Episode 68

Miah winced as she stomped down hard on the chain once again.  Just one more hit, she thought, and it’ll break.

Maybe they’ve just left me here to die, a failed experiment they no longer care about and don’t want wandering the hills looking for revenge.  Or maybe I'm just hallucinating.
But whatever the reason, she was determined to get free.  She jerked on the chain, biting her lip to keep from crying out as it chafed her wrist again.  It wasn’t enough.  Her whole arm throbbed, and her knee ached.  Miah sagged against the wall of the truck, and lifted her hand.  A dark line of blood ran down to her elbow, and she grimaced.

“Free yet?”

Still not used to him sneaking up on her like that, she jumped.  “Almost...”

“You’re giving up.”

“No I’m not.  I’m just—resting.”

“You’ll never break those.  Trust me.” He held up hand, and she saw scabs and scars she hadn’t noticed before.  She grimaced.

“Why are they doing this?” she demanded, feeling sick.

“To see if you’re stronger than me.”  Ben gripped the edge of the truck bed, holding it so hard his knuckles turned white.

“But why out in the middle of nowhere?  I’m sick of being out in the open.”

“Don’t ask me, I wasn’t the one who put you here.  Don’t you remember?” He pulled himself up to the truck bed and his legs dangled.

“No, I must have passed out by that time.  Or I just don't remember.”  She looked at her feet.  “What did they do to you?” she asked softly.

He turned quickly, almost defensively, and she caught a glint in his eye that reminded her of the first time she’d asked if he was okay.  “You wouldn't understand.  You couldn’t.  But...I’m better than I ever could have been.  You’ll see.”

“But are you better?”

He didn’t answer.

Miah sighed and leaned her head on her arms rested on her knees.  “Can’t you let me go?  Can't you help me?”

“No, that would defeat the purpose.”

“Please!”

“No!”

“Fine then!  Why don’t you just leave?  You trying to protect me from wild animals or something?”

He shook his head.  “They don’t want anyone else helping you, either.”

Miah shivered.