Chapter 47 · When the key flashes?

"Yes."

"When the key flashes?"

"Sometimes."

"And when you remember?"

Cain looked at her hand.

"More."

"Then stop hiding it."

"I’m not hiding."

"You lock your jaw, stop breathing, and pretend you’re made of steel. That’s hiding."

"Steel doesn’t pretend."

"You do."

The young man in the case made a weak sound.

Lila turned away first. "We need to get him out."

Cain crouched and tore the collar from the man’s neck. The device snapped open. The young man sucked in air and clutched his throat.

"Can you walk?" Lila asked.

"No."

"Can you tell us where the exit is?"

"They sealed the upper route."

Cain looked toward the damaged floor. "Lower route."

The young man shook his head. "No lower route. That’s where they keep the first one."

Lila glanced at Cain. "The first one?"

Cain’s hand tightened around the stolen pistol.

"What does that mean?" she asked.

The young man’s eyes fixed on Cain’s face. "You really don’t remember?"

"Remember what?"

"The others."

A pounding started behind the far wall.

Lila raised her gun. "More hunters."

"No," the young man whispered. "Not hunters.