Day five of my failed mission, Pierce thought. And I am still stuck at the Revealers’ place.
They had moved her to a different, more accommodating room. Although she had basically been given a free rein of the place provided she had an escort with her, Pierce spent most of her time in her room.
I should’ve regained all of my strength by now. I should’ve escaped this place already, she thought somewhat bitterly. So why do I feel so….exhausted? Like I have no energy left?
Her wound was all but a thin scar; Dr. Norrison had been impressed with how quickly Pierce had healed. Just yesterday she had given Pierce a clean bill of health…yet Pierce didn’t feel as if she had completely recovered.
My senses feel somewhat duller, she realized. Could I be losing my enhancements?
For some reason, the thought of losing her keen eyesight, the incredible stamina she had acquired through months of training, her sharpness, her agility and all the benefits she’d received from the Procedure terrified her. It would be like going blind and deaf. No, worse—she would be normal. Perfectly normal.
Dr. Spencer’s words floated into her mind. Child, you’re special.
I’m special. I’m better than any Perfect, Pierce reassured herself. Then she thought, Am I being egotistical?
Somebody knocked on the door. “It’s me, Troop.”
“Come in.”
Troop unlocked the door and walked inside silently. He took a seat at the edge of her mattress, a few arm lengths away. He briefly met her eyes.
“You didn’t look so good yesterday after the questioning.”
Pierce waved a hand dismissively. Can’t let my enemies know that I’m weak. “I’m fine. Really,” she added when Troop didn’t look convinced.
“You look like you could use some food.” He offered her a bottle of water and muffin.
Pierce hesitated, remembering the drugged water he had given her last time. She thought she saw a flash of pain in Troop’s eyes when he saw that she didn’t trust him.
“Look, it’s just food and nothing more.” He took a bite of the muffin to show that it wasn’t laced.
When he didn’t keel over, Pierce accepted the food, but didn’t touch the drink until Troop took a sip of the water himself.
I wonder what this Kristi person is like? Pierce wondered. Troop keeps on talking about her like she’s a long lost friend.
Truth to be told, she was curious to know Troop better—he seemed to be the only person around who acted decent to her. That and the fact he kept on insisting they used to be friends.
“Tell me more about Kristi.” Pierce broke off a small piece of the chocolate chip muffin and popped it into her mouth.
Troop looked up in surprise.
“What was she like? How did she act? What did she look like? It would be interesting to know what the girl you keep on comparing me to is like,” she said.
