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Everyone brings their sleeves to their nose, unable to withstand the fumes.

We're about halfway through the tunnel, and at this pointallthe cells are filled with dead people.

"Fucking hell," Bianca curses, using her hand to swat some flies aside.

But it's not just flies.

Rats, maggots and other insects are all strewn around the area, the ground teeming with them as they chase their next meal.

Even I'm becoming disgusted by what I'm seeing—and I don't remember the last time I got disgusted. Especially as the little bugs are crawling on the floor, scattering away any time we make a step forward.

Unable to help myself, I grab Sisi and I make her get on my back. I don't want her anywhere nearthat.

"You shouldn't have come, Bianca," I hear Marcello tell her as she's heaving by the side. "It can't be good for your pregnancy," he continues as Adrian pats her back, trying to help her.

"I'm fine," she wheezzes, "I don't think Diana likes dead people smell," she jokes as she wipes her mouth with the back of her hand.

"I don't think anyone does," I add dryly as Adrian takes her in his arms too, cradling her to his chest.

"This is an infestation. I can't believe this." Marcello shakes his head as he steps on a few bugs, the sound of their carcasses snapping reverberating in the air.

"But why would they keep them here? Some of them are long dead," Adrian adds, pointing to one cell where a body's half eaten by the various insects and scavengers.

"Because it's a punishment," I answer.

"A punishment? For whom? They're already dead!" he exclaims.

"For the ones who are still alive." I point to a few cells that are cleaner, where there are no traces of corpses. "It must be another brainwashing trick. Imagine spending even an hour in this place, surrounded by death and things that consume death."

"Damn." Bianca's features draw up in disgust. "This is another level of fucked up."

"It is," I agree. "And it's not even the worst," I say and I feel Sisi's arms tightening around my neck.

"I'm sorry," she whispers into my ear, her voice only for me to hear. "This can't be easy for you."

"Don't worry about me, hell girl. We're one step closer to Miles, and that's all that matters."

The tunnel finally ends, and it's like we can finally take a deep breath of not so rotten air.

"What the fuck," Bianca curses as she breathes out, her chest rising and falling rapidly, "I've never been a fan of putrefied flesh," she adds dryly, her lips curled in disgust. "That is simply too much."

"It's smart, though," Sisi says as I put her down to her feet. "Another type of behavioral therapy. Especially for a child, that would be sure to traumatize them."

"Exactly," I agree. "It's a form of control. Deep down, on a psychological level, because you're just scared into submission, but also because it simply desensitizes you. You saw those people's blank gazes."

"And I thought I'd seen the worst there is to see of humanity," Marcello mutters, rubbing his eyes. "This might just trump it all."

"How big is this underground compound? We've already been walking for what feels like forever," Bianca complains, one hand on her stomach as she coos some shit to her baby.

Gotta say, I never thought I'd see Bianca as a mother. And now she's pregnant? I'm surprised Adrian let her come, but then again, it's Bianca we're talking about. She would have gotten her way whether he wanted or not.

Still, I note the way his eyes never stray from her, always ready to intervene if necessary. Not unlike my situation with Sisi, he lets Bianca do what she wants while being ready to protect her at any moment.

It's funny how things are suddenly put into perspective. A year ago I would have never imagined empathizing with Hastings, or Bianca, since her obsession with him had never made sense.

Now? I want to laugh out loud at the irony, because if anything, I'm worse than Bianca'severbeen.

I sneak a glance at Sisi, marveling at the strength reflected in her features, and I know that what I feel for her goes beyondmere obsession. She's under my skin, in my blood, in my Goddamn heart. There's no place left that she hasn't touched or left her mark on.