Page 16 of Ravage

I frown, confused. "What is this?"

"We're going to now check your neurological activity and endorphin levels while feeling pain. Don't worry though—it's not physical."

As I turn my confused gaze to Dr. Cromwell, I notice she's still refusing to look at me. Frustrated, I shoot back a reply to Dr. West.

"I'm not scared of horror movies if that's your plan. I've been through far worse than anything depicted in a fictional scene."

"Melanie, please start the machine again," he says, ignoring me.

The familiar whirling takes off again as Dr. West presses play on the video. I roll my eyes, deciding to indulge them for a second. As the clip plays, I instantly recognize Lilydale. The gray uniforms, copious amounts of sickening roses, and some familiar faces.

There must be a speaker somewhere in the room as voices echo around us, matching the video. As I watch curiously, clinging to that hope at the sight of myhome, my eyebrows raise when I spot Grey crossing the path of the unsuspecting camera. The scene changes, taking us to the library. Grey is there again, pacing quietly by himself.

Is this right now? Is this live footage?

He looks exactly the same, except he's deep in thought. He even digs into his pocket, pulling out two candy bars.

"What is this?" I breathe out, confusion washing over me.

My eyes are glued to the screen, desperately trying to claw at reality. Is he thinking of me? Are they planning on saving me?

Suddenly, the sound of the library door off-screen opens, and Grey looks up, his eyes lighting up at the apparent appearance of the newcomer.

"Hey," he says warmly, catching me off-guard.

Footsteps slowly grow louder, my stomach turning as I try to make sense of this. Blonde hair comes into frame, my mouth dry as a beautiful woman appears.

"Sorry, I'm late," she whispers happily. "I had to wait for Jillian to program my door so I could leave the room."

Who is this?

Grey grins at her, holding up a candy bar. "Your favorite."

What?

I don't even realize that my breathing is getting ragged, heavy with small silent gasps. I can't look away, not even for a second, as I watch my worst nightmares come to fruition.

The chocolate becomes abandoned as Grey embraces her, kissing her softly. Her green eyes close, body relaxing into his as they hold each other.

I feel sick, vomit threatening to spill again from my empty stomach. Their clothes slowly come off, and I find myself burning holes into the screen, trying to check for the distinctive marks on his body—anything to prove it's not him. But there they are—the red scar on his neck, the tattoo on his body… even his nails are painted their usual black.

It's definitely him—My Grey.

Something hitting my chest shocks me, and I realize it's tears. The salty taste on my lips corroborates the truth—it's not fake footage.

"What is this?" I manage to ask again, choking back tears.

"Live footage," Dr. West answers sharply, eyes never wavering from the machine screen.

I finally look away when they start having sex on the tables—No, when they start making love. It's obvious he cares for her, touching her in all the same places he touches me.

"Turn it off," I demand through a cracked voice, unable to escape the sounds of their moans. "I don't want to hear anymore."

"It's nearly done," Dr. West replies, not moving from his place. "Keep watching."

I shake my head, squeezing my eyes shut.

"Everyone will leave ya, Avery. No one will want to stick around for a pathetic excuse of a person."

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