Page 51

CHARLOTTE

I t’s a long drag back down the purple hallway.

I’d rather get this over and done with than delay it any further. More time to ponder. And after the last game, my mind is reeling.

Was that Richard helping me again? Why did his words have such an impact on me?

It’s like he knew how to control me, how to enjoy me.

The problem is, I’m starting to doubt my own mind. I need to end this, not take a nap.

I stop before the guard closes the door. Richard has a friend this time to escort me. It’s like looking into identical sets of eyes.

“Why are there two of you?” I ask as we stop outside my door.

“Less contestants to look after now,” Richard replies flatly.

“How long have I got?” I ask.

He scratches his jaw and looks behind him.

“A few hours. I’ll bring you some lunch up soon.”

I give him a sweet smile. You never know who can save your life. Or who I could sacrifice to save my life.

“Thank you.”

As the door softly closes and locks with a gentle click, I flop onto the bed and bury my face in the cloud-like softness of the lush pillows, their scent a comforting blend of lavender and cotton.

Two rooms to go.

And I doubt we’ve hit the worst yet.

As my eyes flutter closed, all I can hear is the Irish voice from the last room.

I’m not losing my mind. He called me a good girl, and it was exactly how I remember.

A coincidence?

A high? The sweet room. I could have been drugged, possibly.

I pinch the skin of my arms; I’m fine.

His presence sparked me to life.

And he has a link to Enzo, I’ve seen it with my own eyes in Italy. My heart starts to pound. What if?

Shaking my head. There is no damn way fate can do this to me.

And what are the chances of him being in Pennsylvania?

Or are they lying to me? I could be anywhere. I was knocked the hell out.

Jumping out of bed, I pace the room, hearing the guards mumbling outside my door. Heading over, I quietly lean in and rest my ear on the door.

“Dangerous. Right.” One lets out a deep chuckle.

Are they talking about me?

I think about Jimmy, that soothing, deep voice.

I hope one day I can find him and tell him how his memory kept me alive all these years. Although I’m not sure how the hell I explain my participation in the games.

If I lose, I’ll never get a chance to tell a soul anyway.

This time the monsters are waiting behind a locked door for me, rather than sleeping beside me.

For now, I can rest.

When I rise, I finish this.

I fight to get my life back. And I guess, come face to face with ghosts.