Trapped?
My heart aches as I turn to my former friend, his lime eyes meeting mine. “What did you do to him?” I keep my voice down, afraid if Sullen hears me, he will be more scared.
As it is, I don’t know what he’s afraid of now except perhaps his own memories.
“I told you,” Cosmo says coldly. “I stripped him. To ensure he didn’t have any hidden weapons.” He inclines his head, as if to indicate the knife I hold. “I can’t take chances with either of you, it seems.”
“That’s all?” But even as I ask, I know it’s more than enough. That would be worse than a blow to Sullen.
Pressure builds behind my eyes. To Cosmo, it’s silly. Stupid. But tomymonster, tome,it’s everything.
“Isn’t that enough?” Cosmo counters.
Maybe he realizes it isn’t stupid at all. My breath catches, wondering how Sullen reacted when Cosmo stripped him. He said he seemed fine, which is exactly how I know he wasn’t.
“Did you lock him in here?” I turn to stare at the door.
Sullen is still murmuring behind it. I don’t know how long he’s been here. I don’t know how many hours have lapsed between lying on the floor as a man tried to kill me and now. I don’t know if the man’s body has been moved.
I don’t know anything at all, except I want to go through that door. I will tear it down if I have to.
“The door is built that way.” Cosmo inclines his head toward it.
I see the small sliver of a lock on the outside.
Then on the floor is a silver bar that has to be pulled out of place to allow entrance.
He was locked in this room many times before, wasn’t he?
By Stein.
What did he endure here?
What is reliving, even now?
Did he die here, in his mind? Did he ever get up and leave this place? Was I the only piece of sanity he had left?
I don’t say anything to Cosmo.
I step forward, then crouch down. I ignore the pains along my body, my throat, my side.
I disengage the clunky bar with my free hand and watch as a corner of the door seems to pop a little with the relief of tension.
Sullen’s murmurs stop.
He is silent beyond.
I think I should warn him I am coming in.
I open my mouth as I dart my fingers to the doorknob, but Cosmo’s hand comes to my elbow, grabbing me, startling me to stillness.
I think about stabbing him.
“I don’t want you in there alone with him.”
I close my eyes tight, but I don’t move. “I don’t give a fuck what you want.”
“You need to eat. You look unwell. I want to examine your throat.” He lists each thing off like he’s reciting a checklist. “You should probably have some water. Just come downstairs with me, then we’ll return. You wanted me to take you to him and I did. You hear him. Now, let’s talk.”
