She felt sick. Every touch, every moment of passion now felt like a calculated move in a game she had thought she was done playing. She thought she had finally found a real connection in a world of shadows, but to him, she was just another project.
Before Max could find the words to defend himself, a blood-curdling scream ripped through the wall from the next room. It was Nancy.
Ruby didn't wait. Ignoring the white-hot agony in her shoulder and the dizzying spin of the room, she ripped the IV line from her hand. A bead of blood bloomed on her skin, but she didn't care. She pushed past Max, her legs feeling like lead as she stumbled into the hallway.
"Ruby, stop! You're bleeding!" Max shouted, reaching for her.
"Don't touch me!" she hissed, her eyes wild. "Stay away from me, Max."
