Game of Fear (Montgomery Justice #3)(37)

“Damn it, shut up, you two,” the mop boy snapped. “Don’t you get it? Everything you do and say is monitored. This hallway has electronic surveillance. It’s not a stretch that they have someone who can read lips watching your interaction.”

The Warden and two guards finished their conversation and herded everyone toward a new corridor. A large letter B topped the doorway. Justin and Ashley exchanged glances. Time to take note of their surroundings and figure out an escape plan.

Ashley covered her mouth with her hand, pretending to cough. “How can we escape? Do you know anything?”

Justin ducked his head. “No, but a guy named Dave might,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “Just pay attention to the layout.”

Ashley memorized their route as they trailed the Warden and guards down a few more lettered corridors. Each room they passed had a designation of either its purpose or a generic letter and number combination. She figured they had to be in the center of the warehouse by now. Room numbers were hitting the double digits. There were a lot more security cameras here as well.

Finally, at L8 they passed into a huge air-conditioned computer lab. Rows of mini cubicles with monitors and related paraphernalia took up a majority of the space. Most of the kids in the group headed to what must be their assigned stations, including Justin.

Ashley stood uncertainly near the Warden and one of the guards. The other had moved to the farthest part of the room and taken up a position there.

The steel door locked behind them, and Ashley jumped. “What the—”

She frowned as she recognized Niko holding the key. “Oh, it’s you.”

“Silence.” The Warden turned around quickly. “I have not given you permission to speak. You are here to work. You are not to communicate with anyone except designated personnel—and, always, they are to address you first. If you have any questions, you will signal one of the attendants. You may receive answers only from them. Failure to comply carries dire consequences.”

Ashley stood nervously. She’d never been good at following rules and keeping quiet. The Academy had helped with that, but this psychopath seemed to be taking control to a whole new level.

The Warden clasped his hands behind him. “Before you are assigned a workstation, understand this. You will have access to a computer system, but every keystroke will be monitored. The attendants will be walking around, watching you. In addition, surveillance videos are reviewed each night to ensure that no one is attempting anything devious.”

Ashley nodded her head in compliance. Somehow she’d figure out a way around his system.

“Remember, Miss Lansing, your first job is to play the latest version of Point of Entry and win. Beat it, and you will be rewarded with more important work. Lose the game, however, and we will have no need of you.”

“Speaking of which . . .” The Warden turned to Niko. “Who is the least successful gamer in the room?”

Everyone gasped.

“Or . . . who has broken one of my rules lately? We need a station.”

Niko didn’t flinch, but Ashley noted a slight tightening of his mouth. “Floyd has been seen talking to Miss Lansing on two occasions, though he is aware that he is on his last warning. In addition, his brother, Fletcher, did not achieve Level 88 after two weeks of trying. He failed again this morning.”

Ashley’s gaze flew to the mop boy. Floyd. The resignation and fear in his eyes nearly crippled her. Oh God. He’d warned her. Twice. She hadn’t taken him seriously. What would they do?

“Ah, an interesting choice. Which brother?” the Warden purred. “Floyd or Fletcher.”

The guards dragged them both forward.

“How sad for you both. Rebellion must run in the family. Floyd, we may have to check over all your surveillance video to determine what you’ve been up to. For now, I will keep you alive. Fletcher, it seems you have volunteered to free up your computer station.” The Warden smiled. “Take him to the corner.”

The room went deadly silent.

Floyd started to run after his brother, but Niko and another guard held the teen back.

“Don’t hurt him! Take me instead.” Tears ran down Floyd’s face as Fletcher was walked to a padded corner with thick black walls and a grated floor. The corner contrasted starkly with the white walls and tile of the rest of the room.

The dark-haired guard left Fletcher there, walked a few feet, then turned and shot him through the heart.

No one said a word. A few choked sobs sounded as the boy slid lifelessly to the floor.

“Niko,” said the Warden calmly. “Please show Miss Lansing to her new station and identify her duties. Someone escort Floyd to lockdown. I will deal with him later.”

Niko came over and grabbed Ashley’s arm. She stood there in shock, unable to move, unable to process what she’d just seen. Fletcher’s death had been partly her fault. “Oh my God,” she whispered. “How could he do that?

Niko shook her. “Shut the hell up, you idiot. His bloodlust may not be sated yet. Everyone’s still at risk.”

Tears filled her eyes and she staggered behind him, with a last, horrified look at Justin.

Niko thrust her down on the chair, the seat still warm from Fletcher’s body heat. Ashley couldn’t stop her body from shaking. This couldn’t be real.

“Don’t do a thing,” Niko hissed. “You’re being watched.”