فصل سی و سوم

Chapter Thirty-Three

The Lesson

Taylor was curled up on her side, shaking with pain. Her clothes were soaked with sweat and her face was streaked with tears. “Please stop,” she sobbed. “Please.” “I’ll stop when Dr. Hatch tells me to stop.” “You’re one of us. How could you do this to us?” “It’s what I do.”

“You hurt others?”

“We all do what we were born to do. Out there, I’m no one. If it weren’t for the academy I’d be flipping hamburgers somewhere. But in here, I’m a VIP.” “You’re a sellout.”

Nichelle sneered. “Aren’t you the saint? In the end, everyone sells out. Even the saints.” “You’re wrong,” Taylor said, her voice strained. “Some people would rather die than hurt others.” “Well, you might just get your wish.” She walked over and slapped Taylor on the head. “Did I hear you’re a cheerleader?” She cleared her throat. “Were a cheerleader.” Taylor didn’t answer.

“I hate cheerleaders. Stuck-up, shallow imbeciles.” She crouched down next to Taylor. “Don’t you know how stupid you look out there shaking your pom-poms?” “At least I’m not hurting anyone.”

“No? How about all those girls who wanted to be cheerleaders and weren’t pretty enough or popular enough? You think you’re so good. It’s easy to be good when everyone’s kissing your feet—when you have perfect skin and teeth.” She grabbed Taylor by the hair and lifted her head. “In here you’re no one, cheerleader. You remember that. You can’t even walk unless I say so. If they let me, I could drain you like a bathtub and watch you die. So how about a cheer for me?

Because in here, I’m the star quarterback.”

“Until they don’t need you anymore,” Taylor said. “Then you’ll be thrown out with the rest of the trash.” Nichelle yanked Taylor’s hair. “Don’t push your luck, cheerleader,” Nichelle growled. “I don’t always stop when they tell me to.” She let go of Taylor’s hair and Taylor fell to the ground. “Oh, they’ll always need me. As long as there’re mutants like you out there, they’ll need me.” Nichelle stood up. “And our session isn’t over yet. So just sit back and enjoy yourself.” She smiled darkly. “I know I will.”