Page 14 of Wicked Dove (Institute Thirteen #1)

TEN

ELODIE

Ihead toward Institute Twelve without a backward glance, following the narrow path around to the right, searching for the next exit.

I think about jumping the small wall dividing the two institutes, but something stops me.

Instead, I take the next path to the right, turning smoothly, avoiding every single person.

As my feet hit the ground and my speed picks up, hope sparks in my chest. My steps don't falter until I approach what I think used to be the Institute Twelve main entrance, now enclosed by a wrought-iron fence.

I look from left to right, making sure it encircles the building, keeping me from what could be my freedom.

Planting my hands on my hips, I run my tongue along my bottom lip as I stare at the metal before me. It takes five whole seconds for me to come to a decision, and then I'm leaping toward it.

Shuffling up the fence isn't my finest moment, but determined, I make it to the top without issue. My palms burn and my thighs are tense, but pride ripples through me. The pointed tips at the top make me gulp as I carefully lift my leg over.

A screech cuts from my throat as I lose my balance.

A hiss rasps past my clenched teeth as my thigh catches on the jagged top, but before I collapse to the ground, I manage to cling to the bar, holding myself up as my legs dangle beneath me.

A cry rips from my lungs as I spy the blood trickling down my leg, but I hold on for dear life.

Taking a deep breath, I slowly slide down the pole until I’m back on my feet.

Of course, making a run for it couldn’t be that simple.

I lean against the fence, pausing for a moment as I look up at the brown brick building with curiosity.

Not so much caring about what the building contains or has endured, but whether it will lead me to my freedom.

Freedom.

What’s even more insane is that just a few days ago, I thought I was trapped in a town with no way out, but this is far worse. It’s an entire world I don’t understand, and don’t want to. At least with my father, I knew the monster I was dealing with. Who knows what horrors live within this world?

Along with him would come Walker too. I’m slightly impressed I’ve survived so long without him.

Maybe I don’t give myself enough credit.

Regardless, I feel stronger with him at my side.

I tilt my head, wondering whether I would be acting this reckless if he was here.

Probably, but it wouldn't feel as scary because he would be the one making the decisions that I would be following without question, genuinely believing in every step he took.

As I look up at the now dilapidated building, the stark differences between this place and Institute Thirteen are obvious.

Not only does the building emit a slightly warmer and more inviting vibe than the dark, ashy shadows of Thirteen, but despite its state of disrepair, the windows are still clean, and I can see curtains hanging inside.

The front door is also bright red, with a golden brass knob sitting proudly in the center, eager for me to push against it.

Despite my instincts, I don't head toward it. Inside isn’t where I need to be. When I arrived here with Kael, we weren’t inside a building; we were around the back, which is exactly where I need to go.

Glancing down at my wounded thigh, I'm relieved to see it's not as bad as it could have been, just a shallow cut that can easily be patched up and healed in a few days. I just need to get home first.

I take a deep breath, running my hands over my now-dirty white vest and shorts before I spot my new and immediately filthy sneakers. Trudging through the brambles that line the outside of Institute Twelve, I move farther away from The Vale and closer to the darkness.

I stick to the edge, searching for something that resembles what I remember when I arrived, but that’s more difficult than I thought.

Everything feels dull and hopeless. What’s even more frustrating is that there’s nothing unusual.

Not a single thing I pass—trees, shrubs, fallen logs, even a small pond—stands out.

I'm certain I'm going to have to give up when I spot two trees arched toward each other.

My chest tightens as I stare, but nothing jumps out. It's almost still, too still, and that's eerie and different enough to catch my attention.

It's about the only hope I've got, and I have to be willing to take the chance.

Moving closer, I lift my hand, aiming it toward a shimmer that dances whimsically in the air. I take a deep breath, ready to embrace the warmth that lures me closer, but the calmness I expect doesn't come as I'm jolted back, hurtled a few meters before I skid across the ground.

My head hits the earth with a thud and I breathe in short, sharp bursts as my vision blurs. Panic rises as tingles race up and down my arm while my pulse pounds through my limbs. I’m sure death has found me this time, and just thinking about it makes Johnny flash through my mind.

Those final moments play in slow motion, and I know that this is what I deserve.

Maybe surviving that night was never truly an option. Maybe outliving the wrath of The Sanctum was never meant to happen, but just as I think it, I take a deep breath into my lungs.

Rolling over, I press my palms into the ground to stand.

I sway on my feet, struggling to maintain my balance, when hands grab my waist from behind, making my back stiffen as fear freezes my entire body. I can’t help but react.

Swinging my knee up, blindly, I hope for impact, and it’s confirmed when a grunt vibrates through the air a moment later.

Bleary-eyed, I gape down at my attacker and find Kael’s friend rolling around on the ground as he grunts in pain.

He glares up at me in disbelief. “What the fuck, Elodie?” he snaps, sighing heavily before he pushes to his feet.

My heart pounds in my chest as I fold my arms defensively. My vision is not back to one hundred percent, but I still manage to glare at him. “Maybe don't sneak up on people like that,” I hiss, still struggling to calm the panic in my chest as he runs a hand through his hair.

“Is that how you react when everyone comes up behind you?” He smirks, but it's not funny.

“When they grab my waist without my knowledge or permission, yeah.”

It's a funny thing, trauma. I was okay when I first met Kael, and he grabbed my wrist. I didn't really see him coming, just like now, but my waist is an entirely different matter altogether.

Staring off with one another, my heart refuses to slow down as I try to calm myself. “What's your name?” I ask, reluctantly, aware that he's not going anywhere anytime soon.

“Oh, now you want to know?” he muses, and I roll my eyes.

“Rion,” he states, and I sigh.

“Why are you here, Rion?”

He cocks a brow at me. “I should be asking you the same question.”

Turning my attention away from him, I shrug. “Exploring.”

It’s all I have to offer, and he snickers. “Of course.”

Feeling defeated, I glance at him from the corner of my eye, watching as he slips his hands into his pockets and rocks back on his heels. “Well, I don't think you'll be leaving today, Petal,” he states, and I frown.

“Petal?”

“Are you going to walk back with me or in front of me?” he asks once, ignoring my question.

“Neither.”

“Why?” The curl to his lips tells me he knows why; he just wants me to say it.

“Because I'm leaving.” There’s no point in lying about it.

His smile grows. “I thought you were exploring?”

“Yeah, my exit,” I reply, and he sighs.

“I can't let that happen, Elodie.”

Of course not.

I try to tamp down the rage and irritation coiling through my veins and fail. “And why is that?” I ask, even though I don’t care about the answer.

“Because my friend is literally alive because of you, which means every move you make impacts him.”

Irritated, I try to redirect the situation onto him. “Wait, why are you out here?”

He shrugs. “Because you are.”

I gape in disbelief, taking a step back. “Were you following me?”

He ignores me as he points over his shoulder toward the exit of Institute Twelve. “At my side or in front?” he repeats, and a knot forms in my stomach, making it abundantly clear that I have no chance of getting my way right now.

In light of whatever jolted me back, I don't think I am brave enough to try again just yet, and it is the only lead I have.

Reluctant, but aware, I know I have to go back.

Refusing to be in his presence any longer than necessary, I take a deep breath and stalk ahead, walking right past him with my head held high.

I remain silent, acutely aware of his eyes following my every move as I trudge toward the exit of Institute Twelve and find the gate open.

Asshole.

Although, I’m thankful I don’t have to reclimb that damn fence since I've already got blood trailing down one leg. Hurrying along on the pathway, I turn toward Thirteen; my new home. It’s my only option. I can’t head into The Vale looking like this.

It's only when I'm halfway there that I dare glance over my shoulder, and when I do, my skin prickles when I find Rion staring at my ass. My gaze runs from his eyes to his neck, noting the claw marks that sit puckered against his skin.

I wonder what they’d feel like beneath my fingertips.

Shaking my head, the frustration I feel toward him multiplies as I get mad at myself too.

“You can go away now,” I snap, and he smirks.

“Are you sure? It looks like your leg could use some help,” he murmurs, but I wave him off, turning away from him and back toward the Institute, trying to quicken my pace.

I make it to the double doors, ready to be led to my doom, when Rion calls out my name again.

“Elodie.” Despite my desire to pretend he doesn’t exist, I look back again. “Be careful of Kael,” he warns, and I shake my head.

“There's nothing to be careful of,” I insist. Besides, isn’t that his friend?

“Of course not, but playing with Kael is like playing with fire, and a petal never lasts long in the flames.”