Chapter 6

In the next week, I graduated high school early so I wouldn't have to attend the last few weeks and started submitting applications to colleges that offered the classes I wanted. I intend to move into a dorm immediately when I get accepted to one.

During this time, and the next couple of weeks after, I did my best to ignore all the preparations being made for The Program right under my nose, but it was tough.

Shipments started to arrive almost immediately after Madara explained his plans to me. Every single one came in wooden crates, so I didn't have any way of telling what was inside without someone noticing. Hired workers moved the deliveries to the basement and then past the thick metal door down there, which I assumed was the entrance to the underground training area I'd seen some information about on Madara's tablet.

Hanabi had officially accepted her mother's apology, which caused our short-lived truce to end. She was back to being a mama's girl, and I was back to being the black sheep. One particular day, I tried to come clean to her about what Madara told me in the kitchen. We were studying at the dining table while Masumi went grocery shopping, and Madara worked away in his office upstairs.

I glanced at her every few moments, wondering if I should say something.

The argument we'd had when she told me she'd forgiven her mother was rough and ended with us angrily parting ways. She seemed to notice my unease and gradually got increasingly annoyed before finally hissing at me quietly, "What the hell do you keep looking at?" Her mouth was in a stubborn frown as she glared at me.

With a sigh, I let my shoulders drop in defeat. After checking to be sure no one else was around to hear us, I whispered to my little sister, "You shouldn't trust Madara. The other day, he told me some stuff that was just…absolutely crazy. I think something's wrong with him."

Hanabi rolled her eyes before setting her pencil down and shaking her head, "You can't stay mad at them forever, Hinata. I know you're still upset about everything, I am, too, but we have to get over it."

My brow furrowed at her, and I grabbed her hand closest to me, "I'm not making this up, Hanabi! I really think he's dangerous!" Her disbelieving look became more prominent, so I came clean about every detail her mother's new boyfriend had given me. Once I was done with my explanation, she seemed angry.

"I know you're going through a lot right now, but this is taking things too far."

My mouth fell open in shock. There's no way I could've come up with something like that on my own! How could she possibly think I was lying?

"What's the matter, Hanabi?"

We both turned to see Madara passing through the dining room entryway with a friendly grin on his charming face. He really was too good at acting.

Hanabi glanced in my direction before shaking her head and thankfully covering for me, "Nothing. We're just arguing about something stupid." Even if she'd forgiven him and her mother, she still didn't like him and acted cautiously. I was grateful that her instincts were saving me this time.

Later that night, Hanabi, Masumi, and I got into a screaming fight at dinner. It was becoming the new normal as I refused to accept her new boyfriend, Hanabi tried not to pick sides, and Masumi wanted to force her to.

After dinner was when I realized the lock had been taken off my door, and Madara visited my room to break the news of my participation in The Program, not to mention threatening my sister should I disobey.

The next day, I tried to get my younger sibling alone so I could try to warn her once more, but she was always with her mother and wouldn't hear me out when I wanted to visit her in her room. I'd never forgive myself if I gave up after just one try and something terrible happened to her.

Whenever I made eye contact with Dr. Uchiha, my blood ran cold, and I felt genuine concern for my life. This fear was so intense, in fact, that I typed up and printed a letter explaining all that's been happening since the day I found Masumi and him hooking up in the living room. I folded it nicely and wrote Hanabi's name on the envelope before tucking it inside my pillowcase so no one would accidentally come across it.

At times like these, I regretted not making any friends in high school. I wasn't sleeping or eating well because the stress was so overwhelming. Someone to lean on is just what I needed. Unfortunately, since my father's passing, no one like that existed for me anymore.

That night, I was shaken awake by a rough hand on my shoulder and sucked in a sharp breath when my eyes crept open to meet Madara's. I sat up in shock, pulling my blanket up to cover my chest even though I was fully clothed in my pajamas, "W-What are you-"

"I found this earlier today. Care to explain?" In his hand was the envelope containing my last ditch effort to let my sister know what was happening, her name scrawled in cursive across the front. I opened my mouth to respond but clamped it shut when I realized what I said wouldn't matter.

Tears rose as he ripped it in half and let it fall to the ground, "What did I tell you I'd do if you disobeyed me?" His voice was low and dangerous.

I tried to keep a brave face, but my voice betrayed me, "You won't hurt her."

His hand shot up and wrapped around my throat so quickly that I didn't have time to react. I gasped, and shivers ran down my spine as he leaned in close enough for me to smell his cologne, "Not this time, I won't, but there's more than one way to punish you."

My eyes widened. Is Madara insinuating what I think he's insinuating? Before I could linger on the thought, he released his hold on me, and I took a shaky breath.

"Tomorrow morning, you will meet us in the foyer at nine o'clock sharp. If you're even a minute late…Well, I'm sure you can figure it out."

A few tears betrayed my efforts and slipped down my cheeks as I watched him turn and leave the room. He'd never told me when The Program would start, but I never imagined it'd be so soon.

What will they tell Hanabi when she undoubtedly asks where I've gone? I bet they'll say I've gone to a summer college program. It was something I honestly would do, and the fact that we'd started arguing again could be an excuse for why I didn't say goodbye.

I sank back into my bed, letting my tears fall freely since no one was around to see them. What if I never get to see or speak to my sister again? Surely she'll think that I disappeared hating her. I can't leave her a note or letter because I'd already tried that, and it didn't end well.

To make things right with her, I'll have to survive The Program.

I have to do it for Hanabi.