The faint thrumming of a machine is accompanied by an occasional beep. It's the same noises which welcomed me to the Techie settlement when I first arrived here. It's also the sounds which let me know I'm still alive.

I should feel relieved. I'm not.

The orange glow of sunlight streaks across the room, giving Ben a golden halo. It masks his evil intent and transforms him into something almost angelic.

I'm not falling for it. I know the truth.

'You did really well, Kit. Everything went well. Now you'll have some time to recover and recuperate,' Ben's soothing voice grates as he plumps the pillows behind me.

I'm back in the room with a view, laying in my bed with various wires strapped to my arms and chest. My entire body hurts and the pressure of all that unwanted touch on my body still lingers.

I feel violated.

The mental damage they've inflicted will take longer to heal than any physical mark.

'Go away,' I whisper hoarsely.

'I will, once you've eaten and I've completed a few checks.' Ben retrieves a container from the counter and perches on the edge of the bed next to me. He scoops up a spoonful of food and holds it towards my mouth. I press my lips together and scowl.

I wish I'd gouged his eyes out with that spoon when I had the chance.

'Open up, Kit.'

I will not let you feed me. I will not go along with this fake friendship, you lying Techie psychopath.

'Let me feed you, or I will allocate several other people to look after you,' Ben says flatly.

I hate you.

I part my lips and Ben tips the spoon into my mouth. I wince as it slides down my swollen throat.

I hate him for knowing my weakness. I hate him for using my fear against me. I hate him for using my fear to become dependent on him.

Tears roll down my cheeks as he continues to feed me spoonfuls of the lukewarm watery mush.

Ben clears away the empty container before returning to my side. 'All your vitals seem to have returned to normal. How are you feeling?'

Like shit, not that you care.

Looking out the window, I don't respond. The events of last night are too raw, and they also finally destroyed the small bit of hope I had secretly been harbouring that Ben may have a change of heart and help me escape.

I was an idiot to think Ben would ever help me.

'Did I ever tell you I was the first teenager who moved here when the research centre was first converted to a settlement? My grandfather was asked to join the team and as I was his dependent I was allowed to come along,' Ben says as he presses buttons on the machines and disconnects the wires.

I don't care.

'We lived on the floor below this. It was a better view back then, a lot more trees. I watched as they burnt most of them down then sprayed the area with chemicals to kill all the animals. It was never the same after. Everything sounded different, smelt different. I witnessed hoards of people try to force their way into the settlement. It's the reason they built the wall, to keep out infected people and the unwanted. The Naturalist settlement was starting up and they had land, plans to grow food so a deal was made. They would supply food in return for protection from trespassers, collecting resources they needed and disposal of all their bodies. Did you know initially the wall was a wire fence?' He doesn't wait for a response from me. 'But they quickly replaced it with something more solid and opaque. Residents of the settlements didn't want to witness the destruction and death on the outside.'

Ben's hand rubs his jaw. His usually clean-shaven face is shaded with stubble. 'I remember the day your mother stole you and ran away.'

What? My eyes dart towards him in surprise.

Ben disconnects the last wire, wraps it around the machine before facing me. 'You see my grandfather also worked on your research trial and he would occasionally speak about the work they were doing. Nothing in-depth, but he mentioned they were trialling something new and exciting. Something that was daring and wasn't really allowed under scientific guidelines, but it was the potential cure for future generations so no one would need to die from disease again. Then one day, my grandfather came home ranting about a woman who had destroyed the lab, corrupted research files, gone against her colleagues and friends and taken something which was never hers to keep.'

'Me?' My voice sounds thick and muffled. I adjust myself to face Ben but my entire body throbs and I slump back against the pillows unable to handle the pain.

'Yes. At the time he simply said a vital piece of their research had been stolen. When Louisa approached me years later and confided in me about the trials, I found out about you and the other embryos implanted. They hadn't infected you with diseases yet but once your mother ran away Louisa believed she was hiding you because she knew you were resistant. Your mother knew she wouldn't get to keep you when if your resistance was discovered so she ran away.' Ben exhales slowly. 'Kit, you need to understand why this research is so important. You need to see beyond your personal feelings. Your mother couldn't do that. She thought only about her wants, but it's bigger than us as individuals. It's about ensuring masses of people don't have to die, it's about working towards a future where no one has to lose their family to disease.'

'Ben, if you're so sure of the importance of your work, why do you keep trying to justify your actions to me?'

'I'm sorry, Kit.' Conflicting emotions cross his face.

Apology not accepted, because they are simply meaningless words if not supported by actions.

Closing my eyes, the only positive thing to come out of being here is I got an answer to a question I was always asking. I now know why I was left at the Naturalist settlement. My mum cared, she wanted to protect me.

I hear Ben gather the equipment and leave the room. Once the door closes behind him, I reach out for the screen on the side table and tap the icon to play my playlist; My Escape.

Flicking through the songs, I keep changing to the next one after listening for only a few seconds. Nothing sounds good.

I stop the music and stare at the ceiling surrounded by silence. This is my life now.