Page 41 of Exile

I snort, giving him a quick peck before straightening up and looking at Theo. "Get over here."

He doesn't need to be told twice, but unlike the other two, he doesn't lunge at me. It's slow, mesmerizing, and taunting.Steady footsteps, his warm hand cupping my cheek as he leans down and lightly kisses my lips.

It's dead silent in the hall now, my skin burning with the eyes of ninety-odd patients. And just like them, I'm also hypnotized and breathless. For our onlookers, it's confusing—not only seeing Damon and Grey make me theirs, but Theo's stark contrast to his usual behavior.

They don't know what I know though. Only I get his softer side.

As for me, I'm struggling to handle all the different approaches, and for a second, I forget what the conversation was before all this happened.

"Oh, right," I mutter to myself, stroking my thumb over Theo's cheek. "I'll be back."

He gingerly nods, heading off to the food line and leaving the other two in his wake. Damon and Grey wait for me to head over to Vivian, her green eyes plastered on my approaching frame.

"What the fuck?" she asks quietly when I reach her table, but it's more puzzled than anything.

Sitting down across from her, I take in her pale cheeks, and slender frame. Vivian has always been a petite woman, but there's something nearly sickening about her current physique.

Her plate in front of her barely has any food on it, only a few vegetables. The fork is still on the table next to it, completely untouched.

"You're not eating," I point out, temporarily bypassing the main reason for my impromptu visit.

She shrugs. "I'm not hungry."

Offering her a grim smile, I glance away for a second, understanding all too well what she's feeling. "We're going to find them," I promise her.

Vivian lets out a sad sigh, resting her chin on her palm. "Will you though? They are probably already dead, Avery."

I know she's close to Siobhan, and probably Eliana too. I remember when Whitface told everyone that Vivian was dead, Siobhan lost her shit.

"They have to be okay," I tell her. "There's no other option."

As we lock eyes, I see tears swell. She's on the verge of breaking down, and I hurt for her.

"Do you think…," she pauses, swallowing hard. "Do you think they are going through the same as what we did?"

Fucking hell. I never thought I'd see the day I trauma bonded with Vivian. Neither of us deserved what happened. I don't know Vivian's back story and what led her to Lilydale but it's clear that she's deeply disturbed by the recent events.

I don't blame her. The thought that other patients are currently being locked in ice cold water or electrocuted is sickening.

"I hope not," I mumble. "But I can tell you one thing—Dr. West is dead."

"Good," she repliescarelessly.

Theo ending his miserable existence was the relief I needed. He'll never harm someone again in the name of science, but that doesn't mean there aren't more doctors in his place. Dr. Cromwell—fucking Melanie—is still on the loose. She was so eager to learn and please, acting empathetic and pitying me.

I don't need their pity. I needed to be protected.

We all do.

"Please look after yourself," I say, lowering my voice. "They don't deserve your tears—or your pain. Live…for you. Be their worst nightmare."

Vivian doesn't respond but her eyes sharpen at my words, as if I've hit something buried deep.

Standing up, I give her a quick nod and tight smile before joining the guys at the other end of the hall.

"Not going to lie, it feels a little crowded," I joke, taking a seat on the edge of my bed.

It's been nice being back in my room after solitary confinement—even if it did get a littleheatedin there. When all three guys insisted on walking me here after free time, I said yes immediately.