Unhinged (22 page)

“Sorry my stint in the foster system was
inconvenient for you.”

“That sarcastic mouth on you will get you
into trouble, young lady,” Evans warns in a deep voice I’ve never
heard him use. It makes me wonder what else he’s capable of. He
continues his story without even checking if I’m listening. This
guy has a bigger ego than I ever thought possible. “Anyhow, once I
found you, it was easy to come up with a perfect plan to blow you
to smithereens. But alas, you are much slicker than I had first
thought, and infinitely more powerful. So, we had to come up with a
better idea for you—one that tested your skills and enhanced your
powers. And in the end, left you completely and utterly alone.”

“Great job, Doctor. Stellar, really,” I spit
out, not even bothering to hide my contempt.

Evans’s lip goes up in a snarl. He stomps
over to where I’m standing between Dejana and Logan and slaps me
hard across the face. The sting from his palm and the intense pain
that accompanies the slap makes my face feel like it’s going to
explode. I put my hand over my cheek and breathe in deeply, hoping
he doesn’t see how much this slap affected me.

“Don’t interrupt me again, bitch,” he
spits.

I pretend to be submissive, not only to hide
the pain, but to buy me more time. It’s so hard to figure out a
plan with this guy spitting all sorts of crazy nonsense at me.
Other than the few seconds he wasted slapping me, the good doctor
is otherwise non-deterred from telling me how much of an evil
genius he is.

“So David began inserting horrible, evil
memories into everyone you hold dear. The fact that they’re
tormented by psychos and murderers was simply a happy side effect
of the grand plan. It was all by design. I knew that Brett would
turn to me once everyone else in your life was gone. Then all I had
to do was pretend to train you a bit, get you just strong enough to
make this match even. Robust enough to fulfill your fate.”

I don’t want to, but I’m compelled to ask,
“What fate?”

“Why, to die by David’s hand, of course. In
order for David to ascend, he has to kill you. Once he does, he
gets to absorb all of your power to add to his. Then he will be
invincible.”

“Awesome,” I say with my usual sarcasm,
despite the fact that I was just slapped for it. My rage is driving
me now, not my logic. He tells me it’s my fate to die by David’s
hand. Well, screw that. If I have to die to save the ones I love,
then that is what I choose—no one else. But who says I have to go
down easy? If I go down, so does David. And if I’m able, this
douchebag as well.

“Fine,” I acquiesce. “I’ll let David kill me,
but on one condition: release my friends. They’re innocent. It’s me
you want, not them. Free them from the nightmares David inserted
and let them go. Otherwise, I’ll run again, and David will lose any
chance of having this ascension thing.”

Evans’s face contorts into a snarl as he
debates my offer. I can tell he loathes giving me anything. He’s
internally battling this unpredicted turn of events against how
much he needs me to confront David. I know if I run, he will
eventually find me. But it isn’t me I’m worried about. It’s saving
the people I love.

Having arrived at some decision, I watch as
Evans walks back around his desk and pushes a button on a machine
beside the lamp. “Bring him in.”

I turn as I hear the door to the library
open, and am immediately relieved to see Brett walk through the
door. My happiness is short lived however, when I see he has a gun
pointed at his back.

“Brett?” I whisper. “Are you hurt?”

Brett shakes his head, but says nothing. He
doesn’t look worse for the wear, but I can tell from the horrified
look on his face, I must look a mess. “Better question is, are
you?”

I nod, incapable of much else right now. I’m
happy that he’s safe, and still hope that he can help get Logan and
Dejana out of here and away from danger.

“Aww, such a sweet reunion, don’t you think,
Dr. Evans?” David says sarcastically as he pushes the butt of the
gun further into Brett’s back, propelling him forward toward Dejana
and Logan. “Time to repay me for not killing you, Brett. Take their
memories and restore their minds so I can finish this bitch and
ascend. I would do it myself, but I’d rather save my strength.”

Utterly confused, I look at Brett, and then
back at David, wondering what the hell is going on. “I don’t
understand. How can he help them?”

David just smiles at me wickedly as Brett
hangs his head, unable to meet my eyes. From behind me, Evans
clears his throat, clearly elated by the opportunity to show me
exactly how ignorant I am.

“Oh, my dear little innocent Aimee. There’s
so much you don’t understand.”

Disgusted and sick to death of being kept in
the dark, my fury takes over. “Then enlighten me, asshole. Just
what in the world is going on?” I demand of the doctor. Emboldened
by my anger, I take a step towards him, ready to punch him in the
face, desperate for some kind of outlet for my rage. But I halt
just inches away from him, deciding it’s best to save it for
David.

“Like you, Brett can absorb memories. But,
unlike you, he’s evolved. He’s infinitely stronger than anyone in
this room because he’s already ascended. With one touch, he can
release both of your friends with little to no effect on him.”

My world starts to spin as I digest what
Evans just told me. Brett absorbs memories? How can that be? He
touches people all the time. All the times I’ve seen him around
school or with Logan, he’s been
normal
. How can it be that
he’s like me? Well, not exactly like me apparently, since he’s done
that ascending crap I don’t understand. All this time he’s been
pretending to help me when all along he could have helped them with
one touch. I’ve been through hell and back to try to save those I
love as Brett just stood by and watched my torment, pretended to be
a part of it. Was his desiring me part of the ruse too? Was any
part of what he felt real? Disgusted with myself, I finally
realized why I never absorbed anything when he kissed me. It was
the same with David all those years ago. There aren’t any memories
to absorb when you’re cursed with everyone else’s.

I hear his soft voice, full of guilt, break
the tension in the room. “Please, Aimee, whatever you’re thinking,
don’t. I only ever wanted to help you.”

“Stop. Just…stop,” I plead, trying to hold
back the tears that threaten to fall down my face as I look at him,
his betrayal slashing my heart into tiny pieces. “Just heal them
and take them home like you promised. And I swear, if any harm
comes to either of them, you
will
pay,” I threaten as I
cross my arms trying to ward off the evil that lurks within the
walls of this library, despite the fact that I know it won’t do a
damn bit of good.

Reluctantly, Brett walks over to Dejana and
places his hand on her forehead. I watch in fascination as a white
light radiates from his hand, illuminating Dejana’s forehead. It
enlightens the otherwise dark library, mesmerizing all of us.
Briefly, I wonder if he’s hurting her, but as the seconds go by,
her eyes that were once creased in agony, begin to relax. Slowly,
the white light dims until it’s absorbed back into Brett’s hand. I
watch Dejana’s face for any sign of life. Her eyes flutter, and my
knees almost buckle from the sheer joy of seeing my best friend
awaken. I walk over to her and place my gloved hand on her arm. The
tears of betrayal I tried so hard to hold back, flow down my face.
But this time, they are tears of joy.

“Hey you,” I say to Dejana, my smile wide and
happy.

She looks around the room, clearly confused
as to how she got to this strange library in the middle of nowhere.
“Um, where am I?” she asks as she looks around the room at the
three guys staring at her. “And who are these guys? Wait, Brett, is
that you? Oh good, I was thinking that I might still be
hallucinating. Why is everyone staring at me?”

“What do you remember?” I ask tentatively,
not trusting that Brett removed all of the evil memories.

Dejana looks at me, clearly befuddled. “Well,
last thing I remember I was in my room getting ready for bed since
I didn’t feel well. Things had been strange at school. I texted
Brett that I wanted some food and that’s the last thing I remember.
What happened after I fell asleep?”

“Well, that’s kind of a long story. And one
that Brett can fill you in on when he brings you back home. But
right now, he has another job to do.” I point out as I look
purposefully at Brett.

He regards me seriously for a moment, but
makes no move towards Logan. Confused, I stare at him , trying to
figure out what he’s up to. I watch as his eyes dart to David
behind him and then back at me. Instinctively, I know what he wants
to do. I mouth,
‘no’
to him, but he pays me no mind.

Faster than I’ve ever seen any human move,
Brett spins around and hits David square in the chest with his
fist. The punch is so forceful that it throws David back against
the wall, causing the gun to drop. Brett turns to me and yells,
“Run!” before he once again goes after David, who’s quickly heaving
himself up from the place where he landed.

David is so preoccupied with finding his
dropped gun, Brett is able to approach him undeterred and throw him
across the room. As I watch, still amazed at Brett’s strength, I
notice that at some point, Dr. Evans left the library.
Figures
, I think. He may be smart, but that doesn’t hide his
cowardice.

I waste no time. I grab Dejana and ask, “Can
you walk?”

“Yes,” Dejana responds in a frightened
whisper, now sensing the danger that she’s in. “But what about
Logan?”

Good question
. I rack my brain, trying
to figure out how I can help Logan, but as the fight grows louder
behind me, I realize that he isn’t in as much danger as we are
right now. The best way to help Logan is to get as far away from
him as possible.

“Come on,” I tell Dejana as I grab her hand
and lead her out of the library, through the hall, and out the
front door. Together we run, hoping to make it to the tree line.
It’s clear Dejana is scared and confused, but I don’t want to waste
any time filling her in. Getting her to safety takes priority. We
dodge topiaries and fountains as we run along the immaculate lawn.
Luckily, it isn’t long before we make it into the safety of the
trees.

“We came here in Brett’s car and we parked
just outside this tree line. But since we were both captured, I
have no idea where it is anymore. So you need to keep running until
you find a road and get help. You have to get as far away from here
as possible.

“But what about you?” she asks, clearly
frightened of my answer.

“I have to lead him away from you and Logan.
It’s the only way to keep you both safe.”

Dejana’s eyes glisten with unshed tears as
she realizes what that means. “You don’t think you’re coming back,
do you?”

“No,” I say softly. “But I’ll damn well do my
best to cause some hell before I go.”

Accepting the inevitable, Dejana nods her
head, grabs me, and pulls me into a huge hug. A week ago, I would
have shied away from it, yet today, I hold on to her for dear life,
fearing it will be our last. Squeezing me tightly, Dejana whispers,
“until five minutes past forever then, my person.”

Before I lose my courage, I pull back from
Dejana, squeeze her hands, and whisper, “Goodbye,” before I take
off running back towards the house. I don’t dare look back for fear
that I’ll lose what little bravery I have left to face my fate.

Chapter
Twenty-Six

~ Ascension ~

I run past the glass house, trying my best to
see inside, but failing as clouds obstruct the moonlight. I make no
attempt to hide; I want David to see me. I run around to the back
of the house, trying to make it to the dock or the lighthouse where
I can hopefully find some weapon.

Suddenly, from somewhere in the house, a loud
crash pierces the night. I turn instinctively, needing to know what
happened. I see Brett lying on the grass, shards of glass
surrounding him. He’s not moving, and it’s too dark for me to tell
if he’s breathing or not. Despite all the lies and betrayals, I
still can’t help the surge of grief that wells up at the sight of
his body lying lifeless on the grass. If he’s out here, then David
must have gotten the best of him. I can’t waste any more time
grieving those I’m forced to leave behind. As I turn again to make
my way to the lighthouse, David’s roar fills my ears.

“I’m coming for you, Aimee! You can run, but
you can’t hide.”

I bear down and push harder, desperate to
make it to the lighthouse before David reaches me. I don’t dare
look back for fear that it will slow me down even more. I can hear
feet stomping behind me, trying to catch up. Finally, I make it to
the lighthouse door and rip it open. I push through the threshold
and throw it closed behind me. My heart drops in my stomach when I
see there’s no lock attached to the door.

An automated light suddenly illuminates the
small circular room that serves as the bottom of the lighthouse. I
search the cramped space for any weapon I can use, finally finding
a long spear behind the spiral staircase. I grab it and start to
climb the staircase, hoping that up top I can find a good place for
an ambush. A surprise attack is my only chance against David, who’s
much stronger and faster than I am. Halfway up the stairs, I hear
the door below crash open.

“Dammit, Aimee! When I catch up to you, I’ll
rip you to pieces and enjoy every minute of it!”

I don’t bother responding or looking back at
David as I continue to climb the stairs. Exhausted and running on
pure adrenaline, I finally make it to the trap door at the very
top. I push it open and feel the lake air cool the sweat dripping
off my face. I let the trap door fall shut, knowing it won’t be any
help, but it still makes me feel better.