Page 58 of Darkness

“It’s official. You have too much time on your hands. Ivy, you need to get out of this…” I wave my hands around, “… cell. And come upstairs more.”

She pouts. “I like it down here.”

It’s time to get serious. “Why? Do you not like everyone up there? Is there something you’re not telling me?”

Her eyes widen in shock. “Fuck no, of course I do. I love the guys and the club girls. They’ve made me feel so at home it’s not funny.”

“Then what is it, Ivy? Why would you stay down here? It’s so… creepy.”

She shrugs. “In Cuba, I had to be this outgoing and fun person to fit into this mold so I could be the person they all wanted me to be. Here, I can actually be me. I can stay down here and be a loner, or I can come up there and hang with everyone. They’re okay to let me be me, and I love them for it. They don’t force me to be anything but myself, so I’m taking it and running with it. Please don’t be the one to stop me from being who I really am, Eva.”

My head jerks back in shock. “I had no idea. I thought you loved going out partying and hanging with all your friends in Cuba.”

“I had pigeonholed myself into being a person I hated. I hated my life in Cuba. I love being at this club and my space down here. I have since they rescued us from the boat. You probably don’t understand, but please try.”

I shrug. “Okay… I get it…” I pause, thinking back on something she said. “Since they rescued us from the boat? What about when—”

Her eyes go as wide as saucers, and she stands, suddenly turning pale. “I meant you when they rescued you from the boat. Then, when they brought me here later… much later…”

My heart rate quickens, and my breathing intensifies. “Ivy?”

“Shit. I got it confused, Eva. Don’t listen to me. In fact, Void’s calling me. I need to go.” She turns, racing for the stairs.

Now I really know something’s wrong.

“Ivy Alicia Pérez, you get back here. Right. Now.” I bolt after her as she runs up the stairs, taking two at a time.

Anxiety floods through my veins while I am running. I’m not entirely sure what’s happening, but something’s been hidden from me. Something I’m sure I’m not going to like.

“Ivy!” I yell out as I reach the top of the stairs.

She’s sprinting toward Void, but I stop at the top. Anger races through me as Nycto turns to take in the chaos.

I huff. “Ivy… stop!” I yell, making everyone halt what they’re doing and turn and look at me. I have the attention of the entire clubhouse, including Nycto.

Ivy’s fearful eyes turn from Void to Nycto, and she grimaces. “I’m so sorry,” she whimpers.

Nycto takes a step forward. “What the hell’s going on?”

I cross my arms over my chest. “I’d like to know that myself.”

Nycto turns to Ivy as she throws her hands up in surrender. “It was an accident,” she says, her voice is a soft whimper.

Suddenly, it all falls into place.

The reason I was always locked in Nycto’s room.

Why Ivy has been so calm.

Why they didn’t search for Ivy straightaway.

When Nycto took me on a tour of the clubhouse, why he didn’t take me downstairs.

I don’t understand everything, but there’s a lot that makes sense.

Ivy was down there all along…

She’s been here since we were taken.

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