Social Experiment

The Hostage and the Traitor (Hailey)

"You didn't have to shoot him."

"I didn't, Grace did." Terrance says matter-of-factly, "I told you I didn't want to hurt anybody."

"Where are you taking me?"

"To meet West. You seem to be one of the few, maybe only one, who really cares about him. That happens to be useful for me."

"What are you going to do to me?"

"Nothing, as long as you and he obey my orders."

I turn my head to see a husky Canadian with blonde hair and blue eyes. "Why is he coming?"

"Nick is going to take Abbi and her loyal servants back to the Matrix. They'll stay there with everyone else until we return."

"Why did you take me?"

He gives an exasperated sigh. "You ask a lot of questions."

"Sorry to be such a bother." I mutter.

We reach Chamber 18. "Keep here her for a minute."

Nick presses cold metal to my back. I shiver, wondering why he wants me to talk to Westin. After a moment, Terrance returns, four people in tow.

Abbi and Yuri have handcuffs, the other two don't. "Hailey? What are you doing here?"

"He took me hostage. I don't know why. Abbi, who's that?" I look to the shaggy blonde.

"Peter. He came with to-"

"Enough!" Terrence barks, "Nick, you can take them back."

Terrance grabs my wrist, pulling me towards the door. "Oh, and if you think about doing anything stupid, remember Hailey's still with me."

Nick leads them away. I glance up at Terrance nervously. "You're putting me in there with West?"

"Scared of him, are you?"

I shake my head. "Of you."

He opens the door, pointing the gun at my head. "West if you even THINK about moving, I will shoot her. You got that?"

"Yeah."

"Good luck. In you go."

The heavy door slams behind me. Looking around, I notice the emptiness of the Chamber compared to the others. I see West leaning against the back wall, his face and body a canvas of blood and bruises.

"What happened?" I whisper.

"Terrance wants to know what that paper means. The one I found on the dead guy."

I stare, open-mouthed, not quite knowing how to respond.

"Don't feel bad, though. He took the handcuffs off because I won't do anything when he's threatening people. And it's actually kind of nice here. Quiet, away from all the-"

I walk up to West and wrap my arms around him. "I'm so sorry."

"It's not that bad." He repeats.

I pull back, gazing into his bright blue eyes. "What could that paper say that is possibly worth all this?"

He grins. "Project X. Wilderness- 18192. I memorized it."

"What does it-" I start.

"Mean? That's what Terrance wants to know. Much as I'd love to, I don't have the slightest clue. I believe that this is Project X, but... Let's change the subject."

"Why?"

"If you think too long about it, you pass out. I warned Terrance, but he didn't listen, of course. He passed out just before his prisoners got here. Luckily for him, Rodney was there to wake him up."