Page 145 of Deviant

“Because,” he says, his voice low and gentle. “If I’m to die tomorrow, I would want to have done that at least once.”

Chapter 27

Rowen

The next morning, we all reunite over the same dining hall table for breakfast.

I’m not really hungry, but I force myself to take a few bites out of my spinach omelet to keep my strength up. Of course, I only start eating after Five has taken a few bites from my plate to reassure me that the food isn’t poisoned.

This will probably be a custom we will all keep while we’re here.

Paranoia at its finest.

“Where the fuck is Henry? Did anyone see him this morning?” David grunts, looking too preoccupied with the mansion’s butler to eat his meal.

“Why? Are you that eager for the games to start?” Andy asks lightheartedly. “I don’t know about you, but last night’s mindfuck was enough for me.”

“That’s because you’re a little bitch, Scott,” Big Mike taunts, putting a slice of bacon in his mouth and slicing it in two with his teeth.

“Oh, like you’re such a big man,” Harper says sternly in Andy’s defense. “I wonder if you’d be such a fucking big man picking on someone your own size?”

“I’ll let you know if I ever find anyone that fits that description,” he goads her.

“Oh, I don’t know,” Elias interjects calmly, as he slices into his pancakes. “I think if you looked hard enough, you could find someone who could take you on. Maybe even someone at this very table.” He smiles threateningly at Big Mike, making the jerk cower in his chair.

Harper throws Elias a grateful smile before mouthing to me, “He’s a keeper.”

I lower my gaze from her, not wanting to start blushing at the dining table where everyone can see.

“I hate to admit it, but I’m with David on this one,” Lucas says, looking every bit as agitated as David. “Henry not showing his face all morning can’t be a good sign.”

“Thank you!” David shouts, happy that at least someone around this table is on his wavelength of thinking.

“I wouldn’t worry about Henry too much. He’s probably sharpening the knives or cleaning whatever torture device they are going to use to kill us with,” Mackenzie suggests with a shrug.

“Well, that went dark fast,” Ruby says.

“Christ, Mackenzie,” Lucas reprimands. “Don’t say shit like that.”

“Why not? We’re all thinking it. I’m just saying it,” she says before popping a grape into her mouth.

“Do you really think she’s right?” Abbie whispers beside me, true fear in her voice.

“No, Abbie,” I try to comfort her, placing my hand over hers. “Don’t listen to a word Mackenzie says. She’s just trying to scareus. That’s all. Some people in this world live off the misery of others. Don’t let her get to you.”

Abbie nods, but I can still see how frightened she is with the way her hands are shaking.

I throw a menacing glare over to Mackenzie at the end of the table, but she just pops another grape into her mouth, completely unfazed by it.

We go back to eating our meal in silence, and it’s only when we finish it, that Henry appears. In his usual butler garb, he stands proudly by the door and greets us.

“Good morning. I trust that you all slept well.”

“You bet we did, Henry,” Chris says excitedly. “This place feels like a five-star hotel. I slept like a baby.”

My heart hurts at how happy he sounds.

“I’m glad to hear it, Master Wilson. Your comfort is of most importance to me,” Henry replies with a tender smile.

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