Page 66 of Wonder

“Gryphon’s a fucking asshole.”

The words slip out a little too easily, and he frowns. “You’ve met him?”

I force my shoulders to relax. “Once, I think. Didn’t like him much.”

He scans me, his eyes assessing. “I think I’d like to hear your story one day, Trouble.”

I offer him a small smile. “One day. Thank you for telling me yours.”

He dips his head in acknowledgment, but his eyes are a little too discerning.

But that fucking voice rings out. “All participants must stand by their allocated beds.”

“Already?” It’s been a whole fucking day. The moments are ticking away, grains of sand flowing through the glass too easily.

“Night two coming up.” Buck helps me up. And then he flicks my nose. “Should be interesting. Finish your water.”

He steps back to his own bed. I weigh the water in my hands.

And then I down it.

28 – Kayden

We stand silently as the elevator rises. I’m standing next to Chess, Aiden close on my other side. Alyss is circled in Chess’s arms, his grip tight as if he can keep her safe, keep her alive, purely by force of will.

She looks up at me. Her eyes look more blue in this light. I watch as her teeth sink into a plump pink lower lip before she glances to Aiden with a small smile. “Good luck, I guess.”

I tilt my head, studying her. “I’ve found that I suddenly have a vested interest in staying alive.”

Her lips part, cheeks pinking. Next to me, Aiden laughs softly.

I get an elbow in the ribs from Chess, but I ignore his irritation. “Five is better than three.”

Five of us, watching her.

“That rather depends on the game,” Buck mutters. My neck prickles at his ominous tone.

I glance at the others. Hatter is silent, his hand linked with Alyss’s.

The two other participants left in this fucked up game stand with a gap separating us. I catch one, the bald one I threatened, with his eyes on Alyss.

Bruce. I remember now. He blanches when he notices my eyes on him, ducks his head.

I murmur to Aiden. “Watch that one.”

I don’t trust him. I’ve met plenty of men like fucking Bruce in my life. And watching his beady little gaze settle on Alyss stirs up more of that familiar anger.

I embrace it. Lean into it, into that fire. I let it warm me from the inside out as the elevator stops.

The lights stay on this time.

The door opens, and we step out, moving to the checkered boxes.

The game has changed.

We’re still outdoors, still in a forest – but ahead of us, thick lines of bushes weave away in endless paths.

A maze.