My eyes are still burning from the sight of Jesse and Veronica making out in the middle of the mess hall as I get off the boat at the Level One island. Cursing under my breath when my right leg gets wet, I wonder what was going on in the head of whoever designed this entire place. Every island gets an interconnecting bridge except ours?Seems like the architect had something against our island.It’s easier to forget about Veronica’s hands all over Jesse when I’m busy being angry with something else entirely.Stomping toward the forest, flashlight in hand, I ignore the cold. This is why I never dated in the first place. Because all boys are scum, in one form or the other. As I locate the temple, I mutter unflattering things under my breath. I should’ve never let myself get caught up in his sweet words and thoughtful gestures. But then again—my hand falters as a thought strikes me—what if he had just been feeling sorry for me this whole time, and I just misinterpreted his kindness

I grab a gasping Anderson and move rapidly toward the entrance of the tunnel. He stumbles but follows.I don’t know how we manage to get to the tunnel’s entrance, or how we get to the top, but we’re both out of breath.I fling the trap door close, sinking on top of it, gasping, “We have to—have to tell—”“O … On it!” Anderson looks pale, but his color is still better than before. He’s already reaching in his bag to take out a small, square device with a button on it.He presses it multiple times, muttering, “What was that down there?” “P … Paralyzing agent,” I gasp, still trying to catch my breath.“That’s why I can’t feel my legs,” he mumbles. “They feel stiff.”“It’ll wear off,” I reassure him, my heart still beating like a drum. “But more importantly, I thought the whole point of guard duty was to prevent students from roaming the tunnels. Where would students here get a hold of such powerful stuff?”Anderson immediately casts a suspicious look toward me. “How do you know

“What?” Quill looks indignant. “Why the heck not?!”Jesse just smirks. “Well, we’re going to need a lookout, won’t we?”I look between the two of them, unable to figure out what their problem is. Annoyed, I look at Jesse. “This isn’t the time for some pissing contest. We need all hands on deck and that’s just us three. And I don’t want to waste time while Beth might be in trouble.”Jesse scowls. “Fine. Go wait by the trees and don’t make a sound.”Quill opens his mouth, clearly annoyed at the authoritative tone, but luckily, he keeps his mouth shut. As we head over to the trees and wait, Jesse doesn’t take long. He is back with flashlights and a sweater.“Put your hands up,” he orders and without thinking, I do so. He immediately tugs the sweater down over my head and arms, adding, “It’s going to get really chilly.”I can’t feel my face turn red, and when I glance at Quill, he has a strange look in his eyes. However, before I can speak, he quickly says, “Well, what are we waiti

“What have you done, Annabelle?!” Ferguson sounds horrified.Annabelle shrugs. “It wasn’t my fault. She was struggling too much. Had to beat her into submission. Kids these days are quite stubborn, you know.”I try to dart toward Beth, but Ferguson grabs me, holding me back.Annabelle smirks. “Do you really think you can save her again? What for? Her own brother wants her dead. He paid us a lot of money to do so. You’re really a thorn in my side, Taylor. I was going to use this girl to get two birds with one stone, and what do you do? The poison wouldn’t have killed her. It would have knocked her out for hours. And besides, we had to kill her anyway to get inside the vault. You, I’m going to bleed you all over that vault door now. I’ve never met a more annoying person.”Horror settles in my chest. “You poisoned Beth?!”“Careful,” Jesse breathes when I try to rush at her. “Look at Beth.”I follow his gaze and see my semi-conscious friend looking at me. She’s not crying, and her ey

My wounds have healed, but I’m still covered in bruises and blood.And yet, I don’t care.Director Yearwood isn’t here yet. I’ve been waiting in her office, ushered here by Dr. Brown who looks anxious.I don’t speak, my head spinning.She offers me tea, but I don’t want to eat or drink. I want to see Beth and make sure she is okay. I want to know what is going on. What am I? What is Beth?What was all that back there?For the first time, there is no fog inside of me, no fuzzy memory. I recall the way my body felt, my teeth elongated, my strength. I remember it all. I would think that I’m dreaming, but my body hurts too bad from being tossed around like a rag doll. “Taylor—”I cut off Dr. Brown, my voice hard, “I want to see the director. She told me she would talk to me.”“I did,” comes a calm voice just as the door to the office opens. I’m on my feet as Director Yearwood approaches me. She grabs my chin gently, raising myface, and studying it. Finally, she murmurs, “