Chapter 24

“Maya Garnet,” the girl stood up slowly.

“Yes, that's me,” I stepped forward, “You have a very powerful range with your gift now, don't you.”

“Don't patronize me,” she warned and the ice got closer to me, “Morrison wants you to come downstairs.”

“I've already been downstairs,” I walked out onto the ice, “Twice.”

“He has your blood, but he needed to see your visions and he wants you to be loyal,” she walked towards me.

“To do to me what he did to you,” I walked around her and we started to circle each other.

“He liberated me, all of the choices that come with emotion are wasteful,” she laughed, “I can do just about anything like the ice now.”

“You're the first one that's been successful,” I stated.

“I am the first, but I won't be the last,” she blasted at my feet then the ice was hit with a fireball.

“How many people are they still testing on?” I inquired.

“About a dozen,” she replied.

“Why would you tell me that?” I questioned.

 “I don't have any need to keep secrets anymore,” she said calmly, “Keep your fire raiser out of this.”

“Eva, stay back,” I kept my eyes on the girl, “What is your name?”

 

“It was Vicky,” she said, “Now I am Victory.”

“Nice name,” I remarked, “Does Morrison hear what we are saying right now?”

“Yes,” she said then fell forward.

“Vicky,” I knelt down beside her and she covered her head.

“My nerves are trying to work,” she said, “I cannot be weak, Morrison was just angry about the truth.”

“Why is Morrison so concerned about my visions?” I asked her.

“He is not done his work here and you could take his subjects away,” she got to her feet again, “He wants you because you're tough and you could survive the transition he needs your abilities.”

“He isn't going to get them,” I answered, “Go tell him that.”

“I am not leaving without you, Miss. Garnet,” she warned.

 

“Eva, scare her a little,” I took a step back. Eva blasted the ground around Vicky until she started to retreat. Eva got her to the elevator then I saw the elevator freeze up and the lights go out. I heard the screams. “Eva, get back to the training room,” I ordered then started running back there. I used the intercom to call everyone back then we locked the doors before the room went black. Some people still screamed, but it was out of surprise instead of horror.

“Maya,” I felt Darren's arms around me.

“You went off your pills completely, you risked the military's wraith for me,” I turned around.

“Like I said, I love you,” he found my lips and placed his gently against them.

“I know how the adaptors were created,” I said in between kisses.

“How did it happen?” he asked then a woman screamed.

“Darren,” I said then I felt him pull away and head in that direction, “Be careful, got it.”

“Understood,” he replied then I heard people fighting then a cry of pain.

 

“Darren,” I couldn't see anything. I started in that direction and then one of the doors opened and a shadow was dragged out. “Price,” I started towards the door then it slammed shut. “Dare,” I tried to open it, but it was locked, “Let him go.”

“Maya,” he shouted.

“Darren,” I started throwing myself at the door. In a few minutes later, the lights came back on and I grabbed the nearest guardian and stole his key. I ran out into the hallway and started running down the pathways trying to find him. I was about to head the west side when I saw a broken door and shoe marks heading downstairs.

 

“Maya, don't,” Seth said and I spotted a note on the second stair.

 

Just taking back what was already ours, we are eager to see you again Miss. Garnet.

Dr. Morrison

 

“I'll hurt him,” I tried to go downstairs, but Seth held me back.

“You cannot go down there, you won't come back,” he tried to drag me back towards the door.

 

“They have Darren,” I turned on him, “I am the reason he's in trouble, I have to go after him.”

“What would Darren say to you if I was down there?” he argued, “He'd say to stay strong and keep fighting.”

“I need him though,” I snapped, “I don't want them to turn him into a monster, I cannot let that happen.”

“He is as tough as you, Maya we need some kind of plan before we march down there,” he turned me around, “You have to think, don't let your grief get the best of you.”

“Morrison wants me in exchange for someone I love, he is raising the stakes,” I thought about Darren, “I am not getting a vision of him in pain yet, but if we wait too long they could do something to him.”

“I'll talk to the leaders, we will have a verdict as quickly as possible,” he promised.

 

“Hurry up, they are not above killing military, especially soldiers who sympathize with us,” I ordered then went back inside where Nora was waiting, “Nora, we have to help Darren, we need to go into a quiet room and you listen in on downstairs.”

“Right,” she led me into a room that seemed to be sound proofed, “It's an empty cell room.”

“Okay,” I sat down next to her on the floor. She looked down at the ground and her eyes focused.

“He's in the room below us,” she said relieved.

“A medical room,” I asked seriously.

 

“It's an interrogation room,” she shook her head, “Head Officer Warner is asking him who his loyalties are to.”

“I should be down there,” I clenched my fists.

“Darren said he was on our side,” she said then winced, “Warner hit him.”

“Come on, Darren fight back,” I muttered.

“He is chained to the chair,” she explained, “Warner is asking about you.”

“Darren, please don't say anything you'll regret,” I said anxiously, “What did he say?”

“He said he trusts you and that the military are pigs,” she answered, “Warner wants to know about your visions.”

“Darren knows most of them,” I bit my lip.

“Darren is refusing,” she said then winced again, “They have truth serum in him.”

“If they find that stuff out we are stuck here, I have to get down there,” I started to get up, but she grabbed my arm.

 

“He's not answering any of the questions, he's keeping his mouth shut,” she told me, “Warner is getting impatient.”

“Nora let me help him,” I begged.

“Morrison, just walked in,” she said, “I cannot handle this on my own, Maya please.”

“Okay,” I knelt down beside her, “What is he saying?”

“He is asking Darren why he did not report back to his floor when he was supposed to,” she gripped my arm.

“Because of me,” I said sadly.

“He also stayed for me, May,” she reminded me then we both focused. “He is asking Darren how frequent your visions are now.”

“Dare, don't say the truth,” I closed my eyes.

“He still isn't answering,” Nora insisted and I opened my eyes again. “Morrison wants to know what your relationship is with him,” she continued.

“The truth will only get him in more trouble,” I pinched her skin.

“Release the death grip,” she ordered, “Darren won't want you to lose it because of him.”

“I already lost Kiara, I cannot lose anyone else I care about,” I let go of her arm.

“You won't,” she snapped, “Darren is staying strong, they aren't getting anything out of him.”

“They might resort to alternate methods though,” I started chewing on my nails.

“He'll still stay silent, he's like a rock when he is being stubborn,” she assured me then focused again, “Warner is threatening Darren's military future unless he complies.”

“What if he really wants that future,” I questioned.

“He wants what he has here, May,” she said, “Darren shook his head and Morrison offered to upgrade him to officer status if he tells them where you sleep.”

“He hates upgrades he doesn't feel he deserves,” I unclenched my fists.

“He said he didn't want the upgrade,” she took my hand lightly this time, “Morrison ordered that pain shots be brought in.”

“They are under a lot of pressure,” I nodded, “They know we are planning something.”

“Darren got the first shot,” she squeezed my hand.

“Keep focused, Nora,” I told her wrapped my arm around her shoulder.

“He is trying not to scream,” she had tears in her eyes, “They are asking if he needs me there to convince him.”

“You aren't leaving my side until we've got your brother back,” I growled.

 

“Darren is laughing at them,” she said, “He is saying that his guardians would never get through the protection around us.”

“What protection?” I inquired.

“Two guardians are standing outside the door right now, Maya,” she informed me, “Darren got two pain shots at once.”

“Hold onto it,” I told her feeling her shaking.

“He's stopped laughing,” she looked to the side, “Your brother is walking in.”

“Is he talking?” I questioned.

 

“He's telling Darren that he's putting him where you two will never see each other again,” she cringed.

“When,” I demanded.

“Tomorrow,” she shrunk into me, “They're going to use the death serum on him unless he proves his loyalty.”

“Dare,” I said then she wrapped her arms around me, “Nora, I promise he isn't going to die, I swear it.”

“I need him,” she cried, “We need him.”

“I know,” I wrapped my arms around her then Seth came running in, “He's in the room below us, what are you going to do about it?”

“We are sending a team in the morning,” he gave me an apologetic look.

“Dare,” I touched the floor, “Hold on.”

Author's Note

what do you think will happen to Darren?