Total pages in book: 62
Estimated words: 60023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 300(@200wpm)___ 240(@250wpm)___ 200(@300wpm)
I locate the computer, it sits right in the middle of all the other large screens, and is the only one that doesn’t have constant footage running. I move the mouse around, going into it, and the first thing that pops up is porn.
“Jesus,” I mutter, going to click it closed, but realizing I can’t. He’ll notice.
I wonder what my father would think of his holy men watching such wickedness.
I nearly snort at the thought.
Anyway, back to it.
“I got it,” I tell Greg.
I follow every single one of his instructions, the ringing in my ears and the lump in my throat making me feel sick as I try not to make any errors. Everything relies on this. Everything.
I do what he asks and open a screen, typing in a heap of codes that I could never understand if I tried. "I'm in."
"Now, take the flash drive I gave you earlier and plug it in.”
I pull the flash drive from my pocket, plugging it in, and he guides me through how to start it.
“Now what?” I question, when the screen starts doing things on its own.
“Now, you wait for me to do my thing.”
Wait. That’s the hardest thing to do right now. I feel like every second is stretching me thin, like I’m a wire about to snap. I do as he says, my eyes flicking between the screens, the door, the clock. It’s only been five minutes, but it feels like a lifetime. I keep an eye on the security footage, and so far, nothing alarming has come on.
“Greg,” I whisper into the phone, unable to keep the panic from my voice. “What if he comes back?”
“He won’t. You know what you’re doing, Nia. Trust yourself.”
God, I hope he’s right. I focus on the screen, willing it to go faster, to be done, to let me breathe. It’s been ten minutes now, then fifteen. The heat presses in on me, suffocating and relentless. I think of Lily, and pray Talon got her out safe.
It won’t be long now before someone goes into that medical tent and they see Georgia tied up and raise the alarm.
Then, I won’t be able to hide any longer.
This needs to be done before then.
“Alright, we’re good,” Greg’s voice finally crackles through. “Leave the flash drive. Hopefully, he won’t notice, but it needs to stay in for me to remain connected to the system.”
Here’s hoping this guy is as boring as I remember. He spent most of his time in here, watching his phone, barely paying attention. Besides, he has some porn to get back to, so I’m certain he won’t be focusing on anything else.
I feel dirty just being in here.
"How do I shut it down?" I ask.
He talks me through it, his instructions clear but urgent. I move as fast as I can, setting everything back the way it was. The screen returns to its original state, and I feel a small sense of relief knowing we actually did it.
"Now, get out of there," Greg says.
I don’t hesitate. I slip out the front door, making sure to lock it again behind me so he doesn’t get suspicious. The cool night air is a shock against my flushed skin—that room was awful. I dart around the back of the building, crouching low and moving quick. I hear nothing behind me except the sound of my own breath.
As I round the corner, I catch sight of the security man heading back toward the office, his pace unhurried. He has zero care, and I wait, watching him go in. Five minutes, ten, and when the alarm doesn’t sound, I exhale a sigh of relief. I press the phone back to my ear, not having disconnected the call.
“I’m out,” I tell Greg.
“We’re running. Now, do your thing. Wolfe wants to speak to you.”
I hold my breath.
Wolfe’s voice comes down the phone. “You ready to do this?”
No.
But I will.
“Assure me again that you’re just outside the gates if something goes wrong?” I whisper, my stomach twisting with nerves.
“We’re ready and waitin'. Greg will tell us exactly when to make the call to the cops. We’ll get you out, Nia.”
I swallow. “Okay.”
“Talon called, made it out safe with the girl. Thought you’d want to know.”
A huge exhale of relief rushes through me.
No matter what happens now, at least I know she’s safe.
I saved her. Just like I promised.
18
The sound of raised voices cuts through the compound, distant but growing closer. I see commotion by the medical tent, and a chill runs through me. They’ve found Georgia. I duck behind a stack of crates, my heart wild in my chest. I know I have to do this, but it doesn’t make it any easier knowing what is coming.
The alarm bell screams across the night, and I move, darting towards the shadows of the storage buildings. More voices now, angry and searching. I have minutes, maybe less. I press myself against a wall, mostly looking like I’m trying to hide, but actually wanting them to find me. I’m not being careful, not really, but I’m also not making it obvious.