Page 57 of Falcon's Prey

The sad thing was, I did miss it; it reminded me of home. Funny how you never think about the things you have until they get taken away from you. Sure, I still had a warm bed every night, but it came with unwanted attention. I had food if I wanted it, but it came with the price of knowing that every single thing came from Silas. He was the master of my universe, and I was a flightless bird in a cage.

The doctor gave me a pointed look like he was disappointed in me.

I couldn’t stand his gaze, so I moved to grab my coke vial. I was starting to get jittery. And as much as I wanted to pretend like I was strong and could leave it right now, this powder was a refuge.

“Remember, small doses. You have ease yourself down,” he said, his voice stern.

I did less than what I was snorting these past few days and let the coke relax me.

“Five minutes!” was shouted from the open hallway.

Dr. Wozniak started to remove the bag at my arm, taking his sweet time doing so.

“Until next time, Doc,” I said, pretending that I didn’t care he was leaving.

I felt the needle slip from my arm and his cold fingers as he put a Band-Aid over the pierced skin.

He squeezed my arm lightly. “Unfortunately, I don’t know when I’ll be back.”

Because the festival was a day away and I looked healthy, and that was all Silas cared about.

The bad thing about panicking when high? It made you trip out, and I was about to have a bad trip. I looked at the doctor’s eyes, full of panic, and wished I could tell him to take me with him, but knowing damn well that would put his life at risk.

“Is there anything I can do?” His hand was still on my arm, and his fingers rubbed it almost soothingly.

Did he want me to ask for help?

“Can you do me a favor?”

He seemed to stop holding his breath, and tilted his head, but his hand remained wrapped in my arm.

“There was a photoshoot that needed my approval,” I said, and the doctor looked at me funny at the stupidity coming out of my mouth. “I know a long time has passed, but if you can email the photographer on my behalf. The code to get into my laptop is Reddiamonds420. Once in, you will go to my folders, and once in there, find the one that says shoots. Once in that folder, find the one that says vanity, and then find the one that is labeled ICE. All the info will be in that file.”

“After all this time?” he said skeptically as if this was what I was asking help for.

“Please, he will be waiting to hear from me.” There was no denying the urgency in my voice.

Before he could reply, Gio was there telling him it was time to go.

“Thank you for everything, Doctor.”

His eyes flashed as he noticed that this was me saying goodbye to him. One of two things could happen. I could escape and be free, or Silas would capture me and get enraged and maybe even kill me.

“Any plans for the weekend?” he casually asked as he put away his things.

“Day of the Dead parade.”

He nodded with understanding. He’d been with me all my life, and this was one parade I never missed.

I watched him walk away, knowing it was probably the last time I would see him. Before he got to the door, he turned back to look at me.

“There’s a tiny little coffee shop across the main street from the parade. It’s a serene place, should you need a break from the festivities.”

“Out.” Gio pushed the doctor out.

He couldn’t see me wave goodbye.

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