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“Yes,” I answered briskly, turning back to my meal. The meat, thankfully, was not moldy. It actually tasted pretty damn good, if I was being honest. I was practically salivating by the time I came to the brownie.

“You’re an idiot,” Doug quipped. His voice was muffled as if he was speaking with his mouth full.

“I need to get to her. She needs me, especially now.”

Now more than ever, though I didn’t tell him that. What I had discovered, what I’d been told…

Tremors reverberated through my body, and my heartbeat rose exponentially. I could feel it pounding against my rib cage.

They couldn’t get to Addie.

My hands were shaking as I brought the brownie to my lips and bit down, immediately assaulted by the rich, gooey goodness.

And something hard.

I choked, sputtered, and removed the object from between my teeth.

“What the hell?” I whispered, glancing at my palm.

“What? Did you piss your pants again?” Doug droned. “I told you it’s not that big of a deal to use the chamberpot. It’s only a little unsanitary. I’m sure your ass will only get a mild infection.”

“Shut the fuck up, Doug.” My voice was high in wonder, taking the bite out of my words. I held the bronze key up to the scarcely lit hallway.

Not just any key, but the key to my prison.

“What the fuck?” I repeated. I held my breath as I brought the key to the lock. I was at a precipice just waiting to fucking fall. Every breath was wheezing, a horrible gasping noise.

“What’s going on?” Doug exclaimed. He sounded closer. I imagined he was huddled against the bars, attempting to peer out.

There was a clicking noise as the key turned, and the lock clattered to the ground. I held my breath as varying emotions battled for dominance. I settled on disbelief.

Was this a trap?

Was this a way to test my loyalty?

“Did you just…? Let me out, man.” Doug’s voice took on a pleading quality.

Ignoring him, I opened the door the rest of the way and stepped into the hallway. The cement was cold beneath my bare feet, colder than even the floor of my cell. The light was dim, barely breaching the far corners. The door out of the prison, the door to my freedom, sat in front of me.

Waiting.

Trap or no trap, I would never have another opportunity like this. It would be worth the beating to just claim I tried.

“Let me out!”

“Sorry, man.” I took a tentative step forward. “I need to get to her and soon. But I’ll come back for you.”

Maybe.

When had I turned into such a heartless bastard?

Doug’s laugh was humorless.

“And you still think I’m a spy?” he asked, and I shrugged my shoulders, a gesture I knew he didn’t see.

“No. But I don’t know your physical condition nor what you did that would require them to lock you up. I can’t take that risk. As you always told me, it’s every man for themselves.”

Another laugh wheezed through his lips. Surprisingly enough, this one was heavy with amusement.