But there is no one else in room zero with him right now, we’re all still in here, so he must be somewhere in this dungeon alive unless they’ve killed him themselves.

Theo said it’s not the first time someone has been taken into solitary confinement for a longer stretch of time. But the fact that it’s happened before does nothing to ease the worry. I just want Kevin back, so we can carry on as normally as possible in here, waiting and secretly plotting.

No one voices their ideas for fear of being heard, but they must think about escape on a daily basis, too.

“Where is your mind?” Theo asks, scooting to the empty cushion beside me.

“On Kevin and the escape,” I admit softly. “I know you said to not worry, but I can’t help it. Something isn’t right about Kevin’s disappearance, Theo. I can feel it.”

“I agree that it’s concerning, but this has happened before. Two guys have gone missing in here, I’ve heard Caleb and Matt talking about it when I was in room five. It’s just another way for them to control us, another game to play. And as for the escape, it’ll be okay. Don’t allow them to win, remember, Piper?”

I nod, though I’m not quite able to shut my mind off the way he seems to be able to. Maybe that’s because he has had more practice. “I remember.”

The door in the waiting hallway clicks. I leap to my feet, steadying myself by grabbing the top of Theo’s arm as he gets to his feet, too.

Priya gasps. “Kevin?”

No one moves closer to the door by the bookcase, but we all stare at it.

It has to be him, but what condition will he be in? It’s been six days, I think. Was he moved from torture room to torture room? The only way I deal with being in those rooms is knowing that I’ll be back out with the others soon.

The door opens, and I grip Theo’s arm tighter.

The guy, tall and a little on the skinny side, drops to his knees. His dark, tortured eyes regard us one by one.

“Who are you?” Lucie asks.

He looks traumatized, his chest caving with each ragged breath.

I take a step forward, but I’m stopped by Theo. His fingers curl around my wrist, and he shakes his head. I know we don’t know this guy, but he’s clearly been harmed.

“Don’t, Piper. Look at him. Something’s wrong.”

I tug my wrist out of his grip. “Of course, there is! Can’t you see he needs help!”

What has happened to him? He looks like he’s been to battle.

“We have no idea where he’s come from, Piper.”