Voiceless

Chapter twenty

"It's been way too long Adrienne, we can't wait any longer!" Derreck hissed. Adrienne glared at him. Her piercing Kohl-lined eyes stopped him in his tracks but he was stubborn enough to know he wasn't going to drop the subject any time soon. She smiled pretentiously at the crowd amongst her before purposely walking towards the little box room. The sharp nod of her head meant Derreck should follow.

Once the door of the little musky room closed Adrienne turned on him. Her perfectly manicured hands clenched the collar of his chequered shirt. With strength that her petite physique belied, she pushed him towards the wall, her fist tightening around his collar and almost cutting of his breathing.

"I told you once and I'll tell you again. We will not talk about Hazel anymore. She's doing this for the greater good. She wanted to do it!" she snarled under her breath. Derreck gulped anxiously but his friendship with Hazel made him firm against Adrienne's harsh treatment.

"You cannot expect me to just sit here and be quiet while my friend is lost somewhere with a deranged doctor!" Derreck snapped. With that small amount of confidence he garnered he brought his hands to Adrienne's and pushed them away from him.

"Telling you was a mistake" she muttered to herself.

"Yeah it probably was. But let's not dwell on your mistakes Adrienne, let's think about the fact that you got Hazel stuck somewhere and now we don't know what happened to her. There's no form of communication, no way of knowing if she's alright!" Derreck said. The authoritative figure in front of him rolled her round eyes.

"Why are you trying to hide this? What's stopping you?" he asked her, his eyes focusing on her face, trying to discover whatever she was masking. Her newly cut bob shook as she looked away from him. The Rolex watch resting on her wrist glistened in the dark light and her silver ring flashed as she moved her fringe away from her face. Derreck raised his eyebrows.

"You're doing this for money aren't you?" he told her. Adrienne looked at him with a collective stare, her jaw moving as she gritted her teeth tightly. He grabbed her by the shoulders, something he wouldn't have done ten months ago, and shook her hard.

"Who's paying you Adrienne?" he asked her with a desperate glint in his eye.

"No one is paying me." she muttered.

"No you're lying, tell me or I'll tell everyone everything. Your entourage wouldn't like you would they if they found out you betrayed your own member for some money" Derreck growled. Adrienne shrugged off his arms but stayed mum. Derreck sighed and walked away from her, his hands reaching towards the door handle. "I've got nothing to lose calling you out in front of everyone." he said. Adrienne's eyes moved between his hand and his face before she gulped slightly.

"I'll tell you" Adrienne announced with pathetic despair. "Can you get me a chair?"

"Don't stall. Stand" Derreck told her and rested his arms across his chest as he waited for her explanation. Adrienne's Louboutin heels tapped the ground repetitively as she bounced her foot up and down.

"A year ago I was protesting outside the Merudoxin lab for animal rights -of course. It was a usual day and I expected to go home dejected. I mean, protesting isn't really fun, is it?" she gave a nervous laugh but Derreck showed no move to participate in the tasteless chuckle.

"But that day as I was getting into my car Dr Paulo stopped me. He was the head chief of the Merudoxin experiments. He called me in , I guess it was a little moment of desperation. Leaving work with an angry mob for two weeks straight must have had a toll on him. He... persuaded me with some privileges-"

"-You mean money" Derreck interjected. Adrienne stared at him pointedly before continuing, "With some privileges. But not only to stop protesting. As I was the leader he knew the mob would've listened to me."

"You swapped everything you believed in about animal rights just for the sake of some luxuries? That's disgusting. Talk about commitment! All those people admire you for your beliefs and you're here enjoying this bribery?" Derreck spat and shook his head in disappointment. Adrienne couldn't handle it. Being habituated with authority and not used to the countless interruptions cut her temper immensely short.

"Watch your mouth Derreck or there won't be a group to come back to." she threatened him but she was met with a scoff.

"You actually think I want to be a part of this phoney group? I pity the members who don't know the truth yet" he said pitifully. Adrienne stepped forward with anger trembling inside her but inside she knew she failed herself. She had no support. She truly did throw away her beliefs when her eyes were seduced by the idea of money and riches.

"Dr Paulo insisted that I help him and in exchange he'll provide me with what I wanted. I refused him at first, I couldn't stand the sight of him. But when he directed eight grand into my account... I couldn't help it! It was addictive Derreck, it still is!" Adrienne dropped her head into her hands. But she didn't sob because inside, she still didn't regret her decision. She knew that if she had the chance to do it all again she would have.

"How did you help him?"

"Exactly how I told you. He wanted a new applicant. A fresh candidate. When you brought in Hazel I knew I hit the jackpot. She carved the opportunity out for herself, I was the one that just gave her the chance to put her views into action."

"You used her for your own selfish needs! You put the idea of her putting herself forward! She thought she was benefiting the organization, she thought she was pleasing you! She miscarried Adrienne, putting her in a place like that would've made her vulnerable!" Derreck spat out.

"I know what I've done and I'm not proud of it! Especially now that-"

Adrienne stopped herself in the moment. Derreck pushed himself off the wall and stared at her in confusion. He narrowed his eyes.

"Now that, what?"

She wrung her hands, pulling her sleeve to cover her fist. Looking down at the floor she muttered the words that made Derreck freeze. "Now that Dr Paulo is dead."

How did you find it guys? Nemo2202 over and out! Please comment and vote! Thank you Danielle Ro for the amazing cover! I needed a new look!