Conspiracy Theorist

Chapter Five

Adam awoke to Gem’s obnoxious gravelly voice. “Get up, rats, time for day two.” She cackled and a brilliant light about made him go blind. He ran a hand through his brown hair and rolled out of bed. Adam grunted and held his pounding head; he definitely was not a morning person.

            He was only focusing on his own misery and managed to walk into another body. He looked down at Scar’s beautiful face and remembered what he had heard last night- her sniffling. She must have been drying and he felt a pang of guilt. Unlike him, she probably had a family back home that loved her a lot. He wished she was back home in a happy household- the kind from a sitcom.

            “Sorry Scar,” Adam mumbled.

            “It’s okay,” she replied and her eyes drifted to the scars on his arms. Their eyes connected and to Adam, Scarlett was the only thing in the world.

            “Hurry up! I don’t have all day, rats.” Gem’s comment broke whatever connection he and Scarlett had.

            ***

            They all walked out in the jeans and T-shirts provided for them. Kasper’s gaze trailed Jason’s fit body and he smiled with delight. That was a man that got to the gym.

            None of them had any idea what sort of challenge they would have to face today. Kasper’s ears perked up when he heard the faint sound of barking. He went still and his face lost all its color. No, anything but dogs, he wished. His father always sent his Rottweiler after Kasper when he was mad, drunk, or bored. He had the scars- physical and mental- to prove it.

            Jocelyn must have realized his discomfort because she drifted closer to him. “Don’t worry, Kasper, their just dogs. You’ll be okay.” He wished that was the case, to add onto everything he experienced the past day he couldn’t add dogs to the mix.

            “Speak for yourself.” Kasper’s face was grim as huge, rabid dogs where dragged into the room by men in protective clothing. The rest of them looked not very happy, but fine. He was completely and utterly scared all by himself.

            Jason’s smooth like honey voice penetrated Kasper’s self-pitying thoughts. “This is a special bread of dogs invented in our labs,” he gestured to the growling beasts, barely restrained but the chain leashes. “They have no senses, except for sight, and we’re going to send them after each of you. One of you will turn invisible and the dogs will lose you.” He turned towards Adam, “You, since you already discovered your power, will not participate.”

            Adam scowled, obviously not appreciating being left out. He clomped over to where Jason and Gem were sitting and flopped onto the bench, seething. Gem looked at him, clearly amused.

            Kasper gulped as the largest animal set its sights on him. “Run!” Jason yelled and the beasts were let loose from their confinements. Kasper didn’t need to be told twice. He let his spindly legs carry him as fast as he could in the opposite direction. Jocelyn and Scarlett got the same idea and they all booked it out of the dogs’ path.

            ***

            Scarlett trembled with fear as the bear like dog backed her into a corner. She still saw Jocelyn playing cat and mouse in the background. And Jocelyn was definitely the mouse. Her gaze landed on her own “cat” approaching her.

            It snarled menacingly and foam dripped from its mouth. Scarlett closed her eyes and waited for it to pounce. She didn’t feel a bite. Looking in front of her she noticed it on the ground, unconscious. A tranquilizer dart stuck in its neck and a man holding a gun approached it. She let out a breath of relief.