Kat's POV

I sigh irritably, making sure guards restraining me hear it loud and clear. One is behind me, in front of me, and two on either sides.

"You guys are fine with this? Quinn using me and those soldiers for her experiments?" I ask.

The guard at my right side gives me a halfhearted glance. "You did try to kill us. Besides, our society comes first."

"What about Jason and his group? They didn't do anything and you're imprisoning them."

"We have a special use for them. Sacrifices must be made."

I think I might know that their "special use" for them will be occurring today. There's something eerily quiet about the whole place that sends chills down my spine.

"Where are you taking me?" I hiss.

The guard behind me pokes my back with his gun. "Shut up and walk!"

I could take down all of these guards easily. But I don't think I would get very far. They're most likely taking me to the same place as the others. If I don't behave, that might not be the case anymore. My best chance of saving them is to keep low. For now, at least.

They lead me to the huge science lab, where I saw all the dreadful experiments they were doing. The room is dark enough to where my night vision kicks in, coating everything in a bright green shade. There's still dried blood on the floor. I wonder if they've kept it there to terrify the others as some kind of sick joke.

"KAT!" I hear Jason scream.

That's my cue

The guards seem to know it too, for they point their guns at me. They're only stun guns, and I could probably take one and stumble away just fine. But when the four guards shock me all out once, that's a another situation. I'm left fidgeting on the floor, trying to push myself up, only to have another spasm push me back to the ground.

They throw me into a plexiglas cage. I count ten minutes before I'm able to move and sit up again.

My skin raises in goosebumps when I see a figure in the corner of my eye. I whip my head around to find Prosper. The light has left his eyes, a heartbreaking sight to behold.

"Katerina?" He croaks.

It doesn't take long for us to fling into each other's arms. Despite everything he's been through, he still feels strong. Our ability is both a blessing and a curse.

"I thought you were dead," I mumble.

"Ditto," Prosper answers.

"Hey guys, aren't you forgetting someone?" James says, hugging me from behind. I didn't even notice he was in here.

"Ruined the moment," Prosper grumbles, letting go of me and taking a step back.

I turn to face James. "Where's the others? Alice isn't here with you?"

James looks away. "The others died a while back. You see, we were the few that had an upgrade. I guess the others died from shock. Their hearts couldn't handle it."

A pang throbs through my chest. I never really knew the other soldiers, but the thought of so much unnecessary death is heartbreaking. And then there's Alice....

James loved her...

"Oh, and Alice is in that cell over there," he continues. "Hah, I guess I should've mentioned that first."

I slap him in the chest and peer at where he's pointing. The cell right beside us holds the most bored looking girl on the planet. Her eyes light up when they catch me, though.

"Yeah, um... we've been here for a while. But they've moved us together for some reason. Like they don't have enough room for all of us to have our own cage," Prosper explains.

Alice and I mouth a few condolences to each other before Jason is thrown into Alice's cell. He stumbles a little and grimaces, holding his head from a headache. Losing his eye has been a massive toll on him.

"Hey! It's one of those savages!" Hisses James.

Alice seems to notice this too. She crosses her arms and smirks at Jason. He just looks back at her warily. He doesn't seem to have the energy to give her a death glare

"I'm so glad you're here," Prosper says. He grabs my hand. I feel Jason's gaze find me. It remains there.

I try to take a step back, but Prosper pulls me in. He plants a long and forced kiss on my lips. I don't think he notices me resisting until I tug myself away. Jason is banging on his cell and yelling something at Prosper.

"You know that guy?" Prosper scowls.

"Yeah. He's kind of my boyfriend," I answer.

"Um, Kat... I'm your boyfriend."

James bursts into laughter. "Seriously? You're cheating on Prosper with that guy? Look at him! His jaw is crooked. He's missing an eye!"

"A bit short, wouldn't you think?" Prosper adds.

"Short?" I echo, perplexed. If they think Jason is short, then what am I? I guess a few inches shorter than what "normal height" for a male is in The Walls is considered an imperfection.

I inhale deeply. "Remember those bad headaches I had?"

James and Prosper nod. I tell them the whole story. From the beginning, when I ran away up until now.

Hope you guys are having a great summer. It's halfway over! I'm planning to finish Curiosity Killed the Cat by the end of the summer so school won't get in the way. I'm working on the second version and may publish it this year. You may want to keep an eye out for it. Or, if you have any suggestions for the second draft PLEASE send a private message, it would mean the world to me.
Thanks to those who read this!
~rosemary <3