This Conspiracy

Chapter 34

Author stuff: What's this? Two updates in one week? Mostly as an apology for getting the last chapter up so late. There really wasn't a whole lot of time Monday afternoon — a big project changed its testing date, which is getting pushed back because of other projects. So I busted my behind getting the binders and paperwork all set for it for nothing.

Anyway, we're getting back on track.

Again, trigger warning for sexual assault. There's only one more chapter of this, I promise, and then the story moves along.

There is some other triggers here, as well: Violence and blood

Chapter 34

In Which Flossy Gets Angry

She only allowed certain boys – boys she hand picked – to help Adne and the other girl up. She embraced Adne the moment she could.

The other girl climbed up on her own, ignoring the rope and helping hands. She was arrested the moment she joined them. She fought and thrashed as she tried to get free — breaking someone's nose. They carried her out of the Deadheads and into the sunlight, depositing her on the green grass of the Glade.

Flossy sucked in a breath as she looked the girl over.

Her coppery hair was wild, tangled with leaves and twigs. It was a nest, ready for a bird. How she had managed it in her short time out there, she couldn't describe the feat. Wide, brown eyes glared up at the group. Her lovely face was tucked down to the collar of her white shirt. She was barefoot – though Flossy was sure she'd been found with shoes on – and she clawed her hands, ready for an attack. Her legs were poised, ready to fight for her life or flee.

There was something wholly feral about the girl in front of her.

"Easy now," she said softly. She offered up her hands, reaching out. The girl flinched back. Flossy looked between her and her hands, unsure.

"We don't have time for this," someone – she thought it was a Slicer named Frankie – said. A second later, a shovel was hefted up and slammed into the girl's temple with the flat side.

She gave out a yelp when the girl collapsed onto the ground in a puddle of coppery hair and splayed limbs. The girl was hauled up and carried in the direction of the Slammer.

"We'll have to let Nick know that she woke up," Graham said, his voice nasally. She winced when she saw the blood dripping down his nose. He hadn't gotten it to stop.

Everyone agreed and started to disperse, most seeming to have forgotten why they had gathered in the first place.

She turned to Adne, taking her hand.

"Do you think you can go back?" she said quietly.

Adne shook her head. She could easily see the memories of what had transpired flicker through her mind, as easily as they did her own. There had been lots of yelling – there still was, from what she could tell – as the boys decided what they should do.

Ash had been there. He'd had to be dragged by several Baggers and Builders – who'd all been so confused – as they tried to keep him from running off into the Maze. He'd been forced to sit and listen to Adne tell her story, as halting and jumbled as it had been. He'd even given his own testimony.

What frightened Flossy was that it hadn't been the first time. Adne didn't say it and neither did Ash. It was best that, perhaps, they didn't know. It was no wonder Adne had been so happy and ready to run in the Maze. It got her out and away from him.

She didn't blame her friend any more than the rest of the Keepers. She hated the looks that they gave Adne. Pity did not suit them.

"I can't go back in there," Adne said, crossing her arms and pulling them tightly to her body. Her shoulders hunched up to her ears, and her eyes flicked about nervously. She was looking for a way out again.