Raze {Wolf Rebellion II}

Chapter 2~Scars~

The marks humans leave are too often scars.

-John Green, "The Fault In Our Stars"

Chapter 2~Scars~

I glared at Claret, vehemently wishing that I could kill her. That would have to wait though, until I managed to get myself out of this hellhole first.

She smiled back at me, as if she could tell what I was thinking. "Yes, I think you'll be a wonderful addition, given some time."

Claret took a step back, looking me over like I was a cow headed to slaughter. Not good. Being at the center of her attention is never good.

I watched as she moved back to her desk, folding her hands as she narrowed her eyes. "I'll only say this once, Ruby. It would be in your best interest to cooperate in the coming days. I can make sure your life here is very unpleasant if you so choose."

I gritted my teeth at her words, and she waved a hand toward the door. I nearly sighed in relief. Nothing was going to happen yet, I still had time. "Cherise is waiting for her in the lab, same as the others."

Same as the others? Why do I really not like the sound of that?

I didn't have time to say anything else. One of the guards hauled me up with a nod, and I was shoved back out the door. I was led through more halls that I memorized, despite the fact that the more turns we took, the more I realized that getting out of here wouldn't be so simple. I'd fully expected to be blindfolded when the guards had pulled me out of my cell, but now I understood why that hadn't. It seemed like this place went on forever. It was likely what Claret wanted us to feel, that these halls were endless and escape was impossible.

How many people had tried-and failed-to escape? How many people had died down here, never to see the daylight again? I wasn't sure I wanted to know the answer.

The more we walked, the more I picked up the tension in the air. It was heavy, like humidity, but it felt darker, omniscient. I tried to pick up on what Carmine was feeling, but he was a blank wall of muscle. He was only there to keep me moving.

A few minutes later, we stopped at yet another door, but this one was more recognizable. It had the biohazard symbol printed next to the handle. All laboratories, regardless of what they were used for, had the symbol for precautionary reasons. And yet, somehow that thought did nothing to soothe my nerves. Stay calm, don't let them see you nervous.

Cherise was waiting in the middle of the brightly lit room, and the anger from before returned. She was just as bad as Claret in my eyes. She'd been the one to drug me up and keep me complacent when I'd first come to Red. Who knew what else she had helped Claret do.

She barely glanced up from whatever she was doing. "Go ahead and sit down. I'm almost ready." Her words sent a spike of adrenaline into my blood as I glanced at the chair near the far wall. There was something that looked close to a heart monitor or IV machine next to it, but I doubted that's what it really was. I struggled to slow my heart rate.

Carmine gave me a strong push toward the chair, but I dug my heels into the linoleum, shoes squeaking in protest. "What's go-"

Before I could blink, I was on the ground. I brought a hand up to my stinging cheek in confusion, before realizing that one of the guards had hit me.

My anger boiled over and I snarled at them as my vision went red. What the hell did they think they were doing? How dare they attack us!

My jaw throbbed, that last thought snapping me out of my haze. What the-

"Get up," Carmine said coldly, eyes narrowed at me in warning. "Get up and go sit in the damn chair before I make you." I watched his hand rest on the taser at his belt.