Chapter 272: Maizie
The process went smoother than I could ever imagine. It helped that I even though I didn’t have the guards schedule memorized anymore, Bentley did. It was wild how quickly things came back to me be back here. Walking the same halls that had once terrorized me, I felt a power I had never felt before as I dismantled them from the inside out. The way the familiar faces of the kids I had once been in charge of looked at me with both terror and hope. The way they let me lead them to safety without asking any questions.
Bentley was great. Despite our old rivalry, he didn’t seem to hold a grudge. Sawyer and I alternated who stayed with him as a just in case. But now it was really just Sawyer. He didn’t know his way around this place the way I did. I knew where to hide. I knew how to stay out of sight. This was my past, and I was facing it head on in a way I never thought I could.
At least, I thought I was. Until I was standing outside her door. This door that I had never been allowed in when I lived here. This door that I had to day in and day out ignore, to walk right by without ever giving a second glace. The door that made me hesitate more than anything when Rhys offered us sanctuary, and I thought what about her? I thought maybe I had been making a mistake, but I had to make a choice, and have been playing the long game ever since.
I took a deep breath, and slowly turned the handle. She wasn’t someone who stared at the window, waiting for rescue. She had lost hope a long time ago of ever making it out of the program.
When I finally got the courage to open the door, I sucked in a breath. My heart plummeted. She looked so different. Her body was covered in wounds that hadn’t had a chance to heal. Bruises of various ages colored her skin. I could see the burn marks everywhere.
“Maiz?” Sawyer’s voice rang through. “Are you okay?”
“I need you to get here, now.” I told him, barely keeping my voice steady.
“What’s wrong?”
“I found my sister.” I bit back a sob as I approached her unconscious form.
This was not the moment I had dreamed of. This was a nightmare in reality. The good of what I thought I was doing no longer mattered.
“Blaire?” I whispered, rushing over to her, unconscious body.
I knew Sawyer was on his way even though he didn’t say anything. I also knew that Blaire’s most recent beating had to have been just hours ago, just based on her body. Someone had been kind enough to place her on her bed at least, but that was only a small courtesy.
Her eyes popped open as I sat down on the edge of her bed.
“Maizie?” She whispered in surprise. She was only a few years younger than me, but it was enough. I had always been her protector, and I couldn’t help the overwhelming feeling of failure.
“I’m here,” I told her, combing my fingers gently through her hair.
“What are you doing here?” She questioned earnestly. “They said you were gone.”
“We’re going to get you out of here,” I murmured.
“Maiz, I can’t move.” She responded, her voice shaking.
I knew if it came down to it, I could fireman carry her. It wouldn’t be pretty, but I could get her to safety. But I wasn’t about to be alone. I had Sawyer. He would help, and I would protect him.
I heard footsteps coming down the hall. I forgot how loud every step echoed. I immediately threw myself into the corner, closest to the door, and got as low as I could. I knew by the feeling in my gut that it wasn’t Sawyer.
“Pass. Pass. Pass.” I mumbled to myself. I knew the routine. The guard would stare into the room from the window. If it was time, he would drag her off to her next session of whatever they decided. Based on the way she looked now, she wasn’t due for a session.
“Guards,” I warned Sawyer with a single word.
“I know.” He answered. “Are you safe?”
“Um, kinda?” I answered when I heard the footsteps pass.
“I think their watching this hall.” Sawyer responded uneasily.
“They knew I would come for her...” I could feel my heartbreaking. I could feel everything inside of me faltering. Whatever confidence I had was wavering in a way I couldn’t control.
“Are you with Blaire?”
“Yes.”
“Okay. Hold on. I’ll create a distraction.” He said, and before I could stop him, I could hear the commotion.
Fuck. I fought the tears that threatened to fall in my panic, and chanced a look at the window. I could do this. I could save my sister and everyone else in this godforsaken hell hole. All it took was a thought to cross my mind. Michael’s brothers. I hadn’t seen them yet... Aaron had once had a room just a few doors down... He could help me.
When I was sure the coast was clear, I ran out to Mark’s room. He had always had a soft spot for my sister. Not that we ever really got the chance to bond with the other kids of this program, but there were times where you tended to have the same sessions or meals on occasion. We were generally kept away from our siblings, but Michael had gotten a little lucky. They had brought in each sibling at different times, and when separating Aaron and Iris, they had lowkey forgot about Michael. And at this moment, I was forever grateful.
I ran out of Blaire’s room like a hurricane. Kids stared out at me from their glass windows, but I didn’t stop until I reached his door. I threw it open without a care in the world, and he jumped up from his bed. He was a little beaten up too, but he was better off than Blaire.
“Maizie?” He frowned, his confusion evident. “What the hell?”
I looked him dead in the eye, knowing we didn’t have time anymore. If we wanted to rescue everyone, this wasn’t a choice anymore.
“Hey, I need you’re help.”
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