I'm so sorry that this is a day late! I totally forgot to yesterday so I am posting four chapters today to make up for it. I hope you enjoy it! :)

-Kath

Chapter Five: Obedience Only Comes with Control

MAX'S POV

I must have fallen asleep sometime during the bumpy ride because the next thing I know, the car is parked and two Erasers grab me. I try to get out of their painful grip but they only smile and squeeze harder. The doors open, revealing Jeb and the only Eraser who has said anything.

My eyes narrow as I am thrown out of the car, landing hard on the rocky ground. My cheek hits a sharp corner, puncturing the skin and blood flows out, freely. The Erasers snicker as they walk off towards the building that looms in the distance.

The car drives off leaving Jeb and I in the middle of nowhere with a building at least a mile away. I don't move as Jeb offers a hand.

After a minute, he lets his hand fall back to his side and I stand, brushing the blood from my cheek, causing it to spread. I peel my hand away, which is covered in my blood.

Jeb lets out a little chuckle as he starts walking towards the building. He is several paces ahead before I decide to follow. Why couldn't they just drive me up to the School? What is the purpose of this?

When I catch up to Jeb, he looks at me before speaking. "Sorry about the cut. Gentleness can't be taught."

"Actually, it can. You just chose not to."

"Maybe. Maybe not. Who knows?" He shrugs and I give him a skeptical glance. What is up with him? He's acting weird.

"I'm so glad you decided to come willingly, Max. The others deserve a life of happiness."

"And I don't?" Jeb stops and so do I. How can he say such a thing? It takes everything inside me not to strangle him. No one is here to protect him. He takes a step back, sensing a shift in my mood.

"Not after what you'll have to do." He walks off but I don't follow this time. What the hell does that mean?

I run after him in order to catch up and as we get closer to the School, the more terrified I become. Jeb's words are all that stay in my mind and it scares me. What is the true meaning behind such words? I guess I'll find out soon.

Jeb enters the code to a side door and gestures for me to go in first. I stall, glancing behind me before gathering the courage to walk inside. I may have just sentenced myself to years of torture and possibly death but what can I do now? I should have made a run for it while I was out in the middle of the desert with Jeb. Why didn't I run?

Jeb leads me down the brightly light halls until we come upon a dark silver door. He enters the code, showing it to me before walking into the room. I follow, wondering why he let me see the code. This whole situation is weird and it sets off hundreds of warning signals in my brain.

The room is pitch black before the lights flicker on and I freeze, shock plain on my face. I can't believe what I am seeing. In the room are hundreds of small cages filled with kids ranging from newborn to at least ten. Ten being the age I escaped at with the rest of the Flock.

"What the hell is this?" I yell. Jeb looks at me, unmoving, but several of the kids in the cages flinch and huddle in the back, trembling.

"Like I said before, Max, you won't deserve happiness after this." I stare at him confused as he reaches into his pocket to reveal a small remote. What does that control?

I can only stare at it as he lifts it up, points it at me and hovers over the largest bottom on the small device. "I'm sorry." He clicks the button and in that moment, I realize it controls me. My last coherent thought before my brain is taken over are the commands given to me.

"Take numbers 100 through 105 to the Punishment Room and take care of them for me. Afterwards, you'll be greatly rewarded."

My face smiles and the words that come out aren't my own. "Yes, master." All I can do as my body and brain obeys is watching from a distance as I take five innocent, helpless kids.

I watch as I murder them without hesitation, without mercy. I don't know what Jeb did to me last time I was captured but whatever it is, he turned me into something that I'm not. Something that I don't want to be.

It may not truly be me doing the killing but no matter what, I'll have their blood on my conscience and all the guilt will be with me until the day I die.