Deep Dark Blues

Chapter 22 - Sunken Grave

No.... No... No...

No, he can't leave me here...

No, please don't leave me with them.

Her screams were silent, her mouth pressed tightly together, yet she knew Ryan heard them. The way his shoulders would stiffen, rising slightly as he slowed down, almost coming to a halt. He looked like he was about to turn around... Like he was about to say something.

He didn't hear her screams...But he felt them.

Reed could have sworn she felt tears in her eyes when he reassumed his march, catching up with Lena without a word exchanged between them.

He left her alone... Alone to deal with the burden of keeping up his lie.

She glanced back at the remaining men.

Bryan stood by the wall, leaning against it with his arms crossed while he avoided looking at her. Logan, on the other hand, seemed to have gotten worse over the few minutes they had spent talking. His forehand shone with sweat, baby hairs plastering to his skin. He was heaving, his breath ringing in Reed's ears so loud, she didn't even hear herself speak.

"Is... Is he sick?" she mumbled.

Logan opened his eyes lazily, glassy pools looking over her without a word uttered.

"Yeah..." Bryan muttered.

They fell into an awkward silence, Reed eyeing Logan. She had a suspicion of what might have caused the fever, feeling her mouth go dry at the mere thought.

"Have... Have you had contact with unfiltered water?"

Bryan glanced between her and Logan, cogs turning in his head. He bit his lip.

"We had a spill... Took us a few days to drain the sub... Why?"

"I... The people in the GOI had experienced similar symptoms..."

Bryan scoffed.

"Are you some kind of medical professional?" he barked out, causing Reed to flinch.

"No..."

"How about I ask you a question, huh? How are you planning to get us out of here?"

Reed's heart skipped a beat.

The plan is... We never get you out of here... We come, take and leave like we have never been here in the first place. Is that what you want to hear?

She released a shaky breath....

"I... I am not sure... It depends on a lot of factors-"

"What factors?"

"Umm... The submarine... how far is it from the... the other base... There is a lot-"

"Okay, how did you rescue the GOI team then?

"I..."

What could she possibly tell him? Was she even capable of producing a well-crafted lie like that? Would it fit with Ryan's story? She had so many things to consider and she knew every second of silence cost her their trust.

She glanced at Bryan, the man watching her expectantly with his eyes narrowed like a snake.

Should she tell him the truth? No... No, judging by their reaction it would end poorly.

"They... I..."

Bryan released a grim chuckle, staring daggers at her.

"You are a lousy liar..." he muttered.