His joy at hearing Lita ’ s voice vanished the instant his brain processed what her words meant . Nikki ’ s gone . Nikki ’ s gone . A stone fell into the pit of his stomach , melting into a wave of despair and horror that flooded his system .
“ W-What ?” he said finally . “ I mean , when ? When did he take her ?”
“ I don ’ t know ,” Lita replied . “ While we were all sleeping , I guess .” She started to cry as she added , “ All I know is , we woke up and Annie said the door to her cell was open . And Nikki wouldn ’ t respond when we called to her .”
How did I sleep through that ? Grey wondered , horrified . I was right next to them ! Why didn ’ t they wake me ?
Suddenly , a loud , keening wail filled the lockup . Grey didn ’ t recognize who was wailing , nor did he recognize her when she spoke . “ Why did he take her ? Why not me ? I would give up my life for Nikki ! Why ? Why the fuck ? God , why fucking why ?”
It was the F-bombs that helped him place the voice . “ Knives ?”
Knives ’ anguish dissolved back into wails . In that moment , Grey understood why Knives had been so violent and angry after Old Man had strangled Nikki , and why she was so upset now . “ Oh Knives ,” he said . “ I ’ m so sorry .” If Knives heard him , she didn ’ t reply . Instead , she shouted , “ You goddamn fuck ! You better hope I don ’ t get out of this fucking cell ! You hear me , you son of a bitch ? If I get out , I ’ m going to feed your balls to you ! Then I ’ m
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