Page 32 of Wonder

I consider his words.

“No,” I say finally. “I suppose not. So what’s the plan? Do you know?”

Buck slumps down on the bed, patting the space beside him. When I lay down, wincing as my head meets the thin pillow, we both stare at the ceiling.

“I don’t know all of the details,” he says finally. “Red changes every game. She takes direction from her investors on what they want to see, and she builds her events around that. They normally happen on private land, where nobody can see.”

Definitely a fucking horror movie. “And people generally die in these games.”

It’s not a question. When he hesitates, I turn my face to his. “What?”

He doesn’t look at me. But his throat bobs. “Sometimes there’ll be an auction. Or… gifts. For the investors to take away with them.”

I blink. A cold wave runs over my skin.

They’re going to enjoy playing with you, Alyss.

You’re going to be perfect for my new game.

The star, if you will.

“Great,” I say eventually. Hoarsely. Tiredly. “So I’m either heading out in a body bag or a party bag. This day just keeps getting better and fucking better.”

Buck sits up at that. “Okay, that’s it.”

“What?” And the breath leaves my lungs as he grips my shoulders, yanking me up with him. “Okay,ow, asshole—,”

The asshole grips my shoulders andshakesme as I gape at him. “What the fuck—.”

“Why don’t youcare?” he demands, searching my face. And he soundslivid. “Tell me. Why are we sat here talking casually about our impending death and possible enslavement, and yet you’re acting like it’s a trip to the fucking food market, Alyss? What the fuck is wrong with you? Why are you not panicking like anynormalperson would?”

Ice gathers around my heart, around my throat, tightening as I stare at him. Buck raises an eyebrow, waiting for a response.

I don’t have one to give him. At least, not one he’s going to like. “I—.”

“Get your fucking hands off her.”

A fist smashes into Buck’s face as I duck instinctively. He flies off his side of the bed as I stumble away.

Hard arms wrap around me, stopping me from tumbling off. “I’ve got you. Jesus, Lyss.”

“Get the hell off me.” I scratch at the arms holding me, my elbows flying back until I’m released with a low curse. Scrambling away from whatever psycho attacked us, I crawl to the other side of the bed to look over. “Buck?”

“Lyss.”

Buck looks up at me. His lip has split open, scarlet blood trickling down. “Another friend of yours, trouble?”

I don’t respond. I just stare at him, frozen, my hands gripping the bedding tightly.

Not possible.

“Lyssa.” His voice comes from behind me, ragged and filled with a vibrating fury that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. “Turn your ass around. Now.”

I choose to close my eyes instead, blocking out the sight of Buck gaping at me. “Has he gone? I think I’m hallucinating.”

I have to force the sarcasm out, my stomach roiling. My hands start to shake against the bed.

A firm grip latches onto my legs and flips me over, dragging me down the bed until he’s leaning over me. “Open your damn eyes.Now.”