Page 30 of Hell Breaks Loose

HELLENA

“Everything good?”

I hear the men outside question the “doctor” before he heads back up the stairs. He mumbles something about my vitals before saying quietly, “She’s ready.”

Once he’s gone, I step into the doorway, having dressed and hastily cleaned up our disaster. Even so, I’m sure I look disheveled. Frazzled.

Tell did a number on me, for sure.

But I can’t be weak anymore.

“I’d like to be seen to my room, please.” It’s carefully worded, carefully intoned.

Not quite a request, not quite an order.

Instantly, Grico straightens, giving me a careful look, like he’s trying to see something that he missed.

“Your room is right there.” He jerks his head toward the cell.

“Not that one. Please. Go ask Marco.” Again, I’m careful not to beg or to lash out.

I see him debate with himself before heading toward the stairs. “Wait here.”

So I do.

And within a few minutes, he returns and nods for me to follow.

Grico doesn’t say a word as we head up the stairs, down the hall to the wing where I slept that one sweet night.

At the door, he stops, opening the way for me, stepping back.

Odd. He doesn’t watch me go in, just closes the door behind me.

Where I find quiet again for the first time in days. My guard won’t drop completely as I settle into the chair by the window, looking out over the water. But I find that I’m not terrified anymore of their coming to take me back.

The thought of going back down there is…

Just a thing that could happen. Or not.

Maybe they really did break me.

Or maybe I finally found that place past their mechanisms where I can protect myself. Like Tell and Gavin tried to train me so many weeks before. It feels like a lifetime ago.

There in the safe house, cooped up with my guys.

Recovering from a gunshot.

Later in the day, Margaret comes to bring me food. We chat.

It’s small talk. Nonsense.

Something about the exchange, however, lets me know that the balance has in fact shifted. That Marco believes I’ve been culled.

Or he’s testing me all over again.

Well, let him. I’m done playing into his hand. It’s time for me to play my way.

But that can wait until tomorrow. Tonight, I rest, spend time in silence, shedding a tear or two for no other reason than to purge the last bit of my pain.

---