Losing Eight Lives

26 | Addison

November 23rd

Day of School Fire

Addison's POV

Blake slammed the butt of this fire charge into Phoebe's skull and she fell unconscious.

My eyes widened as he then pointed the gun to the ceiling and pulled the trigger.

Everything was instantly engulfed in flames.

I couldn't watch this.

My legs spun me around in the office chair so I no longer faced the screens. My head felt like it was about to explode.

What was I doing?

Tears involuntarily sprang in my eyes and I dared to face the screens again.

The school burned as holographic students and teachers evacuated the building.

And Phoebe and Jace where still on the second level.

My gaze shifted to another screen which showed the two laying limp on the tile, seemingly just waiting to be burned. Then to another screen where Cam stood surrounded my flames in an empty office.

A heavy hand suddenly patted my left shoulder and rested there.

I didn't even have to turn around to know who it was.

"Aren't they miraculous?" Linda said behind me. "You helped us with that. You should be proud." She spun my chair so I was forced to face her and she gave me a greedy smile. "They are gonna make us rich beyond our wildest dreams."

Money. That's what this was about. Not discovery, or the glorious world of science and genetics.

She just wanted cash.

I nodded. She walked away and watched the screens I refused to look at.

I bit my lip and stood up.

"Where are you going?" Linda asked suspiciously.

I approached her and looked up at her in the eye. "I am done being your slave." I started slowly. "I wasn't in it for the money. I wanted to just be apart of the discovery." Linda's smile was wiped away long ago. "Science. That's what I was apart of this for." I tried to hide a smile that started to surface. "I'm leaving." I took a step back. "And I know you can't do this without my planning."

Linda just chuckled and leaned forward so I felt her hot breath on my skin. "Watch me," she stood up straight and looked at the doorway of the room just as Catherine walked by. "Catherine,"

Catherine stopped in her tracks and looked into the room before entering it. "Yes?"

"Has Steve left yet?"

Catherine must have seen the fear that I tried to hide on my face. She hesitated before answering. "Actually he doesn't leave for another three hours," her voice slightly shook but Linda didn't notice.

"Perfect. Please tell him to come here."

"Right now?"

"Right now."

Catherine scrambled out of the room to go get Steve as I helplessly stood in front of Linda.

"Steve will know exactly what to do with you." she gave me her greedy smile again.

I don't know why I didn't run. Probably because I knew I wouldn't get very far. So instead of running I stood there. not looking at the screens. Not looking at Linda. And I waited.

-=-=-=-

I sat in the backseat of Steve's black car. The air was thick and silent. I tried to breathe evenly.

We both knew I was about to face my own death.

Steve sat in the driver's seat and drove us through the empty highway. He wore his all black uniform and dark sunglasses and his mouth rested in a stiff line.

I tugged a little at the binds holding my hands together behind me. I honestly did not know if he was actually going to kill me.

He was Steve. You think you know him, and then he surprises you.

I thought I would try asking. "Steve," I said weakly. "Are you actually gonna . . . ?" I didn't finish, but I think he knew what I meant.

He stayed silent.

I sighed and stared out the window, enjoying the breaths that might have been my last.

-=-=-=-

I waited and waited. I couldn't see where we were through the dark windows but I could somewhat see we were in a parking lot.

Steve told me to sit there and stay quiet while he went to get something. So I sat there alone, and waited.

After about ten minutes, my car door opened and Steve gestured for me to get out. I swallowed and stepped out into the abandoned city.

He had parked the car in a Halloween store parking lot. I questioned it, but said nothing.

He slammed the door behind me and grabbed the binding, leaning closer. "Listen to me, I'm gonna shoot the ground next to your head. When you hear the shot you are to pretend to go limp. Got it?" he whispered harshly.

I gave him the slightest nod before actually understanding what was happening.

Steve shoved me forward so I fell to my knees and hung my head. I heard the click of a gun behind me and felt the presence of it behind my head.

Time seemed to stand still as I stared blankly at the pavement under me. My heart raced and my mind spun, my breathing was uneven and my tied hands trembled. I didn't even have to pretend I was afraid.

A loud bang, suddenly filled my ears.