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“I'm coming,” shouts Mary back at the woman. I press my ear closer and put a finger in the other to hear more clearly.

“It's working. It’s working. Lana, keep crying, she is going to open the door,” whispers a male voice.

I jump back from the door. “Stop! It’s a trap! They want you to open the door; I just heard them tell the woman to keep crying.” Mary stops moving and stares at me.

“Are you sure?” Mary asks.

“Yes,” I say, walking back to the side of the barricade. “We know you’re not hurt, and we are not opening this door. Everything Logan has told you is a lie. He is the one you can’t trust.” A silence cuts through the air. Did they leave? I hear heavy footsteps approaching and a voice that chills me to the bone.

“Hello, Theo,” says Logan. “All of these people know what you had John do to those poor innocent people you had spying on everyone. You can quit the hero act now.”

“You know damn well you were behind all that.” I fume.

“That’s why you had that little cunt Kelly kill him so he couldn’t tell anyone. You’ve been caught, Theo, so why don’t you open this door and come out here and face me like a real man, you coward.” His words send a burning rage through my entire body.

“With pleasure, you fucking prick.” I start to undo the barricade, and Tyler grabs me.

“No!” Tyler pulls me back, and I fall to the floor.

“Let me go, Tyler,” I spit.

“No, if you go out there, he will kill you and kill us. The man is a fucking psychopath.”

“He is right, Theo; the door needs to stay closed,” says Julie, putting her hand on my shoulder.

“I agree,” says Mary, followed by Kelly. I steady my breath and just sit helplessly on the floor.

“Don't worry, you don't have to open the door now. We have as much time as it takes. Eventually, you’ll have to come out. So, unless you plan on jumping through a window, you’re going to need to come out of that door, and when you do, I’ll be patiently waiting.”

I don't say another word. We all back away from the door and sit down at a table.

“We need to make a plan,” I say, gazing out the window.

19

THEO

Three weeks have passed. The constant pounding on the doors and threats of killing us has finally come to a stop. It seems that Logan's people have left us alone. Prior to today, when we attempted to open the door, someone was always waiting for us. Now, it seems that they've all left— it’s blessedly quiet and we can’t see any shadows under the door.

“Alright,” I say, sitting at a table, staring at the makeshift barricade we placed in front of the medical center's doors. “We know what doesn’t work, but now that Logan’s group has moved on, we have to figure out something to ensure our safety.”

“I think I have something that could work,” Mary announces, her eyes glancing around at each of us.

“I’m all ears,” I say.

Mary shifts in her seat and then points out multiple medical supplies, listing everything we have in stock: antibiotics, bandages, suture kits⁠—

“I'm having trouble figuring out why you’re telling us about the medical supplies that we already know are in here. Enlighten us?” I ask inquisitively.

“Think about it. We're in the only part of this ship with the supplies to save someone. I don't know why I haven't thought of this before, and I am the only one trained in medical procedures.” I sit quietly, listening. “We can come up with a plan, something to make it clear or at least convince the rest of the people still on board that they need me—us,” she says, quickly correcting herself.

“Okay, I'm listening. How do you suggest we do that? We've been trapped in this room for weeks, unable to leave, thanks to the brainwashed people under Logan's command. We all know Logan is responsible for this.” I look around the room and Tyler, Kelly, and Julie all nod in agreement.

“I can go see what's happening out there,” volunteers Tyler.

“You're not leaving me behind, no way,” Kelly quickly replies, grabbing his arm.

“No one is going anywhere. Mary, how do you suggest we carry out this plan?” I ask.