Because they never took the straitjacket off, using the toilet was an experience. At least the lack of undergarments isgood forsomething. Not looking forward to the UTI that’s sure to come from me shaking myself dry after though.
I’m also glad that my hospital gown covered all the important bits, so the sneaky camera in the corner couldn’t catch me in all my glory. They’ve seen me naked before, I know, but there’s just something so demeaning about having to pee in front of others.
I managed to only go once today, which is a new record for me. It’s possible it’s been longer though, since I have no clue how many days I’ve been here.
There are no clocks or anything either. I only know that my meal was considered dinner because the pathetic man said, “I’m here with your dinner, please don’t try to bite me.”
To which I replied, “As long as you don’t try to rape me, we’re good.”
He looked horrified at the suggestion, which tells me he’s either new here, or really needs to find a new job because they’ll turn him bad soon if he doesn’t.
Anyway. The point is, it’s after dinner, and all I know is I’m going to go even crazier if I have to look at these four walls another damn minute. My head has started to pound, and my fingers are itching for some blankets. Cutting an omega off from her bondmate two days after bonding really is a form of torture. Andnotthe fun kind.
I’m sure some of my symptoms might ease up if I opened the bond back up with Hayden. I’m probably making it worse by keeping him cut off from my emotions, but it’s bad enough thatoneof us has to go through this. Besides, even just feeling his presence in my chest gives me the comfort I need to focus.
I’m pacing across the room for what has to be the hundredth time when the lights get cut off.
Shit.
Suddenly, a voice echoes throughout the room, coming from speakers that must be hidden. “Goodnight, inmates of the Thornfield Asylum for the Criminally Insane. It is seven thirty, which means lights out for the evening. As usual, the lights will turn on at five in the morning. Try to get some sleep.”
Encapsulated in complete darkness, a cold sweat breaks out over my skin and I fumble, nearly tripping when my knees hit the edge of the bed. I can’t get under the covers, but given how scratchy they are, it might be for the best. Even as goosebumps start prickling up my legs, I refuse to call out for help.
It’s not like anyone would come, even if I did.
No. I need to survive until Declan can get to me. So I settle back on the threadbare mattress like a mummy, and close my eyes, forcing myself to relax. If I’m gonna get the fuck out of here, I need to be as rested as possible.
The world spins rather unpleasantly, but soon sleep overtakes me as I slip into a dream.
“I warned you, Seth!” I shout, drawing my fist back again as my other hand grips the neck of the beta asshole’s shirt. Mabel sniffles next to me, the strap of her dress broken and her makeup smeared.
I connect with his face this time, the crunch of bone under my fist doing very little to quell my anger. “Jojo, it’s okay!” Mabel pulls at my arm, trying to drag me away from the beta that just tried to assault my better half.
“It’s not fuckin’ okay, Mabel!” I snap, shaking her off as I shove the prick back down and kicking his stomach again. “You told him no!”
“Butyou got him, right?” she asks, wrapping her arms around my waist from behind and pressing her face into my shoulder blades. “He’s done, Jojo. Let’s go home. You were right, I’m sorry.”
The pathetic asshole looks up at us with watery eyes. “I’m…sorry!” he chokes out, gripping his stomach.
When I followed this dickhead up to Lookout Point on my bike after he picked Mabel up for a date, I knew he was up to no good. ItoldMabel I didn’t feel right about him. But she insisted he was “sweet”.
Sweet my ass.
She was screaming at him to stop when I yanked his driver’s side door open and held my switchblade to his throat, pulling him out of the car. And when I saw the way the strap of her dress was broken? The one that we got from the thrift store so she could sew it up nice and pretty for her date? I saw red.
“What does ‘no’ mean, dickwad?” I snarl, winding my foot back like I’m going to kick him again.
“NO!” he shouts, blood dripping from his nose. “No means no! I know that, I’m sorry! I just wanted to win the bet!”
I stiffen, and Mabel freezes behind me.
“What. Bet.” My voice is deadly quiet as I drop down to a crouch next to him.
He pales, like he knows he’s fucked up, and quickly tries to backtrack. “It’s nothin’. Nothin’ at all—”
My hand grips his hair as my switchblade comes back out, and I hold the blade to his neck. “Tell me. Now.”
“Jo!” Mabel gasps, her hands flying to her neck.
