ColorBlind (Book #2 of S.H.A.D.E.) ✔

Sacrifice

8.

"J-jade?" Her name stumbles over my tongue.

I can't believe it. I thought she was dead, that S.H.A.D.E. had killed her to enforce Copper's cooperation.

Copper.

My mind is spinning like a storm. First with Danny, and now Jade. There are things that are happening around me, events surrounding me that I am not privy to. Who are these people -- these people who fling me around at their will, like a doll to be played with?

Jade tilts her head at me, a broken look in her eyes. "That's my name. You said my name."

This girl is unhinged. Even though I never knew her, I know that she is not the same as she was before. I remember her in Copper's dreams, giggling, smiling.

I love you, Will

My heart breaks for her. For Copper. For me.

She laughs, a hoarse and bitter sound. "No. No. That's not my name. Not my real name." She limps back into the darkness of her corner and slides down onto the floor again, closing her eyes.

"Jade," I whisper, crouching down beside her, "I need your help. We have to get out of here."

"There's no leaving here."

"There must be! I need your help. How long have you been here, and why are they keeping you locked away?"

She remains silent, her eyes squeezing tighter. She wants me to leave her alone. She's given up long ago.

I let out a defeated sigh, falling back on my heels to sit up against the wall with her. I go over many plans in my mind, many courses of action, but they all seem impossible.

I look over at her, at her tattered shirt and sweatpants, at her dirty face, streaked with tears. I have to get her out, I have to find a way.

God knows what they want with us. God knows what they are doing to Copper.

"Jade... Copper needs us."

She twitches, and I hear her breathing speeds up. Finally, a reaction.

"Jade, Will needs you," I urge.

"Will?" His name is feather soft coming from her lips, and her face relaxes."You know Will?"

I only know Copper.

"Yes. And he's in trouble. Won't you come with me to help him? You want to see him again?"

She looks at me, and for the first time, her green eyes are focused, lucid. "More than anything."