Page 52 of Gifted

“Don’t sell yourself short. You’re nailing it.”

My smile fades when a hand grasps mine and blasts me with a flash. I spin around at the familiar image, but he’s already rushing toward a stack of mats in the corner of the room. Oh no. No!

“What was that? Asshole!” Connor calls out. “Are you okay?”

I swallow, fighting to remain calm. “Fine. I’m sure it was an accident.” I steal another glance in Daniel’s direction, but he’s ducked out of view. That’s when I notice the security guards at each exit. We’re five minutes past the activity start time, and drill sergeant Clausen seems in no rush to organize the student body. Something isn’t right.

“Hey, I’ll be right back. I have to use the bathroom,” I say.

I manage a quick smile to cover my racing pulse as I take off in the direction of the floor mats and bathrooms. Chills rush through me when I circle the pile to find Daniel bowed on the floor, his palms pressed against his ears, eyes clenched shut.

“Daniel?” I drop beside him. “What’s wrong?”

“They won’t give me the drugs. They…” He stifles a cry and doubles over.

His face was open fear before he tucked himself away. No act. No filter. Just pure agony that I feel in my own veins. I take his arm to help him up, but I don’t know what to do.

“You…” He winces again and collapses against me, fingers tight in his hair. “You have to get me out of here. Please!”

Frantic, I look around for options but see only obstacles. The guards have created a sealed room. We’re trapped in here with the entire student body—and my blood goes cold.

An enclosed space.

The entire student body.

Daniel’s abilities.

No drugs.

They’re crushing him!

“What can I do? Just tell me what to do!”

“I have to get past the guards.” He’s slurring now. Does he even know what he’s saying? “Get me out.” He stumbles another step forward, and I follow helplessly, supporting his weight as best as I can. “I need… I…”

His voice trails off completely, and I know he’s losing the fight.

“Come on. Let’s get you into the bathroom. Maybe the walls will block some of it.”

I grip his waist and help him toward the closest door. Fortunately, the ladies room is empty, and we make our way to the last stall. I lock the door and ease him to the floor, where he finally seems to draw in a breath. Frustrated tears glisten in his eyes, and my anger for the director burns hotter.

“They stopped giving me the drugs. I’m sorry for avoiding you, but I’ve been trying to stay isolated. They finally found me and threw me in here. I have to escape. I can’t take any more.”

“What are they trying to do?”

He shakes his head and rests it on his knees. “I don’t know. I can’t think straight. I can’t see anything. Just this black cloud of everything pressing down at once.”

“Is it better in here?”

I’m terrified when his arms cover his head. For all he endures, I’ve never seen him weak. Never broken.

“I want to help you, I just don’t know what to do. Maybe we can conduct some kind of distraction.”

The door crashes open, and our gazes lock in alarm.

“We know you’re in here,” a guard calls out.

I jump to my feet, but Daniel doesn’t move.

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