Page 12 of Ravage

Chapter 5

Avery

"She hasn't moved in two hours."

"The other patients were active by now. Are we sure that the voltage was set correctly?"

I don't even flinch at the voices behind me, my legs curled into my body. I'm back in the white room, laying sideways on the floor with a migraine. I feel sick, not just from hunger or the migraine, but the reality that I'm alone with a bunch of psychotic scientists. They are torturing me as if I'm their own little toy.

"Her CT scan results were fine."

Footsteps walk further into the room, coming into the view. I stare at glossy heels as Dr. Cromwell leans down, her face twisted with worry.

"Avery, can you describe to us what you are feeling?"

I just continue to gaze unfocused at the wall, ignoring her. They aren't going to be rewarded with the satisfaction of knowing they are hurting me. Because they are. All this bullshit about the greater good is a little white lie they tell themselves—not that I believe they have a conscience. They are too objective, not seeing me for the person I am. To this place, I am nothingmore than a bag of damaged goods at their disposal to play God with.

Dr. Cromwell frowns at my silence, looking past me to her colleague. "Perhaps she's in pain. We could hit two birds with one stone."

"Drug trials?" Dr. West asks, intrigued. "That could work. I'll get it started."

I sense his presence vanish from the room, but Dr. Cromwell still doesn't move. Maybe she hopes that if it's just her, I'll open up. I can see it in her eyes, the need to succeed—the determination to prove she's beyond worthiness. Except she doesn't care about me, she only cares about her job, which is ironic since to them, we're not worthy at all.

"Avery," she tries again. "We're going to give you some medication. It might make you feel better."

"Fuck off," I finally whisper, satisfied when I notice her flinch at my words.

She quickly stands as Dr. West reappears, the two of them having a brief conversation next to me. She doesn't mention my curse words and I don't fight when one of them picks up my cannulated hand.

"Should we move her to another room?" Dr. Cromwell asks. "Perhaps she should be secured."

"I don't think she'll hurt us," he answers, the feeling of cool liquid rushing up my arm. "Will you, Avery?"

I would if I could.

If I had the energy, I'd channel my inner Theo and slam his nose back into his face.

I've never been an aggressive person. My father was the only person I ever felt the need to hurt—and that was so I could escape. But, with each passing minute, those old feelings are starting to return. I hate Dr. West with a passion. I want to escape and be back with my guys. Except the difference here isI felt so guilty about wanting to kill my father—I feel absolutely nothing for this monster.

Dr. Cromwell leans down in front of me again, trying to meet my eyes. "We need you to tell us if you start feeling anything. Dr. West has injected you with a drug similar to sufentanil, but it's a little stronger. We're working with a team of medicinal chemists to develop stronger opioid analgesic for medical distribution to war-affected areas to support soldiers."

Great. Now they are drugging me. Why do these people have to use my own war to save others? Shouldn't we all be saved?

I already feel the effects of the drug working its way into my system. It's a strange numbness, making my muscles feel weird. They tingle slightly, my head foggy as thoughts become hard to find. At least my migraine is regressing, but it's way too quickly. Whatever they have given me is too strong for my body to handle.

I hate taking painkillers at the best of times. At least Dr. Markel was always mindful of that, only giving me low-dose, slow-release painkillers so it didn't overwhelm me. Not these people… straight for a drug designed for patients with extreme pain and high tolerance levels.

"You're going to kill me," I say to her quietly in a monotone voice. "How many people have you killed before?"

She looks surprised by my question, perplexed as she stammers over her words. "We're not trying to kill you, Avery. Our survival rates are very good."

"But not perfect," I retort back, watching as she blurs before my eyes. "How many Lilydale patients have you tortured and killed?"

I have no idea if my words are coming out clearly like they are in my head. I suspect they are slurred, darkness creeping into the corners of my eyes. Little black dots float in my vision, dancing around dangerously.

I'm going to die down here. I just know it.

In my heart, I know Grey and Theo are coming… but it's finally dawning on me that I don't think they are going to make it in time. It feels like I've been down here for days, even though it's probably only hours. But they would know I'm missing. If they were going to get here, surely they would have already done so.

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