Making Monsters by Kassanna Page A

putting one foot in front of the other. The dark halls were confusing, and
there was a blood trail behind her. The moaning caused her to stop short. Malia tilted her head
and listened. She followed the grunts, staying close to the wall. Find Paul and get them the hell
out of there. After that, she’d walk into the light or whatever the hell came for her. She clenched
her teeth when a wave of pain rolled through her, swallowing the screams that hovered on her
lips. The wails grew louder and sounded more like pleasure than pain. Malia eased up to the
doorjamb with the scalpel poised to strike out and slipped her head around the entrance.
    She stifled the cough that choked her at the scene unfolding in front of her. Victoria was
slammed up against the wall by a burly man. Her legs were wrapped around his waist. And the
way he flexed his hips, there was no question as to what they were doing. His big hands held her
wrists above her head. Victoria’s words confirmed her suspicions. “Umm, Ivan, I only need you
to take the edge off. I still want to get the body from cold storage and prep it for surgery, and you
haveto check on doc’s progress with the body parts.” Disgust made Malia wrinkle her nose.
    That bitch had some serious issues. Malia turned away and moved across the hall to the
deeper shadows, inching her way across the doorway. If the crazy heifer was there, Paul couldn’t
be far. She lifted her head and stared down the passage, thrusting out a palm to hold onto the
wall when the corridor swayed. Faint light beckoned to her, and she carefully made her way
toward it.
    The brightness blinded her as she stood in the doorway. If there was anyone else in there,
she was fucked, but time was not on her side so she’d have to deal. She blinked several times to
focus. Two gurneys faced away from her with some kind of chair in the middle. The room
looked empty, and she stifled tears. At the rate she was going, she’d never find Paul before her
time ran out.
    Low whimpers reached her ears, and she stopped. Venturing farther into the room, she made
out the top of a head on one of the beds. The brown hair beckoned her, and she kept moving
forward. Her shoulders sagged in relief when she saw who was in the bed. Paul was pale, too
pale, and he tossed his head back and forth mumbling. She touched his cheek, and his skin was
cool beneath her fingertips. Fear replaced her relief. Was she already too late? Her hands
shook as she skimmed it down his face to check the pulse in his neck. The slow thump made her
heart rate relax.
She leaned over the bar, and her side screamed at her, sending shots of pain along her
nerves. Malia swallowed and ignored the ache. “Paul, baby, please. Please, open your eyes.”
     
He didn’t respond.
     
She slid her fingers through his hair. “I can’t get you out of here. I need your help… I need
you Paul, please.” Malia rubbed her forehead against his jaw.
     
His arm moved beneath her, and the rail trembled.
     
“That’s right, baby. Fight. You are greater than whatever she put in your system. Fight for
me, love. I need you.”
     
His eyes fluttered.
    Malia moved back and skimmed her hand down the side rails. She dropped the scalpel on
the mattress and fumbled with his bindings. He kept jerking and the strap slipped from her
fingers. She tried again, wiggling her digits into the thin gaps of the nylon material. Managing to
free one hand, she moved toward his ankle and started on that knot. She kept her voice low and
continued to talk. Paul raised a hand and dropped it. Malia got his foot untied and moved to the
next limb. She glanced at the doorway and hoped Victoria and her man toy were still humping
like bunnies.
    Paul groaned, and she returned her attention to him. He lifted his hand and slapped himself
in the face. His control was still off but it was getting better. If their situation weren’t so dire, she
would’ve laughed. Her sense of urgency