Protected Slaves

9. Simulation

By the time I was allowed out of hospital I could feel the difference in the weather. It was starting to get warmer which was a change from the constant cold I had felt for several months. The snow had disappeared which sent a wave of excitement through me but Miles wouldn't allow me to do anything. He would force me to stay behind and the only thing he allowed me to do was carry the lightest things for him, this really annoyed me. I wanted to exercise again but Miles wouldn't let me anywhere near the gym.

After I had gotten out of hospital I found out that Miles had moved all of my things to his warehouse so that he could keep an eye on me. I felt bad for leaving Emily behind to face the wrath of Davidson but I knew that Kellin would care for her. I would keep an eye on her too when I could because I wouldn't let that idiot hurt her ever again.

I was excited to live in the warehouse because I was able to explore every corner when Miles wasn't around. I knew that he would scold me for climbing up the ladder to the second floor and for getting out of bed when I was supposed to be resting.

I hadn't seen my mother since the night I got shot and I was missing her. She knew that I was okay but I knew that she would worry if she didn't get to see me soon. I also knew that I would end up punching someone if I didn't get to see her soon. I'd tried to convince Miles to take me into the Restricted Zone but he refused because I wasn't 'ready'.

After those little arguments with Miles I would wait until he entered the gym then I would slip out of the room and climb all the way to the roof of the warehouse and sit there for hours. One day when I was exploring the warehouse I noticed a little gap in the roof and I decided to investigate it, that's how I found the spot.

That's exactly what I was doing now. Sitting on the roof as I tried to think of ways to get into the Restricted Zone myself without Miles noticing my disappearance. I missed my mother badly and I wanted to be a bigger part of the plan with the Innovates. I knew that Miles went to the Restricted Zone at night to help the Innovates with their plan and he knew how badly I wanted to go with him.

The cool breeze gave me a reprieve from the hot sun. I brushed the hair that flew into my eyes away and stared at the rest of the Protected Zone with resentment. If only Miles could see how badly I wanted to bring Viktor's world down around him. Maybe then he would allow me to come with him on his nightly visits to the Restricted Zone.

I was aware that the music that came from the gym had stopped and I knew Miles would be searching for me soon. I slowly rose to my feet and made my way across the flat roof towards the little hidey-hole that was my exit and entry to my safe haven. I was careful as I slid down the hole as I didn't want to knock my stomach. Even though it had been a long time since I was shot I was still worried that I could hurt myself. I landed on the ground with a thud. I clenched my teeth together and squeezed my eyes shut as the pain shot up from my stomach to my torso. After I landed on the ground I was aware that I wasn't the only one in the room. I could feel a pair of eyes on me and I knew that I had been caught.

I cursed under my breath as I straightened up and spun around to see that Miles was standing behind me with his arms crossed over his chest. Sweat dripped down his forehead and he panted slightly which meant that he had gotten all of his anger out by using all of his gym equipment.

"Ray, why were you on the roof?" Miles asked in a collected tone.

He had used my nickname so he wasn't angry at me anymore but his calm façade freaked me out.

"I was clearing my head because you won't let me use the gym equipment for that reason," I replied.

"Do you realize how bad your injury is?" Miles asked.