Could I?
Thayer will be pissed. I know he will. I don’t want to be stupid, but at the same time, I may never get this opportunity again.
I wonder how long he’ll be.
Voices approach the door again. I listen, wondering if it’s Thayer, but neither of the voices sound like him. They pause in front of the door. I know immediately that they’re coming in. I look wildly around the room for a place to escape to or hide. I see a closet door and pray to the gods that it opens. I bolt to the door and grab the handle, relief washing through me when it turns. I yank it open and slide inside, pulling it closed behind me as the door to this room opens.
There’s only one problem: this was not a closet door, but a door that leads to another room.
I wish I had my cell phone so I could text Thayer. If he comes back and finds me gone…
I stand by the door and listen, as I observe the room in front of me. It’s another community room of sorts, this one apparently geared toward activities that aren’t actually sexual or deviant.
Meditation pillows, yoga blocks, and a small table with tissues and a few small potted succulents sit in one nook. It looks cozy and welcoming, with ivory walls and calming music. Another side of the room houses a small library of books, modern, streamlined chairs that look comfortable, and another small section with canvas and paints.
I hear someone enter the room I just left. I need to find a place to hide, but when I hear their words, I can’t move. I’m frozen in place, mesmerized.
“What do I expect from you, pet?”
There’s a small cry. “That I show deference and humility, sir.”
My cheeks flame. My pulse races. I’m having a hard time breathing.
“Mmm. What else?”
“That I follow your instructions without question.”
I stand, transfixed, even as I know I shouldn’t be here where just anyone can see me.
“This is an important lesson you need to heed. You must learn to control your temper because you know I hold you to a higher standard. And what happens when you speak out of turn?”
What happens? Oh my God, I need to know what happens.
This is a private conversation, though. I shouldn’t be here, listening. It’s wrong. And since I can’t go back in that room, I should maybe… find Thayer.
If I act like I belong here, no one would notice me, I reason. I’ll just sneak away?—
“Hello?” The voice is behind me. My heart thumps madly.
I turn slowly, but whoever it is stands in the darkened corner of the room.
What the hell am I supposed to do?
As she steps into the dim light, I breathe in a sigh of relief. Tall and slender with long blonde hair that nearly hits her ass, Nicolette’s friend Cosette looks at me with concern.
“Cosette.” My voice is choked.
“Savannah?” she whispers. “Is that you?”
“Yes.”
She looks to the left and right. “You aren’t supposed to be in here. Thayer will lose his mind. This room is public with no security restriction.”
I tell her quickly why I’m here. Her eyes widen. “Someone was in the playroom? That’s locked until noon.” She strokes her chin. “I’ll have to tell Thayer about this. Are they still there?”
“Yes, but I don’t know if you should?—”
She opens the door. I cover my mouth with my hand and look for cover.
