Cursed

Chapter 27

When I came to, I noticed two things immediately. I was freezing—so cold my teeth chattered and I couldn’t feel my toes. And I couldn’t move my arms.

I opened my eyes to see nothing but darkness. It was hard to distinguish anything until my sight adapted. Once it did, I delved headfirst into freak-out mode, which didn’t help the pounding in my skull.

I was in a cellar of some sort—an old one used to store things no one wanted. The walls reflected a slimy sort of surface. It took me several seconds to realize water dripped down the blocks, pooling along the floor, soaking my jeans. The thin tank I’d thrown on before leaving the house now clung to me like an icy sheet. I had no idea where my hoodie was.

I really started to spaz out then.

Kicking my legs up, I tried to stand, but couldn’t get my arms out from behind me. They were tied to something—a thick, cold pipe cut into my back. Metal sliced my wrists as I struggled wildly to get them undone. All I succeeded in doing was tearing the skin open, spilling more blood.

A squeaking noise came from one of the dark corners, then the sound of something scurrying across the room.

My heart lodged in my throat. I stopped moving, staring blindly into the shadows. Two beady eyes became visible. I shrieked and yanked my legs up, knocking my shins against something—several coarse, hairy little bodies.

Rats.

I screamed, really screamed, until my throat felt like it’d ripped open. Rats hurried back to the corners, their claws clicking across the cement. I pulled against the pipe, thrashing until my fingers turned numb. Terror consumed me, eating away at the thin grasp I held on sanity.

Time came and went. I lost track. My throat was so hoarse my screams sounded more like moans. I peered into the gloom, sure everything moved—the rats, waiting until I passed out to start nibbling on my skin. A hysterical laugh escaped me—little did they know that the first bite would kill them. My mind started playing tricks on me. I was sure I heard movement above me more than once, but no one answered my cries. No one came. Was this how I would die? By rats or blood loss? Or by freezing to death, because I was pretty sure hypothermia was setting in. At one point, I swore the shadows whispered my name— called to me like some sick chorus of death.

Above me, a door opened. With the sound of a thrown switch, a bulb overhead came on, sparked once, and then dimmed. Footsteps came down the stairs. Boots first, then jeans, leather-covered hands, a heavy sweater rolled up to the elbows… and then any hope I had that this was a good thing crumbled and died.

I squeezed my eyes shut and pretended to be asleep—or dead.

The footsteps neared, stopped, and poked my curled toes. “I know you’re awake.”

I didn’t move, didn’t dare breathe. Not even when the buzzing droned to an intense pitch.

A sigh came. “Ember, I can read your thoughts. I know you’re awake. Don’t make this harder on yourself, or me.”

My eyes snapped opened then. I hadn’t realized how close the monster was to me, but only inches separated us. “Why?” My voice came out hoarse and weak.

Mr. Theo gave me a smile—the same one he wore when he lectured in class. “I’d think it would be obvious at this point.”

But it wasn’t. “I don’t understand.”

“Sorry to make you wait so long. I had to finish up school.” He picked up a rat by its tail. “Dirty little things.”

I swallowed back the taste of bile. His words gave me a hint at the timeline. Hours had passed if he was done teaching.

“You look cold.”

“I… I am,” I whispered.

He tossed the rat aside and rested his hands on his knees. Theo sighed. “You could’ve avoided this. I tried to make it fast before.”

My gaze fell back to him. “I don’t understand. I thought… I thought you liked me. That—”

“That I related to you? With my sad, sad story about a sick mom and kids who hated me? Sorry. Not particularly true. My mother was a cold-hearted bitch who thought her kids were nothing but freaks. She shipped me and my sister off to the Facility when I was only six. Really, this—all of this—isn’t anything personal.”

“It’s not?”

His brows furrowed and he removed his glasses, putting them aside. “I tried the night of the bonfire.

You would’ve been another teenager killed by one of their drunk friends, but you moved out of the way.

Then the night you went walking through the woods, it seemed even more perfect, especially after all those nasty things were left in your locker. I figured they’d blame the empath, but once again you survived and no one blamed the other girl.”

My brain slowly worked though the sludge of fear and confusion. “You won’t get away with this.”

“I won’t?” His tone relaxed. “The last time I checked, Hayden was in the hospital and, thanks to your plans to snoop around, I know Jonathan Cromwell is out of town. By the time either of them realizes what’s going on, it’ll be too late.”

“No—no, you’re wrong.”

“The sad thing is that they could find you if they cared. Phoebe could trace your feelings. Parker could get in there just like I have so many times and figure it out. But I must say, I don’t think they’ll put too much effort into it.”

Right now I could care less about them, but I knew to keep him talking. That’s what they did in the movies. Maybe I’d get lucky and he’d launch into an evil villain speech, and then… what? I’d freeze to death. That sounded like a better alternative to whatever he planned. I twisted my wrists. Blood, water, and cold sweat coated the cuffs. There was a chance I could slip out of them. Maybe, but not likely.

He rocked back on his heels and reached into his pocket. Withdrawing a tiny silver coin—my coin—

Theo held it up. “Ah, I see you recognize this. It’s the same coin I gave you. After all, how else could I get into that little head of yours? I either needed something of yours or you had to have something of mine.”

It all started to click into place. The times I’d started to feel dizzy in his class or sick to my stomach when I talked to him. He’d been in my head, messing around. And when Parker was reading my thoughts, he’d held a sweater of mine—a connection to me.

“You’re a telepath.”

Mr. Theo reached out and patted the top of my head with one gloved hand. I winced. “Good girl. I also can put thoughts into other people’s heads. Make people believe whatever I want them to.”

“And—and the papers I found? You made me think I saw the articles and the menu—because I had that coin?” I would’ve smacked myself if I could get my hands free. “Why did you make me see those things?”

“Because I knew that was your worst fear—and what you already expected. I figured you’d run away at that point, giving me my chance to swoop in.” He leaned over, plucked up another rat and threw it. The soft thud and shrill shriek made me shudder. “When I saw you leaving school, I followed you. I should’ve expected Cromwell’s little prodigy boy would follow you. I’ve seen how you’ve spent your Thanksgiving break, you naughty, naughty girl.”

I felt sick knowing he’d been peeping in on my immensely private thoughts.

“But it’s all okay now.”

“I don’t understand why you’re doing this.” I hated the way my voice broke, the way my whole body shook.

“You know, telepathy isn’t my primary gift. None of the mind tricks are. I picked up a few new talents at the Facility.” Catching my reaction, he smiled. “Oh, yes. The Facility did come in handy. You see, those who are gifted—like us—are able to obtain more gifts under the right cultivation. But my first gift?

Well, why don’t I just show you?”

Morbidly fascinated, I watched him tug one glove off his hand. Still smiling, he picked up one of the dead rats. Within seconds, it started squirming and squeaking. My mouth dropped open as my heart thudded painfully fast. “You—you can bring back the dead.”

“Just like your little sister.” He threw the rat into the wall, making a sickening crunch. It didn’t move.

I felt sick. “You and I have a lot in common.”

“No,” I whispered.

Calmly, he pulled his glove back on. “But we do. You see, I’m like your sister—”

“You are nothing like her!” I screamed.

“And you are just like my sister.” Slowly, the smile faded from his face. “All of this started over ten years ago. And it’s funny how small the world is.” He brushed a clump of damp hair off my forehead. I tried not to flinch, but I couldn’t stop the reaction. “I work—well, worked for the Facility. Not anymore.”

“Really?”

Theo’s hand snapped out and circled around my arm. “You can stop struggling. You’re not getting out of this.”

I bit down on my cheek. “Please let me go.”

Theo glanced down, frowning. “What a nasty cut on your leg. No wonder the rats are circling us.”

My stomach churned. I couldn’t afford to think about that. “Why are you doing this?” My voice rose to a hoarse whine. “Who made you do this? Cromwell? The Facility?”

He looked up, meeting my eyes for the first time. “Actually, your father.”

My heart skipped, missed a beat. “No.”

“Your father wasn’t a good man.”

I started pulling against the pipe, whipping my head from side to side. “No! You’re lying. No!”

“Now, stop. You’re only hurting yourself.” He grabbed my arms. “You wanted the truth. I gave you the truth. Your father was a money-hungry bastard who would’ve sold his soul if it fattened his pockets.”

I kicked out at him, missing by a mile, but my lack of coordination didn’t keep him from getting pissed off. He grasped my leg, digging his gloved fingers into the cut. I opened my mouth to scream, but all that came out was a tremendous sob.

He slammed my leg back to the cement floor. “Your father was going to sell Olivia to the highest bidder. How do you think the Facility even knew about her? It’s a more common practice then you think.

Parents love their kids—even if they are giant freaks—but money always talks.”

“You’re lying. My dad never would’ve done something like that.”

“You have no idea. Did you know your great-grandmother was gifted? No. I see that you didn’t. She was a healer and not afraid to use it. Your father did a lot of research on gifts. He learned that the trait is typically passed down, and those newer generations sometimes are even stronger—look at me when I talk to you!” He pressed into the gash until I did as he ordered.

I bit down on my lip until I tasted blood.

His grip relaxed. “He knew there was a good chance that his children would be gifted. I think he hoped it would be you. Yes, he was in contact with us long before Olivia came along, but as you grew older and showed no gift, he needed another kid. He didn’t understand that he just needed to wait a little longer on you.”

My heart was breaking, even though my mind rebelled against what he said. And then it happened. I felt a subtle brush behind my eyelids. Nothing like Theo’s barbaric mind-reading skills, which made me want to vomit. I thought I imagined it, but the presence remained, lingering on the fringe of my consciousness.

Parker?

I couldn’t be sure, but I freaking hoped so. I started mentally saying Mr. Theo’s name, and that I was in some kind of basement. Hoping and praying that Parker—not Mr. Theo—was tinkering inside my head… and that I wasn’t losing my mind.

“I don’t know what he planned to do with your mother. Maybe she was in on it. But did you know what he wanted done to you?” He turned my face so I had to look at him. “He wanted someone with my… gifts to handle the transaction. Your father was supposed to hand over Olivia for quite a bit of money. He wanted me to make you believe Olivia had died.”

“No, no, no.” I twisted away from him, tears of anger and fear rolled down my face, mixing with blood. This couldn’t be true. It just couldn’t be.

“Yes. I came to handle the transaction, but your father had a change of heart. He didn’t want to give her up, and I don’t think he planned on your mom putting up such a fight over it. Either way, it didn’t matter in the end.”

I stilled. “The accident… it was you.”

“The accident was just an accident.”

“No. It wasn’t. Cromwell—“

“Cromwell is a liar! The accident was just that—an accident. A freak accident that I had thought would’ve worked in my benefit since your father was no longer a part of the picture. I hung around after the accident, waiting to see what the Facility wanted me to do. You see, they hadn’t told me what Olivia’s gifts were, and at the time, I didn’t care. And then I saw Jonathan Cromwell snooping around.”

“Sucks for you, huh? He ruined the Facility’s plans.” I gasped out, hating this man with every fiber in my being.

He smirked. “You have no idea, do you? I could care less about Olivia and her gift. And I care even less about the Facility. I don’t work for them anymore.”

I stopped struggling. “What do you mean?”

Theo’s stare met mine, and I shuddered. I’d always heard about people looking crazy, but I’d never seen it—not until now. “After I saw Cromwell hanging around, I knew something was up. Then when his boy kept coming back, I grew even more curious. This was my chance. See? I didn’t really have any loyalty to the Facility. I only stayed with them so I could keep an eye on Jonathan. Once I saw his interest in you, I left the Facility and got a job up here, where I could keep closer tabs on him. You’d be amazed at how far you can get with a little bit of mind control. Then you showed up. Perfect.”

“Why?”

“My sister was older than me. So bright and beautiful, but she was gifted with a terrible curse.”

Ice slithered through my veins.

He leaned in so close we almost touched. “She could kill with a single touch of her hands. Julie never wanted to hurt a single person, but she couldn’t help it. She never could.”

“Oh, my God,” I murmured.

“Did you think your desire to see those files was all you?” he asked. “I put that need in you. I wanted you to see— to know—what they did to my sister.” He paused, and my temples started to pound. “Of course he scratched out everything about me. Couldn’t live with his greatest failure.”

“Get… out.” I struggled for air. My head felt like it would explode. His lips twitched, and the pressure eased off. “I can’t let him succeed. Not when he failed my sister. That’s the why of it, Ember.”

“Cromwell? But he didn’t have anything to do with the project!”

Theo barked a short laugh. “Cromwell lets you know what he wants you to know. It’s always a half-

truth. That’s all he deals in. Cromwell was assigned to my sister at the Facility. He was responsible for her treatment—her Assimilation. He allowed my sister to die. Do you even know the kind of horrors they subjected her to?”

I tried to think quickly. I had a feeling I was running out of time, which wasn’t helping.

“They would make her touch things—living things, Ember. Animals. People. Do you know what that did to her?” he asked. “It slowly killed her. Day by day, they killed her. And Cromwell stood by. He allowed it to happen. So think of this as me doing you a favor.”

“You’re going to kill me so I don’t kill myself?” I pulled against the pipe again. “Do you know how insane that sounds?”

He stood slowly. “I gave you the coin so I could keep an eye on you. See what Cromwell was doing with you.”

I dragged in deep, musty air. “Why are you going to do this?”

“I’m going to kill you because Cromwell has always wanted a gifted who could bring death—one who could control it. Do you know what kind of power someone could wield with that? But he failed my sister. He’s not going to have you.”

Wincing, I continued to pull away from the pipe. “Cromwell will know this was you. He’ll figure it out.”

He cocked his head to the side. “Really? You think so? Cromwell was so wrapped up in my sister when we were at the Facility, he never looked twice at me. He didn’t even know about my gifts. Only the higher-ups knew what I could do, and it was kept secret. And we’ve passed each other several times.

He’s never recognized me. Not once.”

I dragged in deep, heavy breaths. “You’re crazy.”

“Crazy?” he repeated. My eyes followed his movements. He was digging around for something.

“Maybe I am. My sister was everything to me. Cromwell took everything. Now I’m going to take from him.”

I laughed, and it did sound a bit insane. “I don’t mean anything to him. He doesn’t even like me.”

“No. You mean a lot to Cromwell. You’d thank me if you knew what the future held for you.”

Something metal glinted in the light. Terror rolled through my stomach. “Then tell me! Tell me!”

Theo straightened and sent an amused glance over his shoulder. “Can I ask you a question?”

Panic clawed its way through me. “Sure. Ask away.”

“How does it feel to die?”

“Let me go and I can show you.”

He laughed at that, genuinely amused. “You’ve got spirit. I like that.” He came back to me, his hands behind his back.

“Wait. Wait!” I stalled. “If the accident was just an accident, what happened to my mom? She—she was wiped. Who did that to her?”

“Your mom? I don’t know. Does it matter? She already thinks you’re dead,” he said. “So are you going to answer my question?”

“Go to hell.”

Theo crouched beside me. “Are you afraid to die—to really die— this time? Because there’ll be no Olivia to bring you back.”

Nothing short of fear gripped me, because yes, I was afraid to die.

“Wait. I still—”

“Ah, I can tell you are. I’ve been debating how to do this. I could let you stay down here. Eventually you would slip away, either from hunger or the cold, but that seems unnecessary and cruel.” He shifted and moved his arms.

I saw it at once. It was the only thing I could see.

Theo held a gun in his right hand.

Instinct took over. I kicked out wildly. Instead of hitting his hand, my leg smashed into the side of his face. Startled, he recovered all too quickly. Rearing off the damp cement floor, he swung the gun around, pointed right in my face.

I didn’t want to die in this cold, hellish place. Not before I got to tell my mom and Olivia goodbye.

Not before I told Hayden that I loved him—

His finger moved to the trigger, and I knew I was going to die, for real this time. “Nothing personal.”

“Please! Wait—” My voice cracked with panic. “Don’t do—” A bright reddish, yellow spark blinded me, and I waited—waited for the inevitable feeling of metal tearing through flesh and bone.