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

Chapter 13

Lyanna's POV

My alarm rings at exactly eight o'clock, startling me awake immediately. I bolt upright in my bed, rushing over to the bathroom so I can wash my face and shower. Then I choose my outfit for the day, a simple white hoodie and jeans. I even make sure I brush my hair in the small mirror placed on one side of the sink. I don't want to look sloppy for my very first official meeting. 

I glance at the clock and breathe a sigh of relief. 8:23. I have 7 minutes to relax, mentally prepare myself, and possibly...

There's a knock on the door. I walk over and open it, revealing Cole standing in my doorway. 

I blink up at him. "You're early."

He smiles faintly at me. "Indeed, I am." 

I swallow nervously and force myself to smile back. "Are we heading straight to the meeting, then?" I ask, desperately hoping for him to say yes. 

"Of course," he replies, his expression unreadable.

He leads me to the conference room, which is a large, circular chamber. All around me is the color of dark wood. It reminds me of the meeting room in TCD, and a pang of longing goes through my chest.

There are already over a dozen adults seated around the table, and they are all staring at me and Cole as we take the two remaining seats across from President Gray. "Thank you for joining us today," the President says to the two of us in a formal tone.

"My pleasure," Cole replies, equally formal. Their stiff interactions make me think of the Commander and Adrius. 

I refuse to speak, but manage to smile vaguely at the group. President Gray clears his throat and nods at me. "This is Lyanna Collins. She was a member of the resistance TCD, but has recently joined our ranks. She is an extraordinary young woman, and her abilities are equally so."

A middle aged man seated to the right of the President turns his full attention onto me. "So, Ms. Collins. Would you be willing to tell us about your experience at TCD?"

I feel my throat tighten, and I try to keep my expression neutral. "What...specific aspect would you like me to talk about?" I ask, my hands shaking under the table.

"Oh just...in general," he replies, clasping his hands together.

"I got to know a group of people that were very similar to me, but also very different...in many ways." I say, choosing my words carefully.

"How so?" The man asks, tilting his head to the side, his eyes narrowing slightly. I don't like the calculating expression on his face.

"I...I...I'd rather...not say..." I stammer, not knowing what to say to avoid revealing too much about the TCD.

Before the man can ask me another question, the President's phone buzzes loudly, and he answers it quickly, much to my surprise. I would expect the leader of our country to keep all personal matters out of the way while in office. 

Someone speaks on the other end of the phone, and after a few moments, and the President nods approvingly. "So...all the labs are prepped?" A short pause. Then, "Thank you. I will send her down immediately."

Labs. Send her down....her?

Confusion clouds my thoughts as I stare at the President, who places the phone back on the table, screen facing down. 

I open my mouth, but my throat closes up and no sounds comes out. 

"Was there something you wanted to say?" The President asks in a falsely polite tone.

"What...what were you talking about? What labs? Who..."

The President smiles, and snaps his fingers. Two security guards materialize out of nowhere, both fully armed and marching towards me. As they grab my arms and pull them behind my back, I start to panic.

"Wait! I thought we had an agreement!" I cry out, heart beating rapidly in my chest. I've never been more confused in my life. Didn't I do everything he wanted me to do? I came here, to the conference. I answered their questions, even though I didn't really give them the answer they wanted.

"Next time, Ms. Collins. I have very high expectations, and when you don't reach my standards..." He taps his fingers against the wooden desk. "You will be sent back to where you came from. Your room. The labs. The experiments."

I force myself to hold my head high as the guards escort me out of the room. I force myself not the look at Cole, the President, and the other men on the council. I force myself to walk steadily on my two own feet, despite the shackles they've attached to my ankles. I force myself to exit the room with dignity.

And I promise myself that next time, I will walk out of this room on my own terms. 

Because now, I finally know what the President really wants.

Complete compliance.