Inside My Head (Silent Moment Series: Book 6)

Chapter 7

 Before the argument could escalate further, a series of screams and groans erupted from upstairs. "Ahhh! Make it stop!" The sound was chilling, a stark reminder of the danger we were all in, and the potential threat we posed to each other. The confrontation between Murphy and me was suddenly secondary to the immediate crisis unfolding. Whatever was affecting Emori and now seemingly others, was escalating, and we needed to respond quickly to prevent further harm.

Recognizing Miller's voice, I sprang to my feet. "It's Miller," I announced, urgency in my tone.

Miller's agonized cries echoed through the building. "Ahh! My arm! It's in my arm!"

Bellamy's voice boomed in response. "Miller! What's going on?"

"Help!" Miller's plea was desperate.

Bellamy's decision was immediate. "I gotta get up there now!" he shouted. "Hand me my key, now!"

Without hesitation, I reached into my pocket. "Fine," I said, "but I'm going with you."

"Fine," Bellamy huffed, tossing me my key as we exchanged them.

Echo's voice rang out from another room. "Jackson, use the tranqs. We divvied them up for a reason!"

As we unlocked our cuffs, Bellamy called out, "Hey! We're coming!"

Murphy's voice trailed after us. "Hey! What about me?"

We raced out of the room, up the stairs as fast as our legs could carry us.

"Bellamy! What are you doing?" Echo's voice carried a note of panic.

"Echo, it's ok. We've got this!" Bellamy reassured her.

Reaching the top, Bellamy shouted, "Jackson! Open the door!" But there was no response, prompting him to call out again.

Finally, Jackson managed to open the door, his face etched with distress. "The bugs," he gasped. "They're inside him."

"What?" I exclaimed, rushing over to Miller with Bellamy. "How did that happen?"

Jackson explained in a panic, "I was talking about the terrarium and how I think the bugs are an early-warning system. Nate opened it, and they must have gotten out!"

"They're dead everywhere else," Bellamy observed, trying to restrain Miller.

Jackson pleaded, "Just unhook me so I can examine him."

"Do it," I nodded, and Bellamy quickly moved to assist Jackson.

Miller's screams intensified. "Got to cut it out! I can feel it in my arms!"

I pinned Miller against the wall, struggling to hold him. "Hurry! They're crawling up my arm!"

"I don't see anything!" I called out, my voice tinged with desperation.

Miller was frantic. "Hurry before they reach my torso! I can't die like Obika!"

"Scalpel, it's not here!" Jackson's panic rose again.

I voiced my suspicion to Bellamy. "Bellamy, I don't think this is real."

But then the situation took a horrifying turn. Jackson, with a knife in hand, lunged toward us. "Jackson, no. What are you—uh!" Bellamy grunted as he was slammed to the side.

Focused on Miller, I was taken off guard as Jackson moved to attack with the knife. "Jackson!" I shouted as he brought the knife down. As I attempted to pull Jackson away from Miller, the situation escalated dramatically. In a swift, desperate move, Jackson swung around, striking me with the butt of the knife. The impact was sudden and sharp, a jolt of pain shooting across my face. I stumbled backward, momentarily disoriented by the unexpected blow.