Page 25 of Gifted

“I know people’s secrets too.”

He cringes. “Not like that. Like… I can’t tell you more.”

“Please, Daniel. I want to help you.”

Fear springs to his eyes, and he clenches them shut. “Stop saying that. You can’t help me. No one can. Only the drugs help. Just—I’m begging you—go before you’re caught. They forgot to lock the door. You shouldn’t have been able to get down here. Don’t say a word to anyone. Ever. For your own protection.”

Now he’s the insane one if he thinks that’s going to happen. “Are you serious? How would I possibly be able to walk around up there knowing you’re down here like this?”

His jaw tightens. “You’re not supposed to know any of this. I’ve done everything I can to make sure no one does.”

“But why? Why make everyone hate you for someone else’s crimes? Maybe if people understood—”

“Understood what? You don’t even understand! You have no idea what’s going on here. Just, if you want to help me, you’ll leave!”

“I’m not going to let you shove me away for my own protection. I don’t work that way.”

“It’s not your choice.”

“It should be.”

He lets out a frustrated breath, unmoved by my loyalty. “Fine. Then do it for me. You’re only going to make things worse for me if you’re caught.”

Bam. I wince from the verbal punch to the gut. My feet take an instinctive step toward the door. “There has to be something we can do.”

“There is.” His voice quiets as he looks away. “I do what they want and take their drugs.”

I freeze. “You’re not a drug addict. They’re sedating you.” My words filter out in a whisper.

His gaze lifts back to me in confirmation. “The drugs diminish my abilities. It makes them feel safer. Helps me function.”

“But you let everyone believe you’re some strung-out junkie!”

“What’s my alternative?” he fires back. “I can play the part like they want or rot down here permanently.”

“Is Clausen behind all of this? Are they experimenting on you?”

He visibly shuts down, and I know our conversation is over. “I’ve already told you more than I should have, more than anyone else knows. Please, if you want to help like you said, don’t tell anyone anything about this. Just pretend to hate me like everyone else.”

My head rejects his evasive maneuvers and launches a dozen protests. My heart can’t tolerate the thought of hurting him anymore. My hand calls a truce and touches his, but there’s noreward of the present this time, only another nightmare from his past.

I flinch and let go. “Is that really what you want? To be hated?”

I don’t believe his nod for a second. He probably doesn’t believe my acceptance of it either, but we’re past the truth now, long past the kiss that already feels like a lifetime ago.

“Fine, I’ll play along, but only until we think of a better option. You have to promise me one thing, though.” His gaze settles on me. “Accept the fact that I don’t hate you. That you actually have a friend. You’re not alone here anymore.”

His weak smile breaks my heart. “Thank you, but you don’t even know what you’re promising. You don’t know me, Rebecca. You don’t know this place. I won’t hold you to that.”

His denial stings, but I have no clue how to counter. Maybe he’s absolutely correct, and the prospect terrifies me. “What’s going to happen to you now? What am I leaving you to?”

Something dark flickers in his eyes before he forces it away. “Just some quiet time to think about my defiance before the next dose. After that, they’ll let me go, and we start over. See you tomorrow,” he adds with a weak smile.

He has to know I’m not buying it, but there’s no point in calling him on the lie and forcing another one.

“Can we drop the act in our room at least?”

His expression is far from encouraging. “You have to go. Please,” He’s flat-out begging now, and I have no defense against that.

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