Transform Me (A "Shatter Me" Trilogy Fanfiction)

FORTY-ONE: BROKEN TRUST

41: Broken Trust

I slip in and out of consciousness as Kenji, Warner, Caitlan and I escape Sector 21's military base. When I wake up, I find myself inside what appears to be a living room. The faded, but cheerful sunflower wallpaper is a stark contrast to the bleak situation. I realize that I'm on a dusty old couch with a floral print and I'm all alone.

Just then, I hear voices from an adjoining room. I can make out Kenji's, Caitlan's, and Warner's hushed whispers. To my surprise, I hear Juliette's voice as well, along with the voice of a stranger. Although there's something vaguely familiar about it.

I wait for the room to stop spinning around me and notice belatedly that there's a glass of water on the coffee table right next to the couch. I realize then how parched my throat is.

I strain to sit up, and it takes every ounce of energy I have left. Once I'm upright, I stretch out my arm towards the glass. My trembling fingers slide around its smooth surface, holding it in place. But halfway through my efforts to bring it to my lips, its slips right through and lands on the linoleum floor with a loud crash. The glass shatters to pieces.

The voices in the next room immediately stop, but this is quickly followed by a rush of footsteps towards the living room. Kenji is the first to reach my side.

"Are you okay?" He cups one hand against my cheek and searches my face.

I nod, feeling somewhat self-conscious of the proximity of his face to mine. "I...I was just thirsty."

He relaxes at this and drops his hand. And I wish he didn't.

"I'll get you another glass." Juliette volunteers. Then she gives me a smile. "It's good to see you again, Hiro."

Caitlan produces a broom and sweeps the shards of glass away.

"Where are we?" My voice sounds hoarse, and I mentally cringe.

"We're in one of the abandoned houses of the compounds." Warner replies briskly.

"Where are the others? Where's Jun? And Kim? How did they all manage to escape?"

At this, Warner averts his gaze, and his bright green eyes betray unease and just a hint of shame.

It's Kenji who explains. "Actually, Juliette and I are the only ones who managed to escape." He pauses, and I see on his face the same look on Warner's. "The others are still with The Reestablishment."

I'm instantly filled with dread and panic. Jun and Kim and everyone else are still The Reestablishment's lab rats. Imagining what they're going through right now makes me shudder. They must be in so much pain. They must be just as scared and confused as I was.

"We...we have to get them out." I feel numb with fear. "We have to get them out!"

"And we have every intention of doing just that." Kenji assures me. "That's what we're doing right now: planning an escape."

"When are we getting them out?" I demand. "How are we getting them out?"

"We don't have an exact date set yet, but it's going happen soon." Juliette replies as she returns to the living room with a glass of water in her hand. She hands it to me and I gratefully take it. The water is heaven against the dryness of my mouth. "As for the how part, we're still figuring that out, too."

As I drink, my eyes sweep around the room. I look at Juliette, then Kenji, then Warner, and finally Caitlan, who has been uncharacteristically quiet. She notices me eyeing her and begins to fidget.