Page 42 of Monster

Chapter Eight

Runaway…

Drake paused at the second secured door on his way back into the facility, anxiety twisting his gut. He was weak. Weaker than before. Jaeger had demanded he remain in bed, so Drake had done the only thing he could.

He’d slipped out the bedroom window and made his way down the mountain.

At the bottom, he’d hitched a ride with some of the soldiers and gotten away before the ice dragon could find out he was gone. Time was of the essence. Luca was in danger, and Drake was the only one who could save the shifter.

The door slid open, and he passed through. Seconds later, he was moving through the halls again, trying to recall how to move through the maze. Finally, he made it to the final door—now guarded by two sentries.

He showed the ID Bull had gotten for him, and the pair let him through.

Inside was empty, besides him… and Luca.

Drake moved to the bars and saw the male still sat in the corner, silent. He frowned.Assuming the drugs had caused the listlessness the day before, he didn’t expect to find the creature still in the same fugue state. He returned to the door and pounded on it.

The guards opened up.

“How long has he been like that?”

“Like what?” one asked.

“Quiet and sullen.”

“Since we came on shift,” the other offered.

“Which was?”

“Two hours ago,” the first answered.

Drake stepped back, concerned. The door was closed, the clicking of the lock echoing through the room as he walked back to the cell. The chair he’d used still sat nearby. He took it and sat, trying to capture the beast’s stare.

“I won’t lose you,” he said. “You can be angry and hurt all you want, but you know you need to be in here right now.”

The beast’s stare flipped to his, anger lighting it.

“Fine. Be mad. Be angry… I don’t care.It’s better than you sitting there, sulking.”

Drake had what he wanted.That stare. He needed it as a portal to where he was going. He grabbed the first set of bars and held that gaze… until he felt that sinking sensation take over.

He opened his eyes to the shack. The panther prowled and barely gazed at him as he approached.

“What? Are you pouting, too?”

The cat glanced over his shoulder, hissing. He’s dying.

“I know… it’s why I’m here.”

You’re making him worse.

“I’m not,” Drake spat. But then, he wondered if all his help was hurting Luca. “Am I?”

He’s not strong enough to leave. You’ve pushed him too far.

Drake was suddenly filled with doubts. “And if he stays here, he’ll die.Better to take a chance to escape and try to live.”

The panther was silent a moment. His life is in your hands.

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