Flynt said, “We’ve arrived.”
Aria yanked off the ck blindfold, squinting as her eyes adjusted to the blinding light for a moment. Only then did she push open the car door and step out.
Three towering buildings, each a dozen stories high, rose before her in a triangr formation. Their bleak, grayish-white facades were riddled with discreet surveince cameras.
A three-story-high perimeter wall was topped with electrified wires. Aria guessed it was probably live.
Flynt exined, “It’s a ssified experiment, so security measures are crucial.”
He slowly walked over to Aria’s side and gestured toward theplex. “The coreb building is in the center. On the left are the materials warehouse, staff cafeteria, and recreation area. On the right are the researchers’ living quarters.”
Aria surveyed her surroundings-manicuredwns, artificial rockeries, and fountains. Not far off stood a regtion basketball court and four ping-pong tables.
The meticulously arranged setting was almost convincing enough to make one feel like an invited guest.
Aria thought, ‘If I have this kind of feeling. What about others? If one were kidnapped and brought to a ce like this-no physical or mental torture, just allforts provided-it’d be way too easy to get conditioned over time.
‘Flynt really knows how to y mind games.’
Flynt looked at her and asked, “Ms. Saxon, does this ce meet your expectations?”
Aria looked away and said coolly, “It’s like a coffin.”
Aria thought, ‘With walls enclosing everything, what else could it be but a coffin?’
Flynt didn’t expect her to use that word. He merely chuckled, unfazed. “Give it time-you’lle to love this ce.”
Aria said, “Just because you enjoy cages doesn’t mean the others do.”
Flynt changed the subject. “Would you like to check out theb first, or rest for a bit?”
Aria said, “Let’s see theb.”
Flynt grinned, clearly in a good mood. “What, nning to blow the ce up already?”
Aria said impatiently, “Then just take me to my room if we’re not going to see theb.”
Flynt’s grin didn’t falter. “Come with me.” He took Aria straight to the twelfth floor-the coreb.
Just as they stepped out of the elevator, an enraged woman’s voice rang out from inside, “I’ve told you a thousand times-I don’t want to stay here. You must let me go.”
Another male voice replied calmly, “No one will be escorting you out. You’re wee to leave on your own.”
The woman snapped, “Fine. I’ll leave on my own, then.”
The young woman stormed out in fury, only to collide head-on with Aria and Flynt.
Luna froze, blurting out, “Wait, were you guys tricked intoing here too?”
Luna looked at Aria’s face, and then her eyes widened in shock. “Aren’t you dating someone? How’d you get tricked intoing here with him?”
No one answered her questions.
The middle-aged man who was talking quickly approached Flynt and said respectfully, “Sir, as you instructed, the researchers have the day off. This new recruit refuses to stay and insists on leaving.”
Luna gasped in shock, pointed at Flynt and said, “So, you’re the one who’s running this scampound?”
The middle-aged man snapped, “This isn’t some scampound-it’s a top-secretb!”
Luna snorted, and her gossipy gaze fixed on Aria. “So, where’s your boyfriend? Did youe here with him willingly? I’m telling you, I saw him at the airport-he couldn’t stop watching you two. He even admitted that he has feelings for you!”
The middle-aged man cut in sharply, “Say one more word of nonsense and I’ll throw you out!”
Luna retorted, jabbing a finger at Flynt, “He said it himself-I’m not just spouting nonsense!”
Flynt asked, “How about herpetence?”
The middle-aged man replied, “We’ve tested it. Nothing special.”
Flynt said coolly, “If she doesn’t want to stay, then show her the door.” Only the truly capable ones were worth their time to win over.
Luna frowned. “You made me wear a blindfold on the way here! I don’t even know the way out. How am I supposed to leave? Just give me my phone back so I can text my friends my location.”
The middle-aged man said tly, “Get out or get to work.”