Page 180 of The Most Dangerous Games

Alek kneels down next to him, takes one of his hands, and softly says, “Tipton.”

He doesn’t stir at first.

She squeezes his hand harder, says his name even louder.

His eyes flutter and then open wide—wild, haunted, still trapped in whatever fire the room fed him.

As soon as he does, they can see the terror in them. He’s waking from a nightmare but somehow still in the middle of it. They understand. They were in the same place today, with their own nightmares.

“Tipton!” Alek snaps, as a way of focusing him. Bringing him back.

Tipton cries out, anyway, jerks his hand away from hers.

“It’s all right,” she says. “It’s us.”

Tipton’s voice is sandpaper. “How . . . ?”

He points at Wyatt like it costs him strength. “You . . . left me.”

Wyatt doesn’t flinch. “You said it.”

Tipton’s eyes flicker. Shame flashes there—fast.

Alek watches him. Really watches him.

Then Tipton, his eyes wild, is the one shouting:

“I have to get out of here!”

He tries to stand, but doesn’t have the strength, collapsing into a sad heap.

His head snaps against the wall.

“We’re not here to punish you,” she says.

“Why are you here?” he rasps.

Alek doesn’t hesitate.

“Get up. You’re not done,” she says.

Tipton is fully awake now, if not fully alert. He still appears disoriented. Or delirious.

“After everything? After . . . Wyatt?” His voice trails off.

“Wyatt is here,” Alek says. “And the fact is, we’re going to need warriors like you.” She shrugs. “Whether we’re totally comfortable with that or not. Or with you. I believe you won’t cross the line if you don’t have a knife at your throat making you do it.”

Hannah looks at Wyatt, her eyes apologizing, “I read your file. She’s safe.”

Tipton looks at her. Recognizes the gesture. All that rage, all that posture—gone for a second. He swallows hard. His hand goes to the chain at his neck like he needs air.

“What are you talking about?” Wyatt asks her.

“Later,” Hannah replies.

“He did try to kill me,” Wyatt says.

“But he didn’t,” Jimmy says to Wyatt. “Despite what was at stake.”