Clare's POV
Adam was nice. Kind. Something that I was not expecting here. Apparently all of these people are being held captive here. And now I was one of them. I was sitting in the corner with Adam. He was helping clean up my cuts and scrapes. This other guy went to get supplies for him, but didn't stick around to chat. He was now currently sitting across the room from us.
"Where are you from?" Adam asked me, as he was cleaning up the cut above my eye.
"Toronto." I replied. "What about you?"
"Vancouver." He sighed. "So that means you're from around here."
"I guess so. And that means you are a long way from home."
"I guess so." He repeated, as he smiled. I smiled back. He was comforting.
"How long have you been here? All of you?" I asked.
"They have all been here for two years or less." He stated, gesturing to the room. "I've been here for three."
"What about him?" I asked, I noticed he hadn't glanced at the guy in the corner.
"Who? Eli?" The guy glanced up when Adam mentioned his name. "He's been here for five." Adam sat back on his knees.
"And he's allowed to just leave the room?" I asked.
"Yeah. He's been here the longest, and they keep him in line. So they trust him enough to let him do whatever." He said.
"He doesn't talk to many people does he?" I asked.
"No. After being here so long, and seeing all he has—" He paused. "No. He doesn't talk to too many of us. Only one in particular. Me." He smiled a little at that.
"You guys haven't tried to break out?" I asked.
"Once. It didn't end well. Eli won't risk trying it again." He said firmly. His tone implied that I shouldn't pursue it. So I didn't.
I was going to ask a different question, but the door opened suddenly. The guards who put me in here, stood there in the doorway.
"Placements." Eli murmured, standing next to Adam. Adam jolted up, and I followed. Everyone around the room stood as well.
"Placements? What's that?" I asked. I was confused.
"Fiona and Chantay." The guard stated. Two girls, a little older than me, walked towards the door.
"Where are they going?" I asked, whispering to Adam.
"You don't want to know." He muttered under his breath.
"Why not me?" A girl stormed towards the door. "I've been waiting a week now!"
"Jenna! Shut it!" Eli demanded, storming forward.
"No! It's my fucking turn! Chantay went three days ago!" She screamed.
"Jenna!" Eli pleaded. I could tell he needed her to back down. More than just for her safety. He seemed to be pleading for another reason as well. The guards were getting frustrated with her.
"Fine. Let's go. We'll find someone for you." The guard replied coldly. He was grinning creepily at her, as she walked forward. She seemed oblivious to the expression.
"Jenna. Don't be stupid. Decline the offer." Eli continued.
"I accept." Jenna replied. She walked towards the door, following the other two girls out. The guards stepped aside to let them through.
Everyone was still tense, waiting for the guards to leave. Only they didn't. The main guard twisted around, and grabbed something from his belt. I was terrified since I know they keep weapons there. Eli and Adam seemed to realize this. Adam sprinted towards the doorway, while Eli looked exasperated and helpless.
The gun shot rang out, down the hallway, and I flinched. I heard a body drop to the ground, and all I could see was the blond hair. It was Jenna. I heard screams coming from the hallway. It was probably Fiona and Chantay. Adam stood in the doorway. I could tell he was fuming. While Eli walked over to me. I didn't know why but he stood in front of me. Like he was trying to protect me. It didn't make sense but I wasn't in the position to question.
"What the fuck was that for?" Adam growled.
"Do you want to be next?" One of the guards, in the background, asked.
"Or maybe we could shoot your new little friend. Seems like you two got close really fast." The main guard taunted pointing the gun at me. I now realized why Eli was standing there. He moved more in front of me, keeping me out of the way of the gun.
"She isn't my friend. I don't know her. Why would I give a fuck about her? Shoot her. Go ahead. See if I care." Adam snarled. He actually sounded, insulted while I was definitely offended.
The guard stormed into the room. Everyone cleared a path for him instantly. He walked directly towards me, and I coward behind Eli. The guard pointed the gun over Eli's shoulder, aiming right for my face. I froze. I didn't know what to do.
"Put the gun down. Fitz." Eli reasoned. "You won't shoot her. You need her. What would Asher do when he found out?"
The guy growled before lowering the gun. That was when I realized that I hadn't been breathing. I sucked in a breath as he scowled at me, and stormed off. He waved the gun at everyone else as he walked.
"Don't you dare think about pulling anything like that slut did. If you do you'll end up like her."
He pointed towards Jenna, before storming out of the room. Slamming the door behind him. Fiona and Chantay were long gone. Adam bolted over towards us, as Eli sighed. Adam made it beside me moments later.
"Thanks, dude." Adam exhaled. Eli nodded before walking back over to the corner. "Clare, are you okay?"
"What just happened?" I asked shakily.
"What always happens." He sighed. "People die here all the time. We've learned to deal."
"But what were you telling the guard? Telling the guard to shoot me?" I asked angrily.
"You have to do it. No one can claim to be friends with anyone. We aren't supposed to care about any one." He stated. "I know I was harsh but they would've killed you. Then probably me."
"Wow." I sighed. "I need to sit down." I nearly plopped down to the ground, putting my head in my hands.
"Careful." Adam crouched in front of me. "Don't pass out. When was the last time you ate something?"
"Not since this morning." I sighed. I pulled my knees up to my chest, leaning my head down on them.
"Here." Eli handed me a granola bar and a water bottle. "Adam would've asked me for it anyways."
"Thanks." I said. Smiling up at him. He smirked at me, before sliding down the adjacent wall, next to Adam.
"Just don't let them see it. You could be killed for food here." Eli's smirk grew as he watched my reaction. I think my face paled because Adam's expression looked slightly annoyed.
"Do you want her to pass out?" He asked Eli. This, he shrugged at as I began eating. I began formulating my thoughts in my mind.
"What happens now?"
"Now. You try to not get killed." Eli stated.
"Oh. Is that all?" I laughed, looking down at my hands in my lap. I remembered something from before. "What are placements?" I noticed Adam and Eli glance at each other. "I just heard you mention it when the guards came by."
"Placements are something you don't need to worry about. Not right now." Adam stated.
"I think she should know." Eli suggested.
"What are they?" I asked, glancing between Adam and Eli.
"Two of us are selected every night for placements." Adam looked to Eli before continuing. "You are pulled into a room by yourself. Once there, it depends on what you've been selected for."
"What can you be selected for?" I asked. Adam looked uneasy so Eli spoke up.
"There are three main selections. Although, all of them seem the same to me." Eli said.
"What are they?" I pushed. I wasn't sure that I would like the answer, but I needed to know.
"Torture, beatings, or rape." Eli replied.
His words were blunt and there was no hesitation on them as he spoke. His tone was cold, but his face looked sympathetic. Even though I could feel my face pale, and my blood run cold, I needed to know more.
"How do you know which one you are?" I asked.
"Guys are usually beaten. Sometimes tortured. Never raped." Eli stated.
"Why not?" I asked.
"It's an unspoken rule around here. It's just something that doesn't happen." Eli continued. Adam sat there silently as Eli spoke. The blood from his face was gone and he wouldn't meet my gaze. I was wondering what he was thinking about.
"What about the girls?" I questioned. Although I didn't want to hear the answer. I rested my head on my knees, wrapping my arms tighter around them. "Never mind." I couldn't meet Eli's gaze either. I had to look anywhere but him. His eyes bored into my face, and I just couldn't look at him. All three of us remained silent for a few minutes. The only sounds were of the others' in the room that were chatting.
"Adam." Eli called to him. I glanced over to Adam, and he was definitely falling asleep. "Dude. Get some sleep."
"I'm okay." Adam defended, although he didn't lift his head, he just adjusted his face so he could look at us.
"No you're not. You haven't slept for two days. Get some rest. I'll wake you if anything happens. I won't leave." Eli continued.
"Fine." Adam sighed, before going over into the corner where Eli had sat earlier. He curled up on his side before he crashed. I could tell he needed some sleep.
"Is he okay?" I asked. Even though I had just met Adam, I was worrying about him.
"He'll be fine. He's just stubborn." Eli exhaled, resting his head back against the wall. I nodded, not knowing what to say to that.
"There's no way out of here. Is there?" It was a question I dreaded the answer to. I think on some level it was because I already knew the answer. I just didn't consciously know it.
"Not that I have found." Eli sighed, looking over at me. "But I'm still looking."
Great. I just hoped to live that long.
