We’re in a suburb.
We’re where I grew up. My heart sinks, small memories flooding to me. The one bedroom my mother, Leon, and I shared. School lessons in that same room, nights where my mother was taken away and returned beaten to hell. My brain protects me from digging too deep into what happened here. But it all feels so fucking hopeless at this point.
I spent so much time making sure I didn’t end up like my mom, that I wouldn’t end up with a pack that would hurt me, that I missed the big picture. I was never as fucking safe as I thought I was with the Dead Palms. The sinking feeling that history is going to repeat itself haunts me as I step away from the window, my fate becoming clearer with every second that ticks by.
They’re never going to find me. I’m going to die here, just like my mom was supposed to.
I cryfor what feels like hours, just petting Shelby’s head. I think it’s for my own comfort, not hers.
But eventually, she stirs with a groan. Her hand automatically cups her now purple and green-tinted chin.
“Fuck,” she grumbles as she sits up on the mattress, her back flat against the wall. Her chin tilts up toward the ceiling, and she exhales dramatically.
“Shelby, I’m so sorry.” She doesn’t look at me, just stares at the ceiling, taking in our current situation.
“It’s not your fault. We just need to figure out how the fuck we’re getting out of here,” she responds confidently as she looks around the room.
“We’re in a normal house in the middle of the suburbs, Shelby. They aren’t going to find us. There’s no way out.”
“I’m not counting on them finding us,” she dismisses, standing with a wince and favoring her left leg. Shelby is taller than me and has no issue looking out the window. The window can’t be but a foot wide and tall. There’s no escaping that way.
“You don’t understand. My mom was kept here for a decade,” I confess, lowering my voice.
Shelby has a scowl on her face as she gets down onto her haunches and points at me. “You’re not your mother, and I sure as fuck am not going to spend the rest of my life here. I need you to get it together.” My head just shakes, making Shelby growl in frustration. She grabs my left hand, forcing me to look at the engagement ring I’ve only worn for today. “You want to see himagain?” I nod my head. “Then stop acting like this is the end of our lives, get your shit together and fucking fight, Lily,” she practically yells at me.
The door immediately flings open. It’s Reg and the other guy from the van—I don’t know his name.
“Was wonderin’ when your mouthy-ass was gonna wake up,” nameless says.
Shelby doesn’t say anything, just crosses her arms over her chest and glares at the men.
Reg smirks and takes three strides to get into her space. He grabs her jaw roughly, causing her to wince but she doesn’t give anything else away. I’m sure it has to hurt with how bruised her face is. “Listen here, girl. You’re a Beta. A dime a fuckin’ dozen, you hear me? You’re lucky you’re pretty or we would have just dumped you on the way here. Fall in line, or else,” he seethes.
Shelby literally spits in his face. “Fuck you.”
Reg grabs her arm above the elbow and at the wrist. I watch in absolute terror as he breaks her arm. The snap is loud, and the scream that rips out of Shelby is horrific and brain-shattering. Reg steps away, and Shelby spits at him again.
God, does she wanna die?As much as I admire her, I need her to stop, or she’ll get herself killed. We need to stick together and figure out a plan; if we get separated I’m not sure we would stand a chance.
Reg takes another step towards her, and the other man puts a hand on his shoulder.
“Back up, man.”
“Fine, you deal with this fucking mess, Tex.”
I search my brain for a Tex but don’t come up with anything. They both acted like they knew me in the van, but seeing their faces, there’s no recollection on my end.
Tex pulls out a knife and holds it in front of Shelby’s face. She doesn’t break or falter, she just glares. Part of me wishes I was asstrong as her, but she’s also covered in bruises and has a broken arm, so I’m not sure if she has the right idea.
“Maybe it’s not her we need to hurt,” he suggests before turning his gaze to me. I back up as far away as I can until I’m cornered. He grabs my chin but turns to speak to Shelby. “From now on, when you act out, she’s the one who pays the price.”
He takes the tip of his knife and places it against my cheekbone. I’m gripping the covers for dear life as Shelby finally speaks up.
“Wait! No. Don’t hurt her. I won’t cause any more problems.” Her voice is panicked for the first time since we got here, and I swallow thickly. I feel like I might throw up from fear as he applies more pressure against my skin, just enough to make me wince.
“Lessons need to be learned,” he tsks as the blade digs into my flesh, and he tugs downward on my face. I scream while he does it, but he doesn’t stop for Shelby’s pleading or my pain-riddled cries.
Once he’s done, he tucks his knife away and grabs my chin. Blood pools over his knuckles as he holds me. “Such a shame, really,” he sneers, glaring at my face for a moment before both of them leave the room. My tears sting as they flow into the wound.
