The man sniffs, lifting his bald head to peer down the hall. “You know where I’m going. Is Cara in?”
The blonde trails her hand up his chest until it snakes around his neck. “She’s such a bore. Why don’t you try me out tonight?”
To anyone looking in, she seems interested, but to me, she sounds terrified. It’s in the cadence of her voice and how her body isn’t fully turned toward this man. She’s repulsed by him.
“Oh?” Michael purrs before wrapping his forearm around her lower back and pulling her roughly against him.
For a brief moment, I see the fear flicker in Luna’s eyes. She covers it quickly before reaching for the door and closing it so I can’t see the scene about to unfold. I don’t even breathe as I hear their receding steps.
Where are they going?
My question is answered a moment later when the floor above me squeaks. The door to the room opens, and a fieryredhead walks in with purpose. She brushes past me, grabbing a pillow from the bed before pointing at the duvet.
“Sit,” She commands in a raspy voice. I sink down, and she covers my ears with the pillow before placing my hands over my ears. The sounds are muffled as she stares at me. “Don’t move the pillow.”
I nod.
“I’m Silver, by the way.” She leaves me with that parting gift, closing the door behind her.
I know what the pillow is for. It isn’t a secret, and it does nothing to drown out the horrid screams from upstairs. I sit unmoving as I listen to Luna’s voice become so loud that it cracks. There are loud thuds and the sound of skin slapping. It sounds brutal.
Every slam makes me wince. Every scream has my breath gasping past my lips. Every moment that my friend goes quiet twists like a knife in my chest.
Is she okay?
Is she…
This goes on for hours. Not minutes.Hours. The sun has long set outside the window, and time begins to bleed together. I don’t remove the pillow. Even when I feel the hot, heavy tears trickling down my cheeks. I can only sob brokenly as I wait for Luna to return. Praying she returns.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Rosalie
When the door finally clicks open, I hold my breath. Luna stumbles in on shaky legs, her hair tousled and knotted, and her clothes half hanging off her frame. The worst of all?Her eyes.
They’re dead. No light. No warmth.Nothing.
Her legs buckle, and I stand abruptly, tossing my pillow aside as I run to her aid. I crouch down, my hands hovering over her as she stares at the floor with unblinking eyes.
“Luna—”
“DON’T TOUCH ME!” She screams, shoving me away with so much force that I hit my ass and the air is knocked out of me.
I blink in surprise at her, watching as she curls her shaky arms around her abdomen and tucks her head. She’s gasping for air, her tears falling to the floor as she sobs.
Silver comes into the room with a blanket in her hands. She lays it across Luna’s shoulders before guiding her up. The redhead hums lightly, a soothing tune like a lullaby, as she helps situate the blonde on the bed.
“Don’t take it personally,” Silver says low.
More women gather by the door, their faces downcast and their eyes filled with worry as we watch Luna disassociate. The air is heavy and thick, and no one moves an inch.
Luna starts to get color back in her cheeks as her crying quiets, and she sniffles roughly. “Everyone, this is Rose.”
There are a few murmured ‘hellos’ as the blonde gathers her strength. When she turns her head towards me, my chest pangs at what I see. Another piece of her soul is broken.
“I’m…” She gasps, her face twisting. “I’m sorry I pushed you.”
I shake my head. “Don’t apologize.”
