“That’s fine. You can keep it,” Jacks says. “But, you know, maybe just drop the barrel for now?”
I stare at him as he looks at me. There’s something in his eyes—warmth and something more, honesty maybe. He watches me with a quiet understanding. His unexpected sincerity makes me listen to him. I hesitate another moment, then slowly lower my weapon but keep it in my hand.
Tank snorts and mutters, “I’ll show you a big gun, cupcake.”
“Apologize,” Jacks says without raising his voice.
Tank still stares at me, but his cruel smile has been replaced with a tight, irritated frown.
Jacks speaks again, in the same calm tone. “I could make you.”
Tank grits his teeth. “Sorry, cupcake.”
Jacks turns to me again. “Now . . . cupcake, is it?”
Tank snickers.
“Amy. My name is Amy.”
“Amy.” Jacks smiles. “Yeah, that’s better.” He shoots a look at Tank. “People call themselves all kinds of stupid names these days.” Tank bristles, but Jacks ignores him.
“Pete says you’ve never been here before. So you’ll have to come with me.” He motions to Tank and Pete. “These two are staying here. I’m guessing you could probably use some fresh air after hanging with Tank for this long.”
Pete barks out a laugh and Tank gives Jacks a black look.
“My gun?” I ask, still debating if I should just run for the door.
“Hold on to it. No one will take it.” Jacks begins to walk down the corridor, deeper into the dark of Fort Black.
I hang back, thinking it through. I know it’s a risk to go with him, but what are my options? I’ve come all this way; I can’t let myself turn back now. Not with Baby’s safety at stake. I’m a trained Guardian and I’m well-armed. I can protect myself.
Pete giggles for no reason, and I’m suddenly aware I’ll be alone again with the two of them once Jacks turns the corner, out of sight. Pete is grinning stupidly at me, and Tank’s giving me that same, mouth-breathing leer.
I’m moving. Fast.
Tank laughs at my back. “See you around. When you’re all checked out, you come find me, you hear?”
Like hell I will. I stop, turn, and stare him down. I’ve survived the After. I’ve survived the Ward. I’m not going to let one repulsive man get to me.
But the look that Tank gives me chills me to the core. There is something less than human about the way he stares after me. I back away, then turn again and hurry down the corridor after Jacks.
My adrenaline is up and my heart’s pounding, but I put my gun back in its holster and try to cool off.
Jacks waits for me down the hall. “Tank’s not exactly the face of Fort Black,” he says. “And you caught him just before his shift ends.”
“Lucky me,” I say, watching Jacks. Although his voice is gruff, his posture isn’t threatening.
Jacks shrugs, his face stony. “He has his purpose. We mostly get people returning from supply runs or groups of men making their way across the country. He keeps them in line.”
“I bet,” I mutter. I think of Marcus, Dr. Reynolds’s crony in the Guardians. “Mindless muscle does have its uses.”
Jacks shakes his head. “He’s not mindless. Don’t think that for a second. If you stay in Fort Black, you’ll have to watch out for him.”
I nod and try to suppress a shudder. As if I needed such a warning.
Jacks leads me down the hall to a door and motions me through. I glance inside and see a middle-aged man sitting at a desk. His gray hair is cut short around his gaunt face, almost as pale as the white lab coat he’s wearing. I’m immediately on edge and I suck in a breath.
The smell of disinfectant hits me like a punch in the nose. Scanning the rest of the small room, I spot an examination table.
The Ward.
“Doc needs to have a quick look and take some blood—”
Not again. I can’t go back. I won’t.
I shake my head and go back into the hall. “No.”
Jacks stares at me, puzzled. “It’s just a routine examination.”
I barely hear him. I’m shaking, panting. “No needles,” I hiss between clenched teeth. “No drugs. Never again.”
“But, Amy, we’re just going to draw some—”
“You will not put me back in the Ward!” I scream as my hand goes to the knife at my thigh. All I see are white walls; Dr. Reynolds’s self-satisfied face hovers in my vision.
“Whoa . . . What are you talking about?” Jacks asks, his arms up in surrender. “There’s no ward here.”
Doc is at my side now. “Just calm down for a moment.”
I push Doc away, desperately trying to breathe. My breath is coming in short, hard gulps now. I can’t get any air.
“I’m going . . . outside. . . .”
And then I turn and am running blindly. I know I have to get into this place—it’s my only option to break Baby out. But I have to get away from that examination room.
I hear someone follow me as I run, but they’re slow and I quickly leave them behind.