Page 80 of Once Upon an Apocalypse

If I tell Doctore, then he will know that Norman is still alive. I can’t tell him because then he would most certainly attack The Valley if he hasn’t already. But if I don’t answer, then I won’t get a question of my own answered. So I lie, as best as I can.

“There’s a guy at the survivor camp I was living at. He’s super smart and resourceful.”

“Is this man’s name Norman?” Doctore asks.

“My turn for a question now. How long have I been here?”

“Three days. What is the man’s name?”

“Eric. What do you want with me?”

“I told you, to make you better—”

“No bullshit. Give me a real answer.” I hold my ground as much as I can while tied down to a table. My intimidation tactic is worthless on Doctore.

“Where have you been hiding for the last year?”

“Nowhere you need to know about. Now tell me what you did to me and tell me where my friends are.”

Doctore turns his back to me, laughing under his breath. “You will see your friends soon enough. Rest up. Gather your strength. You will need it.”

So much for our game. And with that, the phantom of a man is gone, sinking deep into the shadows suffocating this room I will never escape. I close my eyes and think of Amos. I try so hard to bring his bright, smiling face to mind, but all I can see is Doctore’s menacing smile. Fear is winning, consuming every thought, bringing me to the worst-case scenario. Doctore said they were alive, for now. What does that mean?

My breathing becomes shallow as I imagine Amos tied down, unable to move. I don’t want him to have the same fate as me. I don’t want him anywhere near Doctore. I’m terrified for him. Terrified that something horrible is going to happen to him, to us.

A sharp pain has me suppressing a scream, straining against the restraints. It feels like my insides are on fire. A sensation I recall from my first encounter with Doctore. Has he given me a new serum? Or taken away my immunity?

I am unable to suppress the next scream when another sharp pain radiates through my entire body. Through the shattering agony, I hear other screams echoing outside the room I’m in. It takes every ounce of control to keep myself awake in the haze of pain. Part of me hopes those other screams belong to Amos, Jonah, Olivia, and Kyle. If they are screaming, that means they are still alive.

Someone calls out for me. Their voice faraway, like they are under water. Or maybe I’m the one under water.Am I breathing?Yes. So not under water.Then why is it so hard to hear?I lock onto the voice calling my name.

“Lori. Wake up, Lori. You need to wake up now.”

I try to pull myself from the dark hole of my mind, but it’s like grasping at air. There’s nothing to hold on to. Then my body shakes. A pressure on my shoulders. Someone’s hands. I grab hold of them, tethering myself, and pull myself out of the deep, drug-induced sleep I must have been forced into after refusing to give into pain.

Pain. I don’t feel it anymore. I feel nothing. That same numbness I grew so used to the last time Doctore held me captive. I thought it was the feeling of losing hope, but perhaps it is the effect of whatever he put in my veins.

“Lori,” Jonah shouts, pulling me all the way out of my haze. He tugs me to his chest, squeezing me too tightly that all the breath knocks out of my lungs.

“Jonah, I can’t breathe,” I manage to choke out.

“Sorry. You had me so worried.”

“Lori!” A shout from far away makes me turn my head.

“Amos!” I shout back, standing up to run to him, but Jonah puts out a hand to stop me. When I growl at him, his eyes shift to the ground. “Holy shit.”

“Holy shit is right,” Jonah agrees.

We are in a fucking arena. Not the same sandpit I had once fought in as Doctore’s treasured gladiator. No. This arena is an epic upgrade. Completely indoor with u-shaped stadium seating that could accommodate thousands of people, but only half the stadium is used for seating and half of those seats are occupied. The walls around what looks like a cement hockey rink have been reinforced with chain link fencing and, for an added layer of protection to the audience on the other side, the seating around the fence has been replaced with spikes facing the arena pit.

Jonah and I are on a platform on one end, while Amos, Olivia, and Kyle are on a platform at the other end. A solid wall in the middle of the arena separates us. My eyes meet Amos’ from across the arena. No fear. Just determination to get out. Together. I nod to him, causing his lips to curl in a smirk that makes my heart race. Then I notice his arm. Amos still has the metal arm Norman made for him. Curious why Doctore let him keep it unless he wants to give the illusion of a fair fight.

My eyes dart around the arena as the crowd in the stands settle in their seats for what is sure to be one hell of a show for them. There’s no way to climb down the platforms without possibly breaking a bone. But there are floating ropes leading to various platforms, climbing walls, and ominous contraptions, like some sort of suspended maze. It reminds me of the obstacle course Norman built.Did the bastard know Doctore was building this here?Did he help Doctore build this one?

A rattling above has me looking toward the ceiling. Some sort of net is hanging high in the shadows up there. I cannot see what’s inside, but the moaning tells me exactly what to expect. Zombies. A whole lot of them too, by the sound of it. Then I see a way out. A small opening in the ceiling. The only way to get up there is to let the net down. Letting the net down would be a disaster. I will not risk anyone’s life to get out. We will find a way out of this together.

My hands fly to my ears as a sharp sound like microphone feedback pierces my ears. After the shock, I let my hands fall to my sides as my eyes land on Doctore. He’s high above the stands in some kind of executive box seating, safely behind plexiglass this time. Even from here, I can see his menacing smile. A smile I’ve tried so hard to forget, yet my nightmares refuse to let the image go.

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