Page 74 of Exile
"Avery, please," she begs, only looking at me.
"Why should I help you?" I say emotionlessly. "You didn't help me. You didn't show me any grace or compassion while you were torturing me. So, tell me, Melanie… why should I help you?"
Chapter 28
Theo
I'm well aware I'm bursting capillaries and cutting off the circulation of the fumbling doctor. She's still attempting to dislodge my grip unsuccessfully while speaking to Avery.
It's pissing me off. What gives her the audacity to even breathe in Avery's presence?
I already ended the life of that other miserable, pathetic man who dared lay hands on Aves. Regardless of the situation, I'll happily welcome her death too.
Grey is watching the exchange with growing, silent anger. It's practically filling the air, putting the patients on edge.
A few of them hunch together, the last patient being reunited with the group, moving away from the two of us, and for once, I don't think it's because of me. The way they are watching the doctor with trepidation and fear, it's clear she's made her mark on them as well.
But I control myself, allowing Avery to take charge of the situation. Damon seems to be in the same mindset, folding his arms as he digests their conversation.
That doctor on the ground is clearly dead. From here, I can see blood dripping from his ear canal, and his calvariais misshaped from hitting the wall. Oh, well—play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
If I'm being honest, the only reason besides Avery that I haven't hurled this idiot into her colleague is because she's a woman. Not that she doesn't deserve it, because she does. I recognize her name from Avery's recall about her time down here. This was one of her main doctors who was assigned to her, responsible for all the vile torture methods our girl endured.
Avery is staring at her with a blank expression, but it's clear from the way her shoulders are tense that this is an unforgettable interaction for her. She's reliving the memories she's pushed down, forced to come face to face with her tormenter.
We knew this was a possibility with bringing her with us, but she was adamant we weren't leaving her behind.
"Avery," Damon says. "We need to start moving. What do you want to do?"
Glancing in his direction, she finally has some emotion break through—confusion. "We need to get the patients out of here," she answers monotonously.
He nods, stepping around the group to place himself in the middle of us. Temporarily blocking Avery's view of the doctor, he puts his hands on her waist.
"What doyouwant to do withher?"
"I—I don't know," she mutters with uncertainty.
Damon nods to my surprise, uncharacteristically patient with her. "Grey, take the others and head back upstairs with the patients. I'll be right behind you. Theo, can you handle this with Avery?"
"Of course," I answer without hesitation.
Grey moves in front of Avery when Damon steps aside, whispering something to her before lifting his mask to kiss her forehead.
The doctor starts flailing harder as the patients head toward the doors with Grey and the other men, leaving just the four of us behind.
"Please!" she begs louder. "I was just doing my job."
Damon strolls casually over to us, snapping up the doctor's jaw in his hand to still her. "You had a choice. You have no one to blame for the fact you chose wrong. This is called the consequences of your actions," he growls low, shoving her head back as he releases her. "Avery, I'll be outside waiting. You have five minutes. After that, Theo and I will decide for you because you're not spending a second more down here."
Softening her gaze, she nods at Damon. "Alright."
He heads in the direction of the group, disappearing in the dark corridor. When it's just us, Avery slowly turns to look at the doctor, who's starting pathetically crying and slipping in place.
"I'm sorry," she splutters. "Avery, I'm so very sorry."
"Are you?" Avery asks in disbelief. "Or are you just frightened and saying whatever it is you think I want to hear?"
The doctor shakes her head. "I was wrong. I just wanted to make a difference in the medical field. We wanted to save people—"
