Prep School Experiment by Emily Evans Read Free Book Online Page B

matching program. Sick freak.
    “Four kids went down to get everyone’s luggage. They wanted to make up for cheating during the event. To win their classmates’ trust back. Heroic really.” Coordinator Steele’s smile made a mockery of the words.
    The Scientist stared at the ground and then crossed his arms over his chest. But when he raised his gaze, he appeared dead convinced. “We can do miraculous things with this drug. Create an amazing world full of amazing people. Sometimes, you have to do things for the greater good. When the most people benefit, you know the choice is right. It’s basic ethics.”
    Coordinator Steele waved her gun at the hole. “Time to get in.”
    Kaitlin jerked against him. “Wait. We can—” Her voice held an edge of panic.
    “Enough. Move.”
    They moved.
    “Come here, Kaitlin,” Elena said. “You’re a dancer, so you’re strong, really strong. Just stay calm and listen to me, and it’ll all be fine. Can you do that? Can you listen to me and keep Rhys calm for me?”
    Kaitlin swallowed and nodded.
    “Good.”
    Elena messed with the equipment. “Okay. I’ll go down with Thane. When we reach a ledge, we’ll set this up.” She held up a metal device. “It will guide you down.” She and Thane dropped over the edge and Elena’s voice came up to them. “Okay, Kaitlin first. Don’t worry if you swing out. You’re small, and with this equipment, I can hold your weight.”
    Kaitlin stepped forward.
    “You four keep going down until I say stop. Then climb back up. I’ll give you more supplies if you make it. Then, you’ll get to go down again.” Coordinator Steele waved the gun again, pointing at each of them in turn. “You’ll keep it up until you can’t.”
    The coordinator was enjoying this. Rhys could see it in her face. He helped Kaitlin over the side. Her big eyes searched his face and he tried to smile a confident smile at her. It would be fine. He’d make a move when she was clear. Pebbles pinged as gravity sent them down around her. Rhys stayed by the ropes, watching the anchor. He had to wait until Kaitlin was secure.
    Coordinator Steele stared at him, the gun steady. “Get going.”
    Elena said something from below. Rhys didn’t know if they were secure. He couldn’t risk failing and have the coordinator mess with the anchor. Not when he wouldn’t be down there to help. He slipped over the edge, using the anchors. He braced his feet on the wall and started down.
    “Careful, Rhys. Slow and easy,” Elena said.
    The rope jolted and the glove bit into his hand. He braced his feet on the wall. The coordinators were messing with the anchor.
    Rhys hooked in and continued lowering himself, using grooves and the anchors.
    “Let go of the anchors and get in position, Rhys,” Elena said. “This will be fast.”
    Rhys cursed but he held the rope with one hand up, one at his hip. He came down in seconds. The rope came loose in his hands the second his feet hit the ledge. His body jolted, and they grabbed him. More pebbles fell away, pinging into the chasm.
    “No one’s going to believe we didn’t use ropes,” Rhys said. If they didn’t make it back, at least the coordinator’s B.S. wouldn’t stick. Not that the thought was comforting.
    “They’ll believe the anchor failed.” Elena said.
    Thane shook his head. “So we can either go up into the hands of someone with a gun, or down into the darkness.”
    “No choice,” Elena said. “I’ll lead and set the anchors. We’ll find a bigger ledge and wait them out. We don’t go back up when they call. We don’t respond.”
    Kaitlin nodded. “Maybe someone will come looking for us.”
    Sure. In the spring.
    They began the slow descent. Coordinator Steele called down from the top. “Head back up now and we’ll give you some water when you reach the top. Or, you can scoop a nice handful of snow to eat.” A sharp flash of light cut through the darkness. The beam bounced against each wall, searching for