The Program (The Program #1)(99)

Ally looks him over then. His hair is bleached blond, washing out his pale skin just a little. His eyes are a deep brown and very kind. He’s cute—not that she should really notice in a place like this. And on his neck she sees a jagged pink scar, healed, but still dramatic. She feels a pang of sympathy for him.

“What’s the game?” she asks quietly.

“Bullshit,” Realm answers. “You know it?”

“No.” Ally shakes her head.

“Hmm . . .” He looks around at the guys. “How about Asshole?”

Ally smiles, remembering how she’d taught her best friend’s little sister to play last summer. The summer before her best friend killed herself. “Yeah,” she says, lowering her head. “I know that one pretty well.”

“Realm!” A voice cuts through the leisure room, and Ally looks up, startled, to see a girl walking toward them. Her hair is a bright orange, and she seems unsteady. Ally wonders how much medication she’s on.

“Hello, Tabby,” Realm mumbles.

“You said I could play!” The girl’s voice is angry, and then she notices Ally sitting there. “How come she’s here?”

“Sorry,” Realm says, touching Tabitha’s arm. “Table’s full. Next time, okay?”

Ally considers leaving, feeling bad for shutting out this girl who clearly needs the game more than she does. When she goes to stand, she feels Realm’s hand touch hers. “Stay,” he says. His steady eyes meet hers, and she sits back down.

After the other girl is gone, Ally gnaws on her lip, feeling bad. “It’s okay,” Realm says, as if reading her thoughts. “Tabby always asks to play, but we don’t let her. She won’t mess with you, though. In fact, tomorrow she’ll be here asking all over again.” He lowers his voice, leaning his head toward hers. “QuikDeath,” he whispers. “It gave her short-term memory loss.”

“Oh.” Ally fidgets uncomfortably as Realm shuffles the cards, introducing her to Shep and Derek—saying they’ve been here two weeks and will be out in four. Same with Realm. But they look comfortable with each other, as if they’ve done this a million times.

Outside, a storm is blowing wind and rain against the windows, sounding as if the world around her is washing away. Ally has felt this way before, just today, even. Dr. Warren told her she was being difficult, that measures would have to be taken if she didn’t start cooperating. But now, watching these boys play with a sort of calmness, normalness to them, Ally wonders if maybe she can make it. If she can beat The Program.

“Your play, Sloane,” Realm says, putting another pretzel between his lips.

“Ally.” She looks sideways at him. “My name is Allison.” She notices the pained look that crosses Realm’s features, breaking his controlled expression. But then he looks at her, all smiles again.

“Sorry,” he says. “My medication cocktail must have been a little too strong today. Allison,” he continues. “Your play.”

Ally nods and puts down her next card, noticing the warning glances the other guys give Realm. Shep mouths “shut up,” but Realm doesn’t say anything back. He stares through the window at the storm outside, a faint smile on his lips.

But by the time the game is over, Ally half thinks she imagined all the tension, because the boys are laughing and calling each other ass**les. Everyone is content, almost dreamlike. Or maybe it was the pill Nurse Kell made Ally take. She can’t be sure.

And later, when Realm asks Ally if he can walk her “home,” she laughs, feeling the first bit of hope in a long time.