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Annoyance seeped into every corner of the cramped room as Madylin was roughly shoved to the cold, hard floor. The girls lay slouched on their metal-framed bunks, arms tightly folded across their chests as their faces twisted into expressions of irritation and disbelief. Elizabeth balanced on the edge of a narrow bed, her eyes fixed on the vent underneath the bed across from her, Madylin's bed, her posture tense with anticipation.
Hannah strode forward, planting herself firmly in the redhead's path, her glare sharp enough to cut through the stale air. "What the hell is your problem?" she demanded, "Why are you trying to ruin things for everyone?"
Madylin rose to her feet and brushed past the girl, ignoring the question. She needed to reach that bunk, she needed to leave and get to Thomas. It was no use explaining.
"You can't ignore us forever, Newbie," Hannah snapped, "We share this room, you know?"
Madylin stalled, turning clumsily as her eyes swept across the sea of scrutinizing faces: one reflecting sharp fear, another caught in a web of confusion, and yet a third sparkling with smoldering resentment. The raw vulnerability in their expressions mirrored the turmoil inside her.
Her blue eyes narrowed, and she murmured, almost to herself, "I don't trust this place."
"Why the hell not?" a voice called out. A girl with a skeptical twist in her lips challenged her, "They rescued us! Fed us! Gave us a place to stay. They didn't think twice about pulling us out from our Mazes or the hostile cities we lived in."
A ripple of agreement surged through the room as several heads bobbed in unison, the low hum of nodding affirmations filling the space. Madylin's shoulders slumped in quiet exasperation as she let out a heavy sigh.
"If you think this place is safe," she raised her voice, a bit louder now, "then ask yourselves why they keep everything under such tight control. Why do they limit our movements? Why did they push us back here instead of letting us finish our meals? Something doesn't add up."
A much taller girl with tangled dark hair and dark eyes sneered, "You think you're so smart, huh? Well, let me tell you something, sweetheart. Nobody asked for your help. We were just fine before you showed up. And we sure as hell don't need you trying to 'save' us from something you don't even know!"
Hannah rolled her eyes, but a flicker of doubt crossed her features. "The last thing we need is some new kids stirring the pot, pissing them off, and ruining our new chance at a home," she agreed, annoyed.
