Page 69 of Exile
He voices my own thoughts, but I'm already two steps ahead. "What about those consent forms?" I ask. "While they may have been able to involuntarily take me before, surely those bullshit consent forms that Elsher had everyone sign is a starting place? They can't claim that we have the ability to consent otherwise we'd be able to leave here. Or something."
"Your sentences are tied into your Lilydale admission," Dr. Smith starts, deep in thought. "But perhaps you're correct. If we can prove that they are having people sign when they are deemed unable to make decisions, it could trigger some kind of investigation. It still wouldn't be enough though—"
"Unless we prove that it's leading to inhumane experimentation," I finish sharply. "There has to be a limit on what that contract allows them to do to us. Some of their methods are banned and illegal. If they are breaching their obligations by conducting treatments that are not legal, it would force the agency to have to review the whole process. It's a starting point."
Margie nods. "I think she's right, Chris. If we can make the allegation that the forms are in breach of a patient's freewill, especially since they were apparently coerced with reduced sentences, it could put them under investigation."
I gaze at her in awe. "You heard about that?"
"We were reviewing the form," she admits. "To see what we were working with. It's pretty standard in black and white, but verbally, they have coerced patients into this which is morally and ethically a breach. Not to mention the heinous methods you endured."
"How can we prove it though?" I ask weakly. "Damon said they cleared everything out the first time. If they destroyed the evidence of what they did to me and the others, how do we prove that they are doing something illegal?"
Dr. Smith straightens up. "We catch them in the act."
I shake my head. "No—we can't leave them down there any longer. It's going to do more harm than good. If our report triggers an investigation, they will erase their tracks. We know they have killed patients before. We're getting them out."
Margie glances at the two of us in confusion, and I realize that he hasn't been completely transparent with her. It's obvious that she's not privy to the knowledge of Cirque des Morts, or even possibly Damon and his relationship to Dr. Smith. But the doctor recognizes what I'm saying, hearing my unspoken words.
Sighing, he nods defeatedly. "Then get them out," he answers quietly. "Do what you have to do. We'll lodge a report today and do everything we can to stress the urgency of the matter."
Before I can answer, a knock on the door interrupts us. My eyes instinctively move to the clock on the wall, and I know it's a guard coming to collect me—probably to ensure I don't get actual help. My appointments with Dr. Smith have been getting shorter each session, like they are attempting to disrupt him from doing his job. Standing, I smile at Margie as she rises with me.
"Please don't blame yourself," I tell her again. "I know what it's like to feel guilt that's misplaced. Neither of us are at fault. And for what it's worth if Dr. Smith hasn't filled you in, in a weird, twisted turn of events, coming here has saved me."
Puzzled, she tilts her head, urging me to continue. The door opens behind me, and when I check who's stationed there, I relax when I spot Connor.
"I found myself," I tell her peacefully. "And I found a real family where I truly belong. No matter what happens, I'mhappy—well, as happy as I can be. But I came to Lilydale lost and broken, and regardless of how I leave, whether that's alive or dead, I'm leaving in one piece, put back together by people who love me and make me realize I'm worth more than I ever thought before I came here."
Connor motions for me to follow and I take a few steps, pausing in the doorway once final time as I smile at Margie.
"I'm everything I was meant to be but was too scared to become. And this asshole," I nod, laughing quietly playfully toward Dr. Smith. "Is now my cousin-in-law, and he was a big part in helping me open my eyes."
Chapter 26
Avery
We're all on edge waiting for nightfall, but no one more than the three guys. When they collect me from my room when lights go out, it's eerily quiet among the group, and it's nothing to do with the fact that we're trying to remain out of sight.
Even in the dark, I can see their tense muscles and stiff backs as we make our way to the library. The others are waiting for us, and I give a quick nod to Byrone and a wave to Jillian before standing next to Damon at the head of the table.
It's then I realize that everyone here is a ball of nervous energy, and it dawns on me why…
They already did this once…
"Alright," Damon starts, voice strong. "Let's go over the plan one more time. We'll move similar to last time, with Byrone and Jillian cutting the feeds. Arthur has left for the night and Connor is keeping track of the guards. He won't be able to stop all of them if they get the word to follow and attack. But we've provided him with a cell phone so he can communicate with us. That's our advantage this timepeople. Use the cells provided. We'll set up a conference call so that we're all in touch."
Grey shifts closer to my left, boxing me in between him and Damon instead of being on our leader's other side as usual. To my surprise, Theo is on Damon's other side, the four of us facing the awaiting group.
"And just confirming you four plus Louis, Mark and Andy will be heading downstairs?" Byrone asks.
Damon nods. "Given the number of patients we're dealing with, we need the extra set of hands."
I meet Jillian's eyes as they glance up from her laptop, the two of us sharing a tight smile. When we debriefed early about my meeting with Dr. Smith and Margie, it was a unanimous vote that we move tonight. Straight away, I strongly told the guys I was coming with them. Even though I could sense their hesitation, to my astonishment, no one objected. I'm not sure if it's because I have knowledge that we can use, or that they want to keep me in their line of sight, but either way, they weren't going without me.
This whole experimentation mess started with me and it's going to end with me. No one else gets hurt.
Reaching down, I slip my hand through Grey's. He's chilled and composed, but underneath those complex layers, there's something brewing. I know what this means to him as well. The fact that this is the third time they have had to do this is fucked up. Despite everything I went through, at leastI came out of it alive. Leah didn't. And I know that hangs on his conscience tonight.
