But what if we could? This might have been an appropriate time to open up about my visions, and I might have before I learned what I had today.
The vision of Star dying came back to me, tumbling over my mood like black waves of doom. She had been injected with altered DNA, but the outcome for Star hadn’t been as successful as Mom hoped. Star died, and if I didn’t do something to stop it, the vision of my friend would haunt me for life.
I couldn’t let her die.
The world was a dangerous place for those who didn’t have abilities to defend themselves, but within the walls of Diamond Towers, it was even more dangerous to be human. A different kind of evil breathed in the white city, and I wanted to be as far from here as I possibly could.
I had to get out.
Star had to get out.
And I had to find Dash.
But I didn’t have the first clue as to how I was going to do any of those things.
Chapter Eight
Curled up on the bed, I toyed with the only thing I had left from my world before: a silver charm dangling from a dainty chain. I laid there, my brain replaying what I’d learned tonight, and tried to decide what I would do with the information. I couldn’t trust anyone here, other than Star, and I didn’t think it wise to tell her that I’d seen her death. So I was stuck dealing with the knowledge of what the Institute was doing on my own.
Inside my head was a scary place.
Star lay down beside me, her blonde hair curtaining over the bed. “I can’t stay long. The lab requested that I come in for my yearly physical.”
“Yearly physical?” I echoed, the wheels in my head spinning. This wasn’t good. Warning bells tolled inside me.
“Uh-huh. The usual. Blood work, fitness testing, shots,” she rattled off all things that sounded very legit…
But I knew better.
The mention of needles in any form sent up a red flare. I grabbed Star’s arm. “Don’t go.”
She wrinkled her little perk nose. “What are you talking about? It is mandatory. I have to go.”
I shook my head, sitting up and dragging Star with me. “I heard something today. Do you trust me?”
She folded her legs in an Indian style. “I probably shouldn’t, but I do.”
We’d get into the reasons why she shouldn’t trust me another time. Right now, I needed to convince her to run away with me.
No big deal. Easy-peasy. Piece of cake.
I mean, how hard could it be? I’d already seen it in a vision—Star and I escaping from the Institute—so eventually I would persuade her leaving was in both of our best interests.
Chewing on my lower lip, I attempted to keep my expression neutral. “The Institute is experimenting on humans, injecting them with DNA from those who’ve been mutated,” I said slow and cautious.
A dainty hand flew to her mouth. “Oh my God. Are you sure?”
“Positive. I overheard my parents talking about it today when I went to see them in the lab. I think they are using these routine physicals as a way to administer the cells into human hosts for testing.”
“What am I going to do? If I don’t show up to my appointment, they’ll send a guard to fetch me.” Panic set in, and Star started talking in turbo speed.
“Right. I have an idea for that. But you’re probably not going to like it.”
“Okay, the suspense is killing me. What is it?”
So much energy buzzed through me I couldn’t sit still. My knee bounced, shaking the bed. “We’re going to escape,” I told her.
“I’m sorry,” Star choked out. “What? I swear you just said you wanted to escape Diamond Towers.”
I might not be Dash Darhk, but I had to try. Star and I were both in danger if we stayed here. I jumped off the bed and started pacing the room, barking out orders. “I did. Now grab whatever you need from your room that you can carry—keyword being carry—because you will have to lug it around with you. Make sure it is absolutely necessary, and then get your butt back here so we can figure out what to do next.”
“Charlotte …” Her fingers twisted together like she often did when nervous. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
I grabbed her by the shoulders and steered her toward the door. “Yes, you can. I’m giving you twenty minutes. If you’re not back here by then, I’ll assume you want to stay. I won’t force you to do anything you’re not comfortable with. This is a risk, I get it, but the payoff might be you no longer having to wait hand and foot on everyone else.” And you will live.
She chewed her lip, wrestling over the pros and cons. A longing entered Star’s eyes. She wanted more out of life. As scared as she was of what awaited us out in the Heights, her desire for freedom might win out, and I was counting on it. “This is ludicrous. Do you know what they would do to us if they caught us?”
“It is easier if you don’t think about it. Besides, we won’t get caught.”
“How can you be so certain?” she asked.
“You said you trusted me, and now I’m going to trust you with something very few people know. Not even my parents know. You can’t tell anyone what I’m about to tell you. Swear it.”
“I-I promise.”
Not the most convincing, but it would do. “I have more than one gift.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re bi-Gifted. That is amazing.”
“Depends on how you look at it. I get visions, and the other day, I had one of you and I sneaking out of the Institute. We’re meant to leave together.”
“You’re serious, aren’t you?”
With my right hand, I drew an X over my chest. “Cross my heart and hope to—”
She grabbed my hand. “Don’t you say it.”
I grinned. “You get the point. And I’m telling you, we need to leave tonight.”
“This is all happening so fast.”
“If there was time, I would gladly give it to you, but it has to be tonight. Now go.” I shoved her out the door, sending her down the hall. You can do it, Star. Be brave.
Leaning against the door, I gave myself a minute to breathe, and then I went into hyper-mode, throwing what I could into a backpack: my few measly clothes, some protein bars and fruit I’d stashed in my room for those midnight munchies, a hairbrush, and a scarce other provisions.
Now what?
That was the problem with spontaneity and no strategy: it was a good way to get into deep shit.
But I would take my chances.
I shoved both my hands in my hair, waiting on edge for Star. The girl was fraying my nerves. This didn’t seem real. I was doing this, planning a foolish scheme to sneak out of the white city in the middle of the night.
What am I doing?
What if I get us both killed?
I’d never be able to live with myself if anything happened to Star because I dragged her into this whole escape fiasco. Good thing I’d be too dead to care.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
What was that sound?
It came from the window. I squinted in the dark. “Blink?” I exhaled. The large black bird perched on my windowsill, his whiskey-colored eyes shining like a beacon of hope in the room. Blink was a Blinken. Original, I know, but I didn’t name the bird with extraordinary capabilities. He told me himself.