Chapter 72

Matt

The poor girl hadn’t woken up when we’d rushed her out of the woods, nor during the entire drive back to our headquarters. Instead, her body was limp and weighted as I carried her though the front door.

“To the infirmary,” Nina reminded me curtly before leading the way. I followed behind, trying to focus on the girl in my arms rather than the one clouding my thoughts.

Or - I guess - I should say two girls clouding my thoughts.

Rose and Celeste. It didn’t seem right that both of them were somehow taking up space in my head, but I couldn’t shake them. My concern for Rose, my indifference for Celeste - they wouldn’t leave me alone.

Trying to at least push the thoughts to the back of my mind where they’d be quieter, I finally brought the girl into the infirmary. Cautiously, I lowered her down onto the table, making sure the blanket wrapped around her stayed in place.

“Time to wake her up,” Nina confirmed as I stepped back.

“How do we do that?” I asked. The girl was out cold - I assumed we’d just have to wait until she came to.

However, Enzo seemed to have other plans.

“As much as I hate to do this…,” he began. Seconds later, he jerked his arm forward, splashing water into the girl’s face from a cup in his hand.

Gasping, the girl’s eyes were blown wide as water ran down her face and soaked into her hair. She jerked wildly before starting to cower as she spotted Enzo and me. Only, Nina quickly pinned her shoulders down.

“Look at me,” Nina said before repeating the words more firmly. “Look at me!”

Instantly, the girl’s frightened face snapped over to Nina.

“You’re okay now,” Nina said, her voice softening. “We saved you. No one here is going to hurt you, okay?”

Slowly taking in her words, the girl swallowed as she noticeably began to calm down. As Nina released her, it was obvious the girl was a little weary, but I figured that was fair.

“What’s your name?” Enzo asked.

The girl looked at him, her lip softly trembling. “S…Sarah,” she replied, her voice hoarse.

“Nice to meet you, Sarah,” Enzo said back with a nod. “I’m Enzo. That’s Matt and Nina.”

The girl glanced at each of us, a flash of surprise and realization coming over her eyes.

“I…I know you,” she said barely above a whisper. “You go to my school.”

It came as no surprise that she’d recognize us - or at least Enzo and Nina. After all, they had quite the reputation. On the other hand, I couldn’t recall ever seeing the girl on campus.

“What’s going on?” Sarah’s nervous voice broke through my thoughts. “W-why am I here? And why am I naked?”

Her last words were more panicked as she looked down at herself, seeming to just realize she wasn’t wearing anything other than the blanket.

“It’s okay, Sarah,” I tried gently. “Like Nina said, you’re safe now. I promise.”

“B-but something happened to me,” Sarah said sadly, tears gathering in her eyes as she clutched the blanket tighter.

I nodded. “Yes,” I brushed out. “And we want to make sure that nothing like this happens to you again. Or anyone else. But we need you to answer some questions for us.”

Nina nodded, grateful that I was able to calm Sarah down. She then looked at the girl. “Do you think you can do that?” she asked.

Sniffling, Sarah nodded.

“Thank you, Sarah,” Nina said, squeezing the girl’s shoulder. “You’re very brave.”

Again, Sarah sniffled, but said nothing as she waited for our questions.

“What’s the last thing that you remember?” Enzo asked, folding his arms over his chest.

“I…I remember I was studying at the library and it was getting late so I decided to head home,” Sarah slowly explained. “I was almost to my car and it was really dark because some of the street lamps were out.”

“Anything else?” Nina asked.

Sarah swallowed harshly, more tears gathering as she nodded. “Someone grabbed me. They restrained me and pulled me into the back of a car. I was trying to scream, but they…they covered my mouth.”

I slowly inhaled, feeling my chest tighten as I looked at Nina and Enzo. Together, we all shared a frown, pained to hear what had happened to Sarah.

“And then they injected something in my arm,” Sarah stated.

All at once, all of our eyes snapped back to her.

“Do you know what it was?” Enzo asked quickly. “What color? How much?”

Sarah shook her head. “It was too dark. I only saw the reflection of the needle right before it was being pressed into my skin…I don’t remember anything after that…the next thing I knew I was waking up here.”

I pressed a sigh out my nose, both sad yet grateful that Sarah couldn’t remember more. As much as we needed more information, I was glad to know she couldn’t recall the other horrific things that had happened to her.

“Thank you, Sarah,” Enzo said, seeming to share my relief as he offered an encouraging smile.

“Am I… in trouble?” she asked, growing nervous again. “What…what happens now?”

Enzo shook his head, walking forward until he could gently place a hand against Sarah’s cheek, looking into her green eyes.

“Sarah,” he coaxed out, his voice dreamlike but firm. Immediately, Sarah’s body stiffened as her stare remained glued to him, his eyes glossing over.

“What happens now,” Enzo continued. “Is that you will forget any of this happened. You’ll remember leaving the library and going home. You had a bad headache and went straight to bed. You’ll wake up tomorrow morning and it will be as if none of this ever happened.”

“None of this ever happened…,” Sarah repeated. I could practically see the memories being washed away from her skin.

“Now…,” Enzo drew out. “Sleep.”

On his command, the girl’s eyes rolled shut as she fell back onto the medical chair. The room grew silent as her soft breath filled the space, her face finally peaceful.

However, our own expressions filled with shock, maybe even mortification as Enzo, Nina, and I all regarded one another.

“Holy shit,” Enzo stated.

“It’s not a bite,” Nina said. “We thought these poor kids were being bitten and turned, but it’s an injection. They’re injecting people with a rogue curse!”

“This is so fucked up,” I said, shaking my head.

“We need to find out more information before they start abducting more people and turning them,” Nina reported. “Who knows? They could already have dozens of more people locked up somewhere that they’re planning to use whenever they want.”

As Nina expressed that last thought, I practically felt the blood drain from my face. My stomach grew sour as I fished my phone out of my pocket. Enzo and Nina continued to talk as I turned away, typing out a swift message.

“Rose, please text me back. I’m getting worried.”

I was getting very worried.