Page 117 of Inferno

Boston. That’s the accent. I think.

“Thank you,” I almost whisper.

“Thank you, what?” the voice from above says.

I let out a breath.

“Thank you, sir.”

“Good job.”

I’m escorted to the door in front. He gets his keys on the chain of his pants and unlocks it. Okay, so my guard has a key. I’ll need those and his thumb.

“Find table three and sit,” he orders.

I wince at the thought. My ass stings like a bitch, I really don’t want to sit down.

As the door slams shut behind me, I look up straight into the camera. My eyes go wide. Almost like being caught snooping as a kid.

I rush over to the table and pull out a chair.

There’s three items.

A purple toy device, almost U-shaped with buttons. A sharp, pointed blade and a drawing. The entwined D’s, the same design on the raw iron gates as I arrived at the factory.

I tap my finger on the white, wooden desk, playing out different scenarios as I take the knife in my hand.

The guard assesses me, keeping his eyes neutral. I wonder what he’s thinking?

I could slit the guard’s throats and run. But that doesn’t help me or Isabella. I clench my fists as the door opens again. This time, three more girls are shoved through the door.

One nearly falls on her trembling legs.

“Get your hands off me,” the irritating blonde girl hisses.

I roll my eyes.

I can’t wait to see her lose. Spoiled brat.

They move silently to their desks. The nervous girl with the red hair looks to me, and her eyes water.

“It’s okay,” I mouth to her.

Although I don’t have a clue if it is or not.

As the door clicks shut, only four guards re-enter, meaning two are with the first losing contestant. I frown at the door.

They can’t be?—

The sound of a gunshot rips through the silence from the room in front of me, making my ears ring.

The girl beside me erupts into a fit of hysterical crying, her sobs echoing around us; it’s distracting. I keep my eyes fixed on my guard, squeezing my blade handle tighter.

Not even a flinch. Emotionless.

Psychotic.

Every hair on my body stands up. This truly is a game of survival.

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