Darn Stupid Brother You Are by Mairee

Chapter 99

(Cylan's POV)

The room buzzed with muted voices and cautious glances as I leaned over the map we'd drawn on the back of cafeteria napkins. It wasn't perfect, but it was all we had. Around me, a handful of patients, mostly those who were fed up with the center's lies, huddled closer, looking as determined as I did.

"We can't just sit back and wait," I said. I kept my voice firm but low. "Every day we waste, more people suffer. Emily is out there somewhere, and we all know this place is hiding more than just her."

A boy named Jared spoke up. His thin frame was almost trembling with nerves. "But what can we do? If they catch us, we're done for."

"We work together," I replied. "We dig, we gather evidence, and when we're ready, we expose them. We use what they've taught us against them." My gaze swept across their anxious faces. "But I'm not forcing anyone. If you're too scared, I get it."

•

No one moved. The silence felt heavy, but in it, I saw their resilience begin to strengthen.

Later, back in the dorm, Angel caught me slipping notes into my pocket. She crossed her arms. "What are you up to, Cylan?"

should have known she'd notice. "I'm just trying to make

"Cylan, we already have a plan. You can't just go off

sitting on her bed, chimed in, "She's

"Cylan... too...

asked. "Because I've spent my whole life being told to stay quiet, to do what I'm told, to be the good daughter, the perfect person my parents want me to be. And you know what? I'm done with

parents think they can control my life, force me into some perfect little mold. And Ellen? She's lying in a hospital bed right now because her fiancé couldn't handle the fact that she had a past with me. Emily's locked up somewhere

we're not asking you to do

I can't stop fighting, not now. Not when I know what's at

...

(Hendrix's POV)

I walked past the medical wing, I felt uneasy. The thought of sitting in that sterile room, pretending

most of my time alone now, avoiding everyone including Angel. Especially Angel. The sight of her with Thomas made my blood

my way to the gym when Dr. Joe's voice stopped

a moment, I felt like a bug under a microscope. "You've been skipping your sessions," he said calmly but no less menacing. "I've

busy for your recovery? Or is it something else?

know what you're