The Recall Trials Chapter 44: When No One Can Hear Us

The tension Nomi stirred up earlier still clung to . But before I could even begin to overthink it, the overhead speakers crackled to life.

"DINNER IS NOW BEING SERVED."

The masked guards filed in carrying those identical tal plates with overcooked rice, grayish protein cubes, and a side of... well, whatever that mush was supposed to be. The texture was always rubbery, like they were made in a lab. I stared at mine, poking it with a fork.

"I don’t even know if this counts as food," I muttered under my breath.

People were too quiet tonight. Suspicion did that to a room.

We ate in silence. A few whispered exchanges here and there, but mostly just the sound of chewing and tal scraping against tal.

After dinner, the lights dimd automatically. We all knew what that ant.

Lights Out.

The bunkroom fell into a low, humming blue hue lit only by the soft safety light spilling in from the hallway. Everyone started settling in. So people were already snoring. Others just lay in bed, eyes open, minds racing.

I lay on my bed, arms behind my head, trying to force my brain to shut up. But I could still feel the fear and tension in the air.

That’s when I felt her.

Zaara.

Her warm, subtle scent hit first. Then her breath, brushed against my cheek.

"Zaara?" I whispered, turning my head slightly. "Why aren’t you sleeping?"

She was standing right there beside in the dark. Barefoot, arms wrapped around herself..

She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she gently crawled closer.

"I’m scared, Vincent," she said, almost too softly to hear.

"What if..." she hesitated. "What if I’m the wildcard? And I just don’t know it?"

Her voice cracked at the end. Like she hated even saying it out loud.

I let out a quiet, startled laugh..but then quickly stopped, glancing around to make sure no one else stirred.

I reached for her wrist gently, pulling her closer.

"No, Zaara. That’s not possible," I whispered, leaning in closer. "You’re not the wildcard."

She looked down, then up. Her eyes were glassy but steady.

"Can I stay here tonight?" she asked. "Just... right here. With you?"

My brain short-circuited for a second. Did I hear that right?

I nodded way too fast, then tapped the edge of my bed. "Yeah... yeah, of course."

She slid under the thin covers beside . The bed was barely built for one person, let alone two. Her body curled beside mine. I shifted, trying to make room. Not easy with my giant fra, but I’d sleep hanging off the damn edge if it ant she felt safe.

She laid on her side, her face turned toward mine, eyes fluttering closed. I couldn’t help it...I just... watched her. The way her lashes curved. The way her lips parted with every soft breath. She looked so calm like this. I

reached out gently,

Gently, my fingers trace the bridge of her nose, the curve of her cheek, the edge of her lips.

She blinked slowly, her lashes fluttering as she opened her eyes and smiled.

"Aren’t you going to sleep?" she whispered.

I smiled a little, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear.

"Not yet," I whispered back. "Because right now, for the first ti in this nightmare... it feels like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be."

She stared at for a second.

Then... she leaned in.

And kissed .

Her lips were soft...nervous at first, then bolder. We moved slowly. My hand found the back of her neck, fingers threading through her hair as our lips pressed deeper.

"Vincent, stop... soone might hear us," she whispered softly against my ear. It was ant to be a warning but it ca out that it sounded like a moan, like she was torn between wanting to be careful and needing just as badly as I needed her.

Anyone could walk by. But her body didn’t pull away. Neither did mine.

I moved slower now, fingers brushing the zipper of her jumpsuit, easing it down inch by inch until I felt the warmth of her skin underneath. She trembled..not from fear, but sothing else. My hand slid lower, between her legs, and her breath caught. Then, a soft, helpless moan, muffled, but right against my neck. It drove crazy.

"Vincent..." she whispered again, my na barely ford on her lips as I touched her. My fingers moved gently, and I felt how wet she already was. It wrecked . She tasted just as perfect as I rembered...sweet, intoxicating. I couldn’t stop myself from tasting her again, needing to feel that connection, that softness.

Then her hand slid down to my crotch. I stiffened. She pressed her palm over , her fingers tracing the outline of what she felt.

"Oh my god..." she whispered.

"Can I try it?" Her voice was shaky, like she was both scared and brave.

Sothing in shifted. I felt that tight pull in my chest again..the sa one I always got around her. Like wanting her wasn’t just physical. Like needing her ant sothing dangerous.

"I—" My voice caught. I had to swallow to speak. "You sure?"

She nodded, slowly. "Please," she whispered. Those puppy eyes could’ve destroyed .

I didn’t even think. I just nodded. "Co on," I whispered. "Let’s go to the restroom."

We tiptoed like we were running from sothing..

Once inside, I turned the shower on, letting the sound of water drown everything else.

I stepped toward her. She didn’t move back.

I leaned in and kissed her...slow at first, then harder. Her hands clutched my arms, fingers digging into like she needed to hold on. Water stread down over us, soaking our clothes, making everything cling and blur.

My hands slid up her back, then down to her waist, as she shivered.

I pulled back, just a little, enough to look into her eyes. Her hair was damp, even her breathing was uneven.

I reached for her zipper again. "Are you sure?"