Read Listen (Muted Trilogy Book 2) for Free Online

cell and “her” lab clear, at least when she was in the hall.
    Jemma followed orders, wearing a cooperative face but putting forth no real effort, just enough to avoid any potential wrath more disobedience may bring on her.
    Internally, she wasn’t so placid. She would find something, anything, to get herself and Jack out of this place.
    ***
    “Read this.”
    Dr. Harris was, in many ways, a lot easier for Jemma to deal with than Josh. He was detached, methodical by default, but he remained pretty easy to annoy without breaking any actual rules or guidelines. She learned just how far she could push him, when she was tired of testing in the afternoon, so he’d send her back to her cell rather than dealing with her any longer.
    He fit her expectations better, was easier to see in his role, easier to react to than Josh was. Josh was brimming with exuberance, with certainty that what they were doing was right and good. He made her skin crawl when his green eyes flashed their excitement at each experiment.
    Now, Jemma read a printout Dr. Harris held, mental tongue tripping over some of the sounds as she tried to communicate in a language she wasn’t familiar with. She thought it might be Greek.
    The monitor responded, showing Jemma’s attempt, but Dr. Harris only frowned. He typed something on his clipboard keyboard, then turned his attention to his tablet.
    Jemma waited, knowing what to expect.
    After a few minutes, the door opened, allowing Naomi to enter. The female guard who stayed with Naomi smiled, first at her charge and then at Jemma, before shutting the door. Naomi, back straight and head high, made her way over to the chair next to Jemma’s and sat, waiting for Dr. Harris’s nod before placing a hand on Jemma.
    The woman had gotten more certain of herself as her bruises faded, though she still paled significantly if there was an unexpected loud noise. Between her increase in confidence and Dr. Harris’s treatment of her when they interacted, Jemma had to admit that it looked as if Josh had been telling the truth when he’d said Naomi was there by choice.
    Her guard seemed different than the others, too; Jemma certainly hadn’t seen many of the others smiling, and definitely not at Jemma herself.
    “Let’s start with the standard greeting.” Dr. Harris’s theory was that the two women would have a better shot at hearing each other if they each knew what the other was trying to say. He explained to Naomi that it was like trying to read something that was a little blurry; if you already know what’s there, it’s easier to make out the individual letters.
    “Hello, I’m Jemma.” Jemma thought the words with the part of her mind she knew would tell the monitor she was following orders, though her mind remained otherwise silent, as expected. “What’s your name?”
    A polite nod from Dr. Harris let Naomi know it was her turn.
    I’m Naomi. It’s nice to meet you. Jemma couldn’t hear the words, but she could easily recall the script they were supposed to be sticking to. The monitor remained unmoving during Naomi’s half of the conversation.
    “How are you doing today?” Jemma’s imagined mental tone was sarcastic, overly sugared. She massaged the bridge of her nose until Naomi squeezed lightly to indicate she’d finished her part. “Oh, I’m doing great,” Jemma tried in the same tone. “I’m just being bored to death and experimented on.”
    Dr. Harris tapped on her arm, and when Jemma looked at him, he shook his head, his mouth pulled downward.
    Jemma must have sent too long a message. She’d have to try a shorter sarcastic response next time, one closer to the expected, “I’m well, thanks!” She nodded and scratched around the sensors attached to her.
    “Repeat.” Dr. Harris’s electronic voice always seemed pretty close to how he must really speak.
    Jemma and Naomi went through the script again, Jemma ending this time with, “Love being trapped!”
    “Repeat.”
    Again, the same