Abnormal {Book 1: Completed, Book 2: Ongoing}

Chapter 11

Lyanna's POV

"Cole, I..."

"Lyanna, please..." he whispers, his eyes boring into mine.

I try to fight the pain in my chest. I try to fight the heaviness in my heart as I finally raise my gaze to look at him. "Okay," I murmur.

He releases me from his grip, and I stumble backwards a little, resting my hand on the nightstand to regain my balance. I feel lightheaded as I blink away black spots from my vision. 

"I...I should go now," I say in a shaky voice. "To...prepare for my next experiment."

"Of course." I can feel his eyes following me as I walk out of his room, shutting the door behind him. 

A few minutes later, I return to my room and collapse on the bed immediately. What just happened?

I feel a sense of nausea crash over me as I replay his words in my head. "...we were meant for each other..."

No. NO. Images of Adrius flash in my head, and I bury my face against my pillow. How could I say yes to Cole? What was I thinking?

Suddenly, I hear a knock on the door, and I bolt upright on the bed. Swallowing hard, I walk over to the door and turn the knob. President Gray stands in the doorway, hair carefully styled and suit carefully pressed as always.

"Good evening, Ms. Collins."

I stare straight at him for a full five seconds before I remember that I agreed to play nice. "Good evening to you, too," I say stiffly.

He walks past me into the room, and I close the door warily. "I'm coming to you today, Ms. Collins, so we can discuss something."

I nod slightly, and he smiles and continues. "I'm sure your first experiment wasn't at all...enjoyable. Am I correct?" He looks at me with a smug expression, and it takes everything in me not to punch him in the face.

"It wasn't...enjoyable. At all," I reply in a clipped voice.

He chuckles, then sits down on my sofa. "I have come to offer you... a deal."

"What is it?"

"You can choose not to undergo the experiments. I can pull you out of the experimenting system easily, in the exchange of your...immediate service."

"Immediate service? What exactly are you talking about?"

"TCD just declared war on us." 

I feel like the world is spinning around me and at some point it's going to explode. 

I feel like I'm hanging onto the edge of a cliff with only my fingers and someone's foot will push me off. 

I feel like I'm in a deep, dark abyss with nobody's company but myself.

"TCD declared open war? On the Central Government?" I ask, not comprehending.

"Yes," The President answers impatiently. "And we need you help."

"Why? You are the head of the Central Government. You have all the best technicians. The best fighters. The best supplies. Why would you need me?"

"You know them best. You must have a pretty good idea of which strategy they're going to use during the attack. What weapons or supplies they tend to choose...etc."

"No," I said in a shaky voice. "I promised I'd be your lab rat. I promised to carry out your missions. But I never said I'd agree to helping you fight against TCD."

President Gray stands up immediately, brushing imaginary dust off his pants. "Well then. I guess we have nothing to discuss then, Ms. Collins. Have a good night."

"Wait!" I call out, panicking. Surely this isn't the only way?

He stops next to my door, his boots clicking to a stop. "Yes, Ms. Collins?"

I steel myself mentally before speaking. "I can...help you. But I will not fight them. I will not be part of your army. I will not hurt my friends."

President Gray turns around slowly to look me straight in the eye. "Very well, Ms. Collins. You are excused from all your experiments. You will join me first thing in the morning to discuss our plans for the attack."

"Yes, sir."

As soon as he exits my room, I crawl onto my bed and pull the blankets over my shoulders. I have to think of a plan. Tonight. Before I attend the first meeting. This might be the only chance for me to escape.

Then suddenly, I remember my conversation with Cole, and his fierce eyes staring into mine. My heart plummets as I realize that Cole's existence can either help me gain an advantage, or he could make my plan go wrong. 

But...should I trust him? As a friend? As a fellow Abnormal?

Or should I betray him? Because...after all, he is still the President's son.