Page 33 of Wonder

I open them.

The amber rim around his irises stands out, even in the dim light above us.

Anger lines every single part of his face. Anger and something else, something I recognise. Something that feels awfully like the bone-deep fear that sinks into me at the thought of him beinghere. Trapped here with me.

Chess folds his arms, his expression grim. “What thefuckis going on?”

12 – Chess

Lyss stares up at me, her lips parted and her skin pale. Sweat beads on her forehead.

Despite myself, I lean down, placing the back of my hand against her forehead. Clammy, damp skin greets me. “Are you hurt?”

Irritation wars with worry when she stays silent. “For fucks’ sake, Lyss, tell me.”

“I think she’s in shock.” The guy I punched stands, gingerly poking his lip. “We could put her legs up against the wall.”

Ignoring him – despite the sudden urge to punch him again - I take a seat beside her, my hand finding hers. “Talk to me, Lyss. What is this place?”

“Wonderland.”

Turning, I glower at the guy who just won’t shut up, my eyes telling him exactly where to go.

His own stare is icy as he wipes the blood from his chin. “Where am I supposed to fuck off to, exactly? You’re onmybed, asshole. You asked where we were, so I’m kindly giving you the damn answer. Wonderland.”

Wonderland.

The pieces start to add up in my head.

“Did you make it inside?” the man asks me, eyebrows raising. “Into the club? How’d they get you?”

I shake my head. “I had a ticket. But I saw them carrying her up the stairs, tried to follow. They caught me.”

Lyss flinches.

Something glimmers in his eyes. “Did you tell anyone where you were going?”

My lips tighten, and the hint of hope fades rapidly. “Well. Welcome to the team. I’m Buck.”

I eye him carefully, nodding before I glance down to Lyss. She’s listening to us, but she doesn’t say anything.

“Is he the one?”

At the demand in my tone, her eyes slide to me. The fire begins to creep back in. “Are you seriously going to pick a fight with me over that? Now? We’re in a little life-or-death situation here, in case you didn’t notice.”

I hold her glare, return it with one of my own. “I don’t see a gun against your head right now.”

Although my stomach roils at her words. I look over to Buck. “Is she right?”

He nods. “These games make Wonder look like preschool. Nobody gets out without Red’s permission.”

Lyss laughs under her breath. “And she’s not likely to give it to me.”

An alarm sounds overhead, three short bursts of high-pitched noise followed by static.

“All participants to your allocated bed.”

I glance down at Lyss. She waves a hand, her face still pale. “You heard them.”