The Animal Inside

Chapter Thirty-Three: Follow Us if You Want to Live

The first sound I was aware of is a popping sound. As I woke up, the popping got louder and louder, turning into bangs. I also hear whispers that grow to shouts. I feel myself move, being placed somewhere.

“Will she be ok?” someone asked.

“I don’t know. But we need to get everyone out of here. Now,” someone else answered.

I was picked up again. I need to open my eyes, I told myself, I need to know what’s happening. It took a lot of energy, but I finally managed to open my eyes.

I was looking up at the ceiling, and whoever was carrying me stopped.

“She’s awake.”

We moved into a side hallway, the light here slightly dimmer than in the corridor. As I was placed on the tiled floor, I finally saw who was carrying me. It was Adrian. He knelt down beside me. His eyes were filled with worry as they peered into mine. Kody stood behind him, constantly checking from side to side. Both of them were wearing the black outfits that the guards wore.

“Kefira, are you alright?” Adrian asked.

“I-I-I...” I started, but couldn’t finish. I just didn’t have the energy to speak.

“Of course she’s not alright Adrian,” Kody said, his voice strained.

I rubbed my aching head. The bangs that I heard earlier were getting closer.

“We need to move,” Kody said.

“I can’t keep carrying her,” Adrian said.

“Not as strong as you thought?”

“This is no time for jokes.”

“There’s no way she could walk on her own.”

“Then stay here with her. I’ll go to the control room and-”

“Are you insane? You can’t go alone. They know who you are now. They’ll kill you as soon as they see you.”

“Well, you can’t go, Kody. You don’t know where the control room is.”

Kody face suddenly lit up.

“What?” Adrian asked.

Kody didn’t reply, just knelt down beside me. Adrian got up and moved out of the way, giving Kody room and taking his place as watch.

Kody reached out and held my hand.

“This might hurt a little,” he said. Kody closed his eyes, and my hand began to tingle. Almost instantly, I began to feel stronger, more alive. Kody pulled his hand away.

“How do you feel now?” he asked.

“Better,” I said. I felt as if I were full of energy.

“Do you think you can walk?” Adrian asked. He held out his hands, helping me to my feet. I was off balance for a moment, before feeling steady. I took a few tentative steps.

“I think I’m ok,” I said.

“Good, because we need to move, now,” Kody said.

We made our way to the end of the hallway. Kody peeked out into the corridor. He motioned for us to move. As we ran along the corridor, I noticed this was different to the one that housed the cells. This one was wider, and had smooth white walls. Not a cell in sight.

“Where are we?” I puffed.

“This corridor leads to the control room,” Adrian answered.

“Why are we going there? That’s not part of the plan.”