Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 80431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80431 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 402(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 268(@300wpm)
He was confined within the walls of a place designed for development, not comfort, and it was fucking with him.
Then he saw something in his peripheral.
A tall cabinet that towered to the ceiling stood against the wall at the back of the room, nestled in a darkened corner where the fluorescent lighting didn’t reach.
It probably wasn’t meant to be climbed, but that didn’t matter to him. The pull toward higher ground felt like more of a need than a want.
He moved without a second thought, gripping the handles and shallow indentations until he was at the top.
He sat on top and folded his legs under him as if he were about to meditate. He hummed, liking the view from this angle.
The machines that offended him looked so much smaller, the persistent drone now distant and unimportant.
The height soothed him, made him feel in control, and eased the anxiousness he’d had a minute ago.
His breathing slowed, eyelids grew heavy, and before he could fight it, his mind surrendered to the darkness and his body succumbed to the calm.
Sitting upright on the steel cabinet, he dozed on and off, dreaming of sunlight peeking through dense canopies of brilliantly green trees. Unseen creatures moved through the underbrush, rutting beneath the damp earth of a vast jungle.
Zorion opened his eyes.
The room came into an even sharper view than two hours ago. He could see the textures of the ceiling, the way the lighting projected subtle shadows within the cracks and grooves.
His senses went beyond the walls. He could hear footsteps in the hall and whispers of people who assumed they were out of earshot. The rustling of fabric as someone shifted from foot to foot, the steady thump of the heartbeat of a man just outside his door.
They were afraid.
Good.
The scientists hesitated at the threshold before they tipped inside, flanked by five guards, men with hardened eyes and stiff postures. Zorion could taste their apprehension and fear in the air, the flavor tangy and tin-like.
Dr. O’Reilley was in front, scanning the room when she saw he wasn’t asleep on the table. Her face paled and her heartbeat increased.
Dr. Pheung, always quiet and composed, went stiff. Dr. Santana paused the longest, as if he were considering turning around.
Then, in unison, their gazes lifted like corpses roused by a supernatural power, their eyes wide and unblinking.
Dr. O’Reilley stumbled backward into Dr. Pheung before he helped to right her. Zorion wasn’t sure if Dr. Santana shit himself, but it sure looked like he had.
For months, they’d controlled him with their needles, restraints, and potent drugs. But now the tables had turned. His manipulators had never seen him like this—perched over them, his limbs poised in a perfect, unnatural balance. Free and uninhibited.
He wasn’t staring up at them anymore with a vacant gaze but down at them with something they weren’t prepared for him to possess.
Awareness.
“Before we move you to phase two’s physical training, Zorion, we’re going to run a series of tests and simulations to rate your cognitive agility and ability to follow orders,” Dr. Pheung said softly as if he were trying to reason with a grizzly bear.
So they want to make sure I’m not crazy, huh?
“There’ll be no injections or medicine administered. Just a series of questions. And when we’re finished, you’ll be escorted to your new living quarters. I think you’ll be pleased with it. Our interior design team has worked around the clock to ensure it’s fitting for a man of your caliber.”
Zorion glared. Of my caliber? What did they think he was? Or better yet, what had they made him into?
He needed those answers and was just waiting for the right time and person to ask the questions.
Yeah, I’ll follow orders…until I find out how to get the fuck out of here.
Without warning, he dropped from fourteen feet and landed soundlessly, but they flinched as if a bomb had detonated.
“Zorion.” Dr. Pheung’s voice was shaky.
Zorion moved forward and Dr. O’Reilley hit a tray of instruments, sending them clattering onto the floor as she leaped out of his way.
The guards shifted, but they didn’t dare show aggression. They were obviously there to make sure he didn’t step out of line, but they just stood there looking too afraid to act if he did.
Zorion turned his back, dismissing them, and walked out of the door.
Chief Aiken Oakley
Valor
The training facility was ridiculous, state-of-the-art technology. Huge holographic projectors framed the wall. An AI combat system controlled the shifting obstacles, and drone weapons adapted to Valor’s every movement within seconds.
There was a glass-enclosed observation room where the scientists and upper-level management monitored him.
Valor noticed the murderous, scheming, lowlife director was front and center. He hated the way he glared hungrily through cynical, dust-brown eyes that reminded Valor of public restroom paper towels. Stared at him as if Valor were his possession.