I check my pocket again to touch the edge of the papers inside and reassure myself they’re still there. The receptionist tells me a car is waiting to take me home. I smile and ask where the nearest bathroom is.

Once inside, I hide in the handicapped stall, unfold the reports Trent gave me, and lay them out on the black-and-white tile. I dig my phone out of my bag and take photos of each one. The lighting in here isn’t great, and my phone’s camera sucks, but I make sure the important parts of the report are clear. Then I email all the photos to my roommate, Katie, with instructions on what to do if something happens to me. I don’t know if this will do any good, but it’s the only thing I can think to do. And I don’t know anyone else I can send them to.

When I step into the hallway, I hear nearby voices and I freeze.

“Did you tell them anything?” Chris whispers.

“Nope, nothing,” Trent says.

I sneak a quick peek around the corner. The two of them, plus Zoe, are huddling together like they’re exchanging secrets. Their eyes look tired, their movements jerky. I’m only a few feet away, close enough I’m sure they’ll be able to hear my quick breaths or the loud pounding of my heart. I flatten my back against the wall.

“What do we do now?” Zoe asks.

“We get the hell out of here,” Chris says. “And be careful tomorrow. If Adam or Elena show up, I’ll be prepared.”

“What about Aether? Do you think they’ll come after us?”

“Nah,” Trent says. “I swiped something from Lynne’s office we can use as leverage.”

“What—” Chris starts, but he’s interrupted by footsteps down the hall. Damn, I wanted to know what Trent stole.

“How are you all feeling?” Lynne asks, her voice cheerful. “Do you need help with anything?”

“No, we were just leaving,” Chris says.

I hear more footsteps, and when I check again, they’ve scattered like cockroaches, leaving only Lynne standing in front of the elevator.

Lynne might know about Adam’s secret mission to get the cure, but she also gave her life to save us. She might be the only one I can trust with the truth. And a part of me still can’t believe Adam would actually kill us, despite what I’ve seen. I limp over to her.

She turns and flashes me her bright white smile. “Elena, is everything all right? I thought you’d left already.”

“Can I talk to you for a minute? Somewhere private?”

Her eyebrows lift in surprise. “Of course. I’m here to address all of your concerns. We can chat in my office.”