Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 117246 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 586(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117246 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 586(@200wpm)___ 469(@250wpm)___ 391(@300wpm)
I fought for calm as the weight of the armor settled into place. He’d listed everything I despised, all rolled into a single activity. The dark. Being stalked by a maddened. Battling others for safety. Pain. But. Those vouchers. How wonderful to share “a food” with Shiloh, my treat.
I cast a peek the medic’s way, hoping to engage him and rouse a smile, if only for a moment.
He stalked from the room.
If the HP noticed, he didn’t show it. He scanned the line of soldiers, impassive. “Any questions? Good. Engage your lenses.”
Trembling, I obeyed. A small screen lowered over my eyes and molded into a half mask. Just as the shield darkened, I caught the HP’s gaze. In a moment of camaraderie, he offered a brusque nod, surprising me. Then the world around me vanished, and my thoughts centered around the only problem that mattered. I—saw—nothing.
Inhale. Exhale. If I’d been smart, I would’ve practiced with the lens outside of class while I’d had the chance, exactly as suggested. Bad decision to ignore good advice. Today I’d probably choke on the fruit of my choice.
“Go,” the HP stated simply.
Someone bumped into me. Yelping, I tripped forward and collided with another soldier. Murmurs, grunts, and screeches created a frightening chorus. A piercing scream added to the chaos.
My heart galloped. Leave, fear. I’m brave. I extended my arms and threw my feet forward, panting breaths clogging my ears. My nose wrinkled. What was that atrocious smell?
A feeder flashed before my vision, eyes wild, teeth bared, the worms on its head sticking straight out, giving the illusion of spikes. No! I tried to dive out of the way. Too late. Sharp pains exploded inside my brain, and I shrieked, my knees buckling. I dropped like a stone in water, crashing into the floor. Someone tripped over me, kicking me in the gut, setting off a fresh chain reaction of pain.
Coughing, I crawled away as fast as I could. The cubbies, where were the cubbies?
Sweat beaded on different parts of me. When had the room become wall-less? I must be going in circles. Which way, which way? The north and south had cubbies, the east and west did not.
“Over here,” Roman called from across the room, as if he sensed my desperation.
“Where?” Lark demanded.
“Follow my voice,” he responded.
I didn’t know about her, but I took Roman’s advice. If he was safe in a cubby, he was where I needed to be. I could help myself to safety, then turn my efforts to aiding others, like Roman had.
Lark grunted and cursed. Had she gotten tagged? I quickened my pace. Other trainees issued warnings and pleas for aid. Shrieks and thumps ebbed and flowed.
“Learn to detect the slightest hint of a feeder’s approach,” the HP instructed.
The death stench hit me again. This time, I acted faster, diving and rolling. My brain rattled against my skull, but I didn’t scent the maddened anymore. Invigorated, I crawled with swift determination.
Boom! My forehead greeted the wall at long last. More discomfort. More dizziness. Rising to my knees, I paused to orient. The decision cost me. The same wild-eyed feeder flashed over my vision, too close to avoid. Tag!
Searing agony flared anew. Despite it, I shoved myself along the wall. Panting, grunting, wheezing. Finally! An open cubby. Noooo! I bumped someone.
“Taken,” Titus announced, no doubt ready to defend his hideaway despite sounding sympathetic.
Adrenaline surged, and I crawled faster, panted harder, feeling my way. More cubbies, more occupants. Open! I threw myself inside the tight space and stood, pressing my back against the wall, making my body as small as possible. Raspy breaths pumped my chest up and down. I’d done it!
“Round over,” the HP announced. “Lenses up.”
I pressed the button and blinked rapidly against the onslaught of light. No sign of the holograms. Six soldiers toppled from their cubbies to writhe on the floor in various stages of torment.
With a groan, I eased down and stretched out. “I’m dying,” I muttered. “Or dead. Yeah. Definitely dead.”
“Walk it off, Roosa,” the HP commanded.
Walk off being dead?
“Cash, you’re out.”
The fallen lord-in-training raised his thumb in a show of acceptance.
Our merciless leader announced, “Line up.”
I left the security of the cubby with a groan. Behind me, a door slid shut. One less competitor, one less cubby.
The HP motioned to the medics, who rushed over to examine anyone with an injury. Someone I’d never met had taken Shiloh’s place.
I glanced at the HP, seeking answers. He watched me. When he arched a brow in question, I knew what he was asking. Could I handle more?
“I’m brave,” I mouthed. I’d find Shiloh later and find out what was going on.
The corner of the HP’s mouth twitched. “Recall what I told you about RVM in Theirland. Outside of Cured’s buildings, the world appears upside down unless you’re wearing a lens. On the off chance your lens ever fails, you must learn how to operate accordingly. I’m programming your goggles to invert your vision. Engage.”