Partner : 20

The director was waiting for me on the other side of the gate. Minho and the others were standing together off to the side. Minho glared at me with his arms crossed over his chest.

Stupid greenbean.

He had ratted me out the instant he got here.

I held Lizzy bridal style, a large puddle of water forming at my feet. My arms shook from the cold and the strain of holding her for so long. The director stood with his hands clasped behind his back. His five o'clock shadow hadn't changed since I had seen him last. He watched me through black rimmed glasses, his face giving away nothing. He didn't say anything, but turned on his heel and motioned for me to follow with two fingers. I stole a glance over at Brenda before slowly walking after him.

Do what he says, it'll be alright.

Why did that feel like she was consoling me?

We walked past the doorway leading to the cages, past the giant open floor of the warehouse, and eventually came to a small, gray door in the very back wall. He opened it and gestured for me to go first. I hesitantly stepped through and he shut the door behind us.

The room was very small, about the size of the bedroom in Mrs. Wrens house. Light gray carpet dampened the director's steps as he moved to the very center. No furniture was in the room, not even a desk or lamp. No windows, nothing on the white walls, just a single strip of bright LED lights going down the middle of the ceiling. Two armed guards stood on either side of the room.

"Newton Arson, right?" The director spoke. His voice came out calm and smooth, a professional interrogator. "You can set her down here." He pointed one finger down at his feet, the other hand in his pocket.

"I'll hold her." My voice came out clipped from shivering. The room was far warmer than outside had been, but now anxiety shook my arms. The director held my gaze, still pointing his finger towards the carpet. After a few moments he blinked and slowly raised his head, slipping his hand into his pocket.

"Not every 11 year old is brave enough to take on a Radix vine." He smiled but didn't expose his teeth. "You and one other hybrid, Thomas Cadel. I'm told you two make a good team."

"Who told you that?"

"A little bird." He said. Just then the door behind me opened. I turned to see Thomas step up next to me. He was just as soaked as me. His black hair dripped water down his face and his clothes were forming a pool in the carpet. His eyes had returned to their warm brown color.

You alright? He kept his eyes on the director and guards.

Yeah. You?

"Please, bring me the girl. I need to assess her." The director reached out a hand, palm up. I let out a shaky breath and moved forward, lowering Lizzy onto the carpet at his feet. I took a few steps back as he crouched down at her side.

"She'll be okay." I said firmly. The director ignored me and lifted Lizzy's shirt just enough to see the puncture in her side. His face was still impassive, completely unreadable.

I can't get anything from him. I glanced back at Thomas. He held my gaze, then flicked his eyes towards the director and back again.

"I trust your Keeper explained the effects of a Radix vine injury?" The director stood but left Lizzy on the floor.

"He said that she would try and kill herself." Thomas muttered, his eyes now on Lizzy.

"And anyone else she encounters. And yet you still brought her back here." A slight hint of malice entered his voice in the last sentence. Thomas shifted nervously next to me.

"She's my sister." I swallowed, trying to keep my voice from shaking. "I could never leave her."

The director lifted his hand and with only two fingers had both of the armed guards pointing their rifles at us. My breath froze in my chest and Thomas went rigid next to me. The room was deadly silent as the director slowly walked towards us. I could hear Thomas' heartbeat, a fast, cantering rhythm that pounded just as fast as my own. The director moved behind Thomas and out of sight.

"I don't need you to explain yourselves." He whispered and stopped directly behind us. Deceivingly gentle fingers brushed through some of the large primary feathers of my left wing. I bit back the urge to shiver. "I'm a businessman. A lot of money resides in the Trade, especially when you have hybrids involved. Didn't you two boys kill a wraith before coming here?"

"Newt did." Thomas' voice was strong, but his fluttering heart gave away his fear. I stared down at the carpet, desperately trying to calm my own.

"Oh yes, that's right. You were paralyzed by the creature, while your friend here dispatched it." His fingers closed around a feather. "You know, a lot of breakthrough cases are documented to have started from similar encounters." With one, quick motion, the director yanked the feather out. I felt the resistance, heard the pop, and stinging pain flooded through my wing. Thomas hissed in a breath.

The director walked back around me and into view. He twirled two, large primary feathers in his fingers, one solid white, the other deep verdant green. The emerald feather reflected a deep blue as it spun in the bright overhead lights.

"You know what's bad for business? Losing two hybrids in one day and nothing to show for it." A gunshot shattered the air. I jumped and covered my ears while Thomas ducked and crouched low to the ground. As the ringing subsided, I saw a dark pool of blood forming underneath Lizzy's body.

"Lizzy!" I cried out and dove for her. Blood poured from a bullet hole in her chest, soaking her wet clothes in red. I pressed my hands over the wound but it spilled through my fingers.

"But pairing two clever hybrids together could make up for it." The director's voice barely registered in my mind. Rage filled my chest and I looked up at the man. He held the two feathers together, completely oblivious to the dying girl at his feet. Thomas was sitting on the ground, his back pressed up against the wall as he stared at Lizzy in shock.

I couldn't speak. Nothing but sobs could escape my choked throat. I looked back down at Lizzy's pale face. She would never wake up. I couldn't protect her, help her, or even say goodbye to her. Just like mom.

"I know separating you two would only create more problems than it's worth. So, Thomas, you will be moved to group A immediately. We will find a way to use you." The director winked over at Thomas and raised his hand again. At once both guards rushed us. Rough hands dragged me away from Lizzy.

I couldn't fight them.

The rage in my chest had burnt out, leaving a jagged, bleeding, puzzle piece shaped hole in my soul.