Page 31 of Burn Like An Angel

The flashing blue lights accompany the sizeable police presence, but looking closely, they aren’t even focused on us. The officers are supervising the crowd of reporters. Keepingthemsafe. They aren’t here for us.

We’ve overtaken the property, seized their guards, publicly shamed management for all their misdeeds. And still, nobody cares. None of the missing guards or clinicians are here to plead with us. We’re alone.

I heard Raine and Lennox’s whispers as I came to earlier on. Warden Davis is dead. By all accounts, Xander was the one who took his life. Does Sir Bancroft know that? Has he declared Harrowdean a lost cause?

No.

I quickly discount the theory. That snake would never cut and run. He isn’t the kind of man to walk away with his tail tucked between his legs. So this scene must be deliberate, luring us into a false sense of security.

He wants us to feel powerful. Vindicated. That’ll make it all the more satisfying to storm in here and crush the riot with unfettered violence. Any bloodshed will simply be written off as a tragic accident.

“We will not surrender our hostages until Harrowdean’s shut down and everyone is set free!” Rick proclaims, the gun still poised. “Those are our demands.”

The surrounding patients shout and cheer, commending his words. When Rick turns to smile at them, his eyes sweepingover the substantial crowd, he catches sight of me lingering far behind.

We lock gazes.

Rick fuckingwinks.

He spins around to continue shouting. “If anyone attempts to penetrate the institute, we will begin killing hostages. Report that.”

Pulling the gun back, Rick pauses to scan the baying crowd. I’m not the only one who gasps when he whips the weapon up so it collides with the side of the unsuspecting guard’s head, eliciting a scream.

He slumps over, blood splattering his shoulders and back. Rick gestures for Patient Three and the other silent Z wing patient to step forward. They begin pounding on the fallen guard, kicking him until their target is a bleeding, unconscious lump on the ground.

“We will be heard!” Rick roars.

The panicked shouts of the other guards being tugged by their colleague’s body makes my palms twitch. I want to march over there, take the gun then unload every last bullet in its clip into their heads.

Their little display over, Patient Three and her friend stumble back. They’re both panting and sweaty from doling out the beating.

“Get them back inside,” Rick orders curtly. “Show’s over.”

I look away from the guards being rounded up, their purpose now served, to find Rae’s gaze on me. She looks unkempt, her voluminous, auburn curls frizzy and unbrushed.

My senses are on high alert as she approaches. I trust Rae, but there’s still plenty of anger and tension floating in the air, and I’m not looking to get nearly strangled to death again.

“Rip!” She rushes at me. “Where have you been?”

I gingerly accept her hug, keeping a wary eye on the others. “Um, unconscious.”

“Fuck, doll face. Are you okay?” Rae pulls back to skim her eyes over me. “Stupid question. You look like you had angry sex with a woodchipper.”

“Then I look better than I feel.”

Her dark-brown, almost black eyes catch on my throat. It still feels enflamed and tender after Tania’s attack.

“I guess I’ve made some enemies in here.” I try to force a smile, but it feels alien. “You may not want to be seen with me.”

Lips pursed, she looks around at the crowd dispersing to head back inside. “Rumours are swirling. Rick’s been telling anyone who will listen the truth.”

“Does that include you?” I ask tightly.

She hesitates, letting several people pass us. “I don’t care where you got the contraband from. You didn’t judge what I did to survive each day, so I’m not going to judge you for the same thing.”

Heart sputtering, I can’t swallow her forgiveness. She’s a prime example of all I’ve done here. All the reasons I deserve to be punished for my role in the conspiracy. I enabled Rae, fed her addiction and reaped the rewards.

“How long do you think this can last?” I gesture towards the energised crowd.

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