Resistance (The Institute Series Book 2) Read Free Page A

house, I’m exhausted and starving.
    At least this house has two separate bedrooms, unlike the first one they gave us which had one bedroom and one bathroom. I feel like I have my own space here and I need that.
    “So we’re not going back to the Institute anytime soon, are we?” I ask Drew as we sit at the dining table for a late dinner.
    “I never thought I’d see the day where you were hoping to go back to that place.”
    “You know why I want to go back.”
    Drew nods. “Yeah. I do. We’ll be back soon enough.”
    “We both know that’s not true. We have no idea when this assignment will end.”
    We continue eating, in silence. I don’t have anything to say and I can sense he doesn’t know what to say.
    I haven’t seen Shilah in three months. I don’t know if he’s still in the training program, I don’t even know if he’s okay. While I couldn’t help smirking at the fact our targets fled, it means we won’t be returning to the Institute. I’ll have to continue to wonder about Shilah until we finally catch Licia or are called back for a new assignment.
    “So, where are we meant to go from here?” I ask Drew.
    “We start again. We ask those who knew them, try and find out if they had anywhere to go.”
    “The last time they tried to evade us, they moved to a town only thirty minutes away before they thought they would be safe. Maybe they’re still close?” I speculate.
    “Maybe. Or maybe they’ve learnt from their last attempt.”
    I sigh. “I think I’m going to go to bed.” Even though no arrest ended up happening today, it was still an exhausting day; physically and mentally draining. I’d love nothing more than to go to my room, climb into bed and close my eyes. But that’s not why I’m going to bed.
    Closing my bedroom door behind me, I get the wooden chair that sits in the corner and place the back rest under my door handle, preventing Drew from being able to open it. I go to my bed, lift the fitted sheet and slide my fingers into the hidden slot that I cut into my mattress. It’s where I keep my key, the key that was given to me by Paxton, the head of the agent training department of the Institute. I unlock my Institute-issued tracking bracelet and place it under my pillow. Slipping my feet into my boots and making my way over to the window, I slide it open as silently as possible and grab my jacket before climbing outside and sneaking away into the night.
    I half walk, half jog the few blocks to where I need to go. My breath puffs in white clouds in the crisp air, and I put my hands in my pockets to keep them warm.
    Walking past an old children’s playground behind an abandoned apartment block, the neglected swing set and broken monkey bars catch my eye. I think back to a time when I used to be able to play, carefree. Then we discovered Shilah was Defective and we never visited a playground again.
    My thoughts are disrupted by the rustling of leaves behind me. I’m quick to turn around, but with my hands in my pockets, I’m not quick enough to react and I’m knocked to the ground by someone. Trying to break my fall with my hands but failing, my head smacks the pavement. That’s going to hurt later. I’m fast to get back up on my feet though, fast to stand poised, and ready to face my attacker.
    My heart starts racing and I take in a deep breath, telling myself to concentrate on him, on the way he moves. He raises an eyebrow cockily before making his move. I block his hit, punch back, and push my way forward, all the while dodging his hits and blocking him from advancing on me. He’s ready for my punches, though, and evades every one of them. I keep lunging forward, attacking with my fists, making him retreat backwards. I don’t give him a chance to come at me. A look of realisation and defeat crosses his face when I corner him against an old oak tree. He can’t go back any farther; he can only come at me or go sideways. He’s mine. From here, I can take him out no matter