Protected Slaves

10. Complications

I couldn't look Miles in the eye after the simulation. After we had gotten back to the warehouse I had locked myself in my room and tried to figure out ways I could avoid Miles but I knew that was going to be difficult. I managed to sneak out early in the morning before Miles had even risen. I had stayed in the old dormitory with Emily until it was time for breakfast. I managed to hide myself at the back of the mess hall and eat my food without Miles finding me. I felt terrible for trying to hide myself from him but I felt even worse for what I had done in the simulation.

Michael had told me that the simulation was designed to target our fears because there was a chance that we may have to do what we did in the simulation. But I could never kill Miles. Never. He had done so much for me and what have I done for him? Take a bullet to save him. Sure that was a big thing to do but to me it wasn't enough.

I kept my head down as I made my way to school. The only thing I paid any attention to was my bag slamming into my back. The rhythmic thud made my walk somewhat entertaining and helped ease my worries. I could see the school building looming nearby and knew that I would have to face Miles sooner or later. He would be in the school somewhere and we have the same lunch break that I did. I took a deep breath at the thought of having to face Miles. I knew that he would begin to question me about the simulation.

I was almost to school when I felt someone grab me. I didn't try to fight because I thought that it was Miles. When I was forced to turn I was expecting to see a familiar pair of honey-brown eyes, instead I saw Viktor. Anger shot through my body I yanked my arm away from him.

"What do you want?" I spat.

"I want to talk," Viktor said in his Russian accent.

"Well I don't," I replied.

I turned to leave but Viktor grabbed my bag and yanked me back towards him.

"That's funny because I don't remember giving you a choice," Viktor said dryly.

"No you didn't but I have choices that I can make for myself," I pointed out.

I went to leave again but Viktor grabbed me again and pinned me against the wall. He placed an arm over my neck and placed his other hand on the butt of his gun.

"Now are you going to speak with me?" Viktor asked.

I sighed. I hated this man just as much as any other Innovative but I knew the power he had. I knew that he would eventually get to speak with me and I'd rather have this over and done with now so that I could just disappear for a while before Viktor needed to talk with me again.

"Go ahead," I said.

Viktor loosened his hold on me and allowed me to stand in front of him without his arm pressed against my neck.

"Good," Viktor said. "Now, I noticed that you've been avoiding Winchester this morning."

I raised an eyebrow. It had only been a couple hours that I've tried to stay away from Miles. It looks like Viktor and the Officials were watching me more closely than I thought for them to notice something like this, this quickly.

"I'm not avoiding him," I lied.

Viktor laughed. "I watched you shrink in your seat at the mess hall just before you snuck out."

I sighed. "Maybe I was. Why does it bother you?"

"It's just . . . odd," Viktor replied evenly.

"Why is it odd?" I asked.

I was being careful to keep myself calm. Viktor was trying to be civil with me which was strange but I enjoyed the tone he had with me today it was better than his usual pissed off one.