I glanced at the boy, another one I’d never remember the name of. His hair was a bit crazy atop his head, slightly damp from the shower he took earlier.
“Okay.”
This boy wasn’t much different than the others. He knew life and how it worked for us, so his tears were far and in between. Yet, the thing that bothered me the most was the fact he was so freaking young. Eleven years old and in a place like this. I knew it could be worse for any of us, though.
As I finished, the boy stood right there beside me, hands folded across his chest. His chubby cheeks were adorable, and the dimples showed when he smiled. However, the light in his eyes was long gone.
He knew just like I did, that life wasn’t going to be any better.
“What’s your name again?” I asked, running a brush through my hair.
“It’s whatever you want to call me.”
“I’m not-“ my words were cut off by Will. Did he always have to butt in?
“His name is Slut. He loves cock, don’t you baby?” Will pulled the boy into a tight hug, I could see his grimace of pain.
“Stop it,” I huffed but kept my hands to myself. I wanted to shove Will away from the frightened boy.
“Make me.”
Oh, he had the guts didn’t he?
I shot Will a glare while setting down my brush. I’d love to do something, anything.
“I’m sorry?” The boy whimpered, trying and failing to pull away. “I won’t talk-“
“That’s right,” Will said, shooting the fakest smile toward him. “You won’t talk. At all. To anyone. I’m going to be in charge of things here soon. Erik isn't going to be around to save you, Slut. Or anyone for that matter.”
“You wish,” I huffed, having had enough. Picking on me was one thing. But putting that attention on another boy who didn’t know what to expect, or how to act, wasn’t right. “Your days are numbered, number five.”
That got Will’s attention, along with everyone else in the room. At least it got the boy to get a chance to step away. Only because Will’s hand grabbed ahold of my shirt, pulling me towards him.
“It’s your days that are numbered, cocksucker.”
I don’t know what came over me. Maybe it was because I was tired of being bullied by him. This place was meant to be our safe spot, to rest and unwind when we weren’t needed. Or maybe I just knew that death was closer each day that passed.
With a mouthful of spit, I spat it right into Will’s face. His face darkened in shock as he shoved me away, causing me to hit a bedpost.
“You fucker!”
Before Will could charge at me, Erik had a tight grip on the back of his neck, holding him in place.
“You will calm down, or so help me...” Erik seethed.
“What?” Will dared, even though he didn’t fight the hold. His eyes were glaring daggers at me. “What will you do that hasn’t been done to me already?”
“That is enough.” The voice echoed around the room, causing everyone to freeze and hold their breath.
I slowly turned my eyes to the group of men that entered.
Never before had others stepped into this room. Not when a boy had a fever. Not when one threatened to kill himself. And not when someone was taken away, never to return.
Erik and Will must have thought the same thing, as they instantly parted, stepping away from each other as if they had never been touching.
I couldn’t drop my eyes from not only Carson, but also two others. They each had a gun on their hips, eyes dark and expressions blank.
“You,” Carson pointed to the three of us. “Care to explain?”
