The Mind Games by Lori Brighton Page A

me?” he asked.
    Unfortunately, yes. My father. Any unease I felt faded, replaced with pure hatred. How could he do this to me? How could he sit there not caring that I’d been paralyzed?
    But then again, this was the same man who tortured Nora. I realized, in that moment, that I hadn’t truly believed what my sister had told me. I knew the truth now, my father was a monster. But I couldn’t respond to his question, I couldn’t even move my lips to tell him to go screw himself.
    He shook his head. “You shouldn’t have run, Cameron. You never should have switched sides.” He brushed his hand over my hair, like a father reprimanding his little daughter for doing something silly. “I can’t help you now. You’re on your own.”
    All the while, Maddox just stood there looking dour, arms crossed over his broad chest. I wanted to slap their faces. And if I could’ve lifted my arm, I would have. But my father stood and walked toward the barred door before I had a chance.
    “You’ll feel better tomorrow.”
    “Wwwhat…” I couldn’t finish the sentence, my tongue refused to move, my lips refused to part.
    He paused and glanced back. “What did we do? We had to paralyze you. It was for your own good, and our safety.” Three guards stood in the corridor; at my father’s approach, they turned and followed him, leaving me alone with Maddox. I wanted to demand he help me, tell him he was so wrong to believe in this cause but I knew it would be pointless.
    And my eyes felt so heavy. My lashes drifted down… I sank into the cot, so very heavy. Vaguely, I was aware of the thump of footsteps as Maddox came near. His scent swirled around me and he leaned so close, I could feel the heat of his body.
    “Why?” Maddox whispered, surprising me.
    I managed to open my eyes once more and stare into his silver gaze. He was kneeling next to my cot, his jaw clenched in concern, or maybe it was anger. I wasn’t sure and I didn’t really care.
    “Was he really worth returning for?”
    I knew who “he” was. “Y..y…yes,” I managed to stutter, feeling quite proud of myself.
    Maddox shook his head and stood. I didn’t miss the flash of hurt and disappointment that crossed his gray eyes. “I hope he’s worth dying for too.”
    He was so sure I’d not escape. So sure they’d torture me to death. He turned and moved into the hall, shutting the gate and locking it behind him.
    I’d show him what I was capable of… just as soon as I rested. Finally alone, I let go, and sank into the welcoming darkness.
    ****
    I dreamt of Lewis.
    Lewis calling to me.Lewis’ sweet voice saying my name over and over. I wanted to dive into the dream, to never leave.
    “Cameron,” he whispered.
    I tried to reply, but the darkness pulled me under and promised escape from my worries. I wanted this empty future full of nothingness. No pain. No worry. No fear of tomorrow.
    “Cameron, wake up.”
    But the voice called again and the words pierced my foggy reality, tearing me from the cocoon of slumber. Loud. Too loud. Startled, I pried open my lashes. My eyes were dry, painful. I blinked, attempting to clear the heaviness of slumber. The flickering fluorescent lights above throbbed against my head with every pulse. Where the hell was I?
    Suddenly everything came rushing back on a wave of head-pounding pain. I groaned and brought my knees to my chest, curling upon the small cot. The cement walls wavered in and out of focus. There were no windows, only three walls of cement and one of thick metal bars. I was truly in a prison.
    My home, until I found a way to escape. A narrow door interrupted the back wall. I shoved my hands into the cot and managed to sit up, setting my feet upon the floor. The room spun around me. My shoes were gone, although they hadn’t undressed me. Thank God for small favors.
    I braced a hand against the cement wall and stood, my legs trembling like a toddler just learning to walk. Slowly, I shuffled toward the narrow door.