When I woke up, a sharp pain came from the side of my neck. I screamed as I rubbed my aching muscles. I ran my hand over my chapped lips and felt something wet run down my chin. A chuckle.

"Are you drooling over me?" Ben asked.

My eyes snapped open and I sat up straight. I rubbed my neck, rubbed my eyes with one hand, and rubbed my eyes with the other. Ben sat in the seat next to me. A book spread out on his lap. There were wet marks on his shirt. He reached over and pulled out the pair of sunglasses and put them on my face. At least the dark lenses stopped me from staring at that embarrassing puddle of saliva. Ha

"How long did I sleep?" I asked.

"It's been almost seven hours," he said. "You were cold."

"Well, I'm sorry, I was drugged."

I looked around the plane and saw Oliver sitting in his seat, his body stretched out on the side of the cabin. He was typing. I curled up in my seat and leaned my head against the window.

"We're going to land soon, kids," Oliver said. He must have heard us.

I stared out the window at the clouds.

A few minutes passed, and the pilot's voice came over the intercom, telling us that the landing was imminent. I put the seat belt on my leg.

After the plane landed, Oliver asked me to stay with Ben again. Oliver led the way off the plane, Ben wrapped his arm around my waist. The warm, moist air brushed through my skin and it felt like heaven. I had to hide under a leather jacket and scarf, and I must have been sweating profusely. Ha.

A man takes Oliver onto a boat. The area where the plane landed looks like the place where the plane took off from Canada. The only difference is that the building is surrounded by tall, slender trees. We walked along a short wooden pier and boarded a boat. The three of us were crammed into our seats.

Oliver forced me to bow my head again. "I told you not to look up," he said. "Don't say anything."

I nodded. Oliver put his hand on my neck for a few more seconds, like a stern warning.

The boat cut through the waves, and the cool mist fell on my hair and bare legs. My glasses are fogged up.

I tried to keep my head down. I want to see the new environment, I want to lift my chin. A smile crept up the corners of my mouth when I felt the boat slow.

"Ben, help Diana get up," Oliver said.

He used our real name? He must not be afraid of people figuring out who we are. Unless they already know. If they work for Dr. Alexander, they must know what is happening to us.

Ben grabbed my hand and pulled me up. He helped me up to the docks.

I looked up and saw a jeep nearby, and then my head was lowered again. A dark-skinned woman with a big smile on her face was waiting in front. I watched Oliver's feet walk past us.

"Good afternoon, Dr. Winnie," said the woman, her voice with a thick and beautiful accent.

"Nice to meet you, Rita," Oliver said.

"Dr. Alexander is having a bad day,"

"He's resting for a while, he'll be waiting for you at home."

"Thank you very much."

Ben opened the door and slid across the seat. The three of us were pressed back in the back seat. There was a man in the passenger seat. My heart pounded when I saw his large assault rifle. Keep. Letta got into the driver's seat and started the jeep.

Driving along the dirt road, he forced me to look down at my knees so that my eyes would not be exposed to the sun. I glanced around and saw tall, thin trees with lush foliage. The drive lasted only a few minutes and we stopped in front of a large mansion. The driveway is built around a stone fountain. A large staircase leads to the front door.

This time Oliver put his arm around me, not Ben. He pulled me out of the car. I stumbled, no,. Scare you guys.

He pulled me up the stairs and he quickened his pace. This time, I'm glad to be able to look down on my own, because that's what helps me get on my feet.

Two men opened the door. A crystal chandelier hangs from the domed ceiling. The staircase splits in two along the marble floor. The walls are covered with paintings with gold frames.

A man stands at the bottom of the stairs.

When Oliver and I came in, he shuffled forward. The man wears a pair of tan slacks and a white shirt.

He leaned forward, his face blank. He looked to be in his early sixties.

"Oliver, I'm glad you came early," the man said with a British accent.

"Thank you for inviting us," he said.

"It must be young Diana," he said.

"Yes, sir," said Oliver. "Diana, this is Dr. Alexander." Oliver took the sunglasses off my face. I blinked a few times to adjust to the bright light. Gregory grabbed my chin. The tremor of his arm made it hard for me to stay awake. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

"It's remarkable," Gregory said. "I'm looking forward to getting up close."

"Of course, sir," said Oliver.

He let go of my chin and looked over my shoulder.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Benjamin," he said. "How are you doing?"

"Very well, sir." Ben said with his usual smirk. "It's nice to be back." "Rita will take you to the room,"

Gregory said. "Ben, while I'm talking to Dr. Sweeney, you can show Diana around."

"Thank you, sir."

When Rita walked behind us, her sandals clicked on the floor.

"Come, come with me," she said. "They'll deliver your luggage to your room."

，，， ，，，，， ，。 I,,,,,,^0^, ,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I nodded and followed behind Rita. Ben was close to me. Rita walked down the hallway hidden next to the stairs. It was a pure white hallway, with nothing hanging on the walls and no doors. At the end of the hall is a spiritual wall. And Leta typed a few numbers on the keyboard. The door opened and we walked inside.

The ceiling is a glass dome. Sunlight pours in and reflects off the hardwood floor. The foyer is flanked by doors. Letta showed us the two doors in the middle.

"Here you go," Rita said. "Benjamin, you're in tenth. Diana, you're in twelve. ”

"How ironic," I muttered.

Ben touched my side with his elbow.

"You can have dinner in an hour," Leta said. "Ben, do you remember how to get to the restaurant?"

"Okay." Rita's lips quivered for a moment, then smiled at us again. "I hope you enjoy your stay. Dr. Sweeney will be informed of your room number and Malik will be delivering your luggage here shortly. ”

"Thank you," Ben said.

Rita turned and walked briskly through the hall. She entered the code before the metal door slid open again.

"Come on," Ben said.

He draws the blinds, and the dark room fills with sunlight. There was a large bed with a bunch of pillows and wicker headboards. There is a dresser on the wall in the distance. There is a bedside table on each side of the bed. Each one has a lamp, which is covered with shells. It looks tacky and out of place with the rest of the mansion. I sat at the foot of the bed.

"I always forget how hot it is here," Ben said, ripped the scarf from his neck. He took off his coat, sweat staining his shirt. He pulled it off his head and threw it on the bed. "What's wrong with Dr. Alexander?" I asked.

"Gregory has Parkinson's," he said. "He can't do any more surgery himself. That's why he now buys subjects from other doctors. ”

Ben combs his hair with his fingers. There was a knock on the door. The man with the rifle in the car was standing with our luggage. He put Ben's bag down before going to my room. Ben threw his suitcase onto the bed and began rummaging. He took out a vest and put it on.

He walked around the bed to a door next to the closet. He turned the lock on the door. "Open the door to your room," he said. "This is connected to our room, you go to the room to change clothes, I'll wait for you."

"Okay," I said.

I walked to my room. It looks exactly like Ben's. It even has the same ugly lights. I rummaged through my suitcase until I found a yellow vest dress. I combed through my messy hair. I tied my hair back and could already feel the sweat on my neck.

I unlocked the door on the wall. Ben leaned against the door across from my room. He opened his arms. "Are you ready to meet the others?" He asked.

"I think so," I said. "I'm hungry. I'm more interested in food. ”

Patient Twelve

Ben smiled.

"Don't behave submissively in front of them," he said. "They're going to eat you alive. You need courage. ”

I took a deep breath. "Finally. I'm tired of being so submissive. ”

"Yes, but as long as the doctor is present, you must act as I taught you."

"I'll do my best."

Ben put his arm on my shoulder, and we walked to the dining room together.