Page 86 of Exile

Famous last words.

We were not fine. Not in the slightest.

Charmaine does her best to placate the class, but realistically, all she can do is dodge the flying desks and fists as patients tackle each other like wild animals.

Guards rush in to assist, prying people off each other and dragging them away, but things continue to escalate.There's not a big enough ratio of guards to patients, so I'm not surprised when we're quickly screamed at that free time has been cancelled. Everyone is ordered back to their rooms straight away, the more volatile patients forced by guards while the rest of us follow by dorm.

I throw a quick wide-eyed glance at Grey as I'm herded with a group of girls to escort back to our section of the facility, mouthing that I'll use my cell to contact him.

He angrily scans the guards surrounding us, completely oblivious to the chaos as people shout and kick around him. I silently beg him not to do anything, not to draw attention or lash out despite his obvious overwhelming need to get to me and keep me safe.

Thankfully, he remains calm, our eyes staying locked until we're pulled out of sight in different directions.

I need something else to focus on, so I take in the group I'm with, sucking in a breath when I spot Eliana. I shuffle toward her until we're walking side by side.

"Are you okay?" I ask, noticing her usual smiley face is absent.

She turns her head to face me, steps never faltering. "I don't know," she says honestly.

All I can do is nod in acknowledgment. Because like I said: we're not fine. No one is.

We've sealed the fate of every patient in here. And we have no idea what that means.

Chapter 32

Avery

"Did anyone notice all the fucking roses?" Grey grumbles, sitting down on the end of Damon's bed. "There's fresh roses everywhere. The damn classrooms, the bathrooms, the hall. They even put some in the fucking library."

"Arthur is trying to send a message," Damon answers while stroking my leg. We sprawled out with our backs against the wall. "He's fucking with us, a warning because of the patients starting to riot."

The guys managed to break me out of my room yesterday once the sun went down. We stayed in constant communication until then, and even though everyone is still confined to their rooms, Grey makes a valid point.

There's suddenly roses everywhere. Appearing out of the blue since yesterday, I can't help but agree with Damon. Whittingham knows we'd never stay separated, intentionally placing them around the facility for us to see. It's a message all right—we're still walking free but he's got something planned.

But still… what's the deal with the fucking roses?

Grey folds his arms. "He's about to fuck around and find out when my fist caves in his face. Hell, maybe I'll do a Uno reverse and slice off his head like he had that asshole do to Teddy. I could wear it as a hat."

"And hide that hair you think is so precious? Unlikely," Theo speaks up from the corner, one leg pulled to his chest.

The comment sends me into a fit of maniacal laughter. If I don't find humor in things right now, I may just slip into some abyss from all the mind fucks and games.

Grey shoots an offended scowl at Damon, who too, is smirking at the comment.

"Don't be mad at me," Damon shrugs, squeezing my knee. "She's the one cackling like a hyena."

I straighten up, pushing his hand off me playfully. "I beg your pardon. How is this suddenly my fault?"

Damon cocks his head to the side with a smirk. "You know I love it when youbeg."

"Of course that's all you choose to focus on," I mumble. "But at least I'm not adocile sheepnow."

Shaking his head, he turns back to Grey. "Did you find Christopher?"

"Yeah," he confirms. "Deep in a session with a patient who was screeching at a level that only bats can hear. Something about conspiracy and this place being a gimmick."

I shake my head. "I hope Alexander gives him a raise for having to deal with all this bullshit."