Page 51 of The Academy
Chapter 19:
The underground is silent when we return, the blinding lights hurting my eyes after returning from the darkness outside. Wolvrin stops at the elevator like normal where the Overseer leads me to Madam’s office, and orders Bella to return to the assigned bunk rooms.
The office is quiet today. Madam is sitting at her desk without the Major. She doesn’t even look up at me as we enter the room. Two guards are on either side of the walls, and immediately alarm bells go off in my mind. I know this isn’t a normal mission report. If they wanted a mission report, they wouldn’t have asked Bella to leave.
They wouldn’t want me alone.
“PX-3, any new details?” Overseer asks, his voice is calm, even, not giving anything away.
“Not many, sir. Cayden, the target, was more focused on being a host than supplying information tonight. I did not manage to get any details on an accomplice, nor did I see anything. Though, the target has begun to experiment with his feelings for me, sir.”
I decide to tell them about the kiss. If they know Cayden kissed me, then they will keep sending me. And if they see my obedience, I’ll buy myself some more time. It’s a dangerous game, if I show even a hint of liking what Cayden did, they will cut me off, likely kill me. But if I show disdain, or nothing at all, they will think I’m still just watching a target.
“Experiment with his feelings? Explain, PX-3.”
“He kissed me, sir. Before the dinner.” I keep my voice flat, reining in every emotion and shoving it down into a deep dark hole inside of my mind. I will not lose the very little that I have, Cayden included. I will not lose my hope.
“A single kiss?”
“Yes, sir.”
I don’t mention Marcus was there the whole time with Bella, or the fact Cayden has a sister, or the fact The Academy doctor left my neck untreated and it was Cayden who took care of me, wrapping up my throat and cleaning the wound. I don’t mention he kissed the bandage once he was done, nor that it made me feel things I never have before.
I don’t tell them anything beyond what’s needed to keep me alive.
“Very well, back to your bunk.” I don’t hesitate as I walk out of the door, leaving the Overseer and the Madam behind, until I get to my assigned bunk room where Bella is already waiting, sat up in bed.
“Oh good, you are still alive.”
“Careful, Bella, almost sounds like you would miss me. And that is strictly forbidden.” I do my best Madam impression, which makes both of us laugh as we get into our pyjamas and into bed. Bella looks at me like she wants to ask me about Cayden, but I shake my head. It’s not safe here, and she knows it.
When sleep finally takes me, I welcome the distraction from the chaos going on around in my mind. A welcome peace to the never-ending stream of questions that Cayden refuses to answer, yet tells me he has a sister.
That’s one realisation I can’t shake: he has a sister.
I wonder what her name is, if she’s the same age as me or younger. She seems like she might be younger. But then again, I didn’t grow up normally. Maybe star gazing is something all girls do, and I’ve just never been allowed.
The lights turn on at 6:30 the next morning like they do every morning, interrupting sleep with their blinding lights. They should really be able to change the colour or dim them, but then I suppose fewer girls would get out of bed, so part of me understands. Or at least I used to.
I’m not sure where my head is at anymore.
“Welcome back to the land of the living.” Bella laughs, already in her training uniform and lacing up her boots.
“Hypothetically, what would happen if I just refused to leave the bed and wallow in my own demise?” I groan, burying my head into my pillow.
This time it’s Bella doing an Overseer impression giggling. “The chair, three days.”
I sigh deeply, dramatically, knowing she’s right and sit up in bed, stripping off the pyjamas and changing into my training uniform, showing my reluctance in the comfort of the bunk room. I lace up my boots and put on my mask of indifference the second the bunk room door opens.
We walk in silence to the crowd gathered in the dining sector, grabbing our breakfast trays and sitting at the back of the tables. It’s so quiet without Lauren and Kylie, and I hate it. I hate that they aren’t here to complain about something stupid.
I hate that I didn’t appreciate it.
I thought if I picked up the slack for Lauren, she would be safe. Now look where that got her. Bella seems to be lost in the same thought as she sighs. “We need new friends,” she whispers, careful not to be caught.
“We can’t have friends,” I remind her. While Lauren, Kylie, Bella, and I all risked braving the chair for a conversation, unless something big happens, not many others are willing.
“This sucks,” Bella says, playing with the bowl of sludgy oats on her tray. I’m not sure if she’s talking about the food or the others, but either way, I agree.
