I managed three days as Skyler's caretaker and now I want out of here, I'm going berzerk.

Just a few more days and you'll be free.

Skyler steps out of the cafeteria, two guys right behind her.

"Alice, meet Tony and Mike." She leans in close and whispers into my ear, "They joined us."

I look at them and smile brightly. "Nice to meet you."

"Same."

Tony gives me a soft smile, flashing a row of crooked teeth before following Mike, the taller boy, down the long hallway. I watch them go. Aren't they a friendly bunch?

"So what's on the agenda?"

I focus on Skyler. "Your exercise routines."

"Awesome." She runs off.

Sighing, I chase after her.

...

I sit alone in the cafeteria, eyeing all the teenagers around me.

"Hey." Tony slips into the seat beside me. "It's Alice, am I right?"

"Yeah," I reply, pushing my peas around the plate.

"Nice," he pauses, raking his fingers through his light hair, "So, um, then you know Brandon?"

My fingers clutching the fork have gone white. Why does everyone seem to know 'Brandon the Jerk' who caused so much trouble for me? If he hadn't attempted that whole break-in to shut down the cure---Hunter would still be alive. I wouldn't have dragged him into the crossfire, because there wouldn't have been any crossfire in the first place...

"So?"

I blink away the tears, my eyes now set on the boy beside me. "Yeah, I do. Why are you asking? Did Skyler tell you?"

"Yeah."

"Oh." Pushing my chair back, I stand up.

"Before you go, can I ask you something?" Tony quickly asks.

I look over my shoulder at him, curious. "What is it?"

"Lacy, my sister, is she still with Brandon?"

It takes me a moment to process who he's talking about---Lacy? Oh, the girl who was working as Brandon's sidekick.

"I haven't seen her since I was back at the clinic where they tried to..." I don't finish, watching his face expecting it to fall, but to my shock I find him smiling.

"She finally left him, smart girl."

I have nothing else to say and neither does he. Walking off, I go to find Skyler so I can bring her to her next class.

...

The new message reads, 'Question Skyler to see if she's taking her pills and how's she sleeping at night..."

I'm starting to feel like Derek.

Entering her room, I find her sprawled across her bed.

"Everything alright?" I question.

Her eyes land on me. "Just bad heartaches." She grimaces, curling up into a ball.

I go to sit down beside her. "I'll get you out of here soon, I promise."

"I can't wait till then."

Sighing, I rest my head on the bed beside hers. "Have you been taking your pills?" (Question #1 check)

"Yeah, just like you told me to."

"Good, and how have you been sleeping at night?" (Question #2 check)

"Ok, I guess."

I place my hand on her arm. "Try to rest up."

She nods. "Am I done for the day?"

I scan over her schedule. "Yup. Lucky you."

She props herself up on her elbows, her blue eyes on me. "What was it like for you being in the clinic?"

"Torture," I whisper. "Remember I told you the 'cure' destroyed me."

"I remember, but why? What happened?"

My eyes tear and my heart begins to ache. "My boyfriend was with me going through the cure too. During the first revolution attempt, he was shot," I choke.

"I'm so sorry," she whispers.

"It's ok," I sniff. "I've learned to move on."

"Derek?"

All I do is smile.

"So you guys are really a thing?"

I shove her. "Hey Miss Nosybody, that is not for you to ask."

She smirks. "I'll take that as a yes."

I shove her again, this time harder than before. She falls backward onto the floor. I bite my tongue in an attempt not to laugh, but it fails. I laugh until my stomach hurts and happy tears are rolling down my cheeks.

"A hand here." Skyler's hand appears, grabbing hold of the side of the bed.

I help her up.

"Thanks."

"Pleasure," I respond, stretching my sore limbs.

She smiles sitting back down beside me on the bed. "I think I'm going to reside for the night."

I get the hint. "I'll go." I leave her room, heading for my own.

...

I braid my dripping wet hair before climbing into bed. Just like the past few nights, I imagine Derek here beside me, holding me close.

"Good night," I whisper.

I picture him smiling. "Good night Alison."

Closing my eyes, sleep overcomes me.

...

I awake from a buzzing sound. The DSS on the nightstand is vibrating, announcing another message alert.

Scowling, I reach in the darkness, my fingers finding the smooth glass. I pick up the DSS and read the new message. 'Come to Dr. Monroe's office now!'

Cursing, I slip out of bed. And still dressed in PJs, I head for Dr. Monroe's office.

...

"What do you want?" I barge into the room aggravated. How dare he wake me in the middle of my beauty sleep?

He's standing there calmly by the window, his back to me. "Thank you for coming on such short notice." He now turns around to face me.

I glare at him, repeating, "What do you want?"

"Come with me." He brushes past me.

Seething with annoyance, I follow close behind him, a mad dog on a leash.

He ushers me into a small room, my eyes widening and my mouth dropping open.

Skyler lies on a cot attached to many different wires, a heart monitor beeping softly to her right. My body goes rigid, anticipating what's to come.

"Do you know why I brought you here?" Dr. Monroe's unnatural eyes are on me.

I inhale. "Yeah."

"Want to update me?"

I now look at him, hoping he could see the hatred in my eyes.

"We're going to decide if Skyler is strong or weak. If she's weak, we kill her."

"You are a smart girl, Alice. Now tell me, is she taking her pills?"

My eyes flit over to Skyler. "Yes."

"And how is she sleeping at night?"

"Good."

"Is she excelling in everything she's tested for?"

I nod.

He takes a step closer and I take a step back, coming into contact with the closed door. "Alison, you tell me is Skyler strong or weak?"

I keep my chin raised in defiance. "I already told you she's strong. It's a waste of time keeping her here."

"You think she should be released?" He raises a perfectly plucked eyebrow.

Looking him dead in the eye, I reply. "Yeah, I do."

"I'll consider your opinion." He looks away, his eyes settling on Skyler's still form. "We're done here for the night, you may go."

I open the door and step out, but then look over my shoulder. "Who's going to bring her back to her room?"

"That's none of your concern."

"But it is since I'm her caretaker."

He sighs. "My assistant will bring her back. Happy?"

"Yes, thank you."

I leave, praying that they'll listen to me and release her.

...

For some strange reason--- I'm exhausted the next morning.

I shower hoping that it will revive me. Then changing into a blue open v-necked tee and black jeans, I insert the USB into the DSS, downloading everything from last night. It only takes a few moments.

I remove the USB and place it back into its small box and then back into the drawer.

...

"Good morning," I greet Skyler.

"Morning," she yawns while following me down the endless hallway. "What's first?"

"Dr. Monroe."

She groans, reminding me of my days back at the clinic. The dread I felt every time I had to see Dr. Jeffery or Miss Jakins which so happened to be pretty much every single day.

"Come on, hurry up," I tell her, before jogging off.

...

I slide into the seat squashed between Mike and some girl named Tarra.

"The food any good?"

"Not bad," Mike replies, taking another spoonful of the green-globbed soup.

I look down at my own meal, not having much of an appetite.

Only one more day Alice, you can do this.

"Everything ok?"

My eyes fix on Tarra, noticing all the freckles sprinkled across her nose. I've always wanted freckles. "Yeah, perfect." I give her a forced smile while pushing my plate away and standing up.

Skyler is engrossed in a conversation with some guy named Rick. I motion to her with a hand flick that I'll be waiting outside and she nods, understanding.

Outside the room, I rest my head against the concrete wall, forming a plan.

I need to pay Dr. Monroe a visit later tonight.

After standing here for ten minutes, Skyler emerges from the cafeteria.

"Ready for Chemistry class?" I ask, standing straight.

She shakes her head, white-blond strands of hair falling into her eyes. "Not in a million years."

"Too bad," I say, taking ahold of her arm and pulling her after me.