Page 86 of Minding the Minotaur

Research?

“You will be housed here while we monitor your wellbeing.” He’s not smiling, or pleasant now. His face is all hard angles.

I debate making a run for it as the doors swing open, but when I see big, uniformed personnel with bulked up shoulders moving in our direction, my heart drops.

If I ran, how far would I get? Even if I could make it out of the building, no way could I get to the Periphery without being hunted down and captured.

I have to face the bitter truth.

I am a prisoner.

I bite back caustic tears, my hands clammy as I’m escorted to the elevator. We go up twenty-two floors, then I’m led along a corridor, our feet making no sound on the plush blue carpet. I’m escorted into a room, beautifully decorated, with dusky blue walls. It’s like a hotel suite. Pictures of Sparkle adorn the walls. Paradise Beach. The lake. The pavilion atop Heaven Hill. Lies. All lies.

Dr Petronis saunters over to a sofa by the window and sits down. I remain standing, bolt upright.

“Sit.” He motions to an easy chair. I perch stiffly on the edge.

A nurse brings a pillow and puts it solicitously behind my back. A young man carrying a tray of food and drinks asks me politely if I’d like anything.

I shake my head mutely.

Soft music is piped through the speakers. Far from putting me at ease, the calm, clinical efficiency of the place, the smiling staff, the perfect surroundings terrify me.

I’ve just spent weeks holed up with huge monsters who make me feel one hundred percent safer than these humans.

Dr Petronis takes a cup of coffee and a frosted cupcake from the young man’s tray.

He leans back nonchalantly on the sofa. “Our CEO will be here to see you shortly, Samantha. They want to welcome you to DV Research.”

He sips his coffee, then takes a bite of his cake.

Nausea rises up my throat, but I swallow hard and ask, “What happens after that?”

Dr Petronis’s eyes are like ice picks in the snow. “You’ll find out.”

From along the corridor, I hear voices getting closer, then Dr Petronis stands, puts his cup on a side table, and pulls at his jacket, smooths down his salt and pepper hair.

The door swings open.

“Ma’am,” he says.

My heart stops dead for a moment.

Marsha Winters, my nemesis, and the CEO of DeVines, sashays into the room.

Seems like she is also the CEO of DV Research.

She’s wearing a red suit, her black hair pinned up. Her winged black and gold glasses sparkle as if attempting to outdo the towers and turrets of the city. She glances at mewith a nasty twist to her mouth and acknowledges Dr Petronis with a nod.

Behind her shuffle a bunch of men and women in gray suits. Following them are what look like a couple of scientists, wearing white coats and clutching notepads and pens.

The young man who handed out refreshments now rushes forward and places a chair in the center of the room. Marsha floats down onto it. Her gaze pierces me, hard as cold steel. “Ah, Samantha Buggins.” Her lips pull tight across her teeth in a parody of a smile. “I always thought you were dispensable. One of those nondescript humans that Sparkle could do without. But your recent little escapade has changed my mind. You might prove useful after all.”

CHAPTER 27

ARLO

Fuck!