The next morning, I was woken up by a doctor with calming meds. If I wanted to leave my room today, I'd have to assure them I was okay It took a full hour of assuring him I was fine. I lied about what Moth had said.
"He was teasing me about not havingvisitors."
"When you said, 'You don't get to say her name.' Who were you referring to?"
"His victim. He was bragging about it."
"I see, and you feel a certain protection over the dead girl."
I furrowed my brows in confusion. Did he not care that Moth was openly admitting to murder?
"Not really. I don't like being around someone who brags about killing people."
"Is it because you feel guilty about what you did?"
Hardly.
"I don't know what you're talking about." I wanted to roll my eyes but refrained. They'd been trying since day one to get me to confess to Marco's death, but I wasn't that easy. I especially wasn't being taken down by a guy who called himself Moth. "I can't feel guilt for something I didn't do. I feel anger that I'm stuck here, while he gets to go free just because his family has some ties to people in town."
The doctor sighed. "Have you ever considered that it's not solely that his family is wealthy, but that Moth acknowledges and admits to his crimes? He's taking accountability for killing that woman. They say the unknown is far scarier than the monster you do know. When Moth leaves Cunningham, he'll be monitored and given little opportunity to kill again. We know his triggers and how to help him not have the urge ." He stood, and went to the door, unlocking it. "With you, we have no idea where to start. So you might want to make friends. A lifetime can be very lonely here."
Rule 30 - Delaney
Don’t get locked in… anywhere.
Iwoke up in the morning to my entire body stiff and sore. I stood on shaky legs and went to the mirror. I had bruises on my neck and thighs, but otherwise... I looked like I'd had the time of my life.
The bed had a big stain on it, which was embarrassing. I pulled the sheets off, tossed them in the corner, and called to request new bedding.
I was grateful that Priest wasn't around so that I could shower and change in peace. After what had been so brutally brought back to my mind last night after those moments of complete passion, I wasn't sure if I could look at Priest the same. He'd killed Marco Brandis because of me. I reminded myself as I put my makeup on to text Moth and ask what he knew about Cunningham's, and any details from him and Priest's time there.
I was exiting my room with my laptop in tow just as a maid was coming down the hall with new blankets. I hurried away, mildly embarrassed about what she'd find when she entered my room and ran straight into a hard, familiar chest.
"Priest!" I gasped as his hands went around me. Ipushed back, scurrying out of his arms. "You scared me!" I looked up into his eyes. They had large bags under them, and his smile was weak.
"Sorry. You okay?" he asked.I patted my bag on my side.
"I'm fine. I was just—" I paused, but then decided it was time to rip off the Band-Aid for good. "I'm going to go see if Moth wants to do some writing together."
"Fun," he said in a dull tone and went into his room as if he didn't care. Maybe he didn't, I realized, as I stared after him. Good. This was how things should be. He shouldn't care who I was sleeping with. I took a deep breath and went downstairs, texting Moth on the way.
Me: Where you at? We should write together today.
The response came much later.
Moth: Not feeling great. Gonna sleep in. Hit me up later.
"Delaney, are we still on for that today?" Tristan pulled me from my phone.
"On for what?"
"Our class on the human body. You were going to pose for us."
My heart skipped a beat as I remembered what I'd agreed to. He wanted me to be nude. "Oh, I mean, sure. We've been kind of relaxed with everything so I wasn't sure if we were still doing that."
"Yes, well, I'd like to get in a few of the things I had planned before the week is out. Although it looks like we may be stuck a day or two longer. We're still blocked in." Hefrowned. "How about after lunch? That'll give me time to prepare the room and run you through the details."
"Sure." I agreed and promised to meet him in an hour in the Delambre room for a briefing. My stomach churned with unease as I set my laptop up and attempted to write during that hour. I had so desperately wanted to write a passionate story during this week. Something to show off to that agent who told me I sucked, but everything that inspired me to write was so... dark.I couldn't show a soul.
