Page 66 of The Program

‘But… how…?’

‘Will we get out?’ she finished for me, and despite her nonchalant stance there was an anxious tension beneath it all when I looked closer. ‘I don’t know yet.’

I blew out the breath in my lungs slowly, hoping to gain some confidence. We were on a suicide mission, but Artemis wouldn’t let anything happen to us. I didn’t doubt she’d even protect T, even though they clearly didn’t get along.

But who was protectingher?

My resolve hardened at that morbid thought. She’d been alone for so long, she needed someone by her side. As an equal. A partner. If she needed me to dig deep and find a strength I’d never called upon before let alone knew existed, then so be it. She may have been the pillar holding us all up right then, but I would be her support beam. Or the cushion for her knees… Pick a metaphor, you get the point.

While she was strong for everyone else, I would be strongfor her.

She paused at another door, examining it closely before turning back to face us all. ‘Reece and Adara are through here. I don’t know what state we’ll find them in, but it’s best if you just… imagine the worst. Then expect even worse than that,’ she warned us.

‘In other words, prepare yourselves for a gruesome sight,’ said T as if he needed to elaborate for her.

Maybe Artemis was onto something with her distaste for him. He was getting on my last nerve.

‘What do you need us to do?’ asked Henrik, stepping forward at the first sign he could help someone in need. As the self-proclaimed medic of the group, he was always the first to volunteer himself for nurse duties.

There was a deep sorrow in her eyes, as if she were speaking from experience when she answered. And the most heartbreaking thing was that was exactly what she was doing.

‘Just… be their friends.’

Without further delay, she pushed open the door and stepped inside.

CHAPTER 25

ARTEMIS

Iwas right to warn them.

As soon as they followed me into the room, gasps resounded. One of them, though I didn’t bother to check whom, actually retched, their gasp transitioning into gagging and dry heaving almost choreographed exactly how I’d imagined this moment in my head.

There were two of those stars-damned metal tables on opposite sides of the room, each one occupied by Reece and Adara. They were strapped down and shackled, their flesh gaping open in seeping wounds that dripped and puddled beneath them, the white of their bones peeking through the shredded flesh like beacons of torment.

Reece was out, most likely unable to take the pain. He’d probably been their first subject. However, Addy – poor, sweet, bubbly Addy – was wide awake, weakly writhing in agony and silently crying as she watched Reece like he was her only lifeline.

I didn’t hesitate to head straight for her first.

‘Adara,’ I spoke in a gentle voice, not wanting to startle her. Unfortunately and expectedly, I was unsuccessful. She jerked against her restraints, groaning low in her throat at the searing pain the action must have caused. I knew from first-hand experience how much that would have smarted, but I’d had a long time to grow my immunity to such sensations. Pain was fleeting, even if it was a regular occurrence.

Her eyes were unfocused, the destruction of her body no doubt making her delirious.

‘No… P-Please…’ she begged, her voice hoarse and barely audible with an almost whistle-like quality. She’d been screaming.

‘Addy, it’s me. Artemis,’ I told her, keeping my tone soft and soothing.

‘A-Arty?’

‘Hey, Addy. I’m here to get you out. I’m going to release the cuffs, but I need to ask you a few questions before I move you, okay?’

‘Ar…ty?’

‘Mm?’

‘It… h-hurts…’

Checking to make sure there were no injuries on her head and finding it clear, I stroked my hand comfortingly over her wispy, seaweed-like hair. ‘I know it does, sweetheart, but you’re strong enough to get through it. It’s all going to be okay, I’ll make sure of it.’

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