“What did you do? God damnit, Presley. We fucking need you. You don’t get to kill yourself! Not today! Not ever! Just like your fucking mother!”
“We will get what we want! Fuck!”
Hearing that voice tells me all I need to know. I didn’t cut deep enough. I didn’t drag the blade long enough to take all the pain away.
So many voices cloud my mind and my body is lifted and thrashed around. Something is wrapped around my wrists. They burn something fierce, and my body feels like jello. Something is placed over my mouth and air is forced into my lungs.No! No! No! I don’t want to fucking live.My mind screams through the clouds of darkness, then I feel warmth in my hand, and as fast as that electrical current flowed through my body, it’s just as quickly taken away.
“Get the fuck off of me,”
I know that voice.Beast? Is that you? No! Don’t let him see me like this. No! No! No!I scream in my head, wishing my voice worked, but at the same time… he needs to let me go. They all do, but fuck.I just want to die. Make it easier for everyone if I’m just not breathing anymore.
“Is she stable?”that fucking voice asks.Lie. Please lie, and say I’m dead. For the love of god, don’t tell him anything.
“She is. She will need a transfusion for the blood loss,”someone says, and my heart drops.You were supposed to lie, you fucking idiot. He’s a monster! Don’t you see it?
“Take her to this address. A team of medics will be waiting at the entrance,”he tells her.
“Sir, I—”
“Do it, here’s some cash. I’ll have more once we get there,”he tells her.No! Don’t take it! Please don’t do it.
“Fine! We will see you there, Sir,” shetells him, and I want to scream and thrash in this bed.I need out. I need to wake up and run.I can’t go wherever they are taking me. I need to open my eyes and tell them what he did to me. Drop me off on the side of the road. I’ll make it to the guys on my own.Just please. I need to wake up!I scream internally, but then a pinch in my arm has my mind spinning, and everything goes black.
Gasping awake, my eyes snap open, and the first thing I notice is my throat feels like sandpaper and the lights are dim. I look around and see I’m all alone. I release a breath as tears fall down my cheeks. I really thought I was free, but this just proves I don’t have what it takes to actually take my life—that thought alone kills me.
How long have I been here?I see the sun trying to peek through the blinds but there’s nothing else in this room to tell me what day it is. Spotting a clock on the far wall reading its 4:15.
Leaning my head back, I shut my eyes and take slow breaths as my heart begins beating rapidly. I move my wrists and they ache, causing me to cry out. I reach for the blanket, but I can’t, my wrists are too weak to do much of anything.Fuck, I need to get out of this goddamn bed.Trying again, I bite my lip and use my legs to remove the blanket covering me. I growl as the bandages on my thighs cut into my skin, but I finally sit up, swinging my legs over the edge, and then I look down at my hands. They are clean–no sign of blood—my wrists are wrapped and I’m dressed in a gown. This place doesn’t look likea hospital. I’m not hooked up to any monitors and the bed is just a cot.Where the fuck am I?
Placing my feet on the ground, thanking the lord above that I have grippy socks on so I won’t slip when I stand. My legs feel like jelly, but I take a step and get my bearings. My dark hair falls in my face, and I wince as I lift my arm to tuck the fallen strand behind my ear.This is going to be a problem. I should be dead. I didn’t plan to actually wake up and deal with the pain this would cause me.
Slowly, I take more steps to find the door. On my left are the windows and to my right beyond the wall my bed is against is the damn door. I need to get the hell out of here. It’s open and people are walking around in the hallway. Stepping towards it, I try to clear my throat to call out for help, but nothing comes. So I keep walking, making it into the hallway. I look left then right, not sure which way to go so I choose left and walk aimlessly around, trying to find someone to help me or an exit, because fuck this. If no one wants to pay attention to me, then I’ll just leave.Fuck it.Picking up my pace, someone shouts from behind me.
“Ma’am. Where are you going? Get back to your room,” he shouts, and I start moving faster, holding onto the wall for support as he runs after me. Taking a right down another hall, I see a sign that says exit.Fuck yes.I pick up my pace the best that I can as my thighs rub together, making me bite my lip from the pain. Glancing behind me as the man in white is gaining on me, I turn to look forward to see how close I am to the finish line but slam into someone else and fall to my ass. I wince at the pain shooting up my spine then look up as a tall blond man in a suit looks down at me with his head tilted.
“Hello, dear, it seems we have a broken little doll roaming the halls,” he states, sticking his hand out for me to grab, but I crawl back, trying not to apply pressure on my wrists with themovement. “Now, now. Don’t make this difficult. Be a good girl and let me help you,” he says, stepping towards me, but I keep moving back. Heavy footsteps pound behind me then stop at my back.
“Got ya,” he taunts, bending down and lifting me under my arm pits. I thrash in his hold but he just laughs. “Settle down or I’m going to have to sedate you,” he warns, and I still. I don’t want to be sedated. I don’t know where the fuck I am. I don’t know what day it is. I can’t lose anymore time.
“See, that’s a good girl. Carl bring Miss Hart to my office. I was just coming to get her anyway,” he says as Carl manhandles me down the hallway towards this other guy's office. Once inside, he places me down in a seat across from the long desk. The blond man rounds it and sits in his leather chair. “Miss Hart. I’m Master Callaghan. You can call me Master,” he introduces himself, but I don’t care. I want out of here.
“Wh-e-re am I-I?” I rasp, then wince as I grab my throat.Jesus, its burns.
“Would you like something to drink, Miss Hart?” he asks, and I nod.
“Y-yes, P-plea-se,” I stutter, and he nods, snapping his fingers at Carl. He leaves the room only to return seconds later with a cup of ice water. He hands it to me and I take a long gulp, reveling in the cold soothing my aching throat. Once I’m finished, I hand it to him.
“Can I have more please?” I ask, and Master nods.
“Bring a pitcher please,” he tells Carl, and again, he leaves the room and comes back quickly. Refilling my cup, I drink more, then clear my throat. My eyes collide with Master’s and I smile.
“Thank you,” I say, and he returns the smile.
“You’re very welcome, Little Doll,” he says.Eww. I don’t like that name at all, and the look in his eyes tells me he is just like the rest of them.“You are at Hillsboro Institute. Jake RadleySenior brought you in a few days ago,” he informs me, and my brows lift.Axel’s here. My Fallen Angel. I need to find him.
“A few days ago? I was out for that long?” I ask, shocked that I lost so much time.
“Yes, dear. You weren’t in good shape when you arrived so you needed to rest. I’m glad to see you awake. We have a few things to talk about,” he states, and I take a deep breath.
