Page 16 of All Your Hate

I’m about to open my mouth to tell him about my girl when his gaze flicks towards Willow. The little thing is eavesdropping on us. “Later,” I say instead. I can text him the details once I’m out of here.

He nods and heads back to work, leaving me to check on Willow. I sit with her until she finally seems stable enough to be left alone. There’s no point in us both hanging around here. She’s not going anywhere, she’s seriously in love with him, even if she doesn’t seem to realize that.

My phone goes off and it’s a message from Luka’s pager with the amount he wants me to pay for his home visit. What would be an eye-watering sum for most is nothing to me. My knee bounces with anticipation and I can’t wait to get home.

“I’ll come back tomorrow,” I tell Willow as I stand up.

“You're leaving? What am I supposed to do? What do I say if someone asks questions again?” She’s still jittery, but I think that’s just her natural state. No coffee was a good idea.

“Don’t worry. No one will bother you. I’ve made sure they’ll tell you straight away what’s happening. If you need anything ask for Doctor Vincent. The best thing you can do for Dean now is be here when he wakes up.”

I kinda feel sorry for leaving her alone, but I can’t just sit here. Dean will understand.

4

WYNTER

For once, my dreams are pleasant.

Heat wraps around me, giving my body the comfort it craves so desperately.

I’ve been so used to the cold and I want more of this warmth. I try to reach out for it, but I’m not sure if I’m even in my body, everything feels so distant in this darkness.

There are odd sounds around me. Harsh whispers that turn into shouts. Loud bangs that echo in my head.

Am I in hell?

That’s a blow. I never considered myself a bad person. I’ve always done my best to survive and give Summer the best life I could.

All I can hope is that Charlie is still looking after her or if she’s been put into the system then a good family has taken her in.

With those hopes in my mind, I let myself drift further away until the heat makes every worry disappear.

What feels like a second later, my eyes open.

I quickly sit up and immediately feel that the bed beneath me is new. It’s definitely not the thin creaky frame with the eventhinner scratchy mattress I’ve been sleeping on in my prison. These sheets are black silk and they’re on the softest mattress I’ve ever felt.

The rest of the room is just as fancy, decorated in black with splashes of red, and silver fixtures.

It’s elegant, but also kind of creepy. Like some gothic sex lair.

Is thishisroom? It seems so out of place from what I saw of the rest of the house.

Across the room, heavy black curtains are pulled shut, but a small slither of daylight creeps in around the edges.

After a quick glance around to make sure I really am alone I rush to the window and pull the curtains open. The light burns my eyes, but I don’t care. I’ve not felt the sun in so long.

When my eyes start to adjust, I see the grounds of the house outside. I’m up on what looks like the third floor from the height of the drop below. A light gravel walkway circles the house and beyond that is a wide yard then nothing but trees.

The few glimpses I had of outside were so different from this.

I’m somewhere new.

Guess the first guy gave me away when his plans didn’t come to fruition.

I try the window latch and to my surprise, it opens. It’s too high to jump from here unless I plan to end it all. That’s not what I want right now. All I want is to breathe.

Taking a deep breath, I let myself taste the fresh air. The trees. The grass. It’s all so brand new like I’ve never been outside before.

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