Total pages in book: 20
Estimated words: 18406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 74(@250wpm)___ 61(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 18406 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 92(@200wpm)___ 74(@250wpm)___ 61(@300wpm)
The gravity of his discovery hits me, and I take a sharp breath. "Really? So you think this is personal?"
"Very," he replies, his voice a low growl. "And dangerous."
The protection and determination in his eyes ignites something inside of me. We both know the stakes have just risen, and the urgency of our mission is now intertwined with our growing connection. We step outside the tent, the night air cool against our skin. The colorful tents and twinkling lights of the circus create a stark contrast to our serious discussion. We stand on the edge of the grounds, the distant laughter of circus patrons providing a backdrop to our conversation.
"I never thought the circus would be a battlefield," I say, my voice tinged with a mix of humor and frustration. "But here we are."
Jasper chuckles softly, the sound sending a shiver down my spine. "Life has a way of surprising us."
As we share our theories and fears, our hands brush. The touch lingers, a spark igniting between us. Jasper's protective instincts and my growing trust in him deepen my pull to him, the lines between professional and personal blurring.
"Jasper," I whisper, my eyes locked on his. "I don’t think I said this before, but thank you for saving me. And for...everything."
His gaze softens, a look of vulnerability surfacing. "I'll always protect you, Lila."
Our faces inch closer, the world around us fading as the moment stretches. The night air is thick with tension and unspoken emotions, the promise of something more hanging in the air. Just as our lips are about to meet, a voice breaks through the silence.
"Lila! Jasper!" Another performer calls out, his voice tinged with urgency. "We need you back at the main tent. There's been another incident."
The moment shatters, and we pull apart, reality crashing back in. Jasper's eyes flicker with frustration and determination. "Duty calls."
I nod, a mix of disappointment and resolve settling in my chest. "Let's go."
As we head back to the main tent, the intensity of our almost-kiss lingers, my body hums with the promise of what could be. The investigation continues, but now, the stakes are even higher, and the connection between us is more intoxicating than ever.
Chapter Four
Jasper
I’m back in the briefing room, the sterile smell of disinfectant thick in the air. The room is stark, devoid of any personal touches, just white walls and a large screen displaying complex diagrams. I sit among other soldiers, all of us in uniform, all of us silent and attentive. The projector hums softly, the only sound breaking the tense quiet.
The officer stands at the front, his presence commanding. He begins his explanation, his voice carrying an authoritative edge. “Gentlemen, what you’re about to hear is classified. This project’s goal is to use mind control and psychological manipulation for covert operations.”
I glance around, noting the serious, focused expressions on the faces of my comrades. I feel a knot of apprehension tighten in my stomach, but I force myself to listen. This is what I signed up for, isn’t it? To serve my country, to be a part of something bigger. Yet, as the officer delves deeper into the details, my curiosity is tinged with unease.
The scribbling of notes fills the room, each soldier diligently recording the information. I jot down key points, but my mind drifts, questioning the morality of such a project. The officer’s voice drones on, detailing the techniques and their potential applications. I swallow hard, my mouth dry. This isn’t what I envisioned when I joined the military.
The memory fades, and I’m back under the big top, sitting in a secluded corner with Lila. The circus is quiet now, the only light coming from a nearby lantern casting soft shadows on our faces. I can feel her eyes on me, waiting for an explanation. My past has caught up with me, and I need to tell her the truth.
I take a deep breath, hesitating. My eyes are distant, staring at a past I can’t escape. “Lila, there’s something you need to know,” I start, my voice tinged with regret. “I was part of a secret military project.”
She leans in closer, her expression a mix of shock and empathy. “What kind of project?”
“A lot of mind control and psychological manipulation techniques,” I say, each word heavy with the weight of my past. “They wanted to use it for covert operations. It sounded...necessary at the time.”
I can see the conflict in her eyes, the struggle to reconcile this new information with the man she knows.
“How did it go wrong?” she asks, her voice barely a whisper.
Another flashback pulls me into the dimly lit laboratory. Monitors showing brainwave patterns line the walls, the eerie glow casting long shadows. I watch as a fellow soldier undergoes the experiment, his face contorted with pain and fear. The scientists around us seem unfazed, their focus entirely on the data.