy footsteps sounded down the hall and my heart raced.

There were children there and someone was heading this way.

Would they kill them too?

I knew I couldn’t take that risk.

No longer worried about being discovered myself, I said a little prayer, then pushed open the door and walked inside.

Cages were lining the walls higher than I could reach. This was where I’d awoken after my kidnapping. I could still remember the fear of being trapped inside a small cage with no room to move, stuck in a fetal position.

It had been horrifying.

I stretched just because I could. It was as if somehow that little action helped me in overcoming the crippling fear just the sight of those cages brought me.

You can do this, Tilly.

“Shh,” the mother of the child said.

Fear had her doing whatever it took to quiet the boy down.

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