“So, what was the therapy session like?” Beth looks curious, tucked next to me at the crowded table.I didn’t expect the mess to be full to the brim during dinner time but that seems to be the case. The smaller tables have all been replaced by elongated tables, and there is also a special table for the counselors and the director.When I walked in, Director Yearwood met my gaze, a small smile on her lips, and she nodded to me in silent greeting.“It was okay,” I look at the different style of food we have. “Isn’t it buffet style for dinner as well?”Quill grabs a drumstick from a large, heated plate, tearing into the flesh with his teeth. “I like this better. The food is brought to us.”It’s true. The tables have platters of food for us to choose from. It’s probably to maintain order and not have students rushing around to grab food.“I think nearly everybody is here,” Quill comments and when I look around, I realize he’s right. I can hear laughter and conversation flowing around

I don’t get time to dwell on the situation because Jesse is already pushing things aside, revealing a strange-looking chain ring on the floor. He crouches down and yanks it up. I’m taken aback by how he’s able to pull it open with such ease, considering how heavy it looks.Or maybe looks are just deceptive. I stare at him as he tucks his flashlight in the back pocket of his jeans. “So, you expect us to go down a dark hole and just trust you?”His lips curve and his eyes glitter in amusement which just lends to his already attractive looks. “You’re a paranoid one, aren’t you?”“Safety’s a crime now?”His lips twitch as he holds my gaze. “I knew I liked you for a reason.”I can feel the heat creeping into my face, and he adds, raising an amused brow, “You want me to go down first?”“Sure,” I manage to say, before grabbing Quill by the back of his shirt and shoving him forward. “And then you go next and tell us it’s safe down there.”Quill gives me a wounded look. “Are you sacrif

“Bridges?” I stare at Quill the next morning as we eat breakfast in the mess together. “Where?”Quill shrugs, still half asleep, holding out his plate for Beth to dump some of the pancakes she brought for him on it. “I heard some of the older Ones talking. Apparently, there are bridges that connect the islands. But not the island you’re on. That one is only accessible by boat.”I stare down at my plate which is piled with food. “This entire place is like a thousand unsolved riddles.”Beth giggles. “That’s almost poetic, Taylor.”Quill yawns, “Yesterday sucked. I couldn’t even see you guys, and I only know a couple of Level Ones. The older students stick to themselves.”Beth glances at me. “There were no Level Zero students aside from us. Although I still haven’t seen Anderson and Blythe. Weren’t they supposed to be with us in the barracks?”Quill’s eyes widen. “You don’t know?”“Know what?” I give him a wary look. “Anderson had a freak attack at the infirmary, and his sister w

I decided to stay.I don’t know why, but for some reason, knowing that I wasn’t insane and that I wasn’t seeing things made something inside me settle. Maybe that’s why the decision to stay was easier.Dr. Brown didn’t exactly speak in riddles. But she also didn’t hand me the handbook for this entire place. I study my hand where it had been burnt. She did imply that I was similar to the people here.I’ve never been the imaginative type, but my mind sure is spinning. However, I also have bigger problems than this. It seems Veronica woke up, and now rumors are flying around about how I attacked her, something which makes no sense. But rumors are rumors and always amplify. One thing is for sure. I glance down at Beth who’s still sleeping.It’s been three days since I tried to make a break for it. And since those three days, she has been giving me the silent treatment. The other Zeroes have also heard the rumors of me attacking Veronica like a rabid dog, and they’ve steered c

I’ve been arrested once or twice. Usually because I was up to no good.Both times were after Dad died, and both times, I was released with gazes of pity.Back then, I was still angry and defiant.But now, as I sit outside the director’s office, my hands tied behind my back like some common criminal, I feel humiliated and upset.I did nothing wrong.I close my eyes trying to mute out Quill’s shouts, which are still echoing in my ears.“Let her go!”“She didn’t do anything!”Two Level Ones had held him back as he had desperately tried to get to me and Beth, his eyes terrified.He believed me.And yet, I’m still here because Veronica made up lies about me, and I tried to save Beth. The grim-faced counselor standing next to me isn’t telling me anything. I’ve tried to ask about Beth, but all I’m treated with is silence. How long am I supposed to sit here for? The rope is cutting into my skin, but I don’t care about the rough treatment. I’m more concerned about what’s going t