Page 59 of Jackson

I reach out, curling my fingers around it and bringing it up, frantically unscrewing it and bringing it to my lips. It takes everything not to gulp the whole thing, but I know that wouldn’t be smart. If I did that, I would likely vomit it all back up, and I don’t know when they’re going to give me more, if at all.

So, I take a few sips, and then put it down.

The man frowns, scrunching up his nose. “You smell really fucking bad.”

I know I’ve peed myself, but there is little I can do about it.

“I haven’t exactly been given royal treatment,” I mutter.

“Can’t you use the toilet in the corner or something?”

Is he stupid?

“In case you didn’t know, I’ve been drugged. That means that I can’t fucking move, let alone crawl to the corner to pee.”

He purses his lips, like he doesn’t like that answer.

Who is this guy?

“I’ll see if I can get you some clean clothes.”

“Why?” I mutter, trying to roll to my side. “He’s going to kill me anyway.”

He doesn’t answer me, he just walks toward the door.

“I have a child at home,” I call out. “Her name is Ava, and she’s just a baby. I don’t know if you have any kids, but she is everything to me. I don’t want to die.”

He pauses, his hand stretched out to the door handle.

I hold my breath, hoping he’ll turn back around, but he doesn’t.

He opens the door and leaves.

I growl with frustration.

If I can’t stop Hound from drugging me, I’m never going to get out of this place, which means the only chance I might have is to use whoever that was to my advantage. If he cares enough to get me clean clothes, maybe he’d care if I didn’t wake up when he came in. Would he carry me out? Would he call for help? Something.

Firstly, though, I need to find a way to stop the drugs.

Hound always shoves the needle into my thigh. Could I cover it with something? Stop it from penetrating my skin? I have nothing I could use, the shirt around my foot would be too thick and he’d notice. Frustrated, I stare up at the ceiling. How the hell am I going to get out of here?

Is Jackson close to finding me?

Has Hound made contact with him?

I don’t know.

I don’t know anything, and that kills me.

All I can think about is Ava, and if she’s safe. I know Jackson would be protecting her, but what if something happens, what if they get attacked or he gets hurt? Who is going to be there for her? I promised her I wouldn’t let anything happen, and here I am, slowly fading away because I couldn’t keep that promise.

A salty tear runs down my cheek.

I reach for the water bottle and take another sip, I need to try and stay alive, it’s the very least I can do.

Hell, it’s all I can do for now.

THE MAN COMES BACK.