Curled up in a corner, I'm not sure how many days have passed. Three maybe four. It could even be five. This room has no windows and I only leave when absolutely necessary. Every other waking moment, I spend watching and waiting. For what exactly, I'm not sure.

Max is in the clear. The small dose of toxin released from his Birth Brand into his body is slowly being eliminated or that's what the Vet told me. Yet, when he's not asleep he lays with his eyes open staring blankly at the plain featureless ceiling.

The Vet said Max was lucky I was there to dig out the rest of the Birth Brand otherwise the full dose would have filled his bloodstream and killed him. I don't correct her and say, 'If he was lucky, he would have never met me in the first place. If he was lucky, I would have never entered his life.'

Zed visits me regularly to remind me I'm not doing anyone any good by confining myself to a windowless room tucked away in the recesses of Jas's book printing factory, State authorised literature of course. Zed told me I need to be more positive and productive. So unbeknown to him, I've started to carry a knife with me at all times. Tucked into the waistband of my trousers for easy access, I think it's both a positive and productive step. Positive because I think carrying a knife will make any difference if a swarm of Officials arrived when in reality, it won't. Productive because I will fight anyone who tries to harm Max.

"I'm waiting for the day I arrive to find you permanently fused into that corner," Zed says, walking into the room.

"I'm waiting for the day I like you. Actually, I'm not because if I liked you I'd see more of you and the amount of time we spend together is already too much."

"Don't lie. Not only do you like me, you want to spend more time with me which you'd acknowledge if you left this room. I know you find my charisma irresistible." Zed kicks my foot as I try not to throw up on his shoe due to the inappropriate comment.

"If I remind you that we're siblings, will you stop with the vomit-inducing incestuous remarks."

"I'd probably do it more to annoy you. Isn't that what sibling relationships are all about? Annoying each other?"

"I wouldn't know. You're the one who grew up with the closest thing to a sibling. Isn't Orla like a sister?"

"No." Zed kicks my foot again. "Get up. You're coming with me."

"I can't leave Max." I pull my knees into my chest.

"He's going to be fine. He just needs to get some rest and you watching him sleep like some creeper is of no use. You said you were going to try be productive."

"I am. I walked around the room several times today to ensure my legs don't seize up."

"That's not the same." Zed grabs my hand and drags me out of the room. "It's time for you to meet the rest of the team."

"The team?" I say uncertainly, allowing myself to be pulled down the corridor.

We manoeuvre around loud machines. The sound of shuffling papers and the printing of words I cannot read fill the air. I quicken my pace and Zed thinks it's a sign of enthusiasm and smiles widely. I don't tell him it's because I can't stand the thought of being near anything which reminds me of Grey. The nightmares have got worse since arriving here. I'm sinking into the recognisable pit of depressive darkness but I can't admit it out loud. I don't want Zed to think I'm not capable of helping.

Standing around a table, Jas and Orla are talking to a man and woman I've never seen before.

Zed wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me towards them. "Wes and Sienna this is Cady. Our newest recruit."

They both nod in acknowledgement and I scrutinise them for evidence of whether I can trust them which is ridiculous. If it were able to spot untrustworthy people, I wouldn't have made friends with Jas or Teddy. In fact, I could have avoided a lot of trouble during my lifetime if I had the gift of simply knowing who to trust by looks alone.

Sienna looks a few years older than me. Her Birth Brand is the old version, the usual blue metallic shimmer with a dull gold circle. I assume she has had her tracker removed otherwise Officials would be storming the building and demanding why it hasn't been updated. The reason for the urgent pace in their need to update the Birth Brands is now clear. Birth Brands which are tampered with release an electric shock and toxin. It's their way of stamping down on the resistance and maintaining control.

Wes is older, lines cover his face which indicate he's had a hard life or has aged prematurely due to living too hard. I would guess it's the first, the is evident by both the fingerless hands and the large black squares on both his wrists which I can't stop myself from focusing on. They remind me of my mum and Grey.

Wes notices I'm staring and folds his arms in an attempt to hide the labour camp brands. I should say something but I'm not sure how without betraying my heartache which is so strongly associated with those brands. Instead, I force a smile at him and turn to Zed. "Where is Milo?"

"Milo is at the fashion factory. He will hold meetings there and I will hold meetings here. He's in charge of a group who are accessing a different labour camp," Zed says.

"Why is Orla here?"

Zed frowns. "Apparently Max's stupidity was not an isolated case."

"I decided to remove my Birth Brand so I could join Zed's team," Orla says, glaring at Zed.

"I bet that went down well with Charlie," I joke which does nothing to diffuse the thick tension threatening to suffocate us all.

"Yes, Charlie loved finding out Orla almost died as Sienna cut out her Birth Brand," Zed retorts.

"Don't blame me. Orla didn't tell me the updated Birth Brand releases an electronic shock and a toxin when removed," Sienna snaps.

"I did," Orla says quietly.

"Once I'd already made the first incision," Sienna huffs.

Zed grunts loudly and taps a large sheet on the table. "This is the nearest we have to a map based on the information Wes has given us, and the cameras he placed there on his first attempt in."

"You've been in already?" I ask Wes.

Wes nods. "I tried out the route to see if we can get in. It works."

"What's the route?"

"A truck picks up items from the labour camp once a day. It arrives early evening and we have a two-hour window to move around before we have to be back on the truck," Wes says.

"Two-hour window to do what exactly?" I arch an eyebrow.

Zed clears his throat. "Two tasks. One of you will be in charge of setting up more cameras to help prove to the world what labour camps are like whilst also allowing us to gain more information on how this particular labour camp works and two of you will be in charge of finding these two people." Zed places two photos on the table.

"Officials?" I look down at the faces with gold circular marks on.

"Not any Officials. Ones who can help us take down The Organisation with inside information. They were high up before being sent to labour camps and the only reason they weren't killed is because they said if they die a number of incriminating State secrets would be released. The State have being trying for years to find out who is holding the information for them." Zed grins.

"They're probably lying. I bet if you killed them nothing would be released." I cross my arms.

"That's not the point. The point is if The State haven't killed them then they must know something which can destroy them."

"Ok, so two find the Officials, one sets up cameras. What about the fourth? There are four of us." I gaze down at the map which I understand the layout of but have no idea what any of the words say.

"You stay in the truck. If no one returns when it leaves then you'll report back with what you know. If you know anything," Zed says.

"Are you being serious? You want me to sit in the truck and do nothing."

"We need someone to report back. Also, you have no Birth Brand and no marks which means you'll stand out if you walk around a labour camp."

"We'll all stand out. Sienna looks like she's a barbie doll, not a labour camp inmate and Orla looks like she hasn't had one corrupt thought in her entire life. Wes fits the part most but even then he still looks to overfed." I gesture at them and they frown.

"Also, we're risking our lives for two Official's. Why don't we release someone who deserves it?"

"If you're going to cause problems you will be removed from this mission, Cady. You will not go charging in and get caught in the process simply so you can release a bunch of labour camp prisoners, half of who will be of no use to us," Jas snaps.

"Oh, I forgot, you don't care about people who you consider useless. You find those quite easy to dispose off," I say coldly. The muscles in my body ripple with the familiar surge of aggression and rage.

"Cady, you have me all wrong. I only dispose of people when I absolutely have to. My most recent trade was a very successful one. The information I exchanged is the only reason we now have access to the records of everyone present in every labour camp. The sacrifice we made will inevitably help saves hundreds," Jas says softly as though these words will simply halt the festering hatred I have towards him and make me suddenly accept Grey's death.

Does Jas think I'll turn around and say, 'Oh, now I understand; you handed Grey over so you could find out the names of the people you think are worth saving. I totally get it.'

Drawing my knife from my waist, I lunge around the table and press the blade firmly against Jas's neck.

"If you voluntarily allow the death of anyone else, I will kill you myself," I hiss.

Jas freezes, his eyes lock with mine and for the first time, I see real fear. His adam's apple quivers in his neck, a droplet of blood gathers at the tip of the shiny blade. I almost allow myself to imagine plunging it into his neck however a rush of images crushes down on me, suffocating me and I know this is wrong. The aftermath of guilt would be unbearable especially as this time, there would be no excuse of saving someone. Me killing Jas would be purely fuelled by my hatred towards him. Making me no better than him, in fact, I would be worse because no one would gain from this death.

"No more sacrifices," I say firmly, stepping back as I tuck the knife in my waistband.

Jas rubs his neck, a quick nod of the head and it's the most I'll get from him. I'll have to wait and see if it's the truth. Turning back to the rest who are staring at me in horror, I force a smile and tap the map on the table. "Should we continue?"

Hours later, we have something which resembles a plan. The Organisation has a connection allowing us access via a delivery truck. We will have two hours while the driver unloads the contents and reloads with goods to be taken out. In ten days, we'll infiltrate the labour camp disguised as prisoners, discretely attach cameras and find the two inmates. Or the other three will while I sit in the back of the truck like a pointless idiot.

The worry about what we are going to attempt hasn't sunk in yet. It could be because I'm still focussed on ensuring Max is ok or because I haven't been able to process the knowledge of my probable death as Zed has been scolding me like a small child since we finished our meeting and returned to the windowless room.

"There needs to be trust and confidence between the four of you. You need to work cohesively as a group if this is going to work. Currently, they think you're psychotic."

"I could say the same about them. They are all willing to break into a labour camp full of Officials. Wes escaped a labour camp and he's voluntarily going back into one. Orla asked Sienna to cut out her Birth Brand and Sienna actually went along with it. I'm the one who should be worried." I shovel more of the nondescript food into my mouth as I watch Max sleeping.

I don't enjoy eating anymore. Actually, I don't enjoy a lot of activities anymore especially ones which I link to Grey which seems to be everything. I'm starting to wonder if I'm bordering on Grey-obsessive.

"None of them pointed a knife at someone who is on our side." Zed folds his arm and leans against the wall.

"What can I say? It's nearing that time of the month. PMS is a bitch." I shrug my shoulders nonchalantly.

Zed laughs and shakes his head as he drops to the floor to sit down next to me. "You know it's ok to open up and admit you have feelings. I know you were close to Grey and losing him was difficult, but Jas and Charlie were forced into making a choice: you or Grey. They decided you would be more vital to our cause."

"You knew?" My voice cracks.

"No, not until after it happened." Zed sighs. "Grey knew there was a chance he would be sacrificed. It's one of the conditions you accept upon joining us. Every so often we hand over someone. Sometimes we feed the person with incorrect information and inform on them to divert The State's attention away from us. Other times we can bribe an Official who in desperate need of a promotion, we hand over someone they are looking for, like a high up Organisation member or a labour camp escapee, and in return, they give us pieces of essential information."

"You are joking?" I push the remainder of my meal away from me. My appetite has vanished completely.

"No. To become an active member they must accept the possibility they may be used in any way we see fit which may, even though it's rare, include being handed over to The State if it will be beneficial to the progress of The Organisation." Zed squeezes my shoulder. "Grey knew there was a chance but he still agreed to our conditions. For us to achieve our goal, you have to be on our side, Cady. I don't expect you to forget Grey but if you want to continue with us, you need to come to terms with what happened."

How do I come to terms with Grey willing accepting such a condition? I can't but really I did the same as him. I agreed to go into The State Headquarters believing it may end in my death. The two of us were both willing to risk our lives in a bid to protect. His drive was future generations and my drive was myself and him, which is rather pathetic in comparison.

I drag myself out of my thoughts. "Who are you and what have you done with Zed?"

"Think of me as your incredibly good looking wise brother, ready to guide you with my years of experience." Zed smiles nudging me.

I roll my eyes. "And he returns. I was worried for a second."

"Ahhh, I didn't realise you cared so much." Zed clutched his chest.

"I don't."

"You don't need to hide your feelings for me, Cady."

"The only thing I'm hiding is my overwhelming urge to vomit on you right now. That food was terrible."

"I never said I was a cook. My talents lay elsewhere." Zed wiggles his eyebrow. The possibility of me regurgitating my meal over both of us is very real now.

"That's plain wrong, Zed, we're like... you know." I shake my head flicking my fingers between the two of us. "So this is never going to happen."

"Sorry, I'm still adjusting to the whole idea. Anyway, even if we weren't related, this still wouldn't happen. You're still hung up on Grey and no one wants to be with someone who is pining after an old lover."

His words sting and he must sense my unease because his voice softens, "Anyway, you remind me of mum which is an automatic turn off."

I don't know how to respond to that statement so I simply nod. The comparison is unwanted. I am nothing like her. I don't want to be so I crush the small part of me that wants to ask how we are similar. "Where are Wes, Sienna and Orla staying?"

"They move around a lot. It's safer that way. Once you're ready to leave, you'll join them." Zed glances at Max's form. "You need to start forming some kind of relationship with them before you go into the camp."

"Did you ever consider removing your Birth Brand so you could join us?" I ask.

"Yes, but the idea was turned down by The Organisation. Orla's lucky they decided to keep her safe."

"When did Orla do it?"

"A week ago. Luckily, Sienna didn't hesitate and cut the whole brand out quickly. Orla was up and about within a day." Zed rubs his face wearily.

"Why did she do it?"

"Ask her. It can be one of your bonding exercises." Zed stands, dropping a key into my lap. "I've got to go. My shift ended an hour ago; it will look weird if I stay too long. Jas will lock up before he leaves but I think you should have the keys just in case you need it. You're not our prisoner, Cady."

"See you in the morning."

"I hope so." Zed nods, leaving me staring at the key wondering if this is a test: will I run or stay? I already know the answer and the certainty takes me by surprise.

Author's note
A bit of a long one but we have two new characters. Also how are you feeling about Zed? He's growing on me now xx