9 Chapter 9

Could it be possible? Not daring to look back, I edge my way to the door, a few steps at a time. That's when Dr. Miller turns around. I dart out of the room, following Thomas down a hallway, up a staircase, and onto the roof. We barely have time to catch our breaths when the doctor bursts through the door, grasping the bottle that's meant to kill me. "Quinn..." he pleads. "You're being irrational. Come back inside."

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Thomas motioning to me. What's he saying? Run? Go with them? Stand my ground. Then I realize he wants us to jump. This building is over 20 stories. We're sure to die, but at this point I don't care. This option gives us the small chance of living. Before I have time to think sensibly, I sprint towards the ledge and throw myself off the roof, Thomas at my side. Right as my feet leave the hard and familiar ground, he grabs me hand tight. "It'll be okay," he promises. I hope so.

When I was younger, I wanted to be able to fly; to soar over the rooftops and see Hawthorne the way a bird does. This isn't how I thought it would happen: jumping off a roof with a boy I barely know to escape from a doctor who's trying to kill me. I wonder what will happen when I hit the ground. Will it hurt? It's getting closer and closer, but I'm not afraid. Thomas knew we would survive, and I believe him. That's the last thing I say to myself before my vision goes black.