I sobered, and blinked, confused by Carlos’s concerned expression.
“It’s okay, don’t cry. See, I’m not crying,” I pointed to my face and noticed the needle taped to my hand.When did that get there?I shook my arm like I could get it fall off, but someone held my hand. Dark eyes met mine and I studied the unfamiliar face.
“Do I know you?”
“No. You don’t know me,” the man responded.
“Shiloh, did Peter rape you?”
I looked back at Carlos, thinking hard.
“Um…well, how does that work? Like, does it count as rape if his dick wasn’t you know…downthere? ‘Cause technically, Kush was the one…” I grimaced, unable to get the rest of the words out. “Which is why I stabbed him. I just wanted him to stop. Stop before he finished.”
“Fuck,” Adrian cursed under his breath.
“I’m sorry. Do you know him?” I asked turning to Adrian. “Do you think he’s gonna try and take the baby?”
“For Christ’s sake,” the stranger kneeling beside me muttered. “You said you weren’t pregnant. Are you pregnant?”
“N-n-no,” the laughter was there as I tried to find the right words. “Maybe,” I giggled. “Sorry, it’s not funny. It’s just, it’s only been three days. I can’t be pregnant already, can I?”
The man smiled sadly and shook his head.
“No, cariño,” he said, patting my hand gently.
I sighed with relief.
“Oh, good. Can you imagine what the baby would’ve looked like? The worst match of DNA. Poor thing would’ve been bullied its whole life if it looked anything like me.”
I laughed to myself, cradling an imaginary baby in my arms.
I suddenly yawned, my eyes feeling too heavy to open.
“Can the baby and I just take alittlenap?” I said, pinching my finger and thumb together.
I looked down, realizing my arms were actually empty and laughed. “Wait…” I laughed hysterically, my eyes starting to water. “I’m gonna pee,” I wheezed.
I squirmed in my chair, clutching my stomach as I gasped for air between chuckles.
“She’ll probably be out for at least an hour or two,” the man on the floor beside me said.
I was suddenly lifted from my chair, and I careened, laughing all over again when I nearly fell to the floor. Adrian propped me on the couch beside the fireplace, and I slouched over onto the arm, not enough energy to get into a comfortable position.
“Sleep,” Carlos’s face filled my vision between slow blinks. “We’ll talk when you wake.”
Nine
October 5, Tuesday
Shiloh
Igroaned, stretching out my stiff body and recoiling at the sharp pain in my ribs. “Fuck.”
I was tired. Tired of being tired. Tired of being in pain. So fucking tired.
The sound of crackling firewood registered in my awareness, and I forced my eyes open. I turned my head to the side to see Carlos at his desk, typing on his laptop.
I slowly sat up, my head a little woozy, and attempted to stand. My legs weren’t having it, and I landed back on my ass on the couch with a whine.
