Page 72 of Exile
A hand grabs mine, squeezing it tight as our group pauses. I don't dare glance up at Damon as he silently reassures me through our gripped palms, not trusting myself to snap. But I clench his hand back while focusing on Grey and Theo as they work on the doors at lightning speed.
I can't help but notice the access pads down here have been updated too—like they expected us to do this. I hatethat thought. It means that they still think of themselves as better and stronger than us, not deterred by our efforts. Assholes.
It takes longer than the other two singular doors, and every second that passes, I feel myself creeping closer to the ledge. I need to get inside—a thought I'd never imagine myself saying.
The overwhelming necessity to make sure these patients are okay is sending rushes of adrenaline through my body. But to my surprise, instead of fear, I feel nothing but anger and the urge to avenge them.
I can sense Damon on edge next to me too, his hand in a vise-like grasp with mine, completely still and tense. It's the only sign that he's battling that control inside of himself, and together, we watch the other two work as a perfect team, ripping off the doors at the same time.
There's no care with them like the others, the doors smashing into the concrete ground with a deafening bang. But that's okay—we don't need to be subtle.
White light blinds us for a moment as the lab is exposed, a startled scream making my lips twitch as a flood of people rush in various directions while staring panic-stricken at us.
We must really look an interesting sight—the seven of us standing in the dark corridor, dressed in black with bright red devilish masks. It's obvious they have had a minor bit of warning, but our presence is shocking enough to disturb that.
Moving as one, we all storm inside. Damon lets go of my hand, but it's immediately captured by Grey as he pulls me left at the desk. I don't dare glance back at the room behind me where I suffered at the hands of their doctors.
Cowards. That's all they are.
A few doctors disappear into a doorway which I always thought was just another patient room, but I manage to catch a glimpse through the swinging door.
"It's an exit," I breathe out to Grey, nodding toward the obvious.
He nods. "Let them go for now. We'll deal with them later," he says, stopping as we reach the end of the corridor.
The door at the end of the corridor to our right is wide open, and my whole body jolts violently as I spot the electroshock machine. Except it's slightly different—more shiny. Even the straps on the bed aren't faded. It's been replaced.
I try not to dwell on the fact of what this means, turning to face the patient room door just as Grey kicks it in.
Wood shatters as splinters fly in multiple directions. As I spot a curled up figure in the corner, I completely forget about the room of nightmares, rushing inside.
"Siobhan!" I exclaim, kneeling in front of her. "It's Avery. Are you okay?"
Wide dark blue eyes peer up at me. "Who?"
I recoil, taken aback by her confusion. "Avery… It's me. Remember?"
Siobhan blinks a few times, and it's when I notice her eyes are unfocused.
"She's disorientated," Grey comments. "Move out of the way, little killer."
I step aside to let him in, but as he leans down to reach for her, Siobhan lets out an angry shout, suddenly bursting with energy. I yell for him to watch out, but Grey catches her fist and dodges her foot with ease. "Calm down," he tells her. "We're getting you out of here."
"Don't fucking touch me!"
"Grey." I put my hand on his shoulder. "We need to help calm her."
"We don't have time for that—"
"We make time," I shoot back. "Go to the next room and let me handle this."
Grey snaps his head toward me. "We're not splitting up, little killer. That's the only rule for this."
"We're not splitting up," I argue back. "Just keep checking the rooms next door while I try to calm her down. If we try to force her out, it's going to slow us down. We need everyone to be able to move on their own."
"No—"
"Do it!" I snap, shutting him up. "We're wasting time. She's vulnerable and her mind is in a bad place. Just give me two minutes—that's all I'm asking for."
