984 (Complex Series, #2)

Chapter Nineteen

Tears stream down his face and his voice breaks into a whisper, "Are you offie kidding me?"

Miranda puts a hand on his shoulder and murmurs something in his ear. He nods, takes a few deep breaths, and follows Miranda back out of the room.

Another person dead. I wonder if they are going to kill one per day. Who's next? Do the Windsors know about our sneaking out at night? Is this how they are punishing us? If so, who's next? Sienna or Brinn? Who's going to be the next lifeless body delivered to us? What about me?

I shake my head, trying to rattle the grotesque ideas out of my head. 

I glance at Canton. He's just lying in his bead, staring at the ceiling. He's mouthing something. He looks...guilty?

"What's wrong?" I ask. 

Canton smiles ruefully, "What do you think? I just found out that two of my three only true friends are dead."

I bite my lip. "I'm sorry. It's just you look almost..."

Canton's face darkens, "Almost what?" His voice is nearly a snarl.

I shrink back, "Nothing, never mind."

Canton eyes bounce back and force nervously. Maybe he's afraid that he will be killed next.  Are we safe here? Can the Officials kill us if we are here in the Unknown?

I shift from foot to foot, unsure whether I should say something, or let the silence continue. Canton is obviously mad about something, is he mad at me? What did I do? 

I'm still trying to decide when Miranda and Marcus walk back in. She addresses Canton, "Would you like to see Seth or Josh?"

Canton quickly shakes his head no.

Miranda nods curtly, "That's fine. Now, we have something else to discuss. Canton and Marcus, I'm not sure if you are safe here."

For some reason, she's looking at me when she says this. 

I speak, "What about me? Do you think it's just because they were roommates? Or, do you think they found out about the sneaking out at night?"

Miranda narrows her eyes at me, "It's possible someone may be leaking information to the Windsors somewhere. You'll never truly know."

Why is she mad at me? What did I do? Does she think these two deaths are my fault? Are they my fault? What if I had convinced Josh not to come to the Unknown? Would he be dead today?

Miranda speaks to Canton and Marcus again, "Canton, as long as you are here, you’re safe. We are bringing some Cons in the Nurses' Wing to protect you. We know for sure that these Cons aren't loyal to the Heads. Marcus, I would try to have at least one or two of your friends by you at all times."

Marcus frowns, "I don't want to seem needy. I think I can handle myself."

Miranda rolls her eyes, "Really, Marcus? Do you need to be 'manly' about this? Would you rather be dead?"

Marcus swallows and casts his eyes to the floor. "Sorry. Of course, I'll have someone by me."

"Thank you." Miranda says, "I need to go meet with-" she stops herself. "someone. Piper, I'll have Charlotte pick you up from here as soon as she can."

She leaves me with a cold stare and turns on her heel, exiting the room. Marcus looks at me, "Why is she so angry at you?"

I can only shrug and give him a bewildered expression. He smiles slightly, "It's probably something else bothering her. She might just be taking it out on you, since you're a Rivie. I wouldn't take it too seriously."

His words help me feel a little better. 

We walk out of the room, leaving Canton alone. Marcus is nice enough to wait with my for Charlotte. We try to make small talk, but it's strained. Tears keep on welling up in Marcus' eyes. Finally we both just fall to silence. 

Charlotte walks through the door, only a minute or so later. She's trying to be her cheery self, but it's difficult even for her. She smiles tightly, "Let's go. Today we are visit with the Teachers." 

We walk down the hall. I glance at the people walking past use. Almost everybody has a concerned expression. They must have heard about the other dead Eeke. 

As we walk down the hall, I catch a glimpse of something. I squint, trying to see better. It's not until Dana turns around that I'm sure it's her.

Dana is walking down the hall, angrily whispering at Miranda.

Miranda quickly catches Dana's shoulders and guides her into her office. 

Why is Dana so angry with Miranda?