Page 4 of Ravage
Besides, I’ve been here long enough that I could get anywhere with my eyes closed.
Instead of tip-toeing to the door directly across from mine, I creep down the hallway to the stairs.
I promised the guys I’d bring us snacks from the kitchen tonight.
I move my bare feet quickly, but methodically, down the stairs. I know just where to step to avoid the creaks and groans that would give me away and force me back in my room.
I had to do that a lot in the beginning of my time here, but now, I’m a pro. The master ninja of the manor. Only the guys know of my skill because I’m always the designated kitchen thief.
Jackson would obviously be a better choice in staying quiet and collecting things, but we’ve found that I get off far easier on punishments if I’m caught. At most, I’m chided and escorted back to my room where the door is locked to keep me in. Sometimes, the staff lets me keep one of my prizes before returning me to my room.
The guys are given chores or something like that. They never cared to really talk about it, so probably something boring.
I’m halfway down the first-floor hallway to the kitchens when a hushed moan breaks the silence. I freeze and look behind me.
No one's there.
Another moan erupts, louder this time, and curiosity turns me around. I keep myself on the uppermost pads of my feet and sneak closer to see who’s going at it so I can tell the guys.
There’s a door that’s partially open, and I press myself against the wall to listen.
I hear a smacking noise and then a crash. “Shut the damn door first.”
My heart leaps into my throat, and I debate running to the kitchen before I’m seen, but a familiar voice makes me abandon that idea.
“Whoops, sorry!” A soft, but slightly nervous laugh follows.
I’d know that voice anywhere.
I have to look. To see it with my own eyes.
Vera, Dane’s sister, is in a staff member’s room at night. And now I’m freaking out about what that crashing sound was. I can’t leave now. Not until I make sure she’s okay.
I move in front of the door and put my hand against it, getting ready to open it all the way when it pushes back against my hand. Vera steps around the door, and her eyes widen when she sees me.
My expression probably matches hers as we stare at each other, wondering what the other is doing here.
“Vera—”
She steps into the hallway, forcing me back while she tries to close the door enough behind her that I can’t see into the room. “Are you spying on me?”
“What? No. I heard something and then I heard you and wanted to make sure you were okay—”
“You heard something from all the way upstairs?”
I thumb toward the kitchen. “I was going for a snack.”
Her eyes narrow at me like she has an internal bullshit-o-meter that can tell whether I’m lying through my teeth or not. But I don’t know why she would think I was following her around. Well, not that I wouldn’t if I thought she was in trouble.
“What are you doing?” The door is yanked from her hand and flies open, as do Vera’s eyes when she looks back over her shoulder.
Gordon, one of the scientists who’s been training us and studying each of our gifts, scowls when he sees me. “Get in the room.” Vera scurries inside and when I hesitate, he adds in a commanding tone, “Both of you.”
This time, I do as he asks, and he closes and locks the door after me.
There are rules he has to follow with disciplining us for stepping out of line. I’m confident that he’s only trying to avoid any other intrusions until this is sorted.
The room is the same size as mine, but for one person rather than four. The bed is nearly three times the size of one of ours, and there’s enough room for an entire living area. My gaze sticks on the broken lamp and knocked-over side table.
